The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Katherine reflects on the complicated emotions of this Fourth of July. As the mother of an adult daughter with significant disabilities and someone who has spent more than four decades advocating for community living, employment, and self-determination, she celebrates the extraordinary progress our nation has made while also sharing her growing concern...

What happens when a tattoo artist with social anxiety joins the support team of one of the world's first nonverbal podcasters? You pull up a chair, pour a cup of coffee, and discover that community grows one conversation at a time. In this heartfelt episode, Mikelle introduces listeners to Rachael, one of the newest members of the Shining Beautiful team. Together, they share stories about friendsh...

Dr. Peter Smith on Family Discovery and Customized Employment In this warm and thoughtful episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Mikelle and Katherine sit down with longtime friend and customized employment leader Peter Smith from the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice in Australia for a casual conversation about families, Discovery, and the importance of truly getti...

In this encore episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Mikelle and Katherine revisit an important conversation with Debra McLean and Emily Harris from Washington Initiative on Supported Employment on how person-centered planning can create a pathway — and even a prophecy — for employment success. As families, educators, providers, and systems across the country navigate workforce shortag...

Join co-host Katherine Carol for a powerful mid-month update on Colorado Medicaid cuts—and what they mean for families, care teams, and the future of support. The sky feels different these days. Here in Colorado, we're watching another kind of storm roll in—not one you can see building over the mountains, but one you can feel in policy decisions, budget sheets, and quiet conversations around kitch...

In this return conversation, Brittany "Lenny" Gilbert joins us again—this time stepping into an exciting new chapter as she begins work on her first fiction book . Many of you will remember Brittany from our earlier conversation around Ruby and Me . Now, her storytelling is stretching in new directions, shaped by imagination, lived experience, and a deep desire to reach the next generation. Togeth...

As grocery bills climb, gas prices rise, and budgets tighten, caregivers are feeling the pressure in real and immediate ways. In this mid-month reflection from The Shining Beautiful Series , Katherine shares a deeply personal story that reaches back through generations—from a rustic mountain cabin in Colorado to the pioneers who endured hardship on the plains, cutting lumber, and in coal mines. At...

What happens when we begin the employment journey not with a system—but with the people who know someone best? In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series , Katherine and Mikelle welcome Peter Smith , a long-time leader in the customized employment movement in Australia, for a thoughtful conversation about his emerging work on the  Family Discovery Model . Discovery has long been a cornerstone...

In this mid-month reflection, Katherine shares a deeply personal experience from a friend's celebration of life — a gathering that revealed what real community looks like when it has been intentionally nurtured over decades. Drawing from the work of Peter Block and his book Community: The Structure of Belonging , this episode explores how belonging is built through invitation, small gatherings, sh...

In this special Valentine's Day episode of The Shining Beautiful Series , Katherine, Mikelle, and Maryann gather for a heartfelt conversation about what they truly love and appreciate — in their lives, in each other, and in the communities they're building together. This isn't a sugary sweet Valentine's episode. It's honest. It's grounded. It's real. Together, they reflect on: The friendships that...

In this solo episode of Shining Beautiful, Katherine reflects on the legacy of nurse, mentor and caregiver Alex Pretti--and the profound, often unseen impact caregivers have on our lives, families, workplaces and communities.  Through personal insight and gentle storytelling, Katherine explores the quiet leadership of caregiving: the small acts of kindness, presence, and compassion that shape huma...

There's a particular kind of laughter that shows up when people have lived through enough systems change to know two things at once: t hat the work matters deeply—and that taking ourselves too seriously won't get us very far. That spirit framed our recent conversation with Cary Griffin , a longtime leader and truth-teller in the field of customized employment. We came together to talk about what's...

As a new year begins, Katherine reflects on the mixed emotions many of us are carrying—hope, fatigue, uncertainty, and cautious optimism. In this episode, she shares her honest thoughts about the changes ahead, including concerns about funding, policy shifts, and the stability of long-term supports for people with disabilities. Drawing on decades of lived experience as a parent, advocate, and comm...

In this festive and heart-warming episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Mikelle leads us into the spirit of the season as she celebrates Secret Santa with the Shining Beautiful team and hosts a joyful holiday brunch with longtime friends — including Ian, the former barista who helped inspire the very concept of Shining Beautiful by ensuring she was fully included as part of the Starbuc...

In this heartfelt episode of  The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Mikelle sits down with her longtime friend and fellow podcaster, Win Charles , for a candid conversation about aging, disability, and navigating life's next significant transitions. Win—who also has cerebral palsy—is preparing for an upcoming hip replacement surgery. While it's a routine procedure for many, it becomes a very diff...

This month — as we honour National Family Caregivers Month — we turn our attention to the 63 million Americans who provide unpaid care for loved ones with disabilities or chronic health needs. That staggering number is nearly one in every four adults. ( AARP ) Here in Colorado, roughly 600,000 family caregivers contribute 560 million hours of unpaid care annually — a value of about $11.2 billion....

In this inspiring episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Katherine and Torie join Mikelle in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) by sharing the heart and hustle behind Mikelle's entrepreneurial journey. Mikelle opens up about why she loves making and selling her handmade bracelets — from the joy of choosing colors to the pride she feels when someone buys a...

The October 2025 government shutdown isn't just a headline — it's a story unfolding in kitchens, care teams, and communities across the country. Katherine reflects on the real-life impact for people with disabilities and aging caregivers who keep going even when government doesn't. This mid-month update calls for action, awareness, and compassion — reminding us that the nation's care infrastructur...

In this lively episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Mikelle and Katherine sit down with Torie — the newest member of the Shining Beautiful team. At just 21, Torie brings a fresh Gen Z perspective, a fearless spirit, and a contagious laugh that fills the room. Together, they talk about learning the ropes of supported employment, finding rhythm in teamwork, and discovering joy in meanin...

On this rainy first day of fall, Katherine reflect on transitions—both seasonal and systemic. Just as summer turns to autumn, Colorado is shifting from long-standing waiver programs to Community First Choice . What does this mean for individuals with disabilities, families, and support teams? In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Katherine explore the importance of advocacy dur...

In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Katherine pull back the curtain on the heartbeat of life in Mikelle's downtown Denver condo: the calendar. What seems like a simple tool—paper and ink, squares and notes—becomes a lighthouse guiding continuity of care and protecting Mikelle's privacy. With ConnectTeam supporting scheduling and reminders beyond the condo walls, the balance o...

In this heartfelt episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Mikelle and Katherine sit down with Shannon, the eldest member of Mikelle's support team, as she prepares to head off on new adventures. Over the past year, Shannon has brought boundless energy, sharp organizational skills, and her unique background as a blacksmith and metal artist to the team. Together, we reflect on what drew he...

In this heartfelt midsummer episode, Katherine reflects on a season full of sparkle, growth, and the power of a strong support team. From Mikelle's night out at Film on the Rocks to the everyday victories made possible by a dedicated crew of caregivers, The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast celebrates the joy that comes when everyone has space to shine. Katherine also shares a timely update on the...

In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , we celebrate a milestone moment—Mikelle's powerful story being featured in the Beam+ Mini-Doc , now streaming on BeamPlus.org . Join Maryann, Katherine, and Mikelle as they reflect on the filming process, the energy on set, and what it meant to stand alongside eight other fierce self-advocates whose lives challenge stereotypes and ignite co...

In this powerful episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast , Katherine shares her perspectives on the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill"—legislation that slashes billions from Medicaid over the next few years. While politicians celebrate budget cuts, people like Mikelle face an uncertain future. What happens when the supports that make independence, employment, and dignity possible are sud...