Driven by Purpose

In 2008, Ian Mackay hit a tree while cycling and suffered a C2 C3 spinal cord injury. Paralyzed from the neck down and on a ventilator for a year, his future looked nothing like the one he had planned.

Today, he has traveled more than 36,000 miles in a mouth controlled power wheelchair.

In this episode of Driven By Purpose, Ian shares how he went from deep depression to building Ian’s Ride, a nonprofit movement creating accessible trail experiences, influencing infrastructure policy, and setting a Guinness World Record for the farthest distance traveled in 24 hours in a...

What would you do if someone told you to your face that you would never be promoted or paid fairly because you’re blind?

That’s exactly what happened to Jeremy Grandstaff. Instead of backing down, he used it as fuel. In this episode of Driven By Purpose, Jeremy shares his powerful story of resilience, leadership, and why hiring people with disabilities is not charity. It’s culture changing work.

Now serving as Executive Director of the Inspiration Foundation, Jeremy is on a mission to increase employment for people with disabilities by 10 percent and challenge outdat...

Most of us take sight for granted. Now hundreds of business leaders in Bentonville are about to give it up for 75 minutes.

Dining in the Dark is one of the most powerful events of the year. Executives are blindfolded for an entire meal to experience what life without sight feels like. It is uncomfortable. It is eye opening. And it changes people.

This year’s event, presented by Walmart, goes beyond inspiration. It is about turning empathy into action and building real champions for disability inclusion inside major organizations.

In this episode of Dr...

If your child has learning challenges, the IEP process can feel overwhelming and adversarial. In this episode of Driven By Purpose, educational therapist Karina Mamoon shares nearly two decades of experience helping families secure the services their children are legally entitled to.

Karina breaks down how parents can prepare for IEP meetings, advocate effectively, and avoid common mistakes that delay or limit support. The conversation also explores stigma, denial, and why early intervention can dramatically change a child’s long-term outcomes.

This episode is essential listening for parents navigating special education, learning differences, dyslexia, attention ch...

In this episode of Driven By Purpose, Evan Rosenblum and Isaac Shapiro unpack what it means to be accidentally offensive in the disability community. Through real stories involving their families, they explain why well-meaning comments can still cause harm, how to redirect conversations respectfully, and how education can turn uncomfortable moments into genuine connection.

From talking about someone instead of to them, to harmful language like the R-word, to labeling people with disabilities as “inspirational” just for existing, this episode offers honest guidance on how to do better without fear.

This conversation is about learning, list...

In this inspiring episode of Driven By Purpose, hosts Evan Rosenblum and Isaac Shapiro sit down with Dr. Kirk Adams, former CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, to explore his remarkable journey from childhood blindness to national leadership. As the successor to Helen Keller’s iconic organization, Dr. Adams shares how purpose, resilience, and inclusion can transform both lives and workplaces.

We explore:

 ▫️How losing his sight at age five shaped Dr. Adams’s resilience and leadership journey

 ▫️Lessons from Helen Keller’s legacy and the impact of the American Fou...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Isaac, Evan, and Mike continue their candid discussion on what it really means to run a purpose-driven business. This second half of the conversation goes deeper into how to build a team that reflects your values, scale impact without losing your mission, and stay true to your “why” even when the pressure hits.

Whether you're running a brand or just getting started, this is the unfiltered blueprint for leading with purpose.

We explore:

▫️ Why hiring for mission fit beats resume credentials

▫️ How to scale without sacr...

Hiring people with disabilities is not charity. It is a competitive advantage. Tom Gustafson shares how he launched disability hiring initiatives at Sephora, Bed Bath and Beyond, and now Dollar Tree. We unpack what actually moves leaders off the fence, how to partner with state agencies and consultants, and the metrics that prove this works. If you need a first step and a clear why, this episode gives you both.

We explore:

▫️ The real blocker behind inaction and how leaders reframe fear into action

▫️ How grants, job coaches, and smart partnerships make programs cost neu...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Isaac, Evan, and Mike sit down for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it means to truly build a purpose-led business. From hiring and marketing to scaling and storytelling, they pull back the curtain on their own experiences and reflect on what’s working, and what’s not, in today’s landscape of impact-driven brands.

This episode kicks off a special two-part series exploring how businesses can align values, vision, and action to create more than just a product; they create change.

