Inclusion and Disability Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

206 - How Organization Can Transform Caregiving and Family Life with Lisa Woodruff

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365 and author of Escaping Quicksand, for an honest conversation about caregiving, organization, and self-care. Drawing from her experiences as a teacher, parent of children with IEPs, entrepreneur, and newly minted PhD, Lisa shares practical strategies for managing the invisible load many caregivers carry. Together, they explore the importance of structure, embracing excellence over perfection, honoring different perspectives, and creating sustainable systems that support both caregivers and those they love.  Key Takeaways: Redefining Self-Care - Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's essential if you want to sustainably care for others. Embrace Different Perspectives - Inclusion begins by recognizing that other people's experiences and viewpoints are just as valid as our own. Choose Excellence Over Perfection - Progress and effort matter more than doing everything flawlessly. Reduce Cognitive Load - Simple organizational tools, like Lisa's index card system, can free up mental energy and reduce overwhelm. Caregiving Needs Structure - Intentional routines and systems help both caregivers and those receiving care thrive. Lisa Woodruff’s definition of inclusion: Inclusion is knowing that we all are different, have different perspectives, different points of view and together we make a more complete world. Lisa Woodruff’s Bio: Lisa Woodruff is the founder & CEO of Organize 365®. As the host of the top-rated Organize 365 Podcast for more than 11 years, with 25 million downloads & counting, Lisa shares strategies for reducing the overwhelm, clearing the mental clutter, and living a productive and organized life. Her sensible and doable organizing tasks appeal to multiple generations and her candor and relatable style make you feel as though she is right there beside you, helping you get organized as you laugh and cry together. Under Lisa’s direction, Organize 365 has conducted academic research establishing the definitions of housework, home organization and the weight of paper in the American home. This ongoing research is making the invisible work at home visible to all so we can eliminate it and free people from the monotonous tasks of daily living and unlock their time for what they are uniquely created to bring forth in the world.  She is the author of four books including, How ADHD Affects Home Organization and The Paper Solution and was named the Cincinnati Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024. Lisa’s understanding of the lived female American experience has helped her to create products & courses like the Sunday Basket® that externalize the routine tasks that take up the executive functioning capacity of our brains, freeing us up to think and create again, saving owners more than 13 million hours in the last 7 years! Connect with Lisa Woodruff: Website: https://organize365.com/ [https://organize365.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawoodruff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawoodruff/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Organize365 [https://www.youtube.com/@Organize365] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organize365/ [https://www.instagram.com/organize365/] Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/organize-365-podcast/id915355770 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/organize-365-podcast/id915355770] Buy Her Book: https://a.co/d/0boejQJb [https://a.co/d/0boejQJb] SPAM© Count: Host: Yes Current Guest: No Cumulative Guest Stats: Yes - 90 No - 114 ☕ Buy me a Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad] Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: ⁠https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates⁠ [https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates] Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron DeVries a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad]

205 - Confronting the Isolation Fathers Face in the Disability Community with Jamiel Owens

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Jamiel Owens, an autism father, former first responder, and advocate dedicated to supporting families raising children with disabilities. Jamiel shares his deeply personal journey through trauma, fatherhood, divorce, and ultimately healing through vulnerability and community. Together, AAron and Jamiel explore the importance of creating safe spaces for fathers, breaking down silos within the disability community, and embracing inclusion through education, empathy, and connection. This heartfelt conversation reminds listeners that no one is meant to navigate parenting, grief, or advocacy alone.  Key Takeaways: Fatherhood & Healing - Unaddressed trauma can shape how fathers navigate parenting, relationships, and disability journeys. Vulnerability Matters - Sharing personal struggles creates opportunities for deeper connection, support, and growth. Beyond Diagnoses - Families across disability communities have more in common than what separates them. Inclusive Communities - True inclusion happens when we intentionally create spaces where everyone feels welcome. Lead With Love - Choosing compassion and understanding can transform relationships and strengthen families. Jamiel Owens’ definition of inclusion: Inclusion is not only having actionable steps to make things physically inclusive, but it's changing the mentality behind it in order to embrace actions or perspectives that don't need anything tangible to be produced. Jamiel Owens’ Bio: Jamiel Owens is a nationally recognized autism advocate, community leader, and keynote speaker dedicated to transforming how society understands fatherhood, neurodiversity, and family engagement. As an autism father, his work is deeply rooted in lived experience—fueling a mission to build stronger, more informed, and more inclusive communities. Jamiel currently serves as the Family Relations Coordinator at the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he works directly with families to bridge gaps in access, education, and support. His professional work is complemented by his leadership in the community, where he has become a powerful voice for underserved families navigating autism. He is the Founder of the Autism Fathers Conference, a growing movement and platform designed to uplift, connect, and empower fathers and caregivers in the autism community. Through this initiative—and events like the Involved and Informed Conference—Jamiel has created spaces where families can engage in honest dialogue, access resources, and build lasting support networks. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for Parent to Parent USA, helping guide a national network that supports families of individuals with disabilities through peer support, leadership development, and evidence-based programming. Before stepping into advocacy full-time, Jamiel served as a firefighter, bringing with him a foundation of service, resilience, and commitment to others that continues to shape his work today. Above all, Jamiel Owens is driven by purpose: to ensure that every child, every family, and every caregiver—especially fathers—feels seen, supported, and empowered. Connect with Jamiel Owens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiel-owens-75a985213/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiel-owens-75a985213/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theausomeshow/ [https://www.instagram.com/theausomeshow/] SPAM© Count: Host: Yes Current Guest: Yes Cumulative Guest Stats: Yes - 90 No - 113 ☕ Buy me a Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad] Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: ⁠https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates⁠ [https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates] Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron DeVries a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad]

