Thomas R Wilson- A Story of Quiet Joy and Complicated Serenity -National Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Highlight
Please start with who you are, what you do, and a brief bit of your professional journey.
Thomas R. Wilson is an educator, Writer, Consultant, Business Owner, Program Developer, purpose-driven event Specialist, and Winner of Colorado's 2025 Big Idea Contest. His work centers on an empathic, person-first mindset that seeks to amplify and uplift community voices. It draws on his lived experiences and his desire to enact mindful change. His work has gained international recognition, and he has partnered with over 55 businesses in the United States. Overall, Thomas's work remains a bright spot celebrated by the community.
How would you describe your personal work journey?
My personal journey has been unique; I can't say it's been perfect, but it's also been oddly wonderful. Despite the bad and the pain, there have been so many wonderful, joyous, and heartfelt moments. I would also say work has always been a point of pride for me. Having meaningful work has been even more so.
I can't say I have been good at everything I have done either. But my work now, running events, classes, public speaking, and so much more, has been a truly special part of my life. People often call me a madman for the hours I work and all the projects I run, but every day is a true blessing. And getting to do what you love, especially a creative career, is a true joy. Even more so, having consistent, productive, long-lasting work is a rarity not many get to have.
While nothing is perfect, I work so hard to value each moment truly, and to practice gratitude every day. I also work hard to carry myself with the knowledge that I have a tremendous responsibility to act with accountability and mindfulness every moment of every day.
Does your work have a creative element to it? If so, what are the benefits of that creative element? If not, what parts of your job offer lasting joy?
I honestly have to say that every part of my work is filled with creativity, and that is why I love it so. But there is also a lot of paperwork, office hours, math, and promotional work. I think people forget what it takes to run a business, but there is something so special about owning a successful business that makes even the drudgery incredibly exciting.
Does your workplace journey differ from where you expected you would be when you were younger?
Honestly, yes, it does. I've always wanted to be a storyteller since I was very young, but I never envisioned it this way. I do a lot of paperwork, scheduling, problem-solving, and conflict management in many parts of my work. And while it is a major win to be able to pursue my dreams, this wasn't what I expected. But despite that, I have found so many new lives doing this work, and I have been able to pursue opportunities I never thought possible. I can't say my younger self would have loved this work, but as I have aged and grown into it, my joy and appreciation for it have only grown.
What do you currently love about your work?
I love getting to tell stories for a living; it is a magical, whimsical, and creative career I never fully expected to have. Not every day is easy, and sometimes I want to walk away from it completely, but overall, it is a career I love, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Finally, what advice would you offer someone who feels like they aren’t where they should be in their workplace journey?
I would recommend holding onto hope. So much is affecting the workforce right now- how people are treated and how employers use job postings- but the right job can still appear. I like to believe that every loss and win can lead to the right job. And I believe that we can genuinely love what we do. It just takes luck, the right decisions, and the right circumstances. I say we need to trust ourselves, the journey, and fight for the future we most want.
Where can people find you?
I have my important links on my work
website: https://rhcreativeadvocacyandstorytelling.net/
linktree: https://linktr.ee/ndttrpg
linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wilson-42762927b/
email: ndttrpg@gmail.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9643132&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator
GIGSALAD: https://www.gigsalad.com/rhodehawks_reverie_parker
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/guestdetailpreview/173478800975223742bac1630