Originally uploaded February 7th, re-edited March 14th.
Chris Holman welcomes Ryan Hundt, CEO, Michigan Works! Association, Lansing, MI, but serving statewide.

Remind Michigan business community about Michigan Works! Association?

What were some highlights of 2024?

Beyond those MW!A serves as the advocate for the 16 statewide branches, what issues did you tackle in 2024? 
What Lansing, or Washington issues are on the forefront for 2025?

Any 2025 calendar highlights we should be watching for? 
{include April 24th's Annual Impact Awards}.

Michigan Business Beat | Ryan Hundt,  Michigan Works! Association 2024 Wins '25 Workforce Priorities

Welcome to the first episode of The Blind Truth, where hosts Taylor and Vivi discuss the foundation for understanding sight loss by debunking common stereotypes and misconceptions about blindness and answering common questions. Plus, learn more about Taylor and Vivi’s roles within the CNIB Advocacy – Voices for Action team. 

The Blind Truth – Seeing beyond sight

In episode two of The Blind Truth, Taylor and Vivi explore how language has shaped the way we discuss and understand blindness since the 19th century. They’re joined by Dr. Vanessa Warne, a professor in the Department of English at the University of Manitoba, whose decade of research delves into the history of disabilities. With a focus on the early history of raised-print books and their readers, Dr Warne’s book, By Touch Alone: Blindness and Reading in Nineteenth-Century Culture, is forthcoming from the University of Michigan Press.  

The Blind Truth – How do we talk about blindness?

In episode three of The Blind Truth, Taylor and Vivi look at the student and parent perspectives of navigating the education system for students who are blind or have low vision. University student Zachary Abdalla reflects on his experiences as a student with sight loss in Alberta’s education system, while his mother, Chris Abdalla, explains how she instilled confidence in her son at school, while also allowing him to be independent.  Chris also leads the Access to Education Coalition in Alberta, advocating for the rights of children and youth with sight loss.  

The Blind Truth – Empowering the next generation

In the final episode of The Blind Truth, Taylor and Vivi examine the state of public transit in Edmonton and Winnipeg, highlighting the successes of CNIB’s Get on Board advocacy campaign and the work that still needs to be done to create safe and accessible journeys across Canada. They’re joined by Trevor Dennehy, Director of LRT Operations and Maintenance at Edmonton Transit Service, and Simran Bhinder, Accessibility Coordinator at Winnipeg Transit, who are passionate about educating the public and other transit agencies on how to improve transit accessibility.  

The Blind Truth – Pathways to progress: Making transportation accessible

In Season 5 of Called to Action Episode 6: Atlantic-Midwest Province Human Trafficking Committee, we invite Sister Joan Pikiell from the Atlantic-Midwest Province and a member of the human trafficking committee. Sister Joan shares her story of becoming a SSND and some history on when the Atlantic-Midwest Province was created. We also discuss why she became a member of the human trafficking committee and what they do to advocate for the end human trafficking. 

Season 5 Episode 6: Atlantic Midwest Province Human Trafficking Committee

On our podcast – At Home, On Air – we continue our mini-series, Changemaker Interviews, where we highlight the impact of changemakers on the quality of our lives. These individuals have challenged and changed systems, introduced new ways of thinking and told previously untold stories.

In this third installment of the series, we welcome author and climate activist, Harry “Rick” Moody. We discuss his latest book, Climate Change in an Aging Society, and explore the concept of “Eco Elders,” why hope is essential for meaningful action, and practical steps older adults can take from home. Moody challenges the paralyzing effects of pessimism and encourages everyone to “think globally, act locally” through simple but significant changes.

This discussion highlights how older adults, while more vulnerable to climate impacts, can still be powerful agents of change in addressing one of our greatest global challenges. Join us as we explore the intersection of climate change and aging, emphasizing both individual and collective action. Calling us all to action, Moody urges, "I encourage everybody to find that one thing that you can do, and do it!"

We hope Rick’s personal stories and insights will inspire you to make positive changes in your own home, life, and community.

At Home With Growing Older is proud to be your host of At Home, On Air – a radio hour offering connection, community and knowledge to our participants remotely. We invite you to listen and learn from this episode of At Home, On Air.

Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/RP0doJVqPmR 

Learn more, support our work, and register for the next LIVE episode of At Home, On Air: www.athomewithgrowingolder.org.

