August 18, 2023 • 18 mins
We discuss stigmas and misconceptions around adults with disabilities and why we must respect their life choices. Listen in as Ana Santos, residential manager at Boundless, and Jen Adkins, a 48-year-old woman who is a self-advocate and her own guardian, discuss the challenges they face while out in the community ordering alcoholic beverages. Beth Boswell, community engagement & partnerships coordinator at Rhinegeist, shares why they wanted to join forces with Boundless for their Beer for Humans campaign to help educate others that adults with disabilities can enjoy adult beverages and drink responsibly.
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Episode Transcript
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Scott Light (00:03):
Well, hello everyone. And as the saying
goes, Hey, it's happy hoursomewhere. And that sound of an
ice cold beer popping openbrings people together at
kitchen tables, backyards,restaurants and bars all over
the world. Now, some of you maybe wondering at this point, did
I click on the boundlesspodcast? Yes, yes, you did.
(00:25):
Today's episode is all about howadults with disabilities make
decisions on what they eat, whatthey drink, how they socialize
who they date, and respectingthose decisions and respecting
their decision making process.
Our guest today, Ana Santos isthe residential manager for
supported living homes here atboundless Jen Atkins is here to
Jen lives in one of thosesupported living homes. And
(00:49):
she's been kind enough to joinand share some details about her
personal life. Beth Boswell isalso here. How about this from
Cincinnati's own Rhinegeistbrewery welcome to all of
Unknown (01:01):
you. Hello. Hello.
Beth Boswell (01:04):
Thanks so much for having us.
Scott Light (01:05):
Beth, I want to start with you. Because some
boundless adults are beingfeatured in your beer for humans
campaign. This is just soexciting. Alright, so let's
start there. How did thispartnership come about with
boundless? And then let me layeron to that tell us more about
the beer for humans campaign.
Beth Boswell (01:22):
Thanks so much for having me. So beer for humans is
both a beer brand and the faceof our community program here at
Rhinegeist. We have always beena community focused brand. And
even before this year, we weregiving to approximately 300
nonprofits per year, we wereengaging in a number of
different ways. But one thingthat beer for humans has allowed
(01:45):
us to do is better communicatethat we can be a resource. So
it's really helped us put outthe word that come to us ask for
what you need, let's figure outsomething together. Earlier this
year, I got the chance toconnect with Dominique from the
boundless team. And I believethat it's because Dominique
stumbled across spear for humansomewhere. And she started by
(02:06):
sharing with me the mission ofboundless to celebrate the
boundless potential of allpeople and encourage individuals
to become active participants inthe communities where they live,
work and play. So we startedtalking about how beer for
humans might be able to be aresource for that. So beer for
humans really has this kind ofunlimited potential for
creativity. We don't have onedirect way how beer for humans
(02:30):
needs to be used, we can kind ofuse that brand to brainstorm a
little bit. Dominique alsoshared with me that oftentimes
people assume that individualswith intellectual or
developmental disabilities arenot able to drink, which is
something that I hadn't sloweddown to think about,
necessarily. But we got totalking about how untrue that
(02:51):
assumption is, under theguidelines as anyone else, for
example, a safe amount over theage of 21 without drinking and
driving. So the question was,how can Rhinegeist provide
visibility around that, and westarted thinking about the fact
that beer for humans, which isone of our favorite beers, also
was going to be having a merchline come out. So that merch
line includes a t shirt, asweatshirt, a water bottle, and
(03:15):
a dog toy. And for any of ourmerch lines, we release a fun
creative photoshoot. Andtraditionally, that has just
been pulling from Rhinegeistemployees, we thought about 300
employees, so we pull thosedifferent faces for whatever we
need. But this presented theopportunity, why not have
boundless residents be the faceof the beer for humans merch
line. So these photos would bepresented on our website, they'd
(03:40):
also be presented on socialmedia where we're receiving
about 10,000 impressions perpost, which presented a really
great opportunity for us topartner with boundless and talk
about adults with developmentaldisabilities and their ability,
desire as anyone else to drink.
We know that we'll havequestions around this
(04:00):
opportunity that some peoplemay, you know, comment on posts,
and this gives us a really greatopportunity. It's educational,
but it's fun and it's playful.
And we get to have a drinktogether.
