Kennedi Dotson – IDA Ambassador Spotlight
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Kennedi Dotson, an IDA Ambassador, shares her journey of living with invisible disabilities, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, IBS, and fibromyalgia. Kennedi discusses her experience with disbelief and misunderstanding as a teen, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and a strong support system. She also talks about how she used her passion for pageantry to create a platform called “P.U.S.H.” (Please Understand Silent Health issues) to educate and advocate for others. This powerful interview will encourage anyone who has ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or alone.
Brian J Esposito – IDA Director of Development
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Brian J. Esposito, shares that his entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, inspired by his father’s hard work and sacrifices. His connection to the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) stems from his father’s diagnosis with a slower form of ALS called PLS and the family’s experience navigating the challenges of invisible disabilities. Esposito emphasizes the importance of empathy and listening to people’s stories, as it gives him courage and allows him to help others. His personal motto, “time is our most precious commodity,” was shaped by the loss of his grandfather and his own near-fatal car accident caused by a drunk driver, which taught him the value of protecting one’s time and the value of who you surround yourself with.
Isabella Sementilli – IDA Ambassador Spotlight
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Isabella Sementilli, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, shares her journey of becoming an advocate for anti-bullying and brain injury awareness after a bullying incident in fifth grade resulted in a debilitating head injury. Despite living with chronic pain, she has channeled her experience into positive action by writing a book, starting a business called Bella Cervella, and selling cookies to raise money for various organizations. Isabella attributes her strength to her faith and family, and she encourages others to “stay strong, be that tough cookie, and never crumble.”
John O’Leary – Embracing Scars and Finding Awe
In this InVisible InCourage SHOW classic episode, bestselling author and acclaimed speaker, John O’Leary recounts the story of surviving a house fire at age nine that left him with burns on 100% of his body and his hands amputated. John discusses the impact of his visible and invisible disabilities on his family and how his parents, particularly his mother, encouraged him to “own his life” and fight to live. He also explains the message of his book, In Awe, which encourages adults to rediscover the curiosity and wonder of children in order to live a more inspired life.
Lava Khonsuwon – IDA Ambassador Spotlight
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Lava Khonsuwon, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, discusses her personal journey with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in her right leg, which she developed after a pit bull attack. She shares how she found a positive community with the IDA through social media after feeling isolated by her diagnosis and was inspired to become an ambassador herself. Khonsuwon, who is also a documentary filmmaker, talks about her work, her passion for telling stories, and how her spiritual and personal experiences have influenced her filmmaking.
Justin Houcek – IDA Ambassador Spotlight
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Justin Houcek, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, discusses his personal journey after being diagnosed with autism 13 years ago. He highlights his work in Illinois, which includes serving on the Illinois Autism Task Force and the CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee, focusing on improving responses to behavioral issues. Houcek also recounts a positive experience with the Chicago Police Department’s Training Curriculum Advisory Committee, where his suggestion to include training for invisible disabilities was well-received.
Justin Monger – What is Medicine Management?
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Justin Monger, founder of MedSure Systems, explains that medicine management aims to solve medication non-adherence, an issue where 50% of people do not take their medications correctly, costing the U.S. $345 billion annually in avoidable hospitalizations and causing up to 150,000 premature deaths each year.
MedSure Systems tackles this by combining digital tools with human intervention, networking the patient, doctor, caregiver, and a single home pharmacy to achieve a med adherence score of over 95%. This comprehensive support system is considered a “lifesaver” for caregivers and leads to dramatically improved patient health, with studies showing 99% adherence rates and patients reporting better clinical results and feeling healthier overall.
Emily Cram – Living with a Rare Disease – ERBIN
In this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Emily Cram shares her journey as the only woman in the United States diagnosed with ERBIN, a rare connective tissue disorder that causes daily joint dislocations, pain and a compromised immune system. She discusses the challenges of living with an invisible disability, including disbelief from others and medical professionals, and how she found running and yoga to help manage her condition. As an ambassador for the Invisible Disabilities Association and a Ohio Miss America pageant participant, Emily aims to raise awareness, advocate for trauma-informed care, and connect with others by sharing her story.
Jamie Waller – The Dyslexic Edge
Join InVisible InCourage Show host and IDA Executive Director, Jess Stainbrook as he converses with entrepreneur, author and philanthropist, Jamie Waller as they both discuss growing up with dyslexia and Jamie’s book, The Dyslexic Edge.
Walk & Roll with Lauren Pires
Join InVisible InCourage Podcast host and IDA CEO, Wayne Connell as he speaks with IDA Ambassador, Lauren Pires, about Central Core Disease (CCD) and participating in the Invisible Disabilities Walk & Roll in May. The 2024 Theme is “Invisible No More in 24”.
Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor – Chip Lutz
Join host Join Wayne Connell, CEO and Founder of the Invisible Disabilities Association as he speaks with Chip Lutz, Chair of AATH’s Annual Humor Conference and retired Lt Commander, USN, and leadership expert. Learn about the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, their annual humor conference and why humor plays a role in everything from success in business to a way to cope with trauma.
Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation – Tara Zier
Join host Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director with Tara Zier, Founder, CEO & President of the Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation who also lives with Stiff Person Syndrome. Award winning, renowned singer, Celine Dion has recently become public about her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Superbowl 58 with Dr Oz and Health Corps
Join host Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director at Superbowl 58 with Dr. Mehmet Oz, world renowned heart surgeon, Founder of HealthCorps, Professor Emeritus of Columbia University, & 9 times Emmy Award winning host of “The Dr. Oz Show.” along with Tom Groom of the NFL Alumni Association.
Superbowl 58 with DeAndre Carter on Type 1 Diabetes
Join host Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director at Superbowl 58 with DeAndre Carter, Las Vegas Raiders Wide Receiver, as they discuss Type 1 Diabetes along with Kristian Hurley, SVP of Programs, Advocacy and Health Equity of Beyond Type 1.
Impossible to Possible with Author, Sue Stevenson
Join host Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director along with Sue Stevenson who is a Professionally Certified Coach, author of Impossible to Possible: Neurostrategies for Healing, Humor and a Reimagined Life, a sought after speaker and expert in Humor with a certificate in the science of happiness, a photographer, an advocate for humanizing the workplace, encouraging optimal brain health and fostering a Mindset of Choice, former International Human Resources Executive and more!
Ret Col Chris Kolenda – Fallen Hero Honor Bicycle Ride
Join Wayne Connell, CEO and Founder of the Invisible Disabilities Association as he speaks with retired US Army Colonel Chris Kolenda about his Fallen Hero Honor Bicycle Ride of over 1,689 miles in 2022.
Rediscovering Life with CVID with Mike Strausbaugh
Join host Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director along with Mike Strausbaugh, TEDx Speaker, College Professor, Music Mentor, Jazz & Classical Guitarist, Witty Chap and Survivor living with a rare disease called CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency).
Don’t Settle for the New Normal with Bianca Lopes
Join host Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director with Identity expert, author and speaker Bianca Lopes.
What is Invisible Disabilities Television?
Join Wayne Connell, CEO and Founder of the Invisible Disabilities Association along with Jess Stainbrook, IDA’s VP & Executive Director as they share about why IDA is launching Invisible Disabilities Television! Learn about the past, now and the future of IDA.
Thriving with Chronic Illness Lisa Sniderman
Join host, Kellie Pokrifka and she converses with Lisa Sniderman, aka Aoede, an award-winning, quirky, folk-pop artist, playwright, filmmaker, author and disabled artist advocate from San Francisco. Lisa has been honored with more than 100 accolades and awards for her songwriting, audiobooks, films, stage plays, voiceover and books all while suffering from a rare autoimmune disease: dermatomyositis (DM), a progressive muscle weakness disease.
Disability Advocate Jake Stimell
Join host, Kellie Pokrifka as she interviews former IDA intern, Jake Stimel. Jake helps leaders, and their organizations (nonprofits, corporations, governments and educational institutions) to be even more successful, through the power of including people with disabilities. He knows that organizations are stronger and more profitable when they employ and market to people with disabilities and their loved ones.
Tourette syndrome with William and Tanya Atkins
Host Kellie Pokrifka interviews William Atkins and his mother Tanya Atkins. Learn more about living with Tourette syndrome from the perspective of the individual and his caregiver!
Pain and Integrative Medicine with Dr Peter Abaci
Host, Kellie Pokrifka interviews Peter Abaci, MD, one of the world’s leading experts on pain and integrative medicine. Dr Abaci is the author of numerous acclaimed books including “Take Charge of Your Chronic Pain” and “Conquer Your Chronic Pain.” Dr Abaci is the Medical Director and Co-Founder of the renowned Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center.
Chronic Migraine Advocate – Beth Morton PhD
Host Kellie Pokrifka interviews Beth Morton PhD has lived with migraines for more than 20 years, but it became a daily in 2016. Beth has a blog that she sporadically remembers to update, called “The Counterfactual Brain”, a nod to her research background. Beth has a PhD. in research and evaluation, so combining migraine advocacy with research literacy has become a key area of interest for her.
Paralympian, Veteran, Speaker – John Register
Join host, Wayne Connell, IDA’s CEO and founder, as he is inspired by John Register, Paralympian Silver Medalist, Veteran, Speaker, Author. John is a two-time Paralympian, Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, and TEDx Motivational Speaker. John embraced a “new normal” in becoming an amputee following a misstep over a hurdle while training for the 1996 Olympic Games, after participation in two consecutive Olympic trials.
The Trauma Code with Doug Smith
Join host, Kellie Pokrifka, with Doug Smith – Former NHL Player. Doug, author of “The Trauma Code” & “Thriving in Transition”, is a thought leader on the impact of workplace induced emotional trauma. An accomplished keynote speaker & communicator, Doug presents a trauma management model he developed to address emotional trauma at work and to help to maximize human performance.
Mindfulness with Holly Zajur
Join host Kellie Pokrifka as she interviews Holly Zajur on how to use mindfulness to get through life’s struggles. Holly is also dedicated to sharing the benefits of yoga and mindfulness to address stress and enhance wellness in the workplace.