Ep. 79 - What Academia Gets Wrong About Disability—And How to Fix It (with Dr. Stephanie Cawthon)

What if everything you thought you knew about disability… missed the point?

In this deeply powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Cawthon—educational psychologist, author, and founder of the National Disability Center for Student Success at UT Austin. Stephanie is a force of nature when it comes to challenging the status quo in higher ed and beyond.

We dive into her personal journey as a Deaf scholar navigating academia, why she chose to self-publish her latest book Disability Is Human, and the everyday moments where ableism sneaks into our systems—and our minds.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How growing up Deaf shaped Stephanie’s mission—and her research.
• The story behind her bold decision to self-publish (and how she did it in just one year!).
• Real-life examples of ableism in higher ed that will stop you in your tracks.
• What healthcare pros, HR teams, and university staff are learning from Disability Is Human.
• Her smart and beautiful take on branding, building community, and showing up authentically online.

Whether you're in education, leadership, healthcare—or just want to be a better ally—this conversation is for you.

Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!

The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:

#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout

#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academics who want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.

#3: Group Zoom Workshops that balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.

Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...