Scott Light (04:12):
All of this is just awesome. So Ana, Jen, I just
want to get your reaction tojust hearing a big, you know,
fun, awesome corporate partnerout there in Cincinnati, just
embracing you and embracingboundless.
Ana Santos (04:27):
It literally gives me goosebumps. It's huge,
because I think our folks arelooked at as almost a childlike
mentality. And I think a lot ofpeople do forget, they are
adults, and they are allowed tohave a cocktail of beer. They're
allowed to smoke cigarettes, Imean, may not be the healthiest
(04:48):
thing but like at the samepoint, like they literally have
the same rights as you and I.
And it's really dishearteningwhen we like go out to dinner.
or, or we go out to lunch withthem and they want to have a
beverage and the waitress orwaiter is looking at us for
permission like, no, they'reallowed to. So I think this is
huge because I think it's goingto really just kind of advocate
(05:11):
and educate everybody.
Scott Light (05:13):
Jen, what do you think?
Unknown (05:14):
Cynthia? And I like to drink to?
Scott Light (05:17):
Jen, would you tell us about your life? You're 48
You have a boyfriend?
Unknown (05:21):
Yes. Boyfriend.
Scott Light (05:22):
I know you love NASCAR. I do. So tell us about
your life. Well,
Unknown (05:26):
my boyfriend has them.
And when he's at work right now,he won't be up to 630. I call
him on the phone and talk tohim. And I didn't laugh NASCAR,
and I've taken my 50 Both TaiwanT and NASCAR
Scott Light (05:38):
life. Oh, you're gonna go to a race? Yes, I am
for your 50th birthday. Yes, Iam. That's really cool. This
campaign about just beer forhumans is specific, but also
ambiguous, right? Because it'sso inviting.
Unknown (05:51):
Yes, yes. Because I think like, we just lose that
kind of our role as a DSP, or aseven someone that works as a
caregiver for thedevelopmentally disabled, we're
not there to just like setlimits and rules. And we're
actually there to empower andkind of coach them through life,
to live life to in theirperspective, but also like,
(06:13):
encompassing it into what thereal world is. So I think it's
so important that like, weencourage our folks that we take
care of that we're not just hereto like, Did you brush your
teeth, or, you know, you can'tdo this, and you can't do that.
Like, we need to encourage themto try things and see if they
like, and not set morelimitations and create more
(06:35):
stigmas.
Scott Light (06:36):
Jen, how do you feel if you're in a social
situation like Ana was talkingabout, and whether it's a waiter
or waitress, and again, theyhave good intentions. But if
someone tries to make a decisionfor you, that you can very
easily make does that make youfeel
Unknown (06:54):
that makes me upset and hurt inside?
Scott Light (06:56):
What do you say to that person?
Unknown (06:58):
I said no, because I'm my own god and I can take in
that wants to do
Scott Light (07:03):
best the partnership with boundless is
this is this pretty unique,
Beth Boswell (07:08):
I would say that this is honestly the first time
we've ever done this. And not tosay that we that we won't do it
again. But one thing that I liketo admit is that we're walking
into almost everything learningas well. And so we've definitely
never done a photo shoot likethis. I do believe we've worked
with organizations that supportadults with developmental
disabilities. But we are reallyexcited that boundless has kind
(07:31):
of brought us into this projectand been a really incredible
partner along the way for us todo some learning on it.
Scott Light (07:37):
So let's broaden, broaden out here just a little
bit, because there are somebigger issues to tackle. There
is an assumption that youalluded to just a minute ago
that adults with disabilitiescan't do what other adults do.
And then sometimes that doeslead to situations where an
adult with IDD for example, istreated like like a child or
(07:58):
like a kid. How can peoplelistening to this podcast be
more sensitive to the rights andchoices for those adults?
Unknown (08:07):
No, I think that's a that's a great question. I think
the biggest thing, regardless ofwhat scenario that they may be
put in, or interaction is tojust like remember that the
people we take care of, theywant to have connection, and
they want to have experiences itit's kind of one of those things
(08:27):
like we shouldn't come in with amindset of we are staff and, you
know, it's regimen thing we needto come in as like we are there
for a companionship and if youlook at it that way, I think
that starts to take away thesewalls that you can sometimes
create in the field of like,Nope, I come in from this time
to this time we need to do X y&zBecause that's, you know, part
(08:50):
of the job description. But Ithink if we look at it, so
regimen, we lose thatcompanionship and we forget that
like the folks that we take careof, they just want to have
experiences in connection likeyou and I like even those like
simple tasks of like going tothe grocery store, you know,
yes, where they're more guidingher on like things like, okay,
you know, helping her with herbudget, but at the end of the
(09:10):
day, if she wanted to spend $17on a steak, versus you know,
something, guess what, that'sher. I mean, I'm pretty sure
that steaks can be delicious.
But like also, when we're evenjust going into the checkout
moment, you know, she should beempowered to the clerk, her
debit card, and you know thatprocess and sometimes what I see
a lot of is because it's almosteasier or there's like the
(09:33):
social awkwardness, the cashieris looking more at the staff
than the actual person. So
Scott Light (09:41):
what are some of those social challenges out
there for you, Jen,
Unknown (09:44):
I contact me and looked at me in the eye. You'd
Scott Light (09:47):
like eye contact?
Yes. Okay. Yes. Why is thatimportant to you? That's
important for so many reasons.
But why is it important to youbecause
Unknown (09:55):
then that luck in the straight up mentally taxing Oh,
look it up in the space Don'tget me when I'm talking to men
don't look nowhere else norsomeone else is thinking my eyes
Scott Light (10:05):
and honor. Can you talk about some of those? Maybe
some of those other issues orchallenges?
Unknown (10:09):
Yeah, I think like for example, I mean, we'll we'll
kind of, you know, Jen likes togo out. So like, if we took Jen
out to, we'll say, a restaurantthat has beverages or whatever,
we all have a menu, we're allsitting there. And we're
treating it as a companionship.
So we're, you know, gossiping,and having fun and you know,
banter. But then when a waitressor waiter comes, we, I would
give my order, you know, youwould give your order. And then
(10:32):
when it comes to Jen, there isno connection, it's they
automatically will look at otherpeople around her to make that
decision. And so she, you know,she'll look at us, and we're
like, no, no, go ahead, like, goahead and tell them, and she
does a wonderful job, you know,she will tell you what she wants
(10:52):
on her plate or not. And thenthere's this huge awkwardness
when she's like, Can I have aglass of wine? Or can I have a
shot or a margarita? And theylike, look at you like it? And
we're like, yeah, she can't, youknow, so it just, I get it.
Because I think if I wasn't inthis field, I think I maybe
(11:13):
would have some of the samereaction to things. But I think
I'm just very excited for acompletely different outside
organization. You know, that'sgoing to do the beer for humans
campaign, that we are going toopen it up and it's not was not
just gonna be treated in thecommunity of the IDD world.
We're gonna try and just broadenit out for everybody. So
Scott Light (11:37):
well, you just teed up my next question, I think
you've been looking at my notesover there. So let's come back
to this campaign. And Beth,because this absolutely deserves
a deeper dive here. And Beth Ithink even mentioned it over the
last decade. Rhinegeist has beena steadfast community partner by
donating to more than 300organizations a year in all
(11:59):
kinds of ways. And beer forhumans is both a beer brand. And
as of February of this year, theway I understand it, the new
phase of of your entirephilanthropic program, Beth,
where's it going from here? Whatis the future you think look
like for beer for humans, how'sit going to continue to evolve
and, and get bigger get moreinclusive,
Beth Boswell (12:18):
I think we by opening this door, we've done a
ton of learning this year, I hadnot heard of iron, boundless
until Dominique reached out. Andso beer for humans created this
door for other people to walkin, we can only be so educated,
our staff can only be soeducated. But we have created a
(12:39):
resource. I mean, I will saythere is a there's a donation
application. On our website,there is open applications for
beer for humans pint night. Andso it is allowed other people to
come to us and say, Hey, we havethis idea for a creative
project, or what I like evenmore than that is we don't have
an idea for a creative project.
But we want to talk to you aboutwhat we can do. And so I think
(13:05):
beer for humans, I have no ideahow it will grow. I am so
excited to see the ways that itwill grow, as we get to make
more connections and, you know,sit in a room with people and
hear about their community andthe ways that they're working to
change those communities that weserve.
Scott Light (13:24):
And Ana and Jen, what is it like hearing from
from Beth and again fromRhinegeist, where they're
basically saying to you guys,hey, thanks for helping us to
open a door. That's powerful.
