In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Joshua Dvorkin—a psychotherapist, coach, and spinal cord injury survivor—who shares his extraordinary journey of defying medical odds and rebuilding his life after a life-changing accident. Joshua opens up about resilience, gratitude, and the mindset shift that turned tragedy into purpose. Together, they explore how lived experiences shape inclusion, why accessibility still has far to go, and how personal transformation fuels advocacy. This powerful conversation challenges listeners to see disability through a lens of strength, humanity, and possibility.
Key Takeaways:
Power of Belief — Joshua’s recovery began when he refused to accept medical predictions and chose possibility over limitation.
Redefining Inclusion — Inclusion extends beyond disability—it’s about creating a barrier-free society for everyone.
Mindset Matters — Our beliefs shape our realities; shifting from limitation to gratitude transforms how we live and connect.
Lived Experience as Wisdom — Joshua’s own injury informs his therapeutic work, helping others reclaim identity and meaning.
Everyday Inclusion — Real inclusion starts by seeing people as individuals, not categories, and valuing diverse perspectives.
Joshua Dvorkin’s definition of inclusion:
Inclusion is when the society we live in is as barrier-free as possible, where everyone can exist and where we can learn from one another and really exchange life experiences.
Joshua Dvorkin’s Bio:
I am Joshua Dvorkin—psychotherapist, reclamation coach, founder of Headway Mental Health, business owner, consultant, speaker, survivor.
I am someone who fell, who broke, who was told life was over—and who chose to write a different story.
I live with paralysis and my puppy Pepper, but both allow me to live with possibility.
I navigate challenge, but I walk in purpose.
And my mission is to help others do the same: to reclaim their story, to align with their authentic self, and to unleash the power of possibility in their own lives.
Connect with Joshua Dvorkin:
Website: https://headwaymentalhealth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headway.mental.health
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/headwayhelps
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-dvorkin-headwayhelps/
SPAM© Count:
Host:
Yes
Current Guest:
No
Cumulative Guest Stats:
Yes - 65
No - 89
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