Alycia Anderson Blog

Episode 112 – The Heart of Inclusion: How We Built a Global Speaking Brand


Published: Thursday October 23, 2025
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In Episode 112, Alycia and Marty celebrate five years of entrepreneurship and the rise of their global speaking brand, anchored by “The Heart of Inclusion.” They revisit a letter to Alycia’s future self, reflect on a million-dollar milestone, and share lessons on risk-taking, resilience, and building community. The episode also spotlights Jam Pro Web Design and the Adaptive Athletics Association, underscoring purpose-driven growth rooted in accessibility, belonging, and possibility together.

Episode 112 Transcript


Published: Thursday October 23, 2025
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In this full transcript of Episode 112, Alycia and Marty look back on five years building The Alycia Anderson Company and the signature keynote, The Heart of Inclusion. From a 2020 “letter to future me” to the leap from corporate roles, layoff pivots, and mentoring a growing team, they unpack entrepreneurship’s risks, resilience, and milestones—including nearly a million dollars in speaking—while inviting listeners to dream audaciously and build with purpose.

Reimagining Resilience: Reflections from the 2025 Insurance Diversity Summit


Published: Tuesday October 21, 2025
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At the 2025 Insurance Diversity Summit in Los Angeles, I was honored to represent the California Insurance Diversity Task Force and deliver my keynote, The Heart of Inclusion. Reflecting on supplier diversity, leadership representation, and accessibility, I felt inspired by Commissioner Ricardo Lara and our shared mission. This summit reminded me that disability inclusion isn’t a side note—it’s central to reimagining resilience and shaping a more equitable future for all.

Episode 111 – Empathy in Action: Shane Walsh’s Connection to IDD and Best Buddies at JMU


Published: Thursday October 16, 2025
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In Episode 111 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, global Best Buddies ambassador Shane Walsh shares how growing up alongside his brother Lucas, who is autistic, sparked his advocacy for the IDD community. He unpacks empathy versus sympathy, campus leadership at James Madison University, and why inclusive employment matters. Hear actionable ways to get involved, challenge comfort zones, and build belonging—on campus and beyond. This moving conversation spotlights resilience and possibility.

Episode 111 Transcript


Published: Thursday October 16, 2025
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Alycia sits down with Shane Walsh, a JMU student and Best Buddies ambassador, to explore how his brother’s IDD shaped his purpose. From early memories to campus advocacy, Shane shares a powerful lesson on empathy over sympathy, inclusion on college campuses, and building community. Hear candid reflections on family, resilience, and creating opportunities for people with IDD—plus the movement he’s leading to make Best Buddies a flagship presence at JMU.

Standing Ovations, Sisterhood, and Pretty in Pink: EmpowHER Austin Recap


Published: Wednesday October 15, 2025
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Standing ovations. My TWIN. Pretty in pink. New friends. Sisterhood reunited. Energy forward.Yep, that sums up last week at the EmpowHER Multifamily Conference in Austin… and honestly, I’m still buzzing. We came for an event and left as an energized women’s empowerment movement. Rooms don’t just “get” electric women make them electric. From hallway conversations … read more… Standing Ovations, Sisterhood, and Pretty in Pink: EmpowHER Austin Recap

Episode 110 – Rewrite the Narrative: Melissa Salazar on ADHD & Opportunity


Published: Thursday October 9, 2025
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From teenage motherhood and surviving domestic violence to leading talent at Netflix, Melissa Salazar rewrites what ADHD can mean. In this episode, she shares how self-ID opened doors, how homelessness became resilience, and why “live your box” is her mantra. We explore neurodiversity as a superpower, creating safe spaces at work, and building opportunity for marginalized communities—proof that embracing difference fuels careers, culture, and the courage to belong for all.

Episode 110 Transcript


Published: Thursday October 9, 2025
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ADHD, domestic violence, teenage motherhood, even a season living in her car—Melissa Salazar turned every setback into purpose. On Pushing Forward with Alycia, she shares how self-identification, community, and relentless grit opened doors from Jubilee Village to Netflix, where she builds pathways for overlooked talent. This conversation reframes being “too much” as a superpower—and shows how opportunity plus support can change everything. Honest, hopeful, and actionable, it champions radical inclusion.

Kicking Off NDEAM at the Pacific Northwest Employment Forum: Opening the Heart of Inclusion


Published: Tuesday October 7, 2025
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Opening PNWEF in Portland was an honor and a charge. In my Heart of Inclusion keynote, we moved inclusion from concept to daily habit—co-creating over helping, accessibility by design, and measurable outcomes. The forum’s magic is community: self-advocates, employers, students, providers, and partners learning together. Thank you to organizers and APSE leaders whose tireless work built space where belonging grows into equitable hiring, accessible onboarding, and real career progression forward.