Shows
NIC ChatsValue-Based Care in Senior Living: An Operator's Perspective - Episode 3Rounding out NIC Chats' value-based care series, Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, joins host Lisa McCracken for an insightful discussion on one operator’s journey successfully implementing outcomes-driven care models in senior living. Juniper's experience with integrated care offers actionable lessons for other senior living providers seeking to improve outcomes, resident satisfaction, and operational efficiency.Listen to learn:The fundamentals of value-based care and its impact on resident outcomes, satisfaction, and cost management, based on firsthand operator experience.Practical advice for senior living operators considering value-based care, including essential pa...2025-07-1433 min
Connect 4 Life: The PodcastThanks for Listening - Season 3 Coming Soon!Thanks for Listening - Season 3 Coming Soon!June 20, 2025This special bonus episode of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast, featuring Host and CEO Melanie Taddeo, wraps up Season 2 and provides a few teasers about what to expect in Season 3 -- including new talk formats, new guests and new conversations and topics that will take you and our team on-location to where the action is happening.Until then, enjoy summer 2025, a season that we Canadians consider among the best. And please reach out to us to share your feedback, your criticism...2025-06-2102 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastThe United Nations Welcomes Connect 4 LifeSeason 2, Episode 20June 20, 2025The United Nations Welcomes Connect 4 LifeOn June 10 of this year, the 18th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (otherwise known as the CRPD) convened at UN Headquarters in New York. One of the final items on the first morning of the proceedings was a decision announced in the General Assembly by the President of the Conference that the applications of 10 non-governmental organizations had been approved and would become accredited members moving forward. Connect 4 Life...2025-06-2007 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastIn Perspective: A Conversion about Living with a DisabilitySeason 2, Episode 19June 17, 2025In Perspective: A Conversion about Living with a DisabilityIn this episode of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast, Host Melanie Taddeo chats with Mark Brown about what it means to live with a disability. Mark has a physical disability, and he relies on the use of a wheelchair to get around, while Melanie is legally blind. Despite the difference in each disability, both Mark and Melanie experience many of the same things each and every day, which range from stigmas and misconceptions about a...2025-06-1729 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: Governments Working Together for Canadians with DisabilitiesSeason 2, Episode 18 - June 9, 2025A Melanie Minute: Governments Working Together for Canadians with DisabilitiesEvery now and then we see governments at different levels working cooperatively, harmonizing their programs and services, so that the beneficiaries of those programs are not adversely affected.And this is the case with the most recent announcements by the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. With new national disability benefits coming into effect in July, the provincial government has introduced measures to ensure maximum effect and to make sure that people...2025-06-0907 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: The King’s Speech from the ThroneSeason 2, Episode 17 - June 7 2025A Melanie Minute: The King’s Speech from the ThroneOn May 27, 2025, His Majesty, King Charles III, attended the Opening of the Parliament of Canada and delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the first session of the 45th Parliament and outline the government’s agenda.The Speech from the Throne opens every new session of Parliament. The Speech introduces the government’s direction and goals, and it outlines how it will work to achieve them.This is a very special Melanie Minute, one th...2025-06-0707 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastCreating Opportunities and Making a Difference: Mark BrownCreating Opportunities and Making a Difference: Mark BrownSeason 2, Episode 16 - June 6, 2025A young father, on a road trip with friends, was suddenly and violently thrust into a new world, all resulting from a car accident: the world of disability.In this episode of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast, CEO Melanie Taddeo, from the national office in Mississauga, visits Mark Brown in Connect 4 Life’s Scarborough Office. Mark shares with listeners how one single day changed his life irrevocably, how he spent half a year in rehab, and how he...2025-06-0612 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: Accessibility Awareness is Needed Every DaySeason 2, Episode 15 – June 3, 2025A Melanie Minute: Accessibility Awareness is Needed Every DayNational Access Awareness Week is a week dedicated to promoting accessibility and inclusion for Canadians with disabilities. The Week is designed to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and to work towards a more accessible and inclusive society. It usually falls in the last of week of May each year.In this Melanie Minute, Melanie Taddeo, the CEO of Connect 4 Life, asks the question: why is National Access Awareness Week even needed?She goes on to...2025-06-0310 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025Season 2, Episode 14A Melanie Minute: Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025May 15 is GAAD. And what is GAAD?In this Melanie Minute, Connect 4 Life Founder, Melanie Taddeo, talks about the opportunities around Global Accessibility Awareness Day, or GAAD. This year, GAAD occurs on Thursday, May 15, 2025. And it’s a celebration that has been going strong for 14 years now. The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion. It’s also helps get us thinking about how to harness the human pote...2025-05-1207 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: Artificial Intelligence and DisabilitySeason 2, Episode 13A Melanie Minute: Artificial Intelligence and DisabilityWelcome to another Melanie Minute, an exclusive series of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast.In this Melanie Minute, Connect 4 Life Founder, Melanie Taddeo, shares some personal observations about the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence – and specifically how these technologies affect someone with a disability.Artificial intelligence, or AI as it is more commonly known, is advancing in the world around us at a pace that seems exponential. The impacts and potential of AI affect everyone, including—and in s...2025-04-2507 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: It's Tax Time!Season 2, Episode 12That’s right folks: it is tax time in Canada. Join Melanie Taddeo in this installment of A Melanie Minute to hear her advice, based on her experiences as someone with a disability who, like everyone else, has to file her income tax return every year.Preparing a tax return typically doesn't rank high on the popularity ratings for most people. But, as Melanie points out, if you do it right -- with the proper technical advice -- the end result can be surprisingly welcome.Learn about the advantages of keeping yo...2025-04-1010 min
