Best Disabilty Podcasts (2025)

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Possibilities Episode 8: MI-DDI 40th Anniversary Part Two 22:14

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2M ago22:14

22:14

In 2023, MI-DDI celebrated 40 years of service. To commemorate this milestone, we produced a three-part podcast series highlighting our organization’s past, present, and future. The series features interviews with key individuals who have shaped MI-DDI’s journey. In part two, we hear from Angela Martin, Elizabeth Janks, LuAnn Loy, and Michael Bray.…

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Possibilities Episode 7: MI-DDI 40th Anniversary Part One 19:54

5M ago19:54

19:54

In 2023, MI-DDI celebrated 40 years of service. To honor this achievement, we recorded a series of interviews with several people who’ve played important roles in MI-DDI’s development over a three part podcast series covering MI-DDI’s past, present, and future. In our part one, we hear from Liz Bauer, Barbara W. LeRoy, and Janice Fialka. Transcript…

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Season 3, Episode 30, Part 3: Jamie Minotti & Mark McLarry, "Hiring People With Disabilities Is Smart Business" 30:10

9M ago30:10

30:10

Send us a text Discover how embracing inclusivity transforms a business and its community. Join us as we spotlight Jamie Minotti and Mark McLarry, the visionary co-founders of My Yard Live Beer Company, who are pioneering inclusive employment practices for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through their inspiring collaboration with remark…

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Season 3, Episode 29, Part 2: Jamie Minotti & Mark McLary, "Brewing Inclusion - Literally" 29:27

9M ago29:27

29:27

Send us a text Discover how a unique brewery initiative is redefining community inclusion and empowerment as we sit down with My Yard Live Beer Company's co-founders, Jamie Minotti and Mark McLary. The "Four Dudes" – James Zoul and his friends, who all have disabilities – have turned what began as simple cleaning tasks into a powerful movement with…

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Season 3, Episode 28, Part 1: Jamie Minotti & Mark McLary, "Organically Inclusive Employment : The Journey of My Yard Live Beer Company" 35:56

9M ago35:56

35:56

Send us a text Imagine transforming the excitement of a music festival into a community hub where families gather, connect, and enjoy a cold brew—this is the vision brought to life by Jamie Minotti and Mark McLary, co-founders of My Yard Live Beer Company. These innovative entrepreneurs have crafted a unique space in San Marcos, California, merging…

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Season 3, Episode 27, Part 3: Kristen & James Zoul, "Living the Dream: Brewing Beer to a Disneyland Cruise" 25:08

9M ago25:08

25:08

Send us a text Discover the vibrant, fulfilling lives of Kristen and James Zoll, a married couple who redefine independence and interdependence while living with Down syndrome. In this uplifting episode, Kristen reveals her journey to finding purpose through her work at Love Works and volunteer efforts at St. Michael's Center, while James brings a …

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Season 3, Episode 26, Part 2 : Kristen & James Zoul "Our Engagement, Wedding, and Making Marriage Work" 18:09

10M ago18:09

18:09

Send us a text What happens when love transcends boundaries and societal expectations? Meet Kristen and James Zoll, a married couple with Down syndrome, whose remarkable relationship is nothing short of inspirational. In this heartwarming episode of the Born Fabulous Podcast, we explore their unique living arrangement, which balances independence w…

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Season 3, Episode 25, Part 1, Kristen & James Zoul with Lynn Metzger : "Pulling Back the Curtain - A Married Couple Who Has Down Syndrome" 21:41

10M ago21:41

21:41

Send us a text What if living independently with a disability didn't just mean surviving, but thriving? Meet James Zoll and Kristen Ruppel Zoll, a remarkable couple both living with Down syndrome, as they share their story of love, independence, and teamwork. Joined by their dedicated Home Health Aid, Lynn Metzger, discover how James and Kristen ha…

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Season 3, Episode 24, Part 8: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "From Uncertainty to Independence- It's a Journey" 18:36

10M ago18:36

18:36

Send us a text What happens when the dreams you have for your children shift dramatically? June and Jim Zoll, along with Melody and Bob Ruppel, share their heartfelt stories of raising young adults with Down syndrome and the transformative role of advocates like Lisa Hotelen and organizations such as LifeWorks. Hear them recount their initial uncer…

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Season 3, Episode 23, Part 7: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "All About Love: Engagement, Marriage, Relationship Guidance, and Sex" 24:55

10M ago24:55

24:55

Send us a text What's the magic formula for a memorable wedding that honors family traditions and supports future financial stability for children with Down syndrome? Join us on this heartwarming episode of the Born Fabulous Podcast where we share the touching journey of James Zoll and Kristen Ruppel's engagement through the loving voices of their …

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Season 3, Episode 22, Part 6: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "Groceries, Book Clubs, and a Pandemic: A Quilt of Resilience" 29:06

