This week, we have our show’s official nonprofit partner, Open Ears Open Opportunities on Episode 222 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome the Executive Director, as well as our show’s co-host and producer, Maggie Bond!

“Open Ears Open Opportunities, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit offering a customized approach to giving people with disabilities a voice and skill-building opportunity through various disciplines of media education training, enabling and empowering them to learn how to manage their social media, create content, and share their stories through radio, video, social media, professional production experiences, podcasting, and more.

Open Ears Open Opportunities, Inc.’s Mission is to transform perceptions of people with different abilities through media representation.

OEOO’s Vision is to see a community and world where people with different abilities’ stories are heard, equitable opportunity and access are given to them in media and the workforce, and for inclusion to be a first response, not a last resort.

The Hidden Workforce is produced by members of OEOO, so we are advocating for inclusion in the workforce while an inclusive workforce makes our radio show and podcast happen!”

Maggie Shares about the purpose and mission of OEOO, their programs, and hints toward some exciting upcoming projects and collaborations. You don’t want to miss this episode!

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You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

This week, we have our show’s Title Sponsor, Rise Staffing on Episode 221 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome our Host as well as the founder, owner, and CEO of Rise Staffing, Lisa Toth!

Lisa started Rise Staffing 22 years ago. She and her team have evolved the company to a multi-program Home and Community Based Provider Agency offering programs such as Residential Support Services, Vocational Services, Online Employment Coaching, Neurodiversity Coaching/Employment Coaching, Community events/actives, and more! She shares about her journey, Rise Staffing’s programs and services, the importance of Vocational Rehabilitation, and more!

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce
Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce
YouTube: @HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

This week we welcome another candidate, this one running for 2026 Oklahoma Congressional District 1 in Episode 220 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome Candidate John Croisant!

John shares with us about why he is running for office, his experiences that have shaped him to run for office, and with some questions inspired by the Developmental Disability Council of Oklahoma’s candidate questionnaire, we explore specifically how Candidate Croisant will address helping and serving constituents of Oklahoma who live with disabilities at the federal level.

You do not want to miss this show!

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce
Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce

YouTube: @HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

This week, we welcome 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate and current Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond!

Gentner joins us to share about his journey to running for Governor of the State of Oklahoma. With questions inspired by the Developmental Disability Council of Oklahoma’s candidate questionnaire, we explore specifically how Gentner will address helping and serving constituents of Oklahoma who live with disabilities.

You don’t want to miss this show!

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce

Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce

@HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

This week, we have a resourceful show for the workforce and schools on Episode 218 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome Natasha McDaniel and Hailey Sharp from the University of Oklahoma’s Pre-Employment Transition Services through the National Center for Disability Education and Training!

OU Pre-ETS collaborates with schools and community employers/partners with both their school-year and summer programs including: In-School Services, Hybrid services, Work Skills Trainers, Peer mentoring, and BEST/STEP. OU Pre-ETS “specialists provide direct services to students within their schools, delivering comprehensive transition programming across all five core Pre-ETS categories [(Self-Advocacy, Work-based Learning, Post Secondary Education Counseling, Job Exploration Counseling, and Workplace Readiness Training)]. Their specialists work directly with students, teachers, and school staff to integrate transition services seamlessly into the school environment, ensuring consistent support and skill development.” (https://transitionok.org)

Natasha and Hailey share with us all about the services OU Pre-ETS offers as well as the incredible stories of impact their programs are providing for SPED students all over Oklahoma, so you do not want to miss this show!

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce
Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce
YouTube: ​⁠@HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

At the end of last year, we shared a series of Oklahoma legislators who have been doing some amazing work advocating for people who live with disabilities at our Oklahoma State Capitol.

This week, we’ll hear from an Oklahoma House Representative as we have a great open dialogue about inclusion for people who live with disabilities and build bridges with our legislators, so all sides of the aisle get to share their perspectives with us as we share about inclusion with them.

Welcome Representative Clay Staires!

Representative Staires represents Oklahoma State House District 66. Representative Staires shares with us about his business, serving in the legislature, his family’s camp- Shepherds Fold Ranch, and we have an insightful conversation on inclusion of people living with disabilities in the workforce, in the policies he sees advocated for at the State Capitol, and why inclusion is important- especially if you don’t have a personal connection to it.

You do not want to miss this show!

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce
Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce
YouTube: ​⁠@HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

This week, we have a show that is sure to feel like home especially if you’re deaf/blind on Episode 216 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome Jeri Cooper from Jeri’s House!

Jeri is the founder and Executive Director of Jeri’s House. Jeri’s House is an Oklahoma-based faith-based nonprofit organization that serves as a residential training facility for Deaf/Blind adults. They offer personalized, hands-on training to help individuals with dual sensory loss develop independence in daily living skills, such as Braille, sign language, household tasks, as well as mobility, self advocacy, and more. They also provide a Bible study and monthly social gatherings for their friends in the deaf/blind community to connect. Jeri also shares with us about the book she wrote about her life and experiences called, “Eyes of My Heart.”

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce
Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce
YouTube: ​⁠@HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast

We have a special show that shows how hard parents will fight and how far they will go for their kids on Episode 215 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome Jimmy and Julie Beard!

Jimmy and Julie share with us the incredible story of their son Mason. When doctors said that Mason would never walk, talk, crawl, drive, graduate or work, Jimmy and Julie didn’t accept that diagnoses and dug deep to find answers and the right programs for Mason. They found an amazing program in Pennsylvania that believed Mason could do all the things the doctors said he couldn’t and more. Tune in to hear how their son defied all the odds.

Want to hear more great interviews on The Hidden Workforce? Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

Facebook: The Hidden Workforce
Instagram: @thehiddenworkforce
Youtube: ​⁠@HiddenWorkforce

You can listen live via radio or online on Groovy 105.7FM Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 4pm, and all platforms that stream podcasts.

#disability #inclusion #inclusiveemployment #radioshow #podcast