Episodes

Year-end Reflections on Disability Advocacy
Dec. 26, 2023

Year-end Reflections on Disability Advocacy

Joyce welcomes back to the show, Maria Town, President & CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); Holly O’Donnell, President & CEO, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; and Peri Jude Radecic, CEO, ...
Dr. Cindy Maro: Mission of Cranberry Holistic Pet Care
Dec. 19, 2023

Dr. Cindy Maro: Mission of Cranberry Holistic Pet Care

Joyce welcomes Dr. Cindy Maro from Cranberry Holistic Pet Care in Cranberry, PA. Dr. Maro will discuss the holistic approach to veterinary medicine that her staff practices when treating pets.
Steph Andrews: Musician/Author Explains How Faith Inspires Work
Dec. 12, 2023

Steph Andrews: Musician/Author Explains How Faith Inspires Work

Joyce welcomes Steph Andrews, writer, worship leader, and songwriter based in Pittsburgh, PA. Her words, whether sung or written, are rooted in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, a passage that emphasizes the freedom, intimacy, and trans...
Joyce Bender Reflects on 20th Anniversary of Disability Matters
Dec. 5, 2023

Joyce Bender Reflects on 20th Anniversary of Disability Matters

Peri Jude Radecic, CEO of Disability Rights Pennsylvania will host this episode of Disability Matters as she turns the table on Joyce Bender and interviews her in recognition of her 20th Anniversary as host of “Disability Mat...
Pastor Scott Stevens: Mission of North Way Christian Community
Nov. 28, 2023

Pastor Scott Stevens: Mission of North Way Christian Community

Pastor Scott Stevens with North Way Christian Community in Wexford, PA is Joyce’s honored guest. Pastor Stevens will be discussing the programs and services that the church provides the public during the holidays and year-rou...
Mission/Research Advocacy of Epilepsy Alliance America
Nov. 21, 2023

Mission/Research Advocacy of Epilepsy Alliance America

Joyce welcomes Lisa Gallipoli, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Sarah Korba, who serves on the board of directors for Epilepsy Alliance America (EAA), to the show. Epilepsy Alliance America is a growing national organizatio...
Logan Huwalt: Giving back to the EAWCP to Show Appreciation
Nov. 14, 2023

Logan Huwalt: Giving back to the EAWCP to Show Appreciation

Joyce welcomes Logan Huwalt, a Baldwin-Whitehall student living with epilepsy and the guest speaker at the 2023 Epilepsy Association of Western/Central PA (EAWCP) Mardi Gras Gala. He is an advocate for people living with epil...
Accomplishments of EAWCP/Plans for the 2024 Mardi Gras Gala
Nov. 7, 2023

Accomplishments of EAWCP/Plans for the 2024 Mardi Gras Gala

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, therefore, Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, President and CEO, and Colleen Fulkerson, Special Events Coordinator, with the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central PA (EAWCP) to ...
Former Students with Disabilities Share Perspectives on Programs
Oct. 31, 2023

Former Students with Disabilities Share Perspectives on Programs

Joyce welcomes Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships with the Bender Leadership Academy, to the show. Joining Scott will be Jesse Donald Lester, a participant in the Bender Leadership Academy’s Student Leade...
Mission of 412 Ability Tech Ecosystem
Oct. 24, 2023

Mission of 412 Ability Tech Ecosystem

Joyce welcomes Alexander Geht, Gal Inbar, and Jeffery Cohen, members of the 412 Ability Tech Ecosystem to the show. This Pittsburgh organization is a vibrant, interconnected network of individuals and organizations, each cont...
Mary E. Dolan: Latest With FDR Memorial Legacy Committee
Oct. 17, 2023

Mary E. Dolan: Latest With FDR Memorial Legacy Committee

Joyce welcomes Mary E. Dolan, Executive Director of the FDR Memorial Legacy Committee to the show. She will be discussing the latest goals of the FDR Legacy Committee and what they have been able to accomplish this year so fa...
October - Disability Employment Awareness Month/November 2023 VCF
Oct. 10, 2023

