Embrace It with Lainie & Estela - Smashing Disability Stigmas

Send us Fan Mail What if a film could be more than just entertainment, sparking a movement for positive change? Join us as we speak with Danny Kurtzman, the main character of "Good Bad Things," and the film's executive producer, Steve Way, to explore how this Apple TV release is doing just that. Together, we uncover the film's heartwarming impact as it champions love, dating, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Embrace It, Estela and Lainie welcome Jessica Jordan Ping, aka “The Rolling Explorer.” Jessica is a fierce advocate, adaptive fashion consultant, and creator who’s made it her mission to break down stereotypes about disability. Living with CHILD syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting fewer than 60 people worldwide, Jessica brings a fresh perspective on wha...

Send us Fan Mail Disclaimer : The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. This episode may contain discussions of political viewpoints that are personal to each guest. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions based on various perspectives.  In...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could lead an entire team, present complex ideas, and engage in high-stakes discussions without ever speaking a word? This episode of the Embrace It podcast introduces you to Delaney Novor, an inspiring young leader who has mastered this art. As the Director of Product Management at the National Apartment Association, Delaney uses cutting-edge text-to-voice technology...

Send us Fan Mail What if an initial misdiagnosis at the age of 13 led you down a winding path of medical challenges and remarkable resilience? This episode features Cori Fischer, a longtime member of our Trend-Able community, who reveals her incredible journey from being incorrectly diagnosed with dystonia to uncovering the true cause of her symptoms—a tethered spinal cord. Cori takes us through h...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lacey Nager Ammerman, a Confidence and Certified Body Image Coach, as we explore the theme of becoming unstuck while living with a disability. Lacey, diagnosed with a chronic health condition at the age of 12, shares her personal journey of overcoming body image challenges and the fear of being seen. She shares her struggles and triumphs...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring episode of the Embrace It Podcast as we welcome the radiant Xian Horn, a true catalyst for inclusion. Xian, a joyful half-Asian woman with Cerebral Palsy, wears many hats: teacher, writer, speaker, beauty advocate, blogger, and Exemplar for the AT&T NYU Connect Ability Challenge towards creating Assistive Technology. Named one of the 21 Leaders for the...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with Alexa and Jacqueline Child, the dynamic duo behind Dateability, a revolutionary dating app designed to empower the disabled and chronically ill communities. Founded by sisters, Jacqueline's personal experience with discrimination and hurtful comments on mainstream dating apps due to her disability ignited a spark within them to cr...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, join Lainie and Estela as they open up about their personal journeys in living with a disability. Delving into the depths of self-reflection, the duo shares an intimate list of insights they wish they could tell their younger selves. From navigating challenges to embracing self-love, this candid conversation unveils valuable lessons, offering a beacon of...

Send us Fan Mail In this amusing and heartfelt episode, we explore the pivotal moments that turned a troubled and disabled middle schooler with Tourette’s syndrome into an international comedian and Netflix personality! Join us as Pamela Rae Schuller blends her skills of storytelling and comedy with disability advocacy into this fun and insightful EmBrace It conversation! Follow Pamela on Instagra...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode, we sit down with Maddi, an extraordinary individual whose journey has been defined by resilience and determination. Graduating from Georgetown University with a passion for Spanish and Justice and Peace Studies, Maddi's life took an unexpected turn when a hemorrhagic stroke left her paralyzed on her left side. Amidst her recovery, she discovered a...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Dustin, who was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss at the young age of five. Despite this life-changing diagnosis, Dustin's story is one of resilience, empowerment, and a determination to spread positivity. From school hearing exams to facing unexpected challenges, Dustin’s experiences have been bot...

Send us Fan Mail Despite the disability or condition, the path from denial to acceptance is anything but linear and smooth. We all have our own journeys to becoming the person we want to be. Sometimes that journey requires us to travel alone and other times we have are fortunate enough to find the support and guidance we need. Becky Etchberger is a successful TV producer for many shows such as Ame...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Yarelbys Túa Pachano, a Venezuelan model and influencer who is defying expectations and advocating for inclusivity. Yare’s story is not only about overcoming cancer and disability but also about the power of communication and kindness in her interactions. We'll explore how Yare discusses her disability with strangers, s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're diving into how privilege can shape our access to healthcare and opportunities with the fabulous Dr. Akilah Cadet, who has spent an extensive part of her career designing training, coaching executives, and informing systematic change to improve the workforce experience for large organizations.  We’re shedding light on how many forms of privilege can act...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to dive into a bubbling pot of heartwarming stories and culinary delights in this episode of 'Stirring Up Joy'! We're pulling up a seat at the virtual kitchen table with none other than the fabulous Alexis Hillyard, the mastermind behind the YouTube sensation Stump Kitchen. Join us as we savor every flavorful moment of her journey – from connecting over fo...

Send us Fan Mail Ross, a seasoned veteran with 17 years of service, suffered an injury during his time in the military. As he transitioned into the civilian workforce, he participated in numerous workshops aiming to translate his skills effectively. However, it wasn't until his career counselor at the Department of Veterans Affairs introduced him to Inclusively that he realized what had been...

Send us Fan Mail Eliza is a musician, writer, speaker, and advocate — changing the way the world views disability. Having established herself as one of Australia’s most important voices and striking songwriters of recent years, Castlemaine-based artist Eliza Hull has proven the longevity of her art, and continued evolution. Growing up with CMT, Eliza recalls visiting dozens of doctors and being re...

Send us Fan Mail Stacie Swindler has been drawn to horses since childhood. During her career in education, she began volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding facility for  individuals with disabilities. After being amazed by the interactions she observed between the students and the horses, Stacie changed the trajectory of her life. Instead of returning to the classroom, she decided to partn...

Send us Fan Mail After living with severely debilitating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for over 30 years, Nitika Chopra found that no matter how hard she tried, she always felt completely isolated and alone. For a long time, she assumed that it must have been because something was inherently broken or wrong with her. After getting the courage to open up about her health, she realized that ever...

Send us Fan Mail “How do we honor the inevitable grief that comes with disability and establish healthy boundaries with those closest to us? Rachelle Friedman, aka “The Brainy Social Worker,” is a disabled therapist who understands that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. With an educational background in neuroscience and social work, Rachelle knows that anyone can change how they fe...

Send us Fan Mail “How do we take shame around our disabilities and begin to turn it into pride & purpose? At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father. For the next decade, Tiffany navigated the many challenges of adolescence, grief, and shame around her disability.  Today, Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an...

Send us Fan Mail "Everyone deserves a chance to go on a vacation and make memories with their family!" After 20 years of frustration, with very limited vacation options, Lorraine Woodward's family of four, three of whom have mobility issues due to muscular dystrophy, took it upon themselves to create their own accessible property. In 2014, Lorraine’s "A Place of No Worries&quot...

Send us Fan Mail How do we support the next generation of disability leaders with inclusive career opportunities? What innate skills do people with disabilities bring to the workforce, and why should businesses include disability in their diversity conversations? Join us for this refreshing episode with Alyce Brewer & Shannon Mayer of DisabilityIN NextGen as we share their exciting work and pe...

Send us Fan Mail On a mission to leave the world a little better than how she found it, Mindy strives to help create a world where inclusion is the norm, where people see possibilities instead of limitations, and where no challenge is too big to overcome. Mindy is no stranger to “Doing Hard Things” and shares a few of her many examples of how she was able to turn “Nos” into “Yes’” throughout her l...