Episodes
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...
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...
July 4, 2023
In Memoriam: Celebrating the Life of Judy Heumann
As we celebrate America’s birthday, Joyce takes time to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Judy Heumann a major American disability rights leader and activist. Originally aired: December 15, 2020, Joyce welcomes Judith...
June 27, 2023
Brian K. Bond: Mission of PFLAG National
Joyce welcomes Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National, to the show. PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Mr. Bon...
June 20, 2023
Locke, Lampman: Mission of MISILC
Joyce is honored to have as her guests, Steve Locke, Executive Director of the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (MISILC), and Jan Lampman, Committee Chair, on the show. The guests will discuss the mission of MISI...
June 13, 2023
Jonathan Lovitz: Advocating for LGBTQ+ and Disability Communities
Joyce welcomes Jonathan Lovitz to the show to discuss his role as a nationally recognized small business and public policy advocate, DEI leader, and most recently a special advisor to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He...
June 6, 2023
Jason Mida: Entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ Advocate
In recognition of Pride Month, Joyce welcomes back to the show, Jason Mida. Jason serves as President & CEO at Mida Associates. As President & CEO, Jason collaborates closely with all clients to provide oversight for each eng...
May 23, 2023
Rachel Kallem Whitman: Living with Bipolar:
Joyce welcomes Dr. Rachel Kallem Whitman to the show. Dr. Whitman is an educator, advocate, and memoirist who has been living with bipolar since 2000. As a disability studies professor, she teaches courses on unpacking ableis...
May 9, 2023
Bender Leadership Academy/Bender Student Leaders Program Students
Joyce welcomes Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, with Bender Leadership Academy back to the show. Scott is pleased to include Jason Desantis and Brooklyn Walker, current high school students participati...
May 2, 2023
Chamberlain/Bazelon: Overcoming Stigma Around Mental Health
Joyce welcomes to the show, Kathy Chamberlain, Director of Development & Special Projects at The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and Jill Bazelon, who proudly serves on the Center’s Board of Trustees to help live out the...
April 25, 2023
Impending Crisis for FDR Memorial and the MLK Jr. Memorial
Joyce welcomes Helena Berger, Chair of the FDR Legacy Committee’s Board of Directors and Mary E. Dolan, Executive Director, to the show. The FDR Memorial Legacy Committee serves to preserve the memory of Franklin and Eleanor ...
April 18, 2023
Scott Hammerstrom: BLA’s Programs and Services
Joyce welcomes back Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, with the Bender Leadership Academy to the show. Scott will discuss the non-profit organization’s participation in Highmark Health’s Walk for a Healt...
April 11, 2023
Ty Herndon: Living with Bipolar Disorder and Giving Back
Joyce is thrilled to have as her guest, country music superstar, Ty Herndon, to the show. Mr. Herndon will discuss his career in the country music industry and living with bipolar disorder, which was diagnosed at the age of 5...
April 4, 2023
John Kemp: His Work as a Disability Rights Leader
Joyce is honored to welcome John Kemp, the American disability rights leader who co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lakeshore Foun...
March 28, 2023
Andrea Carelli: PNC Bank Hires People with Disabilities
Joyce welcomes Andrea Carelli, Senior Vice President and Director of Client and Community Relations for PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, PA. Andrea will discuss PNC’s commitment to hire people with disabilities as a part of their dive...
March 21, 2023
Karen Hanlon: Highmark’s Hiring of People with Disabilities
Continuing with Women’s History Month, Joyce is proud to bring back Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Highmark Health, Karen Hanlon, to the show. She will explain her commitment to hiring people with dis...
March 14, 2023
Isaac Zablocki: Making Films/Productions More Accessible
Joyce welcomes Isaac Zablocki, ReelAbilities Film Festival Co-Founder and New York Director. Mr. Zablocki will talk about this year’s ReelAbilities Film Festival and the festival’s mission to bring the community together to e...
March 7, 2023
A Tribute to Judy Heumann
Joyce and callers reflect on the life and disability rights work of the late Judy Heumann.