Podcast

For families that care for a member with an intellectual or developmental disabilities, ensuring your child has an advocate after you are no longer able to is a top priority. At The Arc Davidson County & Greater Nashville they have created a new program centered around supporting families as they plan the care for their child after they are gone. Sharing about this program is Sheila Moore, the Executive Director of The Arc Davidson & Greater Nashville, and Donna Bryant, the Director of Program Development. Together with Staci, John, and Hannah Rose, the group listen to Donna and Sheila share …

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This week we are joined by the Program Director of Backlight Productions, Jordan Scott. Jordan has been with Backlight for 5 years, starting first as a teacher and then growing into her current position as her passion for Backlight and its mission has grown. Matt Morre, John Lynch, and Staci Davis gather with Jordan to learn about Backlight Productions and what the nonprofit strives to do for the community. As a seasoned performer with Backlight Productions, Matt shares his love for Backlight Productions and his experience in various roles. As a nonprofit passionate about the arts, their mission is to …

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Season eight’s finale of Waves of Awareness welcomes Ashley Hart to the table. Together with John, Matt, and Staci, the group dives into conversation together covering everything from life updates to the impact volunteering has on everyone involved. Ashley has volunteered with Waves, Inc. through Cropssoint Church for years and has done an immeasurable amount of good for the community. From working on the homes a part of the Waves, Inc. Residential Program to spending time decorating Waves’ Day Programs for the holidays, Ashley has organized countless groups through Crosspoint church to make a positive impact at Waves. Matt picks …

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Waves of Awareness is back for Season 9 with special interviews from behind the scenes at Brews & Grooves. Brews & Grooves was Waves’ 4th Annual Fundraising event, with live performances and an auction that supports Waves programs supporting adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Listen to our WOA Producer Trent Denson with Spread The Positive sit and interview guests and share their experience with Waves. From our CEO to local companies who have volunteered with Waves, Trent gathers passionate stories about the impact Waves and those we support have made on the community around us. This episode …

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Do you follow Waves Early Learning (@earlylearningwaves) on Instagram? If not, you’ve been missing the Expressing Emotions series created by Waves Early Interventionists. This week’s episode welcomes these authors Jennifer Choate, Gwen Valiquette, and Cheryl Vooris to talk in depth about the Expressing Emotions series. These Interventionists share why it’s important to teach children how to properly express their emotions and tips on how families can help them do this. Hosts Staci Davis, Matt Moore, and Christy Webb ask questions on what to do when you are frustrated and how to help others express their emotions. Hear what Christy and …

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This week’s episode goes mobile and heads over to the Waves Fairview Day Program. With Staci Davis taking the lead, she welcomes our Fairview Adults Jimmy, Eric, Vonda, Adam, Hannah, Stephanie, and Roger! Filled with excitement, the group takes off discussing life updates. Eric shares about his trip to the Williamson County Animal Center, Stephanie about her trip to the movies, and Jimmy on his upcoming plans. Staci takes the discussion into everyone’s favorite movies, the movies we love and the movies we hate. The conversation dives deeper into how losing loved ones makes you value the good memories you …

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Waves Fairview Day Program joins another episode of Waves of Awareness for National Down Syndrome Day! Staci Davis leads the table with Hannah, Eric, Roger, Stephanie, Adam, and Matt “The Man” Moore into a great conversation. First, the group discusses “Stereotypes” and what they can look like not only in the IDD community but everywhere around us. The group then dives into National Down Syndrome Day and what important message that lies behind it. Listen to updates from the Fairview team including Roger’s newfound love for cats after volunteering at the Williamson County Animal Center! Matt shares how his job …

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Waves of Awareness welcomes Dr. Levi Harris, the Middle Tennessee Regional Director of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, to discuss his journey into his current position that makes such an impact on Adult Services. Staci Davis opens the conversation to Matt Moore and Waves Executre Director, Lance Jordan, to hear some questions on the DIDD and Dr. Harris himself. Matt first asks Dr. Harris about how he became Regional Director and where is all started. Dr. Harris shares about his home in Alabama and the cases that slowly made it obvious Tennessee was where he needed to be. …

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This episode features the State Director of Enabling Technology, Milton Neuenschwander, from the Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (DIDD). Milton joins Waves of Awareness with Staci David, Matt Moore, and Marci Cohen to discuss what Enabling Technologies is and how it impacts individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Matt asks everything from what Milton loves most about Enabling Technologies to where he thinks it’s going in the future. The group discuss Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence, how it’s already integrated in today’s society, and how it has helped those with IDD live more independently today. Staci shares how …

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Friends of Franklin Park’s Development Director, Scout Hardin, joins this week’s episode of Waves of Awareness. Staci Davis and co-host Matt Moore get to know Scout, how she came to build a relationship with the IDD community, and what Friends of Franklin Parks has in store for the future. Scout shares her past working at a non-profit supporting adults with disabilities and how it educated her on the world of IDD in an amazing way.  Having joined Friends of Franklin Parks in the fall of 2023, Scout has enjoyed connecting with the community and learning about the rich history associated …

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