Xceptional Leaders with Mai Ling Chan & James Berges

Mai Ling Chan & James Berges
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  • BUSINESS
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Learn from global disability-focused leaders about high profile topics and how they are truly making a difference. Mai Ling and James give you front row access to intimate conversations that are shaping the way the world is supporting people with disabilities. They share their intimate experiences— so you can start, grow, and expand your impact.

  1. Revisiting 2025 Show Highlights with Mai Ling Chan & James Berges

    DEC 15

    Revisiting 2025 Show Highlights with Mai Ling Chan & James Berges

    For our final episode of 2025, Mai Ling and James revisit some of the highlights from the past year of excellent guests. They go over the top takeaways from all of the exceptional leaders who have appeared on the show to share their expertise and experience with our community. This great retrospective will remind you of all the great info we've heard and perhaps entice you to re-listen to some of your favorite shows from 2025.

    21 min
  2. Empowering and Building Better Connections with Rachel Levy

    NOV 3

    Empowering and Building Better Connections with Rachel Levy

    Dr. Rachel Khasky-Levy is our guest for today's episode of Xceptional Leaders. She is the CEO and co-founder of The Babel Group, and she brings her passion for connecting technology and clinical practice to this conversation with Mai Ling. They discuss the necessity and value of wearing multiple hats in a startup, encourage the listener to go ahead and ask the "dumb" questions, and comment on the fact that sometimes leaders need to blaze a new trail. Don't miss this informative chat with Dr. Levy!

    33 min
  3. From Jane Goodall to JP Morgan: Building Neurodiversity Programs at Scale with Elizabeth Jenswold

    OCT 6

    From Jane Goodall to JP Morgan: Building Neurodiversity Programs at Scale with Elizabeth Jenswold

    James sits in the interviewer chair this episode and talks with speaker and activist, Elizabeth Jenswold. Elizabeth is a global thought leader with executive-level business experience, and she talks about her career path from the Jane Goodall Institute to financial services to diversity activism. She also shares how to spot the tasks at which neurodiverse people excel, why employment laws often hurt the ones they're meant to protect, how sometimes your best business solutions come from the most unexpected places, and how implementation of diversity employment practices might differ from large corporations to small businesses. Special mention in memory of Jane Goodall. Episode recorded prior to her recent passing.

    37 min
  4. Finding AI and Emerging Tech Solutions for Disability Professionals with Leila Denna Staiger

    SEP 8

    Finding AI and Emerging Tech Solutions for Disability Professionals with Leila Denna Staiger

    Our guest today, Leila Denna Staiger, is a speech-language pathologist and founder of SLPs Talk Tech. Under Leila's leadership, this professional community is exploring emerging tech and AI tools and discovering how to put them to work for clinicians, researchers, and educators. She joins Mai Ling for a conversation to talk about how to build community around emerging technologies, some of the practical uses of AI in healthcare, and the ethics of using AI in private practice.

    37 min
  5. Turning Tragedy into a Foundation for the Paralysis Community with Hal Hargrave

    AUG 4

    Turning Tragedy into a Foundation for the Paralysis Community with Hal Hargrave

    Our guest for today's episode is the founder of the Be Perfect Foundation, Hal Hargrave. Mai Ling talks with Hal about the horrific car accident that left him with a spinal cord injury, which then led him to the genesis of the foundation. Hal also shares his thoughts on the importance of leaders knowing when they need to pivot, the value of staying positive despite setbacks, and how he also founded a second organization called The Perfect Step where he serves as president, all in an effort to be a support and encouragement to people who are living with paralysis like him. Don't miss this powerful conversation!

    47 min
  6. Making Inclusion Hilariously Unforgettable with Pamela Rae Schuller

    JUL 14

    Making Inclusion Hilariously Unforgettable with Pamela Rae Schuller

    Mai Ling and James share some fun updates in their lives and leadership journeys at the top of today's episode. James follows that up with a great conversation with comedian and disability advocate, Pamela Rae Schuller. Pamela talks about living with Tourette syndrome, her path into the world of comedy, and why humor is so important when talking about disability. She also shares her thoughts on leveraging what makes you different and disclosing what you want when you want about your disability.

    43 min
  7. Financial Planning for You and Your Loved Ones with Disabilities with Michael Ringel

    JUN 9

    Financial Planning for You and Your Loved Ones with Disabilities with Michael Ringel

    In today's episode, Mai Ling speaks with CPA Michael Ringel about the unique challenges faced by families who have loved ones with disabilities, with regard to financial planning. In this information-packed and frank discussion about money management and planning for your financial future, Michael talks about how he reached the decision to focus on this particular segment of the market, how the approach of his team might differ from other financial advisors, and shifting one's mindset about wealth. Don't miss this important conversation!

    42 min
  8. FlexTogether: A Telehealth Approach to Pulmonary Rehab with Emily Mischel

    MAY 5

    FlexTogether: A Telehealth Approach to Pulmonary Rehab with Emily Mischel

    Our guest in this episode is Emily Mischel‍, Co-Founder & CEO of FlexTogether, a telehealth practice that was "founded to radically expand access to respiratory care." Emily chats with James about the impetus for the creation of the business, what problems it aims to address, and why they're so important. She also shares thoughts on approaching the business side of the equation in addition to the healthcare aspect and the value of entrepreneurs pivoting when necessary.

    45 min
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Learn from global disability-focused leaders about high profile topics and how they are truly making a difference. Mai Ling and James give you front row access to intimate conversations that are shaping the way the world is supporting people with disabilities. They share their intimate experiences— so you can start, grow, and expand your impact.

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