Disability Empowerment Now

Keith Murfee-DeConcini
  • 4.0 (4)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

This podcast is designed to address topics, such as social inclusion, employment, accessibility vs. inaccessibility, voting rights, and more. These topics are important to me because disability rights are civil rights and human rights, as well as an integral part of diversity. This podcast will further the importance of seeing the vital work of advocacy as an ongoing narrative… one that we can all play a part in shaping for the benefit of others. This show was created and hosted by Keith Murfee-DeConcini, a disability advocate. Visit DisabilityEmpowermentNow.com for more content, videos and full episodes or follow us on social media @DisabilityEmpowermentNow.

  1. 5D AGO

    Giraffes, Neopronouns, and the Dog Magnet Myth

    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 disabled men and their pets. n this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on: The Giraffe Emblem: Liv explains why the giraffe is her personal Cerebral Palsy mascot, specifically the hilarious (and relatable) struggle of a giraffe trying to drink water vs. a forearm crutch user trying to pick something up. Polyamory as an Access Tool: Liv opens up about her journey with polyamory, not just as a romantic preference, but as a way to manage chronic fatigue and pain. She discusses how having a "team effort" in a relationship helps dismantle the pressure to be a "perfect" partner. The "Chick Magnet" Myth: Keith addresses the offensive assumption that he used his late, beloved dog, Pepper, as a tool to get dates. He and Liv dive into the psychology of why society struggles to see pure, platonic bonds between men and animals without sexualizing the intent. Crip Time & Poetry: Celebrating the release of Liv’s new book, Fire in the Waiting Room, and discussing why "Crip Time" means a book launch can happen three months late and still be perfectly on schedule. The Small World of Queer/Disabled Dating: Why running into your ex at a comic convention is a universal experience and how Keith’s "superpower" is immediately forgetting the names of people who no longer serve his peace. Instructive Resource: Understanding Internalized Ableism During the episode, Keith and Liv touched on how "Internalized Ableism" often dictates how we feel we "should" show up in relationships. Plus: A look into the radical world of neopronouns for pets, the "Capricorn astrology" of over-extending yourself, and a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Pepper. Ready to join the conversation? Check out Liv’s poetry at GameOverbooks.com. Subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode when Andrew returns to the hot seat! Follow us on all social media platforms @disabilityempowermentnow for exclusive content from the podcast.

    1h 15m

  2. FEB 10

    From Humphrey Bogart to Walton Goggins: Disability Crushes & Identity

    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 episode, we’re peeling back the layers on: The Naming Game: Liv explains why she transitioned from "Olivia" to "Liv" to carve out space in the New York slam scene and explore gender nonconformity. The Humphrey Bogart Affinity: Keith reveals his "man crush" and why he’s drawn to the unique speech patterns and identities of classic Hollywood icons. The Small World of Disability: How the "Disability Small World" means Liv already knows Keith’s exes, and why that dynamic is both a blessing and a "mind-f***." The "40 Crisis": Andrew warns Liv about the "crushing depression" of turning 40, while they discuss how disability can make you feel advanced in some areas of life and a "17-year-old girl" in others. Sexual Realities & Antidepressants: A candid (and funny) look at how Prozac affects libido, why a "pot of rice" is the secret to a successful queer date night, and why a "human connection" beats a "sexy fantasy" every time. Plus: A side-quest into the "Military-Industrial Complex" of crying over dog videos, the truth about Walton Goggins' prosthetics, and why being eye-level with everyone's "ass" as a wheelchair user is the ultimate New York experience. Follow us on all social media platforms @disabilityempowermentnow for exclusive content from the podcast.

    50 min

  3. FEB 3

    Handi-Capped, High-Key Queer, and Drunk on CP

    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" partner. Keith opens up about the 20-year journey it took him to feel "man enough" to date other disabled women, while Andrew and Liv share their wild experiences with disability fetishists and the "smokescreen" of dating. Follow us on all social media platforms @disabilityempowermentnow for exclusive content from the podcast.

    56 min

  4. JAN 27

    Why We’re Tired: The Reality of Dating with a Disability

    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. Instead, they’re diving into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes painful reality of navigating romance when you’re already expending 4x the energy just to exist. Follow us on all social media platforms @disabilityempowermentnow for exclusive content from the podcast.

    1h 6m

  5. JAN 20

    Statistical Bias: How AI Leaves the Disability Community Behind

    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 speech patterns that fall outside the "statistical mean," the environmental debt of every ChatGPT prompt, and the radical act of "downgrading" tech to regain control over your life. This is a must-listen for anyone tired of being the product and ready to start being the user again.

    50 min

  6. JAN 13

    Standing Orders: The Big Lie in Your Health Insurance

    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 healthcare insurance industry. In this episode of Disability Empowerment Now, Frank sits down with host Keith Murfee- DeConcini to expose the black-letter law provisions that exist in almost every in-network contract in the country. He explains how insurance companies "ration" care by contractually barring hospitals from accepting compensation once coverage is denied—leaving patients trapped. Frank shares the "magic words" he uses on hospital intake forms to protect his family and discusses why trillions of dollars in liability keep the legal and political systems silent. Whether you are fighting a bill or preparing for a procedure, this conversation is a masterclass in patient empowerment, legal standing, and reclaiming the power your doctor—and only your doctor—is supposed to have.

    46 min

  7. JAN 6

    Master, Servant, and the Naked Truth: Dirty Boy Bangers and Cosmic Longing: The Final Deep Dive Part 3

    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 specific crow before diving into the sweeping, haunting compositions of Memento Mori—the greatest concept album since Songs of Faith and Devotion.

    1h 15m

  8. 12/30/2025

    Master, Servant, and the Naked Truth: The Road to Recovery, Addiction, Redemption, and the Ultra Soul Part 2

    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 band turned their personal darkness into a "listenable" survival guide for the soulful listener.

    1h 6m
See All (143)

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

This podcast is designed to address topics, such as social inclusion, employment, accessibility vs. inaccessibility, voting rights, and more. These topics are important to me because disability rights are civil rights and human rights, as well as an integral part of diversity. This podcast will further the importance of seeing the vital work of advocacy as an ongoing narrative… one that we can all play a part in shaping for the benefit of others. This show was created and hosted by Keith Murfee-DeConcini, a disability advocate. Visit DisabilityEmpowermentNow.com for more content, videos and full episodes or follow us on social media @DisabilityEmpowermentNow.

Information

  • Creator
    Keith Murfee-DeConcini
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Disability Empowerment Now