Your Voice Matters - Voting for Medicaid and Understanding the Candidates
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
Release Date: 10/31/2024
The Quiet Leadership of Care: Honoring a Legacy That Lives On
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this solo episode of Shining Beautiful, Katherine reflects on the legacy of nurse, mentor and caregiver Alex Pretti--and the profound, often unseen impact caregivers have on our lives, families, workplaces and communities. Through personal insight and gentle storytelling, Katherine explores the quiet leadership of caregiving: the small acts of kindness, presence, and compassion that shape human connection and create lasting change. From hosptial rooms to grocery store liens, this episode is a reminder that caregive is not only what we do--it is who we are. A thoughtful pause, an...
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Still Working: Customized Employment in a Time of Change with Cary Griffin
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
There’s a particular kind of laughter that shows up when people have lived through enough systems change to know two things at once: that the work matters deeply—and that taking ourselves too seriously won’t get us very far. That spirit framed our recent conversation with Cary Griffin, a longtime leader and truth-teller in the field of customized employment. We came together to talk about what’s shifting at the federal level, what those changes mean on the ground, and how individuals with disabilities and families can continue shaping meaningful employment journeys in an...
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And, Still, We Begin. New Year's 2026
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
As a new year begins, Katherine reflects on the mixed emotions many of us are carrying—hope, fatigue, uncertainty, and cautious optimism. In this episode, she shares her honest thoughts about the changes ahead, including concerns about funding, policy shifts, and the stability of long-term supports for people with disabilities. Drawing on decades of lived experience as a parent, advocate, and community builder, Katherine reminds listeners that we are not entering this year unprepared. She explores how the skills developed over years—storytelling, resourcefulness, advocacy, and...
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Where Friendship Shines Bright
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this festive and heart-warming episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Mikelle leads us into the spirit of the season as she celebrates Secret Santa with the Shining Beautiful team and hosts a joyful holiday brunch with longtime friends — including Ian, the former barista who helped inspire the very concept of Shining Beautiful by ensuring she was fully included as part of the Starbucks community over 20 years ago. We’re joined by team member Torie, who shares her perspective on finding belonging in a new role and discovering how inclusion is lived — not just talked about....
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Aging, Disability, and the Courage to Keep Moving Forward
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this heartfelt episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Mikelle sits down with her longtime friend and fellow podcaster, Win Charles, for a candid conversation about aging, disability, and navigating life’s next significant transitions. Win—who also has cerebral palsy—is preparing for an upcoming hip replacement surgery. While it’s a routine procedure for many, it becomes a very different experience when disability shapes your daily life, communication, and recovery. Together, Mikelle, Win, and Katherine explore how the medical system responds to “typical” surgeries...
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Behind the Care: Families, Employment & the Budget Ripples
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
This month — as we honour National Family Caregivers Month — we turn our attention to the 63 million Americans who provide unpaid care for loved ones with disabilities or chronic health needs. That staggering number is nearly one in every four adults. () Here in Colorado, roughly 600,000 family caregivers contribute 560 million hours of unpaid care annually — a value of about $11.2 billion. () On this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, host Katherine sits down with Cary Griffin to explore how caregivers are at the heart of employment and inclusion systems — yet often...
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Employment Shines Bright: Mikelle’s Story for NDEAM
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this inspiring episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Katherine and Torie join Mikelle in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) by sharing the heart and hustle behind Mikelle’s entrepreneurial journey. Mikelle opens up about why she loves making and selling her handmade bracelets — from the joy of choosing colors to the pride she feels when someone buys a piece of her art. Katherine reflects on how meaningful work builds purpose and independence, while Torie adds a fresh Gen Z perspective on teamwork, inclusion, and the power of believing in your...
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Shutdown, Stress, and the Strength of Families
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
The October 2025 government shutdown isn’t just a headline — it’s a story unfolding in kitchens, care teams, and communities across the country. Katherine reflects on the real-life impact for people with disabilities and aging caregivers who keep going even when government doesn’t. This mid-month update calls for action, awareness, and compassion — reminding us that the nation’s care infrastructure depends on the families who hold it together every day.
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Meet Torie: The Joy and Drive of Gen Z on the Shining Beautiful Team
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this lively episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Mikelle and Katherine sit down with Torie — the newest member of the Shining Beautiful team. At just 21, Torie brings a fresh Gen Z perspective, a fearless spirit, and a contagious laugh that fills the room. Together, they talk about learning the ropes of supported employment, finding rhythm in teamwork, and discovering joy in meaningful work. Torie shares what drew her to this role, what she’s learned so far, and how she’s building connections with Mikelle and the rest of the team. It’s a conversation full of laughter,...
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Transitions: Seasons, Systems, and Speaking Up
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
On this rainy first day of fall, Katherine reflect on transitions—both seasonal and systemic. Just as summer turns to autumn, Colorado is shifting from long-standing waiver programs to Community First Choice. What does this mean for individuals with disabilities, families, and support teams? In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Katherine explore the importance of advocacy during times of change—listening first, defining the problem, showing the impact, asking questions, and making clear what we want for the future. We also connect these themes to September’s Emergency...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of The Shining Beautiful Series, co-hosts Mikelle and Katherine Carol discuss the critical issue of voting for Medicaid and examine each candidate's position on healthcare and disability support.
With Medicaid as a lifeline for millions, this episode sheds light on what’s at stake for people with disabilities and their families. Join Katherine as she explore each candidate’s platform, break down key policy differences, and discuss how to make informed decisions at the polls. This is more than a vote—amplifying voices, securing essential resources, and driving meaningful change.
Whether you're voting for the first time or are a seasoned advocate, this episode is a must-listen for everyone invested in the future of Medicaid and the well-being of all.
Tune in, get informed, and take action.