October - Disability Employment Awareness Month/November 2023 VCF

Joyce welcomes to the show Gerald Homme, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology with Bender Consulting Services, Inc. In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Gerald will be discussing with Joyc...
Encore A Tribute to Judy Heumann
Oct. 3, 2023

Encore A Tribute to Judy Heumann

Joyce and callers reflect on the life and disability rights work of the late Judy Heumann.
Lachi/Ian: The Art of Two Entertainers in the Music Industry
Sept. 26, 2023

Lachi/Ian: The Art of Two Entertainers in the Music Industry

Joyce welcomes Lachi, an award-winning internationally touring creative artist and personality, back to the show. Lachi is founder and President of the U.N. recognized Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabiliti...
Bazelon/O’Donnell/Hill: 2023 Bazelon Center Awards Gala
Sept. 19, 2023

Bazelon/O’Donnell/Hill: 2023 Bazelon Center Awards Gala

Joyce welcomes The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law’s Jill Bazelon, Member of the Board of Trustees, Holly O’Donnell, President & CEO and Eve Hill one of the nation’s leading disability rights attorneys, with Brown, Golds...
Mascia/Aurigemma: Disability:IN DOBE Mentoring Experience
Sept. 12, 2023

Mascia/Aurigemma: Disability:IN DOBE Mentoring Experience

Joyce welcomes Colleen Mascia, Category Strategy Manager in Pfizer’s Global Procurement Group managing the engagement of creative advertising agencies, with a specific focus on Public Relations, and Christine Aurigemma, Senio...
Rebecca Williford: Attorney/National Disability Community Leader
Sept. 5, 2023

Rebecca Williford: Attorney/National Disability Community Leader

Joyce welcomes to the show, Rebecca Willford, the new CEO of Disability Rights Advocates. Rebecca is a seasoned, nationally recognized disability community leader and attorney with extensive experience litigating class action...
John Walsh: Dedicated Businessman and Disability Rights Leader
Aug. 29, 2023

John Walsh: Dedicated Businessman and Disability Rights Leader

Joyce welcomes John Walsh, a highly successful business leader and real advocate for employing people with disabilities, back to the show. He has hired people with disabilities from Bender Consulting Services, Inc. for years....
Dr. Bruce A. Meyer: Committed to Hiring People with Disabilities
Aug. 22, 2023

Dr. Bruce A. Meyer: Committed to Hiring People with Disabilities

Joyce welcomes Dr. Bruce Meyer, Executive Vice President and Western PA Market President for Highmark Health to the show. Dr. Meyer is an experienced senior healthcare and education executive who is passionate about building ...
Christine Griffin: Her Long Career in Disability Advocacy
Aug. 8, 2023

Christine Griffin: Her Long Career in Disability Advocacy

Joyce is honored to have back as her guest Christine Griffin, a strong disability rights advocate and current Bender Consulting Services’ Senior Search Specialist Consultant on the show. During the show, she will be discussin...
Ellen Duffield: Highmark Wholecare Hires People with Disabilities
Aug. 1, 2023

Ellen Duffield: Highmark Wholecare Hires People with Disabilities

Joyce welcomes Ellen Duffield, President and CEO of Highmark Wholecare, to the show. Highmark Wholecare is a health insurance provider caring for the whole person - physically, mentally, and financially. It is committed to co...
Gerald Homme: Employment Equity and Disability Pride
July 25, 2023

Gerald Homme: Employment Equity and Disability Pride

During Disability Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme to the show. The two discuss disability employment equity, the importance of unity, and disability pride. They also discuss the various products and services that Ben...
Mick Malec: enGen’s Commitment to Hire People with Disabilities
July 18, 2023

Mick Malec: enGen’s Commitment to Hire People with Disabilities

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 streamlines complex operations f...
Theo Braddy: Vision for NCIL Under His Leadership
July 11, 2023

Theo Braddy: Vision for NCIL Under His Leadership

Joyce is pleased to welcome Theo Braddy, the new Executive Director of the National Council of Independent Living (NCIL) in Washington, DC. Mr. Braddy will discuss the direction he plans to take the organization under his cap...