Unknown (13:38):
I'm super excited. And I like the fact that it does
have such an open concept likeyou guys, don't you guys are
open, you know, and that and Ithink that's again, the whole
mindset, you're not going inwith a closed minded you're
you're opening up your eyes andyour ears and your experiences
because again, it's all aboutconnection. So if we can just
connect with each other, I thinkthat helps break down so many
(14:00):
stigmas. One of the stigmas, Ithink that is just so kind of
silly when you break it down, isthat all of our folks only want
to watch cartoons or, you know,Paw Patrol or I mean, or like
they don't want to go to themovies and watch scary movies
and or they just want to listento Kidz Bop like there's so
(14:21):
again like I just honing in onthe fact that they are adults
and yes, they want to date andthey want to find love and
there's just so many differentdiverse things about them
besides their disability and soI think just kind of toning in
and understanding that theydon't just have autism or they
don't just have CP like theyagain are humans.
Scott Light (14:42):
Jen, you're you're gonna be you and boundless.
You're going to be part ofhistory here. Yes, we are. Are
you excited? Yes. That's reallyreally cool. Yes, it is. And
Beth when you hear again fromfrom anon from Jen and from
others that hey, Ron, guys,thanks for helping to break
stigmas. Thanks for helping youbreak stereotypes. for adults
with challenges for adults withwith IDD, it's got to make you
(15:04):
and your team feel great, too.
Beth Boswell (15:05):
It feels it feels really incredible. In
preparation for this interview,I was looking through some of
our like driving principles. Andwhen we created our charitable
program a few years ago, whatwas what was really motivating
us. And I found the statementthat bears for everyone,
research, open stores, educationis priceless. Positive culture
(15:28):
is powerful. And action makeschange. And obviously, that
wasn't written to be applicablein this instance. But I think it
was really fitting in the sensethat like, as I'm thinking about
this project, I'm just kind oflike, we're doing it and I love
building community in this way.
Scott Light (15:43):
That Would you repeat that seriously, I want to
just burnish that in my brain.
And I think our listeners wouldappreciate just hearing hearing
that again, absolutely.
Beth Boswell (15:52):
beers for everyone. Research opens doors,
education is priceless. Positiveculture is powerful. And action
makes change.
Scott Light (16:01):
I think we've all got, you know, the little
tingles on the on the back ofour back of our respective necks
here. Okay, so let's go aroundthe horn here, because, well,
we've got a six pack of beer forhumans right here in our
boundless studio. So Beth, tellus a little bit about about this
beer. It is it says on the canand easy hop ale. So tell us a
(16:23):
little bit about the beeritself.
Beth Boswell (16:24):
So beer for humans was created to meet a lot of
different needs all of thosedifferent beer consumers. And so
we kind of found the midpointbetween kind of your easy
drinking lager and your IPA twoof our most popular styles. We
are right there in the middle.
So it's a little bit hoppy. It'sreally, really easy to drink
(16:45):
pretty low ABV absolutelydelicious beverage that you've
got there in front of you.
Unknown (16:52):
I'm very excited to see Jen's reaction, because she
hasn't actually found your beerthat she actually likes. Oh, so
I'm very excited to see what shethinks about it.
Scott Light (17:03):
So Jen, the next time you're out with Aaron, or
on you know how with friends,you can order a Rhinegeist. And
then you can say the table. Hey,I want to tell you guys about
this really cool company. And Iwant to tell you guys about this
beer. Yeah, I like it. And Bethon your end any other I think we
covered it. But if there'sanything else you'd like to
mention about any events oranything like that, for beer for
(17:27):
humans,
Beth Boswell (17:27):
we have our beer for humans pint night program in
the tap room. Now, this isn'tCincinnati but every Wednesday
night we invite in a newnonprofit to talk about the work
that they're doing in thecommunity. And then we've got a
little friendly competitionwhere at the end of the month,
the largest donation goes to thenonprofit that has received the
most support over the month. Wewould love for anyone to come
(17:49):
out join us in the taproom inCincinnati Wednesday nights from
five to 8pm and we're reallyexcited for boundless residents
to be a part of that consumerbase and come have a beer with
us
Scott Light (18:03):
on a Jen What do you think about a road trip to
Cincinnati?
