Episodios

  • The Non-Linear Journey to Healing

    The Non-Linear Journey to Healing
    Jan 15 2026

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    Summary

    In this conversation, Lisa Hurley and Lola Dada-Olley explore the complexities of healing, emphasizing that it is a non-linear journey filled with ups and downs. They discuss the importance of embracing stillness and practicing gratitude as essential components of emotional well-being.

    Takeaways

    • Healing is definitely not linear.
    • Sometimes healing can feel like it's going up and down.
    • Periods of stillness are important in the healing process.
    • Trusting stillness is crucial to avoid anxiety about the future.
    • Introspection plays a vital role in personal growth.
    • Expressing gratitude can enhance emotional well-being.
    • There is always something to be grateful for, even in tough times.
    • Healing requires patience and self-compassion.
    • The journey of healing is unique for everyone.
    • Embracing the journey can lead to deeper understanding.

    Unapologetically Whole is a podcast for people who have spent years giving themselves away—to caregiving, culture, or career—and are finally ready to reclaim their voice. Hosted by attorney, author, TEDx speaker, and lifelong caregiver Lola Dada‑Olley, the show explores identity, healing, neurodiversity, cultural stigma, and the quiet work of rebuilding yourself after burnout.


    Lola draws from her lived experience as an attorney, a mother of two autistic children, the older sister of an autistic, intellectually disabled adult, and the former host of Not Your Mama’s Autism. She also serves as Lead ADA Counsel for a global banking institution and appears with her family in the Vox Media documentary Sensory Overload on Hulu.


    Each episode blends storytelling, reflection, and honest conversation to help caregivers and other leaders recognize the lane they’re in, redefine success on their own terms, and reimagine what it means to thrive without disappearing.


    Learn more about Lola’s work and her upcoming memoir at loladadaolley.com, and join the newsletter to stay connected to the movement.

    www.loladadaolley.com
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    30 m
  • Goodbye Not Your Mama's Autism ... Welcome To Unapologetically Whole

    Goodbye Not Your Mama's Autism ... Welcome To Unapologetically Whole
    Jan 14 2026

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    Not Your Mama’s Autism had its finale episode in December 2025. Unapologetically Whole is the dawn of a new podcast, guided by the same host, Lola Dada‑Olley, but shaped by a deeper, more expansive mission. After five years of honest conversations about disability, culture, and family, Lola is stepping into a new season, one that honors where she’s been while widening the lens to include every woman who has ever disappeared in service to others.

    This trailer marks the bridge between two eras: the close of a beloved community built around autism storytelling, and the beginning of a movement centered on identity, healing, and wholeness. Lola brings with her the same lived experience—attorney, author, TEDx speaker, lifelong caregiver, mother of two autistic children, and older sister to an autistic, intellectually disabled adult, but now she’s inviting listeners into a broader conversation about what it means to reclaim yourself after years of giving yourself away.

    Unapologetically Whole explores the quiet, courageous work of rebuilding your sense of self while still showing up for the people you love. Through storytelling, reflection, and deeply human conversations, Lola offers a space for women navigating caregiving, cultural expectations, career reinvention, and the emotional weight of being everything to everyone. It’s a podcast about choosing yourself without abandoning your responsibilities and learning that devotion does not require disappearance.

    As this new chapter begins, the heart of Not Your Mama’s Autism lives on, expanded and reimagined. If you’ve ever felt unseen, stretched thin, or unsure where you end and your roles begin, this next season is for you. Welcome to Unapologetically Whole—a home for women ready to reclaim their voice, redefine success, and reimagine what it means to thrive.

    www.loladadaolley.com
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    2 m
  • The Power of Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: A Talk with Author and Self-Advocate Lisa Hurley

    The Power of Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: A Talk with Author and Self-Advocate Lisa Hurley
    Dec 15 2025

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    Summary

    This conversation explores the complexities of neurodiversity, particularly autism, within the Caribbean context. Lisa Hurley reflects on her personal experiences growing up in a society that lacks awareness and understanding of neurodivergence. She discusses the cultural perceptions of autism, the challenges faced by individuals who do not fit the stereotypical image of autism, and the need for greater visibility and acceptance.

    Takeaways

    • Cultural perceptions shape the understanding of autism.
    • There is a lack of awareness about neurodiversity.
    • Expectations of presentation can exclude many individuals.
    • Visibility is crucial for acceptance of neurodiversity.
    • Challenging stereotypes is necessary for broader understanding.
    • Personal experiences highlight systemic issues in society.


    Sound Bites

    "I've known from childhood that I was different."
    "We're not talking about neurodivergence."
    "People who look like us are not even considered."

    Where to find Lisa Hurley: The Great Exhale

    www.loladadaolley.com
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    1 h
  • On The Road To Wholeness, A Family Episode

    On The Road To Wholeness, A Family Episode
    Dec 10 2025

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    In this heartfelt episode, Lola Dada-Olley and Tosan Olley reflect on their journey through autism advocacy, sharing insights from their experiences over the past five years. They discuss the universality of autism, the power of storytelling, and the importance of embracing wholeness while breaking generational cycles. The conversation highlights the intersections of race, disability, and neurodivergence, and sets the stage for their transition to a new podcast identity, 'Unapologetically Whole.'

    Takeaways

    • The podcast has been a platform for sharing our family's journey with autism.
    • The universality of autism transcends geography and culture.
    • Sharing our story has allowed others to feel seen and understood.
    • The richness of humanity is reflected in the diverse stories shared on the podcast.
    • Embracing wholeness means acknowledging both joy and pain in our lives.
    • Breaking generational cycles is essential for healing and growth.
    • The intersection of race and disability shapes unique experiences.
    • The transition to 'Unapologetically Whole' signifies a new chapter in advocacy.
    • Gratitude for the community that has supported our journey.
    • The evolution of our understanding of success and thriving.

    Chapters

    00:00 Reflecting on a Journey of Autism Advocacy
    03:05 The Universality of Autism and Its Impact
    06:03 The Power of Sharing Stories
    08:56 Embracing Wholeness and Breaking Generational Cycles
    11:54 The Intersection of Race, Disability, and Neurodivergence
    14:58 Transitioning to Unapologetically Whole
    18:00 Gratitude and Looking Forward



    www.loladadaolley.com
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    35 m
  • Navigating Transitions in Family Life

    Navigating Transitions in Family Life
    Aug 27 2025
    SUMMARY
    In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, hosts Lola and Tosan Olley discuss the various transitions their family is experiencing, including changes in their children's education, their own career roles, and the impact of policy changes on caregiving. They reflect on the importance of community support, self-care, and the lessons learned from navigating these transitions. The conversation also touches on their shift from audio storytelling to a visual medium, emphasizing the power of sharing their journey to foster understanding and connection.
    Takeaways
    • Transitions are a recurring theme in family life.
    • Policy changes can significantly impact caregiving responsibilities.
    • Community support is essential during transitions.
    • Self-care is crucial for managing stress and responsibilities.
    • Laughter can be a powerful tool for coping.
    • It's important to give yourself grace during difficult times.
    • Time is finite; prioritize what truly matters.
    • Creative outlets can help reconnect with oneself.
    • Navigating transitions requires flexibility and adaptability.
    • Lessons learned from past experiences can guide future decisions.
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    38 m
  • Sensory Overload: A Talk with The Filmmakers of the Hulu Documentary

    Sensory Overload: A Talk with The Filmmakers of the Hulu Documentary
    May 17 2025

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    In this episode, we discuss Sensory Overload, a film about how three communitiesnavigate oral care and the world in general with sensory sensitivities in mind.It's also a film about neurodivergence, sensory differences, and how the worldcan be better designed to accommodate people. It's a Vox Media produced film in partnership withHaleon and Sensodyne as part of Sensodyne's Sensory Inclusion Initiative, amission to build better sensory inclusion in oral care.
    This episode features Executive Producer Samantha Knowles, Director and Head of Content at Vox Creative Kiana Moore, and Producer Dylan Lenze. They all discuss their journey into storytelling, the filmmaking process, and the importance of representing neurodivergent communities. They share insights on the challenges and joys of documentary filmmaking, the emotional resonance of storytelling, and the significance of creating safe spaces for participants. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of diverse stories and the personal reflections of the filmmakers on their own neurodivergent experiences.
    The documentary is currently streaming on Hulu.
    Takeaways
    • The documentary 'Sensory Overload' focuses on sensory sensitivities in oral care.
    • Filmmakers share their personal journeys into storytelling.
    • Documentary filmmaking involves preparation but requires adaptability.
    • Creating a safe filming environment is crucial for participants.
    • Editing is an iterative process that emphasizes emotional resonance.
    • Diverse stories can connect through shared experiences of neurodivergence.
    • Personal reflections on neurodivergence enrich the storytelling process.
    • Knowing when to let go of a project is part of the creative process.
    • The film aims to spark positive conversations about neurodivergence.
    • Storytelling has the power to make individuals feel seen and heard.


