The Advocacy Life Podcast &; Blog

Kevin G. Nuñez

The mission of The Advocacy Life is to amplify the voices of the disability community by sharing personal stories, breaking down policy, and providing practical tools for self-advocacy. We strive to educate the public and inspire a more inclusive society where disability is understood as a fundamental part of the human experience.

  1. Jun 2

    TAL S4 E12 The College Year

    Welcome back to The Advocacy Life Podcast with your host, Kevin Nunez. In this eagerly anticipated and emotionally challenging episode, Kevin tackles a question he receives more often than he can count: Why didn't you finish college? ​The short answer is that it's a long answer. Join Kevin for a fun, conversational, yet deeply candid reflection on what it was actually like transitioning out of high school as a young man with Cerebral Palsy in the mid-2000s. He dives deep into the realities of navigating a "burden complex," dealing with extreme transportation barriers, outgrowing a 15-year family housing situation, and hitting systemic red tape across three different higher education institutions. ​Ultimately, this episode is about perspective. Kevin shares how missing out on the traditional college experience became a blessing in disguise, leading him to serve on national advocacy boards, visit the White House twice, and become the exact resource leader legislators call on today. If you've ever felt stuck, defeated by circumstances, or forced out of your comfort zone, this episode will remind you that your platform is exactly where you stand. ​Key Takeaways: ​Understanding the emotional toll of the "burden complex" on disabled youth. ​The reality of bureaucratic barriers in state vocational rehab and college credit transfers in the early 2000s. ​Why "not going to college" became a vehicle for a historic advocacy career. ​A look into Kevin's upcoming national initiatives with TASH and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Episode available on website. Social Media/Website @TheAdvocacyLife FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched Mean Website https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4 Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife Threads https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife Pinterest https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/ Books Living Beyond Disability book series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk Letters from Limbo Newsletter https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/ PayPal https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez Cashapp https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

    28 min
  2. May 23

    TAL S4 E11 Pitfalls

    As summer approaches, host Kevin Nunez marks a major milestone—his 20th high school reunion. Looking back at his time as a young man with a visible disability navigating a mainstream public school of 2,700 students, Kevin reflects on the literal and metaphorical pitfalls he fell into. ​From accidentally steering his wheelchair into a bush to avoid crowded school hallways, to facing down an intimidating intake officer at the Social Security office at age 18, Kevin shares the raw, unvarnished realities of growing up disabled. He breaks down why we need to move past "inspiration porn" on social media and focus on genuine peer mentoring, building thick skin, and embracing failures as catalysts for major success (like getting a standing ovation at his high school talent show!). ​This episode is a must-listen for disabled youth (ages 18–25), parents, transition coordinators, and anyone ready to look past the stereotypes and bridge the gaps together. ​"Disability and death are the only two strategies in life. There is a misconception in our world that disability will not affect anyone, when the fact is, it affects all of us." — Kevin Nunez Social Media/Website @TheAdvocacyLife FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched Mean Website https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4 Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife Threads https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife Pinterest https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/ Books Living Beyond Disability book series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk Letters from Limbo Newsletter https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/ PayPal https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez Cashapp https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

    23 min
  3. Apr 21

    TAL S4 E8 Common Sense

    Disability and death are the only two strategies in life."In this episode of The Advocacy Life, Kevin Nuñez tackles a topic that the major news outlets are missing: The Social Security Restoration Act. Most people don’t realize that the rules governing SSI and SSDI haven't been significantly updated since the 1970s.Kevin breaks down the "Common Sense" reasons why this legislation is a necessity for all Americans, regardless of political alliance. He shares personal insights into the "marriage penalty" and the "poverty trap" that prevents disabled individuals from saving money or building a life with a partner.Key Takeaways:The Resource Gap: Why the $2,000 asset limit is outdated and counterproductive.Equality in Marriage: Understanding why the current system punishes people with disabilities for getting married.Beyond ABLE Accounts: Why the Serious Injury Restoration Act offers a more logical path forward than current savings tools.How to Take Action: Your voice matters—learn how to tell your legislators to support this package of bills.Show NotesSocial Security Registration Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7138 Podcast transcripts available on the website. Social Media/Website@TheAdvocacyLife FB @theadvocacyliferelaunchedMean Websitehttps://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunchedInstagram https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4Tumblrhttps://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylifeThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylifePinterest https://pin.it/7dHI38DfsLinkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/Books Living Beyond Disability book serieshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbkLetters from Limbo Newsletterhttps://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/PayPal https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunezCashapp https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

    17 min
  4. TAL S4 E6 The Good with the Bad

    Mar 17

    TAL S4 E6 The Good with the Bad

    Podcast Title: The Good in the Bad: Is Disability a Blessing or a Curse?Series: The Advocacy Life with Kevin Nunez | Season 4, Episode 6 Episode Description:Is disability a punishment? A blessing? An inspiration? Or a detriment to society? These are heavy questions that many people are too afraid to ask, but on The Advocacy Life, we don't do "comfortable."In this episode, Kevin Nunez explores the complex duality of living with a disability. Moving past the "sanitized" versions of advocacy, Kevin discusses the "Good in the Bad"—the idea that you cannot have success without struggle, and you cannot have the "good" without accepting the "bad." From Star Trek science officers to the deep theological questions of why disability exists, this episode is a call to find balance, ignore the noise of negativity, and accept your full self.In this episode, we discuss: The Nerd Minute: Kevin’s secret time-waster and his new captaincy on the USS New Jersey in Star Trek Online.The Spectrum of Perspective: Is disability a curse, a benefit, or a moral resource?The Balance of Life: Why accepting the "bad" is the only way to truly experience the "good."Survival vs. Success: Breaking down the mindset required to move from a state of "regressing" to a state of "progressing."The Power of God’s Grace: How faith plays a role in finding positivity amidst life’s hardest certainties.“You’re not going to have the good without the bad. You’ve got to learn to accept both. Find the balance. Find success.Show Notes None for this episode.Episode Transcripthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1WUagj4u6dhH5ovD0IYK1K05IVjywgjMQ/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=111303226198366895898&rtpof=true&sd=trueSocial Media/Website@TheAdvocacyLife FB @theadvocacyliferelaunchedMean Websitehttps://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunchedInstagram https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4Tumblrhttps://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylifeThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylifePinterest https://pin.it/7dHI38DfsLinkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/Books Living Beyond Disability book serieshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbkLetters from Limbo Newsletterhttps://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/PayPal https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunezCashapp https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

    20 min
  5. TAL S4 E5 Televisions Portrayal of Disability

    Mar 3

    TAL S4 E5 Televisions Portrayal of Disability

    Description: Why is it that in the movies we watch and the reality TV we consume, disability is only portrayed in a handful of ways? Why are we always the "inspiration" or the "tragedy," but never just the person? In this episode of The Advocacy Life, Kevin Nunez delves into the "Exposure Method" to explore how American media sanitizes the disability experience. From the "cute" portrayals on TV to the harsh reality of "survival math" and the lack of "days off" from a diagnosis, Kevin bridges the gap between how the world sees us and how we actually live. Show Notes  None for this episode. Episode Transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aHVJO0FY-t5MWVXC0KYNN_wmff1Ur9kL/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111303226198366895898&rtpof=true&sd=true Social Media/Website @TheAdvocacyLife  FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched Mean Website https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4 Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife Threads https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife Pinterest  https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/ Books  Living Beyond Disability book series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk Letters from Limbo Newsletter https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/ PayPal  https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez Cashapp  https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

    19 min

About

The mission of The Advocacy Life is to amplify the voices of the disability community by sharing personal stories, breaking down policy, and providing practical tools for self-advocacy. We strive to educate the public and inspire a more inclusive society where disability is understood as a fundamental part of the human experience.