Changing Minds & Changing Lives Podcast

What if the biggest barrier to opportunity isn’t intent, but the assumptions we never question?In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with educator, author, and founder of LightWork Equitable Solutions, Dr. ClauDean “Dr. K” Kizart, to unpack how bias shows up in ways we often don’t recognize—especially anchoring bias, or our tendency to rely on first impressions and incomplete information.Drawing from her own lived experience and years of research

Chronic illness affects millions of people worldwide, yet support systems remain fragmented, difficult to navigate, and often inaccessible. For many, the journey is not just medical but also deeply isolating.In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Julie Sowash sits down with Cyndii Sinex, public health practitioner and founder of the upcoming Chronic Illness Hotline, to explore how lived experience can drive meaningful change.After more than a decade navigating misdiagnosis,

What does authentic leadership actually look like, and why does it matter more than ever for disability inclusion at work?In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash is joined by Megan Fuciarelli, Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of US2 Consulting, to unpack one of the biggest workplace challenges in 2026: the growing gap between what employers say and what employees experience.Drawing on recent disability employment data and real-world examples—from federal

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with Myles Wallace, Disability Inclusion Partner at Peak Performers, to unpack what disability hiring really looks like in 2026. From outdated job descriptions and biased resume screening to interviews that unintentionally exclude neurodivergent and disabled candidates, Myles shares where employers continue to get it wrong—and what meaningful inclusion actually requires. The conversation also dives into the growi

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with Davina Douthard—founder of Polishing the Professional and creator of The Able Show—to challenge one of the most persistent barriers in disability employment: the charity mindset.Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in image management, workforce development, and inclusive entertainment, Davina shares powerful insights on authentic personal branding, transferable skills, and why disability inclusion mu

In this powerful Season 3 kickoff of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with sisters and co‑founders of Dateability, Jacqueline and Alexa Child, to explore how lived experience, legal insight, and pure sister‑energy transformed a shared frustration into the world's leading dating app for disabled and chronically ill people. From navigating ableism on mainstream dating platforms to building an inclusive alternative from scratch—with no tech background and plenty of obsta

Join us for a special year-end episode of "Changing Minds, Changing Lives" as host Julie Sowash sits down with Keith Meadows, Executive Director of Disability Solutions, for an honest and insightful conversation about the future of disability employment. Keith shares his journey from restaurant management to leading a national nonprofit, revealing how customer service skills and operational know-how translate into driving real change for job seekers with disabilities.Discover how Disability

In this episode of Changing Minds and Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash, CEO of Catch 22 Group and the Job Board Doctor, and founder of Disability Solutions, sits down with Tara Turk-Haynes — strategist, storyteller, equity activator, and founding member of Hacking HR — for a candid, no-nonsense conversation about the state of DEI in today’s workplaces and the growing controversy surrounding SHRM’s shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion.Together, Julie and Tara unpack how SHRM’s re

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Julie Sowash welcomes Chris Ruden, a world record-holding powerlifter, motivational speaker, inclusion advocate, and finalist on NBC’s Titan Games. Born with a disability and later diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Chris shares how years of hiding his hand shaped his understanding of self-acceptance, resilience, and ultimately, his purpose.Julie and Chris delve into the complexities of psychological safety at work, examining why it cannot be