The Post Secondary Transition Conversation

Back in 2023, we had the opportunity to talk with Mary Cardle for her T21Mom Podcast. Mary was kind enough to let us share out this episode as we are polishing off Q1 of the 2026-27 school year. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we had in talking with her. Do NOT forget to check out Mary's podcast as its a wealth of information and great discussions in support of the Down syndrome and autism communities; the podcast is on all the major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Mary's website; give her a listen and hit that subscribe button! 

Thanks so much to Mary for her permission to share out her conversation!

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) talk with podcast host and advocate Hunter DeMarcy about his work on A Talk of Carroll Podcast, where he connects with people in the neurodivergent community to promote understanding, advocacy, and inclusion. Hunter, who has autism, shares his experiences in Target Community’s day program, living independently in an apartment, and helping create a participant committee to improve services and represent neurodivergent voices. He also discusses his love of football and basketball, involvement in fundraising and community programs, and ideas for the future. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords: 
Podcast, Neurodivergence, Autism, Advocacy, Inclusion, Interview, Carroll County, Self advocacy, Community, Transition, Education, Personal growth, Communication, Maturity, Success, Target Community, educational services, residential living, personal supports, employment supports, participant experience, independence, sports management, hydration manager, networking, professional goals, career shifts, community involvement, student council

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Talk of Carroll Podcast (link)
Community Media Center (link)
Target Community & Educational Services (link)
ARC Services (link)
Maryland State Senator Justin Ready (link)* 

*Please note this is NOT an endorsement of a political candidate or party

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

This week, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue their talk with podcast host and advocate Hunter DeMarcy. Hunter speaks about his participation in Target Community’s day program, independent living in an apartment, and helping to create a participant committee to improve services & represent neurodivergent voices. Hunter also shares about his love of sports, his ideas for the future and so much more.  Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Target Community, educational services, residential living, personal supports, employment supports, advocacy, participant experience, independence, sports management, hydration manager, networking, professional goals, career shifts, community involvement, student council

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Talk of Carroll Podcast (link)
Community Media Center (link)
Target Community & Educational Services (link)
ARC Services (link)

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have a discussion with Hunter DeMarcy about his work as host of A Talk of Carroll Podcast, where he speaks with people connected to the neurodivergent community to foster understanding, advocacy, and inclusion. Hunter, who has autism, shares about his advocacy for better participant experiences through his day program and independent living experiences. He also talks about how he stays active with football, basketball, fundraising, and community programs. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Podcast, Neurodivergence, Autism, Advocacy, Inclusion, Interview, Carroll County, Self advocacy, Community, Transition, Education, Personal growth, Communication, Maturity, Success

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Talk of Carroll Podcast (link)
Community Media Center (link)
Target Community & Educational Services (link)
ARC Services (link)
Maryland State Senator Justin Ready (link) 

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have an in-depth conversation with Lavonne Smith, a parent of an adult with special needs. Ms. Lavonne shares her son Thomas’s journey from exploring different work experiences in high school to securing long-term employment at Weis Markets. She reflects on how supportive managers, community involvement, and opportunities tailored to Thomas’s strengths helped him grow in confidence and independence—while highlighting the importance of finding the right workplace fit and reliable transportation. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords
transition process, employment goals, work study, social interaction, job fit, manager support, career path, independence gained, soft skills, transportation issues, consumer transit, building confidence, workplace support, retail experience, personal growth

Links
Special Olympics Polar Plunge (link)
Ep. 72 Building Futures: Business's For All Fair (link)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Career & Community Exploration; Howard County Public Schools (formerly ENCLAVE) (link)
Maryland Regional Transport Authority (link)

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) kick off Season 5 with Thomas Smith, a former student and adult with special needs who has worked at Weis Markets for 16 years. Thomas discusses on his various roles, customer interactions, and experiences training new employees. He also shares stories about his favorite coworkers, his Special Olympics adventures, and the upcoming events he’s most excited about. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Post Secondary Transition, students with disabilities, job coach, Weiss Market, job flexibility, customer interaction, job training, teamwork, Polar Bear Plunge, Special Olympics, flea market, work skills, job satisfaction, career development, community involvement

Links:
Weis Markets & Thomas Smith (video)
Ep. 72 Building Futures: Business's For All Fair (link)
Special Olympics Polar Plunge (link)
Patapsco Flea Market (link)
International Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics (link) 

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) speak with Beth Brady, director of admissions and student services at Sunflower Bakery, about the organization’s programs for young adults with disabilities. Beth explains how students build soft skills and technical expertise through culinary arts, pastry arts, hospitality training, and immersive commercial-kitchen experiences. Drawing on her background in education and behavioral intervention, she also shares how individualized strategies, progress charts, simplified expectations, and visual aids support student success and inclusive employment. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Sunflower Bakery, Beth Brady, IEP, job placement, culinary chefs, learning differences, hospitality industry, inclusive employers, visual aids, executive functioning, volunteer opportunities, gluten-free items, lemon bars, student success, post-secondary transition, workforce development, inclusive opportunities, behavior intervention, culinary arts, pastry arts, soft skills, immersive experience, student assessment, DORS funding, DDA reimbursement, nonprofit, job training.

Links:
Ep. 072 Building Futures (link)
Rockefeller Center Rainbow Room (site)
Article - Workplace support for learning disabilities needs to improve (link)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Sunflower Bakery (link) 

NOTE: The podcast will be taking their break for the month of August as we prepare for Season 5, so no new content will be posted.

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) finish the second part of their discussion with Beth Brady from Sunflower Bakery. Beth explains the individualized support provided to students, including behavioral strategies and progress charts. Drawing from her education background, Beth also highlights the importance of simplifying expectations, providing visual aids for inclusive employment and more. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Sunflower Bakery, Beth Brady, IEP, job placement, culinary chefs, learning differences, hospitality industry, inclusive employers, visual aids, executive functioning, volunteer opportunities, gluten-free items, lemon bars, student success

Links:
Ep. 072 Building Futures (link)
Article - Workplace support for learning disabilities needs to improve (link)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Sunflower Bakery (link) 

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the Sunflower Bakery program with Beth Brady, their director of admissions and student services. Established in 2009, the bakery serves young adults with disabilities through culinary arts, pastry arts, and hospitality programs. With a background in behavioral intervention, Beth walks through the program's structure including the importance of soft skills and technical training, followed by immersive experiences in a commercial kitchen. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Post secondary transition, Sunflower Bakery, workforce development, inclusive opportunities, behavior intervention, culinary arts, pastry arts, soft skills, immersive experience, student assessment, DORS funding, DDA reimbursement, nonprofit, job training, executive function.

Links:
Ep. 072 Building Futures (link)
Rockefeller Center Rainbow Room (site)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Sunflower Bakery (link) 

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) are joined by special needs financial planner Betsy Larson for a discussion on financial and estate planning for families of individuals with disabilities. Betsy explains the importance of planning for a "three-person" retirement, using tax-efficient strategies, trusts, ABLE accounts, and her "bucket plan" to provide long-term financial security while avoiding common planning mistakes. She also discusses individualized approaches to guardianship, the value of a detailed letter of intent, the role of corporate trustees, and the importance of keeping estate plans up to date to ensure continuity of care. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Special needs, special needs planning, financial planning, financial planner, three-person retirement, government benefits, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, bucket plan, now bucket, preservation bucket, distribution bucket, special needs trust, ABLE account, tax management, inheritance, estate planning, legacy planning, guardianship, supported decision making, letter of intent, transition process, corporate trustee, housing options, emotional support.

Links:
Special Needs Advanced Planning (link)
YouTube Channel (link)
Podshare - Six Pillars of Financial Planning (link)
Ep. 70 ABLE Accounts vs Special Needs Trust (link)
Ep. 92 Interview: Kelly Nelson & Understanding ABLE Accounts (link) 

Send Us Questions or Comments

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro and Ad Music by Oleksandr Stepanov & AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.