This week's guests are Carla Birnberg and Catherine Njeri.

They did it! Carla was on the show a year ago as we discussed the concept of the Upili project. Well, like the famous words of Wilbur Wright to his brother, "The damn thing really does fly, Orville!"

Okay, maybe that wasn't said.

But Upili has taxied the runway and is in the air.

Visit https://www.upili.org and book a flight.

This week's guest is Gina Martin.

The name of her company, Diverse Abilities, made me pause and read more.

Short. Sweet. and to the point. Diverse Abilities fit perfectly into the theme: "Diverse Abilities recognizes that no two people have the same skills, resources, opportunities or support systems."

Our discussion followed that same straight path. Okay, we ventured off the trail more than a few times. But we always followed the breadcrumbs back.

Check out what Gina is doing. Visit https://diverseabilities.ca

This week's guest is Lynne "L.K." Bowen.

An author has only a moment to grab the attention of an agent or publisher. What is said or written is called the elevator pitch.

After a book is finally produced and placed on the open market, it boils down to the cover art to attract readers to crack the spine and become immersed in the storyline. In that same manner, I've titled this episode from a little piece of the cover of L.K. Bowen's debut novel, For Worse.

It wasn't just the fact that her "pitch" and cover grabbed me, but Lynne has something to say about Retinitis Pigmentosa in this gripping thriller. You see, like her protagonist, Ellie, she too has RP and her loss of sight is slowly closing in from all sides.

I'm tempted to dig into the storyline, but take a listen to our discussion then sit back with For Worse while the story pulls you in.

What's Lynne up to next? That's the next elevator pitch.

For Worse is available wherever good books are sold.

You can learn more about Lynne at her website https://www.authorlkbowen.com/

To learn more about Retinitis Pigmentosa and other degenerative retinal diseases, visit www.fightingblindness.org

This week's guest is Krystian Shaw.

Krystian reached out to me about coming on the show so, of course, I had to check him out.

Each and every time I opened a link to an article after Googling him, there was nothing but a positive attitude that came across. This made me pause and think how, during these times filled with so much negativity, I have become more cynical about the world than I may have been at any time in my life.

Go ahead, listen to this episode, and try not to come away at least a bit less cynical yourself. That's the power of Krystian's message.

His attitude makes me think of the song "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFarren. Of course, I'll be head-bopping to that tune inside my head all day.

May Krystian's positive attitude rub off on all of us!

Check out Krystian's "Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter" HERE

Watch a video to learn more about Krystian's positive approach to life HERE

Note: Oftentimes, links are not available on platforms such as Apple, iHeart, etc.. They are available within this episode on our website at https://lifesaroadtrip.podbean.com

This week's guest is Jeremy Andrew Davis.

I found Jeremy to be as diverse as the multiple characters that he plays in his cameos.

The description “I help people laugh at themselves and cry for others, cast off their troubles and find their joy, see the invisible and hear silence." that Jeremy uses hits home and provides viewers with enough of a tease to learn more.

I'll stop taking up your time... Have a listen to this episode then check out Jeremy's work. Be ready to laugh and be ready to think.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyandrewdavis

https://www.instagram.com/jeremyandrewdavis/

https://www.facebook.com/thejeremyandrewdavis

https://www.youtube.com/@jeremyandrewdavis

Note: Oftentimes, links are not available on platforms such as Apple, iHeart, etc.. They are available within this episode on our website at https://lifesaroadtrip.podbean.com

This week's guest is Debrah Ruh.

The episode opens with "When told by ‘experts’ that her daughter, Sara, who was born with Down’s Syndrome, would be lucky to push shopping carts at the local grocery store, Debra..."

Listen to the show then circle back to finish the intro with more force. Perhaps only the term "force" would suffice as the title. Debra Ruh is certainly a force -- a force the disability community needs.

The more I do Life's a Road Trip the deeper my own interest grows because with every guest, the more I get behind this movement.

As Debra states more than once, we are in the midst of change. Yes, we are.

Do you want to learn more? Check these sites:

Ruh Global

Billion Strong

The Valuable 500

Note: Oftentimes, links are not available on platforms such as Apple, iHeart, etc.. They are available within this episode on our website at https://lifesaroadtrip.podbean.com

This week's guest is Justin Jesudas.

As a good host should, I arrive at the online studio well in advance of my guests. It has nothing to do with tidying things but more to do with allowing my PC to get rolling.

And as luck has it, I always have time to turn on some tunes courtesy of Pandora. On the day of my recording with Justin, the first song that started pouring through my headphones was Time to Move On by Tom Petty on the Wildflowers album.

The opening stanza goes like this:

It's time to move on, it's time to get going What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing But under my feet, baby, grass is growing It's time to move on, time to get going

As I was reviewing my notes for Justin's show, it struck me that Petty's words fit the interview that I imagined.

As you'll find in our discussion, Justin doesn't let grass grow under his feet or the wheels of his wheelchair. With him, it's always time to move on, time to get going.

Okay, Justin's always on the move. So what?

First, consider that he has won 18 gold medals in swimming. Next, consider his work with the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras (LINK). Then there's his crowning achievement: His two little kids.

Oh, did I mention that Justin is a quadriplegic?

Keep on keepin' on, Justin!

Note: Oftentimes, links are not available on platforms such as Apple, iHeart, etc.. They are available within this episode on our website at https://lifesaroadtrip.podbean.com

This week's guest is Meryl Evans.

It was the statement "Progress Over Perfection" that she proudly wears that made me pause. It didn't take long before I opened another window or two on my PC to start digging into Meryl and what she does on behalf of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

As the show moves forward, we're more focused on guests who aren't afraid to stand up and speak out when it comes to shining a positive light on the disability community. Meryl definitely fits that mold.

Want to see an example of Meryl's message? Click HERE to watch her TEDx presentation. I promise that she'll make you think. You need to watch her talk on automated captions with Thomas Logan HERE. Interested in having Meryl speak to your company? Go HERE.

Progress over perfection... Listen to Meryl and come away with a better understanding of how important and simple that statement is.

Note: Oftentimes, links are not available on platforms such as Apple, iHeart, etc.. They are available within this episode on our website at https://lifesaroadtrip.podbean.com