Best Council for Intellectual Disability Podcasts (2025)

1
Black Feathers S2E6: Honoring Wisdom: Elder Services in the Choctaw Nation 52:50

5d ago52:50

52:50

In the final episode of season 2 of Black Feathers, Dr. Crystal Hernandez sits down with Betty Wharton, director of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Healthy Aging Program, to explore the vital work being done to support and uplift Elders within the Choctaw Nation. Betty shares insight into the culturally centered services and support systems availabl…

1
Black Feathers S2E5: Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma 50:41

10d ago50:41

50:41

In this episode of Black Feathers Podcast, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez sits down with Jenifer Randle, Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO). Together, they dive into the Council’s latest initiatives aimed at advancing equity, accessibility, and self-determination for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities. Jenifer…

1
Black Feathers S2E4: Cherokee Health Services 36:16

24d ago36:16

36:16

In this episode of Black Feathers Podcast, Dr. Crystal Hernandez sit down with Dr. Amber Tiehen of Cherokee Health Services to explore the intersection of community, and healthcare. They will dive into big initiatives happening at the Cherokee Health Services including the reporting from the Autism Task Force. Dr. Tiehen has worked for Cherokee Nat…

1
Black Feathers S2E3: From The Start: Newborn Screenings Lead to Improved Life 53:13

3M ago53:13

53:13

From the moment a baby takes its first breath, early medical screenings can make a world of difference. In this episode of Black Feathers, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez talks with Shari Arceneaux, RN BSN, Newborn Screening Educator, OK State Department of Health about the critical role of newborn screenings in detecting life-altering conditions before…

1
Black Feathers S2E2: Transitional Services for Individuals with IDD at Gatesway Foundation 44:33

6M ago44:33

44:33

In this episode, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez dives into the vital topic of transition services for Native American adults with disabilities. Joined by Stephanie Ninke and Dawn Newrider from the Gateways Foundation, this conversation explores the challenges, opportunities, and resources available to support these individuals on their path to independ…

1
Black Feathers S2E1: Child Care in Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations in Oklahoma 59:58

9M ago59:58

59:58

In this episode, host Crystal Hernandez sits down with three esteemed disability child care experts from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, Carrie F. Whitlow, Mary Davenport, LMSW u/s, and Megan Hart. They share their invaluable experiences and insights on fostering inclusive environments for children with disabilities. Join us as we explore cultural…

1
Life My Way: The Road to Byron 18:25

1+ y ago18:25

18:25

Byron Boehm is a 37 year old artist living independently in Sydney. For most of Byron's life, he has known that he is gay. But it is only in the last year that he has come out publicly. It's not just his sexuality that Byron has struggled with in his life. He also has a serious physical condition that causes him ongoing pain and distress. Not only …

1
Black Feathers 12: Strengthening Our People with Dana Miller 53:42

1+ y ago53:42

53:42

This month host Crystal is joined by Dana Miller, a Seminole and Ojibwe citizen, who serves as Ward 1 Councilperson for the City of Seminole. In her professional career, Dana has proposed and implemented innovative strategies that have led to effective policy and best practices. Highlights of her career in Medicaid include implementing a policy tha…

1
Black Feathers 11: State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 38:11

1+ y ago38:11

38:11

In Episode 11, Crystal talks with Dr. Shea Tanis, from the University of Kansas, about her project the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project was initiated in 1982 to investigate the determinants of public spending for intellectual and develo…

1
Life my way: Looking out for each other 22:05

2y ago22:05

22:05

Ricky and Dina both have intellectual disability and are married. They live together independently in the community. They talk about how they met, how their relationship developed, and about their life together. Ricky and Dina have plenty of insights into the highs and lows of being a husband and a wife, and how they balance being a couple while al…

1
Black Feathers 10: A Toolkit on Disability for Indian Country 45:09

2y ago45:09

45:09

Crystal talks with three individuals who serve on the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) Larry Curley, Navajo Nation, executive director of NICOA, Desiree Lapahie, Navajo Nation, data analyst of the NICOA and Rebecca Owl Morgan, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, project coordinator at the NICOA. They discuss updates to the Toolkit "Understand…

1
Black Feathers 9: Pervasive Parenting with Kodey Toney 42:50

2y ago42:50

42:50

In Episode 9, hosts Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Kodey Toney. Kodey is the director of the Pervasive Parenting Resource Center C.P.R.C., but most importantly he is a father and husband. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Konner and Kruz. Konner’s diagnosis of autism at the age of three has sparked him to create a resource cen…

1
Life my way: Sparkles, Strength and Speaking Up 19:50

2y ago19:50

19:50

Leigh is an environmental activist, a disability advocate, a powerlifter and a straight drag queen. In our third episode of our Life My Way series he shares with us his loves, his losses and everything in between. Follow Leigh on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.By Council for Intellectual Disability

1
Black Feathers 8: Youth Engagement at Arizona's Sonoran Center 39:35

2y ago39:35

39:35

Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Joshua Drywater. Joshua is the Program Manager for Native Initiatives at the University of Arizona’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. He and his team support people overcoming barriers to employment through initiatives such as the Finds Their Way Project. The Finds Their Way Project suppo…

1
Black Feathers 7: Chickasaw Nation Perseverance: The Secret to Triumph 49:50

2y ago49:50

49:50

In episode 7, hosts Crystal and Shauna are joined by Dr. Misty Boyd and Dr. Shannon Dial. Dr. Dial received her PhD in 2014 and shortly after began her work for the Chickasaw Nation. Shannon has been with the tribe for eight years and currently works as the Executive Officer of the Integrated Services Division in the Department of Family Services. …

1
Black Feathers 6: Live Beyond the Conversation: Developmental Disability Month in Tribal Nations 1:03:58

2+ y ago1:03:58

1:03:58

Crystal and Shauna investigate the partnerships across the U.S. between state Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Tribal Nations. They were joined by joined by Sarah Young Bear-Brown a member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa - the Meskwaki Nation, Dr. Cheryl Funmaker and Kody Funmaker from the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. D…

1
Black Feathers 5: Legacy Work with Jim E Warne 37:20

2+ y ago37:20

37:20

Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Jim Warne. Jim wears many hats, including those of educator, advocate, motivational speaker, and an Emmy-nominatedfilmmaker. He’s created continuing Education programs at SDSU Interwork Institute from 1993-2015, has written over 50 million in grants and contracts for universities and Tribal Nations and…

1
Black Feathers 4: Navigating Learning Disabilities and Managing Anxiety 40:49

2+ y ago40:49

40:49

In this episode, hosts Crystal, Shauna, and this week’s guest Krista Fincher, speak to us regarding her personal journey with her children and their experience in navigating learning disabilities and anxiety. Krista is a Choctaw tribal member, a wife, mother of two and works as the Director for Chi Hullo Li, a residential treatment center for women…

1
Life my way: Journey to independence 14:37

2+ y ago14:37

14:37

This is the second episode of our Life My Way series. Jess is a young woman living and working in Sydney. She loves her permanent part time job at the ABC and she has her own rental apartment in the Eastern Suburbs. Jess is active in her local community and has a network of support including her work colleagues, family and friends.…

1
Black Feathers 3: Inclusion and Developmental Disabilities with Miranda Carman 41:02

2+ y ago41:02

41:02

In episode three, Black Feathers hosts Crystal and Shauna, along with guest Miranda Carman, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a clinical social worker who’s also a passionate advocate for children with autism and their families, will discuss Miranda’s own personal experience caring for her son with autism and the challenges they faced as a …

1
Life my way: Leonie's story 18:32

2+ y ago18:32

18:32

We are excited to launch a new series of our Visibility podcast, Life My Way. In this series we chat to people with intellectual disability about decisions and choices. In the first episode we talk to Leonie. She shares her story of growing up, living independently, her relationships, and her journey to a job she loves.…

1
Black Feathers 2: Mental Health Within Native Families with Disabilities 46:22

3y ago46:22

46:22

Black Feathers’ hosts Crystal and Shauna discuss the importance of mental health with Johnna James, citizen of Chickasaw Nation, who will talk about her family’s journey with disability, mental health and suicide. If you are having a mental health crisis please visit 988 Crisis Lifeline or call 988. For additional resources visit blackfeathers.org…

1
Black Feathers 1: Welcome to Black Feathers! 25:52

3y ago25:52

25:52

In this episode, co-hosts Crystal Hernandez, Psy.D., MBA, and Shauna Humphries, MS, LPC, will welcome listeners to Black Feathers Podcast. In this podcast we will discuss disability-related topics of interest to Tribal communities through data, storytelling, and innovative content. Crystal and Shauna will share their own families stories with disab…

1
Rap, Rainbows and the Rag Trade 14:09

3y ago14:09

14:09

In this episode we talk with Ben Paior-Smith, a fashion designer who has autism and down syndrome. Ben is a passionate artist who designs apparel for his fashion micro business called Hazzah. Ben started his clothing brand when he was 19 because he wanted people to be accepted for who they are, to embrace being unique and to have fun in the clothes…

