Hertzberg’s Heroes: Vol. II, Issue VI — Carly Weyers & Sarah Tubert
Welcome to Hertzberg’s Heroes! Team Hertzberg periodically highlights individuals and entities that are heroic in their dedication to improving lives in the San Fernando Valley and beyond. If you know someone we should recognize as a Hertzberg Hero, please let us know at Senator.Hertzberg@sen.ca.gov!
The entertainment industry is a vibrant part of life and business in the San Fernando Valley. We are proud to be home to studios, soundstages, production companies and talent. The economic impact of the industry spreads far beyond those who directly create movies, music and television, including dry cleaners, caterers, and many other local businesses that support them. Not that long ago, only major studios could produce and distribute content. Now, with technological advances, everyone can be a creator and share their point of view with a wide audience. For two deaf San Fernando Valley-based creatives, Carly Weyers and Sarah Tubert, inclusion was the motivation for creating their new podcast, “What the Deaf?!” Their goal was to produce an entertaining and informative program that engages deaf and hearing audiences alike via both video and traditional podcast options.
Carly and Sarah are best friends who met at Gallaudet University. The university, based in Washington, D.C., is the only institution of higher learning to offer specifically designed instruction for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and it is where Carly received her Bachelor’s degree sociology and communications. She was born to deaf parents, while Sarah became deaf at the age of three as the result of an operation that accidentally severed her right facial nerve. Carly’s sister, who is the only hearing member of their family, serves as her voice in “What the Deaf?!” Throughout the podcast, both women emphasize that there is no “right way” to be deaf; every hard of hearing and deaf person’s experience is unique.
Both Sarah and Carly currently live in the San Fernando Valley. Sarah is an actress, motivational speaker, and captain of the USA National Deaf Women’s Volleyball team. After transferring to, and later graduating from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Theatre, Sarah convinced Carly to move to Los Angeles. Previously, Carly was behavioral health coordinator for the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and used her expertise and experience to advocate on behalf of deaf communities in her home state. The two brainstormed the idea for “What the Deaf?!” during a trip to Europe.
With “What the Deaf?!” Carly and Sarah share their own experiences, and invite their audience to ask them anything. Carly and Sarah share their journeys of dating, college, working, and living in a hearing world, where their voices are in their hands. After concluding a successful first season, the two friends have expanded by creating “What the Deaf?!” Productions. Their goal is to continue the conversation within the entertainment industry, and beyond, becoming the go-to place to help build bridges to the Deaf community.
Team Hertzberg applauds Carly and Sarah’s ambition and creativity. Their work is a positive resource for the local, and global, entertainment industry. We wish them great success in their future endeavors, and appreciate how they are helping to make our Valley community and the entertainment industry more inclusive. If you would like to learn more about “What the Deaf?!,” please visit WhatTheDeaf.com. You can watch the show with closed captioning on YouTube, or listen wherever you usually get your podcasts.
