• S2E18 - Start Your Able Savings Account
    Oct 28 2025

    Read transcript

    Able Savings Accounts: Financial Empowerment for People with Disabilities

    Meet Edward Mitchell: Edward Mitchell was a victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident in 2003 when he was hit by a truck, thrown into a ditch, and found by his little brother. Edward has quadriplegia with an incomplete spinal cord injury at the C5 and C6 levels. Edward crossed into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. by way of the Beta Pi chapter on the campus of Lane College in 2008. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2009 from Lane College, a private HBCU, and his MBA in 2011 from Union University. That hasn’t slowed him down; he works as Executive Director of The Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee, while serving on numerous boards. In 2018, Edward was selected as an inaugural ABLE Advisor for the Able National Resource Center. ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. In the summer of 2018, Edward was confirmed by the Republicans & Democrats of T.N. to testify. Before the Washington D.C. - Senate Special Committee on Aging. The hearing titled, “Supporting Economic Stability & Self Sufficiency as Americans with Disabilities and their families. Edward was inducted into the Lane College Hall of Distinction for the Young Alumni Achievement Award and was honored to accept the Jefferson -Multiplying Good Award from Leaders Credit Union. Last but not least, Money published its inaugural list of Changemakers, the 50 people impacting Americans’ wallets. Edward was featured as one of the 2023 Changemakers by Money Magazine for his advocacy. Darian is a Certified Happiness Trainer https://www.embracehappiness.me To learn more about Darian: https://www.getcounselingportland.com Order a copy of Darian’s new book on Kindle or in Paperback: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Empowered-Multiple-Disabilities/dp/B0DKXV5N3Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11PJ6GMXCPQY8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1746401139&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1 Order a copy of Darian’s first book in paperback or on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss

    Episode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/e007b81f-ab2f-4d9c-80fa-e084e3d53035

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • S2E17 - Become a Mindful Mom
    Sep 29 2025

    Read transcript

    Episode Notes

    Episode 17: Mindful Mom Revisited

    Meet Juli Womack:

    Juli is the founder of Mindful Mom, a space of healing and hope for mothers walking through the heartbreak of disconnection from their adult children. Through her own journey of loss and self-discovery, she found peace and joy again — and now helps other moms do the same. Juli shares mindful practices, honest conversations, and safe spaces where women can heal, rediscover themselves, and remember that joy is still possible.

    For moms who feel ready to go a little deeper:

    Juli has created an eBook of prayers called Grace Between Us to help you through those tough moments-you can find it at:

    Grace Between Us

    Juli also offers a Mindful Mom Mentoring Call. It’s a safe, one-time call and supportive space to talk through what you’re facing and start finding some new pathways forward. “If that feels like something you need, I’d love to walk alongside you.” Here’s the Facebook link:

    Reconnect With Your Grown Children

    Darian is a Certified Happiness Trainer She offers one-on-one happiness coaching as well as courses and groups designed to help you eliminate core beliefs that no longer serve you, become happier, improve your quality of life, and live the life you love. Check out her services at:

    https://www.embracehappiness.me

    Reach out to Darian at:

    office@embracehappiness.me

    To learn more about Darian:

    https://www.getcounselingportland.com

    Order a copy of Darian’s book on Kindle or in Paperback:

    Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities

    https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Empowered-Multiple-Disabilities/dp/B0DKXV5N3Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11PJ6GMXCPQY8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1746401139&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1

    Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle:

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/259510eb-6cff-4048-b486-59e6a64202c3

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • S2E16 - Celebrate
    Aug 30 2025

    Read transcript

    Episode 16: Celebrate: The White Cane Safety Day Law Meet Mary Lee Turner: Email Mary Lee: smilingmarylee@gmail.com Oregon Department of Transportation Video #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdEF2ibNFJk Oregon Department of Transportation Video #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HLVQMBhhyM Oregon Department of Transportation: Additional Digital Resources for White Cane Safety Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HLVQMBhhyM American Council of the Blind Links About the White Cane Safety Law: https://www.acb.org/search/node?keys=white+cane+law Pedestrian Environmental Access Committee: https://www.acb.org/PEAC National Federation of the Blind: https://nfb.org/search?keys=pedestrian+safety&honeypot_time=OiHiMEM65RXov2ux-rzQWNErq4DwfLnYgl1ce-3srwc&membershipemail= Darian is a Certified Happiness Trainer Email Darian: office@embracehappiness.me Subscribe to Darian’s Newsletter: https://www.embracehappiness.me/the- If you are an entrepreneur looking to grow your business, join Darian’s Marketing Exchange Group: https://www.embracehappiness.me/marketing-exchange/ Darian’s Happiness Work: https://www.embracehappiness.me To learn more about Darian: https://www.getcounselingportland.com Order a copy of Darian’s book on Kindle or in Paperback: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Empowered-Multiple-Disabilities/dp/B0DKXV5N3Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11PJ6GMXCPQY8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1746401139&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1 Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle:

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_nossEpisode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/7a8474f6-acfd-4b72-bf24-f4d580b478a6

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • S2E15 - Don't Worry, Be Happy!
    Aug 1 2025

    Don’t Worry. Be Happy Let Go of Thoughts That No Longer Serve You I am a Certified Happiness Trainer I offer one-on-one happiness coaching as well as courses and groups designed to help you eliminate core beliefs that no longer serve you, become happier, improve your quality of life, and live the life you love. Check out my services at: https://www.embracehappiness.me Reach out to me at: office@embracehappiness.me To learn more about me: https://www.getcounselingportland.com Order a copy of my book on Kindle or in Paperback: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Empowered-Multiple-Disabilities/dp/B0DKXV5N3Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11PJ6GMXCPQY8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1746401139&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1 Order a copy of my book in paperback or on Kindle:

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_nossEpisode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/c9b591ce-7137-49aa-a623-fb9a08b61c9e

    Read transcript

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • S2E14 - Let Go, Forgive
    Jul 2 2025

    Read transcript

    Let Go, Forgive and Set Yourself Free Free Master Class: Keys to Letting Go, Forgiving and Setting Yourself Free: Date: Saturday July 12, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Pacific Time: https://www.embracehappiness.me/keys/ Email Darian for the Zoom Link: office@embracehappiness.me Let Go, Forgive and Set Yourself Free · Do you frequently feel misunderstood? · Do you find yourself holding onto hurt feelings and injustices? · Do you want more peace and love in your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this course is for you. Register now for: Let Go, Forgive and Set Yourself Free With Darian Slayton Fleming: Certified Happiness Trainer and Licensed Clinical Social Worker In this Six-Week course you will: · Uncover, soothe, and validate the wounded parts within you! · Learn to let go of guilt, shame, and self-judgment. · Learn to let go of hurt feelings and injustices. · Learn to reframe thoughts and feel good about yourself and others. · Learn to speak up for yourself. · Learn to set and enforce appropriate boundaries. · Learn what forgiveness is and is not. · Learn to forgive yourself. · Learn to forgive others. · Identify what is good and lovable within you. Build Positive Self-regard: · Name it, acknowledge it, celebrate it. · Transform your relationship with happiness. · Create a Mindfulness-based practice and feel loving, lovable, happy, and expanded every day. Dates: Six Thursdays, on Zoom, Beginning August 7, 2025 Choose 1: 11 AM to 12:30 PM Pacific Time 6 PM to 7:30 PM Pacific Time Cost: $297.00 Pay In Full Or 3 monthly payments of $107.00* link for Paid Course-Let Go, Forgive and Set Yourself Free https://www.embracehappiness.me/let-go-forgive-and-set-yourself-free/ Darian is a Certified Happiness Trainer https://www.embracehappiness.me To learn more about Darian: https://www.getcounselingportland.com Order a copy of Darian’s new book on Kindle or in Paperback: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Empowered-Multiple-Disabilities/dp/B0DKXV5N3Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11PJ6GMXCPQY8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1746401139&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1 Order a copy of Darian’s first book in paperback or on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss

    Episode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/2522fb34-4407-4ba4-9d7b-4ae8313127ad

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • S2E13 - Grief and Happiness
    May 25 2025

    Read transcript

    Episode 24: Grief and Happiness: Did I Actually Use Those Two Words in the same sentence? Meet Emily Thiroux Threatt Emily Thiroux Threatt has experienced the deaths of two husbands, as well as the many family members and friends, so she has much experience in the grieving process and has learned to face life with love, optimism, and joy. Her books, The Grief, and Happiness Handbook, and Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief, provide guidance for navigating the downs and ups of the unfamiliar territory of grief. She also hosts the Grief and Happiness Podcast and is the founder of the Grief and Happiness Alliance. She is the CEO of the Grief and Happiness Nonprofit Organization. She is a certified Happy for No Reason Trainer. She has kept journals and written to express herself most of her life. She earned a master’s degree in English with a concentration in writing which led to a career teaching writing at the university level including being a pioneer in online education. She wrote three university textbooks. She naturally turned to writing to deal with her grief. She also teaches those dealing with loss how to use writing to deal with their grief. Emily’s Books: The Grief and Happiness Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Happiness-Handbook-Supportive-Grieving/dp/B0C9KFL8W6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=203CS9T57W175&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.37ff5tZ4RTNwReWV1lxO1k7CO_Lm1qx1WWn964VSH2vax1hBZ4oQhX4oyFqUIiB2JhtnaBAnO2ynGrqcrBNiQHsvltYZj2j-lru1Ti4EMv9fmVMlapheg4E4ZRtnfMhydUvOswnq4-D4CrUis0j40DksMN1SnQ2v1HT9V_sFFIIUoQIxU82TUMS8KXskweVvhOkj9C4whKH_e1ewaauVjWJTM4ai5HenuM127ji4GBg.hBCJCU_y0t3oBGWiaxQvOj9B6KdNAthfowHBoa1u0BQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Grief+and+Happiness+Handbook&qid=1746399288&sprefix=grief+and+happiness+handbook%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-1 Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Loving+and+Living+Your+Way+Through+Grief&crid=JSZC1VYZ0W4P&sprefix=loving+and+living+your+way+through+grief%2Caps%2C147&ref=nb_sb_noss Grief and Happiness Card Deck: https://www.amazon.com/Grief-and-Happiness-Card-Deck/dp/B0CK545BZ3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QZFPWV3VLCAX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fUuAbglHyAh4xOxx_5lVu8hUJe2mbc48Hb-oq2qouo1W7w9NHmUKGy4DxiAgd7VJXzdwf7ekQafWYx237YIbJI0JBD_dW97JyhSwlVfqe8dHKtnPm5WDm6JnGYhq-bmA.XGglFwffOcOWi3VCar9wljsSKmwmPC_AKCICIr3VApg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Grief+and+Happiness+Card+Deck&qid=1746399871&sprefix=grief+and+happiness+card+deck%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1 Email Emily: [mailto:Emily Threatt

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/815b8863-36a4-4c91-b9cf-cf853e9a2b3d

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • S2E12 - Self-Love
    Apr 27 2025

    Read transcript

    Episode 23: Self Love Find Your Gems

    Meet Michelle Ballantyne:

    Michele grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, the 2nd of 6 children. She went to art school, married, divorced, married again, and has 9 children. Now she lives in Salem, Oregon. She went to Tom Brown Jr's Wilderness Awareness and Survival School called Trackerschool and found herself under all the layers she had built up around herself. She was a homemaker and mom most of her life. She just recently began writing and making art for others. Her writing contains stories from her life that have taught her things that changed her life for the better. Some are simple stories and philosophies, and some are almost unbelievable but true. She lives in a world of contrasts: her body sometimes hurts yet her soul delights in her daily life. There are emotional pains, too, that live within her and those are always present just below the surface, but she doesn't spend much time there. She entertains herself by making art and sharing her art and stories, reading to her son, reading about other people's lives, and enjoying nature. Her favorite quote is something she was told and shown in a meditation, "Our bodies are made of countless entities that have come together out of love to give us this experience." In meditation she saw that every particle is aware and cooperating and loves us.

    Michele’s website:

    https://www.MicheleBallantyneDesigns.com

    Her Blog is on her website and tells her story in book form, that grows week by week, with a new chapter that she sends out by email to her followers. She has another older blog site where she has lots of blogs about her life:

    https://www. MicheleBallantyne.com

    Email Michele:

    MicheleBallantyneDesigns@gmail.com

    Tom Brown’s Tracker School:

    https://www.trackerschool.com/

    I am a Certified Happiness Trainer

    https://www.embracehappiness.me

    To learn more about me:

    https://www.dsflemingcc.com

    Order a copy of my new book on Kindle or in Paperback:

    Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities

    Defying Death

    Order a copy of my first book in paperback or on Kindle:

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss

    Episode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/829076e4-519e-49a6-98fd-6023ebed0166

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • S2E11 - All Aboard
    Jan 24 2025
    Read transcriptEpisode Notes Meet Ron Brooks: Ron Brooks is a graduate of Indiana University and a 30-year veteran of the public transit industry where he is focused on making bus, rail, paratransit, and other services accessible and equitable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Ron is the founder and CEO of Accessible Avenue, and he is the Senior Director for Policy and Stakeholder Engagement for UZURV, a Transportation Network Company adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Ron is a frequent presenter and author on topics related to public transit accessibility, including accessible public involvement, digital accessibility, wayfinding to, from and within transit networks, autonomous vehicle accessibility, and strategies for modernizing ADA paratransit. He is a co-author of the book, “All Aboard – Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit.” In his off time, Ron is a committed advocate within the blind/low-vision and disability communities where he serves on a number of Boards and committees for several non-profit community-based organizations. In 2023, Ron began serving as the Co-Chairperson of the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition’s Transportation Working Group, which has been working to educate AVLNC member organizations and other blind/low-vision community constituents on public transportation accessibility issues and advocacy priorities. Impactful quote: In his book, “4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals,” Oliver Burkeman points out that the average person will live for 4,000 weeks (about eighty years). There’s not enough time in eighty years to do everything that society, our bosses, our friends, our families, and we, demand of ourselves. It’s necessary to recognize this and let a lot of things go. The only real question is: “Which things do we give up?” Ron’s Company Web site: https://accessibleavenue.net/all-aboard Ron’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-brooks-066b174/ Book page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/All-Aboard-Conducting-Accessible-Involvement/dp/B0DFMQY9LX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UKTAVTWC6273&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SqC1uWLbFsdiSCnBFVQcMg.9rLL56TSCyIGPvYKc1Gk3ZMa0cemZB5NBb6QsSW28Vs&dib_tag=se&keywords=all+aboard+conducting+accessible+community+involvement+for+public+transit&qid=1737061080&sprefix=all+aboard+conducting+accessible+community+involvement+for+public+transit%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1 Free Course: Gearing Up for Transit: Options and Advocacy Skills for People who are Blind, or have Low Vision: https://nrtc.catalog.instructure.com/courses/gearing-up-for-transit UZURV website: https://www.uzurv.com Press Release About His Book: Media Contact: Ron Brooks, CEO | Accessible Avenue Connect@AccessibleAvenue.net (602) 616-1171 Book Launch: A Guide to Making Public Outreach Accessible for Everyone Including People with Disabilities. Written for the Transit Industry by Transit Industry Veteran, this Practical and Informative Guide has Lessons for Any Industry PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 30, 2024 – Ron Brooks lost his eyesight while playing a pick-up basketball game with friends when he was fourteen years old. Now, as a 30-year veteran of the public transit industry, Ron is a sought-after expert for his work to make public transportation more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Drawing on both his professional and lived experience, Ron teamed up with Kristen Joyner, one of the transit industry’s foremost experts in the areas of event planning, marketing, and training, to author a brand-new book, “All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit.” When a transit authority or public agency designs, builds, launches, or makes significant changes to its public transit services or the infrastructure that supports it, there’s a requirement to communicate with the public in order to obtain comments. And while many public agencies do a good job with most aspects of community outreach and engagement, people with disabilities (who depend on public transit at much higher rates than other members of the public) are often left out of the process. In their book, Ron and Kristen, with help from contributing authors, Michelle Witman and Mary Liz McNamara, explain how different types of disabilities can impact a person’s ability to participate in traditional public outreach activities. The book lays out simple steps public agencies and transit authorities can take to ensure that their in-person and virtual meetings, presentations, reports, and other documents, and even their ongoing communication strategies can be made more accessible. And while many of the book’s recommendations can be implemented for little or no cost, they can make community outreach and involvement easier and more effective for virtually everyone. In her foreword to the book, April Rai, CEO of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, points out: “Implementing an ...
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins