174 - Decoding Cody: Faith, Inclusion, and the Voices We’ve Overlooked with Joe Infranco

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes pastor, attorney, and author Joe Infranco to explore a fascinating intersection of faith, neurodiversity, and communication. Joe shares the story behind his book Decoding Cody and how relationships with non-speaking autistic individuals reshaped his understanding of intelligence, dignity, and spiritual awareness. Together, they discuss the power of assuming competence, the emerging role of spelling and AAC in unlocking voices, and why inclusion begins with seeing every person as inherently valuable. This conversation challenges listeners to reconsider long-held assumptions and embrace a more expansive view of human connection, purpose, and belonging in our shared communities today.

Key Takeaways:

Assume Competence - When we presume intelligence and capability, we create opportunities for people to reveal who they truly are.

Unlocking Voices - Tools like spelling boards and AAC are transforming communication for non-speaking individuals.

Dignity First - Inclusion starts by recognizing every person as worthy of respect regardless of ability.

Spiritual Curiosity - Unexpected insights from neurodivergent individuals invite deeper reflection on faith and human experience.

Shift Perspectives - Moving beyond biases helps families, churches, and communities become more welcoming and supportive.

Joe Infranco’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is our learning to see every human being we encounter as an image bearer of God and treating them that way. Every human being is entitled to dignity and respect.

Joe Infranco’s Bio:

Joseph P. Infranco serves as an associate pastor at Highlands Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, He is also an attorney who has been involved in hundreds of cases dealing with religious freedoms, including some concluded at the US Supreme Court.

As an attorney, he has testified on religious freedom issues before the US Congress, the US Commission on Civil Rights, state and local legislative bodies, and has been a frequent lecturer at professional and bar association groups. Joe finished his legal career at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), where he served 18 years as a senior attorney and Vice President of Alliance Coordination. While there, he oversaw and trained an attorney network that grew to 3,200 attorneys nationally at his departure in 2020. 

Joe's pastoral focus is teaching, apologetics and helping the Church to respond to cultural issues. He has been a frequent speaker at church and ministry conferences and still serves as an advisor to nonprofits. His pastoral role recently took him into the world of special needs ministry, where he is passionate to help serve affected families. He is the author of Decoding Cody, which tells about young men and women with "non-speaking autism" who see into the spiritual dimension. 

He and his wife, Valerie, reside in Scottsdale and have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Connect with Joe Infranco:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastorjoeinfranco/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 78

No - 94

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