At Home, On Air

Climate Change in an Aging Society | A Conversation with Rick Moody

Hope4Spandana is a non-profit organization has a goal to make mental health resources accessible to all people. This PSA highlights counseling, awareness programs, community outreach and children struggling with mental health challenges.  To learn more about their initiatives visit www.hope4spandana.org and feel free to get involved! I decided to create this PSA due to my efforts to advocate for mental well-being through my digital presence. My audience can explore more of my work at my personal website at https://sites.google.com/view/aaryapatelgettoknowme/home. There, I talk about giving confidence to women in finance, building a strong mental, and physical presence in a male dominated field. Background Music: "Your Blessing" by Double-F The King – Licensed under Creative Commons.

FinalAudacityPSA

Hope4Spandana PSA

Week 4 Summary - Advocacy

This episode features an interview with Dr. Anjali Deshpande, a clinical associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the current president of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA). Dr. Deshpande discusses her journey into public health, the role of IPHA in advocating for and strengthening public health practice in Iowa, and the challenges facing the public health field, particularly around funding. She provides advice for students looking to build careers in public health, emphasizing the importance of getting involved in organizations like IPHA to develop advocacy skills and make connections. Dr. Deshpande expresses hope for the future of public health in Iowa, highlighting the need to build bridges with policymakers and the public to make the work of public health more visible and impactful.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-advocating-for-public-health-with-anjali-deshpande/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth

Building Bridges: advocating for public health with Anjali Deshpande

On Called to Action Season 5, Episode 7: Animal Trafficking Sister Annette and Sister Kay Fernholz join us to explore trafficking as we expand  awareness to  the fair treatment of livestock to understand what animals are trafficked to produce various products that we may use but have never considered how they are made. Animal trafficking awareness also relates to the SSND commitment to Laudato Si'. Please join us in a conversation about how we can be more aware of what we consume and how it affects all of creation. 

Season 5-Episode 7: Animal Trafficking

The Federal Government (HHS & CMS) Needs To Go After The Disgustingly Horrible Hospitals & Outpatient Medical Providers That Are Out There!

equality_rights_for_all_show_advocacy

At small repairs — flickering lights, broken toilets and a growing list of maintenance needs — are a daily challenge.

The Arc of Southeast Mississippi serves clients from seven counties at its Hattiesburg facility. Staff say the building is aging and in need of regular maintenance. (RHCJC News)
Amid the wear and tear, the nonprofit organization remains focused on what matters most: supporting individuals with disabilities.

The Arc is a community-based facility that provides services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Whether they’re helping a child navigate the school system or supporting an adult in gaining independence, staff members are committed to inclusion and care.

Worn building, strong mission: The Arc keeps serving

In this profoundly moving episode of Older & Bolder, Debbie McCulloch speaks with Dianne McConnell, a mother whose journey through heartbreak, advocacy, and unconditional love will stay with you long after the conversation ends.

Dianne recounts the incredible story of raising her two sons, Ben and Erik, who were born with a rare genetic condition that brought with it immense medical and physical challenges, including blindness. Through countless hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency situations, Dianne made it her mission to not only care for her children but to become a voice for others facing similar realities.

With determination and love, Dianne earned a PhD in Special Education and became a visual consultant, hoping to improve the lives of families navigating the complex world of disability support. Her story is one of powerful resilience—and an unshakable belief that her sons were not defined by their challenges but by the extraordinary gifts they brought to the world.

Dianne lost both of her sons within two years, each passing in their early thirties. Today, she continues her advocacy work and is the author of two deeply insightful books: Could This Be Grace? and Inclusion… It’s Not Just an Educational Buzzword.

This episode will touch your heart, expand your understanding, and leave you with a renewed sense of appreciation for the grace found in life’s most difficult circumstances.

