The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
Listen to this podcast and discover the power of "Shining Beautiful" in life and in your community. Mikelle is perhaps the only non-verbal podcaster in the world. How does she do it? With technology. Meet Mikelle, who experiences cerebral palsy, her mother, Katherine Carol, and Gretchen Storm, speech therapist, and assistive technology guru. Together they talk about everyday life with a disability, how technology empowers people with disabilities to own their lives. This sassy team of coffee drinking techies interview technology and rehabilitation experts as they sit around the kitchen table at Mikelle's home.
- Update frequency
- every 19 days
- Average duration
- 25 minutes
- Episodes
- 143
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
Your Voice Matters - Voting for Medicaid and Understanding the Candidates
In this powerful episode of The Shining Beautiful Series, co-hosts Mikelle and Katherine Carol discuss the critical issue of voting for Medicaid and examine each candidate's position on healthcare an…
Unseen and Unbroken: Let's Chat about the Disability Civil Rights Movement for a Moment.
In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series, co-host Katherine Carol takes us behind the scenes of her recent training in North Dakota, where she explored the evolution of the disability civil r…
Home Sweet Homes! Finding the Perfect Home for Mikelle and Mom.
In this heartfelt episode of the Shining Beautiful Series, join yourt host, Katherine Carol as she shares her deeply personal journey of finding a place for both her and Mikelle in her daughter Mikel…
Is Homeownership for You? Exploring Homeownership for People with Disabilities
This episode explores how supported housing programs can make homeownership accessible to many. Mikelle, a homeowner for 15 years, shares her insights as we cover:
What Supported Housing Programs a…
It's Complicated!
Navigating the Complexities of Waiver Services for People with Disabilities
This episode delves into the increasingly complicated world of waiver services for people with disabilities. Join us as we …
Unlocking Opportunities: Can AI Empower Jobseekers with Disabilities?
In this episode, Mikelle and Katherine delve into AI's transformative impact on the employment landscape for individuals with disabilities.
Join us as Shea Tanis, Ph.D and Associate Research Professo…
Revitalize. A Rustic Retreat in the Foothills for Mom.
In this episode, join Katherine as she embarks on a necessary journey to a tranquil, rustic retreat nestled in the serene foothills of Colorado.
As she shares her experience, she explores how busy m…
Savvy Social Security Benefits Strategies with Sandy Smith, Benefits Navigator and Expert
In this episode, we dive into the intricacies of navigating Social Security benefits for those people with disabilities interested in getting a job or starting a business with super-savvy expert Sand…
Caring Connections: Building Beautiful Teams in Caregiving
In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series, we explore the power of effective communication within caregiving teams. We'll discuss how clear and empathetic communication fosters trust, enhances …
Seizing Serenity: Embracing the Mediterranean Lifestyle and Slowing Down for a Richer Life
Welcome to the Shining Beautiful Series podcast. This episode details the exploration of non-resolution resolution as Mikelle and Katherine explore the transformative journey of adopting the Mediterr…
Season's Sparkle: A Festive Journey Through Winter Wishes
Welcome to The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, where we're diving into the enchanting spirit of the season in our latest episode, "Season's Sparkle: A Festive Journey Through Winter Wishes." Join u…
Unleashing Extraordinary: Women with Cerebral Palsy Redefining Limits
In this inspiring episode, join us for a heartfelt conversation with two remarkable women, Win Charles and our co-host, Mikelle Learned, who are not just breaking barriers but shattering stereotypes …
Will the Person in Person-Centered-Planning be there at the end of the yellow brick road?
Dorothy, we are not in Kansas anymore. Mikelle and I realize that our previous experience with the strength and beauty of person-centered planning services and supports differs from what it used to b…
Did You Know About ABLE Gamers?
On this show we dive deep into inspiring stories and conversations that matter. Today, we are incredibly honored to have a special guest with us. She's a passionate advocate for accessibility and inc…
How's Your School Year Going? Creativity can be found in Chaos!
In this episode, Mikelle and Katherine continue exploring the ever-changing special education landscape with Gretchen Storm of Storm Speech Therapy and a Shining Beautiful team member.
While schools …
The Pioneer Generation to the Generation in Crisis?
Summer flew by so quickly this year. For Katherine and Mikelle, the passing of Katherine's mother triggered an urgency to make plans for Mikelle's future. Critical to those plans are maintaining Mi…
Think+change! The Arc of Aurora is Leading the Way!
We are delighted to introduce Hanni Raley, the Executive Director of the Arc of Aurora, Colorado. In a conversation with Mikelle and Katherine, Hanni discusses various topics such as diversity, techn…
The Big Transition! Estate Planning...
In this episode, Katherine recounts how she managed to balance taking care of her daughter, Mikelle, with her responsibilities as a co-executor of her late mother's estate. She details the difficulti…
New Tech. The Joys and the Challenges.
New Tech! Yay! Mikelle, Katherine, and Kaitlyn, one of Mikelle's support team, discuss the often long process of obtaining new technology for Mikelle. This episode focuses on the arrival and set up…
Schools. The Good, the Ugly and the Unknown.
No one can deny schools are in transition. From school safety to staff shortages, students with disabilities often lack the support for a robust education. In this episode, Gretchen Storm, speech and…