Connect 4 Life: The PodcastDispatches from Johannesburg Number 4: How To Be A Change-MakerSeason 2 – Episode 11Welcome to another installment of “Dispatches from Johannesburg”, an official series of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast.This episode features host Melanie Taddeo, founder of Connect 4 Life, enjoying the unique privilege of speaking with South Africa’s very own Mr. Taps. Mr. Taps is the renowned author, advocate and station manager of Skills Village Radio. He is also South Africa’s first blind rapper. Evoking the work of legendary communications theorist, Marshall McLuhan, Mr. Taps is someone who provides the medium and the message.For anyone interested in advocac...2025-04-0918 min
Connect 4 Life: The PodcastDispatches from Johannesburg Number 3: Putting Words into ActionSeason 2, Episode 10Welcome to another installment of “Dispatches from Johannesburg”, an exclusive series of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast. In this episode, Melanie Taddeo interviews Samantha Daniels, a career educator in Cape Town. Samantha is also on the Board of Connect 4 Life South Africa, and she recently visited Johannesburg to chat with Melanie about the true meaning of accessibility. Samantha knows a thing or two about accessibility issues for people with disabilities: she not only teaches students with disabilities – or, as they like to say in South Africa, people of all abilit...2025-04-0435 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life March 2025 - The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeAdvocacy4Life March 2025 – The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeSeason 2, Episode 9Welcome to Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode features Issue Number 8 of our monthly audio newsletter, Advocacy4Life, originally published in March 2025.In this month’s issue – increasing connections … the Connect 4 Life podcast launches new a series, as well as how the use of a podcast is complementing the growth of our organization … our post-election update on our next steps with the Government of Ontario and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario … and a brief update on Connect4Life’s work with the United Nat...2025-03-2808 min
Connect 4 Life: The PodcastDispatches from Johannesburg Number 2: Building a Training Centre from ScratchSeason 2, Episode 8Dispatches from Johannesburg Number 2: Building a Training Centre from ScratchWelcome to another installment of “Dispatches from Johannesburg”, an exclusive series of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast. In this episode, Melanie Taddeo shares personal insights based on her experiences over the past several weeks in building a training centre for people with disabilities in South Africa – from the ground up.Recorded in Johannessburg in the first week of March 2025, Melanie talks about the work of two vocational schools in South Africa. As you’ll find out in this epi...2025-03-1311 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: If I Were Prime Minister …Season 2, Episode 7A Melanie Minute: If I Were Prime Minister …Many of us have thought about what the Prime Minister should do and what priorities should constitute the national agenda. Some of us, in fact, have asked ourselves, “What would I do if I were the Prime Minister of Canada?”This Melanie Minute features Melanie Taddeo, Founder of Connect 4 Life, offering some insightful, do-able and very thoughtful steps that could easily be taken by Canada’s next Prime Minister, measures that would entail action in health care, disability supports, employment prospect...2025-03-0605 min
Connect 4 Life: The PodcastDispatches from Johannesburg Number 1: Embracing Change and Discovering a PurposeSeason 2 – Episode 6Dispatches from Johannesburg Number 1 - Embracing Change and Discovering a PurposeThis episode of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast introduces our newest series, a monthly feature we call Dispatches from Johannesburg. Each segment of Dispatches from Johannesburg provides you with a personal update on the activities and development’s of Connect 4 Life’s newest chapter, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.This episode features Connect 4 Life’s Founder, Melanie Taddeo, delivering a keynote address to members of the Johannesburg New Dawn Rotary Club on February 26, 2025. Melanie’...2025-03-0415 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life February 2025 - The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeSeason 2, Episode 5Welcome to Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode features Issue Number 7 of our monthly audio newsletter, Advocacy4Life, originally published in February 2025.In this episode you’ll hear about the growth of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast, something that even the producers of the program are pleasantly surprised about. Executive Director Mark Brown reminds listeners about the Ontario Election on February 27. And our program update ties everything together by highlighting Connect 4 Life’s newest program, “Voting…for People with Disabilities”.Visit us at www.connect4life.ca.#disbilities #nonprofits #charity #fundraisin...2025-02-1908 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: An Audio Postcard … To Canada with Love, from South AfricaSeason 2, Episode 4
In this Melanie Minute, you’ll hear Melanie Taddeo, Founder of Connect 4 Life, talk about the joys of transforming a dream into a reality – and, in fact, living that reality.
