Finding Common Ground
Many families feel like they're treading water, especially those living with autism and other developmental differences. As your hosts, we get it, and we know this frustration all too well. In response, we've created tried-and-true strategies that help everyday people achieve extraordinary things. Even those who might have doubted themselves can borrow our confidence, follow one of our "blueprints," and with a supportive community cheering them on, make the impossible happen. Each success inspires those coming up behind us, creating a ripple effect of positive change—Which is why we'll never run out of content!Our podcast tackles tough issues head-on with unfiltered conversations focused on solutions. We won't avoid "the elephant in the room"—in fact, we'll invite it to dinner! Our unique format appeals to people from across the globe, offering strategies that turn efforts for one into advocacy for the greater good. We breakdown topics like innovative housing, effective self-advocacy, and healthcare complexities, guided by our audience on what to cover next. Each episode offers fresh perspectives, featuring many guests you won't find on mainstream platforms. We intentionally invite differing viewpoints because finding common ground with those we see as obstacles is the surest way to create new and innovative solutions. Join our Supporter's Club and check out our merch. Let’s ensure the A/I/DD community's voice is heard. If you want to dig deeper, schedule a session with us. We happily work one-on-one, develop trainings, and offer public speaking engagements to assist individuals and organizations in promoting things like inclusivity and equity. Join our community, plant seeds of positive change, and before you know it, you'll be moving mountains with us! Want to support our mission and access exclusive content? Join our Supporter's Club and check out our merch. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/finding-common-ground--6199849/support.
Episodes
Heather and Steve are joined by Sara DeFazio, a Transition Specialist with New York State’s Central Region Partnership Center, and she keeps it real.
This is a fast, practical conversation about what happens when transition plans look fine on paper but miss the mark in real life. Sara names the patterns families recogni...
Brad shares what has worked, what has changed, and why true in...
How do pare...
Have you ever looked at someone and assumed they were just born strong, that they have “always done the hard thing,” and were simply made for advocacy?
In this special takeover episode, retired special education teacher and longtime friend Jackie Bartell slides into the guest host chair and turns the mic on Heather, asking the questions most people never hear. Heather goes back to the ...
What if you keep doing the same things because they feel safe, even when they stopped working a long time ago?
What if the mindset that got you through the early years is now the very thing holding you back?
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with Lynda Allen, career edu...
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve are joined by Samantha Harrison, founder of Momentum Family Strategies and a disability support strategist who works with families navigating what she calls life after mom and dad.
Samantha brings a rare, honest perspe...
For many families, it vanishes.
“There are 25 skills students need to make an informed decision about what comes after 12th grade,” says college and career coach Phil Vetrano. “And we’re not teaching them. Not at school. Not at home. Not anywhere.”
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Phil joins us to talk about the hidden gaps families run into when the school bus stops coming, espec...
In this episode, Heather and Steve sit down with Google technologist and autistic advocate Tim Goldstein, whose late-in-life diagnosis rewired how he sees communication, work, and autism itself. Tim shares how he went from being “the kid who kept getting fired” to someone who now coaches others on using voice, story, and language to actually g...
In this DadAbility episode, Steve goes solo to talk straight with dads about stepping up at home and beyond. It’s real talk about juggling the day-to-day while keeping an e...
Host Steve Gonyea finds himself in the hot seat as Kathy digs deep into his story, his “why,” and what drives his advocacy as a dad. With Heather chiming in from the sidelines (and occasionally fanning the flames), this takeover turns into...
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Steve talks with Matt Yelton, a paramedic, flight medic, and autism dad who lives and breathes this reality every day. When emergencies happen, Matt has been on both sides — the parent advocating for his child, and the first responder called to help.
He shares how his personal experiences inspired him to ...
They trade stories, laughter, and strategy on how to keep showing ...
https://youtu.be/pIiFhcaPYqs
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/finding...
Why listen: Unlike many politicians, Miller doesn’t dodge the tough stuff. He leans in. Listen as he dives into the 35th...
Each guest shared why they felt called to be part of this initiative and how families of individuals with disabilities often feel lonely, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. Their stories highlight the importance of coming together, bu...
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, we sit down with Kristina Cope—Michigan mom of three on the spectrum, RN, and founder of Flawless Farms. She’s on a mission to create an intentional co...
Kathleen shares her journey from frontline provider to program superv...
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with Dawn O’Hara, a mother of two adult children with disabilities, to explore what it really takes to support independence, dignity, and inclusion. From leaving behind one system in Pennsylvania to navigating New York’s evolving landscape, Dawn share...
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