Unknown (18:05):
I'm always down me to
Scott Light (18:08):
this fantastic this is this has been a great
episode. Thank you all forjoining today and we always say
to our listeners you can be partof episodes to come email us
your questions or comments atpodcast at I am boundless dot o
RG and again don't forget togive us a review. That's yet
another way we want to hear fromyou. This is the wellbeing
(18:29):
podcast brought to you byboundless
Well, hello everyone. And as the saying
goes, Hey, it's happy hoursomewhere. And that sound of an
ice cold beer popping openbrings people together at
kitchen tables, backyards,restaurants and bars all over
the world. Now, some of you maybe wondering at this point, did
I click on the boundlesspodcast? Yes, yes, you did.
(00:25):
Today's episode is all about howadults with disabilities make
decisions on what they eat, whatthey drink, how they socialize
who they date, and respectingthose decisions and respecting
their decision making process.
Our guest today, Ana Santos isthe residential manager for
supported living homes here atboundless Jen Atkins is here to
Jen lives in one of thosesupported living homes. And
(00:49):
she's been kind enough to joinand share some details about her
personal life. Beth Boswell isalso here. How about this from
Cincinnati's own Rhinegeistbrewery welcome to all of
Unknown (01:01):
you. Hello. Hello.
Beth Boswell (01:04):
Thanks so much for having us.
Scott Light (01:05):
Beth, I want to start with you. Because some
boundless adults are beingfeatured in your beer for humans
campaign. This is just soexciting. Alright, so let's
start there. How did thispartnership come about with
boundless? And then let me layeron to that tell us more about
the beer for humans campaign.
Beth Boswell (01:22):
Thanks so much for having me. So beer for humans is
both a beer brand and the faceof our community program here at
Rhinegeist. We have always beena community focused brand. And
even before this year, we weregiving to approximately 300
nonprofits per year, we wereengaging in a number of
different ways. But one thingthat beer for humans has allowed
(01:45):
us to do is better communicatethat we can be a resource. So
it's really helped us put outthe word that come to us ask for
what you need, let's figure outsomething together. Earlier this
year, I got the chance toconnect with Dominique from the
boundless team. And I believethat it's because Dominique
stumbled across spear for humansomewhere. And she started by
(02:06):
sharing with me the mission ofboundless to celebrate the
boundless potential of allpeople and encourage individuals
to become active participants inthe communities where they live,
work and play. So we startedtalking about how beer for
humans might be able to be aresource for that. So beer for
humans really has this kind ofunlimited potential for
creativity. We don't have onedirect way how beer for humans
(02:30):
needs to be used, we can kind ofuse that brand to brainstorm a
little bit. Dominique alsoshared with me that oftentimes
people assume that individualswith intellectual or
developmental disabilities arenot able to drink, which is
something that I hadn't sloweddown to think about,
necessarily. But we got totalking about how untrue that
(02:51):
assumption is, under theguidelines as anyone else, for
example, a safe amount over theage of 21 without drinking and
driving. So the question was,how can Rhinegeist provide
visibility around that, and westarted thinking about the fact
that beer for humans, which isone of our favorite beers, also
was going to be having a merchline come out. So that merch
line includes a t shirt, asweatshirt, a water bottle, and
(03:15):
a dog toy. And for any of ourmerch lines, we release a fun
creative photoshoot. Andtraditionally, that has just
been pulling from Rhinegeistemployees, we thought about 300
employees, so we pull thosedifferent faces for whatever we
need. But this presented theopportunity, why not have
boundless residents be the faceof the beer for humans merch
line. So these photos would bepresented on our website, they'd
(03:40):
also be presented on socialmedia where we're receiving
about 10,000 impressions perpost, which presented a really
great opportunity for us topartner with boundless and talk
about adults with developmentaldisabilities and their ability,
desire as anyone else to drink.
We know that we'll havequestions around this
(04:00):
opportunity that some peoplemay, you know, comment on posts,
and this gives us a really greatopportunity. It's educational,
but it's fun and it's playful.
And we get to have a drinktogether.
Scott Light (04:12):
All of this is just awesome. So Ana, Jen, I just
want to get your reaction tojust hearing a big, you know,
fun, awesome corporate partnerout there in Cincinnati, just
embracing you and embracingboundless.
