Engaged By Design

Happy Now? Authenticity & Resilience with Dr. Sylvia Nemmers (Part 1)

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Podcast: Engaged By Design
Episode: Part 1 — Authenticity & Resilience
Guest: Dr. Sylvia Nemmers — scientist, educator, and author of Happy Now: Shattering the Myth of Happily Ever After

Episode Summary

From childhood blindness to becoming a scientist and department chair, Sylvia traces how authenticity, curiosity, and courageous mentors shaped her leadership. She shares her early life in an institution for the blind, the hard pivot to a mainstream Catholic school, and the creative lab workaround a professor designed that unlocked independence and confidence.

Key Moments

  • Opening, Sylvia’s reveal (born blind; limited sight after age-4 surgery); framing authenticity and strength.
  •  “Happily ever after” myth vs reality; first vision (sunlight hurts; learning to adapt).
  • Institution years: separation, “authentic me,” and the fire-escape slide (bare feet in the Iowa snow!).
  • Transition to Catholic school: social codes, learning hurdles, stubborn hope.
  • Father’s influence: math on car rides, love of chemistry, finding equal footing in science.
  • Barriers & resolve: counselor skepticism; “evaluate my ability, the job is mine to find.”
  • Mentor moment: Dr. Larry Davis’ notched-syringe hack enabling precise dilutions; lab independence.
  • Universal design & the social model of disability; partnering with learners to remove barriers.

    • Quotes

    • “At that school, I was authentically me… No one expected you to be normal, and that was a blessing.”
    • “There are some things you can’t change… and then figure out ways to make it work.”
    • “Words are powerful. What you say to your students can change their whole future.”

      • Reflection Question

      How have you overcome your own limitations—or the labels that others have given you?

      Resources & Links

      • Book: Happy Now — Shattering the Myth of Happily Ever After (Amazon - https://amzn.to/49PHHYZ).
      • Sylvia’s speaking & consulting: BeyondLimits.cc.
      • Engaged By Design: MACRO Leadership resources.
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        Engaged By DesignBy Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith