Social Advocacy Episodes

Send us a text Welcome to another inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball! Join us as we dive into the impactful journey of Tava Scott, CEO and chief consultant of T. Scott Consulting. Tava shares her profound experiences in social services, from her early days in Louisiana to her current mission of elevating care standards across multiple states. Discover how her passion for helping others led to the creation of a consulting firm dedicated to improving service quality for vulner...

Send us a text Vulnerability becomes a superpower in this raw, emotional conversation with author Terrell Latchinson, who transforms personal tragedy into purpose through writing and advocacy. After losing his brother to PTSD-related complications a decade ago, Latchinson found himself turning to writing as a therapeutic outlet – eventually launching a career crafting fiction that tackles mental health issues within minority communities. The power of Latchinson's story lies in its authentici...

Send us a text What would compel a successful executive to walk away from his career to build beds for children? For Luke Mickelson, it was the shocking discovery that kids in his community were sleeping on the floor. That realization sparked a mission that has since transformed into Sleep in Heavenly Peace, now the world's largest bed-building charity with 400+ chapters across four countries. Luke's journey began in 2012 when he learned about a family whose children had no beds. What starte...

Send us a text What happens when cultural identity, activism, and groundbreaking storytelling converge? Amber Afzali brings this powerful intersection to life as she joins us to discuss her starring role in "Rule Breakers," the inspiring Angel Studios film that chronicles Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team. Born to Afghan immigrant parents and raised in America, Amber shares her unique journey of balancing dual identities while developing a deep passion for her cultural heritage. This ...

Send us a text Disability advocacy transcends ramps and automatic doors—it's about creating a world where everyone belongs in every aspect of community life. Jenna Udenberg joins us to share her powerful journey from diagnosis with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age seven to becoming an author, disability advocate, and accessibility educator. Diagnosed in the late 1980s and using a wheelchair since age eight, Jenna navigated a world before the Americans with Disabilities Act established basic...

Send us a text What if improving company profits and creating a more diverse workforce weren't competing goals but complementary ones? Paolo Gaudiano, founder of DEI tech company Aleria, flips conventional wisdom on its head with his revolutionary approach to workplace inclusion. With advanced degrees in aerospace engineering and neuroscience, Paolo brings a unique analytical perspective to diversity challenges. "I like to joke that I'm the white elephant in the room," he shares, acknowledging ...

Send us a text When Mark MacNicol stepped into a maximum security prison in 2016 to lead a theatre project with inmates serving life sentences, he couldn't have predicted how profoundly it would change his career trajectory. A writer, director, and producer by trade, MacNicol found himself captivated by the therapeutic potential of creative expression—particularly for those who would never identify as "creative types." This revelation birthed Anonymous Drama, a groundbreaking approach that has ...

Send us a text Discover how a passionate advocate is reshaping the narrative around disability rights in this compelling episode of the Living the Dream Podcast. Join us as we welcome Devon Wieters, a dynamic podcaster and writer who is breaking barriers and challenging systemic injustices faced by individuals with disabilities. Devon, who lives with cerebral palsy, shares her relentless fight against the stigma that often overshadows individuals like her. With a college degree in communications...

Send us a text Join us in this exciting episode of Living the Dream with Curveball as we chat with Susan Murray, the visionary behind the Top Kat Talent Show. Discover how her innovative mobile app is revolutionizing the way undiscovered artists showcase their talents, collaborate, and win cash prizes. Whether you're a singer, dancer, comedian, or magician, this platform is your gateway to global exposure and recognition. Susan shares her journey from childhood talent shows to creating a unique...

Send us a text Join us on the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we delve into the inspiring journey of Zulma Williams, the swearing therapist and founder of Dragonfly Therapy Services. Discover how Zulma overcame breast cancer, transitioned careers, and became a licensed therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression. In this episode, Zulma shares her unique approach to therapy, the importance of grounding techniques for managing anxiety, and her perspective on motivation an...

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Send us a text In this heartfelt episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball sits down with stand-up comedian Dave Mowry, who shares his incredible journey of using comedy as a tool for coping with severe mental illness. Dave reveals how he went from a successful business career to battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and how through humor, he found a way to transform his life and help others do the same. Listen in as Dave discusses the healing power of laughter, his teaching pr...

Send us a text Join us on this inspiring episode of "Living the Dream with Curveball" as we delve into the world of diversity and inclusion with Jamie Mittleman, founder of Flame Bearers. Discover how Flame Bearers is reshaping sports media by elevating the stories of women Olympians and Paralympians, providing role models for young athletes worldwide. Jamie shares her journey, the challenges faced by athletes like Caster Semenya, and the importance of telling stories on the athletes' terms. Lea...

Send us a text Join Curveball on this episode of Living the Dream as he delves into the world of sustainability and climate change with seasoned professional, Lee Stewart. With over 20 years of experience, Lee has worked across various countries and industries, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the table. He’s an author, climate change reality mentor, and speaker, trained by Al Gore himself.Lee shares his journey, from working with startups to billion-dollar multinationals, and now running his ...

Send us a text In this compelling episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball is joined by Toby Mildon, a certified executive coach and diversity and inclusion expert. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, Toby has faced various forms of discrimination, which fueled his passion for creating inclusive environments in both the business world and everyday life. Toby shares his journey from working in IT project management to becoming a diversity and inclusion manager at prominent o...

Send us a text In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with award-winning holistic health expert, author, and international speaker, Candice Thomas. Join us as we delve into the world of holistic health, exploring the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Candice shares her insights on the Enneagram personality typing system, quantum hypnosis, and the importance of understanding our higher consciousness for achieving vitality. Discover how knowing your ...

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball sits down with JD Mass, an entrepreneur, activist, podcast host, and author whose life's mission is to understand the roots of racism and promote a more equitable world. JD shares his unique upbringing as a white Jewish male raised in a black community in St. Louis, Missouri, and discusses the profound experiences that shaped his views on race and equity.

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball explores the inspiring world of neurodiversity with Tara May, the CEO of Aspiritech. Discover how this nonprofit tech service organization, where 95% of the employees are autistic, is revolutionizing the tech industry through kindness and psychological safety. Tara delves into the origins of Aspiritech, the concept of neurodiversity, and shares invaluable advice for companies looking to transform their work culture...

Send us a text In today’s episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we delve into the controversial topic of evolution versus creation with evangelist, author, and founder of Dinosaur Adventureland, Kent Hovind. Join us as Kent shares his journey, from his passionate advocacy for creationism to his time in prison, and the fascinating theories he presents in his extensive collection of books and videos. Learn about his debates with atheists, his views on the dangers of the evolution theory, and...

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball sits down with the multifaceted Thomas Brown, a writer, photographer, and podcaster. Thomas shares his journey of self-discovery and healing through art and creativity. He discusses his memoir, '2012: A Bicycle Odyssey,' which recounts his cross-country bike ride for suicide awareness, inspired by the loss of his brother. Thomas also delves into his two podcasts, 'Inner Monologue' and 'Stages,' and how they provide...

Send us a text In this emotionally charged episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball sits down with Steven Wilson, a 75-year-old author, to discuss his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder. Steven shares his harrowing experiences, from a traumatic childhood event to his struggles with deep depression and suicidal ideations. He also sheds light on the challenges of the mental health system in the United States and the importance of mental health support groups. This episode is a mu...

Send us a text In today’s episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we delve into the emotional and psychological condition of modern America with Jane Marie Auret, author and founder of the Screen in Literary Ego magazine. Jane shares her insights on the mental health crisis affecting Gen Z, the impact of modern psychology, and the importance of finding purpose in life. She also discusses her work in a facility for teenage female wards of the state and the challenges of the foster care system...

Send us a text From the echoes of World War II to the current conflict in Ukraine, join us on the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we dive into a gripping narrative with Oksana Kukurudza. Discover her family's harrowing journey from Nazi slave camps to success in America, and how history's shadows loom over today's geopolitical struggles. Oksana's tale is a testament to resilience, a reminder of the past, and a call to action for the future. Tune in to be inspired by a story of surviva...

Send us a text Dive into the transformative world of therapeutic mindfulness with Ruth Fearnow, a trauma therapist and EMDR-certified expert who unveils the power of mindfulness beyond mere relaxation. In this riveting episode of 'Living the Dream with Curveball,' Ruth shares her journey from the Shaolin foothills to the therapist's chair, offering listeners a treasure trove of strategies to not just cope, but truly heal emotional pain. Discover how to become a 'mindfulness ninja' and harness th...