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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Today, I’m honored to sit down once again with Brooke Brown — an “ink weaver of life, faith, and fiction,” an honors graduate of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2022, and founder of Brooke’s Butterfly Touch, a ministry that helps individuals discover the power and purpose of their own stories. Brooke is also the author of Rolling in Grace: Volume 1 — A Foundation of Faith and Imagination, now available in audio format. Having read it myself, I can promise you: it’s full of relatable, uplifting, and beautifully practical stories. Living with cerebral palsy and using an augmentative communication app, Brooke demonstrates that every voice — every single one — can inspire hope, healing, and opportunity. This is her second appearance on the show, so after watching, don’t forget to visit WereNotStumped.com to catch her first episode.
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Caitlin Conner, founder of Be More Adaptive, to explore how she’s building a global hub for disability resources designed to empower people with disabilities to live fulfilling, confident, and sustainable lives. Caitlin shares her powerful journey — from surviving a life-changing motorcycle accident while pregnant to becoming a Paralympic-level athlete, model, and outspoken disability advocate. She talks candidly about adapting to life as an amputee, the importance of self-advocacy, and how adaptive sports helped her rebuild her identity, purpose, and strength.
When Drew Ann Long, a stay-at-home mom from Birmingham, Alabama, discovered there were no shopping carts designed for her daughter Caroline — who has Rett syndrome and cannot walk or talk — she decided to create one herself. In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Drew Ann to discuss her journey from frustrated mom to inventor of Caroline’s Cart, an adaptive shopping cart now featured in over 15,000 stores across eight countries, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Lowe’s. Drew Ann opens up about overcoming rejection, financial struggles, and even a hacked social media page — all while pursuing her mission to bring dignity and inclusion to families with disabilities.
