<![CDATA[The Didlake Difference]]>Join us as we explore the inspiring work of Didlake Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities. Through engaging interviews with employees, consumers, advocates, and business leaders, we uncover the profound impact of Didlake in shaping a more dynamic community.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:10:34 GMTThu, 23 Apr 2026 17:40:27 GMT60Didlake MediaWorks<p><span>Join us as we explore the inspiring work of Didlake Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to </span><span>creating opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities</span><span>. Through engaging interviews with employees, consumers, advocates, and business leaders, we uncover the profound impact of Didlake in shaping a more dynamic </span><span>community.</span></p>episodicDidlake MediaWorksmediaworks@didlake.orgno<![CDATA[EP 9 | Ruth Bray | From Darkness to Light: Ruth Bray's Journey of Hope ]]>This episode delves into the powerful impact of addiction and the transformative journey of recovery. It explores the challenges faced before and after recovery, highlighting the critical turning point and the importance of support and understanding for individuals struggling with addiction. The conversation with Ms. Ruth highlights the themes of resilience and empathy. She overcame challenges and obstacles, emphasizing the importance of financial stability and determination. Ms. Ruth shared her experiences dealing with relapse and the process of reintegration and personal growth. She discussed the significance of support, advocacy, and grassroots efforts, emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers and inclusion. Ms. Ruth's leadership style reflects empathy, compassion, and mentorship, leading to the fulfillment and positive impact on the community.

Takeaways

  • The power of addiction is profound and requires understanding and support.
  • Early life and family play a significant role in shaping an individual's journey and experiences.
  • Recovery from addiction is a challenging and transformative process that requires support and a turning point.
  • The impact of addiction is far-reaching and the importance of support cannot be overstated.
  • Programs like Ability One and Diversified provide opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives and find purpose. Empathy and compassion are essential in leadership
  • Support and compassion can uncover personal gifts
  • Expressing gratitude and impacting change are powerful acts

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Power of Addiction
  • 10:29 Rocky Journey and Second Chance
  • 19:16 Turning Point and Recovery
  • 30:22 Impact of Addiction and Support
  • 35:53 Rising from Janitor to Crew Lead
  • 50:10 Leading with Empathy and Compassion
  • 58:44 Impact on Individuals and Community
  • 01:05:05 Closing and Gratitude
]]>1d2bafa0-0bfc-4279-a97f-877cbe5553e5Thu, 28 May 2026 17:06:56 GMT<p>This episode delves into the powerful impact of addiction and the transformative journey of recovery. It explores the challenges faced before and after recovery, highlighting the critical turning point and the importance of support and understanding for individuals struggling with addiction. The conversation with Ms. Ruth highlights the themes of resilience and empathy. She overcame challenges and obstacles, emphasizing the importance of financial stability and determination. Ms. Ruth shared her experiences dealing with relapse and the process of reintegration and personal growth. She discussed the significance of support, advocacy, and grassroots efforts, emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers and inclusion. Ms. Ruth's leadership style reflects empathy, compassion, and mentorship, leading to the fulfillment and positive impact on the community.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>The power of addiction is profound and requires understanding and support.</li><li>Early life and family play a significant role in shaping an individual's journey and experiences.</li><li>Recovery from addiction is a challenging and transformative process that requires support and a turning point.</li><li>The impact of addiction is far-reaching and the importance of support cannot be overstated.</li><li>Programs like Ability One and Diversified provide opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives and find purpose. Empathy and compassion are essential in leadership</li><li>Support and compassion can uncover personal gifts</li><li>Expressing gratitude and impacting change are powerful acts</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Power of Addiction</li><li>10:29 Rocky Journey and Second Chance</li><li>19:16 Turning Point and Recovery</li><li>30:22 Impact of Addiction and Support</li><li>35:53 Rising from Janitor to Crew Lead</li><li>50:10 Leading with Empathy and Compassion</li><li>58:44 Impact on Individuals and Community</li><li>01:05:05 Closing and Gratitude</li></ul>no01:05:2519EP 9 | Ruth Bray | From Darkness to Light: Ruth Bray's Journey of Hope full<![CDATA[EP 8 | Nathaniel Wall | Navigating Life with Low Vision]]>In a world where vision shapes our perceptions, what happens when that vision is compromised? In this enlightening podcast episode, we dive into the life of Nathaniel, a remarkably resilient individual who has navigated the challenges of low vision while pursuing his passions. From his fascinating interests in history and air traffic control to his rewarding job experience at NIST, Nathaniel's journey offers valuable lessons about adaptability and determination.

