More Than Chit Chat: 10 Years of Self-Advocacy

What started as one self-advocate’s idea in 2016 has grown into a decade of conversations, connections, creativity, and opportunities for other self-advocates to find their voices.

Ten years ago, “Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor” started with an idea, a camera, and a self-advocate willing to try something new.

The first videos weren’t polished productions. There was plenty to learn about interviewing, filming, editing, and everything that happens behind the camera. But Taylor Carley had something to say — and he was willing to learn how to say it.

Today, 414 videos later, Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“My favorite is the first in that it set the tone for all future videos,” said Dr. Jerry Alliston, executive director of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). “I know it is not Taylor’s favorite as it is raw and has an amateur feel to it. It reminds me of our early talks on his Chit Chat dream, and when you see all the amazing video work he is doing now, it is just so impressive!”

Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor began in 2016 and has grown into a monthly YouTube series dedicated to promoting self-advocacy efforts across Mississippi.

Over the years, Taylor has sat down with guests to discuss community initiatives, statewide developments, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disability issues, and much more. Other episodes have turned the camera toward Taylor himself, giving viewers a glimpse into his life through personal updates and vlog-style content.

Along the way, those conversations have also pushed Taylor outside his comfort zone.

When asked which interview made him the most nervous, one guest immediately came to mind: Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker.

“For me, I guess, Toby Barker, because he’s the Mayor of Hattiesburg,” Taylor recalled. “I really wanted to look good. Had my questions ready. But when he came in — oh, it was a breeze!”

Taylor had never met Barker in person before the interview, and the title of “Mayor of Hattiesburg” had him a little intimidated. “I was like, ‘OOOH!’” Taylor said. “But I was able to vibe. I was able to get it done. I asked my questions, he answered them, and I got it done.”

It was a lesson in not letting nerves — or a big job title — get in the way of a good conversation.

Of the hundreds of interviews Taylor has conducted, another stands out for a very different reason: Temple Grandin.

Taylor first interviewed Grandin during Chit Chat’s earlier years, while he was still developing his production and editing skills. That interview ultimately had to be deleted.

But the story didn’t end there.

A few years later, Grandin came to Mississippi for the disAbility MegaConference. When Taylor saw her, he took a chance: he asked if she would sit down with him for another interview. She said yes.

This time, Taylor brought years of additional experience with him. He recorded the conversation, put his film-editing skills to work, and successfully produced an interview that viewers can still find on the Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor YouTube channel today.

In many ways, the two Temple Grandin interviews tell the story of Chit Chat itself. The first didn’t go according to plan. Taylor kept learning anyway. When another opportunity came along, he was ready for it.

As Taylor’s skills grew, so did the possibilities for Chit Chat.

Over the years, Taylor has produced several spin-off series that put other self-advocates in front of the camera and gave them opportunities to share their own interests, personalities, and perspectives.

“Relentless: A Vlog with Kahla,” featuring Kahla Meyers, invited viewers into Kahla’s world through vlog-style content. “The Scoop with Reagan,” hosted by Reagan Ratcliff, brought another voice and personality to the growing Chit Chat family. “Technology with Dan,” featuring Dan Lewis, provided viewers with tips and tricks on navigating the latest technological advances. Most recently, Taylor has been behind the camera for “Em’s Movie Picks,” featuring Emilee Flurry as host.

The result is something bigger than a single YouTube series. What began as an opportunity for Taylor to develop and share his own voice has also become a way for him to help other self-advocates do the same.

And while Taylor has become the person helping others in front of and behind the camera, he has had someone helping him hone those skills along the way.

A special part of Chit Chat’s 10-year story belongs to Rich Baker, IDS Director of Technology and Accessibility.

Over the years, Baker has been instrumental in helping Taylor and other self-advocates develop their technology skills in everything from filming and editing to 3D printing and beyond, providing the guidance and support that allows them to become increasingly independent in turning their ideas into finished products.

From those early, raw videos to Taylor now producing and editing content featuring other self-advocates, the evolution of Chit Chat demonstrates what can happen when people have access not only to technology, but also to opportunities to learn how to use it.

For Taylor, those skills have become tools for storytelling, connection, creativity, and self-advocacy.

Ten years is a milestone worth celebrating. So are 414 videos on the Chit Chat Thursdays with Taylor YouTube channel.

But the story of Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor can’t really be measured by either number alone.

It can be found in an intimidating interview that turned into an easy conversation. In an interview that didn’t work the first time and a self-advocate who was confident enough to ask for a second chance. In the transition from learning how to edit his own videos to producing shows that put other self-advocates in the spotlight.

And it can be found in the fact that, a decade later, Taylor still loves doing it.

So, what does he envision for the future of Chit Chat?

“Keep talking to awesome guests in the future,” Taylor said. “Keep showing what’s going on. And love what I do.”

After 10 years, perhaps that’s the best measure of success there is.

Here’s to the conversations already recorded — and all the Chit Chat still to come.

Watch Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@chitchatthursdaywithtaylor3539/videos

Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor is supported through a collaborative grant with the Southeast ADA Center and the Institute for Disability Studies’ core grant.