Changing Minds & Changing Lives Podcast

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with disability advocate, entrepreneur, author, and workforce development leader Welby Broaddus to discuss his journey growing up with a visual impairment and the people who helped shape his path to success. From navigating public school, overcoming bullying, and defying a school counselor who told him he was “not college material,” to earning two college degrees and launching Welby Broaddus' business, Welby Broaddus' story is a powerful reminder of what happens when potential is recognized instead of underestimated.

The conversation explores the importance of self-advocacy, the impact of supportive mentors, and why employers must move beyond assumptions when hiring people with disabilities. Welby Broaddus also shares insights from his book, Leading Blind Without Vision: The Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired, and discusses how storytelling can change perceptions, open doors, and create more inclusive workplaces. Whether you're an employer, educator, workforce professional, or disability inclusion advocate, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, opportunity, and the power of believing in people.

In This Episode:

• Welby’s journey growing up with a visual impairment and navigating public school as a student with disabilities.
• The challenges of bullying, low expectations, and advocating for classroom accommodations.
• How one school counselor helped build the confidence and self-advocacy skills that changed Welby’s life.
• The lasting impact of being told he was “not college material” and how that fueled his determination to earn two college degrees.
• Lessons learned from vocational rehabilitation services and the importance of access to resources and support.
• Why entrepreneurship became Welby’s path and how his grandfather inspired him to start Broaddus Business Solutions.
• The inspiration behind his book, Leading Blind Without Vision: The Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired.
• How storytelling helps change perceptions and create opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Common misconceptions employers have about hiring people with disabilities and how education can help overcome them.
• Why disability inclusion is both a business opportunity and a pathway to meaningful social impact.

Resources & Links:

• Broaddus Business Solutions
• Leading Blind without Vision: The Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired

Organizations invest significant time, money, and resources into new technologies, processes, and inclusion initiatives, but successful implementation doesn't guarantee successful adoption.

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with Julie Gawle, Senior Change Advisor at Meaningful Change Consulting, to explore the critical difference between project management and change management. Together, they discuss why so many well-intentioned workplace initiatives struggle to gain traction, the pivotal role managers play in driving adoption, and how organizations can create lasting change by focusing on people, not just processes.

The conversation covers manager enablement, stakeholder engagement, emotional intelligence, diverse hiring initiatives, and practical strategies leaders can use to build support, trust, and long-term success across their organizations.

In this Episode:

• The difference between project management and change management
• Why successful implementation does not guarantee successful outcomes
• Common warning signs that workplace initiatives are failing to gain adoption
• How inclusion and disability employment programs benefit from strong change strategies
• The critical role managers play as gatekeepers of organizational change
• Why emotional intelligence and empathy are essential leadership skills
• How organizations can measure adoption beyond traditional metrics
• The importance of leadership alignment and prioritization in times of constant change
• Practical ways to better prepare and support managers during transformation efforts

Resources & Links:

• Meaningful Change Consulting
• Prosci Change Management Research
• Workday transformation and adoption strategies
• Disability employment and inclusive hiring initiatives through Disability Solutions

As disability rights face renewed challenges and workplace inclusion efforts come under increasing scrutiny, how can organizations continue creating environments where everyone belongs?

In this powerful and candid conversation, Julie Sowash sits down with Dr. Victoria Verlezza, award-winning thought leader, neurodiversity advocate, and creator of the Cognitive Equity Leadership Model. Together, they explore the intersection of disability rights, psychological safety, neuroinclusion, and workplace culture during a time of significant social and political change.

Drawing from her lived experience as an autistic and ADHD professional, Dr. Verlezza challenges organizations to move beyond performative inclusion and build systems that support people without requiring them to mask, disclose, or conform. The conversation tackles everything from the rollback of disability rights protections to the impact of AI in hiring, inclusive leadership practices, accountability in workplace culture, and why disability inclusion must be embedded into every stage of the employee experience.

This episode is an honest discussion about courage, systems change, and the responsibility organizations have to create workplaces where people can thrive as their authentic selves.

