The Different Ability® Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Where I've been, what I've been building, and the lessons I've learned along the way. After a few quiet months away from the microphone, I'm excited to be back behind the mic. The last few months have been filled with some of the biggest changes of my life... publishing my first book, stepping away from my corporate career, building new dreams in Colorado, and...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a simple font sparks a powerful conversation? In this episode, returning guest Rebeka Acosta is back! This time joined by her teenage son, Taosies, for a real and eye-opening discussion about dyslexia, perspective, and growth. This conversation started when I sent Rebeka the first three chapters of my book in both a standard font and a dyslexic-friendly font. She...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you refuse to accept the limits others place on you? In today’s episode, I sit down with Jo Elizabeth Pinto for a powerful conversation about inclusion, advocacy, and navigating a world that doesn’t always know how to support you. We talk about the importance of having people who believe in you, discovering how you learn best, and building confidence and independ...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m joined by Stephany Rios, host of the Homeschool with Steph podcast, homeschooling mom of five, and entrepreneur. Stephany shares her powerful life story—growing up and stepping into a caregiving role at a young age while her mom battled cancer. In her early 20s, she helped care for her mom, supported her eight younger siblings, along side her dad, and follo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey dives deeper into Chapter 1 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . This conversation reflects on early moments of self-doubt, the long-lasting impact of being misunderstood, and the quiet signs that often get missed when a child is struggling. Together, Katey and her mom unpack a story that stayed hidden for decades, explor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 2 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They explore the challenges of recognizing a child’s hidden struggles, the impact of teacher feedback, and the ways a shy personality can mask underlying needs. Together, they discuss how trust, intuition, and resilience play a role in parenting c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 3 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss the long journey of recognizing hidden struggles, the emotional impact of feeling “dumb” or “stupid,” and the importance of advocacy when schools don’t always listen. Together, they share insights for parents and children navigating dys...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey, her mom Lynn, and a special guest appearance by her dad dive into Chapter 4 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They explore the transformative power of the phrase “I just learn differently,” how it shaped Katey’s identity through middle school and beyond, and the critical role of parental support in embracing her diagn...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 5 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss the moment Lynn realized Katey’s reading struggles were more than typical childhood challenges and the emotional journey of navigating guilt while advocating for her child. This conversation also explores the process of creating an In...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 6 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss the challenges Katey faced transitioning from elementary to middle school while navigating a learning disability, the impact of supportive mentors like Coach K on both her athletic and personal growth, and the fear of being “found out”...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 7 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They dive into the pivotal middle school moment that shaped Katey’s confidence and taught her the power of using her voice. Katey reflects on how nervousness, teasing, and supportive guidance contributed to building resilience, and they share practi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 8 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They explore the challenges Katey faced during classroom reading sessions, the anxiety and stress of struggling with traditional learning methods, and the importance of involving children in their own IEP or 504 meetings. Katey shares how technolo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 9 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They explore how creativity, thinking outside the box, and hands-on experiences—like welding at a young age—helped Katey build confidence, overcome challenges, and develop her advocacy skills. Katey shares strategies for identifying strengths and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 10 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss Katey’s first job and the invaluable lessons it taught her about leadership, responsibility, and independence. From being trusted with new responsibilities to learning time management and accountability, Katey reflects on how these exp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 11 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss the challenges students face in embracing accommodations during high school, the balance between independence and support, and how using an IEP can make a tangible difference in academic performance. Katey shares strategies for testing...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 12 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss the pivotal role of teachers in helping students advocate for themselves, highlighting the encouragement Katey received from Mrs. D during a vulnerable moment in school. Katey shares how writing a letter about her foreign language requ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 13 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They explore the pivotal moments that shaped Katey’s college decision, including advice from her Great Aunt Lynn, navigating peer influence, and the impact of a tour guide who helped her see the college in a new light. Katey shares how this exper...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 14 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss Katey’s journey of self-acceptance and overcoming self-doubt while pursuing the Art and Design program at UW-Stout. Katey shares the challenges of transitioning to a larger college environment, forming strong connections with roommates...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 15 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss the mental shift required when transitioning from the supportive environment of high school to advocating for yourself in college. Katey shares how early experiences practicing handshakes and introductions built her confidence in meeti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 16 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss managing test anxiety, the role of humor in coping with college demands, and understanding unique learning differences such as letter reversals. Katey shares insights for students who may relate but don’t have a formal diagnosis and hi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 17 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss how taking initiative, like learning Revit outside of the curriculum, shaped Katey’s confidence, leadership, and professional identity in college. Katey shares the challenges she overcame teaching herself with limited resources, the ro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 18 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They explore the power of kindness, persistence, and human connection through stories that shaped Katey’s personal growth. From breaking down emotional walls through patience, to finding purpose and belonging in an unexpected work environment, th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 19 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . They discuss how Katey’s experiences at UW-Stout prepared her for networking, taking risks, and confidently putting herself out there. Katey shares lessons learned from mentors, how to handle “not right now” responses with persistence and humility,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 20 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . Katey reflects on a powerful moment that felt like her hand was being raised by Lynn herself and how that experience reshaped her perspective on public speaking and advocacy. Together, they discuss the role of vulnerability in sharing personal stor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast , Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 21 of Embracing Your Different Ability® . Katey reflects on the profound impact her great aunt Lynn had on her life and advocacy journey, sharing meaningful memories that made her feel deeply seen and valued. They discuss the emotional experience of receiving a gift Lynn had set aside befo...