The Different Ability® Podcast

By Katey Fortun

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Category: Education

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Episodes: 283

Description

Why am I different? Why do things have to be so difficult? Am I dumb? Why am I scared? Will it be this hard forever? Will I ever find the help I need to succeed? When will being different be accepted? Welcome to The Different Ability® Podcast where we will answer all of these questions and a whole lot more! Each week host Katey Fortun brings you tips and tricks on how to navigate being different, along with inspiring stories of guests that are living an amazing life having Different Abilities of their own. Parents and Educators of kids with Different Abilities share their stories to encourage others that they are not alone and we can all get through this together! Katey, who has dyslexia, shares her personal Different Ability stories to show you that being different is a gift, being different is amazing and using your Different Abilities, you too can create and live the life you have always dreamed about! Katey believes that everyone has Different Abilities and it's time to let our Different Abilities shine bright! You are amazing, you are important, you are strong, you are smart and the world needs you just the way you were made! Are you ready to be inspired and encouraged to be the person you were made to be, Different Abilities and all? We know you're ready, so come along, we are all in this together! "You can do anything you put your mind to, with a lot of hard work, determination and never giving up! It's not your disability, it's your Different Ability®!" - Katey

Episode Date
The Dyslexic Font That Sparked a Bigger Conversation with Rebeka & Taosies
Apr 08, 2026
Breaking Barriers & Building a Life Without Limits with Jo Elizabeth Pinto
Apr 01, 2026
Navigating Loss, Motherhood, Homeschooling, and Dyslexia with Stephany Rios
Mar 27, 2026
Chapter 1 Conversation – From Shame to Strength | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 2 Conversation – Trusting Your Gut: A Parent’s Journey Through Unseen Struggles | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 3 Conversation – Finding My Voice Through Dyslexia | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 4 Conversation – Shifting the Narrative: “I Learn Differently” | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 5 Conversation – Beyond the Diagnosis: A Mother’s Journey Through Dyslexia | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 6 Conversation – Finding My Voice Through Dyslexia and Sports | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 7 Conversation – Standing Up for Myself – The Moment That Changed Everything | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 8 Conversation – Redefining Learning: How I Advocated for My Success | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 9 Conversation – Learning by Doing – Creativity and Hands-On Learning Shaped My Story | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 10 Conversation – A First Job That Taught Me Life Lessons in Leadership and Independence | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 11 Conversation – Testing My Limits: The Power of Accommodations | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 12 Conversation – A Teacher’s Impact: How Mrs. D Showed Me the Power of Advocacy | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 13 Conversation – From Rebellion to Realization – Starting My College Journey | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 14 Conversation – Embracing Dyslexia and Building My Dream at UW-Stout | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 15 Conversation – From Small Town to Big Opportunities: Self-Advocacy in College | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 16 Conversation – Finding My Voice: Advocacy, Self-Discovery, and College Challenges | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 17 Conversation – Putting Yourself Out There: The Importance of Building Relationships | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 18 Conversation – Breaking Barriers: Kindness, Connection, and Personal Growth | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 19 Conversation – Ask, Connect, Achieve: How Taking Risks Opened New Doors | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 20 Conversation – The Hand That Raised Mine: Honoring a Legacy of Advocacy | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 21 Conversation – The Power of a Gift: How Advocacy Begins in the Heart | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 22 Conversation – The Power of Networking and Making Bold Moves | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 23 Conversation – Embracing Mentors and Making an Impact | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 24 Conversation – From Struggles to Strengths: Living with Different Ability® | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 25 Conversation – Advocating for Change Through Personal Storytelling | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 26 Conversation – Finding Courage in the Face of Limiting Beliefs | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 27 Conversation – Raising an Advocate – Lessons from a Parent | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
Chapter 28 Conversation – Courage, Celebration, and Taking the Next Step | Embracing Your Different Ability®
Mar 26, 2026
RE-RELEASE: Dyslexia Struggles
Mar 18, 2026
RE-RELEASE: Standing up to your bully!
Mar 11, 2026
Her Son’s Diagnosis Changed Everything — For the Better with Patty Laushman
Mar 04, 2026
Living Fully with CMD: Advocacy, Confidence & Community with Kelly Berger & Avery Roberts
Feb 25, 2026
Rising Through It All: Faith, Fire & Fierce Advocacy — with Kimberly Hendrix
Feb 18, 2026
Audio Book Talk & Bloopers!