We explore:

▫️ The tension between profit and...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Isaac, and Mike are joined by Jason Frazier—former ESPN producer, CEO of MindsEye Radio, and beat baseball coach—to spotlight one of the most incredible adaptive sports in the world: Beep Baseball. Designed for athletes with visual impairments, beep ball is baseball reimagined with blindfolds, buzzing bases, and players who hit and sprint without sight. But this isn’t just about sport. It’s about identity, community, and purpose.

We explore:

▫️ The rules, gear, and competitive structure of beep baseball

▫️ Why it's harder than you think—and ho...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Mike, and Isaac kick off the new year with guest Mitch Harrison—father, leader, and changemaker—who shares how personal tragedy led him to redefine success, masculinity, and purpose. As many set goals for the year ahead, Mitch offers a powerful reminder: purpose isn’t a resolution, it’s a way of life. This conversation is raw, reflective, and filled with lessons for anyone looking to reset with intention.

We explore:

▫️ How fatherhood and loss shaped Mitch’s values

▫️ Why emotional openness is key to real leadership

In this episode of Driven By Purpose, Evan, Mike, and Isaac sit down with Dr. Leigh Richardson—licensed counselor, neurotherapist, and founder of the Brain Performance Center. She shares her inspiring personal journey from ICU patient to brain health expert, and gives three practical tips to improve your brain’s performance starting today.

Dr. Leigh also opens up about helping her son overcome ADHD without medication and why she’s on a mission to replace the stigma of “mental health” with a new narrative: brain health. Her story will make you rethink how you care for your mind—and y...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, the hosts go deep on one of the most emotional challenges they’ve faced as parents: raising “typical” children alongside a disabled sibling. Evan, Mike, and Isaac open up about what it means to parent with empathy, communicate complex realities early, and create a home where no child feels unseen. With humor, heart, and powerful vulnerability, they explore how disability doesn’t just affect the child—it's a family story.

We explore:

▫️ What “normal” means to a child raised with a disabled sibling

▫️ How to explain fairness, responsibili...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Mike, and Isaac dive into the hidden financial, emotional, and long-term costs of caregiving for a child with disabilities. From six-figure accessibility upgrades to navigating broken systems, the hosts open up about the real price of care—and the heavy toll it takes on families. This raw and honest conversation sheds light on what most people never see but every caregiver lives.

We explore:

▫️ Why lifelong disability care can cost millions

▫️ The emotional strain of planning for a child’s future without you

▫️ Navigating publi...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Mike, and Isaac sit down with Tom Gustafson—VP of HR at Dollar Tree Supply Chain and a leading force behind inclusive employment. Tom shares how a single moment of inspiration led him to champion disability hiring across major brands like Sephora, Bed Bath & Beyond, and now Dollar Tree. This isn’t charity—it’s smart business. He reveals how hiring people with disabilities has reduced turnover, boosted culture, and driven performance.

We explore:

▫️ Why inclusive hiring is a business advantage, not a risk

▫️ Tom’s journey from hes...

It’s the most chaotic—and potentially magical—time of year. In this holiday episode of Driven by Purpose, the team unpacks how stressful mall visits can be for families of people with disabilities, especially when meeting Santa.

They share heartfelt stories, hilarious mall mishaps, and practical tips for Santa’s helpers and allies alike. From wheelchair jousting to grabbing Santa’s beard, this one’s both funny and full of purpose.

We explore:

▫️ The hidden stress of visiting Santa with a disabled child

▫️ Why families often avoid crowded holiday events altogether

▫️...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Mike, and Isaac dive into the challenges of air travel for people with disabilities, especially families flying with kids who use wheelchairs. From TSA mishandling to inaccessible planes and hotels, the hosts share deeply personal stories and offer practical solutions. They also spotlight a game-changing wheelchair-accessible seating initiative on planes and advocate for more empathy, better training, and informed customer service across the travel industry.

We explore:

▫️ TSA’s lack of training and stressful screening protocols

▫️ Emotional weight of traveling with a disabled family member

▫️ Ai...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, we sit down with Jenn Thompson—Senior HR Manager at VF Corp (Vans, The North Face, Dickies, Timberland)—who's become an “accidental advocate” for hiring people with disabilities. What began as a practical HR decision turned into a powerful movement. Jenn shares how she built an inclusive culture that not only improves lives, but outperforms traditional workforces. With 15% of her staff identifying as having a disability, Jenn reveals the real business impact of inclusive hiring and why this model is the future of work.

