MN APSE's If You Believe It You Can Achieve It

Feb 02 2025 29 ep. 50 mins 2
MN APSE's If You Believe It You Can Achieve It Podcast artwork

MN APSE's Chris Davies talks with self-advocates, policy makers, providers and others involved in efforts in Minnesota to raise the bar of employment for people with disabilities and mental health challenges.

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Chris Davies is joined by Aaron Weikum, an Senior Labor Investigator with the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry.

Feb 02 2025 52 mins  
Chris Davies is joined by Aaron Weikum, a Senior Labor Investigator with the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry. In this episode, Weikum shares his personal journey as an adult living with Autism, shedding light on the myriad challenges he has navigated within the workforce.

Host Chris Davies is joined by The Amazing Jeffo, the second of a two-part MN APSE documentary podcast special.

Nov 15 2024 139 mins  
Host Chris Davies is joined by The Amazing Jeffo, the second of a two-part MN APSE documentary podcast special. Jeff details how he got started as a magician, the support he has had to build his act to the point where he's done over 4000 shows in nearly 30 years as The Amanzing Jeffo, America’s only multiply-disabled magician who is blind (at least as far as he can see).

On the next episode, Chris Davies is joined by Jeffrey Smith, better known as, Amazing Jeffo! Jeffrey, a blind, multiply disabled magician, joins us in studio to share his story

Sep 30 2024 136 mins  
On the next episode, Chris Davies is joined by Jeffrey Smith, better known as, Amazing Jeffo! Jeffrey, a blind, multiply disabled magician, joins us in studio to share his story. There is truly on better way to introduce the Amazing Jeffo than in his own words: - How, as a child, the legend of Houdini planted in him a seed that would grow into a dream, that just maybe, someday… -

Chris Davies is joined by Sumukha Terakanambi, a passionate disability-healthcare policy professional and advocate

Jul 31 2024 54 mins  
Host Chris Davies is joined by Sumukha Terakanambi. Sumukha 25 years old and lives in Lakeville, Minnesota. He is a policy consultant with the Minnesota Council on Disability and the Rare Disease Advisory Council. He is also involved in disability advocacy and serves on the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council.

Chris Davies is joined by Gary Otto, who lost his eyesight in an accident nearly 50 years ago and has spent his live giving back ever since.

Jun 05 2024 46 mins  
Chris Davies is joined by Gary Otto, onsite at Epic Enterprise in Dundas, MN. Gary fought and conquered alcoholism in his early 20s, only to lose his eyesight in a hunting accident just a year later in 1978. Since, he married the love his life, raised a family and has utilized his special gift of caring for others in a number of different life & career experiences. Gary is a Li

Chris Davies is joined by Dupree Edwards, a self-advocate, rapper & artist currently employed at U of M' Institute on Community Integration

May 08 2024 47 mins  
Dupree is employed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration – supporting the ICI training team that works on training and technical assistance related to the Minnesota DHS Systems Change project.He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arc of Minnesota, teaches at Upstream Arts, and is an active recording artist!

Chris Davies is joined in the studio by Daniel Hool, not just as a guest, but also as a host.

Mar 06 2024 41 mins  
Chris Davies is joined in the studio by Daniel Hool, not just as a guest, but also as a host. Daniel has an education in radio broadcasting and hosts his own podcast over at HoodWave Disability Radio - covering topics from policy to self-advocacy. After interviewing Daniel on his experience as a self-advocate, Chris sat back to answer questions Daniel had for him.

Chris Davies is joined by Jay Magrisso, a project management professional who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma (AN) in 2019.

Nov 10 2023 62 mins  
Host Chris Davies is joined by Jay Magrisso. Jay is a project management professional, with over 15 years experience in team development. In 2019, he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma (AN). As a result of the tumor and surgery, he lost his hearing completely on one side and needed to relearn how to walk before reacclimating to the workplace. Jay is no

Chris Davies is joined by Said Shaiye, an Autistic Somali Writer & Photographer who lives in Minneapolis.

Oct 05 2023 33 mins  
Said Shaiye joins our host Chris Davies in the studio. Said Shaiye is an Autistic Somali Writer & Photographer who lives in Minneapolis. His debut book, Are You Borg Now?, was named a 2022 Minnesota Book Award Finalist in Creative Nonfiction & Memoir. Learn more about Said on his website: https://www.saidshaiye.com/about/

Chris Davies is joined by Laura Andert, a self-advocate who works for Inclusive Networking.

Jun 15 2023 40 mins  
Host Chris Davies is joined by Laura Andert, a self-advocate who works for Inclusive Networking as a Disability Consultant/Benefits Coach. Andert lives with cerebral palsy; she details her experiences growing up and talks about how her career has unfolded to date, moving from retail work into human services in a position where she helps others with disabilities overcome their own b