Ana Santos (04:27):
It literally gives me goosebumps. It's huge,
because I think our folks arelooked at as almost a childlike
mentality. And I think a lot ofpeople do forget, they are
adults, and they are allowed tohave a cocktail of beer. They're
allowed to smoke cigarettes, Imean, may not be the healthiest
(04:48):
thing but like at the samepoint, like they literally have
the same rights as you and I.
And it's really dishearteningwhen we like go out to dinner.
or, or we go out to lunch withthem and they want to have a
beverage and the waitress orwaiter is looking at us for
permission like, no, they'reallowed to. So I think this is
huge because I think it's goingto really just kind of advocate
(05:11):
and educate everybody.
Scott Light (05:13):
Jen, what do you think?
Unknown (05:14):
Cynthia? And I like to drink to?
Scott Light (05:17):
Jen, would you tell us about your life? You're 48
You have a boyfriend?
Unknown (05:21):
Yes. Boyfriend.
Scott Light (05:22):
I know you love NASCAR. I do. So tell us about
your life. Well,
Unknown (05:26):
my boyfriend has them.
And when he's at work right now,he won't be up to 630. I call
him on the phone and talk tohim. And I didn't laugh NASCAR,
and I've taken my 50 Both TaiwanT and NASCAR
Scott Light (05:38):
life. Oh, you're gonna go to a race? Yes, I am
for your 50th birthday. Yes, Iam. That's really cool. This
campaign about just beer forhumans is specific, but also
ambiguous, right? Because it'sso inviting.
Unknown (05:51):
Yes, yes. Because I think like, we just lose that
kind of our role as a DSP, or aseven someone that works as a
caregiver for thedevelopmentally disabled, we're
not there to just like setlimits and rules. And we're
actually there to empower andkind of coach them through life,
to live life to in theirperspective, but also like,
(06:13):
encompassing it into what thereal world is. So I think it's
so important that like, weencourage our folks that we take
care of that we're not just hereto like, Did you brush your
teeth, or, you know, you can'tdo this, and you can't do that.
Like, we need to encourage themto try things and see if they
like, and not set morelimitations and create more
(06:35):
stigmas.
Scott Light (06:36):
Jen, how do you feel if you're in a social
situation like Ana was talkingabout, and whether it's a waiter
or waitress, and again, theyhave good intentions. But if
someone tries to make a decisionfor you, that you can very
easily make does that make youfeel
Unknown (06:54):
that makes me upset and hurt inside?
Scott Light (06:56):
What do you say to that person?
Unknown (06:58):
I said no, because I'm my own god and I can take in
that wants to do
Scott Light (07:03):
best the partnership with boundless is
this is this pretty unique,
Beth Boswell (07:08):
I would say that this is honestly the first time
we've ever done this. And not tosay that we that we won't do it
again. But one thing that I liketo admit is that we're walking
into almost everything learningas well. And so we've definitely
never done a photo shoot likethis. I do believe we've worked
with organizations that supportadults with developmental
disabilities. But we are reallyexcited that boundless has kind
(07:31):
of brought us into this projectand been a really incredible
partner along the way for us todo some learning on it.
Scott Light (07:37):
So let's broaden, broaden out here just a little
bit, because there are somebigger issues to tackle. There
is an assumption that youalluded to just a minute ago
that adults with disabilitiescan't do what other adults do.
And then sometimes that doeslead to situations where an
adult with IDD for example, istreated like like a child or
(07:58):
like a kid. How can peoplelistening to this podcast be
more sensitive to the rights andchoices for those adults?
Unknown (08:07):
No, I think that's a that's a great question. I think
the biggest thing, regardless ofwhat scenario that they may be
put in, or interaction is tojust like remember that the
people we take care of, theywant to have connection, and
they want to have experiences itit's kind of one of those things
(08:27):
like we shouldn't come in with amindset of we are staff and, you
know, it's regimen thing we needto come in as like we are there
for a companionship and if youlook at it that way, I think
that starts to take away thesewalls that you can sometimes
create in the field of like,Nope, I come in from this time
to this time we need to do X y&zBecause that's, you know, part
(08:50):
of the job description. But Ithink if we look at it, so
regimen, we lose thatcompanionship and we forget that
like the folks that we take careof, they just want to have
experiences in connection likeyou and I like even those like
simple tasks of like going tothe grocery store, you know,
yes, where they're more guidingher on like things like, okay,
you know, helping her with herbudget, but at the end of the
(09:10):
day, if she wanted to spend $17on a steak, versus you know,
something, guess what, that'sher. I mean, I'm pretty sure
that steaks can be delicious.
