Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion Podcast

What happens when your loved one with special needs turns 22? It’s major quandry, but one of the places to turn to is Plymouth County Family Support (PCFS).
Find out more on this episode of the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast, hosted by Jim Coughlin, Executive Director of PCFS, with Dakota Phillips, Agency with Choice Coordinator.
They discuss what their function is, along with upcoming programs, services, and resources for adults ages 22 and over who have aged out of the school system. PCFS serves the numerous towns of Plymouth County.

How did the tearing down of a pride flag turn into a popular community event?
On this episode of the Breaking The Ice - Let’s Talk Inclusion podcast, host Steve Nearman sits down with Darcee Edwards, organizer of the 6th annual "Don't Hide the Pride" event next month in Hanover, MA.
A member of Hanover Pride, a mother of three and full-time school nurse, Ms. Edwards explains how the event, which celebrates Pride Month, germinated from the tearing down of a pride flag at Hanover High School in June 2021.
Within days, the Hanover Board of Selectmen chose "to turn a hurtful incident into a unique moment for reflection leading to growth," including the creation of a Pride event which took place shortly after and ever since.
The discussion also delves into the world of LGBTQ+ people and the world around them, which is becoming more and more harsh. The Blizz has welcomed LGBTQ+ players since its inception.

Host Steve Nearman sits down with MA Sen. Dylan Fernades, who discusses legislation he is sponsoring for our community, including a cleaner environment and a focus on autism services and housing.
Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships for the ARC of Massachusetts, discusses the PROTECT Act Amendment #6, which the ARC is strongly advocating for.
Rapidly evolving federal immigration policies and expanded enforcement actions are creating fear and instability across immigrant communities in Massachusetts. These developments are affecting not only immigrant families, but also the families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism who rely on an already-strained human service workforce, of which immigrants make up a huge percentage of staff.
This amendment seeks to include disability programs as "sensitive spaces" to protect a critical segment of the disabilities workforce.

What was it like to be in the crowd when Bobby Orr scored that unforgettable overtime goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs? Listen to find out!
Host Steve Nearman sits down with two major Great Blizz supporters, Skip Frieling and Dick Thibeau, as they look forward to their inductions into the USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame on Sept 25 and 26 in Superior, CO.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
 
On this episode, host Holly Flanagan sits down with Paris Flynn, Best Buddies Program Manager in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and Jake Quinn, Best Buddies Ambassador and Leader. They discuss friendship, leadership and inclusion, the latest on Best Buddies, and the upcoming Hyannisport Challenge on May 30th with New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Host Steve Nearman sits down with three members of the Dougie Marathon Team from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism as they are in final preparations for Monday's Boston Marathon. They share their experiences and offer tips for a successful finish.

Our guest Ray LeBlanc, director and coach of the East Coast Jumbos special hockey team and Disabilities Representative for Massachusetts Hockey, sits down with host Steve Nearman to discuss the recent Adaptive Hockey Day event, and dives into the six incredible disciplines of adaptive hockey: warrior hockey, blind hockey, deaf hockey, sled hockey, stand-up amputee hockey, and special hockey. It's an inspiring conversation about inclusion, innovation, and the growing world of adaptive hockey.

Host Steve Nearman sits down with two pioneers of the special hockey world:
✨ Tony Sansone Jr. – founder of the first special ice hockey team in America✨ Joe Rizzuto – Tournament Director of SHI Toronto 2026 and longtime leader of the Grandravine Hockey team
Together, they share the powerful story of how special hockey began in Toronto in 1992… expanded to St. Louis in 1994… and sparked a global explosion of teams that continues to grow today.
From the very first Special Hockey International Tournament in 1994 to the worldwide community we see now — this episode is about courage, vision, and what happens when inclusion takes the ice.

If you watched movies back in 1988, you surely remember Dustin Hoffman's character Raymond telling his brother Charlie played by Tom Cruise - "Uh oh, fifteen minutes to Judge Wapner."
 
On Episode 6, our host Steve Nearman checks back in with super-hit movie Rain Man screenwriter Barry Morrow. They discuss Barry's work with teaching autistic young adults the skill of animation, Barry's love of golf and wooden golf clubs and why Barry left college just three credits shy of graduating and how he finally secured that diploma. Plus a whole lot of entertaining Barry Morrow stories!

Host Steve Nearman and special guests John Robertson, Coach of The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts Special Hockey team and Michelle Douglas, Registration and Travel Coordinator for the Baltimore Saints Special Hockey team, discuss the importance of travel for their special players and their families and their coaches in special hockey programs. Just back from the Mites Beach Bash Tournament in Ocean City, MD, their anecdotes and recollections are pretty funny!