The Post Secondary Transition Conversation

This week, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue their talk with podcast host and advocate Hunter DeMarcy. Hunter speaks about his participation in Target Community’s day program, independent living in an apartment, and helping to create a participant committee to improve services & represent neurodivergent voices. Hunter also shares about his love of sports, his ideas for the future and so much more. Join the conversation! Episode Keywords: Target Community, educa...

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have a discussion with Hunter DeMarcy about his work as host of A Talk of Carroll Podcast, where he speaks with people connected to the neurodivergent community to foster understanding, advocacy, and inclusion. Hunter, who has autism, shares about his advocacy for better participant experiences through his day program and independent living experiences. He also talks about how he stays active with football, basketball, fundraising, and community ...

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have an in-depth conversation with Lavonne Smith, a parent of an adult with special needs. Ms. Lavonne shares her son Thomas’s journey from exploring different work experiences in high school to securing long-term employment at Weis Markets. She reflects on how supportive managers, community involvement, and opportunities tailored to Thomas’s strengths helped him grow in confidence and independence—while highlighting the importance of finding the...

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) kick off Season 5 with Thomas Smith, a former student and adult with special needs who has worked at Weis Markets for 16 years. Thomas discusses on his various roles, customer interactions, and experiences training new employees. He also shares stories about his favorite coworkers, his Special Olympics adventures, and the upcoming events he’s most excited about. Join the conversation! Episode Keywords: Post Secondary Transition, students with dis...

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) speak with Beth Brady, director of admissions and student services at Sunflower Bakery, about the organization’s programs for young adults with disabilities. Beth explains how students build soft skills and technical expertise through culinary arts, pastry arts, hospitality training, and immersive commercial-kitchen experiences. Drawing on her background in education and behavioral intervention, she also shares how individualized strategies, prog...