What if the spaces we live, learn, and heal in could actually heal us back?
In this powerful podcast interview, we sit down with Janet Roche, MDS, CAPS—nationally recognized design practitioner, educator, and founder of the Trauma-Informed Design Society. Janet is a pioneer in Trauma-Informed Design, helping reshape architecture and interior design to be inclusive, empathetic, and deeply human.
We dive into:
Her personal journey and the experiences that shaped her vision
How design can either harm or heal
The myths around “good” design and disability
Creating safe spaces for unseen trauma
What it really costs to center inclusion
The tension between beauty and healing
Whether you’re a designer, educator, social worker, architect—or simply someone who believes in a more just and humane world—this episode will change how you see the spaces around you.
📘 Janet's Book: Trauma-Informed Design: A Framework for Architects, Designers, and Other Practitioners
🌐 Learn more: [Insert website or link here if available]
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this conversation moved you.
#TraumaInformedDesign #InclusiveDesign #JanetRoche #HealingSpaces #DisabilityJustice #PodcastInterview #DesignForEveryone
In this bold and deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Laura Stinson—a disabled artist, entrepreneur, and host of Bad Attitudes: An Uninspiring Podcast About Disability. As the founder of FairyNerdy, Laura creates feminist, sarcastic art that fuses pop culture with disability pride.🌟 In this episode, Laura opens up about:How she built FairyNerdy from her lived experienceBalancing authenticity with capitalism as a disabled creatorThe raw truths she shares—despite the risksWhy pity is poison, and what real empathy looks likeHow she imagines a future rooted in disability justiceJoin us as we explore art, advocacy, boundaries, mental health, and the power of unapologetic storytelling.🔗 Follow Laura:Instagram: @FairyNerdyPodcast: @BadAttitudesPodShop: fairynerdy.com💬 If this episode moved you, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more honest conversations that center disability, justice, and creativity.#DisabilityPride #FairyNerdy #BadAttitudesPodcast
🔥 Vicki Landers: The Art of Being Unapologetically Disabled, Queer & Free
🎙️ A Deep Dive into Disability Justice, Mental Health, and Conscious Activism
In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, we sit down with Vicki Landers (she/they)—a queer femme, artist, activist, and Founder of Disability Pride Pennsylvania—to explore what it truly means to live at the intersection of visibility, vulnerability, and visionary leadership.
Vicki shares candid reflections on navigating life with both visible and invisible disabilities, including Bipolar Disorder, and how these experiences have shaped their identity, advocacy, and spirituality. We discuss the realities of internalized ableism, the performative traps of the nonprofit world, and the uncomfortable truths we must face if we want a truly inclusive and liberated future.
From AI and capitalism to softness and slowness as resistance, this conversation covers a broad array of topics.
✨ Topics we explore:
Conscious activism vs. burnout
The future of disability in an AI-driven world
Disability as spiritual truth
What it means to lead without losing yourself
And the sacred value of softness, slowness, and soul
📍 If you’ve ever wondered what real inclusion looks like—or what it demands of us—this episode is for you.
👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge, expand, and liberate.
#DisabilityJustice #QueerVoices #MentalHealthAwareness #BipolarDisorder #AIandDisability #DisabilityPride #OshoWisdom #TraipsinGlobalOnWheels #VickiLanders
🎙️ What’s Beneath Your Anger? Dr. Christian Conte on Emotional Mastery, Sensitivity & Finding Strength Without the Mask
In this raw, soul-stirring conversation, I sit down with Dr. Christian Conte—renowned anger management specialist, licensed counselor, author, and co-host of Tackling Life with NFL legend Ray Lewis—to explore the emotional terrain most people avoid.
We go beyond behavior. We go beyond labels.
We talk about what it means to feel too much and never enough.
About men, masks, shame, abandonment, anger, disability, trauma—and how we begin to heal when our nervous systems don't feel like safe places to live.
This isn’t self-help fluff.
It’s practical, it’s honest, and it’s for anyone ready to live with radical compassion and inner strength.
✨ Questions we explore include:
– What’s the third way between exploding or suppressing anger?
– How do you soothe a body stuck in survival mode?
– What’s the cost of constantly earning your worth?
– How can men stop performing toughness and start living truth?
– Who are you without your titles, roles, or masks?
💥 We also talk about Dr. Conte’s upcoming book:
📘 Strong Mind, Strong Man — a bold, compassionate, and practical guide for men seeking emotional mastery and mental toughness rooted in presence, not performance.
👇 Watch this conversation if you’ve ever struggled with anger, emotional intensity, disability, shame, or the silent question: “Am I too broken to be loved?”
