Disability Empowerment Now

Thongs, Third Eye Blind, and the "Wicked" Truth

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, this episode proves that when it comes to disability and dating, sometimes you just have to laugh so you don't cry. In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on: The Male Thong Incident: Keith recounts his "craziest college story" involving a songwriting project, a black closet, a cover of Mötley Crüe's "Kickstart My Heart”, and a very brave wardrobe choice that left his grandmother... well, confused. Wicked Controversies: The trio takes a massive "side-quest" into the new Wicked movie. Liv and Andrew discuss the chemistry (or lack thereof) between Elphaba and Fiero, and why Liv is officially a "Nessa Apologist." The Emotional Cost of Advocacy: A raw look behind the curtain. The group discusses the reality of recording a "fun" podcast while dealing with family loss, freelancer burnout, and the fatigue of being "on" when you only have enough spoons to walk the dog. The "No Advice" Policy: Liv explains why her best dating advice is actually just a joke about birth control and dogs, and why public marriage proposals are her literal nightmare. The Power of "Crip Humor": How humor serves as a defense mechanism and a bonding agent for the disabled community, and why able-bodied audiences often miss the punchline of the most "livable" jokes. Understanding the "Spoon Theory" in Relationships. Plus: A shout-out to Andrew’s 400+ episodes of advocacy, a preview of next season’s "Book Review" series featuring Liv’s poetry and Andrew’s memoir, and why being a "delightful" host is the highest honor. Ready to join the conversation? Follow Andrew Gurza and his podcast for more unfiltered takes on disability and sex. Grab a copy of Liv Mamone's Fire in the Waiting Room to prepare for next season!

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.

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.

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.

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.