204 - Why Dads Need a Bigger Voice in the Autism Community with Nic Flores

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Nic Flores for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, identity, faith, and inclusion. Nic shares his journey as a multiracial father, survivor of childhood trauma, and parent of an autistic son, reflecting on how these experiences reshaped his understanding of empathy and belonging. Together, they discuss moving beyond awareness toward true inclusion, navigating evolving beliefs, embracing children for who they are, and creating supportive communities for dads. This heartfelt episode reminds listeners that listening, learning, and making space for others can transform lives.  Key Takeaways: Beyond Awareness - Inclusion requires more than recognizing differences—it means valuing people and empowering them to shape the spaces they inhabit. Embracing Identity - People hold many identities at once, and accepting every part of ourselves creates deeper belonging. Listening First - True inclusion begins when we stop assuming we understand others and instead choose to learn from their experiences. Parenting Expectations - Children are not extensions of their parents; they deserve the freedom to become who they are meant to be. Healing Through Vulnerability - Seeking support, processing trauma, and embracing vulnerability can lead to growth, empathy, and stronger relationships. Nic Flores’ definition of inclusion: Inclusion is not only inviting people to the table, but giving them a seat, a voice, and the opportunity to be seen, heard, understood, and valued.  Nic Flores’ Bio: Nic is a trauma survivor, graphic designer, and founder of Hi-Fi Friends, an initiative dedicated to fostering autism awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. After supporting his son's diagnoses of autism and ADHD and exploring his own experiences through therapy, Nic now self-identifies as autistic. His journey through healing, parenting, and religious deconstruction has deepened his empathy for survivors, disabled individuals, immigrants, and others whose voices are often overlooked. Grounded in curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to listening first, Nic is passionate about building more inclusive communities. Through Hi-Fi Friends, he hopes to create local spaces in San Diego where neurodivergent families can find connection, support, and belonging. Connect with Nic Flores: Website: https://hififriends.shop/ [https://hififriends.shop/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hi-fi-friends/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hi-fi-friends/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hifi.friends/ [https://www.instagram.com/hifi.friends/] SPAM© Count: Host: Yes Current Guest: No Cumulative Guest Stats: Yes - 89 No - 113 ☕ Buy me a Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad] Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: ⁠https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates⁠ [https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates] Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron DeVries a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad]

203 - Joyful Resilience: Navigating Grief, Autism, and Family Caregiving with Agazit Negash

