Episodes

Joyce welcomes fellow 2024 Pittsburgh Athena Award nominee, Cathy Battle, to the show. Ms. Battle is the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, which serves communities in Western Pennsylvania. Ms. Battle will share what it means to her to be the recipient of the 2024 Pittsburgh Athena Award, the unique story of how the diaper bank became a reality, and how it impacts the lives of families in need in our community.

Joyce welcomes Marcie Roth, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Institute on Disability (WID). Each year December 3rd is recognized to promote an understanding of disability issues and to generate support for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. WID helps assure that products and services are more accessible. It also promotes equity policies, provides consulting services, offers training and tools. WID also supports emergency, disaster, and climat...

Joyce welcomes Nikki Lancaster Alphonse, Sr. Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Northrop Grumman Corporation. Ms. Alphonse will discuss her work with Northrop Grumman and the company’s commitment to a diverse workforce including people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Kerry McQuone, Board Member of the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central PA (EAWCP) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at GrayMatter, an industrial technology and consulting company with offices throughout the United States. Ms. McQuone will discuss her work at GrayMatter and her work with EAWCP.

As we continue to recognize November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes Dr. James Valeriano, Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Valeriano is a sought-after speaker and expert on neurological issues and epilepsy. During the show he will discuss his career and the latest advances in the treatment of epilepsy.

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central PA (EAWCP), to the show. They will be discussing the latest accomplishments of the EAWCP, as well as the plans for the Mardi Gras Gala in March 2025.

Joyce welcomes Taryn Mackenzie Williams, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, to the show. In this position, Ms. Mackenzie advises the Secretary of Labor on how the Department’s policies and programs impact the employment of people with disabilities and leads the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). ODEP works with employers and all levels of government to promote evidence-based policy that improves employment opportunities and outcomes for people with dis...

Joyce welcomes Mick Malec, CEO, enGen and Enterprise Technology and Operations Officer, Highmark Health, back to the show. enGen’s dynamic ecosystem of smart automation and technology supports streamline complex operations for health plans and their provider partners. Founded in 2014 as HM Health Solutions (HMHS), enGen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Highmark Health. enGen has more than 3,500 employees and works with health care plans serving more than 10 million members nationwide. Mr. Malec w...

To kick-off National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN, and The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Disability:IN is a global, non-profit, non-partisan business to business network empowering businesses to achieve disability equality and inclusion. The guests will highlight the progress we have made in disability employment and the historic collaboration between Bender Cons...

Joyce welcomes Connie Feda, Proprietor and Co-founder of Cookie Cookie Ice Cream in Kennedy Township, PA. Discussed on the show will be the partnership between Cookie Cookie Ice Cream and Bender Leadership Academy to enhance the lives of young adults with disabilities. Ms. Freda will share the unique hiring program for young people with disabilities to prepare them for the world of work and her support of the various programs of the Bender Leadership Academy.

To kick-off National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN, and The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Disability:IN is a global, non-profit, non-partisan business to business network empowering businesses to achieve disability equality and inclusion. The guests will highlight the progress we have made in disability employment and the historic collaboration between Bender Cons...

Joyce welcomes disability advocates Janni Lehrer-Stein and Ondréa Burton to the show. The topic discussed will be “The disability community realizing the power of the vote.”

Joyce welcomes Mark Johnson back to the show. Mark is a life-long disability advocate and a founder of American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation and American Disabled Attendant Program (ADAPT). Mark will share his commitment to advocacy for Americans with disabilities even in retirement. He will share his past work with the Shepherd Center and his current involvement with the Disability Rights Museum Group.

Joyce welcomes John Register, award-winning inspirational/motivational speaker, author, and two-time Paralympic Silver Medalist, back to the show. From Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games, John will share his passion for public speaking to inspire people to overcome adversity and be successful despite obstacles that they face.

Joyce welcomes Edwin Black the award-winning, New York Times bestselling international investigative author of 215 editions in 20 languages in 190 countries back to the show. His books including IBM and the Holocaust, War Against the Weak, The Farhud, Financing the Flames, to name a few. During the show, he will discuss his vast number of investigative books, and his career-long commitment to expose corruption and injustice to all, including those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Hannah Smith, a passionate children's book author and dedicated advocate for the celiac and food allergy communities. Through her inspiring journey and heartfelt stories, Ms. Smith empowers children to embrace their unique identities and teaches the importance of inclusion and compassion. She will share her own diagnosis of Celiac and tell how it led her to a gluten-free diet to manage her condition.

Joyce welcomes Holly O’Donnell, CEO, and Megan Schuller, Legal Director, at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law to the show. They will discuss the mission and accomplishments that the Bazelon Center has made for those living with mental health disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profits that educate, employ, and empower children and adults with disabilities. Dr. Rosa will share his passion for the mission of this organization and illustrate how they help uphold the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Joyce welcomes back to the show, Maria Town, President & CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). As we continue commemorating the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2024, Ms. Town will review the ways in which the AAPD works to uphold the ADA and fights for the rights of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act. As we approach the 34th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2024, Mr. Coelho will share the history of how the ADA came to be and share work that still needs done to improve the lives of people with disabilities 34 years after the landmark legislation became law of the land.

Joyce welcomes back, Peri Jude Radecic, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP). DRP helps people with disabilities in many areas such as abuse and neglect, access to community services, discrimination, ADA compliance issues, education, assistive technology, voting access, and access to Medical Assistance services. They help people with developmental disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, brain injury, and people in mental health recovery. The hour will be devot...

In recognition of Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Jonathan Capehart, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist and Television Commentator, Associate Editor of “The Washington Post,” and anchor of “The Saturday/Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart” on MSNBC and Jason Mida, President and CEO of Mida Associates, to the show. The guests will be celebrating June as Pride Month and sharing their personal stories with listeners.

Joyce is proud to have back Highmark Health’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Karen Hanlon. She will explain her commitment to hiring people with disabilities as a diverse part of their workforce.

Joyce welcomes Diego Mariscal, CEO and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a nonprofit organization that develops advocacy campaigns to empower and unify young people with disabilities. Mr. Mariscal uses communication technology to engage youth with and without disabilities around issues such as education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He will share his passion for helping those with disabilities.