Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion Podcast

Join host Steve Nearman and his guest Danielle Graziano as they discuss what REAL inclusion looks like versus how it's often practiced — the gap between compliance and culture. Coming from the perspective of what inclusion means from both sides of the table — as a Weymouth School Committee member (Vice Chair, Budget Subcommittee Chair) and as a parent of two teens with diverse support needs. Spoiler Alert - you, too, can get involved in a SEPAC and affect the educational trajectory of yours and others children.

Host - Steve Nearman
Guest - Evan Delahanty, Founder of Peaceful Fruits
 
In this episode, host Steve Nearman of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion and guest Evan Delahanty , Founder and CEO of Peaceful Fruits LLC, discuss how people with intellectual disabilities want to work and feel valued.
 
They explore Evan's journey founding Peaceful Fruits in Akron, Ohio, with a dedicated special needs workforce. Evan shares valuable lessons from his time in the Amazon with the Peace Corps and his mission to create healthy, all-natural snacks while supporting his local community and the indigenous harvesters in the Amazon.
 
Alert - this podcast has a bittersweet ending
 
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Peaceful Fruits
 
 

Please join host Steve Nearman of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion and guest Trevor Levine, Owner/President of Premise Mortgage LLC to learn more about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
 
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have been around since before World War II. Initially, they were common as a means to provide affordable housing options, often built on the same lot as a primary residence. This practice allowed homeowners to accommodate extended family or generate rental income.
 
ADUs have grown in popularity especially more recently with the increasing lack of affordable housing and the Commonwealth passing legislation in the Affordable Homes Account which took effect January 31, 2025. Homeowners are now building ADUs for elderly parents and recently-graduated kids. But what about using ADUs to address the housing crisis in the special needs community, where there is a major lack of housing options. We do a deep dive into the viability of ADUs.
 
Trevor Levine, Owner/President of Premise Mortgage, LLC

Host Steve Nearman and guest Lauren S. Henry of Lauren Henry Sensory Design of Delray Beach, FL, talk about how you go from being a singing performer on cruise lines to designing sensory-friendly spaces for special needs people, elderly citizens, schools, corporations and people with PTSD.
 
The bottom line - WE all suffer from overstimulation but in many cases it's a choice - where and how you live, where and how you work, where you go to school and how you manage a multitude of senses in your daily life.
 
Lauren Henry Sensory Design
 
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Please join host Steve Nearman and guest Nicole Young - endearingly known as "The Plymouth Trash Lady," a South Shore, Plymouth-born autistic mom of three autistic children - as they dive into candid, unfiltered conversations about Nicole's own late diagnosis with autism, the everyday challenges and triumphs of raising three autistic kids, and her adventurous world of trash removal. 
You can find Nicole Young (The Plymouth Trash Lady) at the links below:
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Join host Steve Nearman of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion and guest Nora Bent of @thearcofmass as they discuss the recently passed Massachusetts law establishing the statewide Blue Envelope Program. 
 
In this episode, we explore how the initiative evolved from an idea into legislation, the advocacy role played by The Arc of Massachusetts, and how the program fosters safer, more successful encounters between law enforcement officers and autistic drivers or passengers during traffic stops. Click links below for more information.
 
Request a Blue Envelope
 
Blue Envelope Program Information
 
Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll Press Release
 
 

Living with epilepsy and autism, Megan has given back to the local police for their kindness during her early years.
 
Find out how on Episode 18 of the Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion podcast.
 
Joining host Steve Nearman are his guests:
 
Megan Richardson, Board Secretary, Hingham Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association
 
Ryan O'Shea, Deputy Chief, @hinghampolice
 
We discuss her work with the Citizen's Police Academy of which she is a graduate and
We discuss her work with the Citizen's Police Academy of which she is a graduate and its alumni group of which she is a Board Secretary and the positive relationship she has developed with the police department and the inclusive community through her sensory kits.

How does the upcoming Island Autism Gala on June 19th aid in providing services to its autism community, including day and residual programing?
Find out on this episode of the Breaking the Ice Lets Talk Inclusion podcast.
Joining host Steve Nearman are his guests:
Brooke Avakian, Board Chair, Island Autism
Kate DeVane, Executive Director, Island Autism
Jen Woods, Special Education and Transitions teacher, Martha's Vineyard High School
In addition to talking about the fundraiser, we also discuss the symbiotic relationship between Martha's Vineyard schools and Island Autism, including students making dog treats, working with horses and hanging out with chickens!

It's no secret that people in the medical community don't always get it right.
They told the parents of Andrew Roberts when he was a baby that he would never speak. 
On this episode of the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast, host Steve Nearman discusses Andrew's recent graduation from Ithaca College's Sport Media program.
He received an autism diagnosis shortly before his second birthday and is the first and youngest Flutie Foundation Fellow, only 14 years of age when he started with the organization.
As a junior announcer for the Boston Red Sox, Andrew’s fandom grew over the years, and when he was 10 years old, (after borrowing a book at the library called “How to Start a Blog”), he started his own sports website, bostonsportsmania. com. It now has over 750 posts.
On the podcast, Andrew discusses his time at Ithaca and his incredible depth of sports media work in just 22 years of life.

How does Second Summer Cycle help raise thousands of dollars for charities on Cape Cod? Find out on the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast!
On this episode, host Steve Nearman sits down with Andi Genser, Organizer of Second Summer Cycle Charity Rides and Robert Goydas, Great Blizz supporter and past rider.
This show takes a deep dive into Andi's long and passionate career of championing those in need, especially women who need supports. And her long love affair with bicycling which came together during her years at the helm of Cape Cod non-profit We Can. Plus a sit-in by Blizz fundraiser Robert Goydas, on the staff of our production company Marshfield Community Media, as he reviews his successful Second Summer ride last year.
The Blizz again will be participating, along with 18 other non-profits, on September 13. Learn more: Secondsummercycle.com