🧠 Learn more about Dr. Christian Conte:
Website: https://www.drchristianconte.com
Instagram & Twitter: @Dr_Conte
Books: Walking Through Anger, Advanced Techniques for Counseling and Psychotherapy, and his upcoming release Strong Mind, Strong Man
🎧 Subscribe for more conscious conversations that go beyond the surface.
#StrongMindStrongMan #DrChristianConte #AngerManagement #EmotionalMastery #EmotionalHealing #DisabilityAwareness #MensMentalHealth #PodcastInterview #YieldTheory #SelfRegulation #SensitivityIsStrength #HealingThroughConversation
What does it really mean to build a world where everyone belongs — not just in policy or design, but in spirit? In this powerful and poetic conversation, I sit down with Qudsiya Naqui, civil rights attorney and host of Down to the Struts, to explore the deep intersections of disability, justice, identity, and radical access.
We talk candidly about the shame Qudsiya once carried, what losing her vision taught her about intuition, and how love, advocacy, and design can become tools of liberation. Together, we unpack what society still gets wrong about disability — and what we must reimagine to get it right.
From hidden canes to courtroom truths, this episode is both a call to consciousness and a blueprint for inclusion. Whether you’re disabled, an ally, or just waking up to these questions, this conversation offers insight, warmth, and clarity you won’t want to miss.
🎧 In this episode, we cover:
Why visibility and invisibility shape power
The emotional cost of always having to advocate
What “radical accessibility” actually looks like
How race, class, and disability intersect in silence
The future Qudsiya wants — and how we start building it now
📍 Follow more conversations at TGOW.info
🎙️ Explore Qudsiya’s podcast: Down to the Struts
Meet Stephanie Evans, a dedicated advocate for mental health and disability rights from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. With a social work degree, she’s committed to supporting individuals through advocacy and plans to open a private practice. Stephanie serves as chairperson for NEADS, driving impactful change for students with disabilities. She also contributes to the Wavemakers Advisory Board and the Dawn Canada Hummingbird Network. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she finds healing in nature through hiking and sports. Passionate about creating equitable spaces, Stephanie’s volunteer work reflects her unwavering dedication to uplifting and empowering others.
Rabia Khedr is a passionate advocate for equity, justice, and inclusion, particularly for people with disabilities and diverse communities. She’s served on the Accessibility Standards Canada board, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the Minister’s Disability Advisory Group. As the National Director of Disability Without Poverty and CEO of DEEN Support Services, she’s also a co-founder of Race and Disability Canada. Rabia, a motivational speaker, has earned awards like the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her humanitarian work.
Claudia Center is a leading disability rights attorney dedicated to advancing civil rights through litigation, policy, and advocacy. She previously served as a Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU and directed the disability rights program at Legal Aid at Work. She played a key role in expanding protections under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and argued US Airways, Inc. v. Barnett before the U.S. Supreme Court. A recipient of the Paul G. Hearne Award, she has taught disability law at Berkeley and Hastings. A Berkeley Law graduate, she also worked with NARAL and held a Women’s Law Fellowship.Claudia Center is a leading disability rights attorney dedicated to advancing civil rights through litigation, policy, and advocacy. She previously served as a Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU and directed the disability rights program at Legal Aid at Work. She played a key role in expanding protections under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and argued US Airways, Inc. v. Barnett before the U.S. Supreme Court. A recipient of the Paul G. Hearne Award, she has taught disability law at Berkeley and Hastings. A Berkeley Law graduate, she also worked with NARAL and held a Women’s Law Fellowship.
In this powerful episode of Traipsin' Global on Wheels, human rights lawyer Jamie Todd-Gher shares her two-decade journey advocating for marginalized communities. From working with the UN and Amnesty International to championing gender equality, disability rights, and reproductive justice, Jamie delves into the complexities of human rights advocacy. She reflects on pivotal moments, including overcoming backlash on controversial issues, the intersection of disability and reproductive rights, and the urgent need for cross-movement collaboration.Jamie discusses the misconceptions surrounding disability and sexuality, emphasizing the importance of inclusive policies in workplaces and beyond. She also offers insights into self-care while tackling emotionally taxing work and the role of grassroots efforts in fostering lasting change. With wisdom drawn from mentors, global advocates, and her personal experiences, Jamie inspires young changemakers to stay the course despite challenges.This episode is a compelling call to action—encouraging listeners to reflect, engage, and push for a world where dignity, equity, and accessibility are fundamental rights for all. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will leave you empowered and motivated to drive change.
Seth Godin is a bestselling author, teacher, and marketing pioneer known for inspiring people to think differentlyand make an impact. He’s written 20 books translated into nearly 40 languages, including The Song of Significance, The Practice, and This Is Marketing. He founded the altMBA and Akimbo workshops, helping thousands level up through transformative learning experiences. He’s in multiplemarketing halls of fame and continues to inspire through his daily blog.
Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author, and international lecturer on polyvagal theory-informed work with trauma survivors and is the leading translator of this scientific work to the public and mental health professionals. A founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, Deb developed the signature Rhythm of Regulation® Clinical Training Series: The Science of Feeling Safe Enough To Fall in Love with Life and Take the Risks of Living.A clinician and consultant specializing in working with complex trauma, Deb Dana is widely credited with adapting Polyvagal Theory to trauma treatment. She is, a clinical advisor to Khiron Clinics and an advisor to Unyte-ILS. She is trained in Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Tapas Acupressure Technique, and she completed the Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies at the Trauma Center. Deb’s work shows how an understanding of Polyvagal Theory is applicable across the board to relationships, mental health, and trauma. She delves into the intricacies of how we can all use an understanding of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives. Deb is well known for translating PVT into a language and application that is both clear and accessible - and for her significant contribution, pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology, tools, techniques and practices which continue to open up the power of PVT for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life.Deb believes that we all benefit when we have a basic understanding of the ways the nervous system works and learn how to become active operators of this essential system. Following this passion has led her to offering workshops in partnership with groups and communities outside of the clinical arena - and bringing the Polyvagal perspective to the ordinary, and sometimes extraordinary, experiences of daily living.
Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride; the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded $92.5k to 93 disability projects in 11 countries; and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World.
She serves on the NIH National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research and LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Working Group. She was a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit. At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father.
She started her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has also worked at Bloomberg and startups in media and real estate. Her TED Talk, How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive, has over one million views. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Guardian, USA Today, Marie Claire, and Forbes.
In this digital world, boundaries are blurred more and more and we are left chasing for an income that is seemingly always late on arrival. This guided meditation will leave you feeling grounded/centered, enough, and confident for what this 24/7 digital life throws at you.
If you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed, give this short blend of a guided meditation and visualization a try!
Stephanie Bowman is the founder of the non-profit, One Heart for Women and Children. They serve an average of 20,000 individuals by providing basic human needs such as high-quality food and life-coping skills.
Mirjam Versteegh is known for her leadership in the accessible travel industry. In 2017 she became the owner of Disabled Accessible Travel, based out of Barcelona. Under her guidance, the company expanded its services and geographical reach, and established itself as Europe’s leading accessible travel agency. Disabled Accessible Travel offers private travel experiences, with a specific focus on accessible shore excursions in the majority of the European ports of call. Mirjam also developed the app ‘accessaloo’, an innovative application, providing a comprehensive directory of accessible restrooms worldwide. This free app allows users to find, add and share accessible toilets on the go. She has travelled the world extensively, and lived and worked in various countries and continents. This experience has allowed her to bring a global perspective to her work, and drive solutions and empower individuals with disabilities to access essential services and experiences worldwide. With her professional background in consulting, always covering the bridge between Business and IT, she is dedicated to create inclusive and online solutions, making holiday planning easier, more reliable, and more fun!
From a challenging beginning in Kansas City, Missouri, Wesley Hamilton has created an extraordinary life story of resilience and transformation. Following a traumatic incident at 24 that resulted in him being paralyzed below the waist, Wes channeled his adversity into a personal revolution, focusing on fitness and nutrition, and astonishingly losing 100 pounds despite his physical limitations.
This journey of transformation inspired him to establish Disabled But Not Really (DBNR), a non profit organization that empowers individuals with disabilities to claim their independence through different wellness models. An expert motivational speaker, Wes explores themes of adversity, disruption, inclusivity, and intersectionality, helping institutions forward their dialogue around DEI
Beyond his recognition in the CrossFit community and feature on Netflix's "Queer Eye," Wes's outstanding contributions were acknowledged on a global stage when he was named a 2021 CNN Hero. The same year, he was recognized as a 2021 Craig H Neilson Foundation Visionary, an accolade that came with a $1 million award. Firmly believing in the power of inspiration, Wes sees his purpose as inspiring others, demonstrating that limitations can become opportunities for resilience and growth.
Amu Urhonen is a disability activist and disability rights expert based in Tampere, Finland. She has worked with disability rights since 1997 when she was 17 and joined a disability rights organisation when she realised the importance of persons with disabilities working for their rights.
Currently, she is working at FELM (Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission) as a disability inclusion adviser and as a chairperson of Abilis Foundation that provides funding for grassroot level organisations of persons with disabilities in developing countries. She is a member of ODIHR panel of politicians with disabilities. She has worked in research projects about disability history, disability activism and political participation of persons with disabilities. In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked for IFRC making sure disability inclusion would be considered in their COVID measures. Urhonen is a Theologist and Sexual Counsellor who has also studied Social Sciences. On her free time, Urhonen enjoys literature and travelling in Europe by train.