Episode Title: Ripples in Still Water: An Autumn Reflection on Change and Curiosity

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, Dutch invites the NACHOS community into an autumn reflection on change, curiosity, and the quiet ways our lives ripple outward. Recorded in the wake of the Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference (MDEC), this episode explores what it means to build new systems rooted in neuro-affirmation, inclusion, and belonging — and how that work continues in classrooms, libraries, and communities across Michigan.

Dutch reflects on the power of student innovation, the importance of curiosity in driving inclusion, and the lessons learned from his late father — a man whose “ripple theory” and love of the Grateful Dead’s Ripple remind us that no act of kindness ever truly ends.

This week’s episode asks us to slow down, to wonder, and to remember that every question we ask, every story we share, and every act of compassion we offer creates a ripple that carries farther than we’ll ever know.

Topics include:

• Autumn as a metaphor for change and renewal

• Reflections on the Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference

• Student innovation and neuro-affirming design

• The Humanities as a practice of curiosity and community

• The ripple theory and legacy of connection

Connect with Humanities 101:

🌐 humanities101.org

🎧 Follow NACHOS: The Neuro-Affirming Conversation Hour for Outreach and Support on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts

💬 Join the conversation on TikTok, YouTube, and Discord (@Humanities101)

🤝 Consider giving to the Humanities 101 Foundation to help build a more neuro-affirming Michigan

Because every brain belongs. Every story counts. And every question is a ripple.