Be Determined

Ten years ago, I was at a place I’d fought to be for a lot of my life. I was living independently, I had autonomy, and my days had a typical rhythm. And over a short period of time, it all changed. My ability to walk grew more and more limited, I started having falls, and my apartment wasn’t accessible for the mobility scooter I came to rely on. I knew I needed a new living situation that could accommodate my new normal, but all of the unknowns were daunting. I didn’t want to lose the autonomy and self-determination I’d fought so hard for.In celebration of my 57th birthday, I’m reflecting on how I faced the challenges of adjusting to physical changes and new needs, going through grief, and writing the next chapter.Listen to the full episode to hear:How I came out the other side of depression and grief with a new perspective on the opportunity that change can presentHow thinking like a leader helped me reorganize my life and become even better than beforeHow surrounding myself with a great team supports me in being a more effective leaderWhy having limitations doesn’t mean you can’t make bold choicesLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Frustration isn’t a question of if you’re going to experience it, but when. And what really matters is how you deal with it. We all face frustrations, from day-to-day annoyances to life-altering situations, and how we choose to respond shapes how resilient we become. And resilience is not about pushing down your frustrations and moving on, resilience is what happens when we acknowledge the challenge in front of us and figure out how to move forward. In today’s episode, I’m talking about how I handle frustration. Listen to the full episode to hear:What I learned as a kid about trying new things, accepting limitations, and choosing what to let go ofThe difference between getting momentarily frustrated or angry and becoming an angry personHow a recent disappointment inspired a positive recalibration of how I want to use my passion, energy, and impactWhy we have to separate frustration and disappointment from our self-worth in order to be adaptable and resilient as circumstances changeLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

There are a lot of tools out there for assessing your current state and what might need to change in order to meet your goals. These kinds of situational analyses can help us have the self-awareness to navigate shifts in circumstances, creatively problem-solve where we can, and redirect when necessary. Today, I want to share how I’ve translated the SWOT analysis, often used by businesses, into a personal inventory. Taking stock of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats has helped guide me through moments of big change and is a tool I have come back to over and over again. Listen to the full episode to hear:How my changing mobility and energy levels have brought new people and opportunities into my life and work Why needing to direct your efforts differently doesn’t mean starting overHow acknowledging threats helps us meet them with our strengthsHow a personal SWOT supports self-leadership, self-determination and how we lead in the worldLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Humor can play a significant role in how we relate to each other and ourselves. It’s a release valve for stress; a way to connect with friends, family, and colleagues; and a way to acknowledge our mistakes and mishaps without beating ourselves up. Sharing laughter or a joke with others levels the playing field, giving us something in common whether we’re strangers in an elevator or old friends.I believe my sense of humor is truly a gift that has helped me live with my disability, find light even in the darkest times, not take myself or my challenges too seriously, and build the connections and relationships that are most important to me. Listen to the full episode to hear:How humor reveals our personalities and forges connections How using humor can cut tension and allow us to be more open and honestThe difference between laughing at and laughing withHow being able to laugh at yourself shows self-confidence and shifts perspectivesLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Being honest with yourself about your abilities and challenges, successes and failures, is essential to living an authentic and genuine life, regardless of whether or not you live with a disability.When we’re not honest with ourselves about who we are, we can set ourselves up for disappointment and frustration. But at the same time, self-honesty has to include recognizing what we are capable of and what we’ve accomplished. When we swing too far one way or the other, self-deception has a way of creating its own set of roadblocks and rude awakenings.At the end of the year, reflecting on what we achieved and where we could do better with integrity and self-honesty is a gift we give to ourselves that will help us live a self-determined life in the year to come.Listen to the full episode to hear:How self-honesty helps us to both be realistic and supports our big dreamsHow self-honesty positively impacts your professional and personal relationships with othersHow I use an annual personal inventory to review not only the year’s events, but also how I’m living up to my valuesHow self-honesty helps us set goals and evaluate new opportunitiesWhy acknowledging and learning from your fears and failures is vital to self-honestyLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy ConsultingResources:Ryan Holiday

Life is like a rollercoaster. Sometimes it’s one you don’t even realize you’re on when things are going well, but then the bottom drops out or you hit a major twist and suddenly your world is upside down. It can be overwhelming and terrifying. But we get through it.After facing a major health challenge and all of the complex decisions that came with it, I’m back from hiatus. And today, I want to talk about coming out stronger on the other side of the rollercoaster’s drop.Listen to the full episode to hear:How a period of unexpected change can be an opportunity to reevaluate where we are and appreciate what we haveImportant steps for healing and moving forward from setbacks, whatever they areWhy it’s essential to reach out to your support system and consider other perspectivesHow intentionally cultivating skills, relationships, and resilience in hard times helps us not just survive, but thrive the next time we’re thrown for a loop Learn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

