In this solo episode of the Inclusive Pathways Podcast, host Jessica Winchester takes listeners on a journey through the history, myths, and realities of disability employment in America, and why our country continues to overlook one of the most capable, loyal, and untapped talent pools in the workforce.Jessica weaves together storytelling, data, and lived experience to unpack how we got here: from sheltered workshops to the ADA, from the rise of Employment First to today’s shifting labor market.Whether you're a business leader struggling to hire, an advocate fighting for change, or someone who knows we can do better, this episode shines a light on what’s possible when belief, accessibility, and opportunity come together.Walk away with a deeper understanding of the disability employment landscape — and why the future of the workforce depends on seeing talent differently.🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Check it out!Jessica Winchester | Inclusive PathwaysLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-winchester/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusive-pathwaysWebsite: www.inclusivepaths.com@19MediaGrouphttps://19mediagroup.com
In this episode of the Inclusive Pathways Podcast, host Jessica Winchester welcomes back disability advocate Michael Grimmett (Comments Disabled) for a conversation about leadership, access—and a new documentary that puts lived experience at the center.Michael shares the story behind Fighters, an hour-long documentary following Matthew Edwards, a lower-limb amputee in the UK fighting to get an amateur boxing license. As Michael explains, the film isn’t “about boxing” so much as it’s about the fight disabled people face every day to remove barriers. From outdated rules that exclude amputees to the quiet persistence required to keep pushing, Fighters shows how representation, design, and policy collide in real life.Michael also talks about being approached on LinkedIn by the film’s director, Jack, bringing his lived experience to the production to ensure authenticity, nuance, and dignity on screen.We explore:- Why disabled leadership changes how inclusion gets built- The story of Fighters- How barriers show up in rules, buildings, and everyday assumptions- The difference between inclusive on paper and accessible in practice- What it looks like when lived experience guides decision-making—on film sets and in workplacesWalk away with a deeper understanding of how representation leads to better design—and why, when disabled people lead, accessibility follows. 🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.Check it out!Michael Grimmett | Comments DisabledLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrimmett-disabilityinclusionspeaker/Jessica Winchester | Inclusive PathwaysLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-winchester/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusive-pathwaysWebsite: www.inclusivepaths.com@19MediaGrouphttps://19mediagroup.com
In this episode of the Inclusive Pathways Podcast, host Jessica Winchester chats with Michael Grimmett, disability advocate and creator of Comments Disabled, for a meaningful conversation about leadership, lived experience, and the future of disability inclusion.Michael shares his journey as a disabled professional and advocate, reflecting on what he’s learned from working alongside and being led by other disabled leaders. Together, Jessica and Michael explore how authentic representation in leadership is essential.They dive into:Why disability representation in leadership changes how organizations think and actHow lived experience creates better decision-making and innovationThe importance of accessibility as a leadership mindsetWhat inclusive leadership really looks like in practiceHow small, consistent changes can shift culture from awareness to accountabilityMichael reminds us that when disabled people lead, inclusion stops being a checkbox and becomes a catalyst for change.🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.Check it out!Michael Grimmett | Comments DisabledLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrimmett-disabilityinclusionspeaker/Jessica Winchester | Inclusive PathwaysLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-winchester/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusive-pathwaysWebsite: www.inclusivepaths.com@19MediaGrouphttps://19mediagroup.com
In this episode of the Inclusive Pathways Podcast, host Jessica Winchester continues the conversation with international disability advocate Michael Grimmett, to have a powerful, no-filter conversation about what real inclusion looks like. Michael shares personal stories that reveal a hard truth: a lot of spaces claim to be “inclusive” — until someone with a disability shows up. From inaccessible “inclusive” boxing gyms to everyday barriers that most people never notice, he breaks down the difference between performative inclusion and actual access.Through honesty, humor, and lived experience, Michael challenges us to rethink:What inclusion really means (hint: it’s not a slogan)The toll of being excluded again and again (in the rain)The power of listening to disabled voices — not just including themWhy accessibility must be built in from the start, not added laterHow to create spaces where people don’t just enter — they belongThis episode is real, raw, and relevant.🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.Check it out!Michael Grimmett | Comments DisabledLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrimmett-disabilityinclusionspeaker/Jessica Winchester | Inclusive PathwaysLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-winchester/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusive-pathwaysWebsite: www.inclusivepaths.com@19MediaGrouphttps://19mediagroup.com
In this first episode of the Inclusive Pathways Podcast, host Jessica Winchester sits down with disability advocate Michael Grimmett, of Comments Disabled, to talk about what it really means to celebrate disability.Michael shares his viral story of eating pizza in the rain—a moment that sparked unexpected conversations about dignity, accessibility, and resilience. Through humor and honesty, he dives into his lived experiences, inaccessability, and why celebrating disability is about more than awareness—it’s about belonging, pride, and joy.Walk away inspired to think differently about inclusion and reminded that sometimes the most powerful stories come from everyday moments.🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.Check it out!Michael Grimmett | Comments DisabledLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrimmett-disabilityinclusionspeaker/Jessica Winchester | Inclusive PathwaysLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-winchester/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusive-pathwaysWebsite: www.inclusivepaths.com@19MediaGrouphttps://19mediagroup.com