NADR - Let's Get Into It

Today we look into the 2024 Atlanta Conference. We also look at what it actually takes to plan and execute our conferences from conception, planning, and organizing.

We're thrilled to welcome Ambrosia Crump as our special guest today on the podcast! Get ready for an informative discussion about "setting professional boundaries with clients!"

*Trivia

On this day in history - what major event occurred?

Jim Brown will be our ethics speaker in Atlanta for the 2024 Conference. His historic 50 years as an advocate for advocates will mesmerize and entertain you from beginning to end. This will be one of those episodes you will want to find a private-quiet place and have a notebook at the ready for the nuggets that is packed into this episode. Also, for all you podcast geeks - there is an Easter Egg contained in this episode. What were ALJs called before they were recognized as ALJs?

What a year it's been. 2023 allowed us to see our podcast, "Let's Get Into It," GROW! In this episode we take a look back and get into what is in store for us going forward.

Freddie Effinger is a Disability Attorney and Professor at the University of Alabama who teaches Social Security Law. We will be discussing a recent episode of 60 Minutes that highlights overpayments, a topic he will be sharing with us in Atlanta. He is passionate about his work. Freddie has been given a nickname to describe his drive and determination to help those seeking benefits - listen to today's episode for the easter egg. When you hear it, let us know you found it.

If you made it to NOLA for the networking weekend you know we had a blast! The food, the sights, and getting to network with our fellow NADR members. If you were able to experience Ginny Victory's session on the 7 Intelligences, then you already know this episode is great! Also, be on the lookout (or sound-out) for some furry friends and Easter Eggs throughout the episode. Enjoy!!

Today we sit down with Bucky Dodd. Bucky will join us in Atlanta and take us into the topic of AI, Artificial Intelligence. However, in today's episode we get a preview of how to approach AI in our practice and other tips to help educate us in this new technology. We want to invite you to listen for the easter egg embedded into the episode that ties our show today - to baseball.

Today we sit down with past President, Chris Marois. Chris gives us a history of NADR in the early days and his take on how important it is to preserve the spirit of the organizations that makes us family. He also shares some lighthearted moments and especially one that involves a text message with the Commissioner of Social Security that you do not want to miss.

Join us for a candid interview with Michael Wener, NADR's President, as he reflects on nearly a decade of board service. Discover the essence of leadership through gratitude, challenges, and triumphs. Don't miss this insightful episode with Michael as he prepares his new role as, "Immediate Past President."

It is always a pleasure to visit with new members. They remind us of the excitement and nervousness we all have faced as we embark on this journey. Maribel is no exception and you will certainly hear her passion for the work she does to help others. Her story is extraordinary from how she started to where she is now and at the same time - her story is much like everyone else.

Chris Mazzulli has a personality that encourages and inspires members to be better members. Throughout his involvement with the NADR board, he has become an example of quality leadership. Today, we sit down with Chris to talk about his early days as a rep and his involvement with NADR from serving on committees to becoming a board member. What many of you may not know - is that Chris coined the title of our podcast - Let's Get Into It.

We are celebrating our friend, Phil Litteral on today's episode. Phil and SSI celebrate 50 years together this year. Today, we take a trip down memory lane at the beginning of the SSI program as well as Phil's journey. We encourage you to find a place, relax, maybe with cup of hot tea or coffee and take notes. There are several "golden nuggets" that Phil shares with us today that might help you navigate any troubled waters you have found in your practice. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just starting out, today will encourage you. As Phil says during the show, "Life is what happens when you are waiting for something else."

Our episode this month showcases the success of NADR's Mentor / Mentee program with our guests, Sherrell Rogers (Mentor) and Madeline McIntosh (Mentee). The discussion highlights the ups and downs of disability practice and how the Mentor / Mentee program levels the playing field for practitioners. If you are interested in becoming a Mentor or think you would benefit as a Mentee, listen to Sherrell and Madeline's discussion today. It encompasses our mantra, "WE ARE NADR!" It brings into focus that our organization is a family. Our strength is in the knowledge we share and together we can persevere.

Today we visit with fellow members of NADR to talk about the upcoming 23rd Anniversary of NADR and the upcoming Conference in Denver. Eva and J. Shay Guess sit down with our Conference Committee Members as we prepare for Denver. 

This episode you will want to listen to a few times. Adriana de le Torre visits with us today to give us some of those "nuggets" we talk about a lot. These nuggets are what you find between sessions at a NADR Conference. Today, you'll have a front row seat as Adriana gives us points that will help with some of those nerve-wracking moments, we all experience at a hearing. 

Today we sit down with David Wright. David shares his story of humble beginnings that has grown into a very successful practice. We discuss the obstacles that each representative faces individually and the growing pains of building your practice. Whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a larger practice, you will relate to David and his story. 

Every great story starts from humble beginnings and our own Judge Hatfield is no exception. How did this humble music major who traveled to the west coast end up in the life of an ALJ? Today, we will dive into how it all came to be. If you have visited a NADR conference, then you know what an honor it is to get insight from the other side of the bench. 

