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PODCAST

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

education education for kids

All Episodes

29:25

Chapter 9 Conversation – Learning by Doing –...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 at a young age—helped Katey build confidence, overcome challenges, and develop her advocacy skills. Katey shares strategies for identifying strengths and areas for improvement, offers guidance for students and parents navigating learning differences, an...

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14:45

Chapter 26 Conversation – Finding Courage in the Face...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 quitting feels easier. Katey opens up about the moments during the writing process when negative self-talk crept in and how her different ability both challenged and strengthened her along the way. They discuss the importance of support systems, using tools and...

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28:09

Chapter 1 Conversation – From Shame to Strength |...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey dives deeper into Chapter 1 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. This conversation reflects on early moments of self-doubt, the long-lasting impact of being misunderstood, and the quiet signs that often get missed when a child is struggling. Together, Katey and her mom unpack a story that stayed hidden for decades, explore how adult responses shape confidence and trust, and offer insight for parents and educators who w...

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45:32

Chapter 4 Conversation – Shifting the Narrative: “I...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Different Ability® Podcast, Katey, her mom Lynn, and a special guest appearance by her dad dive into Chapter 4 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They explore the transformative power of the phrase “I just learn differently,” how it shaped Katey’s identity through middle school and beyond, and the critical role of parental support in embracing her diagnosis rather than feeling shame. The conversation also tackles society’s fixation on “normal,” momen...

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36:29

Chapter 23 Conversation – Embracing Mentors and...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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. Katey reflects on Doug’s advice to focus on making friends rather than just selling, how mentorship helped her navigate a career shift into sales, and why relationship-building has been central to her professional growth. Through stories of unexpected con...

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21:47

Chapter 15 Conversation – From Small Town to Big...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 high school to advocating for yourself in college. Katey shares how early experiences practicing handshakes and introductions built her confidence in meeting professors, strategies for students who feel anxious about self-advocacy, and tips for creating ...

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20:08

Chapter 7 Conversation – Standing Up for Myself – The...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 the power of using her voice. Katey reflects on how nervousness, teasing, and supportive guidance contributed to building resilience, and they share practical steps listeners can take to grow their own confidence. This conversation emphasizes the importa...

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27:22

Chapter 16 Conversation – Finding My Voice: Advocacy,...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 understanding unique learning differences such as letter reversals. Katey shares insights for students who may relate but don’t have a formal diagnosis and highlights her ongoing journey of self-discovery. The episode emphasizes the importance of advocacy, ...

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33:14

Chapter 20 Conversation – The Hand That Raised Mine:...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 and how that experience reshaped her perspective on public speaking and advocacy. Together, they discuss the role of vulnerability in sharing personal stories, the importance of finding “your people,” and carrying forward a legacy of advocacy through los...

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34:40

Chapter 19 Conversation – Ask, Connect, Achieve: How...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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, and confidently putting herself out there. Katey shares lessons learned from mentors, how to handle “not right now” responses with persistence and humility, and the bold moments that helped open unexpected doors. This conversation reinforces the power of ...

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29:22

Chapter 27 Conversation – Raising an Advocate –...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 Katey’s diagnosis and the vital role of family, community, and support systems in navigating early challenges. Lynn shares advice for parents and caregivers just starting their journey, what an ideal “village” of support looks like, and how to foster sel...

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35:56

Chapter 17 Conversation – Putting Yourself Out There:...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 Katey’s confidence, leadership, and professional identity in college. Katey shares the challenges she overcame teaching herself with limited resources, the role of tutoring in building skills and self-assurance, and strategies for building authentic relatio...

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24:02

Chapter 13 Conversation – From Rebellion to...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 from her Great Aunt Lynn, navigating peer influence, and the impact of a tour guide who helped her see the college in a new light. Katey shares how this experience taught her the value of being open to new possibilities, the importance of disability service...

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35:13

Chapter 14 Conversation – Embracing Dyslexia and...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 Art and Design program at UW-Stout. Katey shares the challenges of transitioning to a larger college environment, forming strong connections with roommates, and learning to embrace her dyslexia. The conversation also highlights the importance of utilizin...

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15:03

RE-RELEASE: Dyslexia Struggles

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/18

Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m bringing back a powerful conversation from the archive: Dyslexia Struggles. As I prepare for the release of my book Embracing Your Different Ability®, it felt like the perfect time to revisit this episode where I open up about the real, everyday challenges I face living with dyslexia. From the frustrations to the behind-the-scenes moments people don’t always see, I share honestly about what it’s like and the tools and strategies that have helped me navigate it ...

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12:49

RE-RELEASE: Standing up to your bully!

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/11

Send us Fan Mail Re-releasing this episode because the message still matters. If you’ve ever been made to feel “less than,” this is your reminder: you are not alone! Let’s stand up to our bullies, grow in confidence, and embrace what makes us uniquely us - differences and all! Stay in the loop with the new Different Ability® product I'll be launching! Sign Up Here! Shop new products here! Places you can reach me at: Website: https://kateyfortun.com/ https://kateyfortun.com/podcast...

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56:10

Her Son’s Diagnosis Changed Everything — For the...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Send a text In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Patty Laushman — coach, educator, and neurodiversity advocate — to talk about her journey as a mom navigating years of uncertainty before learning her son is autistic. She shares what those first 8½ years were like, the challenges her family faced, and how one doctor’s words changed everything for the better. We also talk about her path through college, becoming a mom later in life, and how her personal experiences led her to support neur...

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49:29

Living Fully with CMD: Advocacy, Confidence &...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/02/25

Send a text In this powerful episode, I sit down with Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, hosts of the Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast, for an honest and uplifting conversation about living fully with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). Together, we talk about what it really means to grow up learning your body, your needs, and your voice — and how self-advocacy becomes a life-changing skill. Kelly and Avery share their personal journeys navigating life in power wheelchairs, embracing d...

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63:00

Rising Through It All: Faith, Fire & Fierce Advocacy...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/02/18

Send a text In this powerful conversation, Kimberly Hendrix shares her journey through life’s hardest seasons — from marriage struggles and motherhood to building a decades-long business, raising a child with Down syndrome, and facing breast cancer. Through it all, she’s leaned on faith, resilience, and courage to rise stronger and advocate fiercely for her children, women, and families everywhere. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that adversity doesn’t define you — it can refine you. K...

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13:59

Audio Book Talk & Bloopers!

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/02/11

Send a text In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of recording my audio book Embracing Your Different Ability®! I share how the process has been going, what’s surprised me, what’s been harder than expected, and what I’ve loved most about bringing my book to life in my own voice. And because real life (and real recording) isn’t always perfect, I’m also sharing some bloopers from the studio that will definitely make you laugh. Whether you’re an author, a speaker, or someone who just...

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