Join us for an inspiring episode of the Embrace It Podcast as we welcome the radiant Xian Horn, a true catalyst for inclusion. Xian, a joyful half-Asian woman with Cerebral Palsy, wears many hats: teacher, writer, speaker, beauty advocate, blogger, and Exemplar for the AT&T NYU Connect Ability Challenge towards creating Assistive Technology. Named one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century by Women's eNews in 2017, Xian Horn's journey toward reconceptualizing leadership has left a profound impact. From companies like Viacom, and Target, to AXA Equitable, she's reshaping narratives using he ..read more

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Alexa and Jacqueline Child, the dynamic duo behind Dateability, a revolutionary dating app designed to empower the disabled and chronically ill communities. Founded by sisters, Jacqueline's personal experience with discrimination and hurtful comments on mainstream dating apps due to her disability ignited a spark within them to create a platform that champions inclusivity and understanding. In this podcast episode, we delve into Jacqueline and Alexa's journey, exploring the challenges they faced in the dating world and the inspiration behind Dateab ..read more

In this heartfelt episode, join Lainie and Estela as they open up about their personal journeys in living with a disability. Delving into the depths of self-reflection, the duo shares an intimate list of insights they wish they could tell their younger selves. From navigating challenges to embracing self-love, this candid conversation unveils valuable lessons, offering a beacon of wisdom for anyone on a similar path. Tune in for a touching exploration of resilience, growth, and the empowering messages that transcend time. Book an EmBRACE It Workshop Looking for more great tips, hacks, and blo ..read more

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Maddi, an extraordinary individual whose journey has been defined by resilience and determination. Graduating from Georgetown University with a passion for Spanish and Justice and Peace Studies, Maddi's life took an unexpected turn when a hemorrhagic stroke left her paralyzed on her left side. Amidst her recovery, she discovered a new passion for fashion, channeling her love for the arts into writing her first book, "Fashion Fwd: How Today's Culture Shapes Tomorrow's Fashion," published in September 2018. But Maddi's story doesn't end there. Driven ..read more

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Dustin, who was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss at the young age of five. Despite this life-changing diagnosis, Dustin's story is one of resilience, empowerment, and a determination to spread positivity. From school hearing exams to facing unexpected challenges, Dustin’s experiences have been both unique and universal. We explore the transformative moment in his life when a simple divider during a hearing test changed everything. No longer able to rely on lip reading, he surprised not only the school nurse but als ..read more

Despite the disability or condition, the path from denial to acceptance is anything but linear and smooth. We all have our own journeys to becoming the person we want to be. Sometimes that journey requires us to travel alone and other times we have are fortunate enough to find the support and guidance we need. Becky Etchberger is a successful TV producer for many shows such as American Idol, The Voice & Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. She is also navigating the ups and downs of life, love, and disability due to CMT. In this episode, Becky reveals how she went from hiding her symptoms f ..read more

Embrace It: Episode 50 - Yare Tua, Communicating with Kindness In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Yarelbys Túa Pachano, a Venezuelan model and influencer who is defying expectations and advocating for inclusivity. Yare’s story is not only about overcoming cancer and disability but also about the power of communication and kindness in her interactions. We'll explore how Yare discusses her disability with strangers, shedding light on the misconceptions and taboos surrounding disabilities in her home country and beyond. She shares her experiences of responding to well-intent ..read more

Get ready to dive into a bubbling pot of heartwarming stories and culinary delights in this episode of 'Stirring Up Joy'! We're pulling up a seat at the virtual kitchen table with none other than the fabulous Alexis Hillyard, the mastermind behind the YouTube sensation Stump Kitchen. Join us as we savor every flavorful moment of her journey – from connecting over food with her partner to becoming a cooking sensation with a twist. Imagine whipping up gluten-free vegan eats and stumptastic treats using her 'stump'! Alexis's infectious enthusiasm and creative spirit have transformed cooking into ..read more

Stacie Swindler has been drawn to horses since childhood. During her career in education, she began volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding facility for  individuals with disabilities. After being amazed by the interactions she observed between the students and the horses, Stacie changed the trajectory of her life. Instead of returning to the classroom, she decided to partner with horses to improve the lives of those living with autism, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a variety of physical disabilities. Today Stacie is having a big impact with her wo ..read more

After living with severely debilitating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for over 30 years, Nitika Chopra found that no matter how hard she tried, she always felt completely isolated and alone. For a long time, she assumed that it must have been because something was inherently broken or wrong with her. After getting the courage to open up about her health, she realized that every time she met someone who had a chronic illness, they felt the exact same way. While Nitika’s career started over 10 years ago as the founder of a popular online magazine, the host of her own talk show on global tele ..read more