We dive into:

▫️ How job trials r...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, we sit down with Jerrit Davis, Vice President of Merchandising at Walmart, to explore what it means to lead with purpose at one of the world’s largest companies. Jerrit shares how Walmart is opening doors for purpose-driven brands and creating real opportunities for individuals with disabilities. From supply chain challenges during COVID to championing inclusive hiring, Jerrit’s story is one of values, vision, and impact.

We dive into:

▫️ Jerrit’s journey from small-town Missouri to Walmart VP

▫️ The behind-the-scenes story of Walmart’s COVID supply chain cri...

Burnout doesn’t just happen in the office. For many of us, it’s a full-body experience—mental, emotional, physical—that builds quietly until we crash. In this powerful episode of Driven by Purpose, burnout coach Mitch Harrison joins the team to break down the real causes of burnout, what recovery actually looks like, and how to refill your tank before it's empty.

From his own experience as a leader in crisis to coaching high performers across industries, Mitch shares how purpose, permission, and rest are not luxuries—they’re lifelines.

We dive into:

▫️ How bu...

In this episode of Driven By Purpose, the team shares an inside look at Dining in the Dark, a groundbreaking sensory event in New York City where business leaders, nonprofit heads, and government officials gathered blindfolded to experience life from a different perspective—and to launch the Inspiration Foundation Seal.

They discuss the vision behind the seal, the emotional power of the event, how companies can get certified, and why disability inclusion is not just the right thing to do—it’s good business.

▫️ The Inspiration Seal explained

▫️ 6 million jobs = a 10% increase in disability emp...

In this powerful episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan Rosenblum introduces his daughter, Sydney, who was born at 25 weeks and lives with severe cerebral palsy. Though nonverbal, Sydney communicates with a POD communication device, and what she has to say will blow you away. Evan walks us through the emotional journey of learning his daughter had brain damage, meeting a communication specialist, and finally watching Sydney thrive as she jokes, requests music, shares stories, and connects with the world through her adaptive device.

We also get to hear directly from Sydney herself, as she lights up the...

In this powerful episode of Driven By Purpose, co-host Evan Rosenbaum opens up about his new role as the Inclusion Chair at his daughter's school and the emotional toll of being a constant advocate for accessibility. Alongside Isaac and Mike, the team explores what true community support looks like, why everyday actions matter, and how well-meaning people can still get it wrong.

They dive into stories of parking violations, emotional labor, physical tolls, and cultural stigma — all while challenging listeners to step up and support families raising kids with disabilities. This is an honest, vulnerable, and deeply mo...

In this raw and powerful episode, Randy shares his deeply personal journey from a childhood marked by trauma, loss, and instability to a life anchored in purpose and service.

After years of surviving foster care, the loss of loved ones, incarceration, and systemic injustice, Randy has found strength in vulnerability and healing in storytelling. This episode is a tribute to resilience, mental health advocacy, and the power of second chances.

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🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com

🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org

👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.c...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Gordon shares his emotional journey as a father to a medically complex child. What began with fear and survival mode became a story of advocacy, resilience, and unwavering faith.

From hospital rooms to heartbreaking decisions, Gordon opens up about the realities of caring for a child with severe disabilities — and what it takes to show up every single day.

SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT…

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🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com

🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org

👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isaac-shapiro

👤...

In this raw and vulnerable roundtable, the Driven by Purpose team opens up about something rarely talked about — caregiver burnout. From sleepless nights and emotional exhaustion to the pressure of constant advocacy, this episode explores the human cost of showing up for someone every day.

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or partner supporting a loved one with a disability, this conversation will make you feel seen.

We dive into:

▫️ The invisible weight of being a caregiver

▫️ The guilt of burnout — and how to name it

▫️ Why disability caregivers often feel forgott...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, inclusive fitness coach and founder Ryan Sheedy shares how his experience as a para-athlete and adaptive trainer reshaped his mission to make fitness accessible for all. From creating judgment-free zones to customizing training for every ability, Ryan breaks down how fitness spaces can evolve to support inclusion, confidence, and community.

We dive into:

▫️ Why traditional gyms often exclude people with disabilities

▫️ How Ryan’s own journey inspired a new kind of fitness culture

▫️ The power of language, representation, and adaptive training

▫️ What it takes to create...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, disability advocate and accessibility expert Ken Anderson shares the hard truths about corporate DEI — and why disability is so often left out of the conversation. From confronting unconscious bias to building real accountability structures, Ken’s story is a powerful call to action for leaders, companies, and communities alike.

