Episodes
Jan. 2, 2024
Holmberg: Highmark Commitment to Hiring People with Disabilities
Joyce is excited to start 2024 with the returning champion of competitive employment for Americans with disabilities, David Holmberg, President, and CEO of Highmark Health and Chairman of the Board, Highmark, Inc. Mr. Holmber...
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, ...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...