Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future will help get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person. Focus on the Future is a podcast of The Arc Minnesota, a non-profit organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Episodes
14 episodes
Episode 14: Rewriting the Narrative with Andrea Zuber, CEO
In the final episode of season 1 of Focus on the Future, we are joined by Andrea Zuber, CEO of The Arc Minnesota. Andrea has devoted her career to protecting the human rights of people with disabilities. Over the years, she has fostered a visio...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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25:23
Episode 13: A person-centered approach for today & tomorrow with Dr. Dan Baker, DHS
In Episode 13, learn what it means to be "person-centered" and why it is so important. Dr. Dan Baker from the Minnesota Department of Human Services joins us. He shares how focusing on someone's strengths, interests, and dreams can change not o...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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33:34
Episode 12: Self-Advocacy & the Future with Barbara
In episode 12 of Focus on the Future, we are joined by Barbara. Barbara lives in Minnesota and is passionate about martial arts. She is also a self-advocate. Self-advocacy is about using your voice to make your own decisions and be your own adv...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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27:29
Episode 11: Supporting & Empowering Siblings with Emily Holl
In Episode 11 of Focus on the Future, learn about the role that siblings play in future planning. Emily Holl of the Sibling Support Project joins us to discuss how siblings can be empowered to be a part of planning for the future. Siblings know...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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38:34
Episode 10: Guardianship, Decision Making, & Other Options
In episode 10 of Focus on the Future, we talk about decision making and guardianship. In Minnesota, there are many options, including supported decision making, full & limited guardianship, authorized representation, and more. Tune in to he...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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24:27
Episode 9: Health Care Directives with Honoring Choices Minnesota
Creating a health care directive is an important step in planning for the future. It's a gift that lets your family know what choices to make regarding your health care if you are unable to voice that choice for yourself. In this podcast episod...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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26:20
Episode 8: Building Friendships and Community with Angela Amado
Episode 8 of Focus on the Future highlights the importance of building friendship within the community. Guest Angela Amado shares her knowledge on the importance of building lasting friendships and relationships with people with disabilities. A...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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38:39
Episode 7: Safer Future Planning with Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons
What role does safety play in future planning? Can we really plan for a safer future? In this episode of Focus on the Future, host Allycia Wolff interviews Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons. Dr. Fitzsimons is a professor of social work at Mankato State Univ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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25:36
Episode 6: Self-Care as Caregivers with the Thayer Family
As a caregiver, you are often focused on the care of others. But what about caring for yourself? In this episode, join host Allycia Wolff as she talks with the Thayer family about self-care. Brian and Jen Thayer are parents to Roa and Gunner, o...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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34:48
Episode 5: Reach Financial Goals with ABLE
In 2014, President Obama signed into law the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, better known as ABLE. The ABLE Act allows for people with disabilities to save money without disrupting their benefits. On Episode 5 of Focus on the Future, ho...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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19:08
Episode 3: The Power of Choice in a Good Life
Episode 3 of Focus on the Future is about quality of life. In this episode, host Allycia Wolff talks with Tori Hickenbotham-Westeren. Tori is The Arc Minnesota's Chief Planning & Program Officer. In their conversation, Allycia and Tori disc...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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34:24
Episode 2: Understanding Special Needs Legal Planning with Jason Schellack
In Episode 2, host Allycia Wolff talks with attorney Jason Schellack. As Executive Director of the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, Jason shares his expertise on special needs estate planning. In this episode, Allycia and Jason dive into the v...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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27:56
Episode 1: Starting Future Planning with the Kadwell Family
In Episode 1, host Allycia Wolff interviews the Kadwell family from New Brighton, MN. Worried about what it would mean when their son Micah became a legal adult, Nicole and Frank came to The Arc Minnesota during Micah’s senior year of high scho...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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24:28