Disability Warriors: The Download

Hosted by Michael Liner

Business Management

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Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

🎙️ Welcome to Disability Warriors: the Download with Michael & Andrew. Disability law can feel overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here. Join Michael Liner and Andrew November, two passionate disability attorneys, as they break down the legal system in a way that’s clear, human, and sometimes even funny. Each month, we sit down with special guests, from advocates and professionals to people with lived experience, to explore how we can redefine disability, challenge stereotypes, and empower the disability community. Whether you're applying for benefits, supporting a loved one, or simply want to learn more about disability rights and justice, this podcast is for you. 🧢 Real talk. Real people. Real change. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

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60 recent

October 23, 2026Episode 2321 min

EP23 Disability Warriors: The Download. When exercise makes you sicker. Post-Exertional Malaise

For millions of people living with ME/CFS and other invisible illnesses, that’s daily life. Pushing harder can bring on a crash that lasts for days or even weeks. It’s called post-exertional malaise (PEM), and standard medical tests almost never capture it. That makes proving disability to Social Security an uphill battle. Michael Liner sits down with Staci Stevens of the Workwell Foundation, an exercise physiologist who has lived with this illness since college. She explains how measuring the “oxygen cost” of everyday activities turns limits people can’t see into hard, objective evidence for a disability claim. Watch the full conversation now. Learn more about functional testing at workwellfoundation.org Fighting for SSDI or SSI benefits? Liner Legal can help. #InvisibleIllness #PostExertionalMalaise #MECFS #WorkwellFoundation #SSDI #DisabilityBenefits #LinerLegal

September 10, 2026Episode 2248 min

EP22 Disability Warriors: The Download. Why Your VA Claim Got Denied (And How to Fix It)

Stop wondering why your VA claim denied and learn how to fix it. We are trying a new podcast format to get you the answers you need faster. In this episode, we move away from our traditional style to focus on direct, actionable information regarding accessible service treatment. We break down the schools is platform and how it aims to simplify the help you need. This change in our podcast format is all about getting you the most relevant data without the fluff. We also cover the common reasons a VA claim denied and the specific steps you can take to rectify your application. Whether you are navigating complex systems or just looking for better ways to connect with care, this conversation is designed to make veteran benefits easier to understand. If you're not sure if you qualify for benefits it will take you 1 min to find out! Just click on this link 🔗https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ a member of our team will connect with you to review your case FREE!

September 8, 2026Episode 2132 min

EP 21 Disability Warriors: The Download. The Disease they call an STD (It's not): Living with HS with Brindley Brooks

They told her she had an STD. She didn't. She had Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) a chronic, painful condition that took her 37 years to fully understand, and one that most doctors, hospitals, and even Social Security still get wrong. In this episode of Disability Warriors, host Michael Liner sits down with Brindley Brooks, founder and CEO of HS Connect, the largest HS patient advocacy organization in the world. Brindley shares her own diagnosis story, why HS patients wait 7–10 years on average for a diagnosis, and why shame and stigma keep so many from ever seeking treatment. Michael and Brindley also dig into what most people don't realize: HS can be severe enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, but the SSA's 2022 rule changes made that path harder than ever, in some cases requiring proof of mobility devices most doctors have never even prescribed for HS. If you or someone you love has been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to just 'push through it,' this conversation is for you. Learn more and get involved: HSConnect.org If HS or another invisible condition is affecting your ability to work, Liner Legal can help you understand your Social Security disability options. Visit https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380

August 29, 2026Episode 2035 min

EP20 Disability Warriors: The Download. How a routine eye exam once caught a hidden cancer

Most people think an eye exam is just about reading letters on a chart, but as Dr. Don Railsback explains in this episode of the Disability Download, your eyes can reveal serious health conditions long before you feel a single symptom. Dr. Railsback, CEO of Vision Care Direct and an optometrist with four decades in the field, joins Michael Liner to talk about why an eye exam might be one of the best investments you can make in your overall health. He shares a story about a patient who felt completely fine and had perfect vision, yet an eye exam uncovered a cancerous tumor early enough to save his sight and his life. He also explains how conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and glaucoma often show up in the eyes long before they cause any noticeable symptoms. For our audience navigating Social Security disability, this episode gets specific. Dr. Railsback breaks down what Medicare and Medicaid actually cover when it comes to vision care, why mentioning your symptoms during your case history can change what gets covered, and what to consider when choosing between a private practice, a retail vision center, or an online exam. If you or someone you love is dealing with a disability and wondering what benefits you may qualify for, we want to help. Take our free survey to find out where you stand: https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ Learn more about Dr. Railsback and Vision Care Direct at VisionCareDirect.com. Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380

August 25, 2026Episode 1935 min

EP19 Disability Warriors: The Download. Invisible Pain, Real Fight: Winning Disability with Interstitial Cystitis

If you're not sure if you qualify for benefits it will take you 1 min to find out! Just click on this link 🔗https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ a member of our team will connect with you to review your case FREE! Michael Liner sits down with Amber Carter, Board Chair of the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA), for an honest conversation about living with interstitial cystitis (IC), and what it really takes to win Social Security Disability benefits with an invisible, hard-to-diagnose condition. Amber spent nearly five years fighting for the disability benefits she had paid into her entire career before finally getting approved. In this episode, she opens up about years of misdiagnosis, the doctors who told her it was “all in her head,” the moment she had to walk away from the legal career she loved, and what she has learned after almost 20 years of living with IC. Michael also breaks down why IC is one of the hardest conditions to win approval for, there is no single diagnostic test, no dedicated Social Security listing, and a diagnostic delay that leaves roughly 70% of patients waiting far longer than they should for answers. He shares practical, actionable advice for documenting your symptoms starting today, whether you are just beginning to struggle at work or already in the middle of a claim. Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380

July 9, 2026Episode 1816 min

EP18 Disability Warriors: The boardroom. The Referral Advantage: What the best cases have in common.