How would you describe someone who is ambitious? In our culture, it often means a person who is willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top, and it’s not necessarily a compliment. But ambition doesn’t have to be about power or money. Ambition can simply be about setting goals and working towards them. Ambition is all in how you use it and how it impacts people.Today I’m talking about moral ambition and using that drive to make the world a better place and positively impact others.Listen to the full episode to hear:How the idea of moral ambition ties our personal goals to their broader impactsHow focusing on my ambition has helped me not get bogged down when people underestimate meHow moral ambition supports us in being the kind of leaders who truly make a differenceLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy ConsultingResources:Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, Rutger Bregman Rutger Bregman - “Moral Ambition” | The Daily Show

Creativity and disability go hand-in-hand.Navigating a world that was not built for you requires creative thinking every single day to overcome obstacles, from opening a jar to taking notes in class to accessing a building or transportation. People with disabilities are full of creative solutions and workarounds for any number of problems we face.In today's episode, I’m talking about the creative thinking and solutions that have helped me live a self-determined life.Listen to the full episode to hear:How I learned to anticipate challenges of access and opportunity and make adjustments or request accommodationsHow using a scooter for mobility requires daily creativity in navigating my environmentCreative solutions I’ve found to retain autonomy and freedom, even with diminished mobilityWhy the creativity and innovation of people with disabilities is its own kind of brillianceLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Everyone experiences anger. It’s an important human emotion that can serve a purpose in our lives. But people with disabilities can experience anger in different ways than their able-bodied peers. We frequently encounter systemic challenges in our physical environments and in the ways people treat us, and it can easily lead to anger.In today's episode, I’m talking about the anger I experience as a person with a disability.Listen to the full episode to hear:Some key sources of stress, frustration, and anger for people with disabilities Why we need to learn to recognize and acknowledge our anger in the momentHow a supportive person can help identify the root issue and what you can do about itHow I’m using my anger to try to positively create change in the lives of people with disabilities Learn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

When parents learn that their child has a disability, it sets them on a road less traveled. Raising that child will be different than what they might have expected, and it’s normal to feel shock and even sadness or disappointment.And all too often, the next thing parents and caregivers are met with is a list of things their child will “never” do. It can be scary and isolating, and it might take time to process. But it is vital for parents to then focus on what their children can do and empower them to determine their own paths and make use of their abilities to their fullest potential. It isn’t Listen to the full episode to hear:Why parents don’t have to buy into the “never” listWhy children with disabilities need to be given the chance to try The difference between pushing limits and setting kids up for failureWhy it’s so important for parents to let their child determine their interests and goalsLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

For people with disabilities, it can be hard to get support that encourages you to use your strengths and reach for your goals. Too often, people with disabilities have their big dreams curtailed by others who think in terms of deficits, not possibilities.But no one achieves every one of their goals on their path to growth and expansion, and people with disabilities need to be given the same space to try as everyone else.Today, we’re talking about the importance of dreaming beyond our perceived limitations and taking the steps to turn those goals into reality. Listen to the full episode to hear:Why we need to shift to a mindset of building strengths, not just supporting deficitsHow even the goals we don’t meet allow us to expand and growThings to consider when turning big dreams into manageable steps Learn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Achieving a big goal or completing a big project doesn’t happen overnight. (Who knew?) It’s easy to feel discouraged or overwhelmed when you’re not making the progress you think you should be making, or maybe you have so many ideas you don’t even know where to start.I’ve spent the last couple of years working on how I set goals, break down projects, and maintain forward momentum, even through roadblocks and setbacks. It’s been a process and I want to share it with you today. Listen to the full episode to hear:How setting goals can help you feel a sense of purpose and focus while getting you out of your comfort zoneThe framework I use to set goals and track progress and achievementsWhy you need a timeline, but it doesn’t have to be set in stoneWhy it’s important that people with disabilities recognize that they can set and achieve goals beyond just getting byHow resilience, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability help overcome setbacksLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Going after big goals takes time, effort, and inevitably comes with at least a few setbacks along the way. So how do we stay motivated?By celebrating the little victories.Cherishing those wins and moments of joy builds your confidence and helps recharge your batteries so you can keep moving towards the big wins.Today, I’m talking about how holding onto the little victories helps me chase the big ones.Listen to the full episode to hear:How going in with a positive attitude helps you notice and hang onto the joy in an occasion or eventWhy you need to let yourself celebrate what you did get done, not beat yourself up over what’s left on your to do listWhy taking on new challenges and taking risks is part of living a creative, productive lifeLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

