Episode 117: Boundless

In this episode of The Real State, Alex and Jamie explore the real state of inclusion with special guest and co-author Garrett Mayersohn to celebrate the launch of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living. Together, they dive into the stories and strategies behind designing spaces that remove barriers for people of all abilities.

From Alex’s personal caregiving journey to Garrett’s lived experience navigating the world with cerebral palsy, this conversation blends humor, insight, and real talk about the importance, and impact, of Universal Design. They unpack what most people misunderstand about accessibility, why ADA compliance isn’t enough, and how better design benefits everyone.

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 – Intro: What Boundless is all about

  • 04:15 – Garrett’s journey and what cerebral palsy has taught him about design

  • 08:32 – The real audience for this book—and why it’s more than just professionals

  • 15:10 – What is Universal Design, really?

  • 21:40 – Real-life design fails and what they teach us

  • 26:00 – The economics of inclusion: cost, risk, and return

  • 35:00 – The movement ahead: What Boundless aims to change

Alex Norman

Alex Norman is the founder and CEO of Access Built, a leading agency helping organizations reimagine environments to be more inclusive. As the author of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living, Alex blends powerful life stories with actionable design strategies. A former global advertising and innovation leader, Alex now helps organizations uncover and remove the “friction points” in the built world. His work, rooted in personal experience and collaboration with design leaders, challenges audiences to see accessibility not as compliance but as a catalyst for innovation, inclusion, and human potential.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexnorman1/
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Episode 118: From Prison to Presence

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Episode 116: Trading Suits for Stories