Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion Podcast

Living with epilepsy and autism, Megan has given back to the local police for their kindness during her early years.   Find out how on Episode 18 of the Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion podcast.   Joining host Steve Nearman are his guests:   Megan Richardson, Board Secretary, Hingham Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association   Ryan O'Shea, Deputy Chief, @hinghampolice   We discuss her work...

How does the upcoming Island Autism Gala on June 19th aid in providing services to its autism community, including day and residual programing? Find out on this episode of the Breaking the Ice Lets Talk Inclusion podcast. Joining host Steve Nearman are his guests: Brooke Avakian, Board Chair, Island Autism Kate DeVane, Executive Director, Island Autism Jen Woods, Special Education and Transitions...

It's no secret that people in the medical community don't always get it right. They told the parents of Andrew Roberts when he was a baby that he would never speak.  On this episode of the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast, host Steve Nearman discusses Andrew's recent graduation from Ithaca College's Sport Media program. He received an autism diagnosis shortly before his second birth...

How does Second Summer Cycle help raise thousands of dollars for charities on Cape Cod? Find out on the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast! On this episode, host Steve Nearman sits down with Andi Genser, Organizer of Second Summer Cycle Charity Rides and Robert Goydas, Great Blizz supporter and past rider. This show takes a deep dive into Andi's long and passionate career of championi...

What happens when your loved one with special needs turns 22? It’s major quandry, but one of the places to turn to is Plymouth County Family Support (PCFS). Find out more on this episode of the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast, hosted by Jim Coughlin, Executive Director of PCFS, with Dakota Phillips, Agency with Choice Coordinator. They discuss what their function is, along with upc...

How did the tearing down of a pride flag turn into a popular community event? On this episode of the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast, host Steve Nearman sits down with Darcee Edwards, organizer of the 6th annual "Don't Hide the Pride" event next month in Hanover, MA. A member of Hanover Pride, a mother of three and full-time school nurse, Ms. Edwards explains how the event, which c...

Host Steve Nearman sits down with MA Sen. Dylan Fernades, who discusses legislation he is sponsoring for our community, including a cleaner environment and a focus on autism services and housing. Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships for the ARC of Massachusetts, discusses the PROTECT Act Amendment #6, which the ARC is strongly advocating for. Rapidly evolving fede...

What was it like to be in the crowd when Bobby Orr scored that unforgettable overtime goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs? Listen to find out! Host Steve Nearman sits down with two major Great Blizz supporters, Skip Frieling and Dick Thibeau, as they look forward to their inductions into the USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame on Sept 25 and 26 in Superior, CO.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.    On this episode, host Holly Flanagan sits down with Paris Flynn, Best Buddies Program Manager in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and Jake Quinn, Best Buddies Ambassador and Leader. They discuss friendship, leadership and inc...

Host Steve Nearman sits down with three members of the Dougie Marathon Team from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism as they are in final preparations for Monday's Boston Marathon. They share their experiences and offer tips for a successful finish.

Our guest Ray LeBlanc, director and coach of the East Coast Jumbos special hockey team and Disabilities Representative for Massachusetts Hockey, sits down with host Steve Nearman to discuss the recent Adaptive Hockey Day event, and dives into the six incredible disciplines of adaptive hockey: warrior hockey, blind hockey, deaf hockey, sled hockey, stand-up amputee hockey, and special hockey. It's...

Host Steve Nearman sits down with two pioneers of the special hockey world: ✨ Tony Sansone Jr. – founder of the first special ice hockey team in America ✨ Joe Rizzuto – Tournament Director of SHI Toronto 2026 and longtime leader of the Grandravine Hockey team Together, they share the powerful story of how special hockey began in Toronto in 1992… expanded to St. Louis in 1994… and sparked a globa...

If you watched movies back in 1988, you surely remember Dustin Hoffman's character Raymond telling his brother Charlie played by Tom Cruise - "Uh oh, fifteen minutes to Judge Wapner."   On Episode 6, our host Steve Nearman checks back in with super-hit movie Rain Man screenwriter Barry Morrow. They discuss Barry's work with teaching autistic young adults the skill of animation, Barry's love of gol...

Host Steve Nearman and special guests John Robertson, Coach of The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts Special Hockey team and Michelle Douglas, Registration and Travel Coordinator for the Baltimore Saints Special Hockey team, discuss the importance of travel for their special players and their families and their coaches in special hockey programs. Just back from the Mites Beach Bash Tournament in Oc...

Part 2 as host Holly Flanagan discuss Agency with Choice with Jim Coughlin and Dakota Phillips at Plymouth County Family Support.

Help is on the way when you contact Plymouth County Family Support. You shouldn't have to go it alone when raising a special needs person when there are organizations like PCFS just to give you a helping hand. Listen in as host Holly Flanagan take a deep dive with Jim Coughlin and Jessica Gonsalves into the services of PCFS and why this organization is a regional jewel.

Host Steve Nearman of The Great Blizz Special Hockey team catches up with Lawrence Bailey, Branch Manager of Webster First Federal Credit Union to talk about how to identify financial fraud and how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.