Podcast Launch: Embracing Inclusion and Overcoming Challenges with Charlotte and Her Family

In Part 2 of this meaningful conversation on So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte continues her discussion with Kasey Walsh, diving deeper into the long-term realities of caregiving and the importance of caregiver voices in the world of rare disease. Kasey shares how lived experience — the knowledge gained through daily care, observation, and love — is often missing from structured medical data and res...

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte continues her discussion with her dad, Loren, as they reflect on 250 years of America and how the meaning of freedom and equality continues to grow. Together they explore how our country has changed over time — from the early foundations of the Declaration of Independence, to immigration, to the ongoing expansion of rights...

In this meaningful episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte sits down with her dad, Loren Merrill, to begin a thoughtful conversation about the 250-year journey of our country and the meaning of freedom. In Part 1, they talk about the beginning — the Declaration of Independence, what freedom meant at that time, and how it wasn’t originally experienced equally by everyone. They also explore storie...

In this powerful episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte sits down with their longtime piano teacher and friend, Charles Pandian. Charlotte, Caroline, and Harrison began taking virtual piano lessons with Charles in 2020 during a time when therapies and supports suddenly stopped. What started as a leap of faith became something life-changing. At the beginning, their hands didn’t have the strengt...

In this heartfelt episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte sits down with Celeste Franco, a young woman stepping into adulthood while navigating life with chronic illness and special needs. Celeste shares her story — from the beginning of her life, to friendships, to the challenges she faced during high school, and now the transition into adulthood as she prepares to move out on her own for the...

In this heartfelt episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte sits down with Kasey Walsh to begin a powerful conversation about her journey as a mother raising her daughter, Robbie Edwards, who lives with a rare disease. While Robbie was not part of the interview, she is at the center of this story and spoken of with deep love. In Part 1, Kasey shares the early stages of their journey — noticing di...

In this special episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte and her sister Caroline — also known as “Sweet Caroline” also lives with Cerebral Palsy — share a conversation originally recorded with Blossom of the White Mountains, hosted by Kayla True, Kasey Rives, and Jacob Hakenewerth. Together they talk about Sweet Salvation Bakery, an inclusion bakery in Snowflake, Arizona that creates employment...

In this supportive episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte sits down with Britany to talk about Early Intervention and how it helps families of children with disabilities find the support and connections they need. Early intervention helps parents navigate doctors, therapies, and services — especially when they don’t yet know where to turn. Together, Charlotte and Britany discuss how Early Inte...

In this continuation episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte shares Part 2 of a powerful conversation originally featured on Health with Sveta . Dr. Sveta Silverman reconnects with Charlotte’s mom, Anna Merrill and her Dad, Loren Merrill, to go deeper into what daily life really looks like while raising children with both physical and mental challenges. Building on their earlier discussion abou...

In this episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte shares a special conversation originally recorded on the podcast Health with Sveta , hosted by Dr. Sveta Silverman. Dr. Sveta sits down with Anna Merrill, a mom raising three children with both physical and cognitive challenges, to talk about family life, resilience, and the role neuroplasticity can play in growth, learning, and hope. This episode...

In this episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte sits down with Michael and his grandmother, Maryann — members of our Sweet Salvation Bakery sourdough team. This is Michael’s first job, supported through inclusive employment at the bakery and through our Unified Special Olympics community. Together, Michael and Mary Ann are not only learning the art of sourdough — they’re building confidence, ski...

In this special Christmas episode of So Let’s Be Friends , we share a beautiful example of inclusion in action. People of different abilities, from different places around the world, come together to read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a collaborative project created by ABLE Radio. Each voice is unique, and each voice belongs. Charlotte and her mom were honored to take part in this meaningf...

In this warm Thanksgiving episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte gathers with her cousins to talk about what it’s like growing up together — cousins with special needs and cousins who are typical — and how family naturally teaches love, patience, and inclusion. Together they share memories, laughter, lessons they’ve learned from each other, and the gratitude that comes from belonging to a famil...

