In this heartfelt episode of The Independent Life, Tony welcomes his longtime friend, Mark Stewart—or as Tony and close friends call him, "Stew." Stew was recently diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and terminal neurological disorder. With courage and clarity, Stew shares his journey, reflecting on what it's like to process this life-altering diagnosis, and the wisdom he's gained in learning how to live meaningfully with the time he has left.

Thirty years of friendship have shaped Tony and Stew’s bond, and a recent canoe trip inspired Tony to invite Stew to share his journey on the podcast. They delve into Stew’s experience of his diagnosis, his reflections on living with purpose, and the lessons he's embraced about time, relationships, and resilience. Despite the progression of ALS, which affects his ability to speak and move, Stew’s perspective shines through powerfully as he shares how he navigates his roles as a husband, father, and friend.

As a father to a daughter with Autism, Stew shares his insights on supporting her unique needs. Despite the prognosis, Stew’s perspective remains rooted in positivity. He talks about the necessity of focusing on constructive thoughts and showing up for the people who matter most, advocating for a life focused on rich, meaningful relationships.

Stew’s wisdom is a powerful reminder: life is an ongoing cycle of learning, letting go, and building strong connections. He encourages listeners to find "their people," detach from social perceptions, and seek joy in each day, even as he rides the waves of his own journey. This episode is a moving testament to resilience, love, and the legacy of kindness and compassion we each have the chance to leave behind.

In this inspiring episode, David Sussman, board president of the Telluride Adaptive Ski Program, shares his remarkable journey through disability and adaptive sports. David reflects on his path to living life with radical acceptance and independence, highlighting how focusing on what he can control has allowed him to thrive. He discusses the pivotal people and moments that have shaped his story, and how adaptive sports pushed him beyond his comfort zone, facilitating personal growth and transformation. David’s enthusiasm for life and his dedication to sharing that with others will leave you motivated to embrace new challenges and live fully.

David Sussman’s journey began in 1977 when, at twelve years old, he contracted Transverse Myelitis, a rare virus that left him paralyzed from the waist down. With the support of his parents, he focused on his future, adapting to life as a paraplegic in Irvine, California. David earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from New Hampshire College and went on to have a successful career as a marketing executive.

In 1996, David discovered adaptive skiing during a trip to Telluride, Colorado, which reignited his sense of purpose. By 2009, he left the corporate world for a second career in hospitality and began teaching adaptive skiing with STRIDE Adaptive Sports in Albany, New York, allowing him to give back to others.

In 2015, David returned to Telluride to celebrate his 50th birthday and eventually made it his permanent home. Though forced into retirement in 2020 due to health concerns, David now dedicates himself full-time to the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program, where he serves as Board President, ski instructor, and Special Olympics coach.

Episode Resources:

• Telluride Adaptive Sports Program

• STRIDE Adaptive Sports

David Sussman Contact:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Kelsey Bell, Executive Director of Southwest Independence Center in Durango, Colorado, joins us on this episode to share her powerful journey of growing up with multiple disabilities and how she embraced her disability as part of her identity. She reflects on her experiences from elementary school through college, offering practical strategies for navigating academic success at each stage.

She also delves into her early role as a Youth Transition Specialist at the center and how it shaped her leadership style. Now at the helm of the organization, Kelsey talks about the importance of engaging the post-ADA generation in the disability movement and independent living, exploring what that engagement looks like and how to foster it.

Kelsey highlights the critical role of integrating the independent living philosophy into both the services and the culture of independent living centers. She explains how this approach is essential to creating healthy, collaborative, and efficient environments for staff and the people they serve.

Episode Resources:

Southwest Center For Independence

Contact: (970) 259-1672

Tony is joined by Dr. Carol Lewis, a community health expert who recently conducted a transformative workshop for the CIL staff. The session emphasized the importance of mental health and wellbeing, particularly for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Dr. Lewis shares practical strategies for promoting mindfulness, healthy sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and social connections—practices that are accessible to everyone, anywhere, anytime. The conversation explores the mental health spectrum, offering insights into managing situational anxiety, depression, and stress. Dr. Lewis provides clinical explanations and actionable tools to help us all enhance our mental health and support the wellbeing of others in our communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of mental health and discover practical ways to nurture it daily.

Dr. Carol Lewis is a clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience, specializing in the treatment of chronically suicidal and self-injurious individuals through skills-based and mindfulness approaches. She previously worked at UF Health Psychiatric Hospital and now serves in the UF Department of Psychiatry. With a Masters of Public Health and board certification in public health, Dr. Lewis focuses on evidence-based behavioral health treatments for underserved populations. Her research includes developing public health interventions for non-professionals, and she is a founding member of Peace4Gainesville, a trauma-responsive community initiative.

Episode Resources:

• https://psychiatry.ufl.edu/profile/lewis-carol/: carollewis@ufl.edu

Dr. Jessica Kramer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions. Her research focuses on collaborating with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to create and evaluate rehabilitation products, developing community-based interventions to help these youth and their families address environmental barriers, and designing high-quality patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Dr. Kramer employs a variety of methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and participatory approaches, to address complex research questions and meet the needs of various stakeholders. She has received grants from organizations such as PCORI, NIH, NIDILRR, and AOTF, and collaborates with multiple universities and advocacy groups. Her practical experience includes helping children and youth with severe disabilities participate and learn in public schools.

Resources:

• Path to adulthood: Empowering young adults with disabilities
• Dr. Jessica Kramer’s overview of UF OT Research

Mark D. Bennett is the principal of Uniting by Design LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders build organizations that achieve outstanding results, uphold ethical standards, and adapt to change. After leaving the practice of law, Mark pursued graduate studies in counseling psychology and family therapy. He then became a full-time mediator, handling disputes involving staff, leaders, and boards across businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and international organizations.

Twenty-five years ago, Mark transitioned from resolving organizational issues to fostering organizational health. He now serves as a workshop presenter on leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, values-based decision making, and creative collaboration. Additionally, he is a leadership coach, facilitating collaboration, strategic planning, and critical decision making.

Mark has authored three books:

• Uniting by Design: The Architecture of Creative Collaboration (2021) – A practical guide to fostering collaboration within organizations, leadership teams, work teams, alliances, and partnerships.
• A Field Guide to Good Decisions: Values in Action (2006) – Offers practical steps for ethical decision-making, enabling individuals to make tough choices with integrity, accountability, and credibility.
• The Art of Mediation, 2nd edition (2005) – Teaches conflict resolution and principled negotiation skills to help people bridge differences, reach agreements, and achieve peace.

Episode Resources:

• Uniting By Design
• Mark Bennett LinkedIn

In this enlightening episode of The Independent Life, Tony welcomes Jonathan Spoliansky, the insightful author of Happiness Is Key. Jonathan's breakthrough book offers a simple yet profound guide on living happily every day, emphasizing that happiness is not just a state of mind but a reflection of our actions and behavior towards others.

Together, they explore the five essential keys outlined in the book, which can unlock our happiness within and create a life filled with peace, trust, gratitude, honesty, and love. Through engaging discussion, Jonathan shares his journey and realizations, drawing from his extensive study of various philosophies and religious traditions, as well as his travels around the world. He highlights how embodying positive qualities like honesty, fairness, empathy, and generosity can create a ripple effect of positivity, benefiting those around us.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that cultivating happiness is a daily practice that requires effort and attention. Jonathan's practical advice and inspirational insights make it clear that by incorporating these keys into our daily lives, we can make happiness a more consistent and enduring part of our experience.

Episode Resources:

• Happiness is Key Book
• https://www.happinessiskey.net/

Tony sits down with Kimberly Richey, the Senior Chancellor for the Department of Education for the state of Florida. As the overseer of all public schools from K-12 to colleges, workforce development, and various statewide programs, Chancellor Richey has a profound impact on Florida's educational landscape.

Kimberly shares how her mother, a dedicated teacher, and her grandfather were instrumental in shaping her career path, leading her from law school to significant roles in state agencies, including the Office for Civil Rights. Her journey culminated in her current position, where she champions educational excellence and equity.

Tony and Kimberly delve into the importance of advocacy, inspired by her mother's role in her success. She provides valuable insights on empowering parents to become effective advocates for their children's education by understanding systems, acquiring knowledge, and mastering communication.

The conversation also explores the essence of education, the values and virtues that drive Kimberly, and the qualities of effective leadership. Kimberly discusses the keys to successful collaboration and shares her vision for the future of education.

Join us for an inspiring discussion with Chancellor Richey, a dedicated advocate who has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless and has helped shape impactful legislation to support students and families across Florida.