Well-Being: A Boundless Podcast

This year as you do your spring cleaning, why not declutter your mind as well. In this episode we have great tips for being more focused and less stressed. Join two professional counselors Dr. Jamie Jones, Boundless, and Danielle Smart, client navigator, Ohio NAMI, who share proven ways to achieve better mental health. They join our host Scott Light to discuss meditation, breathing exercises, journaling and just getting outside to improve your state of mind. What impact do green spaces and blue spaces have on our health? Studies show they are helpful in calming our minds.

For Developmental Disability Awareness Month Bob Evans Farms partnered with Boundless to help build confidence and connections through cooking recipes with Bob Evans Farms products. Hear how four women we serve through our adult day program Without Walls (WoW) joined four food scientists/chefs from Bob Evans Farms at our SmartHome to cook together. Guests Hope Johnson, supervisor of the WoW program at Boundless, and Cassandra Binkley, senior manager community engagement & philanthropy at Bob Evans Farms, discuss how well the interactions went. Everyone learned something new from each other. Learning life skills is a great way to gain more independence.

Dating is tough for many people in this day and age and can be even more difficult if you are an adult with disabilities. Our host, Scott Light, is joined by Julie, a mom of an adult son with autism who has experienced dating, and Ana Santos, residential manager at Boundless, who works with many adults who desire to be in romantic relationships. With shows like Love on the Spectrum this topic is being discussed more often. How can family members and guardians support their adults looking for love? What can parents do to set up safe guidelines while still being encouraging about dating? Listen in to get these valuable perspectives.

When asked, “Who was/is a mentor to you?” We can all probably think of one or more people who have made significant impacts on our lives. Mentors are vital in learning social skills, working through tough situations, and helping you find the right place in your community. Boundless staff members Kelli James and Kiara James join host, Scott Light, to share stories about how mentors have impacted them personally as well as the impressive progress they’ve witnessed in individuals who are receiving mentoring services at Boundless. After all, we are all stronger when we have supportive people in our lives.

Hear from two mothers who both lost a loved one during the holidays last year and what lessons they learned and are willing to share with others. Karen Cousins, program director, NAMI Franklin County and Dr. Jill Crane, psychology post-doctoral fellow, Boundless, join host Scott Light for some heartfelt suggestions on not caving to expectations and celebrating in a way that works for you.

We’ve heard many times before that you can’t care for others if you’re not caring for yourself, but it’s easy to overlook your needs and feel guilty for prioritizing yourself. We are facing a burnout epidemic and caregivers are being hit the hardest, but the good news is you’re not alone. People around the country are dealing with these same issues and have found solutions to help them balance themselves and their passion. Hear the stories of three different caretakers, the struggles they face, and what they do to give back to themselves on this episode of Well-Being. Join Jess Waizmann, Community ABA Administrator at Boundless, Lisa Comes, Service and Support Advisor at Ohio Association of County Boards and mother of a son with disabilities, and Julie Callahan, mother of an adult son who Boundless serves, to hear real life examples of self-care.

We’ve reached that time of year where it seems everyday is filled with planning and prepping for upcoming holidays and family gatherings. This can be especially stressful for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caretakers. What do you do if your loved one doesn’t want to wear a Halloween costume? Doesn't like anything prepared for Thanksgiving? Or your family gets frustrated that an individual only spent 20 minutes at family Christmas? We have answers and real-life examples for all that and more from our Boundless experts, Kristen Messer and Kelli James, and Janet, a parent of an adult with autism. Listen to this episode to ease some of your holiday stress.

We recognize the hard work that goes into being a Direct Support Professional (DSP). But it's a great career for those who have compassion and want to improve the lives of others. We just celebrated DSP Appreciation Week and Janet Griffiths nominated her daughter's DSP, Marquita, to be recognized for the 20 years she's helped Lori and their family. And Jayme Jurkovac joins host Scott Light to share some of the great benefits DSPs get if they choose to work at Boundless and we are hiring.

We discuss stigmas and misconceptions around adults with disabilities and why we must respect their life choices. Listen in as Ana Santos, residential manager at Boundless, and Jen Adkins, a 48-year-old woman who is a self-advocate and her own guardian, discuss the challenges they face while out in the community ordering alcoholic beverages. Beth Boswell, community engagement & partnerships coordinator at Rhinegeist, shares why they wanted to join forces with Boundless for their Beer for Humans campaign to help educate others that adults with disabilities can enjoy adult beverages and drink responsibly.

Listen to learn how authors with autism are writing books who have autistic characters as they share their own voices.  How have libraries changed to become more inclusive to those with disabilities? They are no longer just quiet places. Kristen Messer, autism clinic director at Boundless, and Kris Hickey, youth services manager at the Whetstone branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, join host Scott Light to discuss neurodivergent characters and authors. You will want to add these books to your reading list.