]]>b6745791-c998-4726-9643-4efa7a3879dfThu, 30 Apr 2026 14:04:06 GMT<p>In a world where vision shapes our perceptions, what happens when that vision is compromised? In this enlightening podcast episode, we dive into the life of Nathaniel, a remarkably resilient individual who has navigated the challenges of low vision while pursuing his passions. From his fascinating interests in history and air traffic control to his rewarding job experience at NIST, Nathaniel's journey offers valuable lessons about adaptability and determination.</p>no00:34:2218EP 8 | Nathaniel Wall | Navigating Life with Low Visionfull<![CDATA[EP02 | Advocacy in Action: From the Hill to the Heart]]>In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Rachel Payne, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at Didlake Inc., shares how advocacy drives real-world change for people with disabilities. Dr. Payne discusses her journey into public policy, the challenges and victories of shaping inclusive legislation, and why changing minds is the first step to changing policy. Join us for an inside look at how passionate leadership and purposeful advocacy can transform communities — and lives.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/episode2drrachelpayne/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/991cae31-0b97-3c6a-b8f0-9c4713795ba0Thu, 08 May 2025 17:24:59 GMT<p>In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Rachel Payne, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at Didlake Inc., shares how advocacy drives real-world change for people with disabilities. Dr. Payne discusses her journey into public policy, the challenges and victories of shaping inclusive legislation, and why changing minds is the first step to changing policy. Join us for an inside look at how passionate leadership and purposeful advocacy can transform communities — and lives.</p> no00:27:5912EP02 | Advocacy in Action: From the Hill to the Heartfull<![CDATA[EP07 | Ivette Irausquin Valles | Talking Ability, Not Disability]]>In this episode of The Didlake Difference, Ivette, who is hard of hearing, shares her inspiring story of building confidence, navigating communication barriers, and advocating for herself in the workplace. From starting in part time work to earning a full time administrative role with the support of Didlake job coaching, Ivette highlights the power of disability employment, inclusive hiring, and self advocacy. She challenges misconceptions about people with disabilities and shows why true inclusion means creating real opportunities for everyone. Ivette’s message resonates with job seekers, employers, and advocates: if I can do it, anyone can. Her journey reflects the importance of accessibility, workplace inclusion, and respect for individual abilities. AI Disclaimer: This episode includes the use of artificial intelligence assisted tools to support communication and accessibility for our guest. AI technology was used to generate a Spanish-to-English voice dub and to adjust mouth movements, improving clarity and inclusivity for all viewers, including individuals who are hard of hearing or use lip reading. These innovations helped enhance communication without altering the meaning or intent of the guest’s words. All perspectives, experiences, and personal insights shared in this episode remain authentic to the guest. Our use of AI reflects a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and innovation, ensuring that every voice can be clearly understood and fully heard.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/ep07-ivette-irausquin-valles-talking-ability-not-disability/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/6ee2f352-d37c-356e-ac6f-65f95771850eThu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode of The Didlake Difference, Ivette, who is hard of hearing, shares her inspiring story of building confidence, navigating communication barriers, and advocating for herself in the workplace. From starting in part time work to earning a full time administrative role with the support of Didlake job coaching, Ivette highlights the power of disability employment, inclusive hiring, and self advocacy. She challenges misconceptions about people with disabilities and shows why true inclusion means creating real opportunities for everyone. Ivette’s message resonates with job seekers, employers, and advocates: if I can do it, anyone can. Her journey reflects the importance of accessibility, workplace inclusion, and respect for individual abilities. AI Disclaimer: This episode includes the use of artificial intelligence assisted tools to support communication and accessibility for our guest. AI technology was used to generate a Spanish-to-English voice dub and to adjust mouth movements, improving clarity and inclusivity for all viewers, including individuals who are hard of hearing or use lip reading. These innovations helped enhance communication without altering the meaning or intent of the guest’s words. All perspectives, experiences, and personal insights shared in this episode remain authentic to the guest. Our use of AI reflects a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and innovation, ensuring that every voice can be clearly understood and fully heard.</p> no00:19:3817EP07 | Ivette Irausquin Valles | Talking Ability, Not Disabilityfull<![CDATA[EP03 | Whole Hog: Leading with Purpose]]>In this special episode, we sit down with Paul Gravley, CEO of Didlake Inc., to explore his leadership approach and the future of disability employment. Paul shares the values that drive Didlake’s mission, the power of purpose-driven work, and how innovation and advocacy intersect at every level of the organization. From big-picture strategy to personal reflections, this conversation offers insight into what it means to lead with impact — and why Didlake’s mission matters now more than ever.