Welcome to the Expanding Worlds Podcast
Recent episodes
198 Building Inclusive Communities for the Future with Laura Wells from HOPE North Carolina
In this episode, host Debra Caldow talks to Laura Wells from Hope North Carolina about the innovative housing model they use that integrates people with and without disabilities. Laura discusses how Hope NC fosters a sense of belonging through their community...
197 Building A Community On The Pillars Of Support And Inclusion with Ginny Dropkin from HOPE North Carolina
In this episode, host Debra Caldow talks to Ginny Dropkin from Hope North Carolina about the emotional and logistical challenges of ensuring a good life for our children, even after we're no longer around. Ginny explains why this has been a central issue in her life...
196 Creating a New Reality: The Role of Mindset in Success with Debra Caldow
In this episode, host Debra Caldow discusses the importance of developing a positive and growth-oriented mindset for us and our children. She explains the practical steps that can lead to developing a positive mindset, including self-talk, embracing challenges, and...
Our Focus


Young people with additional needs should have the opportunity to live independently in a way right for them. The podcast is about sharing stories and sharing solutions that enable parents and carers to support them on this path to greater independence.
Independence for most people consists of three things:
1) Having a Purpose for the day – usually paid employment, but possibly a place to go to make a contribution to the world.
2) Having the Daily Living skills for independence – being able to look after ourselves, cooking, shopping.
3) Having Relationships with family, friends and maybe even a partner one day.
There is also an additional consideration that serves as the foundation of all these – Financial. Like it or not money often dictates how we live our lives, and we need to confront the issue of how our children will survive financially when we are gone.
For more information visit redgiraffesolutions.com
All Episodes
195 Believe In and Know Your Young Person Has Strengths with Katherine Jennick from What’s Your Strength
In this episode, host Debra Caldow talks to Katherine Jennick from What’s Your Strength about how a positive self-perception can have a genuine impact on young people with additional needs. Katherine offers practical strategies that you can adapt at home, and she...
194 From Self-Awareness to Success with Katherine Jennick from What’s Your Strength
In this episode, host Debra Caldow talks to Katherine Jennick from What’s Your Strength about the project she has developed to help young people translate their life experiences into strengths. She discusses how this evolved into packs of cards which are used by both...
193 Why Making Choices Is A Skill Worth Building with Debra Caldow
In this episode, host Debra Caldow explores the crucial role of choice in the lives of young people with additional needs. She discusses the barriers that exist, such as low expectations, inadequate funding, and social policies that limit young people's choices. Debra...