Feb 11, 2026
Where Have I Been? A Real-Life Update
Jan 29, 2026
Embracing What I Was Good At – An Audiobook Sneak Peek (Chapter 9)
Dec 24, 2025
Life, Loss, and Love: Raising Great, Even When… with Grace Berios
Dec 17, 2025
RE-RELEASE: The Diagnosis
Dec 10, 2025
RE-RELEASE: The Struggle
Dec 03, 2025
A Journey of Pivots, Purpose, and Peace with Serena Sevits
Nov 26, 2025
Creating Ripples of INPact & Positivity with Janet Mackay
Nov 20, 2025
Stop the Overwhelm: Grow Smarter, Not Harder with Hailey Rowe
Nov 12, 2025
Creativity as Healing: Turning Art Into Empowerment with Susan Day
Nov 05, 2025
Join My Book Launch Crew! | Embracing Your Different Ability®, the book, is Coming Soon!
Oct 15, 2025
From Dream to Design: Our Colorado Mountain Project
Sep 24, 2025
From Editing to Production: Book Update!
Sep 17, 2025
When Life Changes Course: From Pediatrician & Army Flight Surgeon to Author with Dr. Amanda Zeine
Sep 10, 2025
Money, meaning, and the stories we tell ourselves with Carrie West
Sep 03, 2025
RE-RELEASE: Book Title Announcement!
Sep 02, 2025
Immigration, Inspiration, and Disability Advocacy with Kat Paz
Aug 20, 2025
I'm not dead yet! with Travis Robinson
Aug 13, 2025
Season 7: Voices That Move Mountains
Aug 06, 2025
Plot Twist! Jumping from Season 5 to 7. Here’s Why!
Aug 02, 2025
Living Beyond the Limits with Erin Perkins
Jul 23, 2025
Empowering Deaf Families from Iran to North America and Beyond with Guita Movallali
Jul 16, 2025
Raising Self-Advocates: A Mother’s Pride in Her Sons’ Strength and Voice with Rebeka Acosta
Jul 09, 2025
Writing for Change: A Journey of Services, Advocacy and Impact with Ted Neill
Jul 02, 2025
RE-RELEASE: My Mom's Side of My Story
Jun 25, 2025
The Journey to Wellness Begins Within — with Tess Cheng
Jun 18, 2025
RE-RELEASE: People are people no matter what ability! with Dustin Henslin
Jun 11, 2025
I have a crazy idea - Book Update!
Jun 04, 2025
Let's Talk Motivaiton with Brittany McCormick
May 28, 2025
No Timeline on Dreams: Homeschooling, Writing, and the Power of Perseverance with Mindy Meyer
May 21, 2025
Time Management As A Tool with Jill Wright
May 14, 2025
The Editing Process Round 3: Pleasantly Surprised!
May 07, 2025
Birds and Bees and Kids with Amy Lang
Apr 30, 2025
Empowered by sharing and embracing her hearing loss with April
Apr 23, 2025
BONUS - Design the Life You Love Challenge with Lyndsey Kampen
Apr 18, 2025
Book Title Announcement!
Apr 16, 2025
Be a Hearing Hero with Teresa Barnes Paulus
Apr 09, 2025
Book Editing into Round 3!
Apr 02, 2025
Find A Way, Not An Excuse! with Brittany McCormick
Mar 30, 2025
RE-RELEASE: Learning to Stay Centered with Shylla Webb
Mar 21, 2025
Heart 4 Advocacy with Rebeka Acosta
Mar 12, 2025
RE-RELEASE: Building Confidence
Mar 05, 2025
The Book Editing Process Round 2: The Good, the Bad, and the I'm nervous!
Feb 26, 2025
It's never too late to chase your dreams! with Carol Wyllie
Feb 19, 2025
Advocating for himself! with Max Lowe
Feb 12, 2025
Is Inclusion Enough? Employment for people with disabilites with Heather Hagen
Feb 05, 2025
RE-RELEASE: BIG ANNOUCEMENT!
Feb 01, 2025
200th Episode!
Jan 22, 2025
The Importance of Early Intervention in Hearing Loss: Shannon Bonardy's Story
Jan 15, 2025
Turning Pain into Purpose Through Poetry with Traci Neal
Jan 08, 2025
One New Goal, One Year: How I Achieved My 2024 Goal!
Jan 01, 2025
Almost full circle: disability diagnosis and the doctor who diagnosed me!
Dec 29, 2024
The Main Motivation for Writing My Book: The Book Edition
Dec 18, 2024
Beyond Vision: Empowering a More Inclusive World with Lois Strachan
Dec 11, 2024
Relationships and Boundaries: Thriving with Disabilities with Katie Thune
Dec 04, 2024
Breaking Barriers: How her Disability Became a Career Superpower with Dana Stubbs
Nov 28, 2024
Learning about Autism and loving her family! with Wendy Whitcomb Marsh
Nov 20, 2024
Diagnosed with Dyslexia to Children’s Book Author! with Sasha Saidman
Nov 13, 2024
Don't be afraid to try! with Sarah Bruce
Nov 06, 2024
In honor of my Great Aunt Lynn - The Book Edition
Oct 30, 2024
Advocacy and Leadership with Kylee Leota
Oct 23, 2024
Near Miss - Listening to your gut!
Oct 16, 2024
Teaching English with an Aussie with Adriana Cefala
Oct 09, 2024
Her medical health journey to building a legacy with Emily Hartstone
Oct 06, 2024
This is not easy! The Book Edition.
Sep 30, 2024
From struggling with LD in childhood to Author, Speaker and Coach, with Patrick Richard Garcia
Sep 18, 2024
It's the journey up with Kari Berridge
Sep 10, 2024
How did it go? Recap Keynote Speaker - Reno, NV
Sep 04, 2024
Spiritual Healer and Astrology with Sarah Boss
Aug 28, 2024
Beautifuly gifted and diagnosed with autisum at 39 with Rebecca Finch Vitsmun
Aug 21, 2024
The Big Announcement!
Aug 14, 2024
Season 5 AND Keynote Speaker in Reno, NV!
Aug 07, 2024
Loving Mother & Down Syndrome Advocate with Wendy Hooton
Jul 31, 2024
Life Update - How has it been two years already?
Jul 24, 2024
A father’s loss and grief with Jason Tuttle
Jul 17, 2024
Diagnoised with ADHD after her daughter was diagnosed - with Andrea Atherton
Jul 10, 2024
Wheelchair accessible travel with Kristin Secor
Jul 03, 2024
Music Therapy and neurodivergent children with Samantha Foote
Jun 26, 2024
Her Blind Parents Beautiful Love Story with Mary Harper
Jun 19, 2024
"The Inclusive Dad" with Aaron DeVries
Jun 12, 2024
"Is It Dyslexia?" with April McMurtrey
Jun 05, 2024
"It all came from TikTok" Learing she may have a Different Ability® from TikTok with Nina Clapperton
May 29, 2024
Her story of living in Iran before and after the revolution with Soodabeh Mokry
May 25, 2024
Advocating & educating people about his disability from a young age! with Nick Smit
May 15, 2024
Advoating for her two build children and creating change in the world! with Kristin Smedley
May 08, 2024
WARRIOR! Fought many battles and she's not giving up! with Neosho Ponder
May 01, 2024
Diagnosed in her 50's with ADHD and helping so many people along the way with Anita Hempenius
Apr 24, 2024
Continuing to live her purpose with Alma Thomas
Apr 17, 2024
So Many Amazing Guests Coming!
Apr 10, 2024
Let's stop glorifying working 24/7 or hustle culture!
Apr 03, 2024
Staying quiet doesn't "keep the peace"
Mar 27, 2024
Speak Up!
Mar 20, 2024
Living a child free + empowered millennial life with Angela Gentile
Mar 13, 2024
My Health Update | Women's History Month
Mar 06, 2024
Design the life you love with Lyndsey Kampen
Feb 21, 2024
The importance of self growth with Jenna Allen
Feb 07, 2024
The Repaint Tray Launch with Billie Asmus
Jan 24, 2024
Bet on yourself!
Jan 17, 2024
Positive Intent with Andrea Haas
Jan 10, 2024
My dogs New Year goals!
Jan 03, 2024
Diagnosed at 39. It's never too late! with Stefan Glazer
Dec 06, 2023
"I'm not done!" with Katie Selby
Nov 29, 2023
Turning "you can't" into "I CAN!" with Michelle Steiner
Nov 15, 2023
Don't Give Up! From Entrepreneur Billie Asmus
Oct 18, 2023
Dyslexia & Learning Literacy with Christine Perkin
Oct 11, 2023
Dyslexia Awareness Month!
Oct 04, 2023
Have a great semester!
Aug 30, 2023
What's Next?!
Aug 23, 2023
What I learned while teaching!
Aug 16, 2023
Season 4!
Aug 09, 2023
Speaking at my old middle / high school!
Jul 06, 2023
The Gift of Being Different with Monica Berg
Jun 14, 2023
THANK YOU... to my UW-Stout Students!
Jun 09, 2023
HEY, I'M BACK!
May 31, 2023
Boundaries are SO HARD!
Apr 12, 2023
The trip I did not go on... YET!
Apr 05, 2023
Squashing Your Limiting Beliefs
Mar 15, 2023
University Teaching Announcement
Mar 08, 2023
Coffee with Doug
Mar 06, 2023
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters - Portia Nelson
Feb 27, 2023
Therapist reads me an amazing poem
Feb 15, 2023
Quizzes without accommodations? Are you kidding me?
Feb 08, 2023
Healing is so hard!
Feb 01, 2023
The book I'm totally loving right now!
Jan 25, 2023
Answering amazing questions - Part 2
Jan 18, 2023
Answering amazing questions - Part 1
Jan 11, 2023
Happy New Year!
Jan 04, 2023
Take a look back on 2022!
Dec 31, 2022
Take time for yourself!
Dec 30, 2022
Goals for the new year!
Dec 14, 2022
Setting boundaries for the holiday season
Dec 07, 2022
My most embarrassing story yet!
Nov 30, 2022
Let's Talk Dyslexia
Nov 27, 2022
How do you do it all? Behind the scenes!
Nov 16, 2022
Dealing with rough times...
Nov 09, 2022
What I learned in New Teacher Orientation
Nov 02, 2022
University Teaching Series - How the first two months of teaching is going! (8)
Oct 26, 2022
University Teaching Series - To teach building relationships (7)
Oct 19, 2022
University Teaching Series - To Built Community (6)
Oct 12, 2022
University Teaching Series - To Inspire the Next Generation of Designers (5)
Oct 05, 2022
University Teaching Series - To Learn and Grow (4)
Sep 28, 2022
University Teaching Series - A New Challenge (3)
Sep 21, 2022
University Teaching Series - Why I Said Yes! (2)
Sep 14, 2022
University Teaching Series - First Day of Teaching! (1)
Sep 07, 2022
My New Adventure!
Aug 31, 2022
Teaching Special Education with Kenyetta (Part 2)
Aug 24, 2022
Teaching Special Education with Kenyetta (Part 1)
Aug 17, 2022
It's Season 3!!!!
Aug 10, 2022
Last Episode of Season 2!
Aug 03, 2022
I Got MARRIED!
Jul 27, 2022
Positive Mindset
Jul 20, 2022
Dealing With Difficult Things
Jul 13, 2022
Taking a Social Media Break!
Jul 06, 2022
motivation moment.™ Podcast Series | Anita Mattu
Jun 29, 2022
motivation moment.™ Podcast Series | Q Jones
Jun 22, 2022
motivation moment.™ Podcast Series | Cashton + Jess
Jun 15, 2022
motivation moment.™ Podcast Series
Jun 01, 2022
Take the chance!
May 25, 2022
Live your full potential!
May 18, 2022
Being Bold, Being Brave, Being You with Anita Mattu
May 11, 2022
Therapy Rocks!
May 04, 2022
Setting boundaries and never being mistreated again with Maddox
Apr 27, 2022
Announcement - New Podcast Series!
Apr 20, 2022
Motivation is Garbage?!
Apr 13, 2022
Share the Moment!
Apr 06, 2022
What I learned traveling with my Mom!
Mar 30, 2022
An advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing with Krista Lewis
Mar 23, 2022
Please learn from my huge mistake!
Mar 16, 2022
Parents, you have rights!
Feb 23, 2022
I'm here to speak!
Feb 16, 2022
Be Proud & Celebrate You!
Feb 09, 2022
Pep talk from Katey
Feb 02, 2022
Don't let others dim your light!
Jan 26, 2022
Trademarking Different Ability®!
Jan 19, 2022
Living Life with Courage - with Justine Wenzel
Jan 12, 2022
I'm Back! Happy New Year!
Jan 05, 2022
Invisible, Blushing & Healing with Timothy Long
Dec 01, 2021
Spirit, energy & healing with Timothy Long
Nov 24, 2021
It never hurts to ask!
Nov 17, 2021
Well it had to be said...
Nov 10, 2021
Teaching your child to advocate!
Nov 03, 2021
My Story, My Why
Oct 27, 2021
Standing up to your bully!
Oct 13, 2021
Dyslexia Struggles
Oct 06, 2021
Does hours of homework create bad habits and boundaries for kids?
Sep 29, 2021
Qualities and values are your identity with Shannon
Sep 22, 2021
People are people no matter what ability! with Dustin Henslin
Sep 15, 2021
To Own Your Learning with Mei
Sep 08, 2021
Behind the Different Ability® Scenes
Sep 01, 2021
OMG It's Harvey Korman's Son! With Chris Korman
Aug 25, 2021
Oh my gosh, I own a trademark!
Aug 18, 2021
Parent Advocate and Building Your Tool Box with Raya Karin
Aug 11, 2021
Are you living your life purpose? with Dennard Mitchell
Aug 04, 2021
I'm here because...
Jul 28, 2021
Teacher Secondary Trauma and Burnout with Ayesis Clay
Jul 21, 2021
Calling All Parents, Guardians & Families!
Jul 14, 2021
Calling All Admin and Teachers!
Jul 07, 2021
Respectfully Disrupting The Education System
Jun 30, 2021
You are amazing!
Jun 23, 2021
5 things I'd tell my younger self!
Jun 16, 2021
My Promise To You!
Jun 09, 2021
Different Ability™ = Superpower!
Jun 02, 2021
Do I have ADHD?!
May 26, 2021
Confidence in who you are!
May 19, 2021
Behind the Scenes with Richard Chrz
May 12, 2021
Access Our City with Richard Chrz
May 05, 2021
My Deaf Experience with Kellina Powell
Apr 28, 2021
Building Little Leaders with Andrea Monroe
Apr 21, 2021
Diagnosed at 50 years old with Larissa Russell
Apr 14, 2021
Inspiring kids each and every day with Quinton Jones
Apr 07, 2021
A life changing moment - to now changing lives with Richard Chrz
Mar 31, 2021
A sibling's perspective with Diana Swillinger
Mar 24, 2021
One Size Does NOT Fit All!
Mar 17, 2021
Learning to Stay Centered with Shylla Webb
Mar 10, 2021
Cracking my B.A.N.K code with Angel Baney
Mar 03, 2021
Giving Kids Opportunities to Learn with Veronica Shier
Feb 24, 2021
Let's Talk Learning Disabilities with Gina Dahl
Feb 17, 2021
Overcoming A Learning Disability with Paul Vibes
Feb 10, 2021
A Red Letter Day with Rick Werry
Feb 03, 2021
Learning To Listen with Will Taylor
Jan 27, 2021
"Be The Drip That Rips" with Janet MacKay!
Jan 20, 2021
What Enneagram Number Am I?!
Jan 13, 2021
New Year, New Guests!
Jan 06, 2021
The 8 things 2020 has taught me!
Dec 30, 2020
Finding Gratitude!
Dec 23, 2020
Launching new products in 2021!
Dec 16, 2020
Testing Outside Of The Classroom
Dec 09, 2020
The Hidden Disability with Jess Gumness
Dec 02, 2020
Learning About Yourself!
Nov 25, 2020
You can do anything in the world!
Nov 18, 2020
Caring For Our Mental Health!
Nov 11, 2020
Kindness Over Hate!
Nov 04, 2020
Using her Different Ability™ in her career! with Jessica
Oct 28, 2020
Advocating For Yourself!
Oct 21, 2020
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT... Launching a challenge!
Oct 14, 2020
Building Confidence
Oct 07, 2020
PIVOT!
Sep 30, 2020
Life isn't perfect...
Sep 23, 2020
Own Your Different Ability!
Sep 16, 2020
What is your Different Ability?
Sep 09, 2020
What is a Different Ability?
Sep 02, 2020
How I Started Public Speaking
Aug 26, 2020
Stand Up For Yourself!
Aug 19, 2020
My Mom's side of my story
Aug 12, 2020
The Diagnosis
Aug 04, 2020
The Struggle
Aug 04, 2020
Very First Episode... Welcome!
Aug 04, 2020