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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

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All Episodes

46:48

Understanding Your Brain, Changing Your Life with...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/09/30

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you finally understand why your brain works the way it does? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Saara Haapanen, ADHD and wellness expert, international speaker, and founder of Performance is Haapanen. Saara shares the twists and turns of her career, the experiences that eventually led to her ADHD diagnosis at 35, and how that diagnosis changed her life for the better. We talk about understanding your brain, letting go of systems that were never designed fo...

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55:39

It's Never Too Late to Understand Yourself with...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/07/15

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with husband-and-wife duo Walter and Stephanie to talk about their journeys of discovering they are neurodivergent later in life. Stephanie shares her experiences of being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and, years later, receiving additional diagnoses, including autism and ADHD. Walter opens up about recently learning he has ADHD and how that new understanding has changed the way he sees himself. Together, they discuss raising daughters who hav...

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16:23

Back Behind the Mic!

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/07/08

Send us Fan Mail Where I've been, what I've been building, and the lessons I've learned along the way. After a few quiet months away from the microphone, I'm excited to be back behind the mic. The last few months have been filled with some of the biggest changes of my life... publishing my first book, stepping away from my corporate career, building new dreams in Colorado, and starting a new chapter that has challenged and stretched me in the best ways. But this episode isn't just about catch...

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64:40

The Dyslexic Font That Sparked a Bigger Conversation...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/04/08

Send us Fan Mail 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 growth. This conversation started when I sent Rebeka the first three chapters of my book in both a standard font and a dyslexic-friendly font. She didn’t like the dyslexic font… but her son LOVED it. That difference in perspective led to this ...

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24:43

Breaking Barriers & Building a Life Without Limits...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/04/01

Send us Fan Mail 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 support you. We talk about the importance of having people who believe in you, discovering how you learn best, and building confidence and independence along the way. This conversation is a reminder that inclusion and advocacy can change ...

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56:13

Navigating Loss, Motherhood, Homeschooling, and...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/27

Send us Fan Mail 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 young age while her mom battled cancer. In her early 20s, she helped care for her mom, supported her eight younger siblings, along side her dad, and followed in her mom’s footsteps by becoming a nurse. Through it all, she experienced deep loss, resili...

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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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20:09

Chapter 21 Conversation – The Power of a Gift: 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 21 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. Katey reflects on the profound impact her great aunt Lynn had on her life and advocacy journey, sharing meaningful memories that made her feel deeply seen and valued. They discuss the emotional experience of receiving a gift Lynn had set aside before her passing and how that moment reshaped Katey’s perspective on advocacy, connection, and legacy...

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23:28

Chapter 18 Conversation – Breaking Barriers:...

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 18 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They explore the power of kindness, persistence, and human connection through stories that shaped Katey’s personal growth. From breaking down emotional walls through patience, to finding purpose and belonging in an unexpected work environment, this conversation highlights the importance of showing up as yourself in every season of life. Katey ...

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30:33

Chapter 24 Conversation – From Struggles 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, explore Chapter 24 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. Katey shares the pivotal mindset shift that led her to embrace the concept of Different Ability®—reframing dyslexia from a limitation into a source of strength. Together, they discuss navigating misconceptions, finding purpose through life’s unexpected turns, and creating “motivation moments” that spark growth and confidence. This conversation a...

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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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38:04

Chapter 22 Conversation – The Power of Networking 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 22 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss how meaningful connections often open doors more effectively than traditional job applications and how taking bold steps can lead to unexpected opportunities. Katey shares insights on transitioning into new roles, navigating job loss, trusting the people around you, and staying open to chance encounters that can change the course of...

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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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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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34:44

Chapter 25 Conversation – Advocating for Change...

The Different Ability® Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Send us Fan Mail 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 speaking at her great aunt Lynn’s celebration of life shaped her confidence as a speaker and reaffirmed her purpose as an advocate. They discuss stepping outside comfort zones, the impact of encouragement from educators, and why sharing personal experiences...

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20:55

Chapter 12 Conversation – A Teacher’s Impact: 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 12 of Embracing Your Different Ability®. They discuss the pivotal role of teachers in helping students advocate for themselves, highlighting the encouragement Katey received from Mrs. D during a vulnerable moment in school. Katey shares how writing a letter about her foreign language requirement shaped her mindset toward self-advocacy, the importance of having allies in education, and ...

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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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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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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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