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes author, artist, and naval officer Agazit Negash to share her family's powerful journey through grief, caregiving, and autism advocacy. After losing both parents within weeks of each other, Agazit unexpectedly became the legal guardian of her autistic brother. Together, they navigated complex support systems, honored cultural and faith traditions, and discovered the importance of autonomy, community, and resilience. Agazit discusses her book Joyful Resilience, the unique challenges faced by immigrant families, and why embracing the unknown can lead to growth, healing, and inclusion.  Key Takeaways: Joyful Resilience - Even in seasons of profound grief, moments of humor, hope, and resilience can help families move forward. Honor Autonomy - People with disabilities should be empowered to make choices about their lives, homes, and futures whenever possible. Embrace Uncertainty - Stepping into the unknown often reveals unexpected support systems, resources, and opportunities for growth. Build Community - Caregiving works best when families, professionals, friends, and community members collaborate as a team. Practice Open-Mindedness - True inclusion begins with patience, curiosity, and a willingness to understand experiences different from our own. Agazit Negash’s definition of inclusion: Inclusion is creating spaces where people feel respected, supported, and welcomed, while encouraging everyone to be open-minded and accepting of one another. Agazit Negash’s Bio: Agazit Negash’s life story is shaped by displacement, devotion, and responsibility assumed far earlier than expected. Born into a family marked by war and migration, she grew up carrying the emotional legacy of survival passed down through generations. Her parents’ journeys from Eritrea and Ethiopia through Sudan and into the United States instilled in her a deep understanding of sacrifice, faith, and endurance long before she had words for them. Following the sudden loss of both parents within a short span of time, Agazit became the primary source of stability for her autistic brother, Biruk. This role profoundly shaped her perspective, teaching her that resilience is not dramatic or heroic, but steady, persistent, and rooted in love. Her writing reflects this truth with clarity and emotional honesty. As both an author and artist, Agazit Negash uses storytelling as a bridge between cultures, between grief and healing, and between people navigating invisible responsibilities. Her work centers caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, immigrants, and those learning how to move forward while carrying loss. Joyful Resilience is her most personal work, blending memory, history, and reflection into a narrative that honors survival without romanticizing it. Through her words, Agazit Negash affirms that stories matter, especially those lived quietly, faithfully, and with courage. Connect with Agazit Negash: Website: https://agazitbooks.com/ [https://agazitbooks.com/] Email: joyfulresilience25@gmail.com [joyfulresilience25@gmail.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoragazitnegash/ [https://www.instagram.com/authoragazitnegash/] Buy her Book: https://a.co/d/0eHmxnGb [https://a.co/d/0eHmxnGb] SPAM© Count: Host: Yes Current Guest: No Cumulative Guest Stats: Yes - 89 No - 112 ☕ Buy me a Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad] Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: ⁠https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates⁠ [https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates] Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron DeVries a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad]

202 - How Service Dogs Create Independence and Inclusion with Janie Heinrich

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Janie Heinrich, founder of MobilityDog.org, to discuss service dogs, disability advocacy, and creating truly inclusive communities. After experiencing an incomplete spinal cord injury, Janie transformed personal challenges into a mission to empower others through service dogs and accessibility education. She shares how service dogs provide independence, dignity, and confidence while highlighting the ongoing barriers people with disabilities still face. Janie also explores the importance of speaking up, educating others, and removing obstacles before they become exclusionary. This inspiring conversation offers practical insights on advocacy, inclusion, and living life without limitations. Key Takeaways: Service Dog Independence - Service dogs provide far more than assistance—they create freedom, confidence, dignity, and greater independence. Intentional Inclusion - True inclusion requires intentionally removing barriers so everyone can participate fully and with dignity. Everyday Advocacy - Small actions and conversations can help identify and eliminate accessibility barriers in daily life. Education Changes Culture - Teaching inclusion, empathy, and accessibility creates more welcoming schools and communities. Focus on Possibility - Rather than dwelling on limitations, people thrive when they focus on adaptable solutions and opportunities. Janie Heinrich’s definition of inclusion: Inclusion is the intentional creation of equitable environments where all individuals feel respected, valued and supported. Janie Heinrich’s Bio: Janie Heinrich is the founder of MobilityDog.org, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve greater independence through service dogs, accessibility advocacy, and community education. After sustaining an incomplete spinal cord injury in 2010, Janie experienced firsthand the life-changing impact of a service dog and turned that experience into a mission to serve others. Through her advocacy, educational programs, and leadership, she works to remove barriers, promote inclusion, and empower individuals with disabilities to live with confidence, dignity, and full participation in their communities.  Connect with Janie Heinrich: Website: https://mobilitydog.org/ [https://mobilitydog.org/] Email: janie@mobilitydog.org [janie@mobilitydog.org] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mobilityservicedogs [https://www.facebook.com/mobilityservicedogs] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilityservicedogs/ [https://www.instagram.com/mobilityservicedogs/] SPAM© Count: Host: Yes Current Guest: No Cumulative Guest Stats: Yes - 89 No - 111 ☕ Buy me a Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad] Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: ⁠https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates⁠ [https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates] Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron DeVries a message on PodMatch, here: ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad⁠ [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad]