Jodi and Lauren had a vibrant conversation with David Driscoll (Director of the Testing Centers), Julia Bruce (Senior Biomedical Engineering major), and Kalib Laughran (Senior Business Administration major) about how they recovered their academic careers after rough starts. We loved hearing about the resiliance, overcoming shame, and positive circumstances they have found. If you want a refreshing start to the new school year, take a listen!

We learned a LOT in episode 16 about athletes, sports, and disability. Lauren and Jodi were joined by nursing student Catherine Faherty who participates on the US National Women's Sled Hockey Team, Cailin Currie (Merrimack College MA in Higher Education student) who is a two time Paralympian swimmer, and Dr. Jeff Gerson, professor of sports and politics. Some links to topics discussed are as follows:

• U.S. National Sled Team, U.S. Women’s Development Sled Team Each Sweep 2024 Sled Series
• Ice Warriors Documentary
• How Paralympic Gold Medalist Mallory Weggemann Didn’t Let Her Injury Define Her
• Breaking the Cycle: Ableism and the phenomenon of lowered expectations | Cheri Blauwet | TEDxBoston

The latest episode is all about the Veteran's Disability Experience. Jodi and Lauren were joined by 3 Veterans - Marc Fountain '17 Psychology (US Airforce and US Army / US Army Reserve), Peter MacDonald Student in the Business Analytics MS program (U.S. Marine Corps), Levinia St. Jean student in the Leadership in Education PhD program (U.S. Air Force & part-time guardsman), Dr. Janine Wert UML Director of Veteran's Services, and Bill McDevitt UML Assistant Director of Veteran's Services. We had a robust conversation about their nontraditional higher education experience and although disability is one of their identities, the values and persistence from their time in the military have supported them through.

Jodi and Lauren talk about disability identity, community, and diagnosis at different life stages with Sue Kim, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Ann Ciaraldi, Associate Dean of Student Affairs; Kelley Lawson, Assistant Director of Student Success & Communications, Honors College, and Courtney Morin, Biomedical Engineering Senior.

At long last, Episode 13! Jodi and Lauren talk about putting oneself out there in a new environment and being vulnerable with Hannah Monbleau, Assistant Director of Student Life and Well-Being; and Sayf Al-Aziz Rashid, Freshman in Chemical Engineering.

Episode 12: Jodi and Lauren talked with Dr. Diana Walker-Moyer, Nurse Practitioner and recently retired Director of the UML Health Services; Dr. Stephen Lam Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at UML; Amanda Holthaus, Nurse and UML graduate student in the Zuckerberg School of Public Health; and Matt Daneau, UML senior in Plastics Engineering about whether society is in a distraction epidemic, and being diagnosed with ADHD and the impact on at various ages, gender, staying focused, and society's expectations.

Episode 11: Jodi and new co-host Lauren participated in in UMAS Lowell’s annual Social Justice week by recording episode 11 with a live audience. We explored themes from the past year with past guests Ainsley Skinner - sophomore Biology student, Erin Keene-Crouse - Senior Director of Orientation & Enrollment Events, and Marshall Greenleaf - Director of Student & Family Support Services. Three major discussion areas included the complex relationship with disability identity, disability stigma, and the media’s portrayal of disabilities.

In this episode Jodi and Janelle speak to Vanessa Weisbrod - Director of the Boston Children's Hospital Celiac Disease Program, Ainsley Skinner - Biology student, Kyra Barry - Nursing student, and Nicholas Trunfio - Business Administration student, about how the holidays can have a further impact on a person who identifies as having a disability.