By the Wayside

Stories about people on the periphery of life, by a disabled and non-binary writer. The first season features glimpses into the lives of high risk and disabled people throughout the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. Gentle portraits of people feeling the pressures of societal abandonment, while still finding a way to find beauty and meaning in life.

Last refreshed: August 15th, 2025 at 4:50 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

S1E8 - High Risk - Aspen

Episode Notes Aspen and Denis lived a lockdown love story for a few days at the very start of the pandemic. Years later, Aspen feels drawn back to him. But their lives moved in such opposite directions in just those few years. Why did he feel this yearning? This is the finale for season 1 of High Risk! But more is coming, don't worry. All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.g...

Jan 22, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 8

S1E7 - High Risk -Sandra

Episode Notes How did everything slip away from Sandra, how did she let it all slip away. She didn't know what was happening to her. A fog rolled in over her mind, and a heaviness. All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1omaGoBr4F7q0rvvQvmtu7RgRqwt6hfMXUxlNbFWgrd0/edit?usp=sharing This podcast is powered by Pinecast ....

Jan 08, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 7

S1E6 - High Risk - May

Episode Notes May used to love the way they looked, but masking in a hostile world slowly undid that. When they first transitioned, they took photos of themself to find their way through dysphoria. Now they try to do the same, to learn how to like this new version of themself. All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pkoz4ayVIkLrAKpDYyLFP5U6gAk-nYbb2oNvn...

Dec 25, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6

S1E5 - High Risk - Simon

Episode Notes After the loss of his wife, Simon has to process the retirement he didn't get to have. In addition, he has a new roommate, a younger disabled relative who moved in to help out. Can they learn to adapt to the world as covid-19 rapidly changes it? All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A_D1YBasTZz7IuITC0T1H35IsK10EOBOu9Njpzu1cD8/edit?usp=sh...

Dec 11, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 5

S1E4 - High Risk - Cory

Episode Notes A brush with death made Cory committed to living her life to the fullest. But repeated covid-19 infections start to take that away from her. How could this happen to a seemingly healthy person like her? All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yu0rxacFkUZGBSQu0OOKVcS7bb70jthW6Cgs7kXb4Ms/edit?usp=sharing This podcast is powered by Pinecast ....

Nov 27, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 4

S1E3 - High Risk - Russ

Episode Notes Russ remembers his childhood of chronic illness and shame, as he watches his kids becoming more and more separated from their peers. As the world starts returning to the classroom, Russ and his wife Neive try to figure out what their family's future is going to look like. All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yJaz0v1Sic0TuF2ZYMYJrX2wl9c8...

Nov 13, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 3

S1E2 - High Risk - Greg

Episode Notes In the second episode of High Risk, Greg and Kay live in a queer little bubble in the first years of the covid-19 pandemic. But when Kay's egg cracks, Greg is filled with mixed feelings. How does this change his identity as a gay man? Are his health needs holding her back? All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EcflyfHpVMD5SjszZniKpjuDy0j...

Oct 30, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 2

S1E1 - High Risk - Mira

Episode Notes The first episode of High Risk features Mira, someone very accustomed to navigating the world as a person with chronic pain and fatigue. From all appearances, she should be able to handle what the pandemic brings to her life. But she finds herself unprepared for the way the people around her changed. All writing by Kimball Anderson. Art by Kimball Anderson and Laurel Leake. Music by Leah Lindsaychen. You can read a transcript of the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/...

Oct 16, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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