Season 4.5
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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 inspiration she drew from her late father. Plus, Anita offers a sneak peek into her exciting upcoming projects, including her involvement with the powerful new musical The Rise, set to premiere in Paris. Find this episode here.
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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 pediatric rehab program are all offered under one roof. Find this episode here.
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In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Adam Shalom and Rabbi Jody 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 gender-neutral rite of passage to modifying traditional ceremonies for those with mobility and sensory challenges, we discuss how the humanistic lens turns obstacles into solutions. It’s a conversation about saying what you mean, meaning what you say, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table—literally. Find this episode here.
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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, Jessica details the profound physical toll of living with a tissue connectivity disorder. The discussion takes a harrowing turn as Jessica recounts her recent experience being "wrongfully Titled" (Title 36), a legal process that stripped her of her rights and placed her in a psychiatric facility ill-equipped to handle her complex medical needs. We explore the dangerous gap between mental health protocols and physical disability awareness, the trauma of medical institutionalization, and how the "positive vibes only" expectation from society ignores the reality of chronic suffering. Despite the systemic failures and constant pain, Jessica shares how she finds sanctuary in the creative community of Prescott, Arizona—using poetry, music, and the wildlife in her yard to find "wild care where there is no cure." Find the episode here.
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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" anxiety hidden in "A Question of Time," and why Martin Gore’s songwriting captures the thin line between romantic devotion and total obsession. Find this episode here.
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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. Find the episode here.
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"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. Find the episode here.
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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. Find this episode here.
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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. Find this episode here.