We dive into:

▫️ Why disability is still missing in most DEI conversations

▫️ How to build inclusive workforces that go beyond lip service

▫️ The role of accountability and data in lasting change

▫️ Personal experiences that shaped Ken’s pa...

In this deeply personal episode, Evan Rosenblum opens up about the emotional toll of losing a trusted caretaker for his daughter, Sydney, who lives with severe cerebral palsy. He shares what it feels like when a child who depends on someone for daily survival is suddenly abandoned — and how it affects the whole family.

We explore:

▫️ What happens when a caretaker ghosts a child with a disability

▫️ Why transitions in care must include dignity, respect, and closure

▫️ The difference between treating someone like a person vs. a gig

▫️ How Evan’s powerful op...

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, CleanLogic co-founders Mike and Isaac sit down with Evan to unpack what it really means to start a purpose-driven business. From early days of struggle and sacrifice to building a company that provides meaningful work for people with disabilities, this conversation dives deep into the mindset, risks, and rewards of aligning profit with purpose.

We explore:

▫️ What defines a purpose-driven business

▫️ How to stay financially sustainable while doing good

▫️ The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship

▫️ Building a business that serves both customers and community

...

In this emotional and deeply personal episode of Driven by Purpose, the hosts confront a critical moment for families of children with disabilities: what happens when the school years end? Known as “falling off the cliff,” this transition marks the loss of essential services, therapies, and structure.

Mike shares how this moment inspired the founding of CleanLogic. Evan opens up about the fear of the unknown. Isaac calls for more companies to hire individuals with disabilities.

If you're a parent, educator, or employer, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, Brian Schwartz shares the story of how losing his job during the pandemic led to an unexpected mission: mowing lawns for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities — all for free. What started as a simple act of kindness became a nationwide movement and landed him recognition from the White House. Brian discusses purpose, humility, and how choosing service over ego helped him find peace and direction in uncertain times.

We dive into:

In this milestone 10th episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Isaac, and Mike sit down to reflect on the powerful stories, moments, and lessons shared across the series so far.

From Offset’s viral moment with Carson at Summerfest to the behind-the-scenes growth of CleanLogic and the Inspiration Foundation, this conversation highlights the real-world impact of inclusive thinking — in business, culture, and community.

We dive into:

In this deeply honest and inspiring episode, journalist, content creator, and disability advocate Chandler Plante shares how a rare illness, two strokes, and the loss of her eye changed her life — and gave her a new mission. What started as TikToks from a hospital bed turned into a platform for advocacy, artistic expression, and disability inclusion.

We dive into:

In this emotional episode, former MLB shortstop Royce Clayton joins host Evan Rosenblum to reflect on a life-changing day in Malibu, where Evan’s nonverbal daughter, who has severe cerebral palsy, stood up on a surfboard for the first time through an inclusive surf therapy program. Royce shares how the ocean has helped transform the lives of families through TherAsurf and why this community means so much to him.

We dive into:

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, renowned journalist and producer Soledad O’Brien opens up about how her personal journey as a mother to a son with hearing loss reshaped the way she tells stories. From her powerful reporting on underrepresented communities to founding her own production company, Soledad shares what it means to lead with purpose, on-camera and off.

We dive into:

In this powerful episode of Driven By Purpose, we sit down with Beatriz Shapiro — mother of CleanLogic co-founder Isaac Shapiro — who lost her vision at age seven and never looked back. From working on space shuttle communications to pioneering accessible tech training programs in Arizona, Beatriz shares how she turned adversity into action.

We explore:

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→ Clean...

In this powerful episode, Micah Anderson shares the emotional story behind a viral moment that touched hearts around the world. What began as a concert outing with his son Carson, who has cerebral palsy, turned into an unforgettable experience when Offset invited them on stage.

Micah opens up about raising a child with disabilities, why they built their home to be the neighborhood hangout, and how Carson is using his passion for sports cards to bring joy to others.

We dive into:

In this episode, Isaac, Mike, and Evan sit down for a raw and personal conversation about how becoming fathers to children with disabilities reshaped their lives, careers, and purpose.

We dive into:

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→...

In this episode, Brady Crandall shares how his daughter’s medical challenges inspired him to create Youth Crews — a purpose-driven diaper company revolutionizing care for medically complex children.

We dive into:

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