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At 10 years old, I finally learned why school had always been so difficult for me.

In this special Dyslexia Awareness Month episode, I'm reading excerpts from Chapters 3 and 4 of my book, Embracing Your Different Ability®, taking you back to the testing process, the day I was diagnosed with dyslexia, and the moment that changed my life forever.

For years, I felt dumb, stupid, and alone. But that diagnosis gave me something I didn't even realize I needed: understanding.

And when the doctor asked what I would tell my friends when I returned to school, my answer was simple: "I'm going to tell them I just learn differently."

My brain didn't change that day. But the way I understood myself did.

This is my story of finding answers, understanding my different ability, and beginning to embrace who I am.

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Dyslexic Font Edition

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What happens when you finally understand why your brain works the way it does?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Saara Haapanen, ADHD and wellness expert, international speaker, and founder of Performance is Haapanen. Saara shares the twists and turns of her career, the experiences that eventually led to her ADHD diagnosis at 35, and how that diagnosis changed her life for the better.

We talk about understanding your brain, letting go of systems that were never designed for you, and finding ways to work with yourself instead of constantly fighting against yourself.

Today, Saara uses her background in sport and exercise psychology, performance, wellness, and coaching to help others better understand how their brains work and build lives that actually support them.

This conversation is such a great reminder that sometimes learning more about yourself doesn’t change who you are. It finally gives you the language to understand who you’ve been all along.

Saara's Bio:

Dr. Saara Haapanen is an international speaker, ADHD and wellness expert, and founder of Performance is Haapanen, a Colorado-based consulting firm focused on helping humans feel better and perform at a

high level without burnout.

With a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology focused on motivation and optimal human performance, her work is grounded in internationally published research on stress, emotional states, and performance.

She has been featured in outlets including Forbes Health, Shape, and Reader’s Digest, and brings both scientific expertise and real-world application to everything she does.

After being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, her work expanded to support high-achieving individuals who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from their energy and focus. With over 26 years of

coaching experience across sport, health, and performance, she helps people better understand how their brains work so they can build systems, habits, and environments that actually support success.

She is especially passionate about helping individuals recognize that different ways of thinking are not deficits, but opportunities to build lives and systems that truly work for them.

Connect with Saara:

Websties:

DrSaara.com

Performanceishaappanen.com

Moveatworkchallenge.com

Socials:

LinkedIn

Saara's Facebook

Performance is Haapanen Facebook

Instagram

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In this episode, I sit down with husband-and-wife duo Walter and Stephanie to talk about their journeys of discovering they are neurodivergent later in life. Stephanie shares her experiences of being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and, years later, receiving additional diagnoses, including autism and ADHD. Walter opens up about recently learning he has ADHD and how that new understanding has changed the way he sees himself.

Together, they discuss raising daughters who have also been diagnosed with neurodivergent disabilities, what they've learned as parents, and why understanding how our brains work can be so life-changing.

Stephanie, a life coach and passionate advocate, shares encouragement for anyone navigating a diagnosis, whether it's your own or someone you love. This conversation is filled with honesty, hope, and powerful reminders that it's never too late to better understand yourself.

Whether you're neurodivergent, supporting someone who is, or simply want to learn, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

Connect with Walter & Stephanie

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook Group

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Where I've been, what I've been building, and the lessons I've learned along the way.

After a few quiet months away from the microphone, I'm excited to be back behind the mic.

The last few months have been filled with some of the biggest changes of my life... publishing my first book, stepping away from my corporate career, building new dreams in Colorado, and starting a new chapter that has challenged and stretched me in the best ways.

But this episode isn't just about catching you up.

It's about the seasons we all experience, the ones where life gets busy, growth happens behind the scenes, and it feels like we're making little progress on the outside while something much bigger is being built on the inside.

If you're in a season of building, transitioning, chasing a dream, or simply figuring out what's next, I hope this episode encourages you to give yourself grace, trust the process, and keep moving forward, even when no one else can see the progress yet!

I'm so excited to kick off Season 8, next month, and can't wait to bring you along for everything that's ahead!

And if you're interested in seeing this season of building unfold, I've included a link below to my YouTube channel where I'll be sharing videos and updates from our Colorado journey. Link Here!

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What happens when a simple font sparks a powerful conversation?

In this episode, returning guest Rebeka Acosta is back! This time joined by her teenage son, Taosies, for a real and eye-opening discussion about dyslexia, perspective, and growth.

