Changing Minds & Changing Lives Podcast

What happens when thousands of qualified candidates are filtered out by the same AI system? In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , Julie Sowash sits down with workforce strategist and advocate Beverly Dines to unpack the growing impact of AI-driven hiring tools—and the real-world consequences for job seekers navigating today’s market. Grounded in a recent Stanford study on algori...

What if the biggest barrier to opportunity isn’t intent, but the assumptions we never question? In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , host Julie Sowash sits down with educator, author, and founder of LightWork Equitable Solutions, Dr. ClauDean “Dr. K” Kizart, to unpack how bias shows up in ways we often don’t recognize—especially anchoring bias, or our tendency to rely on first...

Chronic illness affects millions of people worldwide, yet support systems remain fragmented, difficult to navigate, and often inaccessible. For many, the journey is not just medical but also deeply isolating. In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , Julie Sowash sits down with Cyndii Sinex , public health practitioner and founder of the upcoming Chronic Illness Hotline , to explore...

What does authentic leadership actually look like, and why does it matter more than ever for disability inclusion at work? In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , host Julie Sowash is joined by Megan Fuciarelli, Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of US2 Consulting, to unpack one of the biggest workplace challenges in 2026: the growing gap between what employers say and what e...

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , host Julie Sowash sits down with Myles Wallace, Disability Inclusion Partner at Peak Performers, to unpack what disability hiring really looks like in 2026. From outdated job descriptions and biased resume screening to interviews that unintentionally exclude neurodivergent and disabled candidates, Myles shares where employers continue to get...

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , host Julie Sowash sits down with Davina Douthard—founder of Polishing the Professional and creator of The Able Show —to challenge one of the most persistent barriers in disability employment: the charity mindset. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in image management, workforce development, and inclusive entertainment, Davina shares...

In this powerful Season 3 kickoff of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , host Julie Sowash sits down with sisters and co‑founders of Dateability , Jacqueline and Alexa Child , to explore how lived experience, legal insight, and pure sister‑energy transformed a shared frustration into the world’s leading dating app for disabled and chronically ill people. From navigating ableism on mainstream dat...

Join us for a special year-end episode of "Changing Minds, Changing Lives" as host Julie Sowash sits down with Keith Meadows, Executive Director of Disability Solutions, for an honest and insightful conversation about the future of disability employment. Keith shares his journey from restaurant management to leading a national nonprofit, revealing how customer service skills and operational know-h...

In this episode of Changing Minds and Changing Lives , host Julie Sowash , CEO of Catch 22 Group and the Job Board Doctor, and founder of Disability Solutions, sits down with Tara Turk-Haynes — strategist, storyteller, equity activator, and founding member of Hacking HR — for a candid, no-nonsense conversation about the state of DEI in today’s workplaces and the growing controversy surrounding SHR...

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , Julie Sowash welcomes Chris Ruden, a world record-holding powerlifter, motivational speaker, inclusion advocate, and finalist on NBC’s Titan Games . Born with a disability and later diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Chris shares how years of hiding his hand shaped his understanding of self-acceptance, resilience, and ultimately, his purpose. J...

In this compelling episode, Brandy Schantz—Army veteran, former intelligence professional, and chronic illness advocate—joins Julie Sowash to share how her life was upended by severe Crohn’s disease, drug-induced lupus, and dysautonomia. Brandy opens up about navigating a healthcare system that offered little support and a workforce that wasn’t built for people with chronic illness. Her story chal...

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives , Julie Sowash talks with Jennifer Dewees , Executive Director of MCCEI , about how the construction industry is evolving to meet a critical workforce shortage—and why it’s becoming a powerful, inclusive pathway for Gen Z, women, and people with disabilities. Jennifer shares how Maryland is leading the way with apprenticeship programs that off...

In this episode of Changing Minds, Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with Travis Davis, a speaker, entrepreneur, and disability advocate living with cerebral palsy. Travis shares his journey of advocating for disabilities, from his college days to becoming a TEDx speaker and host of the podcast *Off the Crutch*. Travis discusses the motivation behind his brand, which aims to help others...

What does it mean to be seen, but not truly heard? When the color of your skin speaks louder than your voice, and your neurodivergence is misread as defiance, disinterest, or something to be corrected? In this powerful episode, guest host Grant Harris sits down with two thought-provoking guests whose lives and work sit at the intersection of race, disability, and identity. Ian Gibbs-Hall is the cr...

In this compelling episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with disability advocate, policy leader, and employment innovator David Rice for a conversation that spans personal resilience, systemic change, and the future of disability inclusion. David shares his powerful journey from being the only Deaf student in his community to leading transformational work at...

Holly O’Hern returns to Changing Minds & Changing Lives for a candid and compassionate conversation with host Julie Sowash about grief in the workplace. Together, they explore the many forms grief can take—from losing a loved one to the quiet mourning of fading DEI commitments. Holly offers thoughtful guidance on how to show up for colleagues who are grieving and why creating space for grief a...

RFK Jr.'s recent comments about autism have drawn stark criticism from the autism community. He inaccurately claimed autistic individuals "will never pay taxes, hold a job, or write a poem..." This week's guest, autism advocate and college junior, Kadin McElwain , is proving RFK Jr. wrong on every front. Julie and Kadin discuss politics and government policy, including cuts to the Department of Ed...

Julie sits down with Senior Director of Global Talent Acquisitions, Ron Fish, to explore his approach to fostering inclusive hiring practices within his organization. Ron shares his vision for building a diverse workforce and highlights the strategies and initiatives being implemented to create an equitable hiring process. Discover how this talent acquisition leader is promoting and supporting inc...

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Grant Harris opens up to Julie about his late-life autism diagnosis, sharing his journey of understanding and accepting his neurodistinct behaviors. He discusses the impact of his diagnosis on both his personal life and professional endeavors, particularly through his consulting firm, GTH Consulting. The conversation also explores the importa...

Julie meets with Dr. Lucy Reynolds, the Managing Director of We Are All Disabled, to discuss the Affirmative Model of Disability. Dr. Lucy shares her efforts to change societal perceptions of disability through her PhD research and personal experiences. She also shares some exciting personal news contributing to her community and mission.

Julie talks with Holly O’Hern of Regime Change (a corporate learning and development company) about courageous leadership, creating safe spaces, trauma-informed workplaces, recent DEI backlash, and more. Notes: Holly O’Hern brings 20+ years of experience in leadership development, DEI (diversity equity inclusion), learning and development, team building, and inclusive events and workshops. Special...

Julie sits down with Hollywood talent manager, Elle Potruch to break down what goes into managing and advocating for talent with disabilities in the current entertainment industry landscape. Notes: Elle Potruch is a talent manager representing deaf and disabled talent in the digital and traditional entertainment industries. She independently manages a roster of creators, actors, public speakers, a...

Disability Inclusion Consultant and Public Speaker Calum Grevers shares his personal experiences navigating the social housing systems and accessibility barriers in Scotland throughout his quest to live independently as a person with a disability and a full-time wheelchair user. Notes: Calum Grevers is a freelance Disability Inclusion Consultant, public speaker, policy researcher, and disability c...

Julie sits down with Kole Petersen, a writer for The Catalyst, an independent student newspaper of Colorado College, to discuss his three-part expose’ on the Disability Equality Index (DEI). Kole explains why he believes the DEI corporate rankings are misleading and damaging for the disability community. Notes: Kole Petersen is a psychology major, journalist, and student-athlete at Colorado Colleg...

In this episode, Julie has a conversation with Kara Richardson Whitely, who is the CEO of The Gorgeous Agency . They talk about the importance of body diversity and inclusion in the corporate world and how corporations can have a significant impact on promoting inclusion in the workplace. Kara shares her personal journey and discusses her book, "Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds." She...