In this inspiring episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte welcomes Bruce Solsten, director of KDSTR Radio Corp and creator of ABLE Radio Lab — a media platform that empowers people with disabilities and underserved communities to share their stories. Bruce shares the history of Perry Damone’s original mission, the creation of the ABLE Radio Portal, and the heart behind his Nomad Santa storytelli...

In this inspiring episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte reflects on the life and legacy of Judith Heumann — the fearless disability rights advocate and author of Being Heumann. Charlotte shares stories from Judith’s journey that remind us what it truly means to “act human” — to see people first, to stand up for what’s right, and to lead with love in every interaction. Through laughter, honesty...

In this heartfelt episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte sits down with three incredible moms — Nancy Ruffell, Lynette Nicoll, and Leah Clarke — to talk about the real, everyday journey of raising children and adults with special needs. These women share their stories of love, faith, exhaustion, laughter, and hope. Together, they explore what it means to advocate, to include, and to never give...

In this heartfelt episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte sits down with her best friend Enya to share their personal stories, friendship, and wisdom as young adults with unique abilities. Building on their recent talks about turning trials into blessings, Charlotte and Enya open up about what it means to celebrate all abilities, support one another, and dream big for the future. Together, they...

In this heartfelt and personal episode of "So Let’s Be Friends," Charlotte shares her powerful talk about trials, tribulations, and how they can become blessings in disguise. Freshly called to serve an 18-month service mission, she reflects on the challenges and triumphs that shaped her journey and strengthened her heart. Charlotte is joined by her friend Enya and community friend Eric S...

In this inspiring episode of So Let’s Be Friends , Charlotte sits down with Mrs. Cher Lewis, who leads the Transition School to Work (TSW) program at the high school. The TSW program helps students with disabilities prepare for life after graduation by teaching real-world skills, creating job opportunities, and building the confidence to live independently. Charlotte and Mrs. Lewis talk about how...

In this inspiring episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte welcomes Nancy—a mother and teacher—along with her two amazing adult daughters, Elizabeth and Emma. Together, they share what life looks like beyond school: navigating jobs, independence, friendships, and belonging in the adult world with special needs. You’ll hear wisdom from a mom who has walked both the parenting and teaching paths, an...

In Part Two of this two-part series, Charlotte continues her heartfelt conversation with her speech therapist and physical therapist friend. Together, they share stories, practical advice, and real wisdom about how therapy is more than a session—it’s a bridge to independence, confidence, and inclusion. …. we dive deeper into how therapy helps individuals with disabilities find their voice, grow th...

📢 A brand-new episode of So Let’s Be Friends is live — and it’s so good, we had to split it into two parts! This week, Charlotte chats with her amazing speech therapist and her friend, a physical therapist, about what it really takes to support individuals with disabilities—at school, with doctors, and in the community. 💬 Learn how to find your voice and be heard 🤝 Discover how therapists can b...

In this inspiring episode of So Let’s Be Friends, Charlotte interviews a remarkable family, the Sandoval Family,  who lives out love and inclusion every day. Their daughter, who lives with seizures, is a proud Little Caesars employee and a vibrant part of her community. Her parents and brothers are passionate about giving back and lifting others—especially through Special Olympics Unified. Get rea...

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Charlotte steps into the spotlight—not as host, but as guest. Interviewed by her mom, Charlotte shares her story of growing up with disability, the friendships that shaped her, and how she became a voice for inclusion. She opens up about her faith, her family, and the powerful influence of disability rights legend Judith Heumann—who once trained with...

In this heartwarming episode, Charlotte interviews two incredible high school graduates—recipients of the Kika Inclusion Award, named after her sister, a true symbol of love and inclusion. 💫 Join us as we celebrate these two students, one young woman and one young man, who are leading with kindness, compassion, and a heart for others. They share what inclusion means to them, stories from their sc...