We will all come up against situations in our lives where we simply cannot do something we really want to do.I grew up not being able to play Mary Poppins with my siblings, or ride a bike, or do needlepoint. Living with a disability puts limits on what you can do, but if you’re creative and persistent, you can break barriers.You can learn to run, jump, and fly in a different way.Listen to the full episode to hear:How finding the right tools can help you show your whole selfWhy changes in physical abilities are just a different path, not the end of the roadHow using the gifts you do have helps you lead a fulfilling life, even with challengesWhy it’s vital to find your community and your allies Learn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy ConsultingResources:A Brief History of Time, Stephen HawkingMy Brief History, Stephen Hawking

What is to be disabled?Every day, I’m confronted with the reality that society thinks people with disabilities don’t matter and can’t contribute. People with disabilities live with being constantly judged against stereotypes that create real barriers to our being able to live a full life. The theoretical legal protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act are not enough when negative attitudes and assumptions about us persist throughout our culture.But I have always wanted to play a meaningful role in my community and to give back. Today, I want to talk about what it’s like to do that on my own terms, regardless of others’ judgments.Listen to the full episode to hear:How I’ve navigated shaking off other people’s assumptions about what I can contributeWhy it feels like I’ve had to work twice as hard and I’m not allowed to make mistakesThe physical and emotional toll of constantly having to prove myselfA key thing able-bodied people can do to be more inclusive of people with disabilities in their livesWhy knowing that I matter and am contributing starts with meLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

As I’ve shared some of my backstory, what I’ve accomplished, the goals I’ve yet to achieve, and how I became the person I am today, I’ve mentioned a number of supportive people from my life.I’ve been fortunate to have people in my corner my whole life as I’ve determined my goals and achieved my dreams, but no one has been more influential than my mother. My mom was always my champion, encouraging me to take chances and try, even when things didn’t work out.Today, I want to talk about my mom, Rita Rose, and the gifts she gave me.Listen to the full episode to hear:How my mother modeled determination and resilience even in difficult timesHow we made the most of one-on-one time in my large familyWhy my mom never told me I wasn’t capable of doing thingsLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

How do you balance being optimistic with being realistic?A lot of people make resolutions for the new year with unqualified optimism and wind up feeling like they’re failing when they don’t meet their unrealistic goals.But realism doesn’t have to equal pessimism. It simply means you’re acknowledging that you’re not perfect while still being willing to try. And that glass half-full perspective can go a long way to staying positive and building connections in your life.  Listen to the full episode to hear:Why optimism needs a dose of realismStrategies for cultivating a glass half-full attitudeWhy your goals should build on your past experiences and achievementsWhy having the right supports can be key to meeting your goalsThe importance of allowing yourself to fail, and giving yourself graceLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy ConsultingResources:Admiral McRaven addresses the University of Texas at Austin Class of 2014

Who hasn’t made a New Year’s resolution that they abandoned almost immediately?Whatever stalled your progress–whether it was overly ambitious, a goal you didn’t feel that connected to, or maybe it meant so much you were scared to fail–it’s happened to nearly all of us. As we get into the swing of the new year, I want to talk about setting meaningful goals based on your dreams and vision for your life, and strategies for taking action toward achieving them.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why setting goals requires real self-reflection about what you can reasonably commit toWhy learning and building a foundation is a key step for any goal in a new area or fieldHow setting and sticking to priorities helps you bring in the right help and support when neededHow my core values and motivations guide my goal-settingWhat hitting barriers to my goals has taught me about failure and growthHow a long-term vision for your life helps you set goals, not just short-term resolutionsLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

The holidays can be hectic. And it’s a time of year when many of us feel called to reflect and be grateful for what we have and what we’ve achieved in the last year, and to turn towards the future with new determination and goals.The holidays can also be a tough season when you’re struggling for any reason.Today, I’m sharing some advice and coping strategies for getting through the holidays.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why I love Thanksgiving’s emphasis on togetherness, food, and gratitudeHow to remember what you’re actually in control of in the face of uncertainty and overwhelmHow to look for small moments of joy even when you’re having a hard timeWhy the priority should be what you do, not what you giveThe importance of taking care of yourself and maintaining perspectiveLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

How do you find your place in the world?Many people find it challenging to make connections that give us a sense of meaning and that we’re fulfilling our purpose. People with disabilities often face additional obstacles to making a place for themselves in the world, whether they’re situational, structural, or rooted in stigma and assumptions.So how do we change the attitudes that underpin the policies and programs that frequently limit the ways in which people with disabilities are able to take their place in the world? It starts with empathy, respect, and self-determination.Listen to the full episode to hear:How stigma and assumptions form obstacles for people with disabilities to make meaningful connectionsHow existing support programs and policies disempower people with disabilities from achieving their potential and desiresWhy people with disabilities need to advocate for community needs beyond just their ownHow making self-determination visible could help change the narrative of what people with disabilities can achieveWhy a seat at the table isn’t enough if disabled voices aren’t centeredLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

All of us encounter change in our lives. And we all have to find ways to cope and adjust so that we can thrive.I’ve experienced many changes in my life that required me to alter my course and chart a new path. Today, I want to share about a change in my life that limited the independence I’d been used to, and required me to make significant alterations in my day-to-day life. Adjusting to my new normal took work and a few tears, but with support from my family, and advocating for my needs and autonomy, I got through it by investing in my work and community. Listen to the full episode to hear:Why I had to grieve for the loss of independence I experienced when I could no longer walkHow getting involved in a large-scale community support project helped me feel like I was surviving and thriving againHow resiliency and creativity help us forge ahead through changing circumstancesWhy it’s key to be honest with yourself when it’s time to make a changeThe importance of finding humor in challenging situationsHow accepting change opens the door for new possibilitiesLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

I have always wanted to make an impact in the world through my life and work. Facing and overcoming adversity is necessary for any leader to build resilience, but there are additional challenges that having a disability has put in my path. Yet every time I felt knocked down by an obstacle, there was a core of strength in me that knew I could get back up.Today, we’re talking about the strength and resilience that grow from overcoming adversity and how it has shaped me as a leader.Listen to the full episode to hear:How growing up with both a desire to have an impact and a disability nurtured the tenacity and courage to be a leaderThe importance of empathy and compassion for anyone in a leadership positionCharacteristics to nurture that make an effective leader in the face of adversityWhat my mom taught me about meeting difficult times with grace and humilityReflecting on three figures whose journeys through adversity inspire meLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy ConsultingResources:Malala YousafzaiTammy DuckworthHoward Schultz

Life is full of challenges—some we choose, and others we don’t. But it’s through facing these challenges that we uncover our resilience, strength, and purpose.In this episode, we dive into the experiences of individuals with disabilities, exploring how they navigate both the expected and unexpected hurdles in life. We’ll discuss the power of perseverance, the importance of community support, and how these challenges profoundly shape identity.We’ll also reflect on the unique gifts that come from living in a world not built for you and how finding purpose in adversity can inspire us all. Whether it’s through personal drive or leaning on others, these stories remind us that hope and strength are always within reach.Listen to the full episode to hear:How I learned to ignore other people’s perceptions of my abilitiesHow social attitudes have lagged behind legal wins for people with disabilitiesHow every challenge I’ve faced has built my strength and determination, even when I didn’t succeedHow setting goals, having a purpose, and cultivating a positive mindset help me meet challengesLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

Self-determination is the principle of a person using their abilities to make their own decisions about their life based on their preferences, values, and interests.This principle has empowered me to define my life, determine what I want to achieve, and envision success as a person with a disability. However, self-determination is applicable to all individuals.In today’s episode, we will discuss what self-determination means, how it has shaped my life, and how the pursuit of liberty, happiness, and equality has shaped our society.Listen to the full episode to hear:Defining self-determinationHow I was determined to live a purposeful life from an early ageHow my family’s support and encouragement helped me pursue my dreams to my fullest abilityHow the concept of self-determination calls back to the founding principles of the U.S., how far we’ve come, and how far we have to goLearn more about Molly KennedyMolly Kennedy Consulting

People with disabilities often live in a world that isn’t built for us. But we are still determined to find ways to thrive. I’m Molly Kennedy, your host on Be Determined, and I’m excited to share how I live a self-determined life with cerebral palsy. Despite barriers and challenges, I’ve led a full and impactful life where my disability is a part of me and how I experience the world, but it does not define me. I am defined by the kind of person I am, what I’ve achieved, and the impact I’ve had on my community.On Be Determined, I’ll share stories from my own life and experiences, thoughts on the meaning of self-determination, and conversations with other people with disabilities, offering their perspectives on how they live and thrive because everyone’s experience of disability is unique.Be Determined is a podcast for everyone. Whether you have a disability, you support someone with disabilities, you want to know more about what life is like living with a disability, or you’re interested in what it means to live a determined life, you’re welcome here.Share the show with a friend or colleague who sees differences and determination from a different lens, and let's grow our community together. Learn more about Molly Kennedy:Molly Kennedy Consulting