Like many so-crazy-it-just-might-work ideas, “Two Rare Mama Bears” podcast was borne out of sleep deprivation.
Matty Manley and Megan Meyer were in Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport at the beginning of March 2018, delayed from one of the season’s many turbulent Nor’easters. Matty hadn’t slept for 24 hours, and they still had one more leg to go before they arrived to their homes in Washington state (Matty) and Iowa (Megan). They’d had a long week in Washington DC in the final days of February, which are internationally recognized as Rare Disease Week, spending most of their waking hours meeting members of Congress, advocating for people with rare disease and specifically, congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). During the week, they ended each of their social media posts with #LeaveNoStoneUnturned or #FailureIsNotAnOption.
Physically and mentally exhausted and looking ahead to hours listening to their favorite podcasts, Megan wondered if they could host their own show about rare disease and CMD.
“[Matty] looked at me like I was crazy,” says Megan.
“But then as soon as I processed the idea, I was totally on board!” interjects Matty.