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MDA Quest Podcast

MDA Quest Podcast

Written by: Muscular Dystrophy Association
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 The official podcast for the Muscular Dystrophy Association2021 Muscular Dystrophy Association Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • 60: Episode 59 - Redesigning the Day: Accessibility and Mindset Life Hacks with Jax Cowles

    60: Episode 59 - Redesigning the Day: Accessibility and Mindset Life Hacks with Jax Cowles
    Jan 20 2026

    In this Quest Podcast episode, we chat with public speaker, consultant, and disability advocate, Jax Cowles. Jax shares an honest, thoughtful, and deeply creative conversation about daily life, independence, and problem-solving. She opens up about how creativity and “life hacking” became essential tools rather than optional skills, and how small, low-cost adaptations can completely transform everyday tasks. Jax shares her experiences, expertise, and advice when it comes to practical insight, encouragement, and a refreshing perspective on living creatively and fully—exactly as you are.

    Transcript

    Guests:

    Jax Cowles is a speaker, consultant, and disability advocate who uses her unique perspective and experience in creative storytelling, organizational strategies, and her expertise in architectural and fashion style/design to break the barrier between fearing versus embracing disability.

    Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at 20-months old, Jax began sharing her story at a young age, speaking at schools and events to show it’s OK to be different. From her early school days, to a 2024 Keynote Gala speaker, Jax has always been a proud member of MDA.

    Through her travels to cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam; Jax highlights accessibility around the world and encourages others that nothing is impossible when you’re the writer of your own story. She believes accessibility should never be a question and that with the right tools, information, and mindset, we can build a more inclusive world—not just by thinking outside the box, but by breaking the box

    Connect with Jax:

    • https://www.jaxcowles.com/
    • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhqq8GaKYLmFs-v4xQjkrw
    • https://www.instagram.com/jaxcowles/
    • https://www.facebook.com/jaxcowles
    • https://www.pinterest.com/jax_cowles/
    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelynncowles/
    • https://x.com/jaxcowles

    Host:

    Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment, Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.

    Connect with Mindy:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendersonmindy/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindyhendersonspeaks/
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    58 mins
  • 59: Episode 58 - Wrapping up 2025 with Ira and Lily

    59: Episode 58 - Wrapping up 2025 with Ira and Lily
    Nov 26 2025
    In this Quest Podcast episode, we chat with Muscular Dystrophy Association’s National Ambassadors, Lily S. and Ira Walker. Lily is a dedicated advocate finishing her first year as a National Ambassador. She shares her journey, why she believes it is important to advocate for yourself and others, and what she has learned along the way. As Ira wraps up his second year as a National Ambassador and prepares to start a career as a published author, he chats about how connecting with his community and sharing his story with others through MDA has been life-changing. These National Ambassadors join us to share their experiences, expertise, and advice.

    Transcript

    Guests:

    Lily Sander is 18 years old and lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Her passions include disability advocacy, female justice advocacy, and accessible education. She enjoys traveling with her family, having a good cup of coffee, and spending time with her dogs. Her hope is to inspire others to embrace a positive outlook(even in the face of adversity), encourage individuals to advocate for themselves and others, and make a meaningful impact on the world.

    Connect with Lily:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-sander-89b75a274/
    • Instagram: @la.sander / https://www.instagram.com/la.sander/
    Ira Walker is 39 years old and lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). He’s an avid sports fan, cultural connoisseur of the arts, and an impressive cook who is constantly evolving his culinary abilities. He describes himself as a highly independent and active gentlemen who is living his dream and best life in south Florida while working an exciting career in HR. Ira loves exploring the sights and sounds of his environment in his sophisticated modified van.

    Connect with Ira:

    • Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/IraWalker321
    Host:

    Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment, Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.

    Connect with Mindy:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendersonmindy/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindyhendersonspeaks/
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • 58: Episode 57 - Voices of Inclusion: Celebrating NDEAM with Disability:IN

    58: Episode 57 - Voices of Inclusion: Celebrating NDEAM with Disability:IN
    Oct 21 2025
    October is National Disability Employment Month (NDEAM). In this month’s episode of the Quest podcast, we dive into accessibility and inclusion in the workforce with Russell Shaffer, the Executive Vice President of Strategy & Programsat Disability:IN. Drawing on his lived experience of vision loss and his years of working in corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion, Russell shares how businesses can move from compliance to strategic disability inclusion, the power of measurement and benchmarking, and how individuals with disabilities and organizations alike can lead the change. He shares his expertise and advice as we discuss creating inclusive workplaces, what’s next in the field of disability inclusion, and how we can all play a role in advancing employment and empowerment.

    Transcript

    Guests:

    Russell Shaffer is the Executive Vice President ofStrategy & Programs at Disability:IN, where he has responsibility for the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan, along with the measurement and reporting of its key performance indicators. In addition, Russell and his team lead signature Disability:IN programs, including Accessibility, Disability Equality Index, Learning & Workforce Development, NextGen Leadership, and Supplier Diversity. He joined Disability:IN in October 2022 from Walmart Inc. where he most recently was Senior Director ofGlobal Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (CDEI). Russell currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in Louisville, Kentucky, and his board service includes prior terms with Sources for Community Independent Living in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). His AFB service included a two-year term as Chair of the Board, and in 2015 he received the AFB Stephen Garff Marriott award in recognition of his professional achievement and service as a person who is blind or low vision. While at Walmart, he served two terms as Chair of the company’s inABLE Associate Resource Group, and in 2018, he traveled to China as a private-sector disability employment expert as part of a U.S. State Department delegation. Disability:IN honored Russell as the 2019 recipient of the annual John D. Kemp Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment to advancing disability inclusion inside Corporate America. He is an honors graduate of Malone University in Canton, Ohio, and holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in business administration and communication arts. Russell resides in Rogers, Arkansas, with his wife, Jessica, and their children, Sophia and Brady. His perspectives on disability advocacy and inclusion are informed by his experiences with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic, degenerative eye disease that was diagnosed when Russell was 10 years old and led to his legal blindness by his late 20s.

    Connect with Russell Shaffer:

    • https://disabilityin.org/
    Host:

    Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment, Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type 2 when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.

    Connect with Mindy:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendersonmindy/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindyhendersonspeaks/
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
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