A blended families tale Join us in a truly heartwarming episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," as Alycia Anderson, along with her stepmom Lisa and sister Corinna, opens the doors to the journey of their blended family, rich in love and understanding. Memorable moments: 🌷 Alycia reminisces about her childhood experiences, highlighting the love and guidance she received in the wake of personal loss. 🌟 Lisa's role as a beacon of strength and wisdom, helping Alycia navigate her journey with...

Bill Krebs Lights the Way for Disability Advocacy Get ready for a conversation that will ignite your own inner advocate! In this episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," Alycia Anderson welcomes Bill Krebs, a Philadelphia powerhouse who's been fighting for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities for over two and a half decades. Bill's story isn't just one of personal triumph over challenges, it's a roadmap for systemic change paved with passion, grit, and a whole lot of...

Weaving Accessibility into Style Join us in this heartfelt episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," where Alycia Anderson welcomes Mindy Scheier, the heart and soul behind Runway of Dreams. Mindy's personal mission, ignited by her son's simple wish, has evolved into a fashion revolution for inclusivity. Crafting a More Inclusive Fashion World 🌈 Mindy's leap from fashion designer to a champion of change, inspired by her son’s everyday challenges. 🎨 The pivotal transformation,...

Welcome Mike Box! In this episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," we have the pleasure of welcoming Mike Box, the brilliant mind behind Box Wheelchairs. His innovative approach to custom lightweight wheelchair design has transformed lives. Join us as we delve into Mike's inspiring journey, crafting personalized mobility solutions that empower individuals. In this episode: Alycia recalls her first encounter with Mike when she was 17, receiving her first Colors in Motion wheelchair crafted...

In this emotionally charged episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia" Dez Del Barba, a military veteran who became a survivor of medical malpractice after contracting necrotizing fasciitis during his basic training, showcases his unbreakable human spirt and shares his new passion for wheelchair tennis, where he's already won several championships. Dez contracted streptococcus A During his basic training, which, due to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment, evolved into necrotizing fasciitis....

In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia Alycia interviews Nikki Walsh, a wheelchair user and personal trainer who is passionate about making fitness and nutrition accessible to everyone. Nikki shares her story and insights on how to create a more inclusive fitness space and empower wheelchair users to achieve their fitness goals. Life Day Celebration: Nikki shares a deeply personal and significant celebration known as the Life Day within the wheelchair user community. This milestone...

Welcome back to Pushing Forward with Alycia Where disabilities find their voice. This week Alycia Anderson welcomes her friend, Brian McComak, CEO of Hummingbird Humanity, an expert in DEI, HR culture change and employee experience, and an openly gay man with a disability. Brian shares his experiences with mental health, depression, anxiety and the challenges of living with HIV, emphasizing the need to break free from outdated stigmas surrounding HIV, and how ultimately learning to live with...

Reflecting on NDEAM: An Inspirational Journey with Alycia & Marty In the latest episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," with Alycia Anderson has something very special in store. Not only is Alycia welcoming her husband, Marty, back to the podcast to reflect on National Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM), but there's a twist ...Marty turns the tables on Alycia and assumes the role of interviewer. Get ready to feel the warmth and hope and hear the pivotal moments that shaped Alycia's...

In this heartwarming episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson introduces us to an extraordinary individual, Dani Izzie. As a digital marketing expert, Dani champions inclusivity in the disability consumer marketplace through her pioneering venture, Access Social. Breaking Barriers Against Ableism Dani, a proud multinational, draws strength from her Italian-American heritage, infusing her advocacy with rich cultural diversity. Living with quadriplegia, she navigates the...

Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia, where we embrace the power of resilience, ambition, and conquering adversity. Our community believes in the boundless potential within every individual. Today, Marty, Alycia's also disabled husband and road warrior, joins the podcast to share what it means to travel the country as a disabled couple. Travel, for them, often requires sacrificing a piece of their independence. Specifically, airline travel means Alycia surrendering her wheelchair, placing...

A Remarkable CEO: Dustin Giannelli's Story In this special episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month by digging into the remarkable life of Dustin Giannelli. His story embodies the strength of the human spirit and illustrates how resilience, innovation, and an unwavering spirit can overcome any obstacle. The Silent World and Inclusive Communication Growing up, he assisted his grandfather in daily tasks, from getting dressed to...

In this heartwarming episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, join Alycia and her younger sister, Corinna, as they journey down memory lane. Discover how sibling bonds, support, and unique perspectives have shaped their lives. A Tale of Two Sisters Explore the dynamic between Alycia, a motivational speaker advocating for disability inclusion, and her younger sister, Director of Strategic Communications for a technology company in Phoenix, Corinna. Hear how their upbringing fostered acceptance,...

Breaking Barriers with Music Get ready for an uplifting episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia" as host Alycia Anderson welcomes the extraordinary Amy Wang-Hiller, a violin virtuoso who has transcended the boundaries of music and disability. Champion of Resilience Dive into Amy's advocacy journey, where she fearlessly battles her genetic disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Amy's resilience shines through as she navigates the challenges of...

The Beauty of Friendship In this heartfelt episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia," join Alycia Anderson and her special guest, Kerri A. Vanderbom, Ph.D., for a touching exploration of the profound impact of friendship, advocacy, and inclusivity. Alycia and Kerri's friendship has stood the test of time, beginning in their college days at California State University of Chico and continuing to thrive as they navigate life's challenges together. What makes their friendship truly unique is their...

Welcome back to Pushing Forward with Alycia Where heartfelt stories of resilience and unity take center stage. In this very personal episode, Alycia Anderson invites her identical twin sister, Regina Weinstein, to share their extraordinary bond. An Unbreakable Bond A Lifelong Journey of Togetherness Dive deep into the stories of two sisters who grew up side by side, forever connected by the profound love of their forward-thinking parents. Regina shares: Her role as Alycia's cheerleader and...

Exploring The Power of Empathy with Michael Tennant Step into the realm of empathy and inclusivity with another thought-provoking episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia. In Episode 11, Alycia Anderson delves deep into the world of empathy, advocacy, and inclusivity alongside the dynamic Michael Tennant, a visionary entrepreneur, author, and creator of Curiosity Lab. Michael has been featured in The New York Times, Oprah, and The Today Show. The Power of "Actually Curious" Crafting...

Episode 10: Paralympian Brad Parks In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson delves into the life and accomplishments of Paralympian Brad Parks, a name synonymous with resilience, innovation, and empowerment. The Birth of Wheelchair Tennis Brad's story unfolds in 1980 when he founded the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis. His visionary approach laid the foundation for the sport's growth into global governing bodies like the International Tennis Federation (ITF)...

Episode 9: Maegan Blau Welcome back to Pushing Forward with Alycia! In this episode, Alycia opens the conversation into the world of Barrier-Free Design with the super talented Maegan Blau. Get ready to have your perspective on design and accessibility totally transformed! Meet Maegan Blau The visionary founder behind Blue Copper Design, an Arizona-based full-service interior design studio, specializing in Barrier-Free Design. Maegan's design philosophy l is combination of accessibility and...

In this episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia" Alycia welcomes Carli Ross, an adaptive physical education leader and the founder of Carli B Yoga, to share the transformative work she is doing in adaptive yoga and adaptive physical education. Carli Ross's dedication to inclusivity and education is always evolving. As an educator and international coordinator in adaptive physical education, she has been a leader in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity, where everyone can thrive....

Welcome Christina Rodriguez Founder of Latinas with Masters, an empowering network advancing the conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Christina talks about intersectionality, women empowerment, race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. As a woman of color and a staunch DEI advocate, she shares her journey and how she's using her platform to shape a new narrative. How to preserve your identity and language while advancing in Higher Education Christina talks about...

In this episode Of Pushing Forward with Alycia, we wind down Disability Pride Month by featuring inspirational Joze Piranian - a global speaker, trainer, and coach, and personal friend of Alycia's. Joze champions inclusion and resilience, overcoming personal obstacles to become an acclaimed public speaker. With his captivating story and valuable insights on invisible disablity, Joze is truly shaping the world, one stutter at a time. Joze Piranian - A Journey of Transformation A five-time TEDx...

In today’s transformative episode of "Pushing Forward with Alycia" Alycia welcomes Ryann Mason, a prominent Disability, Inclusion & Healthcare Nurse, advocate, and social media influencer. Ryann's compelling journey with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), her dedication to the healthcare field, and her passion for advocacy reveal her story of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Ryann shares an intimate portrayal of her life From her late ADHD diagnosis and early...

Welcome Beth Wiesendanger Beth is a leading voice in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and the Senior Manager of Diversity, & Inclusion at Etsy. Join us as we explore Beth's personal journey as a double amputee and delve into the importance of creating inclusive spaces that uplift disabled voices. Discover the significance of disability inclusion in the broader context of intersectional identities and gain insights on fostering access and representation for all. Explore...

In this episode We kick off Disability Pride Month by discussing the significance of celebrating the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Join Alycia and special guest, business partner and husband, Marty, as they explore the empowering aspects of disability, the challenges faced by the disabled community, and the importance of embracing our identities. Through their personal stories and experiences, Alycia and Marty challenge the notion that disability should be seen as a...

What is ableism? Medicalnewstoday.com defines ableism as “...bias, prejudice, and discrimination against people with disabilities. It hinges on the idea that people with disabilities are less valuable than non-disabled people.”  Ableism has been present Alycia's entire life. Ableism came from the moment she was born, along with her twin sister. Doctors recommended she be placed in long term care, hospitals and not given the surgeries that she needed when she was born. Alycia describes ableism...