Unapologetically Whole
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.
Episodes
84 episodes
From Compartments to Integration: A Personal Reflection from Lola
Lola Dada-Olley's heartfelt reflection on embracing wholeness, integrating multiple identities, and living authentically. She shares her journey through trauma, resilience, and the power of storytelling to inspire others to step into their ...
Advocacy Through Storytelling: A Talk with Victoria Petelin of Wise Ink Media
In this episode of Unapologetically Whole, host Lola Dada-Olley engages in a heartfelt conversation with Victoria Petelin, the creative director of Wise Ink Media. Wise Ink is the publisher of Lola's upcoming book. Lola and Victoria discuss...
You Are Leading Even When You Think No One Is Watching: A Short Reflection With Lola
Most caregivers lead quietly, often unseen, but their daily acts of purpose shape future generations. On this episode of Unapologetically Whole, Lola Dada-Olley reveals the profound leadership hidden within everyday caregiving and how ...
A Family Affair: Mission Fueled Disability Advocacy with ConnectIDD
In this engaging conversation, Lola Dada-Olley speaks with Michael and Julie Thomas, co-founders of ConnectIDD, a disability empowerment agency. They discuss their journey as a married couple, the challenges faced in the nonprofit sector, a...
Your Body and Soul Remembers: A Short Reflection with Lola
In this conversation, Lola Dada-Olley shares her personal journey of navigating the complexities of caregiving, trauma, and the pursuit of wholeness. She reflects on the challenges faced as a caregiver, the impact of trauma on her life, and...
Trauma Informed Living: Reclaiming Wholeness
In this powerful episode, Lola Dada-Olley speaks with Neresia Osborne, therapist, mother, advocate and lifetime caregiver. This episode only scratches the surface in unlocking the depth of her personal account of navigating birth trauma,...
Owning Your Story: A Short Reflection with Lola
In this episode of Unapologetically Whole, Lola Dada-Olley shares her personal journey of self-advocacy and wholeness, exploring themes of identity, caregiving, and resilience. Through intimate reflections and powerful storytelling, she encoura...
The Non-Linear Journey to Healing: A Talk with Author and Self Advocate Lisa Hurley
SummaryIn 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 pract...
Goodbye Not Your Mama's Autism ... Hello Unapologetically Whole
Not Your Mama’s Autism had its finale episode in December 2025. Unapologetically Whole is the dawn of a new podcast, guided by the same host, Lola Dada‑Olley, but shaped by a deeper, more expansive mission. After five years of...
The Power of Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: A Talk with Author and Self-Advocate Lisa Hurley
SummaryThis conversation explores the complexities of neurodiversity, particularly autism, within the Caribbean context. Lisa Hurley reflects on her personal experiences growing up in a society that lacks awareness and understandi...
On The Road To Wholeness, A Family Episode
In this heartfelt episode, Lola Dada-Olley and Tosan Olley reflect on their journey through autism advocacy, sharing insights from their experiences over the past five years. They discuss the universality of autism, the power of storytelling, a...
Navigating Transitions in Family Life
SUMMARYIn this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, hosts Lola and Tosan Olley discuss the various transitions their family is experiencing, including changes in their children's educat...
Sensory Overload: A Talk with The Filmmakers of the Hulu Documentary
In this episode, we discuss Sensory Overload, a film about how three communitiesnavigate oral care and the world in general with sensory sensitivities in mind.It's also a film about neurodivergence, sen...
Better Understanding Challenging Behavior: A Talk with Larissa Heise, BCBA
SummaryIn this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism, host Lola Dada-Olley speaks with licensed social worker and BCBA Larissa Heise about the complexities of challenging behavior in neurodivergent individual...
Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Talk with Dr. Theresa Haskins
SummaryDr. Theresa Haskins, a professor, researcher, consultant, corporate executive, mom, wife, and advocate, joins the podcast. She shares her journey as an advocate for her children and a self-advocate...
Serving Families in Crisis: A Conversation with Breanna Kelly-Higgs LCSW, BCBA
SummaryBreanna Kelly, a licensed social worker and BCBA, shares her journey into the field of autism and her passion for supporting individuals with co-occurring conditions. She emphasizes the importance of un...
Access to Reproductive Health Care: Autism and Intellectual Disability Edition
SummaryIn this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism podcast, Lola Dada-Olley and her husband, Tosan Olley, discuss the complexities of navigating reproductive healthcare for their daughter, who is on the autism ...
Advocacy in Action: A Talk with Ms. Texas 2024 Annette Addo-Yobo
In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, host Lola Dada-Olley speaks with Annette Addo-Yobo, the first immigrant-born Miss Texas, about her journey from Ghana to the U.S., her advocacy for autism awareness, and the importance ...
Navigating the High School Transition: A Talk With My Son
In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism podcast, host Lola Dada-Olley engages her son Fela in a heartfelt discussion about the transition from middle school to high school. They explore the various high school options available, the i...
Workplace Neuroinclusion Strategy: Some Lessons Learned
In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism podcast, LolaDada-Olley interviews Danielle Meadows, an executive director at JPMorganChase, about the importance of disability employment and the initiatives takenby the Business Solution Team (BEST) t...
Reintegrating Our Daughter Into School Life
In this episode, Lola Dada-Olley and her husband Tosan discuss their journey with their daughter Alero, who is on the autism spectrum.They share their decision-making process regarding Alero's education, includingthe challenges of navigating sp...
Back To School: Embracing Technology and Student-Centered Learning
In this episode, Dr. Kim Floyd, a professor of special education and an innovator, discusses her evolution in the education space and her role in standing up a center focused on assistive technology with people with disabilities. She sh...
Addressing Daily Life Challenges with Revolutionary Tools: A Talk With Nadia Hamilton
Growing up alongside a sibling with autism can transform your life's blueprint in the most unexpected ways. in this episode, we're joined by the remarkable Nadia Hamilton, who shares the touching saga of her brother, Troy, and how his...
Healthcare in America: New Year; New(ish) Expenses
Every January, my husband Tosan and I brace ourselves for the impact of the 'January reset' on our family's finances. As parents of a child with complex medical needs, we're no strangers to the avalanche of medical bills tha...
2023: Our Longest, Yet Shortest, Year To Date
Our 2023 year in review episode is here. We discuss the ups and downs that is/was 2023, including a life changing family trip to Barcelona, an ice storm that prevented travel to our daughter's therapy, a short term caregiver crisis, the my...
