"Pathways to Zero Barriers" Podcast

Scaling solutions for disability inclusion.

Tune in on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

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Do you have a product or initiative that removes barriers for persons with disabilities? How can you expand or scale it to benefit more people?

Pathways to Zero Barriers takes you on a global journey of scaling disability inclusion solutions. In each episode we explore how innovative initiatives expand to new regions and markets, breaking down the practical steps needed to scale effectively. Through the experiences of Zero Project Scaling Solutions Programme Fellows, you’ll learn about strategy, partnerships, investment, and more – essential steps in scaling impactful, inclusive solutions worldwide.

Join us to uncover real-life stories from the disability inclusion ecosystem and hear lessons learned from the field.

 

 

Explore the second season

  • Pathways to Zero Barriers episode 1 cover.

    Episode 01

    Readiness to scale with Varun Chandak

    How do you know when your innovation is ready to scale? In this episode, host Thomas Butcher speaks with Varun Chandak, Founder and Executive Director of Access to Success and the new implementation partner of the Zero Project Scaling Solutions Programme. 

    key takeaways 

  • Pathways to Zero Barriers episode 2 cover.

    Episode 02

    Milestones of the head and the heart with Rob van de Ven

    How do innovators stay motivated, and resilient while bringing a deeply human-centred solution to life? In this episode, host Tom Butcher reconnects with Rob van de Ven, Co-Founder of HappyBots and Zero Project Scaling Solutions alumnus.

    key takeaways 

  • A green podcast cover for “Pathways to Zero Barriers,” Episode 03. The top left has a “Podcast” label with an icon, and the top right shows an orange badge reading “Episode #03.” Below the title are two photos: on the left, a woman in a black blazer smiling outdoors with blurred buildings behind her, labeled “Becca Hume”; on the right, a man in a brown blazer and light blue shirt smiling indoors near a staircase, labeled “Tom Butcher.

    Episode 03

    Escaping nonprofit fatigue with Becca Hume

    In this episode, host Tom Butcher speaks with Rebecca “Becca” Hume, Founder and CEO of Inclutech and developer of the TapSOS app. Becca shares the ten-year journey behind building an inclusive, accessible way for people to contact emergency services.

    Key Takeaways

     

  • Episode 04

    Closing the accessibility awareness gap with Guilherme Braga

    In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Guilherme Braga, Founder and CEO of Egalité, a Brazilian social business supporting the employment of persons with disabilities for over 15 years.

    Key Takeaways

     

  • Podcast cover with green background titled “Pathways to Zero Barriers.” Two portrait photos appear side by side: Tom Butcher on the left and Enzo Romero on the right. A leaf icon appears near the top, and an orange badge reads “Episode #05.”

    Episode 05

    The power of storytelling with Enzo Romero

    In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Enzo Romero, Founder and CEO of LAT Bionics in Peru. Enzo shares how growing up without a right hand—and seeing fictional bionics on screen—sparked a lifelong commitment to engineering accessible prosthetic solutions. 

    Key takeaways

     

  • Green podcast cover titled “Pathways to Zero Barriers” with a leaf logo. Two portrait photos show Tom Butcher (left, wearing a tweed jacket) and Michael Fembek (right, wearing a light pink shirt). Text at the bottom reads “Tom Butcher Michael Fembek” and “Episode #06.”

    episode 06

    Making the most of conferences with Michael Fembek

    In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher sits down with Michael Fembek, CEO of the Zero Project, to unpack how to truly make the most of conferences. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, they share practical tips on preparation, smart networking, and follow-up.

    Key takeaways

     

  • Green podcast cover titled “Pathways to Zero Barriers” with a leaf logo. Two portrait photos show Prateek Khandelwal (left, wearing a blue jacket) and Tom Butcher (right, wearing a tweed jacket). Text at the bottom reads “Prateek Khandelwal Tom Butcher” and “Episode #07.”

    Episode 07

    From personal barriers to systemic change with Prateek Khandelwal

    In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Prateek Khandelwal, Founder and Managing Director of RampMyCity, an Indian accessibility startup advancing inclusion in public spaces for persons with disabilities and older people.

    Key takeaways

     

  • Green podcast cover titled “Pathways to Zero Barriers” with a leaf logo. Two portrait photos show Melissa Muñoz-Flández (left, woman in glasses and a pink streak of hair) and Tom Butcher (right, wearing a tweed jacket). Text at the bottom reads “Melissa Muñoz-Flández Tom Butcher” and “Episode #08.”

    Episode 08

    Making neurodivergent lives visible with Melissa Muñoz-Flández

    In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Melissa Muñoz-Flández, Founder and CEO of Prisma Neurodivergente and creator of Autistapp, a free mobile application designed for pre-teens, teenagers, and adults – an age group often overlooked in autism-related technologies.

    Key takeaways

     

  • Podcast cover with a green background titled “Pathways to Zero Barriers.” Two headshots appear below the title: Tom Butcher on the left and Shalhav Malamud on the right. At the bottom, their names are listed, and an orange badge reads “Episode #09.” A small plant icon appears near the podcast label at the top.

    Episode 09

    When healthcare adapts to the individual with Dr. Shalhav Malamud

    In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Dr. Shalhav Malamud, Medical Director of the Dental Clinic at Beit Issie Shapiro in Israel, about rethinking healthcare through a person-centered lens.

    Key takeaways

     

  • Podcast cover with a green background and the title “Pathways to Zero Barriers.” Two headshots appear below: Judith Hermetter (a woman with shoulder-length brown hair) and Varun Chandak (a man in a suit smiling against a city backdrop). Their names are listed underneath, along with a label “Episode #10.”

    Episode 10

    Innovations on a global stage: Reflections on #ZeroCon26 with Varun Chandak

    In this special episode, guest host Judith Hermetter sits down with Varun Chandak, Founder and Executive Director of Access to Success, to recap the high-energy days of the Zero Project Conference 2026 (#ZeroCon26) at the United Nations in Vienna.

    Key takeaways

     

  • Green podcast cover for “Pathways to Zero Barriers” featuring two speaker portraits—Tom Butcher on the left and Małgorzata Grobelna on the right. Text reads “Podcast,” “Pathways to Zero Barriers,” and “Episode #11,” with the speakers’ names displayed at the bottom.

    Episode 11

    The mindset of scaling internationally with Małgorzata Grobelna

    In this final episode of Season 2 of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Małgorzata Grobelna, Programme Manager at Zero Project, about rethinking what “scaling” truly means and  why scaling is not just about growing organizations.

    Key takeaways.