The Eclectic

What does it mean to thrive as an artist when the world doesn’t always see your full story? In this powerful episode of The Eclectic, host Eloka Oduah sits down with Chad Harper, a songwriter, music producer, and global humanitarian whose journey challenges everything we think we know about disability, inclusion, and success. From navigating life with both physical and neurological disabilities to...

In this episode of The Eclectic Podcast, host Eloka Oduah sits down with mental health expert and disability advocate Nisha Jose for a powerful conversation on the intersection of mental health and disability. While conversations about disability often focus on physical accessibility, the psychological and emotional experiences of persons with disabilities are frequently overlooked. Nisha shares w...

⚠️ This episode discusses suicide and mental health. Listener discretionis advised. In this powerful and necessary conversation,The Eclectic Podcast sits down with Chidozie Obianyo , a psychologyresearcher whose work explores how rumination, psychological inflexibility,and meaning in life shape suicidal ideation among persons withdisabilities. Suicide and mental health struggles within thedisabili...

This episode of The Eclectic Podcast features Blessing Micah, sign language interpreter, digital entrepreneur, storyteller, and youth advocate. Blessing is passionate about accessibility and inclusion, and she uses her voice and platforms to spotlight the unspoken struggles of African youth. Through storytelling, digital content, and her upcoming podcast, she is building safe spaces where young pe...

In this episode of The Eclectic Podcast, I sit down with Tara Jo Kadlec, founder of Love Your Journey Inc. to explore the intersection of healing, advocacy, and love. Through her work guiding women back to their voice and body wisdom, Tara Jo combines energy healing, somatic practices, and intuitive guidance to help people move through life’s transitions with clarity and self-trust. Her mission is...

In this episode of The Eclectic Podcast, host Eloka Oduah sits down with Amy Bodkin, an Autistic adult, Consultant, and Public Speaker who works with families whose needs fall outside the norm. As a homeschooling parent of two Autistic children with a background in Educational Psychology and Neuropsychology, Amy brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her Holistic Developmental...

In this inspiring episode of The Eclectic, host Eloka Oduah sits down with Grace Ochoche, a psychology graduate, model, and young woman with albinism, to explore the power of self-acceptance in navigating stereotypes, stigma, and health challenges. Grace opens up about her journey to embracing her identity, her passion for modelling, and how self-acceptance has fuelled her resilience against harmf...

In this episode of The Eclectic Podcast, we sit down with Rtn. Taha Haaziq, Goa’s first 100% visually impaired Group A Gazetted Officer and the visionary behind Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity. From transforming elections into inclusive spaces to leading India’s first large-scale festival celebrating persons with disabilities, Taha has redefined what leadership and accessibility mean. Join us a...

In this sensitive, but crucial episode of The Eclectic, we sit down with Alex Kamadu, Executive Director of the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, to unpack the complexities of wheelchair distribution for persons with disabilities. Far beyond a conversation about mobility aids, this episode looks into the deeper issue of dignity, autonomy, and access. Whether you’re a policymaker,...

In this special episode of The Eclectic, we mark 35 years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — a landmark civil rights law that changed the landscape for people with disabilities in the United States and inspired disability rights movements around the world. Our guest, Angie Fuoco, a federal public health and safety expert, ADA Coordinator, DEI educator, and Anti-Ableis...

What does it mean to have control over your body when society sees you as incapable of making choices about it? In this powerful episode of The Eclectic Podcast, host Eloka Oduah explores the often-ignored issue of reproductive rights for people with disabilities. From forced sterilizations to lack of access to inclusive sexual health education and care, disabled individuals continue to face syste...

In this empowering episode of The Eclectic Podcast, we sit down with a remarkable guest who is Deaf, uses a cochlear implant, and has made it her life’s mission to break down barriers in communication, gender equality, and disability inclusion. As a communications specialist, she brings both lived experience and professional insight into what it means to navigate the world with an invisible disabi...