Michael sits down with Jordan Lebovitz, partner at Nuremberg Paris, one of Ohio's most respected personal injury firms, for a candid conversation about what actually drives the best cases through the door. Spoiler: it's not always the billboard. From the psychology of referral marketing to the chaos of managing texts, emails, calls, and portals all at once, Michael and Jordan pull back the curtain on what it really takes to run a client-first law firm in 2026. They dig into why some of the most loyal referral sources are clients who lost their case, how setting communication expectations early saves relationships, and why authenticity is the only legal marketing strategy that compounds over time. Whether you're navigating the disability system or just trying to understand how the best firms operate, this one's full of real talk, hard-won lessons, and more than a few laughs. If you're not sure if you qualify for extra benefits it will take you 1 min to find out! Just click on this link 🔗 https://www.linerlegalreferral.com/ Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380

May 22, 2026Episode 1714 min

EP17 Disability Warriors: The boardroom. Is Podcasting a BIG NO for Lawyers?

Everyone and their mother has a podcast these days, so is it actually worth it? In this episode, Michael sits down with trial attorney Allen Tittle, future president of the Ohio Association for Justice, for a refreshingly honest conversation about whether podcasting still works as business development for lawyers. Alan explains why his firm built a podcast room and then decided not to use it, and the two dig into what's really driving results: not long-form clips, but short, actionable social content (Michael shares how a strategy shift led to 20+ million views across Instagram and Facebook in a single month). They also unpack the rise of "podcast funnels" from legal marketing companies, why community marketing still delivers the most bang for your buck, and how Liner Legal's Backwards Hat Gives Back program ties social media revenue to national health nonprofits. Whether you're a lawyer weighing your own marketing strategy or just curious how the disability law world is adapting, this one's full of candid insight. Need help with your disability claim? Visit https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ to schedule your free case review. Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380

May 14, 2026Episode 1616 min

EP16 PART II Disability Warriors: The Boardroom. What Law School Doesn't Teach You: Building a Firm from the Ground Up

PART II Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes at a growing law firm? In this episode of Disability Warriors: The Boardroom , Michael sits down with fellow attorneys for a no-filter conversation about the realities of building, scaling, and leading in the legal world. They dig into the rise of AI in law schools and whether the next generation of attorneys will actually be ready to step into a courtroom, the hiring mistakes that every firm owner makes (more than once), and why personality, process, and people matter more than any law school class. From hot attic offices and pizza-fueled breakout groups to mock trial moments that change a career, this episode is full of laughs, lessons, and the kind of honesty you only get when seasoned attorneys finally sit down together. Whether you're a law student, a young attorney, a firm owner, or just someone who loves a great behind-the-scenes conversation, this one's for you. 🎧 Listen now and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. ⚖️ Need help with a disability claim? Visit https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ to schedule your free case review. Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380

May 9, 2026Episode 1616 min

EP16 Part I Disability Warriors: The Boardroom. Suits, Swagger & Substance: The Authenticity Edge in Law

What does it really take to build an authentic brand as an attorney, and does AI threaten any of it? In this episode of Disability Warriors: The Download, Michael sits down with two of Ohio's standout attorneys, Alan Tittle and Jordan Lebovitz, for an unfiltered conversation about authenticity, personal branding, imposter syndrome, and the evolving role of AI in the legal profession. From suit-and-tie uniforms to backwards hats, the three break down how the way lawyers show up, visually, verbally, and emotionally, shapes client trust and courtroom credibility. They get honest about the imposter syndrome that still drives them, why "faking it till you make it" can be fuel rather than fraud, and how hard work always shines through, no matter what you're wearing. Then the conversation pivots to AI: how it's reshaping legal prep, where it falls short (hello, hallucinated case citations), and why no algorithm will ever replace a sharp cross-examination or a real human connection with a jury. Follow us across social media: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.youtube.com/@LinerLegal/videos https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380 If you're not sure if you qualify for benefits it will take you 1 min to find out! Just click on this link 🔗https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ a member of our team will connect with you to review your case FREE!

April 27, 2026Episode 151 hr 7 min

EP15 Disability Warriors: The Download - One Arm, One Shot: Ashley Tindle's Race to Qualify for the U.S. Adaptive Open

On this new episode of Disability Warriors: The Download Michale talked to Ashley Tindle: a man with one arm and a deadline. Michael sits down with the former All-State basketball player and 30-year tennis pro who just walked away from a stable career to chase one audacious goal: qualifying for the U.S. Adaptive Open and earning a top-five world ranking in adaptive golf. With only weeks until the qualifier in Dallas, Ashley opens up about what it really takes to compete at the highest level with a limb difference, from practicing basketball dribbling in a dark gym at 5 AM, to outsmarting defenders who tried to exploit his disability, to the moment he wrote "this is my last shot" in his journal and decided to go all in. This is a conversation about determination, productive delusion, and what happens when you stop accepting stuck as a permanent state. Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or someone who just needs a reminder that it's not too late to chase something hard, this one's for you. If you're not sure if you qualify for benefits it will take you 1 min to find out! Just click on this link 🔗https://linerlegalsurvey.com/ a member of our team will connect with you to review your case FREE! Follow us on every platform: https://www.instagram.com/linerlegal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@backwardshatbarrister https://www.linkedin.com/company/liner-legal-llc/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal/ https://www.facebook.com/linerlegal Exclusive Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529948968647380