Everybody In

In the final episode of the season, we meet Mackenzie’s very own mom, Terencia Beauvais-Nikl. Together, Mackenzie and Terencia reminisce about how race, age, autism, and plain old mother/daughter power dynamics have contributed to the trials and triumphs of their 25-year relationship. Through it all, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for each other – even if that means jumping out of an airplane. Eek!Recorded March 4, 2020 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod (District 8) chairs two committees and two caucuses. Her hot-button issues include criminal justice reform, mental health & substance abuse interventions, and increasing civil rights protections, among others. So it caught us a bit off guard when one of her surprise questions for Mackenzie was about breaking the law! Lawmaking (and breaking) is nothing but fun in this rowdy and rollicking interview with one of our local heroes.Recorded December 18, 2019https://www.leslieherodforcolorado.com/https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/leslie-herod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David Ojile enjoys bike riding, swimming, going to the movies, traveling, and learning to become more independent. His diagnosis is "mild autism," and David says he likes who he is and how autism affects his life. When we asked David about his special gifts, he said "loving and caring" might have something to do with it. Andrea and Mackenzie couldn't agree more!Recorded February 26, 2020 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chris O'Sullivan didn't taste meat until he was twelve years old, so perhaps that made him an unlikely candidate to launch a barbecue business. Nevertheless, this co-founder of Brothers BBQ isn't afraid to pursue his passions and examine his assumptions. No matter the challenge, he knows he doesn't have to face it alone.Recorded November 13, 2019Brothers BBQ: https://brothers-bbq.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael Waters is a film fanatic: his diverse interests range from The Lion King, to Peanut Butter Falcon, to Call Me By Your Name. He's also a phenomenal friend, but that doesn't mean he hasn't made mistakes navigating relationships. As an adult living with Down syndrome, Michael believes he does need help with certain things. However, his ultimate message is simple: "We're all people. It doesn't matter who you are."Recorded October 16, 2019Global Down Syndrome Foundation: https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association: https://www.rmdsa.org/Peanut Butter Falcon film: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/the-peanut-butter-falcon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jared Sacramento is a smooth dancer, a killer chef, and an easygoing dreamer who idolizes the hunter/gatherer lifestyle. His favorite cereal would be Cap'n Crunch... if not for the violence involved in eating it. Jared's lived on four continents and moonlights as our very own DJ Dosage. How many more surprises does this guy have in store? Recorded September 25, 2019Jared's Nashville Mixtape: https://www.thewayfaringband.com/jared-sacramento See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ryan Farwell considers himself to be goofy and shy... but he's bold to enough to ask for your number. He ruminates on the frustrations of inaccessible spaces, the realities of living with muscular dystrophy, the difficulties of dating post high school, and the special feeling of freedom he gets when he's riding on the back of a horse. Recorded October 2, 2019 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Erika Righter is a mom, former social worker, and owner and operator of Hope Tank, a boutique that specializes in gifts that give back. When it comes to doing good, Erika considers herself a lifelong learner and listener. But you won't find her waiting in the wings -- she's ready to act, and she expects us to join her.Recorded October 30, 2019http://hopetank.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jareth J. Charles has sharpened his self-awareness to a razor's edge. Andrea keeps pace with his relentless introspection, and together they tread into semi-taboo territory, exploring self-loathing, sexuality, multiple diagnoses, and -- finally -- a message for white liberals. Recorded September 11, 2019https://www.accessgallery.org/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mackenzie convinces Mindy Watrous, her longtime mentor, friend, and former CEO of Special Olympics Colorado, to sit down for an interview. Together they reflect on foster care, adoption, and how hard it is to say no... especially when so many people depend on your tendency to say yes.Recorded August 21, 2019Special Olympics CO: https://specialolympicsco.org/Inclusive Higher Education Certificate Program*: https://www.ihecp.org/*Please excuse Andrea's misspeak in the episode: the "I" in IHECP stands for Inclusive, not Intensive. :) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In high school, Brittany Murdock felt like she was trapped in a chrysalis. Now, she's emerged as a stunning butterfly... with a taste for Olive Garden's unlimited bread sticks. Living independently with cerebral palsy presents some challenges, but with the support of her partner and some close allies, Brittany's world is just getting bigger.Recorded August 28, 2019https://www.accessgallery.org/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the inaugural episode of Season 2, Mackenzie and Andrea welcome guest Jenny Medrano, an activist and conflict facilitator who's fired up about youth leadership, metaphysics, and the golden age of television. From there, Jenny and Mackenzie dive deep into some tougher conversations... including the challenge of connecting meaningfully across racial divides. Ready for the ride? Join us for Season 2 of Everybody In.Recorded August 9, 2019https://buildingbridgesshift.