Embracing Hope

Joel Sheagren: Producing Transformative Stories for Global Impact

Joel doesn’t just understand neurodiversity—he lives it every day as a father raising children with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders), autism, trauma, and ADHD. This lived experience, combined with over three decades as an award-winning filmmaker and photographer, uniquely positions him to translate complex family challenges into practical, hope-filled solutions.

Through Sam In A Can Productions, Joel has mastered the art of compelling storytelling that drives real change. But his most important story began at home, where the daily realities of parenting neurodiverse children sparked a mission that would reshape how families navigate these journeys.

Personal Innovation towards a Global Movement

When traditional parenting approaches failed his family, Joel didn’t just adapt—he innovated. Recognizing that FASD was the hidden piece missing from most neurodiversity conversations, he partnered with fellow father Carl Young to create the world’s first integrated approach for awareness to support families across the ASD/ADHD/FASD/trauma spectrum.

Joel’s vision extends far beyond pages. As co-founder of the Hope & Rescue Foundation (2007), he identified developmental disabilities as a driver of human trafficking—connecting overlooked dots. The deeper question emerged: We acknowledge homelessness feeds trafficking, but what feeds homelessness?

The Embraced Movement: Storytelling That Changes Systems

This inquiry birthed the Embraced Movement—a multichannel media ecosystem leveraging story’s power to address the global systemic issue of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE). PAE isn’t just a hidden driver of human trafficking; it also fuels homelessness, youth-at-risk situations, and fatherlessness.

The Movement now encompasses the overlapping symptoms of FASD, ADHD, autism, and trauma under a unified framework through four compelling fictional characters representing each neurodiverse profile:

• “Embracing Hope” (the foundational caregiver guide)
• “Embracing Zak” (novel by team member Jodee Kulp, available on Amazon)
• Feature film (the script written by “The Chosen’s” original producer Justen Overlander, currently fundraising)
• “Embraced: Truth About FASD” (upcoming documentary bringing mainstream awareness)
• “Embracing Heroes” app (technology solutions for neurodiverse support)
• Professional book series (specialized guides for social workers, educators, faith communities, etc.)

Learn more at EmbracedMovement.org

The Father-Expert Advantage

What sets Joel apart isn’t just professional storytelling expertise—it’s authentic understanding of unexpected meltdowns, IEP meetings that feel like diplomatic summits, and profound breakthrough moments. This combination of lived experience and creative vision uniquely qualifies him to guide families from survival to thriving.

Through “Embracing Hope,” Joel transforms personal struggles into practical strategies that work in real homes with real families. His approach doesn’t just change individual outcomes—it shifts entire communities toward understanding, acceptance, and evidence-based support for neurodiversity.