Xceptional Leaders with Mai Ling Chan & James Berges

Xceptional Leaders with Mai Ling Chan & James Berges

Learn from 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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Featured in Top 10 Lists! This podcast is one of the top 5% most popular shows out of 2,772,248 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score (the estimated popularity score).

Recent Episodes

Understanding Selective Mutism with Elisa Shipon-Blum

Understanding Selective Mutism with Elisa Shipon-Blum

June 5, 2023

Our guest today is Elisa Shipon-Blum, or Dr. E, as her patients call her. She is the President and Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety and Related Disorders Treatment Center (SMart Center). Dr E is an expert on Selectiv…

Cultural Diversity in the Speech-Language Pathology Space with Dr. Li-Rong Cheng

Cultural Diversity in the Speech-Language Pathology Space with Dr. Li-Rong Cheng

May 22, 2023

In the introduction to this episode’s interview, Mai Ling shares an exciting announcement about an upcoming project that she’ll be working on. Then we jump into a conversation between Mai Ling and Dr. Li-Rong “Lilly” Cheng, …

Comedy, Disability, and Self-deprecating Humor with Greg Roque

Comedy, Disability, and Self-deprecating Humor with Greg Roque

April 24, 2023

Comedian and screenwriter Greg Roque joins the show today for an insightful conversation with James. As a teen, Greg had a spinal injury which paralyzed him and he brings his unique perspective on life as a disabled person t…

Guest: Greg Roque
Artificial Intelligence in the Disability Space with Yonah Welker

Artificial Intelligence in the Disability Space with Yonah Welker

April 10, 2023

Before we introduce our guest in this episode, Mai Ling shares a major update about a new venture that she is embarking on that has a connection to our guest. And that guest is technology explorer, evaluator, and reviewer, Y…

Guest: Yonah Welker
Disability Language Awareness and Inclusivity with Michael Grimmett

Disability Language Awareness and Inclusivity with Michael Grimmett

March 27, 2023

Our guest today is UK-based, Disability Inclusion Specialist Michael Grimmett. Michael talks with James about an inaccessibility incident at his local pizza restaurant that he was able to use to shine light on accessibility …

Disability in the Entertainment Business with Sawsan Zakaria

Disability in the Entertainment Business with Sawsan Zakaria

March 13, 2023

Our hosts, Mai Ling and James, share some important updates on what is going on in their respective careers before we dive into a discussion with our guest. Sawsan Zakaria chats with Mai Ling about her participation in the E…

About the Hosts

James BergesProfile Photo

James Berges

Speech-Language Pathologist | Growth & Content Marketing in Health-Tech | Cohost of Xceptional Leaders Podcast

Your brain is hardwired to love a good story, so I'll tell you the short version of mine. My background in psychology, speech and hearing sciences, combined with content marketing and editing experience makes me equal parts empathetic, analytical, and creative. I am grateful to be part of a field that helps people communicate. In my spare time, I enjoy communicating research findings through content development and strategy.

Martyn SibleyProfile Photo

Martyn Sibley

Co-host, best-selling author

My name is Martyn Sibley. I am a regular guy who happens to have a disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). This means I cannot walk, lift anything heavier than a book or shower myself. Nonetheless I run Disability Horizons, am the author of 'Everything is Possible', I have a Degree in Economics & a Masters in Marketing. I love adventure travels (including an epic visit to Australia), I have great people in my life (including my soul mate), I drive my own adapted car, run my own business, have flown a plane, enjoyed skiing & SCUBA diving, and live independently on earth.

Mai Ling Chan MS, CCC-SLPProfile Photo

Mai Ling Chan MS, CCC-SLP

Co-host, best-selling author, SLP

Mai Ling is a speech-language pathologist and tech enthusiast! She also loves spotlighting amazing people who are serving the disability community in unique and wonderful ways. These days she's busy interviewing guests for the podcast or FB live shows, supporting disability-focused businesses as an executive consultant, and starting the creation of a disability accelerator non-profit organization. Whew! Thank goodness it's all FUN!