Unapologetically Whole

By Lola Dada-Olley

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Category: Personal Journals

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Subscribers: 2
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 86

Description

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
The Power of Story: A Short Reflection from Lola
May 25, 2026
The Story Behind a Book Cover: How Empathy and Design Shape a Memoir with Dhee Sylvester
May 11, 2026
From Compartments to Integration: A Personal Reflection from Lola
Apr 27, 2026
Advocacy Through Storytelling: A Talk with Victoria Petelin of Wise Ink Media
Apr 13, 2026
You Are Leading Even When You Think No One Is Watching: A Short Reflection With Lola
Mar 28, 2026
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
Trauma Informed Living: Reclaiming Wholeness
Feb 12, 2026
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