Key Takeaways

• The growing threats to disability rights and community integration
• Why disability inclusion is bigger than DEI initiatives
• Building psychological safety and accountability at work
• The future of neuroinclusive leadership
• Accessibility, accommodations, and evolving workplace expectations
• Concerns about AI-driven hiring and unintended bias
• Practical ways leaders can create more inclusive cultures
• Finding hope and momentum during challenging times

• Cognitive Equity Leadership Model
• Plantation Theory by John Graham
• Dr. Victoria Verlezza's LinkedIn
• VictoriaVerlezza.com
• NPR - DOJ memo stokes fear among disability advocates of a return to institutionalization
• Application of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act to State Institutionalization of Patients with Severe Mental Illness or Disabilities 

What happens when thousands of qualified candidates are filtered out by the same AI system?

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Julie Sowash sits down with workforce strategist and advocate Beverly Dines to unpack the growing impact of AI-driven hiring tools—and the real-world consequences for job seekers navigating today’s market.

Grounded in a recent Stanford study on algorithmic bias, this conversation goes beyond the headlines to explore how “algorithmic monocultures” are shaping who gets seen, who gets filtered out, and how opportunity is distributed. Beverly brings a powerful mix of data, lived experience, and tactical guidance, offering both job seekers and employers a clearer path forward.

From the emotional toll of repeated rejection to actionable strategies for bypassing automated systems, this episode centers on one key question: how do we build hiring practices that are both efficient and truly human?

Key Takeaways:

• The reality of today’s hiring market and why traditional advice no longer applies
• Insights from the Stanford study on AI hiring tools and systemic bias
• What “algorithmic monocultures” are—and why they matter
• How AI screening tools influence hiring decisions across multiple employers
• The human impact of rejection, ghosting, and automated hiring systems
• The growing gap between hiring technology and ethical implementation
• Ways to Get Out of the Algorithm
• Insights for Employers & Talent Leaders

• Stanford Study: AI Hiring Tools Can Yield Racial Bias and Systemic Rejection
• Connect with Beverly Dines:
  Website: beverlydines.com
  Social: @beverlydines (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube)
  Podcast: How to Give a Damn About Your Workplace
• Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal?
• Whitened Résumés: Race and Self-Presentation in the Labor Market
• Gender, Race, and Intersectional Bias in Resume Screening via Language Model Retrieval
• Algorithmic Monocultures in Hiring
  

About the Guest:
Beverly Dines is a COO, speaker, creator, and educator, and the #1 voice in tactical career content. She empowers her audience by breaking down the strategic plays insiders use but rarely share. Through her platforms and her podcast, How to Give a Damn About Your Workplace, she turns career strategy into steps you can run today, no fluff, no gatekeeping. Author of Create The Door.

What if the biggest barrier to opportunity isn’t intent, but the assumptions we never question?

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with educator, author, and founder of LightWork Equitable Solutions, Dr. ClauDean “Dr. K” Kizart, to unpack how bias shows up in ways we often don’t recognize—especially anchoring bias, or our tendency to rely on first impressions and incomplete information.

Drawing from her own lived experience and years of research across education systems, Dr. K explores how early beliefs shape lifelong outcomes—from classrooms to careers—and why even well-intentioned people can unknowingly reinforce inequity.

Together, they break down the connection between bias, blind spots, and structural inequality, offering practical strategies leaders, educators, and employers can use to make better, more inclusive decisions.

If you’ve ever wondered why inequities persist, this conversation will change how you think about bias and opportunity.

Key Takeaways: 

• Why bias isn’t just about intent—it’s about impact
• The difference between implicit, explicit, and structural bias
• What anchoring bias is and how it shapes decisions
• How early assumptions follow people from education into careers
• The connection between bias, blind spots, and systemic inequities
• Why “structures are made of people”—and what that means for change
• How in-group bias and herd mentality influence workplace decisions
• The hidden dangers of low expectations—especially for disabled talent

Resources & Links

• Email: [email protected]
• Book: Beyond Implicit and Explicit Bias

Dr. ClauDean “Dr. K” Kizart is an author, educator, and the founder of LightWork Equitable Solutions. She is a nationally recognized literacy and equity consultant who has worked with school systems, higher education institutions, and organizations to better understand and address achievement and equity gaps.