    www.loladadaolley.com
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    43 m
  • Better Understanding Challenging Behavior: A Talk with Larissa Heise, BCBA

    Better Understanding Challenging Behavior: A Talk with Larissa Heise, BCBA
    Apr 1 2025
    SummaryIn this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism, host Lola Dada-Olley speaks with licensed social worker and BCBA Larissa Heise about the complexities of challenging behavior in neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the definition of challenging behavior, trends observed in recent years, the importance of identifying triggers, and the role of sensory needs. Larissa emphasizes the need for individualized approaches to support, the common misconceptions surrounding challenging behavior, and the importance of understanding the full context before implementing interventions. The conversation also covers strategies for navigating support systems and the significance of insurance in accessing professional help.TakeawaysChallenging behavior varies in definition and context.Challenging behavior often exceeds a family's ability to support.Safety concerns are a primary focus in identifying challenging behavior.Attention-seeking behavior is often misunderstood; it is about connection.Sensory needs can become more complex as individuals grow older.Understanding individual needs is crucial for effective support.Misconceptions about challenging behavior can lead to ineffective interventions.Gradual approaches are necessary for managing triggers and interventions.Reassessing strategies is important when previous methods stop working.Navigating insurance and support systems is essential for accessing help.Chapters00:00 Understanding Challenging Behavior02:59 Trends in Challenging Behavior06:06 Identifying Triggers09:06 Complex Sensory Needs12:00 Misconceptions About Challenging Behavior15:05 Approaching Triggers and Interventions19:04 Reassessing Strategies24:03 Navigating Support Systems35:55 Getting Started with Professional HelpTranscript Lola Dada-Olley (00:02.364)Larissa Heise, thank you. Thank you for being on the Not Your Mama's Autism podcast today.Larissa Heise (00:10.317)Thank you for having me.Lola Dada-Olley (00:13.148)So you are a licensed social worker. You are also a BCBA for those listening who don't understand what that acronym means. In these neurodivergent streets, it means board certified behavioral analyst.I am going to really enjoy this episode talking to you about behavior. So let's talk about challenging behavior. But before we do so, let's do some level setting. Because challenging behavior means different things to different people. So what would you identify as a challenging behavior?Larissa Heise (00:57.485)I'm going to give you my personal definition and then I'm going to give you like what I think out in the world people are like generally having consensus on. Given the work that I do, I work a lot with family, families and very, a very parent centered model of support in the work that we do and some of the programs I supervise, very unique programs actually compared to maybe some other providers who are very family centric kind of approach to treatment.I look at challenging behavior as being something that exceeds the family's ability to support. And that can mean different things for different people. I've had some families who are dealing with the more traditional definition of challenging behavior, which I'm going to share, but I've had other families who, you know, maybe it's not at a level of safety, but they are so overwhelmed. They still don't know what to do. And it's leading toER visits and things like that. But in terms of like what I think most people as a provider, right, most people would kind of agree upon in terms of challenging behavior are behaviors that are at risk of safety concerns. You know, generally we're looking at things where people are harming themselves, are at risk of harming others, are extremely dysregulated to the point where they're having a difficult time day to day.in their lives, whether that's across settings. Typically we are seeing if somebody has kind of challenging behaviors or behaviors of concern, they're exhibiting them across settings and it's really impacting their quality of life usually in multiple ways. So it can look different, right, across age, situations, settings, but that's generally what I think, you know, the provider community is looking at. It's like behaviors that put people at risk of harm.or limit their ability for quality of life.Lola Dada-Olley (02:59.388)Well, thank you for level setting. Cause I think in the past, it might have been what you just described plus behaviors deemed quote unconventional by perhaps neurodifficult. And that to me are not the type of behaviors that should be prioritized in any way as.Larissa Heise (03:11.532)Yeah.Larissa Heise (03:18.111)Yeah, no, there are behaviors that make people uncomfortable. There's behaviors that people don't understand, right? But when we're talking about challenging me, we're talking about, really, I want to anchor it to like safety, safety concerns and things that are impacting the individual's quality of life, not necessarily somebody's perception of quality of ...
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    40 m
  • Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Talk with Dr. Theresa Haskins

    Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Talk with Dr. Theresa Haskins
    Mar 1 2025
    SummaryDr. Theresa Haskins, a professor, researcher, consultant, corporate executive, mom, wife, and advocate, joins the podcast. She shares her journey as an advocate for her children and a self-advocate. Dr. Haskins discusses the diagnosis process for her children and the challenges they faced. She also talks about her experience studying educational psychology and getting her PhD in education. She emphasizes the importance of choice and autonomy in education and the need for inclusive and differentiated learning approaches. Neuroinclusion means creating environments that respect and accept differences in how individuals engage, communicate, and interact with each other. It involves allowing multiple realities and ways of being to coexist without judgment or the need to change others. To achieve neuroinclusion, it is important to start young by building cultures of inclusion in schools and teaching children to respect and value diversity. Additionally, workplaces should prioritize neuroinclusion by creating equitable opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and allowing all employees to be their authentic selves. Neuroinclusion benefits everyone by fostering authenticity and creating a more accepting and inclusive society.Keywordsadvocate, diagnosis, children, educational psychology, PhD, choice, autonomy, inclusive education, differentiated learning, neuroinclusion, differences, respect, acceptance, diversity, inclusion, communication, engagement, authenticity, workplace, educationTakeawaysDr. Theresa Haskins is an advocate for her children and a self-advocate.She shares her experience with the diagnosis process for her children and the challenges they faced.Studying educational psychology and getting her PhD in education taught her the importance of choice and autonomy in education.Dr. Haskins emphasizes the need for inclusive and differentiated learning approaches. Neuroinclusion means respecting and accepting differences in how individuals engage, communicate, and interact with each other.Starting young by building cultures of inclusion in schools is crucial for promoting neuroinclusion.Workplaces should prioritize neuroinclusion by creating equitable opportunities and allowing all employees to be their authentic selves.Neuroinclusion benefits everyone by fostering authenticity and creating a more accepting and inclusive society.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background04:16 Discovering Giftedness08:04 The Importance of Choice and Autonomy in Education27:36 The Impact of Psychological Safety on Autistic Inclusion32:20 Increasing Empathy for More Inclusive Classrooms and Workplaces36:25 Corporations vs. Classrooms: The Inclusiveness Divide41:29 The Human Nature of Dividing and the Need for Neuroinclusion43:31 Defining Neuroinclusion: Acceptance and Respect for Differences45:18 Unconscious Bias and the Importance of Neuroinclusion47:58 Neuroinclusion in the Workplace: Authenticity and Equitable OpportunitiesTRANSCRIPTLola (00:02)Hello, welcome. Welcome to the Not Your Mama's Autism podcast. I'm Lola Dada -Olley On the podcast today, we have within our midst, Dr. Theresa Haskins, a woman who wears many, many, many hats. Professor, researcher, consultant, corporate executive, mom, wife, advocate.Welcome. Welcome to the podcast today. Thank you.Theresa Haskins (00:35)Thanks for having me here. I think I'm in good company with a woman who wears many hats.Lola (00:41)Perhaps, perhaps. I guess it takes one to know one, and we're matching, so we're both wearing flip.Theresa Haskins (00:46)Yes, it does. And we matched,and this was not planned, everyone. We just looked fabulous in blue.Lola (00:50)It was, it was, it wasn't, itwasn't. You know, when you're in sync, you're, you're, you're, you're in sync. So background wise, we're kind of alluding to, we have known each other for years, in work circles, we have known ourselves for years. But I'm so interested in just learning more about the, all this multiple, this multiple side of, these multiple sides of you. So you are.Theresa Haskins (01:03)Mm -hmm.Lola (01:21)Where do we even start? You are both an advocate for your children as well as a self advocate yourself. So let's kind of start a little bit at the beginning, depending on what your answer to this is, which diagnosis came first?Theresa Haskins (01:42)Children.Lola (01:43)children. And tell us how you and your children were all ultimately diagnosed.Theresa Haskins (01:52)So it's an interesting thing because it actually does go back to my childhood. I have a son. I do have two sons, but that's not in my childhood. Let's go back and reframe that thought. I had a cousin with classic autism. And this is the early 80s and didn't really know what autism was.had a lot of the stereotypical traits because he had more of a classic profile. He was a larger young man, had some intellectual difficulties, but he would end up graduating from high school. But I just remember him at holidays and family gatherings ...
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    50 m
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