When you clicked the link to arrive and listen to the podcast, someone had to post it. When you get messages through email, social media or text updates at the networking events and conferences - there is someone who sends it. Today, we get to chat with Deb Doxey. We've nicknamed her our superstar - and today you will understand why.

You hear us talk a lot about the "nuggets" of gold that is usually shared among the veterans of our practice in the hallways of the conferences. This episode is a taste of what those moments are like. Today, with our friend John Metsker who shares some of his practice tips on hearings and cross examination of the VE. Plus, some bonus information about a recent published decision - you don't want to miss this one. 

On today's episode we have the opportunity to sit down with current NADR President, Michael Wener. Michael's tenure in the leadership of NADR speaks to his connection to the people of the organization. He gives us insights on what it takes to help manage; the advice he leans on from previous Presidents; and his outlook on the future of the organization. Of course, as many know, with Michael, it's going to be fun!

It isn't certain whether Ali Kofiro found his disability practice, or if through fate - it called him. Today, we take a look into Ali's journey from Somalia to the United States. The series of events that led him to the United States and the climate that played a part in him finding a community of people that needed someone that spoke their language. This is the fascinating story of some of the challenges in the disability process that many of us never face or possibly knew existed.  

Steve Skinner, long time member and former NADR President, along with his daughter Alicia, share with us their inspirational story of building the family business, life's challenges, and successful transition. Many of our members will not only relate to Steve's beginning but Alicia's step into becoming a young business owner. Together, they share their triumphs and struggles that has lead to how they approach representing their client's. 

Puerto Rico will have a lasting impression upon everyone who attended. Many members will compare 2022's Conference with others in the past. However, for a group of NADR members, the 2022 Conference in Puerto Rico was their first time to attend a conference. Shay was able to sit down with a few of the first-time attendees and talk about their experience. 

Kerie Stone has been a member of NADR for many years. Here passion for the organization is evident with any conversation you have with her. In this episode, Kerie takes on her journey into SSA representation. She and Eva also share some tips on marketing you will want to hear. Also, there is an audio soundbite from a past NADR conference you won't want to miss! 

Every organization has a patriarch, and The National Association of Disability Representatives is no different. Join us in this episode as we spend time with the true patriarch of NADR - Mr. Dale Cowan. 

Some of our newer members may not know that NADR has a voice in Washington D.C. Join us today and meet our Public Policy Advisor, Jeanne Morin. Jeanne has appeared at our conferences in the past to give us updates on the congressional efforts with Public Policy. In today's episode, Jeanne will share how she got into this field and how her personal experience with Social Security Disability played an important role that ultimately became her passion. Jeanne's story and her passion is inspiring because Public Policy affects us all and the client's we represent. 

Meet our keynote speaker Dr. Thomas Van Vleet, who will be presenting at this year's conference in Puerto Rico on Monday morning.

Dr. Tom Van Vleet is a licensed neuropsychologist with expertise in cognitive rehabilitation & enhancement, neuropsychological assessment and integrative psychotherapy. His treatment approach targets the cognitive and psychological challenges experienced by healthy adults, as well as individuals with progressive or acquired brain dysfunction (e.g., learning disability, ADHD, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's). Dr. Van Vleet has unique expertise in the treatment of disorders in attention, learning and perception, and is an inventor of novel cognitive interventions (U.S. patents: 9,601,026; 9,308,445; 9,302,179) with 30+ peer reviewed publications in leading medical journals. 

Dr. Greg Cates is the immediate past president of the National Association of Disability Representatives and joins us on this episode to discuss his experience dealing with leading the organization through the pandemic. Dr. Cates also discusses his involvement with NADR and not only leaves us with his own way to inspire new members but also what should motivate all members to get more involved. 

This month our special guest probably needs no introduction. He's been referred to as, The Godfather of NADR, it is Mr. Perfect Attendance, Mr. Art Kaufman. In this episode, Art takes us all the way back to the beginning of not only NADR, but what got him involved in Social Security Disability. Anyone that knows Art History 101 - knows this is going to be a great show. 

Your hosts, Eva Sirman and J. Shay Guess discuss Thanksgiving family traditions, food and all they are thankful for this year. We hope you enjoy this BONUS episode. We also hope you will join the discussion on our Facebook page and share your family traditions for Thanksgiving. 

It is not cliché for NADR members to say that we are all one big family. That is because many of our members have practices that are family operated. 

Today, we explore The Family Business with members who's practices involve family ties. These members not only operate their practices with their families, it just so happens they serve as NADR Board of Directors. Our guests are Kelly Blad, Michael Wener, Cliff Berkley, and Chris Mazzulli. We discuss not only the challenges of running a successful disability practice - but also the advantages of operating your business with family members. The topic today touches home for many of our members who got into practice following in their family's footsteps. 

Julie has been a member of NADR for many years. She shares her life before she became a member and her roll with the organization. This episode has some special moments. Eva and Julie spent some time talking about past conferences and networking weekends they worked on together. Let us know if you can spot the nickname they share with one another - Let's Get Into It! 

Eva Sirman and J Shay Guess discuss upcoming shows and how the podcast came to life.