Her work focuses on uncovering the deeper layers of bias that influence how we teach, lead, and make decisions. Through her research and professional development, she helps leaders move beyond intention to examine impact—equipping them with practical strategies to recognize bias and create more equitable outcomes. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-claudean-kizart-11937622

Julie Sowash is a strategic advisor, disability inclusion leader, and co‑founder of Disability Solutions. She is the CEO of Catch 22 Group and is the Job Board Doctor. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesowash/

Chronic illness affects millions of people worldwide, yet support systems remain fragmented, difficult to navigate, and often inaccessible. For many, the journey is not just medical but also deeply isolating.

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Julie Sowash sits down with Cyndii Sinex, public health practitioner and founder of the upcoming Chronic Illness Hotline, to explore how lived experience can drive meaningful change.

After more than a decade navigating misdiagnosis, medical error, and systemic barriers, Cyndii is transforming her experience into a first-of-its-kind solution: a free, text-based, peer-support hotline designed for people living with chronic illness, pain, injury, and neurodivergence.

This conversation is both eye-opening and hopeful—offering a powerful reminder that support doesn’t have to be complicated to be life-changing.

Key Takeaways

• Why so many chronic illness sufferers fall through the cracks of the medical system
• The emotional toll of chronic illness—including isolation, loss, and uncertainty
• How peer support can fill critical gaps in care
• What it takes to build a scalable, accessible support network
• The long-term vision: using real data to influence healthcare policy and systemic change

Resources & Links

• Chronic Illness Hotline - https://chronicillnesshotline.org/
• Support the Mission - https://chronicillnesshotline.org/donate/

Cyndii Sinex, MPH, is a public health practitioner, trained health educator, and patient advocate. After years of navigating a misdiagnosis and complex healthcare barriers, she founded the Chronic Illness Hotline—an initiative designed to provide accessible, peer-based emotional support for individuals living with chronic illness and related conditions.  
Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndii/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/chronic-illness-hotline/

Julie Sowash is a strategic advisor, disability inclusion leader, and co‑founder of Disability Solutions. She is the CEO of Catch 22 Group and is the Job Board Doctor.
Follow Her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesowash/

What does authentic leadership actually look like, and why does it matter more than ever for disability inclusion at work?

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash is joined by Megan Fuciarelli, Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of US2 Consulting, to unpack one of the biggest workplace challenges in 2026: the growing gap between what employers say and what employees experience.

Drawing on recent disability employment data and real-world examples—from federal accommodation policy rollbacks to employer lawsuits and shifting DEI commitments—this conversation explores why trust is breaking down in the workplace and what leaders can do to rebuild it.

Show Notes:

Key Takeaways

• Why only a small percentage of disabled professionals trust employer commitment
• How DEI rollbacks and “quiet retreats” impact psychological safety
• What authentic leadership really looks like in practice
• How to have difficult conversations about disability, identity, and inclusion
• Why curiosity is the key to better leadership
• The role of accountability, data tracking, and transparency in rebuilding trust

This episode is a must-listen for HR leaders, recruiters, executives, and anyone committed to building more inclusive, equitable workplaces.

• Learn more about US2 Consulting: https://www.us2consulting.com
• Connect with Megan Fuciarelli on LinkedIn
• Explore more episodes: https://www.changingmindsandlives.org/

About the Guest

Megan Fuciarelli is the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of US2 Consulting, a former school superintendent-turned-leadership consultant, and the creator of the “Authenticity Amplifier” framework. She works with organizations to build trust through ethical, values-driven leadership, focusing on authenticity, inclusive leadership, difficult conversations, and workplace culture. Megan also brings lived experience as a professional with a disability, which informs her perspective and approach to creating more inclusive and empowering workplaces.

Julie Sowash is a strategic advisor, disability inclusion leader, and co‑founder of Disability Solutions. She is the CEO of Catch 22 Group and is the Job Board Doctor.

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with Myles Wallace, Disability Inclusion Partner at Peak Performers, to unpack what disability hiring really looks like in 2026. From outdated job descriptions and biased resume screening to interviews that unintentionally exclude neurodivergent and disabled candidates, Myles shares where employers continue to get it wrong—and what meaningful inclusion actually requires.

