Disability Empowerment Now

In the final installment of our "Dating with Disabilities" miniseries, things go completely off the rails in the best way possible. Host Keith Murfee Deconini is joined by the "delightful" Liv Mamone and the legendary Andrew Gurza for a series finale that is equal parts vulnerable, hilarious, and chaotic. From Keith's questionable college fashion choices to a deep-dive into the logistics of Wicked...

In this high-energy installment of our "Dating with Disabilities" miniseries, co-host Keith Murfee-Deconcini and guest Liv Mamone take over the mic while Andrew Gerza takes a well-deserved week off. What follows is a rollercoaster conversation that connects the dots between physical disability emblems, the ethics of polyamory as an "access tool," and the frustrating societal assumptions placed on...

Welcome back to the third installment of our "Dating with Disabilities" miniseries on Disability Empowerment Now. Host Keith Murfee-Deconcini is joined by Liv Mamone and Andrew Gurza for a conversation that starts with names and identities but quickly descends into a hilarious and heartfelt deep-dive into the realities of sex, aging, and "celebrity crushes" for the disabled community. In this epis...

We’re back for Part 2 of our "Dating with Disabilities" miniseries on Disability Empowerment Now. Host Keith is back in the hot seat with Liv Mamone and Andrew Gurza, and this time, we’re digging into the "lizard brain" of dating. In this episode, the trio tackles the uncomfortable truth about internalized ableism—why we sometimes reject our own community in search of an able-bodied "status symbol...

Welcome to the first installment of our multi-part "Many-Cheers" miniseries on dating with a disability. Host Keith is joined by poet Liv Mamone (Fire in the Waiting Room) and author/advocate Andrew Gurza (Disability After Dark) for a conversation that is as unfiltered as it is exhausted. All three hosts live with Cerebral Palsy, and they aren’t here to give you "inspirational" dating advice. Inst...

Is your smartphone a communication tool or a portable casino? AI consultant Peter Swim joins host Keith Murfee-DeConcini to expose the high cost of "Silicon Valley imagination." Peter breaks down his summer experiment where he consolidated 7,000 AI programs into just 42 megabytes, proving that we don’t need faster hardware—we need better stewardship. They discuss why AI struggles to recognize spee...

What happens when your doctor prescribes life-saving care, but your insurance says no? For retired Navy pilot and corporate executive Frank Lobb, the answer was a tragedy that sparked a twenty-year crusade. After his wife was denied care that he was barred from paying for out-of-pocket, Frank used his background in federal air compliance and law to deconstruct the "Big Lie" of the American healthc...

I’m coming for you like a junkie." Keith and Alaina aren't holding back as they break down the "Dirty Boy Bangers" of Depeche Mode’s later catalog. This episode covers the gritty, bluesy industrialism of Soothe My Soul, the "rushing beat" of So Much Love, and the complicated marriage of simple lyrics and complex sounds in Come Back. We also pause for a "neighborhood watch" report from a very speci...

After the near-destruction of the Devotional Tour, Depeche Mode returned with Ultra—an album Keith and Alaina describe as a "masterpiece of re-emergence." In this episode, we explore the raw, "stitched-together" vocals of a recovering Dave Gahan and the spiritual songwriting of Martin Gore. From the "sleazy swag" of It’s No Good to the breathtaking maturity of The Bottom Line, we discuss how the b...

In the second installment of our "Love and Devotion" mini-series, Keith Murfee-DeConcini and Alaina Morin dive into the dark, industrial heart of mid-80s Depeche Mode. From the "seedy" power dynamics of "Master and Servant" to the raw, naked vulnerability of "Somebody," we explore why Depeche Mode is the ultimate "guy band" for the emotionally complex. We discuss role reversals, the "fatherly" anx...

In this raw and essential conversation, host Keith Murfee- DeConcini sits down with poet and author Jessica MacLean. Jessica shares her lifelong journey navigating Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and spina bifida occulta—invisible conditions that affect every system in her body. From experiencing her first migraine at age seven to surviving a literal broken back caused by a simple change in position,...

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Adam Chalom and Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld, editors of Contemporary Humanistic Judaism. We explore the bold concept of identifying as "secular and Jewish" at the same time—proving that heritage is about more than just dogma. The Rabbis pull back the curtain on how this movement empowers individuals to take ownership of their culture. From using "Bimitzvah" as a gen...

In this episode, host Keith Murfee Deconcini welcomes the "dynamic duo of children's health care," Jared Perkins and Gemma Thomitz, from the Children's Clinics in Tucson, Arizona. Jared and Gemma detail the clinic's evolution from a 1940s polio clinic into a cutting-edge Multi-Specialty Interdisciplinary Clinic (MSIC)—a rare model where comprehensive care, primary care, and Arizona's largest pedia...

Anita Hollander, veteran performer and disability advocate, joins the show to share the profound philosophy that guides her life and work. She discusses the honor of receiving the Harold Russell Award, reflecting on a lifetime dedicated to representation and 'pushing the needle forward' for the disability community. Hear her wonderful stories about being presented the award by Sean Astin and the i...

Season 4 Bonus Episode 6 Jasmine Singh is the Bestselling Author of “Saved By Depeche Mode: An Epic Journey of Healing & Remission Through Music.” After spending over 20 fulfilling years in a successful sales career—and living with a disability for more than 40 years— she shifted her focus to healing in all areas of her life: physical, emotional and spiritual. This is the second time she has requi...

Season 4 Bonus Episode with Alaina Morin Part 3 Keith is a huge fan of Depeche Mode and along with superfan Alaina Morin, they discuss the genius that is their music and the geniuses behind their music. They go through the band’s albums and discuss the cultural importance of their work. Alaina Morin works with adults with intellectual disabilities through Community Case Management and as an Ed Tec...

Season 4 Bonus Episode with Alaina Morin Part 2 Keith is a huge fan of Depeche Mode and along with superfan Alaina Morin, they discuss the genius that is their music and the geniuses behind their music. They go through the band’s albums and discuss the cultural importance of their work. Alaina Morin works with adults with intellectual disabilities through Community Case Management and as an Ed Tec...

Season 4 Bonus Episode with Alaina Morin Keith is a huge fan of Depeche Mode and along with superfan Alaina Morin, they discuss the genius that is their music and the geniuses behind their music. They go through the band’s albums and discuss the cultural importance of their work. Alaina Morin works with adults with intellectual disabilities through Community Case Management and as an Ed Technology...

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:...

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:...

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.   Dis...

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 philanth...

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 th...

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...

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...