Melanie arrived recently in South Africa to further explore the opportunities and possibilities for growing Connect 4 Life. In so doing, she has immersed herself in the daily routines in Johannesburg as well as the beauty, splendor and perspectives of the African continent.
This Melanie Minute really is an audio postcard, giving listeners a personal glimpse into the sights and sounds, culture, food...2025-02-0606 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastYour Voice Counts – and Here’s How You Can Make a DifferenceSeason 2, Episode 3
Did you know that, when we add up every person with a disability (including older adults with mobility challenges), we comprise one of the biggest potential voting blocs in Canada -- a critical mass of people who can make a definite difference in which political party wins an election and which issues are advanced?
Welcome to Episode 3 of our second season of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast. This episode features Connect 4 Life Founder, Melanie Taddeo, explaining how the voices and votes of Canadians with disabilities can count in an election. She provides do-able and...2025-02-0508 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life January 2025 – The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeSeason 2, Episode 2
Welcome to Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode features Issue Number 6 of our monthly audio newsletter, Advocacy4Life, originally published in January 2025.
In this month’s issue – news and updates about the Connect 4 Life podcast … the details about Connect 4 Life’s meeting with officials at the Ontario Ministry of Finance’s Pre-Budget Consultation … and an announcement about our newest program that empowers voters and facilitates participation in the voting and electoral process.
We hope you enjoy this issue January 2025 issue of Advocacy4Life.
#disbilities #nonprofits #charity #fundraising...2025-01-1607 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: A New Year and a New Season of Connect 4 Life-The PodcastSeason 2, Episode 1
A Melanie Minute: A New Year and a New Season
An ongoing feature of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast
In this Melanie Minute, you’ll hear Melanie Taddeo, Founder of Connect 4 Life, talk about the vital importance of volunteers in the world of charities and nonprofits, the value created by volunteers for an organization, the impact on the clients served, and meaningful contributions to one’s larger community.
This Melanie Minute answers the question that some people might have: “You want me to give my time for free...2025-01-1006 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastConnect 4 Life Appears before Ontario’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and FinanceSeason 1, Episode 11
Connect 4 Life and Ontario's Pre-Budget Consultations: Advancing the Agenda
Each year, beginning in December, the Ontario Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and Finance reaches out to people and organizations across the province to gather information to help determine public priorities for the Budget.
On December 17, the Connect 4 Life Team, led by Founder Melanie Taddeo, appeared before the Standing Committee to share our organization’s priorities for Ontarians with disabilities. Melanie talked about our recommendations to increase public awareness about accessibility regulations as well as ways to...2024-12-1706 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life December 2024 – The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeSeason 1, Episode 10
Welcome to Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode features Issue Number 5 of our monthly audio newsletter, Advocacy4Life, originally published in December 2024.
In this episode you’ll learn more about the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and how Connect4life encourages anyone to observe and participate. This episode also provides updates on our advocacy and outreach initiatives at Mississauga City Hall, Toronto City Hall – and a special recognition of Connect 4 Life that was presented in Ontario’s Provincial Parliament.
#disbilities #nonprofits #charity #fundraising #givingback #nonpro...2024-12-1608 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Melanie Minute: Connecting Connect 4 Life South AfricaSeason 1, Episode 9
A Melanie Minute - An ongoing feature of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast
In this Melanie Minute, you’ll learn about how a small Canadian charity that sprouted in Mississauga, Ontario, expanded into South Africa.
Melanie Taddeo, Founder of Connect 4 Life, talks about what inspired her to even consider opening another chapter of the 10-year organization, not to mention doing so nearly half-way around the globe.
And in this Melanie Minute you’ll learn about what it takes to expand a charity, the opportunities and...2024-12-1209 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastMPP David Smith (Scarborough Centre) and his Member's Statement for Connect 4 LifeWelcome to this very special segment of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast.
On December 11, 2024, the team of Connect 4 Life attended a special event at Queen's Park, the provincial parliament of Ontario, for the reading of a Member's Statement by David Smith, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Centre.
Mr. Smith's special message celebrates the work of Connect 4 Life, which was recognized by all Members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Mr. Smith's Member's Statement also recognizes the 10th anniversary of Connect 4 Life.
Many thanks to MPP David Smith and his staff at Queen's...2024-12-1201 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Special Message about Connect4Life’s Programs by Aaisha Hussain-RasulSeason 1, Episode 7
Canada’s only charitable organization with its own internet radio station, and one that delivers courses in broadcasting and podcasting? That’s only part of it.
Connect 4 Life offers a wide range of programs that help improve the lives and livelihoods of people with disabilities, programs including life skills, job readiness, approaches to mental health, and public speaking.
This special episode feature Aaisha Hussain-Rasul, the Program Director of Connect 4 Life, explaining the work, the programs and the passion that make Connect4Life so special for fami...2024-12-0603 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life November 2024 – The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeSeason 1, Episode 6
Welcome to Episode 6 of Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode brings you the November 20204 issue of monthly audio newsletter, Advocacy4Life.
Connect4Life recently produced a major submission to the Government of Ontario for the 2025 pre-budget consultations. In that document, Connect4Life urges the Government of Ontario to consider the immediate establishment of task force that considers do-able ways to address the skyrocketing costs of living and housing for
Ontarians with disabilities.
This episode also delivers an update on developments in our newest chapter, Connect 4 Life South Africa.
We...2024-12-0507 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life October 2024 - The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeAdvocacy4Life October 2024 – The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 Life
Season 1, Episode 5
Welcome to Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode features Issue Number 3 of our monthly audio newsletter, Advocacy4Life, originally published in October 2024.
This episode is a special issue of Advocacy4Life that provides critical information about accessibility, Canadians with disabilities, and participating in Canada’s national election.
Much of this information was sourced from Elections Canada, at Elections.ca. This special issue is offered as a pubic service for all Canadians with disabilities by Connect4Life.
2024-12-0409 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastA Special Message from Melanie Taddeo about Giving TuesdayGiving Tuesday is here! And in this special episode of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast, founder Melanie Taddeo shares an important message about volunteering as a lifeblood of our favourite charities and of our communities.
#disbilities #nonprofits #charity #fundraising #givingback #nonprofitorganization #socialgood #makeanimpact #socialimpact #notforprofit #makeadifference #causes #supportnonprofits #dogood #inclusion #disabilityawareness #accessibility #disabilityadvocate #disabilityrights #disabilityinclusion #careerdevelopment #skilldevelopmenttraining2024-12-0203 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life September 2024 - The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect4LifeSeason 1, Episode 3
Welcome to Episode Number 3 of Connect4Life: The Podcast. This episode brings you Issue Number 2 of our monthly audio newsletter, Advocay4Life, originally published in September 2024.
Learn more in this episode about how Connect4Life marked 10 years of service, congratulatory messages from local dignitaries, and our expansion goals for the future.
#disbilities #nonprofits #charity #fundraising #givingback #nonprofitorganization #socialgood #makeanimpact #socialimpact #notforprofit #makeadifference #causes #supportnonprofits #dogood #inclusion #disabilityawareness #accessibility #disabilityadvocate #disabilityrights #disabilityinclusion #careerdevelopment #skilldevelopmenttraining
2024-12-0209 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastAdvocacy4Life August 2024 – The Monthly Audio Newsletter of Connect 4 LifeSeason 1, Episode 2
Welcome to Connect4Life The Podcast. This episode is the inaugural issue of Advocacy4Life, the Connect4Life monthly audio newsletter, from August 2024.
In this episode we feature the August update from our Executive Director, Mark Brown, an overview of Connect4Life’s programs, and a discussion about our Submission to the Ontario Government during the 2024 pre-budget consultations.
2024-11-2808 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastThe Story Behind Connect 4 Life: A Founder’s JourneySeason 1, Episode 1
In this inaugural episode of Connect 4 Life: The Podcast, Founder Melanie Taddeo shares her story about how a sudden stroke resulting in blindness changed her career
aspirations – and her life.
Melanie’s journey begins as a 21-year-old university student with dreams and life goals. Then came a stroke, a coma, paralysis and blindness. The recovery process wasn’t her only
challenge: people’s attitudes towards disability, it turned out, were a monumental barrier.
This episode shows how Melanie beat the odds, having become a successful social entrepreneur who created Connect 4 Life, Canada’s...2024-11-2714 minConnect 4 Life: The PodcastTrailer for Connect 4 Life: The PodcastWelcome to Connect 4 Life: The Podcast.
This program is about advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in all walks of life.
Connect 4 Life is a disability organization that delivers innovative programs in skills development, wellness, job readiness and education, as well as teaching broadcast training and podcast skills.
In this program we talk to the people from and behind those programs, and we share those unique stories with you. You’ll hear compelling, sometimes emotional, and always informative guests sharing their experiences on topics
including diversity and inclusion, developing connections, as well as...2024-11-2701 min
The Sit Down Stand Out ShowThe Return of a Visionary with Melanie TaddeoFebruary is often thought of as a month of love with Valentines Day or a time of historical reflection for Black History month on The Sit Down Stand out Show we will be focus on relationships business, personal or, relationships with one's self.
This week we begin with the return of Melanie Taddeo who for the last two years has been working to provide accessibility and inclusion resources in South Africa with her organization Gaining Vision 2020. Find out how Gaining vision started, where it's going in the future, the wonderful experiences of life in South Africa and...2024-02-0720 min
The Sit Down Stand Out ShowLoosing Sight Gaining Vision with Melanie TaddeoLife can change very quickly sometimes for the best, sometimes for the worst. Melanie Taddeo's life changed forever after suffering a stroke rendering her legally blind. Although Melanie lost her eyesight and the ability to become a visual artist she always saw herself becoming a teacher after years of hard work she became the first legally blind teacher to graduate in Ontario. Melanie has gone on to create a variety of opportunities for individuals with disabilities founding the Connect 4 Life Charity, Voices 4 Ability Radio and the worldwide Gaining Vision organization. Melanie is a prime example what you can achieve...2022-11-1620 min
Unstoppable MindsetUnstoppable Stroke Survivor with Melanie TaddeoMeet Melanie Taddeo. Her parents always encouraged her to be the best that she could be. That attitude shined through when, at the age of 21, she experienced a stroke that left her paralyzed on her left side and totally blind. Her drive helped her to regain the ability to walk. Also, she regained some of her eyesight.
Melanie will tell you that she is a teacher and loves to impart knowledge. In this episode, you will get to hear how she crashed through barriers when school principals and others would not give her a job after discovering she was b...2022-09-131h 10
AT Banter PodcastAT Banter Podcast Episode 295 - Connect 4 LifeIt’s a skeleton crew this week as Rob and Ryan hold down the fort and welcome Melanie Taddeo, founder of Connect 4 Life, an Ontario non-profit that provides a wide variety of educational, programs and services for people with disabilities. The discuss the organization’s origins, the need to fill the service gaps left by larger organizations, and dive into discussing some of Connect 4 Life’s many programs. Oh, and Ryan plans an insurrection.
Show Transcript
Show Notes
Connect 4 Life
http://connect4life.ca/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assisti...2022-07-2759 min
MasterpieceWhat’s Your AbilityA contribution to Connect 4 Life, a non-profit: www.connect4life.ca Also, if you'd like to read the message along with the audio: www.medium.com/@muniza5212021-06-2217 min
Family Caregivers Unite!Starting an Internet Radio Station by and for People living with BlindnessMelanie Taddeo, at the age of 21, suffered a massive stroke that left her completely paralyzed on her left side and legally blind. She founded Connect4Life, www.connect4life.ca, to provide programs that promote independence for people with disabilities. Jerry Ford who grew up in a small full-of-promise city in Ontario. At the age of 28 his storybook life was severely affected by the onset of multiple sclerosis. They talk about their lives, careers, their challenges and their work. They explain the status of Connect4Life, how it raises the funds it needs, how it will set up Voices4Ability...2014-01-2757 min