In Episode 3 of the Barrier Breakers Podcast, host Lori Thurman, a proud 1994 graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, sits down with Sam Hardesty, a junior English major at KWC. Sam shares his personal journey as a student with a disability and reflects on how being different has shaped his educational experience and personal growth.

Throughout the episode, Sam discusses his involvement on campus, including his work with WKWC, Student Government Association, and Prism. He speaks candidly about when he first realized he was different from other children and how that realization influenced his confidence, resilience, and advocacy. Sam highlights accomplishments he is most proud of and offers thoughtful advice he would give to his younger self, emphasizing self-acceptance and perseverance.

The conversation also explores the challenges students with disabilities face in educational settings. Sam shares insights into how disability has impacted his academic journey and what he wishes educators and professors better understood about accessibility, respect, and inclusion. He addresses moments of vulnerability, including whether people have attempted to take advantage of him, and reflects on experiences that shaped his sense of independence.

Sam identifies the best decision he has made at Kentucky Wesleyan College and offers meaningful advice to new students with disabilities navigating college life. He closes the episode by discussing his goals after graduation and his passion for advocacy, particularly for underrepresented and minority communities on campus.

This episode highlights Sam Hardesty’s powerful voice as a student leader and advocate, reinforcing the Barrier Breakers mission of amplifying lived experiences and fostering a more inclusive campus community.