Social Advocacy Episodes

Send us a text In this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Kurt Avery, the founder and president of Sawyer Products, a company dedicated to innovative outdoor protection and humanitarian aid solutions. Kurt shares his remarkable journey from the corporate world to creating life-saving products, including water filtration systems and insect repellents. With a marketing background and an MBA, Kurt's vision for Sawyer Products was born out of a desire to provi...

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Dr. David Marcus, a seasoned clinical psychologist and author, to discuss the complexities of parenting in today's fast-paced society. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Marcus shares his insights on the challenges parents face, from the impact of social media to the importance of effective communication with children. He emphasizes the need for parents to develop emotional language skills...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Emma Lyons, a trauma-informed healer and the founder of the Trauma Matrix. Emma shares her transformative journey from aspiring human rights lawyer to a dedicated advocate for women seeking to break free from the shame voice that has hindered their relationships, success, and visibility. She delves into the concept of the inner narcissist—a toxic voice that many carry within—and offers a fresh perspec...

Send us a text In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we have the pleasure of speaking with Kay Neal, a passionate advocate for Latin language education. Kay shares her mission to make Latin accessible and enjoyable for everyone, emphasizing its value in enhancing linguistic awareness and vocabulary. She discusses her personal journey of overcoming challenges in learning Latin and her determination to help others succeed where they might feel defeated. Listeners will...

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Alex Kain, an author, entrepreneur, and systems thinker who has founded the Philosophy, a social movement that challenges traditional notions of happiness and success. Alex shares his journey from a diverse career path, including roles as a private investigator and stand-up comedian, to discovering his passion for technology and social responsibility. He discusses the four key relationships t...

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Julian Raven, an artist, author, and passionate advocate for free speech. Julian takes us on a journey through his eight-year battle with the Smithsonian Institution, sparked by his creation of a 7x15 portrait of Donald Trump. He shares the challenges he faced after submitting his artwork to the National Portrait Gallery, detailing the surprising rejection he received and the subsequent legal...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Thomas R. Wilson, an inspiring author, community leader, and advocate dedicated to the neurodiverse and mental health communities. Thomas shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a recognized figure in advocacy and sensory-friendly event coordination. He discusses the importance of accessibility, the nuances of sensory-friendly events, and the Employment First movement, ...

Send us a text Welcome to another inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball! Join us as we dive into the impactful journey of Tava Scott, CEO and chief consultant of T. Scott Consulting. Tava shares her profound experiences in social services, from her early days in Louisiana to her current mission of elevating care standards across multiple states. Discover how her passion for helping others led to the creation of a consulting firm dedicated to improving service quality for vulner...

Send us a text Vulnerability becomes a superpower in this raw, emotional conversation with author Terrell Latchinson, who transforms personal tragedy into purpose through writing and advocacy. After losing his brother to PTSD-related complications a decade ago, Latchinson found himself turning to writing as a therapeutic outlet – eventually launching a career crafting fiction that tackles mental health issues within minority communities. The power of Latchinson's story lies in its authentici...

Send us a text What would compel a successful executive to walk away from his career to build beds for children? For Luke Mickelson, it was the shocking discovery that kids in his community were sleeping on the floor. That realization sparked a mission that has since transformed into Sleep in Heavenly Peace, now the world's largest bed-building charity with 400+ chapters across four countries. Luke's journey began in 2012 when he learned about a family whose children had no beds. What starte...

Send us a text What happens when cultural identity, activism, and groundbreaking storytelling converge? Amber Afzali brings this powerful intersection to life as she joins us to discuss her starring role in "Rule Breakers," the inspiring Angel Studios film that chronicles Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team. Born to Afghan immigrant parents and raised in America, Amber shares her unique journey of balancing dual identities while developing a deep passion for her cultural heritage. This ...

Send us a text Disability advocacy transcends ramps and automatic doors—it's about creating a world where everyone belongs in every aspect of community life. Jenna Udenberg joins us to share her powerful journey from diagnosis with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age seven to becoming an author, disability advocate, and accessibility educator. Diagnosed in the late 1980s and using a wheelchair since age eight, Jenna navigated a world before the Americans with Disabilities Act established basic...

