In this compelling episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes the incredible team behind the Hozhoni Foundation to share their inspiring mission and groundbreaking work. Joining Mike are CEO Antonia Klopstein, COO Lex Heerding, Employment Program Head Michele Eisenberg, and Art Manager Shay Vigil. Together, they discuss how the foundation empowers individuals with disabilities through innovative programs that promote independence, creativity, and community engagement.
The Hozhoni Foundation has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for decades, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This episode delves deep into their holistic approach, combining employment programs, art initiatives, and personalized care to help individuals achieve their fullest potential. Antonia Klopstein and Lex Heerding explain the foundation’s long-standing commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Michele Eisenberg highlights the transformative impact of the Employment Program, which equips participants with essential skills and places them in meaningful jobs within the community. The program not only enhances independence but also fosters connections between participants and local businesses.
Art Manager Shay Vigil takes us inside the Hozhoni Art Studio, a vibrant space where creativity flourishes. Learn how art serves as both a therapeutic outlet and a powerful means of self-expression for the foundation’s participants. Shay shares heartwarming stories of artists who have gained confidence, recognition, and a sense of purpose through their work.
Throughout the episode, the Hozhoni team emphasizes the importance of celebrating every individual’s unique talents and abilities. They discuss the challenges faced by the disability community and how the foundation continues to adapt and innovate to meet evolving needs.
Whether you’re an advocate for inclusion, someone looking for inspiration, or simply curious about how organizations like Hozhoni make a difference, this episode offers valuable insights and heartfelt stories.
Learn more about the Hozhoni Foundation and how you can support their mission: https://www.hozhoni.com/
#HozhoniFoundation #DisabilityEmpowerment #Inclusion #ArtTherapy #EmploymentPrograms #Inspiration #WeAreNotStumped
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Host Mike Bolland sits down with Alexia Michitti—a public speaker, athlete, and entrepreneur born without a right hand. Together, they reflect on their shared experiences of limb difference and Alexia’s powerful journey of resilience, determination, and innovation. Alexia shares how she’s breaking barriers in sports and beyond—from representing the U.S. in the first Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup, to filing a patent for adaptive clothing through her brand Em13race (https://em13race.com/), to finding her voice as a motivational speaker. She opens up about life without a prosthetic, her role models, and her passion for inspiring children with limb differences to embrace their uniqueness.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland reviews EmpowerFest 2025, celebrating the limb loss and limb difference community with inspiring speakers, adaptive activities, and unforgettable moments. Mike also shares a story about a comedian who made a tasteless joke about the limb loss community — and how he got the comedian to remove the post. Tune in for insights, laughs, and a look at what makes the limb loss community so resilient and inspiring!
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting, for a powerful conversation on disability advocacy, system navigation, and the importance of dignity of risk. Joslynn shares her personal journey into advocacy, the launch of her consulting business, and her five guiding principles for creating inclusive services: dignity of risk, individual readiness, assess and address, authentic experience, and realistic opportunities. The discussion dives into: ✅ Why “say how” means finding solutions when systems say “no” ✅ The role of dignity of risk in fostering independence and inclusion ✅ The origins and growth of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA) ✅ The challenges of advancing inclusion in adaptive sports ✅ The unique opportunities upcoming global sporting events offer for disability awareness
