Finding Common Ground

Steve and Guest Host Alexandra Fernandez speak with Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Parent Advocate and founder of Better Together Kathy Caruso and others about the Pathways for Success event which brought experts and advocates from across New York State to Utica. Check out the full video of the event on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/pIiFhcaPYqs Become a supporter of this podcast: htt...

What if the fastest way to protect disability services this year isn’t a viral post—but scheduling a meeting now, before legislators head back to Albany? In this episode, AM Brian Miller gives straight answers and a playbook you can use now—from timing your outreach to crafting testimony that actually moves votes. Why listen: Unlike many politicians, Miller doesn’t dodge the tough stuff. He leans...

In this episode, we sit down with three incredible women—Bethany Wendt, Kathy Caruso, and Kim Karcic—to talk about Pathways for Success: Together We Thrive, a powerful event happening in Utica, NY. Each guest shared why they felt called to be part of this initiative and how families of individuals with disabilities often feel lonely, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. Their stories highlight t...

What do families do when every call for help is desperate, every door seems to slam shut, and the only thing longer than the waitlist is the list of hoops to jump through—especially when their loved one with profound autism needs support now? In this episode of Finding Common Ground, we sit down with Kristina Cope—Michigan mom of three on the spectrum, RN, and founder of Flawless Farms. She’s on a...

“ It’s not a job, it’s a way of life .” Kathleen Hayes didn’t just take a position at the Neighborhood Center—she found her purpose. In this powerful episode of Finding Common Ground, we explore how one small organization in Utica, NY is reimagining what mental health and family support can look like when systems get out of the way and people are met where they are. Kathleen shares her journey fro...

What if an autism diagnosis wasn’t the end—but the spark that ignites a journey toward connection, advocacy, and growth? In this deeply moving episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve welcome LaShona Johnson, whose dual roles as a parent and disability community advocate uniquely inform her insights. Together, they explore how LaShona’s experience raising her son with autism evolved int...

What happens when families stop waiting for the system to fix itself—and start building what their loved ones need? In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with Dawn O’Hara, a mother of two adult children with disabilities, to explore what it really takes to support independence, dignity, and inclusion. From leaving behind one system in Pennsylvania to navigating New Y...

 In this urgent and deeply personal episode of  Finding Common Ground , Heather and Steve welcome  Larissa Martin  — a self-advocate who has relied on New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) for 17 years. Larissa’s voice is raw and real as she shares why this program has been her lifeline, how the rushed transition to Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) has shaken the system, an...

On this episode of Finding Common Ground with Heather and Steve, we talk with Craig and Sally Benoit, a remarkable couple who’ve fostered over 50 children and adopted 13—each with their own story, needs, and quirks. From the first few minutes, you’ll feel their blend of grit and humor.  Whether it’s juggling allergy lists, remembering who hates peas this week, or managing bedtime with over a dozen...

In this powerful episode of Finding Common Ground with Heather & Steve, we sit down with Alexandra Fernandez, a devoted mother of 10-year-old twins with profound autism. Alexandra bravely shares what it’s like to care for children with such intensive needs—and what happens when the right supports simply don’t exist. After speaking up at OPWDD’s first Listening Tour session in Central New York,...

What happens when someone who lives the challenges of the IDD system also leads efforts to change it? You get a conversation like this. In this powerful episode, Heather and Steve sit down with Nick Cappelletti, CEO of Life Plan and ACA—two organizations serving over 47,000 families across New York State. But Nick isn’t just an executive—he’s a dad who gets it. His personal connection to disabilit...

Guest: Karen Korotzer, CEO of ARC Oneida-Lewis At Finding Common Ground, CDPAP was a spark—but not the full story. That crisis reminded us how fragile our systems really are. What brought people to our platform wasn’t just one bad policy, it was the toxic mindset behind it, and the fear that mindset would spread. Families needed a safe space to process how it was affecting them. Together, we creat...

Join hosts Heather and Steve as they take Finding Common Ground on the road to Utica, New York for the annual Autism Walk. Despite drizzly skies, the energy was electric—over 50 resource tables, $150,000 raised, and hundreds of families, self‑advocates, service providers, and local leaders coming together in solidarity. In this special on‑location episode you’ll hear: Personal Journeys: A conversa...

Today, as the perpetrator (Garnet Collins) is sentenced for his crimes, we release this episode to stand in solidarity with Anil and Shalini Babbar’s family and amplify their fight for justice and protection.  Their journey from heartbreak to hope explains the development of Guardian Watch AI and how technology—combined with community involvement—can not only hold perpetrators accountable but also...

Pull up a virtual backstage chair—this episode is just Heather & Steve,  nearly one year in the making . No guests, no scripts, just two advocates who refuse to let the conversation end at “cut.” We revisit our most powerful moments, unpack the “quiet parts” that echo long after the camera stops rolling, and give you the inside scoop on what’s coming next.  A heartfelt thank you to everyone fo...

This is the episode where we say the quiet parts out loud. Heather and Steve sit down with powerhouse advocate Jackie Ceonzo, founder of SNACK and co-founder of Families for Disability Rights, for a raw, fearless conversation about the side of parenting and disability advocacy that rarely gets airtime—but absolutely needs to. Jackie has been featured on Good Morning America, built inclusive progra...

Don’t expect transparency. That’s what you have to dig for.” – Eamonn Scanlon, The Children's Agenda What happens when over 140,000 students are suspended from school each year in New York? When families can’t get basic developmental services until it’s too late? When the people in power act like the system is working just fine? This week on Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve are joined by E...

In this powerful episode, Heather and Steve sit down with J ackie Kancir, Executive Director of the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA ), and Tammy Snyder, New York State Chair for NCSA —two incredible women who live the reality of severe autism every single day and fight to make a difference far beyond their own families.  “We didn’t choose this path—but we’re choosing to walk it with purpos...

What does it really mean to belong? How can embracing radical self-honesty and internal security transform our relationships and the communities we live in? In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with Fayna Claire  Pearlman , a community-building expert, to explore these profound questions. Fayna shares powerful insights into how authentic connections start from withi...

On this episode of Finding Common Ground with Heather and Steve, we sit down with Howard Nash—a filmmaker, actor, and father who has spent over 15 years fighting to reconnect with his son. With his industry connections and resources, you’d think he could overcome any legal challenge -But- when his son with profound autism turned 18, a legal loophole allowed his ex-wife to block him from any contac...

In this episode of  @FindingCommonGroundPodca-hm2ku   Heather and Steve dive into the vital role recreation centers play for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Kathy Caruso, founder of the Better Together Recreation Center, shares her journey as a parent advocate and how she’s addressing the service gaps many families face. https://www.romesentinel.com/entertainment-life/utica-bett...

In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with the powerhouse leadership team of the Kelberman Center: Maria Cappoletti (CEO), Kelly Carinci (Chief Development and Communications Officer), and Bethany Wendt (Director of Community Relations). Serving over 1,000 families in Central New York, Kelberman is a beacon of hope, offering a “true north” for families navigating the...

In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with Jennifer Everett, a seasoned first responder, to discuss the crucial role of emergency responders when supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Jennifer’s journey into the field began with a simple flyer in college—and the rest is history. She opens up about her early experiences support...

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Brad Hansen, Director of Public Policy at Families Together in New York State, to discuss the alarming crisis in youth mental health services and the game-changing solutions that could make all the difference. Brad pulls no punches as he reveals how systemic failures—such as endless waitlists, a critical shortage of mental health providers, and an over...

On this episode of Finding Common Ground, our guest Vincent Scalise, a decorated Marine veteran, shares his inspiring journey from serving on the battlefield to transforming his community. After returning from Iraq, Vin made it his mission to help his fellow veterans and neighbors by turning local challenges into opportunities. As Executive Director of the Utica Center for Development, Vin embodie...