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Unapologetically Whole

Unapologetically Whole

Written by: Lola Dada-Olley
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About this listen

Unapologetically Whole is the podcast for anyone who’s ever felt invisible while holding everyone else together. Hosted by attorney, advocate, and lifelong caregiver Lola Dada-Olley, this show is a raw, honest invitation to reclaim your story and rebuild your sense of self without abandoning your responsibilities or values. Through deeply personal storytelling and candid conversations, Lola explores the layers we carry: as caregivers, professionals, parents, partners, and cycle-breakers navigating cultural stigma, trauma, and the pursuit of wholeness in a world that often asks us to disappear.


Each episode offers a practical, three-part framework for transformation: Recognize the lane you’re in, Redefine success beyond external validation, and Reimagine what it means to truly thrive. You’ll hear real lessons from lived experience—how to hold the tension between vigilance and joy, how to honor incremental progress, and how to shine your light in a world that can feel dark. Whether you’re a caregiver, a leader, or simply someone searching for permission to exist beyond your roles, Unapologetically Whole bridges the gap between personal healing and professional reinvention, creating space for authentic community and honest growth.


This podcast is the companion to Lola’s forthcoming memoir, Unapologetically Whole: A Memoir About Autism, Caregiving, and Owning Your Story, coming June 2026. If these conversations resonate with you, help us extend the reach—subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a rating or review. Your voice helps others find the hope, healing, and wholeness they deserve.


© 2026 @2026 Unapologetically Whole Parenting Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Non-Linear Journey To Healing

    The Non-Linear Journey To Healing
    Jan 15 2026

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    Summary

    In this conversation, Lisa Hurley and Lola Dada-Olley explore the complexities of healing, emphasizing that it is a non-linear journey filled with ups and downs. They discuss the importance of embracing stillness and practicing gratitude as essential components of emotional well-being.

    Takeaways

    • Healing is definitely not linear.
    • Sometimes healing can feel like it's going up and down.
    • Periods of stillness are important in the healing process.
    • Trusting stillness is crucial to avoid anxiety about the future.
    • Introspection plays a vital role in personal growth.
    • Expressing gratitude can enhance emotional well-being.
    • There is always something to be grateful for, even in tough times.
    • Healing requires patience and self-compassion.
    • The journey of healing is unique for everyone.
    • Embracing the journey can lead to deeper understanding.

    Unapologetically Whole is a podcast for women who have spent years giving themselves away—to caregiving, culture, or career—and are finally ready to reclaim their voice. Hosted by attorney, author, TEDx speaker, and lifelong caregiver Lola Dada‑Olley, the show explores identity, healing, neurodiversity, cultural stigma, and the quiet work of rebuilding yourself after burnout.


    Lola draws from her lived experience as a mother of two autistic children, the older sister of an autistic, intellectually disabled adult, and the former host of Not Your Mama’s Autism. She also serves as Lead ADA Counsel for a global banking institution and appears with her family in the Vox Media documentary Sensory Overload on Hulu.


    Each episode blends storytelling, reflection, and honest conversation to help women recognize the lane they’re in, redefine success on their own terms, and reimagine what it means to thrive without disappearing.


    Learn more about Lola’s work and her upcoming memoir at loladadaolley.com, and join the newsletter to stay connected to the movement.
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    30 mins
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