Episodes

Joyce welcomes John Register to the show. Owner of Inspired Communications International, LLC, John has never allowed adversity hold him back. He hurdled his adversity in leaps and bounds, and challenges his audiences to do the same as they create their new normal. During the show, John will share his amazing journey from All-American track star to amputee to Paralympics medalist and the events that have led him to motivate and inspire other people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Christine Griffin, chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities to the show.

Joyce welcomes Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams; Richard L. Schatzberg, Chief Commercial Officer- Nest Technologies; and John Kemp, president and CEO of the Viscardi Center to the show. These guests will discuss the mission of Runway of Dreams, which is a nonprofit organization that works with the fashion industry to adapt mainstream clothing for people with disabilities. By applying adaptive design and wearable technology to existing brand name collections, Runway of Dreams is making ...

Joyce welcomes Brad Henderson president of the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation. The Pittsburgh Kids Foundation (PFK) helps churches and others working with youth to be more effective and strategic in their efforts. The PKF builds a community of youth pastors through monthly city-wide meetings and other intentional programs. The PKF collaborates with youth pastors to operate outreach retreats and camps for middle and high school students. Mr. Henderson will discuss the mission of this organization and...

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, president and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central (EFWP) PA. Ms. Beem-Jelley The 22nd Annual Mardi Gras Gala black tie event was held on February 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Both guests will discuss the event. Mr. O’Brien from the perspective of being “King of the 2016 Mardi Gras” and Peggy Beem-Jelley, from the perspective of how the event will helps the EFWP achieve its goals.

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, chairman of the Bender Lead On Team and Ginny Emerson, mother of the late, Sam Miller. The Bender Lead On Team aids youth in the areas of setting career goals and championing anti-bullying efforts. Working in high schools and on college campuses, members encourage young people with disabilities to set goals that align with competitive career opportunities. The Bender Lead On Team provides a forum for young people with disabilities to speak out about instances of bull...

Joyce welcomes back, Kevin Bales, world-renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and co-founder of Free the Slaves, the U.S. organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world's oldest human rights organization). Mr. Bales will discuss the latest information in modern slavery and his new book, Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide, and the Secret to Changing the World”

Joyce welcomes nationally acclaimed youth motivator, comedian and keynote speaker, Michael Pritchard to the show. Pritchard began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco's Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, he won first place in the San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year. Offers from Hollywood rolled in including a guest appearance on an Emmy Award winning episode of...

Joyce welcomes Daniel Lombardo, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. The organization provides community-based assistance to populations in need so that they can lead self-fulfilled, independent lives. It strives to be recognized as a catalyst for transforming the lives and circumstances of individuals, families and communities. Mr. Lombardo will discuss this mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, Ph.D, director of the Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory and Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory; Glenn Wylie, associate director of both the Neuroimaging Center and Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research; and Denise Krch, Ph.D. research scientist in the Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory at the Kessler Foundation Research Center. Each guest, will discuss the world-class research and services of this rehabilitation facility, and the outreach on the...

Joyce welcomes Namel “Tapwaterz” Norris and Ricardo “Rickfire” Velasquez of 4 Wheel City. This is an entertainment organization started by the two talented hip-hop artists and motivational speakers. Both are wheelchair users due to gun violence; the two men came together with this common history to start a new mission. 4 Wheel City uses hip-hop music and culture to create more opportunities for people with disabilities, inspire people not to give up in life, and to show the world that people wit...

Joyce welcomes Michael Murray, chief operating officer, for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. The AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. It promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Members of AAPD include people with disabilities and their family members, friends, and supporters. Mr. Murray will discuss his plans for the organization since becoming chief op...

Joyce welcomes back Daniel Budzinski, president of Charity Device. Charity Device is a nonprofit organization that is committed to feeding the hungry, relieving the impoverished, and providing clean water. The non-profit organization does this by encouraging the public to donate their devices (i.e. computer, iPod and tablets). When donating, you get a tax receipt, and the knowledge that you’re helping with these worthwhile causes. Mr. Budzinski is discussing how the organization uses donated dev...

Joyce welcomes disability rights leader, Jennifer Mathis, Esq., deputy legal director and director of programs for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Ms. Mathis has worked primarily on the Medicaid rights of adults and children, discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and issues related to judicial nominations. She has recently returned to the Bazelon Center from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she worked on the regulations for the Am...

Joyce welcomes Kate Wadsworth, public relations and aftercare manager, for Light of Life Rescue Mission, in Pittsburgh, PA. Founded in 1952, the Mission was known as Harbor of Hope Rescue Mission where it served as a refuge for transient men. Today, Light of Life Rescue Mission, has 3 main services that they provide. The Women and Children’s Program embraces single mothers and their children whose lives have been ravaged by homelessness, addiction and abusive relationships; whether paralyzed by ...

During this season of giving, Joyce welcomes Jeff Fields, corporate relations officer for World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tracking the causes of poverty and injustice. Mr. Fields will discuss the programs of the organization, and how important it is for people to give and get involved, not only during the holidays, but year-round as well.

During this season of giving especially to children, Joyce welcomes back Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh. Variety’s mission is to provide children with disabilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania with unique programs, experiences, and adaptive equipment so they may live life to the fullest. Mr. LaVallee will discuss the organization’s success with the fundraising campaigns of the “My Bike” program, and the “My Voice” program. The “My Bike” program provides ad...

Joyce welcomes Emily Ladau who is a passionate disability rights activist, communications consultant, and writer. She uses her skills as a communications consultant, to harness the powers of communication and social media as tools for people to become informed and engaged about disability and other social justice issues. Emily will be discussing her internationally known blog, Words I Wheel By, which is a platform to address discrimination and to encourage people to understand the experience of ...

Joyce welcomes Steve Dentel, American Heart Association 'AHA' national consultant, quality improvement and Shannon Lesnock, American Heart Association, senior Heart Ball director, Greater Pittsburgh Region to the show.

As we celebrate National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, president and CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation to the show. He will discuss the mission of the organization, and the programs and services it offers, all to bring greater awareness of epilepsy and its effect on those living with the condition and their families.

Joyce welcomes Al Condeluci, chief executive officer of Community Living and Support Services (CLASS) in Pittsburgh. Mr. Condeluci is also an accomplished author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities. Formerly United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Pittsburgh, CLASS is the third largest disability specific not-for-profit agency in Southwestern, Pennsylvania. Mr. Condeluci will discuss the programs and services that CLASS offers people with disabilities, which include, but are not limited t...

Joyce welcomes Brien J. Smith, the immediate past chair of the national Epilepsy Foundation to the show. Dr. Smith will discuss his accomplishments while chair of this organization.

In recognition of November as National Epilepsy Awareness month, Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western-Central PA.

Joyce welcomes Marian Vessels, director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, Robin Jones, project director of the Lake Erie ADA Center, and Oce Harrison, director of the New England ADA Center. All three guests will reflect on the 25th anniversary of the ADA and what it means to people with disabilities and expound on the reason the centers were incorporated and why. The mission is to provide information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to individuals and organizations in the respective l...