Human Potential At Work

Doug and Debra discuss the idea of working with "bad" brands who may have corporate practices that others have disagreed with, but are now tackling social change and social good initiatives, and the pros and cons of doing so. 

Dick Traum, founder of Achilles International, shares his inspirational story of becoming the first above the knee amputee to complete the New York City Marathon, and how running and completing marathons can be an empowering experience. He also shares how Achilles has developed specialized programs for children, teens, adults and veterans.

Patrick J Romzek, LifeChanger Executive Consultant, and Kelly Jones, Talent Acquisition Leader for Cisco Systems, discuss the employment challenges that face people with disabilities and the work that Cisco is doing to employ, empower and transform the lives of persons with disabilities. They also their innovative LifeChanger program and the positive results they are achieving.   

David Banes returns to the program to discuss how technological disruption can benefit persons with disabilities. David discusses his thoughts about dealing with the pros and cons of disruption. David also shares case examples of technological disruption and what we can learn from them. 

Debra and Doug Foresta discuss grief and gratitude and how the two can coexist. Discover how to navigate the stages of grief, and how to incorporate gratitude into your life even during tough times. 

Kevin Ruh, Chief Marketing Office for Ruh Global Communications, discusses what it was like to grow up with a sibling with a disability. Kevin shares his reflections on what he has learned along the way and how his experiences have shaped his point of view about human potential. He also shares tips for listeners about how to stay positive and motivated even in tough times. 

Debra and her producer, Doug Foresta, discuss the challenges and potential upside of aging, and the connection to human potential. Will a growing population of older people be able to create positive social change? Debra also shares tips for positive aging. 

Vlad Stevens, HR Director at Charles River Community Health, discusses the importance of including a diverse population in the workforce, and the work that he has done as an HR professional with international brands, including Staples and Walgreens. Vlad discusses what needs to happen to achieve real diversity both in the US and abroad. 

John Kemp, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center, discusses how he has was able to flourish despite being born with a disability and losing his mother at a young age. John shares how his father was able to help him become more resilient, and discusses what needs to change when it comes to improving employment outcomes for persons with disabilities. John also discusses the success rate that the Viscardi Center has when it comes to educating, employing and empowering persons with disabilities. 

Social marketing strategist Ted Rubin joins Debra for a discussion about the difference between "ROI" (Return on Investment) and "RonR" (Return on Relationship), as well as how social media can be used to have authentic conversations. 

Bestselling author and speaker Lolly Daskal joins the program to discuss her new book "The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You And Your Greatness." Lolly talks about the importance of discovering who we are, and the 7 archetypes that leaders need to embrace in order to be truly great. 

Debra is joined by her producer, Doug Foresta, and Richard Streitz, COO of Ruh Global Communications, as they discuss the increasing number of people who are aging in place in their homes, and the connection to the disability conversation. Discover how technology is changing the way that people age, and how other cultures and countries are finding innovative solutions to help people stay in their home as long as possible. 

LaMondre Pough shares his story of living with spinal muscular atrophy and succeeding and thriving despite doctors saying that he would not live to be 5 years old. Lamondre shares advice and inspiration for overcoming obstacles and living life to the fullest. 

David Pérez, Chief Global Strategist at Ruh Global Communications, discusses his perspective on disability and inclusion growing up in Costa Rica. David also shares his experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and how he has been able to thrive and earn a masters degree in Diplomacy. 

Malcom Glenn, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Uber, joins the program to discuss the efforts that Uber is making in terms of diversity and disability inclusion. Malcom discusses diversity and inclusion both in terms of the culture of Uber and their hiring practices, as well as the ways in which they are working on making their platform as accessible as possible to persons with disabilities, and the implications for the future of transportation and car ownership.     

Debra and Doug discuss takeaways and lessons from the event Promoting Disability Inclusion Globally, which took place in Washington DC on June 20th, 2017. Debra shares which brands and corporations attended the event, and why corporations are interested in the global conversation about disability inclusion. Debra also shares what surprised her the most about the event, and the crucial next steps that need to happen to keep the conversation going.  To learn more, visit www.ruhglobal.com 

Tony Coelho, former US Representative and primary sponsor of the ADA, returns to the program to discuss his story of how he overcame the stigma associated with having epilepsy and how he has been able to positively impact millions of lives through his work. Tony also discusses how the disability community can continue to grow and advocate for change. 

Debra is joined by her podcast producer, Doug Foresta, and discusses the upcoming event, Promoting Disability Inclusion Globally, which takes place on June 20th, 2017 in Washington DC and the importance of having global conversations about disability inclusion. Discover the topics and speakers at the event, and why the time is right for a global business-to-business conversation. 

Stefan Tromel, Senior Disability Specialist of the International Labour Organization (ILO) joins the program to discuss how the ILO promotes equality of opportunity and treatment for persons with disabilities in the world of work. Stefan also shares about the upcoming event "Promoting Disability Inclusion Globally" on June 20th in Washington DC.   

Karen Curry, author, coach and Human Design Specialist, joins the program to discuss her journey from struggling with bankruptcy and repossession to creating a successful business. Karen shares her thoughts on what it takes to overcome challenges, both external and internal and how to find true peace.