Beyond the Spectrum.. every age, every need

Shawn & Brian are visited by Diane Rambo as she shares her story about how she took her son's autism diagnosis & turned it into a business to serve others as a travel agent specializing in serving special needs families.

Diane Rambo is the Founder/CEO of Destined Adventures, an Autism Travel Expert, Consultant and mother of two, one of whom is autistic. Diane understands how scary it is to go to public places with an autistic child, let alone travel. She believes that every family deserves to travel seamlessly, confidently and create lasting memories.

How many of you with autistic children have concerns with traveling successfully? What have you done to prepare your child(ren) to apply what they have learned? Diane serves neurodiverse families with compassion, personal experiences and strategies to create a more peaceful home leading up to travel. She eliminates your concerns so you gain the freedom and power to create lifelong impressions.

Her vision is to educate, inspire and empower neurodiverse families to overcome their fear of parental failure through community, collaboration, patience and commitment. She has been successful transforming her son’s social and life skills while expanding his liquid diet and exploring solid foods like meat, fruits and vegetables.

Diane holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri and Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Mentoring 17 years in corporate, Diane recognizes ways to make learning simple, fun and convenient for busy families. She enjoys pasta, Transformers and Marvel Movies, Law & Order series and will always see her smiling (her laugh is contagious). Eager to hear from you. Feel free to call or email her: Diane Rambo, 725-677-1979, [email protected].

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Website: https://www.destinedadventures.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AutismTravelConsultDianeRambo/

LinkedIn: hthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/autismtravelconsultdianerambo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutismTravelConsultDianeRambo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_EIKyP1tR2NRV3hsWNjqg

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Resources:

  https://thearc.org/our-initiatives/travel/

  https://www.tsa.gov/about/employee-stories/tsa-and-airports-partner-autism-organizations

  https://ibcces.org/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/justtwodads

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#DianeRambo #DestinedAdventures #CertifiedAutismTravelConsultant

Dr. Kathy Macleay visit with Shawn & Brian to share the extraordinary story of her & her family's lifelong commitment to those with special needs

Personal Investments:: A Practical Guide to How to Use Psychotherapy as an Investment in Your Life by Dr. Kathy Macleay:

  https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Investments-Practical-Psychotherapy-Investment/dp/B08F6Y3NP4

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/justtwodads

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#KathyMacLeay #InvestingInYourSelfWorth #justTwoDads

Shawn & Brian are visited by Sequoia Houston, host of the podcast, "Diversity be like". Tune in as they discuss the challenges, needs, & benefits for all, when diversity is part of the special needs community.

Mentioned:

  The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don 

     Miguel Ruiz

  Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

 https://www.mochastock.com/

Website: https://sequoiahouston.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sequoiahouston/

Podcast: https://diversitybelike.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sequoiahouston

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sequoiahouston

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#SequoiaHouston #DiversityBeLike #justTwoDads

Sri Hatharasinghe-Gerschler, M.A., stops by to talk with Shawn & Brian about her journey from her own experience as a student in special education, to her choice to now become a warrior for those in a similar position.

Website: https://www.srihatharasinghegerschler.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srihatgerschler_ieps_n_more_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iepsaremyjam/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#SriHatharasingheGerschler #MasterIEPCoach #LetYourLightShine #justTwoDads

April 20, 2022 | Episode  85

Shawn & Brian are visited by Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson who shares her story of inspiration & triumph over challenge & her mission to serve others.

Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson is a former Emmy award winning television executive and producer who pioneered the magazine show format with the syndicated show PM Magazine and served as the Executive Producer on the long running talk show, Leeza. In those capacities, Alspaugh-Jackson helped foster the careers of many people who run the television industry today. Alspaugh-Jackson is the co-author of 2 books, Not Your Mother’s Midlife: A Ten Step Guide to Fearless Aging, and Fearless Women: Midlife Portraits with Marilyn Kentz. Alspaugh-Jackson and Kentz have done extensive motivational speaking about fearless aging as well as performed nationally in the two women show, Boomer Babes. The 2 women are currently teaching an online course, Fearless Aging Together. From 2005 until October of 2019, she served as Executive Director of Autism Care Today, a role she was led to after dedicating herself to finding ways to help her own son, Wyatt, diagnosed with autism at the age of three. She quickly realized there was little awareness and few resources for families affected by this developmental disorder and threw herself into changing that. Under her leadership, Autism Care Today has distributed close to 2.5 million dollars in grants to families around the country. Alspaugh-Jackson serves as co-host of Let’s Talk Autism with Shannon and Nancy on Autism Live (https://autism-live.com/), an interactive webcast providing support, resources, information, entertainment and inspiration to parents and practitioners working with those on the Autism Spectrum. Currently, Alspaugh Jackson is the director of Recovery at The Ranch at Special Spirit, Inc.,( https://www.specialspirit.org/), an animal and equine assisted program for those in recovery for addiction issues. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyalspaughjackson

10 Steps to EmPOWERment: https://youtu.be/3s7FxZeqf6M

Mentioned:

  https://friendlyhousela.org/

  https://www.centerforautism.com/

  https://www.act-today.org/

  https://tacanow.org/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#NancyAlspaughJackson #SpecialSpiritInc #AutismLive #justTwoDads

April 13, 2022 | Episode  84

Shawn & Brian are visited by Athalie Malone who lost her sight after suffering a stroke. She discusses how she turned that challenge into a blessing for others.

Athalie Malone was born December 28, 1965 on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. She moved to San Antonio in 1980 and proudly graduated from SGRH Royal in 1983. Ms. Malone attended Bethune-Cookman University, where she studied Business Administration. Due to health she did not finish her last year. She worked in the private sector and ecumenical sector of San Antonio from 1987 to 2007 at which time she lost her vision.

Additionally appointed to Via Metropolitan  Transit Board September 2019. Currently serves on the Intergovernmental Relations & Public Affairs Committee,  Chairperson Audit Committee and Board Secretary.

Past President and current member National Federation of the Blind

Past Board member, & Secretary current member of San Lighthouse Lions

Co-chair National White Cane Awareness Day

Chairperson Disability Access Advisory Committee

Mentioned:

https://nfb.org/

https://whitecaneday.org/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#AthalieMalone #WhiteCaneDay #SightVsVision #justTwoDads

April 6, 2022 | Episode  83

We are joined by award winning actress, philanthropist, mother, wife, & special needs warrior& then some, Holly Robinson Peete. 

You may recognize her from her work on TV shows "Sesame Street", "21 Jump Street",  "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper", "Chicago Fire", "Law & Order: SVU", to name a few. But there is so much more to her. Her son, RJ was diagnosed with Autism at a time when resources were low & ignorance was high. 

Through perseverance & love, she & her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete fought to provide RJ with independence & a path towards purpose.  Together, they founded the HollyRod Foundation which does stellar work for the community.

Today, RJ works for the Los Angeles Dodgers & he’s come so far away from the dark prognosis that the “experts” first forecasted for him. You will find out there is so much more to Holly, her story, & her family.

Website: https://hollyrod.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HollyRodFDN/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollyRodFoundation

Book: https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/charlie-makes-a-splash-9781338687262.html

Mentioned:

  https://www.hbo.com/movies/street-gang-how-we-got-to-sesame-street

  https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/meet-the-peetes

  https://deliveringjobs.org/

  https://disabilityin.org/

  https://www.jackandjillinc.org/

  https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Makes-Splash-Holly-Robinson/dp/1338687263/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#HollyRobinsonPeete #WarriorMom #HollyRodFoundation #SpecialNeedsParenting #justTwoDads

March 30, 2022 | Episode  82

Shawn & Brian chat with Maisie Soetantyo, founder of Autism Career Pathways.

Maisie is an openly autistic advocate and inclusivity trainer. In 2019, Maisie started the nonprofit  Autism Career Pathways with a mission to increase hiring and long-term retention rates for autistic individuals seeking careers in all types of businesses. Maisie also believes that autistic individuals have the right to redefine meaningful employment in their best possible ways.

As a long time family and professional mentor Maisie believes that every autistic person has a story to share with the world, and it is her passion to prepare the world to embrace and take part in his/her/their story. With her understanding of autism, Maisie works to empower caregivers, professionals, job coaches and mentors at work to have the right mindset when supporting someone with different abilities.

Website:  https://autismcareerpathways.org/

Better Community Certified: https://www.instagram.com/bettercommunitycertified

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#MaisieSoetantyo #AutismCareerPathways #AustisticAdvocate #justTwoDads

March 23, 2022 | Episode  81

Shawn & Brian discuss the myriad of ways that special needs families are affected financially. From personal finance to how benefits are attained, protected, & even affected by the pandemic.

Mentioned:

  https://www.wearebravetogether.org/

  https://www.bankrate.com/

  ABLE Accounts: https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/able-accounts-tax-benefit-for-people-with-disabilities  

  The Power of Zero by David McKnight

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#justTwoDads #SpeciaNeedsandMoney #PlanforYourFuture

March 16, 2022 | Episode  80

For each diagnosis, each person, & each situation, things may differ but there are certainly experiences that are also shared or common. Shawn & Brian discuss these today...from the perspective of a dad.. & beyond.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw

#justTwoDads #SpecialNeedsParenting #ParentsandCaregivers