Changing Minds & Changing Lives Podcast

In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with disability advocate, entrepreneur, author, and workforce development leader Welby Broaddus to discuss his journey growing up with a visual impairment and the people who helped shape his path to success. From navigating public school, overcoming bullying, and defying a school counselor who told him he was "not college material," to earning two college degrees and launching Welby Broaddus' business, Welby Broaddus' story is a powerful reminder of what happens when potential is recognized instead of underestimated. The conversation explores the importance of self-advocacy, the impact of supportive mentors, and why employers must move beyond assumptions when hiring people with disabilities. Welby Broaddus also shares insights from his book, Leading Blind Without Vision: The Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired, and discusses how storytelling can change perceptions, open doors, and create more inclusive workplaces. Whether you're an employer, educator, workforce professional, or disability inclusion advocate, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, opportunity, and the power of believing in people. In This Episode: * Welby's journey growing up with a visual impairment and navigating public school as a student with disabilities. * The challenges of bullying, low expectations, and advocating for classroom accommodations. * How one school counselor helped build the confidence and self-advocacy skills that changed Welby's life. * The lasting impact of being told he was "not college material" and how that fueled his determination to earn two college degrees. * Lessons learned from vocational rehabilitation services and the importance of access to resources and support. * Why entrepreneurship became Welby's path and how his grandfather inspired him to start Broaddus Business Solutions. * The inspiration behind his book, Leading Blind Without Vision: The Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired. * How storytelling helps change perceptions and create opportunities for people with disabilities. * Common misconceptions employers have about hiring people with disabilities and how education can help overcome them. * Why disability inclusion is both a business opportunity and a pathway to meaningful social impact. Resources & Links: * Broaddus Business Solutions [https://www.broaddusbizsol.com/] * Leading Blind without Vision: The Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637308469?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_WH060KSQTNYQ14TGH9TA&bestFormat=true]

Organizations invest significant time, money, and resources into new technologies, processes, and inclusion initiatives, but successful implementation doesn't guarantee successful adoption. In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesowash/] sits down with Julie Gawle [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-gawle/], Senior Change Advisor at Meaningful Change Consulting, to explore the critical difference between project management and change management. Together, they discuss why so many well-intentioned workplace initiatives struggle to gain traction, the pivotal role managers play in driving adoption, and how organizations can create lasting change by focusing on people, not just processes. The conversation covers manager enablement, stakeholder engagement, emotional intelligence, diverse hiring initiatives, and practical strategies leaders can use to build support, trust, and long-term success across their organizations. In this Episode: * The difference between project management and change management * Why successful implementation does not guarantee successful outcomes * Common warning signs that workplace initiatives are failing to gain adoption * How inclusion and disability employment programs benefit from strong change strategies * The critical role managers play as gatekeepers of organizational change * Why emotional intelligence and empathy are essential leadership skills * How organizations can measure adoption beyond traditional metrics * The importance of leadership alignment and prioritization in times of constant change * Practical ways to better prepare and support managers during transformation efforts Resources & Links: * Meaningful Change Consulting [https://meaningfulchangeconsulting.com/] * Prosci Change Management Research [https://www.prosci.com/about/research-process] * Workday transformation and adoption strategies [https://www.pioneermanagementconsulting.com/portfolio/facilitating-a-smooth-workday-transformation/] * Disability employment and inclusive hiring initiatives through Disability Solutions [https://www.disabilitytalent.org/what-we-do]

As disability rights face renewed challenges and workplace inclusion efforts come under increasing scrutiny, how can organizations continue creating environments where everyone belongs? In this powerful and candid conversation, Julie Sowash sits down with Dr. Victoria Verlezza, award-winning thought leader, neurodiversity advocate, and creator of the Cognitive Equity Leadership Model. Together, they explore the intersection of disability rights, psychological safety, neuroinclusion, and workplace culture during a time of significant social and political change. Drawing from her lived experience as an autistic and ADHD professional, Dr. Verlezza challenges organizations to move beyond performative inclusion and build systems that support people without requiring them to mask, disclose, or conform. The conversation tackles everything from the rollback of disability rights protections to the impact of AI in hiring, inclusive leadership practices, accountability in workplace culture, and why disability inclusion must be embedded into every stage of the employee experience. This episode is an honest discussion about courage, systems change, and the responsibility organizations have to create workplaces where people can thrive as their authentic selves. Key Takeaways * The growing threats to disability rights and community integration * Why disability inclusion is bigger than DEI initiatives * Building psychological safety and accountability at work * The future of neuroinclusive leadership * Accessibility, accommodations, and evolving workplace expectations * Concerns about AI-driven hiring and unintended bias * Practical ways leaders can create more inclusive cultures * Finding hope and momentum during challenging times Resources & Links * Cognitive Equity Leadership Model [https://www.cognitiveequityleadership.com/] * Plantation Theory by John Graham [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1953307590?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_XHX4BSNNRPSRENKEPQQ1&bestFormat=true] * Dr. Victoria Verlezza's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-verlezza/] * VictoriaVerlezza.com [https://victoriaverlezza.com/] * NPR - DOJ memo stokes fear among disability advocates of a return to institutionalization [https://www.npr.org/2026/06/20/nx-s1-5865100/doj-memo-trump-disability-civil-rights-institutionalization] * Application of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act to State Institutionalization of Patients with Severe Mental Illness or Disabilities  [https://www.justice.gov/olc/media/1446701/dl]

What happens when thousands of qualified candidates are filtered out by the same AI system? In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, Julie Sowash sits down with workforce strategist and advocate Beverly Dines to unpack the growing impact of AI-driven hiring tools—and the real-world consequences for job seekers navigating today's market. Grounded in a recent Stanford study on algorithmic bias, this conversation goes beyond the headlines to explore how "algorithmic monocultures" are shaping who gets seen, who gets filtered out, and how opportunity is distributed. Beverly brings a powerful mix of data, lived experience, and tactical guidance, offering both job seekers and employers a clearer path forward. From the emotional toll of repeated rejection to actionable strategies for bypassing automated systems, this episode centers on one key question: how do we build hiring practices that are both efficient and truly human? Key Takeaways: * The reality of today's hiring market and why traditional advice no longer applies * Insights from the Stanford study on AI hiring tools and systemic bias * What "algorithmic monocultures" are—and why they matter * How AI screening tools influence hiring decisions across multiple employers * The human impact of rejection, ghosting, and automated hiring systems * The growing gap between hiring technology and ethical implementation * Ways to Get Out of the Algorithm * Insights for Employers & Talent Leaders Resources & Links * Stanford Study: AI Hiring Tools Can Yield Racial Bias and Systemic Rejection [https://hai.stanford.edu/news/ai-hiring-tools-can-yield-racial-bias-and-systemic-rejection] * Connect with Beverly Dines: Website: beverlydines.com [https://beverlydines.com/] Social: @beverlydines (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beverlydines/?hl=en], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlydines/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@beverlydines], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BeverlyDines]) Podcast: How to Give a Damn About Your Workplace [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/how-to-give-a-damn-about-your-workplace/id1818865570] * Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.aeaweb.org%2farticles%3fid%3d10.1257%2f0002828042002561&c=E,1,xW3HjbI0EJgIJL165zfy2FEa2GnFo-GkPWK2q-YFwSs8ArK98yvKMfKImv48sHC2kjAbo7AN_joKmkn0zbNw9r3SmvD54mFgOn7KWS9UduFbnbJn&typo=1] * Whitened Résumés: Race and Self-Presentation in the Labor Market [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0001839216639577] * Gender, Race, and Intersectional Bias in Resume Screening via Language Model Retrieval [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fojs.aaai.org%2findex.php%2fAIES%2farticle%2fview%2f31748&c=E,1,p8CltsXdIn378vH4ynEjXccnh4wxglj-MGi0cUETB_LO-PeCtlOC2hCqTiMCSNeDuss7lwBjg_baSUux1maq-s9cnR0TdqYUsL3hHmkBhB3C&typo=1] * Algorithmic Monocultures in Hiring [https://digitaleconomy.stanford.edu/news/qa-algorithmic-monoculture/] About the Guest: Beverly Dines is a COO, speaker, creator, and educator, and the #1 voice in tactical career content. She empowers her audience by breaking down the strategic plays insiders use but rarely share. Through her platforms and her podcast, How to Give a Damn About Your Workplace, she turns career strategy into steps you can run today, no fluff, no gatekeeping. Author of Create The Door.

What if the biggest barrier to opportunity isn't intent, but the assumptions we never question? In this episode of Changing Minds & Changing Lives, host Julie Sowash sits down with educator, author, and founder of LightWork Equitable Solutions, Dr. ClauDean "Dr. K" Kizart, to unpack how bias shows up in ways we often don't recognize—especially anchoring bias, or our tendency to rely on first impressions and incomplete information. Drawing from her own lived experience and years of research across education systems, Dr. K explores how early beliefs shape lifelong outcomes—from classrooms to careers—and why even well-intentioned people can unknowingly reinforce inequity. Together, they break down the connection between bias, blind spots, and structural inequality, offering practical strategies leaders, educators, and employers can use to make better, more inclusive decisions. If you've ever wondered why inequities persist, this conversation will change how you think about bias and opportunity. Key Takeaways:  * Why bias isn't just about intent—it's about impact * The difference between implicit, explicit, and structural bias * What anchoring bias is and how it shapes decisions * How early assumptions follow people from education into careers * The connection between bias, blind spots, and systemic inequities * Why "structures are made of people"—and what that means for change * How in-group bias and herd mentality influence workplace decisions * The hidden dangers of low expectations—especially for disabled talent Resources & Links * Email: [email protected] * Book: Beyond Implicit and Explicit Bias [https://a.co/d/08sWh2GV] About the Guest Dr. ClauDean "Dr. K" Kizart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-claudean-kizart-11937622/] is an author, educator, and the founder of LightWork Equitable Solutions. She is a nationally recognized literacy and equity consultant who has worked with school systems, higher education institutions, and organizations to better understand and address achievement and equity gaps. Her work focuses on uncovering the deeper layers of bias that influence how we teach, lead, and make decisions. Through her research and professional development, she helps leaders move beyond intention to examine impact—equipping them with practical strategies to recognize bias and create more equitable outcomes. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-claudean-kizart-11937622 About the Host Julie Sowash [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesowash/] is a strategic advisor, disability inclusion leader, and co‑founder of Disability Solutions. She is the CEO of Catch 22 Group [https://www.catch22consulting.com/] and is the Job Board Doctor [https://www.jobboarddoctor.com/]. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesowash/