The Different Ability® Podcast
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
Episodes
283 episodes
The Dyslexic Font That Sparked a Bigger Conversation with Rebeka & Taosies
What happens when a simple font sparks a powerful conversation?In this episode, returning guest Rebeka Acosta is back! This time joined by her teenage son, Taosies, for a real and eye-opening discussion about dyslexia, perspective, and g...
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Season 7
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Episode 282
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1:04:40
Breaking Barriers & Building a Life Without Limits with Jo Elizabeth Pinto
What happens when you refuse to accept the limits others place on you?In today’s episode, I sit down with Jo Elizabeth Pinto for a powerful conversation about inclusion, advocacy, and navigating a world that doesn’t always know how to su...
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Season 7
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Episode 281
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24:43
Navigating Loss, Motherhood, Homeschooling, and Dyslexia with Stephany Rios
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Stephany Rios, host of the Homeschool with Steph podcast, homeschooling mom of five, and entrepreneur.Stephany shares her powerful life story—growing up and stepping into a caregiving role at a ...
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Season 7
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Episode 280
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56:13
Chapter 28 Conversation – Courage, Celebration, and Taking the Next Step | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this final episode of The Different Ability® Podcast for Season 6, Katey reflects on Chapter 28 of Embracing Your Different Ability®, sharing the courage it took to be vulnerable, the mix of emotions she experienced finishi...
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Season 6
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Episode 255
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34:15
Chapter 27 Conversation – Raising an Advocate – Lessons from a Parent | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey sits down with her mom, Lynn, to explore Chapter 27 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss how Lynn’s perspective on learning disabilities has evolved since ...
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Season 6
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Episode 254
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29:22
Chapter 26 Conversation – Finding Courage in the Face of Limiting Beliefs | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom dive into Chapter 26 of Embracing Your Different Ability®, focusing on limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and the courage it takes to keep going—even when quittin...
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Season 6
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Episode 253
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14:45
Chapter 25 Conversation – Advocating for Change Through Personal Storytelling | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom reflect on Chapter 25 of Embracing Your Different Ability® and the power of personal storytelling as a catalyst for advocacy and change. Katey shares how spe...
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Season 6
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Episode 252
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34:44
Chapter 24 Conversation – From Struggles to Strengths: Living with Different Ability® | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 24 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. Katey shares the pivotal mindset shift that led her to embrace the concept of Different A...
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Season 6
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Episode 251
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30:33
Chapter 23 Conversation – Embracing Mentors and Making an Impact | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 23 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They dive into the powerful role mentors play in shaping confidence, careers, and advocacy. K...
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Season 6
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Episode 250
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36:29
Chapter 22 Conversation – The Power of Networking and Making Bold Moves | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 22 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss how meaningful connections often open doors more effectively than traditional jo...
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Season 6
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Episode 249
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38:04
Chapter 21 Conversation – The Power of a Gift: How Advocacy Begins in the Heart | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 21 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. Katey reflects on the profound impact her great aunt Lynn had on her life and advocacy journe...
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Season 6
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Episode 248
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20:09
Chapter 20 Conversation – The Hand That Raised Mine: Honoring a Legacy of Advocacy | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 20 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. Katey reflects on a powerful moment that felt like her hand was being raised by Lynn herself ...
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Season 6
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Episode 247
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33:14
Chapter 19 Conversation – Ask, Connect, Achieve: How Taking Risks Opened New Doors | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 19 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss how Katey’s experiences at UW-Stout prepared her for networking, taking risks, a...
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Season 6
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Episode 246
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34:40
Chapter 18 Conversation – Breaking Barriers: Kindness, Connection, and Personal Growth | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 18 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They explore the power of kindness, persistence, and human connection through stories that ...
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Season 6
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Episode 245
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23:28
Chapter 17 Conversation – Putting Yourself Out There: The Importance of Building Relationships | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 17 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss how taking initiative, like learning Revit outside of the curriculum, shaped Kat...
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Season 6
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Episode 244
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35:56
Chapter 16 Conversation – Finding My Voice: Advocacy, Self-Discovery, and College Challenges | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 16 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss managing test anxiety, the role of humor in coping with college demands, and und...
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Season 6
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Episode 243
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27:22
Chapter 15 Conversation – From Small Town to Big Opportunities: Self-Advocacy in College | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 15 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss the mental shift required when transitioning from the supportive environment of ...
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Season 6
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Episode 242
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21:47
Chapter 14 Conversation – Embracing Dyslexia and Building My Dream at UW-Stout | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 14 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss Katey’s journey of self-acceptance and overcoming self-doubt while pursuing the ...
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Season 6
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Episode 241
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35:13
Chapter 13 Conversation – From Rebellion to Realization – Starting My College Journey | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 13 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They explore the pivotal moments that shaped Katey’s college decision, including advice fro...
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Season 6
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Episode 240
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24:02
Chapter 12 Conversation – A Teacher’s Impact: How Mrs. D Showed Me the Power of Advocacy | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 12 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss the pivotal role of teachers in helping students advocate for themselves, highli...
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Season 6
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Episode 239
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20:55
Chapter 11 Conversation – Testing My Limits: The Power of Accommodations | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 11 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss the challenges students face in embracing accommodations during high school, the...
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Season 6
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Episode 238
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17:00
Chapter 10 Conversation – A First Job That Taught Me Life Lessons in Leadership and Independence | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 10 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss Katey’s first job and the invaluable lessons it taught her about leadership, res...
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Season 6
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Episode 237
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22:13
Chapter 9 Conversation – Learning by Doing – Creativity and Hands-On Learning Shaped My Story | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 9 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They explore how creativity, thinking outside the box, and hands-on experiences—like welding...
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Season 6
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Episode 236
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29:25
Chapter 8 Conversation – Redefining Learning: How I Advocated for My Success | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, dive into Chapter 8 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They explore the challenges Katey faced during classroom reading sessions, the anxiety and s...
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Season 6
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Episode 235
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23:54
Chapter 7 Conversation – Standing Up for Myself – The Moment That Changed Everything | Embracing Your Different Ability®
In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey and her mom, Lynn, explore Chapter 7 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They dive into the pivotal middle school moment that shaped Katey’s confidence and taught her ...
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Season 6
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Episode 234
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20:08