Summer, Support, and Self-Care: Notes from a Season of Change
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
Release Date: 08/02/2025
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...
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The Calendar at the Center of Care
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Katherine pull back the curtain on the heartbeat of life in Mikelle’s downtown Denver condo: the calendar. What seems like a simple tool—paper and ink, squares and notes—becomes a lighthouse guiding continuity of care and protecting Mikelle’s privacy. With ConnectTeam supporting scheduling and reminders beyond the condo walls, the balance of paper and digital creates both structure and freedom. But the real story unfolds around the kitchen table, where the team gathers over watermelon, pizza, and laughter. Here, Mikelle’s voice...
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Forged in Friendship: Saying Farewell to Shannon
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this heartfelt episode of The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, Mikelle and Katherine sit down with Shannon, the eldest member of Mikelle’s support team, as she prepares to head off on new adventures. Over the past year, Shannon has brought boundless energy, sharp organizational skills, and her unique background as a blacksmith and metal artist to the team. Together, we reflect on what drew her to the job, what she’s learned about working with someone with cerebral palsy, the challenges she’s faced, and the unexpected gifts along the way. Mikelle leads the conversation with thoughtful...
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Summer, Support, and Self-Care: Notes from a Season of Change
The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast
In this heartfelt midsummer episode, Katherine reflects on a season full of sparkle, growth, and the power of a strong support team. From Mikelle’s night out at Film on the Rocks to the everyday victories made possible by a dedicated crew of caregivers, The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast celebrates the joy that comes when everyone has space to shine. Katherine also shares a timely update on the ongoing impact of the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB), and why staying connected—and taking care of ourselves—is more important than ever. With warmth and honesty, this episode offers a glimpse into...
info_outlineIn this heartfelt midsummer episode, Katherine reflects on a season full of sparkle, growth, and the power of a strong support team. From Mikelle’s night out at Film on the Rocks to the everyday victories made possible by a dedicated crew of caregivers, The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast celebrates the joy that comes when everyone has space to shine.
Katherine also shares a timely update on the ongoing impact of the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB), and why staying connected—and taking care of ourselves—is more important than ever. With warmth and honesty, this episode offers a glimpse into how families like Mikelle’s are navigating uncertainty while continuing to show up for joy, community, and creativity.
Whether you’re a caregiver, advocate, or just someone trying to catch your breath this summer, this episode is for you.