This conversation started when I sent Rebeka the first three chapters of my book in both a standard font and a dyslexic-friendly font. She didn’t like the dyslexic font… but her son LOVED it. That difference in perspective led to this honest and meaningful conversation.

Taosies shares his personal experience growing up with disabilities and dyslexia—what helps, what doesn’t, and what he wishes more people understood. Rebeka opens up about her journey as a parent, what she’s learned from her son, and how even during this conversation, she began to see things in a whole new way.

This episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best way to understand is to listen, and that our kids often have more to teach us than we realize.

If you’ve ever struggled to understand a different perspective, supported someone with a disability, or want to learn more about dyslexia, this conversation is for you!

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What happens when you refuse to accept the limits others place on you?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Jo Elizabeth Pinto for a powerful conversation about inclusion, advocacy, and navigating a world that doesn’t always know how to support you.

We talk about the importance of having people who believe in you, discovering how you learn best, and building confidence and independence along the way.

This conversation is a reminder that inclusion and advocacy can change everything and that sometimes, all it takes is someone saying, “you belong here.”

Note: There are a few audio difficulties, but the message is absolutely worth the listen.

Jo Elizabeth's Bio

Jo Elizabeth Pinto was among the first blind students to integrate the public schools in the 1970’s when federal laws allowed disabled children to be educated with their peers. She has two college degrees, one in Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado and one in Nonprofit Organization Management from the Metropolitan State College of Denver. She freelances these days as an editor and a braille proofreader.

As an author, Pinto entertains her readers while giving them food for thought. In her fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, she draws on personal experience to illustrate that hope is always an action away.

Pinto lives in Colorado with her husband and their teenage daughter. Their family also includes Pinto’s guide dog Spreckles, a poodle/Maltese mix called Leo, three birds, and an aging family cat who answers to the name Sam-I-Am when he feels like it.

Connect with Jo Elizabeth: Website

Grab a copy of her books below! Bright Side of Darkness, Apples of Gold, Daddy Won't Let Mom Drive the Car, Dancing with the Seasons, Braided Love, Unbroken Love

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Stephany Rios, host of the Homeschool with Steph podcast, homeschooling mom of five, and entrepreneur.

Stephany shares her powerful life story—growing up and stepping into a caregiving role at a young age while her mom battled cancer. In her early 20s, she helped care for her mom, supported her eight younger siblings, along side her dad, and followed in her mom’s footsteps by becoming a nurse. Through it all, she experienced deep loss, resilience, and growth that shaped the woman and mother she is today.

Now a wife and mom of five, Stephany homeschools her four older children while raising her youngest toddler. In this conversation, we dive into her homeschooling journey, how she learned to trust herself as a parent, and the moment she realized her daughter has dyslexia.

This episode is filled with heart, honesty, and encouragement for any parent navigating challenges, trusting their instincts, and showing up for their family in the best way they can.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone learning to trust your voice in life’s hardest moments—this episode is for you.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, motherhood, and embracing your Different Ability®!

Stephany's Bio:

Stephany Rios is the host of the Homeschool with Steph podcast and a homeschooling mom of five. With a background in entrepreneurship as a jewelry business owner, she brings a grounded, encouraging perspective to conversations about homeschooling, motherhood, and helping women trust themselves to lead their families well.

Connect with Stephany:

Website

Instagram

Podcast

Iviana & Co

Iviana & Co Instagram

Iviana & Co Facebook

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In this final episode of The Different Ability® Podcast for Season 6, Katey reflects on Chapter 28 of Embracing Your Different Ability®, sharing the courage it took to be vulnerable, the mix of emotions she experienced finishing the book, and the practical lessons she’s learned along the way. She discusses how to navigate fear, self-doubt, and external labels while celebrating accomplishments and embracing unique abilities.

Katey offers advice for anyone working toward big goals, including strategies for overcoming obstacles, building a supportive community, and taking the first step toward believing in yourself. She also shares her vision for the Different Ability® brand and encourages listeners to continue advocating, dreaming, and using their voices to make an impact.

📖 Buy the book, Embracing Your Different Ability®:
[Book link]

🎥 Watch additional chapter questions on YouTube HERE!

🌐 Learn more about the book and bonus resources:
[Website link]

Closing Note:
Thank you for joining us for Season 6 of The Different Ability® Podcast. This season has been a journey through personal stories, advocacy, and growth, and we hope it inspires you to embrace your own unique abilities. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, because there may be bonus episodes in the future with even more insights, stories, and actionable advice for your journey.

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