1
A hen, a pen and a passion for words 14:45

3y ago14:45

14:45

In this episode we talk with Naomi Lake. She is a children’s book author with Down Syndrome. She has published two books about Harmony the Hen. She is also a dancer and performer with the Light Opera Company. Naomi is a strong advocate for people with intellectual disability as well. She is an ambassador for several Down Syndrome associations and h…

1
Fame, friends and Rock n' Roll 17:40

3+ y ago17:40

17:40

In this episode we chat with Rudely Interrupted, an indie rock band from Melbourne. They talk about forming a band with intellectual disabilities, touring the world, recording new songs and getting heard on the radio.By Council for Intellectual Disability

1
Dancer, Director and Dreamer 16:03

3+ y ago16:03

16:03

Jianna is a professional dancer and director at Adelaide’s award-winning Restless Dance Theatre. She has performed interstate and internationally, winning accolades since she began dancing professionally at age 14. She has recently been appointed as an Associate Artist of Philip Channells / Dance Integrated Australia and travels regularly with the …

1
Lights! Camera! Advocacy! 16:55

3+ y ago16:55

16:55

Gerard O'Dwyer is an actor, speaker and performer with Down Syndrome. Gerard uses his profile to challenge social stereotypes and his work includes dramatic performances in film, television and theatre. He was awarded Best Male Actor at Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival in 2009, Best Short Film Award and Best Male Actor runner up in…

1
Painting for love and a living 16:55

3+ y ago16:55

16:55

Lauren is an artist at Studio A. Studio A makes great art and specifically provides professional development to artists with intellectual disability. Lauren gets her inspiration from nature; looking at different plants, animals and landscapes. Her paintings were exposed in the Art Gallery NSW. In this episode Lauren share with us what it means to b…

1
Staying up when things are down 14:41

3+ y ago14:41

14:41

This is a special episode about adapting during COVID. How do we cope when the world suddenly changes and we have to change along with it? We talk with Kane about his experiences and his recipe for making the most out of unexpected change. He shares his tips for staying calm and positive in trying times: meditation, getting into nature, dancing, fa…

1
Me and my friends 16:19

4y ago16:19

16:19

This episode is about friendships. In this episode Sarah and Justen talk about their experiences with making and maintaining friendships. They share the reasons why friendships can be so rewarding, what makes a good friend, but also some of the challenges that can come up. Challenges can arise for people with and without intellectual disability. Al…

1
Anchor exercise to help you feel calm 5:42

4y ago5:42

5:42

This is an special podcast episode to support you during COVID lock down. Our anchor exercise can help you feel calm. You can use it if you feel scared, stressed or worried. This exercise has been made with and for people with intellectual disability. You can listen to the audio now and you can also Download the audio file and listen to the exercis…

1
Out, proud and included 20:40

4y ago20:40

20:40

This episode is about LGBTIQ+ relationships. This means lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer relationships. In this episode Cameron talks about his experiences as a gay man with an intellectual disability. He tells the story of coming out to his mum, of gaining acceptance with his partner’s family, and of accessing LGBTIQ+ social spaces. He also…

1
Shopping, showers and sharing time 23:03

4y ago23:03

23:03

Support workers have a range of roles that assist people with disability in different areas of their lives. For example, for some people this might be helping with shopping, for others it might be helping with personal care such as showering. Jack discusses his experiences with support workers, who he relies on daily. He talks about the challenges …

1
Opening the door on sexual relationships 22:10

4+ y ago22:10

22:10

A person with an intellectual disability, like any other person, is a sexual being. However, this is often not acknowledged or supported by families, support workers and even the broader community. The result is that for many people with disabilities, their opportunities to form or maintain sexual relationships are limited. Jonathan Bredin or Jono,…

1
Being a child, a parent, a family 18:18

4+ y ago18:18

18:18

We all want to feel accepted and loved within our families and for our parents and siblings to believe in our capabilities, understand our desires in life and support us to reach life milestones. Some of us also want to have families of our own and need to be free to make our own decisions around this, and if needed, supported to do so. Judith is n…

1
Dating apps, chats and mishaps 17:49

4+ y ago17:49

17:49

Intimacy and connection with others are basic human needs. Dating, which is the entry point to intimate relationships should therefore be straightforward right? Not quite. Dating can be fun, but it can also be tricky and daunting to some people. In this episode, Ella, who has an intellectual disability, shares her insights into the challenges of da…

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