Season 4 Bonus episode 2 Part 2 Dr. Yvette Pegues is renowned for her captivating and insightful presentations that resonate with diverse audiences. Her ability to connect with audiences through authentic storytelling and evidence-based insights makes her a sought-after speaker at conferences, corporate events, and community gatherings. As a keynote speaker, she addresses critical topics such as: Inclusive Innovation and Accessibility, Exploring how technology and innovative solutions can bridge...
Aug 12, 2025•24 min
Season 4 Bonus episode 2 Part 1 Dr. Yvette Pegues is renowned for her captivating and insightful presentations that resonate with diverse audiences. Her ability to connect with audiences through authentic storytelling and evidence-based insights makes her a sought-after speaker at conferences, corporate events, and community gatherings. As a keynote speaker, she addresses critical topics such as: Inclusive Innovation and Accessibility, Exploring how technology and innovative solutions can bridge...
Aug 12, 2025•49 min
Cydian Kauffman works at Pure Water Northwest and is an expert in Water. His work has always been about finding solutions that benefit everyone involved, whether through sales growth, operational improvement, or conflict resolution. Keith and Cydian talk about the importance of water, water conservation and water accessibility. They discuss a variety of topics surrounding water conservation. Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright. Season 4 is dedicated to Christina Trivigno, D...
Aug 04, 2025•39 min
Jim Click is well known in Tucson, Arizona for his car dealerships and his generosity as a philanthropist. His giving spans a gamut of causes, from sponsoring Little League teams to supporting the symphony or funding education for low-income high schoolers. Click credits his father and his great-uncle, Holmes Paul Tuttle, for teaching him the value of giving back. Keith and Jim talk about philanthropy and Click’s legacy in Tucson. They talk about supporting disability causes and the importance o...
Jul 20, 2025•49 min
Steven Verdile works at Corporate Communications at NBCUniversal and is the Editor-in-Chief at The Squeaky Wheel. Based in NYC, Steven’s work includes copy-writing, humor writing, web design, print design, social media content, and brand identity. As a lifelong fan of consuming stuff, he enjoys working on projects related to film, comedy and entertainment. Keith and Steven talk about working in the industry, balancing advocacy with professional achievements and working on The Squeaky Wheel. They...
Jul 13, 2025•59 min
Elaine Carroll is a program manager at Google and hard of hearing. She is a Googler for 10+ years and a Program Manager for Google Calendar. With a passion for promoting a healthy attitude towards disabilities and neurodiversities, she is also the Lead for the Regional EMEA Disability Alliance Steering Committee, growing the community within the region, and working to improve disability inclusion and rights of People with Disabilities. Keith and Elaine talk about working for Google, and the impo...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Gage Kern is an Autistic speaker and podcaster. He shares Autistic voices and those that have a beautiful message to give that Don’t get heard through his podcast “Autismtalk”. Keith and Gage talk about podcasting and the importance of sharing stories with the world. They discuss “Autismtalk” and its origins. They talk about Autism awareness and Gage’s life story that led him to create the podcast. Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright. Season 4 is dedicated to Christina Triv...
Jun 29, 2025•46 min
Jennifer Purcell is the Host of the Podcast: Living With An Invisible Learning Challenge. Jennifer Purcell, also known as Ever-Changing Butterfly, is a podcast creator, author and advocate living with nonverbal learning disability (NLD). She hosts “Living with an Invisible Learning Challenge” to raise awareness and foster community. A dedicated dog mom, administrative assistant, and tech/social media support specialist, she also lives independently and helps others bring their podcast and websit...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr
Jennifer Gasner is the author of “My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis.” Gasner received her BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and her MS in recreation from Western Illinois University. Her work with Independent Living Centers enabled her to learn about various disability programs throughout the country and ignited her passion for disability culture. She relocated to San Diego, California, on her own at the age of twenty-eight. As a mentor for What’s N...
Jun 15, 2025•54 min
Eddie Cash is the inspiring 2024 Dancing With the Blind Champion. Eddie’s love for basketball started at a young age—and although he lost his vision at 15 due to a bone overgrowth that crushed his optic nerve, his passion for the game never faded. Today, Eddie gives back as a DJ for the Boys & Girls Varsity basketball teams at his alma mater, Kearny High School. In 2023, Eddie was invited by Solo to the Kwanzaa celebration at NJPAC, where he was introduced to Eyes Like Mine Inc.—a connection...