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're baaaaaaack! It's been a minute since Faith and Andrea chatted up a new guest: in this teaser episode for Season 2, we welcome an old friend back into the recording studio. In a bittersweet but gracious exchange, Faith passes the hosting torch to former podcast guest Mackenzie Beauvais-Nikl, who will join Andrea as the new co-host for Season 2. Join us as we prepare to usher in a new era of conversations and connections. Everybody In! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the final episode of the season, Faith and Andrea interview Faith’s sisters, Marina and Maggie, about the complexity of balancing their role as sisters with their responsibility as caregivers.Recorded on March 31, 2019Contact us: podcast@thewayfaringband.comLearn about employing people with disabilities:The Possibility Pool - https://thepossibilitypool.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At last, Faith interviews her own best friend from childhood, Danny Beck! They reminisce about favorite high school memories, identify shared values as the foundation for any good friendship, and credit school unified programs for fostering neurodiverse friendships like theirs.Recorded December 26, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ryan Wilson prefers the phrase "different ability" to describe his experience of living with fragile X. Ryan shares workplace success strategies, the challenges of attending college far from home, and what it takes to earn his vote.Recorded February 20, 2019 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Poet and performer Andre Carbonell needs an accountability partner... and a cat washer. He can’t decide if he identifies with Harry Potter or Dumbledore more: either way, his scars are his strength.Recorded October 31, 2018https://soundcloud.com/hakeemfuriousBook, Dinner with the Ego and Ihttp://slamnuba.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sean is sweet like a butterfly, hardcore like a tiger, and unlike anyone else we know. He shares strategies for staying cool under pressure, ambivalence about the disability label, and his desire to find a soulmate with gorgeous-colored hair. Recorded October 3, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Newly graduated journalist Amanda Andrews may be a relatively young adult, but she's more than ready to meet her future self. Amanda, Faith, and Andrea muse about media, movies, support systems, and some good (and bad) ideas for band names.Recorded October 24, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For Bethany, one aspect of Down syndrome is understanding her "quirks," like how she expresses herself using song titles. But mostly, she doesn't feel any more different than she would if she had different shoes or a different hair dresser. "I'm just like everybody else."Recorded September 12, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Addiction & Mental Health professional Ozzie Cabral knows that no matter our struggles, no one is a ghost. We all have a right to exist. By bonding with our animal relatives and harnessing the healing power of wolf medicine, Ozzie helps people find a sense of peace and connection. Recorded September 19, 2018Song of the Wolf Healing Center Facebook page See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Athlete, student, and Wayfaring board member Mackenzie has autism, and she says it can be hard for her to start conversations. Fortunately, her best friend and service dog Mickey helps bring her "back down to earth" so she can connect with people. With honesty and dry humor, Mackenzie muses about tackling college-level classes, how employers can support workers with disabilities, and how showing up in "sloth mode" allows her to connect with kids.Recorded September 19, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some people may think that artist, publisher, and musician Jordan Knecht is a little "weird," but at this point in his life and career, he doesn't mind feeling different. With tender honesty, Faith and Jordan connect about feeling left out, being their own best friend, and finding a way to be okay with the fact that life isn't always fair.Recorded August 29, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some people used to say she talked funny, so for the longest time Abigail shut down and barely spoke. “Now I’m all like, screw it! This is what you get. This is ME.” With refreshing candor, Abigail shares her opinions on going at her own pace with cerebral palsy, feeling safe (or not) on the city bus, and the ongoing journey of finding her voice.Recorded August 15, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

High school’s a bitch if you’re a curly-haired goth in sunny Australia. Fortunately, Faith has fonder memories than saucy Australian and board member for The Wayfaring Band, Jo-Roxy. This irreverent and rollicking episode unites three badass bitches in their shared membership of the Dead Dads Club. Together they ponder an important question — are dogs better than husbands?Recorded August 15, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

‪If he could be an animal other than a human, Jonathan would be a “friendly angel dog in heaven.” The conversation swings from silly to serious, touching on sustaining romance through the years, why Down syndrome is “great!,” and the bitterness of losing a friend too soon.Recorded August 29, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Motherhood, being a woman in music, client/provider power dynamics, and shared awe for a Viking queen are all up for discussion in our inaugural interview featuring local Denver musician and staff member for The Wayfaring Band, Jen GaNun.Recorded August 8, 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.