Suzi Chicago's Podcast | Episode 15: Making Your Own Room: Nic Novicki on Resilience Media

In today&;s episode, I&;m absolutely starstruck talking with Nick Novicki—comedian, actor, and founder of the Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge. I&;ve been following Nick since he appeared early on Nate Bargatze&;s podcast, and getting to sit down with him is a dream come true. Nick shares his incredible journey from business school at Temple University to bombing in comedy clubs, living in a curtained-off corner with Nate Bargatze, and eventually touring arenas with 30,000 people.But beyond the comedy success and roles on The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, Nick reveals his real passion: creating opportunities for people with disabilities through the Disability Film Challenge. From 4 films to 123 entries from around the world, this competition has launched careers and changed lives. We dive into everything from hilarious parking garage disasters to the importance of representation, making your own room in entertainment, and why asking for help can lead to the best connections.

⏱️ Episode Timeline & Highlights[02:42] – The Nic Novicki Resume: From The Sopranos to the Spider-Verse.[05:20] – Comedy as a Defense Mechanism: Using humor to disarm and deflect.[06:54] – The Pivot: Why Nic traded a finance scholarship for the New York comedy grind.[14:20] – The Human Ladder: Growing up, "Stranger Danger," and the power of being friendly.[21:50] – Living with a Legend: What it was really like sharing a curtained-off room with Nate Bargatze.[24:53] – Arena Energy: The surreal feeling of playing the Boston Garden.[29:40] – Representation Matters: Why Nic decided to start producing his own content.[33:31] – The Film Challenge: How it works and the doors it’s opening at Sony and beyond.[43:34] – The Runaway Van: A 0-to-60 disaster story involving pedal extensions and a parking garage.

???? Links & ResourcesFollow Nic on Instagram: @nicnovickiEaster Seals Disability Film Challenge: DisabilityFilmChallenge.comImportant Dates: Registration opens January 2026 | Competition: March 24-29, 2026.Watch Nic’s Work: Check out his roles in Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos.Nate Bargatze&;s podcast (where I first discovered Nick!)

Closing ThoughtsIf this episode inspired you, please like, subscribe, and share! Nick&;s story proves that when nobody tells you "you can&;t," amazing things happen.

The Disability Film Challenge is changing lives, 850 films created, countless careers launched, and a movement for representation that keeps growing. If you or someone you know wants to tell their story through film, mark your calendar for March 2026.