11M ago29:06

29:06

Send us a text As parents, we're wired to worry about our children's future—what if that future includes an intellectual disability? This week, we're joined by June and Jim Zoll, alongside Melody and Bob Ruppel, who open their hearts about raising children with Down syndrome. Their stories are not just tales of parenting, but of fostering independe…

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Season 3, Episode 21, Part 5: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "Jobs, Dating, Kissing, and an Apartment" 35:00

11M ago35:00

35:00

Send us a text Have you ever witnessed true love that not only defies the odds but also melts your heart? That's the story of James and Kristen, a delightful couple living with Down syndrome, whose marriage is a beacon of hope and joy. As we chat with their parents, June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and Bob Ruppel, we're swept into a narrative that cel…

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Season 3, Episode 20, Part 4: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "Independence & Opportunities" 24:06

11M ago24:06

24:06

Send us a text Navigating life with young adults who have intellectual disabilities can be a complex dance of fostering independence and cherishing interdependence. This heartfelt narrative unfolds as we reconnect with June and Jim Zoll alongside Melody and Bob Ruppel, who unveil the empowering decisions that shaped their children's growth into wel…

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Season 3, Episode 19, Part 3: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "Defying Odds with Love and Inclusion" 31:12

11M ago31:12

31:12

Send us a text Have you ever witnessed a moment that beautifully defies the odds? That's precisely what we unravel in our latest conversation with June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and Bob Ruppel, as we celebrate the extraordinary lives led by their children, James Zoll and Kristen Ruppel. This pair of young adults, bound by love and a shared experienc…

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Waskul v. Washtenaw County Community Mental Health - Possibilities Episode 6 24:22

11M ago24:22

24:22

We chat with Kyle Williams and Nick Gable, litigators for the plaintiffs in Waskul et al. v. Washtenaw County CMH et al. They discuss the case’s origins, the settlement, and its potential impact on people with disabilities and their caregivers.Transcript: https://bit.ly/4dSbPl0More on the case: www.drmich.org/cases/waskul/…

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Voting Rights - Possibilities Episode 5 20:49

11M ago20:49

20:49

Voting is a fundamental right of being an American, and it is important to ensure that everyone can participate. In this episode, you will learn more about the barriers people with disabilities face when voting and tips to make the voting process go as smooth as possible.By Michigan Developmental Disabilties Institute (MI-DDI)

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Michigan Vaccination Partners - Possibilities Episode 4 23:04

11M ago23:04

23:04

Michigan Vaccination Partners (MVP) work to ensure equitable vaccine access for those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The partnership includes AAoM, BIAMI, DRM, and MI-DDI. In this episode, discover MVP's vision, goals, and how each organization contributes to improving access to vaccinations and healthcare services. https://ddi.wayne.edu/…

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Living That MI-LEND Life - Possibilities Episode 3 22:31

11M ago22:31

22:31

MI-LEND is a two-semester program focused on building interdisciplinary leadership skills that are family-centered and culturally competent. In this episode, Lily Slavin from the 2020-2021 cohort shares her experience and discusses how MI-LEND prepares future leaders in the disability community. Learn more at ddi.wayne.edu/possibilitiespodcast/livi…

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Season 3, Episode 18, Part 2: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "James and Kristen's Inclusive Education Builds Determination" 24:41

12M ago24:41

24:41

Send us a text Have you ever witnessed the transformative power of a community that opens its arms to every member, no matter the challenges they face? That's the heartwarming reality June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and Bob Ruppel have lived as they raised their children, James and Kristen, who both have Down syndrome. In our latest episode, we're ho…

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Season 3, Episode 17, Part 1: June & Jim Zoul with Melody & Bob Rupple, "Love and Limitless Potential" 32:06

12M ago32:06

32:06

Send us a text How do you navigate the joys and challenges of raising young adults with intellectual disabilities? Join us for this heartwarming episode of Born Fabulous, where we uncover the inspiring stories of two extraordinary couples, Jim and June Soule and Melody and Bob Ruppel. You'll hear Melody's journey managing government contracts at We…

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Season 3, Episode 16, Part 3: Micah Fialka-Feldman & Katherine Sanderson, "Micah's Circle of Support" 27:18

12M ago27:18

27:18

Send us a text Micah Fialka- Feldman and Katherine Sanderson are interviewed together in this episode. Katherine is a critical member of Micah's support staff. This is the last of three episodes. Micah and Katherine talk about his strong Circle of Support, goals for the future, technology that helps Micah, social media, advice, sweet and funny stor…

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Season 3, Episode 15, Part 2: Micah Fialka-Feldman & Katherine Sanderson, "Great Support Staff, Ideal Roommate, Raising an Independent Young Man" 26:28

1y ago26:28

26:28

Send us a text Micah Fialka- Feldman and Katherine Sanderson are interviewed together in this episode. Katherine is a critical member of Micah's support staff. This is the second of three episodes. Micah and Katherine share her role as support staff, the concept of paid neighbors, what makes great support staff, what is an ideal roommate, how Micah…

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Season 3, Episode 14, Part 1: Micah Fialka-Feldman & Katherine Sanderson, "Meet Micah and Katherine" 24:11

1y ago24:11

24:11

Send us a text Micah Fialka- Feldman and Katherine Sanderson are interviewed together in this episode. Katherine is a critical member of Micah's support staff. This is the first of three episodes. Micah updates listeners on his life since his episodes in season 2 of Born Fabulous Podcast. Micah and Katherine talk about getting through the pandemic,…

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Season 3, Episode 13, Part 5: Janice Fialka & Richard Feldman, "The Best People In the World" 22:17

1y ago22:17

22:17

Send us a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman continue their discussion about the sibling perspective, sharing a very poignant quote by their daughter Emma. They also talk about fighting and loving hard, share many resources, give some advice, and sprinkle in more sweet stories. Their wisdom, advice, and experiences have golden nuggets for paren…

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Season 3, Episode 12, Part 4: Janice Fialka & Richard Feldman, "I Gave a Teacher Hope Today!" 25:21

1y ago25:21

25:21

Send us a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss Micah's ability to reach out to others, generational sense of security, giving a teacher hope, interdependence, how this journey has made lifelong profound personal changes, a sibling's perspective, and much more. Every one of Janice and Rich's episodes are impactful, but this one has even mo…

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Season 3, Episode 11, Part 3: Janice Fialka & Richard Feldman, "Revisit, Reflect, Reignite" 24:04

1y ago24:04

24:04

Send us a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss Micah's upcoming book, helping families develop their stories, the importance of revisiting-reflecting-reigniting, thinking "outside the box", turnover in support teams, interdependence as the goal, the profound effect of true inclusion on society, and much more. Their wisdom, advice, and sto…

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Season 3, Episode 10, Part 2: Janice Fialka & Richard Feldman, "This Is Really Hard Work" 23:14

1y ago23:14

23:14

Send us a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss their guiding principles, Micah's living situation, the hard work of building and maintaining circles and community support, breaking the silence, inclusion's effect on society, and much more. Their wisdom, advice, and stories have golden nuggets for parents of younger children as well as adu…

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Season 3, Episode 9, Part 1: Janice Fialka & Richard Feldman, "To Hell with Bootstraps" 27:47

1y ago27:47

27:47

Send us a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss inclusion, how they got through the pandemic as a family, overcoming individualism, learning how to ask, letting go, and much more of interest to families of children and young adults with intellectual disabilities. Their wisdom, advice, and stories have golden nuggets for parents of younger …

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Season 3, Episode 8, Part 3: Kayla McKeon and Elyssa Stallcup, "Be Persistent, Parents Don't Limit Your Children" 28:11

1y ago28:11

28:11

Send us a text Kayla McKeon and her roommate, Elyssa Stallcup, discuss a wide array of topics including the shortage of mentors, making their apartment their home, sincere advice, healthy communication, and more. Their 50/50 commitment to their friendship and living situation is a wonderful, organic model for many. Kayla is best known as the first …

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Season 3, Episode 7, Part 2: Kayla McKeon and Elyssa Stallcup, "My Own Rules... My Freedom" 25:50

1y ago25:50

25:50

Send us a text Kayla McKeon and her roommate, Elyssa Stallcup, discuss chores and their chore chart, Kayla's version of supported decision making, different circles of support, and more. Kayla is best known as the first professional lobbyist with Down syndrome. She is also a podcast host, sought after keynote speaker, community college graduate, an…

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Season 3, Episode 6, Part 1: Kayla McKeon and Elyssa Stallcup, "Persistence is a Big Part of the Journey" 27:54

1y ago27:54

27:54

Send us a text Kayla McKeon and Elyssa Stallcup are interviewed together in this episode, because they are roommates. Kayla updates listeners on her life now since they heard her in season 2 of Born Fabulous Podcast. Kayla and Elyssa enlighten us on their planned, and patient journey to become roommates, and find the right apartment. They talk abou…

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Season 3, Episode 5, Part 2: Patti McKeon, "You Have to Presume Competence" 27:57

1y ago27:57

27:57

Send us a text Patti McKeon, Kayla McKeon's mother, talks about Kayla's travel and work at NDSS, how she speaks for those who cannot, how it feels to have Kayla happily settled in her own place, how her family encouraged Kayla, and more. She also shares a few powerful quotes that helped them, and hopefully will help others. Kayla McKeon is the firs…

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Season 3, Episode 4, Part 1: Patti McKeon, "Helping Kayla Choose an Apartment, and Much More" 34:15

1y ago34:15

34:15

Send us a text Patti McKeon discusses her adult daughter, Kayla McKeon's, independence journey. She delves into how her family navigated through Covid, how Kayla picked out her apartment, Kayla's unique living situation, Circles of Determination and more. Kayla is the first professional lobbyist with Down syndrome, a sought after public speaker, a …

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Season 3, Episode 3: Sean McElwee, "I Like Freedom" 32:40

1y ago32:40

32:40

Send us a text Sean McElwee is best known as one of the stars of A & E's Emmy winning series "Born This Way". He owns a t-shirt company called Seanese, is a keynote speaker, and a strong self-advocate. Sean has Down syndrome and hearing loss in one ear. In this episode Sean updates the audience on his life, talks about the benefits and pitfalls of …

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Season 3, Episode 2, Part 2: Sandra McElwee, "Dream Big, Dream Bigger" 25:23

1+ y ago25:23

25:23

Send us a text Sandra McElwee, mother of "Born This Way" star Sean McElwee, author of three books, and independent facilitator with Empower Person Centered Pans, discusses the rewards and pitfalls of independence, supported decision making, an update from the last episode of "Born This Way", tips for hiring staff, advice, and more. Sandra's son Sea…

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Season 3, Episode 1, Part 1: Sandra McElwee, "Chief Dream Facilitator" 30:11

1+ y ago30:11

30:11

Send us a text Sandra McElwee, mother of "Born This Way" star Sean McElwee, author of three books, and independent facilitator with Empower Person Centered Pans, discusses what she does as a facilitator and gives some great out of the box examples of young adults with intellectual disabilities working towards independence. Her son Sean has Down syn…

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Possibilities Episode 2 - Medication Management 24:34

3+ y ago24:34

24:34

Managing medications is not always easy. In this episode, Clinical Pharmacist Dr. Steven Erickson talks about how to make the process efficient and safe for people with disabilities and their caregivers.Learn more at ddi.wayne.edu/possibilitiespodcast/medication-managementBy Michigan Developmental Disabilties Institute (MI-DDI)

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Possibilities Episode 1 - Transitioning To Independent Life 20:15

4y ago20:15

20:15

In this episode, we talk with Elizabeth Janks, Associate Director of Training and Education at MI-DDI, about transitioning young people with disabilities to adulthood and promoting their independence. Elizabeth maps out the steps a parent or caregiver should take to prepare for this life change.Learn more at ddi.wayne.edu/possibilitiespodcast/trans…

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Ep. 5: Road Trip Conclusion 24:30

4+ y ago24:30

24:30

This episode finishes the story of show host Kenneth Raymond’s personal road trip journey that led to his CMT diagnosis. This is the second installment of a two-part episode. The first episode, Road Trip 1, starts with the story of a 12-year-old climbing a giant oak tree in the dead-of-Winter, and then everything changes all of a sudden, without wa…

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Ep. 4: Road Trip Part 1 18:24

4+ y ago18:24

18:24

This episode tells the story of show host Kenneth Raymond’s personal road trip journey that led to his CMT diagnosis. This is the first installment of a two-part episode, and it starts with the story of a 12-year-old climbing a giant oak tree in the dead-of-Winter in suburban Detroit, and then everything changes all of a sudden, without warning, an…

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Ep. 3: Change Changing Places 16:46

4+ y ago16:46

16:46

Does CMT change types from one generation to the next? Can CMT change types? Can somebody inherit a different type of CMT than what their mom or dad has? The answers are easy, but getting to the why and how behind the answer requires a little bit of digging. In this episode, we tackle the questions about CMT changing types through inheritance and e…

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Ep. 2: What's in A Name? 40:31

4+ y ago40:31

40:31

With CMT being inheritable, there are four ways that CMT can be inherited. These four ways are called the inheritance patterns. The inheritance patterns are confusing. The genetic mutations that cause CMT are confusing. There are so many types, each confusingly caused by a different confusing gene mutation. CMT is as confusing as it gets. For all t…

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Ep. 1: It's All In The Genes... 47:29

4+ y ago47:29

47:29

In this inaugural episode, I dive into the deep end, head first, and fully explain each way Charcot Marie Tooth disease can be inherited, and in great detail. Then, I remove the veil of secrecy from the mysteries of the genetic tests for CMT by explaining what the terminology is in the test reports and how the terminology is used to aid the doctors…

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The Cryptid Sloth Show Trailer 2:32

4+ y ago2:32

2:32

The official trailer for the Cryptid Sloth Show, the new podcast dedicated to the weirdest named neuromuscular disease nobody has ever heard of: CMT. Charcot Marie Tooth disease, or CMT for short, is a rare inheritable neuromuscular disease, and it is the most common inherited neuromuscular disease. Affecting over 3 million people, almost nobody ha…