Let's grow together
This newsletter is growing and our brand is evolving with it. Read this week about that growth and what to expect in the coming weeks and months ahead.
š± Growth Rings: A New Chapter in Disability Culture Storytelling
Dear friends,
Since its inception, Life Beyond Compliance has been a space for reflection, advocacy, and vision. It is a place where weāve explored what it means to live fully, freely, and authentically as disabled people in Montana and beyond. Today, Iām excited to share that this platform is evolving.
Weāre rebranding our Substack to align with our new podcast and cultural storytelling initiative: Growth Rings.
Why Growth Rings?
The name draws inspiration from the rings of a tree. Each one marks a season of growth, resilience, and adaptation. Itās a metaphor for the wisdom and strength inherent in the lived experience of disability, and for the cultural movement weāre building together. Just like trees, our community grows stronger with each challenge we face, each story we share, and each connection we make. Some years bring a lot of water while others are so dry we barely hang on, some years are especially hot and others are cold, and sometimes a wildfire scars while it also spawns forth young saplings in the understory, regardless of what is thrown at us we keep growing and we carry our experiences as rings that may not always be visible, but still make us what we are today and prepare us for the next stage of growth.
What to Expect in the Coming Weeks and Months
This rebrand is more than a name change. Itās a signal of a broader shift in how Disability Rights Montana communicates, connects, and cultivates culture. We see all our advocacy as culture change work. From systemic lawsuits, to investigating harmful conditions in institutional and community settings, to educating legislators and administration about the impact of their actions, we are working to build the society we want to live in, a society that fully values and includes people with disabilities. We are building a Montana culture that embraces Disability culture. Our communications with you reflects and promotes that as well. Hereās whatās coming:
šļø The Growth Rings Video Podcast
Launching soon, this podcast will feature conversations that further our vision. The podcast is designed to elevate disability culture. Youāll hear stories that challenge your assumptions, celebrate creativity, and deepen our collective understanding of what it means to thrive.
š¬ Substack as a Cultural Journal
This Substack will continue to provide updates on what Disability Rights Montana is thinking and doing, and it will grow as a companion to the podcast. It will be a place for essays, additional reading and video resources that compliment the podcast topics, provide behind-the-scenes reflections, transcripts, and community contributions. Expect thoughtful writing, visual storytelling, and invitations to participate in shaping the narrative.
š± Social Media That Builds Culture
Weāre developing new strategies to make our social media more engaging, accessible, and mission-driven. Youāll see more frequent updates, shareable content, and calls to action that invite you to be part of the movement.
š² A Culture-Building Ecosystem
Growth Rings is just one part of a larger vision. I donāt want to get too far ahead of all the great work DRM staff are up to, BUT as a hint of what is to come - keep an eye out for in-depth, intensive learning opportunities, ways to identify with and own a piece of Montana disability culture, and in-person opportunities to celebrate and build this culture together.
Through this Substack and the podcast weāre planting seeds for a vibrant, inclusive future.
How You Can Help
Subscribe and share the Growth Rings Substack with your networks.
Engage with our postsācomment, reflect, and amplify.
Suggest guests or topics for the podcast that youād love to hear.
Support our work by donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.
This is a season of transformation, and Iām grateful to have you with us. Letās grow together.
In solidarity,
David Carlson
Executive Director, Disability Rights Montana
Would you like me to format this for Substack with headings, images, or links? I can also help draft a social media post to announce the rebrand.