Send us a text What if improving company profits and creating a more diverse workforce weren't competing goals but complementary ones? Paolo Gaudiano, founder of DEI tech company Aleria, flips conventional wisdom on its head with his revolutionary approach to workplace inclusion. With advanced degrees in aerospace engineering and neuroscience, Paolo brings a unique analytical perspective to diversity challenges. "I like to joke that I'm the white elephant in the room," he shares, acknowledging ...

Send us a text When Mark MacNicol stepped into a maximum security prison in 2016 to lead a theatre project with inmates serving life sentences, he couldn't have predicted how profoundly it would change his career trajectory. A writer, director, and producer by trade, MacNicol found himself captivated by the therapeutic potential of creative expression—particularly for those who would never identify as "creative types." This revelation birthed Anonymous Drama, a groundbreaking approach that has ...

Send us a text Discover how a passionate advocate is reshaping the narrative around disability rights in this compelling episode of the Living the Dream Podcast. Join us as we welcome Devon Wieters, a dynamic podcaster and writer who is breaking barriers and challenging systemic injustices faced by individuals with disabilities. Devon, who lives with cerebral palsy, shares her relentless fight against the stigma that often overshadows individuals like her. With a college degree in communications...

Send us a text Join us in this exciting episode of Living the Dream with Curveball as we chat with Susan Murray, the visionary behind the Top Kat Talent Show. Discover how her innovative mobile app is revolutionizing the way undiscovered artists showcase their talents, collaborate, and win cash prizes. Whether you're a singer, dancer, comedian, or magician, this platform is your gateway to global exposure and recognition. Susan shares her journey from childhood talent shows to creating a unique...

Send us a text Join us on the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we delve into the inspiring journey of Zulma Williams, the swearing therapist and founder of Dragonfly Therapy Services. Discover how Zulma overcame breast cancer, transitioned careers, and became a licensed therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression. In this episode, Zulma shares her unique approach to therapy, the importance of grounding techniques for managing anxiety, and her perspective on motivation an...

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Send us a text In this heartfelt episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball sits down with stand-up comedian Dave Mowry, who shares his incredible journey of using comedy as a tool for coping with severe mental illness. Dave reveals how he went from a successful business career to battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and how through humor, he found a way to transform his life and help others do the same. Listen in as Dave discusses the healing power of laughter, his teaching pr...

Send us a text Join us on this inspiring episode of "Living the Dream with Curveball" as we delve into the world of diversity and inclusion with Jamie Mittleman, founder of Flame Bearers. Discover how Flame Bearers is reshaping sports media by elevating the stories of women Olympians and Paralympians, providing role models for young athletes worldwide. Jamie shares her journey, the challenges faced by athletes like Caster Semenya, and the importance of telling stories on the athletes' terms. Lea...

Send us a text Join Curveball on this episode of Living the Dream as he delves into the world of sustainability and climate change with seasoned professional, Lee Stewart. With over 20 years of experience, Lee has worked across various countries and industries, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the table. He’s an author, climate change reality mentor, and speaker, trained by Al Gore himself.Lee shares his journey, from working with startups to billion-dollar multinationals, and now running his ...

Send us a text In this compelling episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball is joined by Toby Mildon, a certified executive coach and diversity and inclusion expert. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, Toby has faced various forms of discrimination, which fueled his passion for creating inclusive environments in both the business world and everyday life. Toby shares his journey from working in IT project management to becoming a diversity and inclusion manager at prominent o...

Send us a text In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with award-winning holistic health expert, author, and international speaker, Candice Thomas. Join us as we delve into the world of holistic health, exploring the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Candice shares her insights on the Enneagram personality typing system, quantum hypnosis, and the importance of understanding our higher consciousness for achieving vitality. Discover how knowing your ...

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, host Curveball sits down with JD Mass, an entrepreneur, activist, podcast host, and author whose life's mission is to understand the roots of racism and promote a more equitable world. JD shares his unique upbringing as a white Jewish male raised in a black community in St. Louis, Missouri, and discusses the profound experiences that shaped his views on race and equity.