We're Not Stumped - Centering on life stories of the Limb Loss / Amputee and Disabled Communities
We’re not stumped. Not by limb loss. Not by fear. Not by anything life throws our way. We’re Not Stumped is more than just a podcast—it's a platform dedicated to celebrating resilience, inclusion, and the indomitable human spirit. Hosted by Mike Bolland, a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA tour, the podcast delves into the real-life stories of individuals who have turned adversity into strength. Launched in 2022 after Mike retired from a successful career at Discount Tire, the podcast was born out of his desire to give back to the amputee community. Alongside starting the Joe & Marie Bolland’s Helping Hands nonprofit—which aims to help amputees obtain the prosthetics they need to live a full life—Mike created We’re Not Stumped to share the journeys of those who, like him, have faced challenges head-on. Each episode features candid conversations with amputees, family members, medical professionals, and advocates, shedding light on topics like adaptive living, inclusive employment practices, and the latest in prosthetic technology. With authenticity, compassion, and a touch of humor, Mike ensures that no question is off-limits, fostering an environment where guests can share their experiences openly. Beyond the podcast, Mike has embraced stand-up comedy, performing across Arizona and the Southwest, using humor as a tool to connect and inspire. His multifaceted approach to advocacy underscores a central message: challenges don't define us—our responses do. Join us as we amplify voices, break down stigmas, and build a community where no one feels like they're going it alone. Because here’s the truth:
Episodes
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland explores the power of the “I don’t give a crap” attitude — and how it can transform life after limb loss.
Mike shares how letting go of judgment and embracing unapologetic confidence helps amputees find freedom, purpose, and joy. From learning to laugh at setbacks to defying expectations, this mindset is about living boldly — not bitterly.
💬 Topics covered:
✅ Why confidenc...
What happens when life takes you in an unexpected direction? For William Person, it meant going from college track and field to becoming an Olympic bobsledder—despite once thinking the sport was “stupid.”
In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Will to unpack his remarkable story of resilience, risk, and redemption:
✅ An Unexpected Start – How a Canadian team spotted him at ASU and tricked him ...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Neomi Flores, who became an amputee at age 43 after a blood clot changed her life forever.
Neomi shares her powerful journey, including:
- The frightening symptoms that led to her amputation
- Facing fear and uncertainty before surgery
- A year in a wheelchair and the challenges of recovery
- Learning to walk again with prosthetics
- Drawing strength from her faith, her childr...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland highlights two powerful topics of resilience, and community.
Topic 1 – A Call for Coaches ArizonAbility is launching a basketball clinic for adults with disabilities, and they’re looking for a passionate coach to lead the way. This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about confidence, teamwork, and creating a space where every player can thrive. Mike explains what this opportuni...
Host Mike Bolland sits down with Alexia Michitti—a public speaker, athlete, and entrepreneur born without a right hand. Together, they reflect on their shared experiences of limb difference and Alexia’s powerful journey of resilience, determination, and innovation.
Alexia shares how she’s breaking barriers in sports and beyond—from representing the U.S. in the first Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup, to filing a patent for adaptive c...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland reviews EmpowerFest 2025, celebrating the limb loss and limb difference community with inspiring speakers, adaptive activities, and unforgettable moments.
Mike also shares a story about a comedian who made a tasteless joke about the limb loss community — and how he got the comedian to remove the post.
Tune in for insights, laughs, and a look at what makes the limb lo...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting, for a powerful conversation on disability advocacy, system navigation, and the importance of dignity of risk.
Joslynn shares her personal journey into advocacy, the launch of her consulting business, and her five guiding principles for creating inclusive services: dignity of risk, individual readiness, asses...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Shawn Johnson, founder and executive director of Enhancing Skills for Life, and Mike St. Onge, board chairman and quadruple amputee, to explore the organization’s inspiring mission and impact.
Shawn, an occupational therapist with nearly three decades of prosthetic and rehabilitation experience, shares how Enhancing Skills for Life grew from its first workshop in...
In 2013, just months after becoming a new mother, Armeda Batchler faced the life-changing decision to amputate her left leg above the knee due to osteosarcoma. While she pushed forward with strength—balancing recovery, parenting, and work—she silently battled depression, isolation, and the weight of not wanting to ask for help.
Over time, Armeda discovered the power of connection, rebuilding a local amputee support group and steppin...
On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland takes a look at the Amputee Coalition’s leadership. Between 2019 and 2022, CEO total compensation (Form 990, Part VII, Columns C & F) increased from $183,877 to $380,727—a 107% jump. Cass Isidro stepped into the role in February 2023 and left on August 22, 2025.
Host Mike Bolland has been told by reliable sources that she did a good job during her tenure. However, with li...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Dr. Christopher Duncan, Chief Medical Officer at Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS), for a groundbreaking discussion on the future of neurotechnology and prosthetics.
Christopher shares his journey from physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation to leader in neural interface technology, with a passion for restoring function and independence for individuals wit...
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Angela Calzone, President & CEO of Inroads to Opportunities, as the organization celebrates its 66th anniversary. With a bold goal to double the number of individuals served—from 400 to 800—over the next decade, Angela shares her passion for breaking down misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities and her mission to create lasting workforce in...
The Amputee Coalition is undergoing another major transition with the resignation of President & CEO Cass Isidro, who announced her last day will be August 22nd. In her farewell message, Isidro stated that her work had been about “restoring the Amputee Coalition to its original purpose with deeper community engagement.”
That statement raises difficult questions:
👉 Why did the Coalition need to be “restored” in the first pl...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Meegan Winters, CEO and founder of AbleVu, the innovative accessibility search platform making the world easier to navigate for everyone. Meegan shares her inspiring journey—from special education teacher to tech entrepreneur—and how her friendship with Jessica, a power wheelchair user, sparked her mission to improve accessibility for all.
Mike and Meegan explore Able...
If you’ve ever struggled with a prosthetist or received a prosthetic that didn’t meet your needs, you’re not alone — and your story could help others.
I’m Mike Bolland, host of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, where we have honest conversations about life with limb loss, prosthetics, and advocacy. I’m looking for guests to share their real experiences — the good, the bad, and the lessons learned — so we can raise awareness and improve...
In this heartfelt and uplifting episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Katie Thomas for a conversation filled with honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. Born without her right arm below the elbow, Katie began receiving care at Shriners Hospital in Tampa at age 3 and experimented with various prosthetics throughout her childhood. Over time, she discovered that prosthetics were a helpful tool—but not essential for...
Jeanette Jones returns to the We’re Not Stumped podcast with host Mike Bolland for a powerful conversation that goes beyond music. She shares a shocking and emotional story about the accessibility barriers she and her partner Frank encountered at a Def Leppard concert at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. From steep hills to discriminatory treatment by staff, their experience sheds light on how accessibility still falls short—ev...
Is your website really accessible to everyone? In this powerful episode of *We’re Not Stumped*, host Mike Bolland welcomes web accessibility expert Maigen Thomas to perform a live audit of the podcast’s website—and the results are eye-opening!
What We Cover:
- Real-time website evaluation: accessibility, usability, and UX - What screen readers miss—and how to fix it
- How to label forms, fix headers, and improve navigation
- ...
Here’s the actual quote from a company called the LN4 Hand Project:
"A prosthetic hand is an invaluable asset to an individual without an upper limb." "An upper limb prosthesis can determine whether or not an individual is able to be employed, contribute to household duties, or provide an increased sense of independence."
As a successful one-handed person—a podcaster, speaker, nonprofit founder, and former pro ...
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion.
She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mis...
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