🌐 Learn more at: www.diannemcconnell.ca
📚 Books: Could This Be Grace? and Inclusion… It’s Not Just an Educational Buzzword


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Recorded in Saskatoon & Rosetown, Saskatchewan
Show producer: Christina Cherneskey Communications
Theme music: ES_By the Neon Sign
Music for this episode: ES_Your Time To Soar (Tribute Version) (Instrumental Version) - Cody Decker, ES_What If I Said I Am Sorry (Instrumental Version) - Loving Caliber, ES_The Sweetest Love (Instrumental Version) - Ornatia, ES_Forgotten Tears - Magnus Ringblom, ES_Morning Star - Megan Wofford, ES_You Are the Melody - Ruiqi Zhao.
Voice over: Christina Cherneskey
Original artwork: Jackie Peterson
Artwork developed for digital media pages: Christina Cherneskey

Season 3 Ep 25: Dianne McConnell, Grace, Gifts, and Special Challenges

In this week’s episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Laura Grant, an associate professor at Claremont McKenna College. Many environmental nonprofit groups have been working to influence policy, but relatively little research has demonstrated how the efforts of these groups shape policy outcomes, and how some groups may support, catalyze, or even substitute for government action. In this episode of Resources Radio, Grant discusses new research that aims to better understand the work of environmental nonprofits, including various methods that environmental groups use to advance progress on key environmental issues, from headline-grabbing protests to litigation and research.

References and recommendations:

“The Roles of Environmental Groups in Economics” by Laura Grant and Christian Langpap; https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/730902

“Orwell’s Roses” by Rebecca Solnit; http://rebeccasolnit.net/book/orwells-roses/

How Environmental Groups Influence Policy, with Laura Grant

Interview with Shani a mother of 2 children with Autism, discussing audio sensitivity.

Audio package Student ID 268562

Welcome back to our final episode in this three-part series about the barriers to progress and the treatment of spinal cord injuries. We’re once again joined by neurosurgeon, researcher and lived experience advocate, Dr. Kent New. In this episode, we finish up our discussion of the many barriers to developing treatments, focusing primarily on regulatory agencies. We then move on to consider potential solutions to the problems we've uncovered in...

More info: https://u2fp.org/get-educated/curecast/episode-120.html

What's the Holdup? - Part 3 (CureCast Episode 120)

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human cognitive functioning, encompassing different neurological profiles like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.  Rather than thinking of these differences as medical conditions in need of treatment, the idea of neurodiversity shifts this ideology to think about these differences as a form of natural human diversity, each offering distinct perspectives and contributions to society. This framework calls for changes in both clinical and cultural narratives but how do we approach this in the scientific community? In this episode, we discuss all things neurodiversity and talk about how neurodiverse perspectives are being included in biomedical studies in order to recognize, and support diverse neurological experiences.

Matt joined the Scott lab in September 2022. He graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with B.S. in Cognitive Science with Honors and a minor in computer science and worked in the High Level Perception Lab under Professor Nicolas Davidenko. Professionally, Matt worked at Open Minds, Silicon Valley. Working closely with self-advocates, Matt helped found the Social Innovation Lab, a UX lab focused on inclusivity and accessibility in education. Currently, his research surrounds sensory integration and voluntary motor control using non-human primate models. 

Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri

Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com 
Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast
LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast 

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services. 

44 : Neurodiversity : Breaking the Brain Mold

Get your critical thinking caps on! ‘Think Twice’ discusses controversial topics in the field of neuroscience with the goal of bringing more nuance and rigor to mainstream media. We’ll take you past the headlines by breaking down relevant neuroscience topics, interviewing experts in the field and overcoming misinformation/disinformation with evidence-based content. This podcast is run by a small group of graduate students at the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University. We hope to bring down barriers to the dissemination of scientific information, give early-career neuroscientists a voice, and foster a culture of entertaining and accessible science communication.

Our mission is to educate, inspire and connect people across generations and disciplines to re-envision and improve the experiences of later life.

The Home of Business in Michigan. Get on-demand access to audio programs, articles and resources presented by savvy business leaders and industry experts.

Unite 2 Fight Paralysis exists to unite and empower the international spinal cord injury community to cure paralysis through advocacy, education, and support for research. Get Educated and Get Involved.

The University of Iowa College of Public Health is a top-ranked school of public health, meeting the public health challenges of the 21st century through education, research, outreach, and community engagement.

Resources Radio is a weekly podcast by Resources for the Future. Each week we talk to leading experts about climate change, electricity, ecosystems, and more, making the latest research accessible to everyone.

The CNIB Podcast Network is a collection of audio programming designed to give a voice to people across the CNIB community as they share their personal stories of life with sight loss. Listen to the episodes on any of the platforms listed below. If you enjoy what you hear, subscribe!

New tracks tagged #Advocacy