Jun 08, 2025•40 min
Sara Gullihur-Bradford is an Entrepreneur, Author, Talk Show Host, Autism Advocate, Global Speaker and Trainer. Sara is a late diagnosed AuDHD woman and a passionate advocate. She is the founder of SJ Childs Global Network Non-Profit, an organization that positively impacts the lives of many families. Sara is also the CEO of SJ Childs LLC, an autism consulting business that provides support to families. Sara and Keith talk about SJ Childs Global Network and her podcast. They talk about the inter...
Jun 03, 2025•54 min
Kurt and Jordan are back! Kurt Yaeger is an American actor and disability advocate known for his inspiring story of resilience and determination. In 2006, his life took a dramatic turn when he was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Despite this life-altering event, Kurt Yaeger continued to pursue his passion for acting and quickly established himself as a talented actor in the entertainment industry. He’s best known for his roles in popular TV show...
May 25, 2025•1 hr 43 min
Elsie Rogers is an Author, Entrepreneur, and Business Change/Project Management Consultant & Speaker. She has worked in business change and transformation for more than 25 years. This has involved implementing projects across banking and finance, insurance, retail, the payment card industry, and government sector all in the UK. She has led both offshore and onshore teams in implementing Program Management Office Service offerings for transformation programs worth £20m-£1bn. Keith and Elsie t...
May 19, 2025•54 min
Season 4 Episode 33 Tasha Hickling is the founder of Indigo Hub, a certified Neurodivergent Life coach, indigo diaries podcast host and soon to be a qualified Somatic Trauma Informed Therapist. With ADHD diagnosed in her 20s, autistic diagnosed at 30 and other co-existing conditions, she is neurodivergent herself. Her experiences have shaped her into who she is today. Keith and Tasha talk about her podcast journey, therapy and the importance of talking to people and her journey living with ADHD....
May 12, 2025•57 min
Renee started her impressive career 35 years ago as one of the pioneering female outside industrial salespeople. Fueled by a unique blend of passion and determination, she took the entrepreneurial leap five years later, starting her own company with just $3,000 and a high- interest credit card. This bold move marked the beginning of a successful journey, during which Renee developed a sustainable business model by building long-term relationships and adopting a servant’s mentality across the glo...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Gretchen Vogel is an Executive Assistant to the CEO and Springboard Consulting Motivational Keynote Speaker. Gretchen Vogel was born with a myriad of disabilities, none of which stops her from independently living life to the fullest. Gretchen is currently employed at Springboard Consulting. In her tenure, she has served in many capacities and currently, as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer. Her previous experience includes roles at Prudential Financial and YAI Roosevelt Chi...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr
Adam R. Lalor, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist and Vice President for Neurodiversity Research and Innovation at Landmark College. His research focuses on the transition and success of disabled college students to and through postsecondary education. Mark Thurman is the director of the Centers for Diversity and Inclusion at Landmark college and the Men’s Head Basketball Coach. Keith, Adam and Mark talk about Landmark College and its importance in the disability community. They talk about the...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Leo Ricketts trained in relational transactional analysis and has been practicing since 2014. Eight years later, aged 55 he was diagnosed autistic having suspected as much for years. This came with a bonus ADHD diagnosis which surprised precisely no-one in his personal life. He has what his psychologist described as a very AuDHD CV, having had careers as a drummer, DJ, journalist, radio presenter, graphic designer, digital producer and project manager. In his work as a therapist he feels he has ...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Season 4 Episode 28 Ben Mattlin is a Los Angeles-based Senior Writer at Financial Advisor magazine and the author, most recently, of Disability Pride: Dispatches from a Post-ADA World (2022). His work has appeared in Time magazine, the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Newsweek, CNN.com, Self, New Mobility, and on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” Other credits include the Mark Taper Forum, Blonde and Brunette Productions, and the children’s television progra...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Season 4 Episode 27 Erik Fuhrer is a queer, nonbinary poet, playwright and scarf tie aficionado whose fashion sense is part Buffy Summers, part Blanch Devereux, and part the lion from The Wizard of Oz. Their most recent book, Gellar Studies (Spuyten Duyvil, 2023) hailed as “exceptionally delectable and devastating” by Addie Tsai, creatively engages with the work of icon Sarah Michelle Gellar to unfold personal narratives of queer trauma. Keith and Erik talk about their inspirations, the writing ...
Apr 02, 2025•58 min
Season 4 Special Report 3 This Special Report focuses on the state of the disability community in current times, 2025. Keith will talk with guests about their experiences and how they can navigate the struggles the new political world has laid down. For this special report Keith talks with Chris Desborough MSW, the Community Outreach Director for the city of Tucson and Director of Disability Pride Tucson. Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright Season 4 is dedicated to Christin...
Apr 02, 2025•47 min
Heather C. Markham is an engineer, assistive technology professional, public speaker, competitive Para Surfer, educator, ADA architectural barriers specialist, golfer, and award-winning international photographer. Her company, Making Waves for Good, launched in 2018 with three goals in mind: Provide ADA code compliance and usability consulting to businesses–because accessibility is more than just ramps; Publish authors with an authentic voice; Curate a gallery of fine art photography crafted wit...
Mar 20, 2025•58 min
Season 4 Episode 25 Nicole D’Angelo, Rebekah Greer Melocik and Jacob Yandura return to talk about the success of their Broadway play “How to Dance in Ohio.” They are all professionals who have contributed to the play in various forms and they are all thrilled by the success of their play. Keith talks to the crew about the future of the show, how they could make a sequel and messages from the audience that stuck with each of them. For more with Nicole D’Angelo, Rebekah Greer Melocik and Jacob Yan...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Season 4 Episode 24, 100th Episode Disability Empowerment Now is celebrating its 100th episode with Former Senator Tom Harkin. Thomas Richard Harkin is an American lawyer, author and politician who served as a United States senator from Iowa from 1985 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously was the U.S. representative for Iowa’s 5th congressional district from 1975 to 1985. He is the longest-serving senator to spend the entire tenure as a state’s junior senator. Former Senator H...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Season 4 Episode 23 Kat Stratford, who is Deaf but uses hearing aids, is a former candidate for state house, and currently works for the City of Tucson in addressing the emergency of homelessness and housing insecurity. Keith and Kat talk about her recent breakup, how she has overcome struggles and how her life has changed in the last few months. Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright Season 4 is dedicated to Christina Trivigno, Disability Advocate and Friend.
Mar 02, 2025•58 min
Season 4 Special Report 2 This Special Report focuses on the state of the disability community in current times, 2025. Keith will talk with guests about their experiences and how they can navigate the struggles the new political world has laid down. For this special report Keith talks with Chris Desborough MSW, the Community Outreach Director for the city of Tucson and Director of Disability Pride Tucson. Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright Season 4 is dedicated to Christin...
Mar 02, 2025•43 min
Hannah Woelke has provided disability related services in Tucson for over a decade. Having witnessed the impact of missing or inadequate sex education in the disability community, Hannah decided to study to be a sexuality educator. She built on her BA in Psychology and Certificate in Adult Education by attending the Institute for Sex Education & Enlightenment but she was providing resources and training to the community on topics related to sexuality years before she began these studies. Han...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Hannah Woelke has provided disability related services in Tucson for over a decade. Having witnessed the impact of missing or inadequate sex education in the disability community, Hannah decided to study to be a sexuality educator. She built on her BA in Psychology and Certificate in Adult Education by attending the Institute for Sex Education & Enlightenment but she was providing resources and training to the community on topics related to sexuality years before she began these studies. Han...
Feb 27, 2025•57 min
This Special Report focuses on the state of the disability community in current times, 2025. Keith will talk with guests about their experiences and how they can navigate the struggles the new political world has laid down. For this special report Keith talks with Chris Desborough, the Community Outreach Director for the city of Tucson and Director of Disability Pride Tucson. Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright Season 4 is dedicated to Christina Trivigno, Disability Advocat...
Feb 17, 2025•38 min
lABLEd Podcast, the show about disability, illness and difference is a UK based indie podcast that puts the power of definition back in the hands of those normally defined by their health or conditions. The show aims to highlight the individuality and reality of disabled people and disabled life by giving disabled people an opportunity to tell their own stories and share the issues that are important to them. Hosts Alice and Lucy draw on their own lived experiences as disabled people and offer a...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 21 min
