Get Fired Up's Podcast Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:00:02 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2609474 en-us © 2026 Get Fired Up's Podcast yes cdbceb8f-bf8b-50ee-b088-e86b26351eee Get Fired Up episodic false Self-direction is one of the most empowering programs in disability services. It's also one of the least talked about. 

Get Fired Up is hosted by Cindy and Jamie from Community Horizons, a support broker agency in Wisconsin that helps people with disabilities hire and manage their own caregivers. We're here to change the conversation around self-directed care, for the people living it, the people working in it, and the people who've never heard of it.

New episodes weekly. Find us at communityhorizonsllc.com.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Get Fired Up https://storage.buzzsprout.com/suff7lwy1nj8of85jkph1i78vf9r?.jpg Get Fired Up's Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2609474 Not Fraud, Just Life: Ethel's Self-Direction Journey Not Fraud, Just Life: Ethel's Self-Direction Journey In this episode, hosts Jamie and Cindy talk with self-advocate Ethel Quisler to talk about her journey into self-direction.

From the friend who helped her navigate the system to the barriers she's faced along the way. Ethel shares candid stories about waitlists, fraud scrutiny, restrictive care practices, and the fight to be treated as the expert in her own life, plus her hopes for a more flexible, dignity-centered system.

This is a raw, honest look at self-direction from someone living it every day.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> In this episode, hosts Jamie and Cindy talk with self-advocate Ethel Quisler to talk about her journey into self-direction.

From the friend who helped her navigate the system to the barriers she's faced along the way. Ethel shares candid stories about waitlists, fraud scrutiny, restrictive care practices, and the fight to be treated as the expert in her own life, plus her hopes for a more flexible, dignity-centered system.

This is a raw, honest look at self-direction from someone living it every day.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19465314 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400 3945 1 14 full false From Mom's House to His Own Apartment: Brett's Self-Direction Journey From Mom's House to His Own Apartment: Brett's Self-Direction Journey Brett Everman moved out of his parents' home at 21 with 24-hour care needs and no roadmap.

In this episode, Brett and his mom Kareen share their honest journey into self-direction: the failed care agencies, the grind of recruiting staff, the game-changing role of a support broker, and what life looks like five years later (spoiler: Monster Jam, a girlfriend of 8 years, and a very full social calendar).

Whether you're a self-advocate, a guardian, or just curious about self-direction, this one's worth your time.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Brett Everman moved out of his parents' home at 21 with 24-hour care needs and no roadmap.

In this episode, Brett and his mom Kareen share their honest journey into self-direction: the failed care agencies, the grind of recruiting staff, the game-changing role of a support broker, and what life looks like five years later (spoiler: Monster Jam, a girlfriend of 8 years, and a very full social calendar).

Whether you're a self-advocate, a guardian, or just curious about self-direction, this one's worth your time.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19463751 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 2767 full false When You Meet One Person With Autism, You've Met One Person With Autism When You Meet One Person With Autism, You've Met One Person With Autism In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Jo Hanson of Fox Valley Autism.

This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it really means to raise children on the spectrum. From early diagnosis moments and fighting to be believed, to caregiver burnout, sibling challenges, and celebrating the unexpected wins.

This one is for every parent who has ever felt alone in this journey. We also talk about the gaps in Wisconsin's support systems, why respite care is so desperately needed, and why the next generation gives us so much hope.

Don't miss this one.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Jo Hanson of Fox Valley Autism.

This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it really means to raise children on the spectrum. From early diagnosis moments and fighting to be believed, to caregiver burnout, sibling challenges, and celebrating the unexpected wins.

This one is for every parent who has ever felt alone in this journey. We also talk about the gaps in Wisconsin's support systems, why respite care is so desperately needed, and why the next generation gives us so much hope.

Don't miss this one.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19463748 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 4304 1 12 full false IRIS Participant Spotlight: Cookie IRIS Participant Spotlight: Cookie In this episode, Cookie talks candidly about growing up blind, attending what she calls "Braille jail" (a residential school for the blind), and the decades of guide dogs, technology, and hard-won independence that followed.

She opens up about losing most of her hearing later in life, getting a cochlear implant, and what it's like to navigate websites, devices, and apps that were never designed with blind or deaf-blind users in mind. 

We also dig into the recent changes to the IRIS waiver, the frustration of inaccessible fiscal agent systems, and why she refuses to let anyone else make choices for her.

This is a conversation about disability, aging, advocacy, and what it really means to self-direct your own life, told by someone who's been doing it longer than most systems have existed to support her.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> In this episode, Cookie talks candidly about growing up blind, attending what she calls "Braille jail" (a residential school for the blind), and the decades of guide dogs, technology, and hard-won independence that followed.

She opens up about losing most of her hearing later in life, getting a cochlear implant, and what it's like to navigate websites, devices, and apps that were never designed with blind or deaf-blind users in mind. 

We also dig into the recent changes to the IRIS waiver, the frustration of inaccessible fiscal agent systems, and why she refuses to let anyone else make choices for her.

This is a conversation about disability, aging, advocacy, and what it really means to self-direct your own life, told by someone who's been doing it longer than most systems have existed to support her.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19365026 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400 4534 1 11 full false Understanding the ADRC & How to Access Long-Term Care Services Understanding the ADRC & How to Access Long-Term Care Services Ever wonder where the long-term care journey actually starts? 

In this episode, Cindy and Jaime sit down with Linda from the Outagamie County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to break down what the ADRC does, who it serves, and why it's the first stop for anyone navigating services in Wisconsin. 

From options counseling to functional screenings, eligibility requirements, Medicaid enrollment, and the difference between IRIS, Family Care, and Partnership… this episode is packed with information that professionals and families need to hear. 

Plus, a candid conversation about the gaps, the terminology confusion, and why collaboration across systems matters more than ever.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Ever wonder where the long-term care journey actually starts? 

In this episode, Cindy and Jaime sit down with Linda from the Outagamie County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to break down what the ADRC does, who it serves, and why it's the first stop for anyone navigating services in Wisconsin. 

From options counseling to functional screenings, eligibility requirements, Medicaid enrollment, and the difference between IRIS, Family Care, and Partnership… this episode is packed with information that professionals and families need to hear. 

Plus, a candid conversation about the gaps, the terminology confusion, and why collaboration across systems matters more than ever.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19327148 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400 3176 1 10 full false The Reality of Living With Complex Care Needs The Reality of Living With Complex Care Needs This week, self-direction participant Katie Napiwocki shares her lifelong journey with self-direction. 

From navigating agency-assigned caregivers as a college student to building her own care team as a graduate student and professional advocate. She opens up about the autonomy self-direction has given her, the very real challenges that remain, and why involving people with disabilities in policy decisions isn't optional; it's essential.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> This week, self-direction participant Katie Napiwocki shares her lifelong journey with self-direction. 

From navigating agency-assigned caregivers as a college student to building her own care team as a graduate student and professional advocate. She opens up about the autonomy self-direction has given her, the very real challenges that remain, and why involving people with disabilities in policy decisions isn't optional; it's essential.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19280655 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400 4367 full false “Nobody Taught Me How to Read My Own Budget" — The Hard Truths of Self-Direction “Nobody Taught Me How to Read My Own Budget" — The Hard Truths of Self-Direction Real talk this week — Medicaid funding uncertainty, the caregiver workforce shift that never recovered after COVID, and why so many families have never even seen their own self-direction budget.

We also get into the language gap that blindsides families when kids age into adult long-term care, where HIPAA ends and confidentiality begins, and why self-determination might be the more important word nobody's using.

Oh, and we found a job post that might be the best in the industry. Lego lovers, stay tuned.

Whether you're a caregiver, guardian, support broker, or just trying to figure out the system… pull up a chair.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.

]]> Real talk this week — Medicaid funding uncertainty, the caregiver workforce shift that never recovered after COVID, and why so many families have never even seen their own self-direction budget.

We also get into the language gap that blindsides families when kids age into adult long-term care, where HIPAA ends and confidentiality begins, and why self-determination might be the more important word nobody's using.

Oh, and we found a job post that might be the best in the industry. Lego lovers, stay tuned.

Whether you're a caregiver, guardian, support broker, or just trying to figure out the system… pull up a chair.

New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19254130 Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 4192 1 3 full false What Is a Support Broker? The Wild West of Self-Direction Explained What Is a Support Broker? The Wild West of Self-Direction Explained If you've ever had to explain what a support broker is to someone at a doctor's appointment, you already know this episode.

This week, we're talking about what we actually do and why "broker" is such a weird word for it. We get into the hiring process, what it looks like to help someone write a job post that sounds like them, the interviews that go great and the ones that absolutely do not, and why setting boundaries early saves everyone a headache later.

We also talk about the changes coming to the IRIS program and why that conversation hit differently this week. If you're currently in IRIS, read your 2026 waiver manual and ask your consultant how this affects you.

Plus, caregivers who show up high, members who accidentally almost let someone move in, a guy who asks every single candidate to help him bury a body, and why payroll is actually the most relaxing part of this job.

This one's for anyone working in self-direction, thinking about it, or just trying to figure out why their caregiver situation keeps falling apart. Also for the care managers who've been wondering what we actually do all day.

It's a full one.

]]> If you've ever had to explain what a support broker is to someone at a doctor's appointment, you already know this episode.

This week, we're talking about what we actually do and why "broker" is such a weird word for it. We get into the hiring process, what it looks like to help someone write a job post that sounds like them, the interviews that go great and the ones that absolutely do not, and why setting boundaries early saves everyone a headache later.

We also talk about the changes coming to the IRIS program and why that conversation hit differently this week. If you're currently in IRIS, read your 2026 waiver manual and ask your consultant how this affects you.

Plus, caregivers who show up high, members who accidentally almost let someone move in, a guy who asks every single candidate to help him bury a body, and why payroll is actually the most relaxing part of this job.

This one's for anyone working in self-direction, thinking about it, or just trying to figure out why their caregiver situation keeps falling apart. Also for the care managers who've been wondering what we actually do all day.

It's a full one.

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-19028328 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0400 4948 1 2 full false The Medicaid Program Nobody Understands The Medicaid Program Nobody Understands We're Cindy and Jamie — both healthcare burnouts who somehow ended up building something better.


In this episode, we're starting at the beginning: what self-direction actually is, why almost nobody understands it, and how we ended up here after years of 24/7 on-call chaos.


We also get into the IRIS waiver changes coming in 2026 that could pull the safety net out from under thousands of Wisconsin participants (and nobody's talking about it yet).


If you've never heard of self-direction, start here.


New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.


Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> We're Cindy and Jamie — both healthcare burnouts who somehow ended up building something better.


In this episode, we're starting at the beginning: what self-direction actually is, why almost nobody understands it, and how we ended up here after years of 24/7 on-call chaos.


We also get into the IRIS waiver changes coming in 2026 that could pull the safety net out from under thousands of Wisconsin participants (and nobody's talking about it yet).


If you've never heard of self-direction, start here.


New episodes weekly. Learn more at communityhorizonsllc.com.


Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/communityhorizons

]]> Get Fired Up Buzzsprout-18994412 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400 3979 1 1 full false