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/whole-hog-leading-with-purpose/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/5f30cdd4-88d5-3141-adab-9e69e796ae00Thu, 29 May 2025 16:00:00 GMT<p>In this special episode, we sit down with Paul Gravley, CEO of Didlake Inc., to explore his leadership approach and the future of disability employment. Paul shares the values that drive Didlake’s mission, the power of purpose-driven work, and how innovation and advocacy intersect at every level of the organization. From big-picture strategy to personal reflections, this conversation offers insight into what it means to lead with impact — and why Didlake’s mission matters now more than ever.</p> no00:44:4213EP03 | Whole Hog: Leading with Purposefull<![CDATA[EP05 | Lisa Duvall | Smiling Through Leadership]]>In this episode of The Didlake Difference, we sit down with Lisa Duvall, a passionate advocate and leader at Didlake, Inc. Lisa shares her journey within the organization, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the impact of her work in advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. From her personal motivation to her professional achievements, Lisa reflects on the importance of building a workplace where everyone can thrive.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/the-didlake-difference-ep05-lisa-duvall-smiling-through-leadership/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/0b8b56eb-d722-3839-bc97-5377ce6681c0Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode of The Didlake Difference, we sit down with Lisa Duvall, a passionate advocate and leader at Didlake, Inc. Lisa shares her journey within the organization, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the impact of her work in advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. From her personal motivation to her professional achievements, Lisa reflects on the importance of building a workplace where everyone can thrive.</p> no00:51:0815EP05 | Lisa Duvall | Smiling Through Leadershipfull<![CDATA[EP06 | Bernice Martin Lee | Thriving With Epilepsy, Leading With Purpose]]>In this episode, Erica sits down with Bernice Martin Lee, President & CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, a nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and philanthropy. Bee shares her powerful journey as a woman of color living with epilepsy, from her first seizures in college to becoming the leader of a national organization dedicated to making sure no one faces epilepsy alone.Together, they unpack what true health equity looks like, how storytelling can fight stigma, and why centering lived experience changes the way we design services and supports for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. You’ll also hear how the Epilepsy Foundation is innovating with technology, data, and partnerships to better serve the 3.4 million people in the U.S. living with epilepsy—and what all of us can do to be better allies in our own communities.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/the-didlake-difference-bernice-martin-lee-thriving-with-epilepsy-leading-with-purpose/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/1a16570b-c142-32ca-b5ec-38421b5f55d6Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Erica sits down with Bernice Martin Lee, President &amp; CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, a nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and philanthropy. Bee shares her powerful journey as a woman of color living with epilepsy, from her first seizures in college to becoming the leader of a national organization dedicated to making sure no one faces epilepsy alone.Together, they unpack what true health equity looks like, how storytelling can fight stigma, and why centering lived experience changes the way we design services and supports for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. You’ll also hear how the Epilepsy Foundation is innovating with technology, data, and partnerships to better serve the 3.4 million people in the U.S. living with epilepsy—and what all of us can do to be better allies in our own communities.</p> no00:42:0316EP06 | Bernice Martin Lee | Thriving With Epilepsy, Leading With Purposefull<![CDATA[EP04 | Backstage to Center Stage: Brandon’s Path to Purpose]]>In this inspiring episode of The Didlake Difference, we sit down with Brandon, a former Project SEARCH student whose journey is a testament to resilience, growth, and the power of opportunity. Alongside him is Theresa, his dedicated support throughout the program, who shares her perspective on Brandon’s development and achievements. Together, they reflect on the impact of Project SEARCH, the importance of personalized support, and what it means to discover your potential in the workplace and beyond.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/backstage-to-center-stage-brandon-s-path-to-purpose/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/37aceeab-eefd-33f3-a265-4a98b8c6c991Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:00:00 GMT<p>In this inspiring episode of The Didlake Difference, we sit down with Brandon, a former Project SEARCH student whose journey is a testament to resilience, growth, and the power of opportunity. Alongside him is Theresa, his dedicated support throughout the program, who shares her perspective on Brandon’s development and achievements. Together, they reflect on the impact of Project SEARCH, the importance of personalized support, and what it means to discover your potential in the workplace and beyond.</p> no00:30:3014EP04 | Backstage to Center Stage: Brandon’s Path to Purposefull<![CDATA[EP01 | The Excellence Effect]]>On this episode of The Didlake Difference, we chat with Didlake Director of the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) Meghan Stubbs about creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism. Hear how ACE is driving innovation and impact-one person at a time.

]]>https://didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/e/tdds01e01-meghan-stubbs-the-excellence-effect/didlakemediaworks.podbean.com/1cd0f7ea-e278-3cf2-b6df-c2aedbaf622dThu, 17 Apr 2025 18:25:21 GMT<p>On this episode of The Didlake Difference, we chat with Didlake Director of the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) Meghan Stubbs about creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism. Hear how ACE is driving innovation and impact-one person at a time.</p> no00:21:0311EP01 | The Excellence Effectfull