But like also, when we're evenjust going into the checkout
moment, you know, she should beempowered to the clerk, her
debit card, and you know thatprocess and sometimes what I see
a lot of is because it's almosteasier or there's like the
(09:33):
social awkwardness, the cashieris looking more at the staff
than the actual person. So
Scott Light (09:41):
what are some of those social challenges out
there for you, Jen,
Unknown (09:44):
I contact me and looked at me in the eye. You'd
Scott Light (09:47):
like eye contact?
Yes. Okay. Yes. Why is thatimportant to you? That's
important for so many reasons.
But why is it important to youbecause
Unknown (09:55):
then that luck in the straight up mentally taxing Oh,
look it up in the space Don'tget me when I'm talking to men
don't look nowhere else norsomeone else is thinking my eyes
Scott Light (10:05):
and honor. Can you talk about some of those? Maybe
some of those other issues orchallenges?
Unknown (10:09):
Yeah, I think like for example, I mean, we'll we'll
kind of, you know, Jen likes togo out. So like, if we took Jen
out to, we'll say, a restaurantthat has beverages or whatever,
we all have a menu, we're allsitting there. And we're
treating it as a companionship.
So we're, you know, gossiping,and having fun and you know,
banter. But then when a waitressor waiter comes, we, I would
give my order, you know, youwould give your order. And then
(10:32):
when it comes to Jen, there isno connection, it's they
automatically will look at otherpeople around her to make that
decision. And so she, you know,she'll look at us, and we're
like, no, no, go ahead, like, goahead and tell them, and she
does a wonderful job, you know,she will tell you what she wants
(10:52):
on her plate or not. And thenthere's this huge awkwardness
when she's like, Can I have aglass of wine? Or can I have a
shot or a margarita? And theylike, look at you like it? And
we're like, yeah, she can't, youknow, so it just, I get it.
Because I think if I wasn't inthis field, I think I maybe
(11:13):
would have some of the samereaction to things. But I think
I'm just very excited for acompletely different outside
organization. You know, that'sgoing to do the beer for humans
campaign, that we are going toopen it up and it's not was not
just gonna be treated in thecommunity of the IDD world.
We're gonna try and just broadenit out for everybody. So
Scott Light (11:37):
well, you just teed up my next question, I think
you've been looking at my notesover there. So let's come back
to this campaign. And Beth,because this absolutely deserves
a deeper dive here. And Beth Ithink even mentioned it over the
last decade. Rhinegeist has beena steadfast community partner by
donating to more than 300organizations a year in all
(11:59):
kinds of ways. And beer forhumans is both a beer brand. And
as of February of this year, theway I understand it, the new
phase of of your entirephilanthropic program, Beth,
where's it going from here? Whatis the future you think look
like for beer for humans, how'sit going to continue to evolve
and, and get bigger get moreinclusive,
Beth Boswell (12:18):
I think we by opening this door, we've done a
ton of learning this year, I hadnot heard of iron, boundless
until Dominique reached out. Andso beer for humans created this
door for other people to walkin, we can only be so educated,
our staff can only be soeducated. But we have created a
(12:39):
resource. I mean, I will saythere is a there's a donation
application. On our website,there is open applications for
beer for humans pint night. Andso it is allowed other people to
come to us and say, Hey, we havethis idea for a creative
project, or what I like evenmore than that is we don't have
an idea for a creative project.
But we want to talk to you aboutwhat we can do. And so I think
(13:05):
beer for humans, I have no ideahow it will grow. I am so
excited to see the ways that itwill grow, as we get to make
more connections and, you know,sit in a room with people and
hear about their community andthe ways that they're working to
change those communities that weserve.
Scott Light (13:24):
And Ana and Jen, what is it like hearing from
from Beth and again fromRhinegeist, where they're
basically saying to you guys,hey, thanks for helping us to
open a door. That's powerful.