The conversation also dives into the growing role of AI in hiring, exploring both its promise as an accessibility tool and its risks when bias is automated at scale. Drawing on lived experience, employer advising, and years in disability staffing, Myles offers practical insight for organizations that want to move beyond performative inclusion and build hiring processes that work for people.

In this episode, we cover:

• Myles Wallace’s disability and career journey—and how lived experience shapes inclusive hiring
• What Peak Performers does and how revenue‑funded disability staffing works
• Why disability unemployment remains stubbornly high despite years of “progress”
• Where employers unintentionally exclude disabled candidates before interviews even begin
• How job descriptions, resume gaps, and “job hopping” bias limit access to opportunity
• Why traditional interviews often disadvantage neurodivergent and disabled professionals
• Practical, low‑cost interview accommodations employers can implement today
• The real impact of AI screening tools on candidates with disabilities
• Where AI can improve access—and where it risks reinforcing discrimination
• Why human accountability still matters in automated hiring systems
• What employers must do now to build inclusive, future‑ready hiring processes

Guest:
Myles Wallace, Disability Inclusion Partner, Peak Performers

Host:
Julie Sowash

Learn more about Peak Performers and available roles at: peakperformers.org

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with Davina Douthard—founder of Polishing the Professional and creator of The Able Show—to challenge one of the most persistent barriers in disability employment: the charity mindset.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in image management, workforce development, and inclusive entertainment, Davina shares powerful insights on authentic personal branding, transferable skills, and why disability inclusion must move beyond quotas and good intentions. Together, Julie and Davina explore how job seekers with disabilities can build careers rooted in confidence and capability—and how employers can create inclusive brands without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

This conversation is a must‑listen for disabled professionals, employers, and advocates committed to building workplaces that value contribution over charity.

Show Notes:

• Disability inclusion is not about favors—it’s about filling real business needs
• Quotas and check-the-box hiring can unintentionally reinforce exclusion
• Authentic branding empowers disabled professionals to lead with their strengths
• Employers don’t need perfection—just a willingness to learn and listen
• True inclusion happens when we focus on what people can do, not what they can’t

Changing Minds & Changing Lives is produced by Disability Solutions, a nonprofit consulting firm and job board that partners with global brands to drive inclusive hiring and disability-inclusive talent strategies.

• Disability Solutions Quarterly Webinar: Rethinking Design for Neurodiversity (April 2, 2026)
• Grant Harris, Certified Diversity Executive

In this powerful Season 3 kickoff of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with sisters and co‑founders of Dateability, Jacqueline and Alexa Child, to explore how lived experience, legal insight, and pure sister‑energy transformed a shared frustration into the world’s leading dating app for disabled and chronically ill people.

From navigating ableism on mainstream dating platforms to building an inclusive alternative from scratch—with no tech background and plenty of obstacles along the way—Jacqueline and Alexa share the emotional, logistical, and deeply human story behind Dateability’s creation.

Listeners will hear about the app’s innovative features, the importance of safe and normalized disclosure, the role of disability‑centered community in dating, and the real‑life love stories proving the platform’s impact, including Dateability’s first wedding. The episode also dives into safety, funding challenges, press wins, and the sisters’ unwavering commitment to building a space where disabled people can date with dignity, joy, and authenticity.

Show Notes: 

Key Topics: 

• The Origin Story
• Building the App
• What Makes Dateability Different
• Safety & Privacy
• User Feedback, Community Growth & Impact
• Accessibility, Pricing & How to Join
• For Investors & Partners

Changing Minds & Changing Lives is produced by Disability Solutions, a nonprofit consulting firm and job board that partners with global brands to drive inclusive hiring and disability-inclusive talent strategies.

• Jacqueline Child – Co‑founder of Dateability, disability advocate, entrepreneur
• Alexa Child – Co‑founder of Dateability, attorney, problem‑solver, big‑sister‑in‑chief

Learn more about the app and accessibility and safety features  - https://info.dateabilityapp.com/