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Unapologetically Whole is the podcast for anyone who’s ever felt invisible while holding everyone else together. Hosted by attorney, advocate, and lifelong caregiver Lola Dada-Olley, this show is a raw, honest invitation to reclaim your story and rebuild your sense of self without abandoning your responsibilities or values. Through deeply personal storytelling and candid conversations, Lola explores the layers we carry: as caregivers, professionals, parents, partners, and cycle-breakers navigating cultural stigma, trauma, and the pursuit of wholeness in a world that often asks us to disappear.
Each episode offers a practical, three-part framework for transformation: Recognize the lane you’re in, Redefine success beyond external validation, and Reimagine what it means to truly thrive. You’ll hear real lessons from lived experience—how to hold the tension between vigilance and joy, how to honor incremental progress, and how to shine your light in a world that can feel dark. Whether you’re a caregiver, a leader, or simply someone searching for permission to exist beyond your roles, Unapologetically Whole bridges the gap between personal healing and professional reinvention, creating space for authentic community and honest growth.
This podcast is the companion to Lola’s forthcoming memoir, Unapologetically Whole: A Memoir About Autism, Caregiving, and Owning Your Story, coming June 2026. If these conversations resonate with you, help us extend the reach—subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a rating or review. Your voice helps others find the hope, healing, and wholeness they deserve.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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The Power of Story: A Short Reflection from Lola
|
May 25, 2026 |
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The Story Behind a Book Cover: How Empathy and Design Shape a Memoir with Dhee Sylvester
|
May 11, 2026 |
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From Compartments to Integration: A Personal Reflection from Lola
|
Apr 27, 2026 |
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Advocacy Through Storytelling: A Talk with Victoria Petelin of Wise Ink Media
|
Apr 13, 2026 |
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You Are Leading Even When You Think No One Is Watching: A Short Reflection With Lola
|
Mar 28, 2026 |
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A Family Affair: Mission Fueled Disability Advocacy with ConnectIDD
|
Mar 16, 2026 |
|
Your Body and Soul Remembers: A Short Reflection with Lola
|
Feb 28, 2026 |
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Trauma Informed Living: Reclaiming Wholeness
|
Feb 12, 2026 |
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Owning Your Story: A Short Reflection with Lola
|
Jan 29, 2026 |
|
The Non-Linear Journey to Healing: A Talk with Author and Self Advocate Lisa Hurley
|
Jan 15, 2026 |
|
Goodbye Not Your Mama's Autism ... Hello Unapologetically Whole
|
Jan 14, 2026 |
|
The Power of Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: A Talk with Author and Self-Advocate Lisa Hurley
|
Dec 15, 2025 |
|
On The Road To Wholeness, A Family Episode
|
Dec 10, 2025 |
|
Navigating Transitions in Family Life
|
Aug 27, 2025 |
|
Sensory Overload: A Talk with The Filmmakers of the Hulu Documentary
|
May 17, 2025 |
|
Better Understanding Challenging Behavior: A Talk with Larissa Heise, BCBA
|
Apr 01, 2025 |
|
Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Talk with Dr. Theresa Haskins
|
Mar 01, 2025 |
|
Serving Families in Crisis: A Conversation with Breanna Kelly-Higgs LCSW, BCBA
|
Feb 01, 2025 |
|
Access to Reproductive Health Care: Autism and Intellectual Disability Edition
|
Jan 01, 2025 |
|
Advocacy in Action: A Talk with Ms. Texas 2024 Annette Addo-Yobo
|
Dec 11, 2024 |
|
Navigating the High School Transition: A Talk With My Son
|
Nov 26, 2024 |
|
Workplace Neuroinclusion Strategy: Some Lessons Learned
|
Oct 07, 2024 |
|
Reintegrating Our Daughter Into School Life
|
Sep 24, 2024 |
|
Back To School: Embracing Technology and Student-Centered Learning
|
Aug 31, 2024 |
|
Addressing Daily Life Challenges with Revolutionary Tools: A Talk With Nadia Hamilton
|
Feb 12, 2024 |
|
Healthcare in America: New Year; New(ish) Expenses
|
Jan 30, 2024 |
|
2023: Our Longest, Yet Shortest, Year To Date
|
Dec 21, 2023 |
|
Redefining Success For Yourself After Trauma : A Talk With Addis Gonte
|
Nov 29, 2023 |
|
"Tweendom", Puberty and Autism: An Interesting Cocktail
|
Sep 18, 2023 |
|
Autism, Self-Advocacy, Therapy and Everything in Between: A Talk With Janelle Johnson
|
Aug 09, 2023 |
|
A Candid Conversation with Psychologist and Parent Advocate, Dr. Tade Akere
|
Jul 09, 2023 |
|
Healthcare Delivery, Parenting, Advocacy and a Little Forgiveness Along the Way
|
Jun 06, 2023 |
|
A Later in Life Diagnosis: A Talk with Attorney and Self-Advocate LaNasha Houze
|
May 03, 2023 |
|
Shifting Mindset: The Myth of Work/Life Balance
|
Apr 05, 2023 |
|
Special Education Law Conversation Continued with Tracey Spencer Walsh
|
Dec 31, 2022 |
|
Special Education Law 101: A Conversation with Tracey Spencer Walsh, Esq.
|
Dec 12, 2022 |
|
Matching the Right People with the Right Tech
|
Nov 30, 2022 |
|
Pursuit of A Different Kind of American Dream: A Talk with Koko Ekeng
|
Nov 09, 2022 |
|
Enhancing the Caregiver Experience with Tech: A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Taverniti of Nurolux
|
Oct 12, 2022 |
|
Driving With Autism: A Talk with Andrew Arboe
|
Sep 26, 2022 |
|
Money on the Mind: A Talk About More Inclusive Financial Planning
|
Sep 13, 2022 |
|
A Talk About Job Coaching: Evolution from Occupational Therapist to Start Up Founder
|
Aug 22, 2022 |
|
How Occupational Therapy Enhanced Our Lives: A Talk with Micaela Wilson
|
Jul 26, 2022 |
|
From Self Awareness to Self-Advocacy: A Talk with Amy Root
|
Jul 12, 2022 |
|
Choosing the Light: A Journey through Self-Advocacy with Jennifer Msumba
|
May 23, 2022 |
|
An Elementary School Finale: A Conversation with My Son About His New Chapter
|
May 13, 2022 |
|
Pulling Back the Layers with J-Rock: British-Ghanaian- American Musician and Autism Advocate
|
Apr 27, 2022 |
|
ABA All Grown Up: A Look into Behavioral Intervention Across the Lifespan
|
Apr 11, 2022 |
|
Caretaker Perspectives in Raw Form
|
Mar 30, 2022 |
|
Three Moms, Three Different Sides of Neurodivergence
|
Mar 14, 2022 |
|
From Trial Lawyer to Relationship Coach for Autistic Adults
|
Mar 01, 2022 |
|
A Travel Story: Putting the Inclusive in All-Inclusive
|
Feb 14, 2022 |
|
Special Education in the Covid-19 Era: One UK Educator's Perspective
|
Jan 24, 2022 |
|
An African Mom's Journey: A Conversation with Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie
|
Jan 10, 2022 |
|
Season 4 Trailer: What is on the Horizon
|
Jan 03, 2022 |
|
A Look Back at 2021 Episodes, An Exercise in Gratitude
|
Nov 25, 2021 |
|
Budding Self-Advocacy
|
Oct 25, 2021 |
|
Advocacy for All Brains
|
Oct 11, 2021 |
|
Real Talk with Domonique Brown, One of the Stars of "Atypical" on Netflix
|
Sep 27, 2021 |
|
A Candid Conversation with Tal Anderson, One of the Stars of the Netflix Series "Atypical"
|
Sep 13, 2021 |
|
Casting Call: Autistic Child Actors Wanted
|
Aug 30, 2021 |
|
Depicting Autism in Film
|
Aug 17, 2021 |
|
Art Imitating Life: A Conversation with the Creator of Pixar's Float
|
Aug 02, 2021 |
|
Not Your Mama's CEO Interview
|
Jul 19, 2021 |
|
More Than Just A Playground
|
Jul 05, 2021 |
|
Leveraging A Neurodivergent Talent Pool
|
Jun 21, 2021 |
|
Behind the Mask
|
May 17, 2021 |
|
The Beauty of Neurodivergence
|
May 03, 2021 |
|
"The Talk" on Race through An Autism Lens: Three Parent Perspectives
|
Apr 19, 2021 |
|
Community Policing for Different Kinds of Brains Pt. 2
|
Apr 05, 2021 |
|
Community Policing for Different Kinds of Brains
|
Mar 22, 2021 |
|
A Family Secret: An Event that Eventually Led to a Career Choice
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
|
Autism in Love: One Couple's Story
|
Feb 22, 2021 |
|
Neurodiversity in Corporate Life
|
Feb 08, 2021 |
|
Autism Mompreneurs: Resilience in Action
|
Jan 25, 2021 |
|
Feeding Neurodiversity through the Second Brain
|
Jan 11, 2021 |
|
Covid-19 Impact on our Family: Swiss Army Knife Parenting
|
Dec 02, 2020 |
|
Financing Autism and Intellectual Disability: When Your Plans Need Plans
|
Nov 10, 2020 |
|
Navigating Health Insurance
|
Oct 25, 2020 |
|
Finding Answers in the Lone Star State
|
Oct 13, 2020 |
|
It Takes a (Wisconsin) Village
|
Sep 28, 2020 |
|
And Then There Was Two
|
Sep 14, 2020 |
|
Deja Vu: First My Brother, Now My Son
|
Aug 30, 2020 |
|
Boy Meets Girl
|
Aug 17, 2020 |
|
In the Beginning, The Blueprint
|
Aug 03, 2020 |
|
Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast: The Trailer
|
Jul 20, 2020 |