From Disability Benefits to Building a National Business

2026-10-02 · 19 min · episode 502 · 14 entities

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→ hosted by Rudy Mawer person

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→ discusses Self-Improvement concept

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Feed category: Self-Improvement
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Feed category: Film Interviews

Entities found in this episode

concepts 8

mentioned Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
mentioned TV & Film concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: TV & Film
mentioned Self-Improvement concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
mentioned Film Interviews concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Film Interviews
discusses Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
discusses TV & Film concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: TV & Film
discusses Self-Improvement concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
discusses Film Interviews concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Film Interviews

persons 2

mentioned Rudy Mawer person

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Feed author/publisher: Rudy Mawer
hosted by Rudy Mawer person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Rudy Mawer

companys 2

mentioned Business company

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Feed category: Business
discusses Business company

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Feed category: Business

websites 2

mentioned Entrepreneurship website

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Entrepreneurship
discusses Entrepreneurship website

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Entrepreneurship

Episode description as stored

Michele A. Leahy knows firsthand how complicated life with a disability can be. Born with spina bifida, navigating benefits herself, and later losing her leg, she turns lived experience into a mission to help others build greater independence. After returning to disability benefits and spending a year and a half out of work, a simple question pushes her toward entrepreneurship. What begins as an experiment becomes Leahy Life Plan, serving families across 16 states. In this episode, Michele challenges the idea that government benefits are a handout, exposes why leaving someone money does not automatically create a meaningful life, and explains how disability life planning, SSI/SSDI, employment support, and community services can help families create more secure futures. Key Takeaways • Why disability benefits can be a “hand up” toward independence rather than a barrier to working • How Michele turns her own experience navigating disability and government benefits into a business • Why money alone cannot guarantee a fulfilling, independent life for an adult with disabilities • How SSI/SSDI, job coaching, healthcare, and community services can work together to support independence • Why families need to plan beyond finances when preparing for an adult child’s long-term future Notable Quotes • “They think it’s a hand out and it’s really a hand up.” • “It’s providing a house, but it’s not providing a life.” • “Why don’t you start your own business?” • “Well, there’s something here.” • “I’m just excited to just serve more people.”