Unknown (13:38):
I'm super excited. And I like the fact that it does
have such an open concept likeyou guys, don't you guys are
open, you know, and that and Ithink that's again, the whole
mindset, you're not going inwith a closed minded you're
you're opening up your eyes andyour ears and your experiences
because again, it's all aboutconnection. So if we can just
connect with each other, I thinkthat helps break down so many
(14:00):
stigmas. One of the stigmas, Ithink that is just so kind of
silly when you break it down, isthat all of our folks only want
to watch cartoons or, you know,Paw Patrol or I mean, or like
they don't want to go to themovies and watch scary movies
and or they just want to listento Kidz Bop like there's so
(14:21):
again like I just honing in onthe fact that they are adults
and yes, they want to date andthey want to find love and
there's just so many differentdiverse things about them
besides their disability and soI think just kind of toning in
and understanding that theydon't just have autism or they
don't just have CP like theyagain are humans.
Scott Light (14:42):
Jen, you're you're gonna be you and boundless.
You're going to be part ofhistory here. Yes, we are. Are
you excited? Yes. That's reallyreally cool. Yes, it is. And
Beth when you hear again fromfrom anon from Jen and from
others that hey, Ron, guys,thanks for helping to break
stigmas. Thanks for helping youbreak stereotypes. for adults
with challenges for adults withwith IDD, it's got to make you
(15:04):
and your team feel great, too.
Beth Boswell (15:05):
It feels it feels really incredible. In
preparation for this interview,I was looking through some of
our like driving principles. Andwhen we created our charitable
program a few years ago, whatwas what was really motivating
us. And I found the statementthat bears for everyone,
research, open stores, educationis priceless. Positive culture
(15:28):
is powerful. And action makeschange. And obviously, that
wasn't written to be applicablein this instance. But I think it
was really fitting in the sensethat like, as I'm thinking about
this project, I'm just kind oflike, we're doing it and I love
building community in this way.
Scott Light (15:43):
That Would you repeat that seriously, I want to
just burnish that in my brain.
And I think our listeners wouldappreciate just hearing hearing
that again, absolutely.
Beth Boswell (15:52):
beers for everyone. Research opens doors,
education is priceless. Positiveculture is powerful. And action
makes change.
Scott Light (16:01):
I think we've all got, you know, the little
tingles on the on the back ofour back of our respective necks
here. Okay, so let's go aroundthe horn here, because, well,
we've got a six pack of beer forhumans right here in our
boundless studio. So Beth, tellus a little bit about about this
beer. It is it says on the canand easy hop ale. So tell us a
(16:23):
little bit about the beeritself.
Beth Boswell (16:24):
So beer for humans was created to meet a lot of
different needs all of thosedifferent beer consumers. And so
we kind of found the midpointbetween kind of your easy
drinking lager and your IPA twoof our most popular styles. We
are right there in the middle.
So it's a little bit hoppy. It'sreally, really easy to drink
(16:45):
pretty low ABV absolutelydelicious beverage that you've
got there in front of you.
Unknown (16:52):
I'm very excited to see Jen's reaction, because she
hasn't actually found your beerthat she actually likes. Oh, so
I'm very excited to see what shethinks about it.
Scott Light (17:03):
So Jen, the next time you're out with Aaron, or
on you know how with friends,you can order a Rhinegeist. And
then you can say the table. Hey,I want to tell you guys about
this really cool company. And Iwant to tell you guys about this
beer. Yeah, I like it. And Bethon your end any other I think we
covered it. But if there'sanything else you'd like to
mention about any events oranything like that, for beer for
(17:27):
humans,
Beth Boswell (17:27):
we have our beer for humans pint night program in
the tap room. Now, this isn'tCincinnati but every Wednesday
night we invite in a newnonprofit to talk about the work
that they're doing in thecommunity. And then we've got a
little friendly competitionwhere at the end of the month,
the largest donation goes to thenonprofit that has received the
most support over the month. Wewould love for anyone to come
(17:49):
out join us in the taproom inCincinnati Wednesday nights from
five to 8pm and we're reallyexcited for boundless residents
to be a part of that consumerbase and come have a beer with
us
Scott Light (18:03):
on a Jen What do you think about a road trip to
Cincinnati?
Unknown (18:05):
I'm always down me to
Scott Light (18:08):
this fantastic this is this has been a great
episode. Thank you all forjoining today and we always say
to our listeners you can be partof episodes to come email us
your questions or comments atpodcast at I am boundless dot o
RG and again don't forget togive us a review. That's yet
another way we want to hear fromyou. This is the wellbeing
(18:29):
podcast brought to you byboundless
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