In this episode of The Eclectic, we sit down with Mona Arsenault—an award-winning advocate, inclusion pioneer, and co-founder of Polio Quebec. Her journey began at 16 as Canada’s youngest Brownie leader and evolved into a lifelong commitment to championing the rights of people with disabilities. Mona shares how a single question from a parent changed the course of her life, leading her to create o...

How can we truly build a sustainable future if it's not inclusive? In this episode of *The Eclectic*, we sit down with **Abhishek Kumar** — lawyer, environmental researcher, and disability rights advocate — to explore how climate action and disability justice must intersect. From founding *The Sangyan* to contributing to global UN policies and leading powerful initiatives like *Build Forward Bette...

Today on The Eclectic, our guest is Professor Sigamoney Manicka Naicker, a renowned education expert, advocate for inclusive learning, and a key architect of South Africa’s post-apartheid education policies. With a career spanning academia and government, he has played a pivotal role in shaping education policies that aim to bridge systemic gaps for working-class communities. As the first Director...

This week, we have a powerhouse in disability advocacy and epilepsy awareness—Nina Mago. As the Founder and CEO of the Purple Bench Initiative, Nina has dedicated over a decade to transforming public health narratives, breaking stigma, and securing access to epilepsy care for marginalized communities in Uganda and beyond. Her work with global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO),...

This week, we speak to Fatimah Usman, a biochemist, educator, and passionate advocate for disability inclusion. As a person with albinism, she has witnessed the harmful effects of misrepresentation in entertainment and is calling for a revolution in the way disability stories are told. Through her work in education and advocacy, she’s advocating for authentic representation, ensuring that people w...

This week, we're joined by the incredible Dr. Denise White, a multi-award-winning Special Needs and Music Educator Entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to transforming the lives of children with special needs, particularly intellectual disability, through music. With over 25 years of experience and a PhD in music invention, Dr. White has developed a groundbreaking musical improvisation concept...

Welcome to The Eclectic! Today, we're exploring the intersection of technology, education, and accessibility. Our guest is the creator of the BrailleDoodle, a groundbreaking tool that's making Braille literacy, STEM, and art education more inclusive and accessible. With a mission to promote equality and potential, the BrailleDoodle is revolutionizing the way we learn and create. Let's dive into th...

Today on The Eclectic, we have an exceptional guest whose story is a true testament to resilience and the power of pursuing your dreams. Lucky Pastor joins us, a multi-talented artist, advocate, and educator who has overcome significant challenges to achieve remarkable success. Lucky, despite losing his sight at a young age, has become a poet, scriptwriter, inspirational author, singer, and so muc...

Achieving decent work and economic growth is crucial for realizing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. However, for individuals with disabilities, securing meaningful employment can be a significant challenge. Why the skepticism? Employers often harbor misconceptions about the capabilities of persons with disabilities, and the talent pool may seem scarce. But what's the reality? Listen to G...

Accessibility and inclusion are essential in all fields, including healthcare. Imagine a woman in labour whose mind and thoughts is consumed with the excruciating pain of childbirth but still has to contend with the challenge of communication! Click the link. Listen as Dr. Kutyyi Ango tells us about her experience delivering a deaf patient of a child and shares her interest in public health as wel...

Get ready to be inspired! Join us on The Eclectic podcast as we kick off Season 6 with an unforgettable episode! Meet Alee Lawan, a talented novelist, spoken word artist, and societal activist who's using his voice to challenge the status quo and inspire change. Click the link. as we explore the world of Alee and discover how creative expression can be a powerful tool for driving positive change....

Hey guys, just dropped my final episode for the season! Thank you so much for sticking with me over the last 3 months! I look forward to curating more exciting episodes when The Eclectic returns in September. In the meantime, Enjoy this episode with Monic Rwaheeru, a stroke survivor from Uganda who is touching the lives of children with disabilities. Click the link. as Monic tells her story. Do yo...

Have you ever imagined a society where young girls will have no need to use tissue paper and rags in place of sanitary pads especially among the poorest of the poor? Click the link. as Edelquinn Akighir talks about how she intends to ensure that 300 girls on the street have access to sanitary pads to manage their menstrual hygiene effectively. Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Don’t f...