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Shine On Success
Shine on Success is a dynamic, story-driven podcast where extraordinary entrepreneurs, visionary leaders, and resilient change-makers share their journeys to success, revealing both the challenges and the strategies that led to their breakthroughs. Each episode offers a unique blend of inspiring personal stories, practical business insights, and actionable advice, allowing our guests to connect with an engaged, growth-oriented audience ready to be motivated and uplifted. By joining us, you’ll not only have the opportunity to showcase your expertise and inspire listeners but also to be part of a powerful platform that celebrates ambition, innovation, and the courage to turn dreams into reality.
Shine On Success
Why Not Me? Story of Grit, Grace, and Breaking Barriers
After a devastating football injury left him nearly paralyzed, Ken Kunken didn’t just survive—he redefined what’s possible. In this soul-stirring episode, Ken shares how he transformed unimaginable adversity into a four-decade career as a prosecutor, earned multiple degrees, raised triplet sons, and became a voice for disability advocacy across the nation.
Dionne Malish dives deep into Ken’s journey—from testifying before Congress to narrating his own memoir, "I Dream of Things That Never Were." Together, they explore the mindset that fuels resilience, the underestimated power of community, and why breaking down doors (literally and figuratively) matters more than ever.
This conversation is not just about triumph—it's a masterclass in perseverance, perspective, and the power of purpose.
Connect with Ken here:
Website: https://kenkunken.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.kunken
Purchase “I Dream of Things That Never Were, The Ken Kunken Story”: https://kenkunken.com/buy-the-book/
Connect with Dionne Malush
- Instagram: @dionnerealtyonepgh
- LinkedIN: /in/dionnemalush
- Website: www.dionnemalush.com
- Facebook: /dmalush
- LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/dionnemalush
Welcome back to Shine on Success, the podcast where we dive deep into resilience, perseverance and the power of pushing through adversity. I'm your host, dionne Malish, and today we have an absolutely incredible guest, ken Kunkin. Ken's story is nothing short of extraordinary. After a life-altering football injury left him almost completely paralyzed, he defied every obstacle in his path, earning multiple degrees, becoming a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor and serving over 40 years as a Nassau County Assistant District Attorney. He's a trailblazer, a mentor and a living testament to what's possible when you refuse to accept limits. Ken, I'm beyond honored to have you here today. Welcome to my show.
Speaker 2:Thank you and I appreciate you having me on your show.
Speaker 1:I was so excited I read your story and you know the reason I did shine on success is to help people push through adversity to get to the other side, and I hope that we'll be able to, you know, share your story and let people know that, no matter what, we can always, always find a positive in every negative. So my very first question I always like to ask what is one thing you would like people to know about you?
Speaker 2:Well, one thing I'd like people to know is that I've had the benefit of a very supportive family every step of my way, and while you've mentioned that I have a number of different accomplishments, I couldn't have done any of them without the help, encouragement and support of my wonderful family.
Speaker 1:Well, that's very important, and family for me is the same. I love that we both have the same thing in common a supportive family, and I couldn't be in my journey without mine as well. So what's something that people don't realize about your story? Is there something you can share on your journey, because it's incredible what you've accomplished?
Speaker 2:I appreciate that. I think a lot of what I would like to convey is that there are so many people that have just very limited expectations of people with disabilities, and I think it's important that people raise those expectations. I think the more people are exposed to people with disabilities, the more time they spend with them, the more time they work with them, they'll realize that, for one, we're no different than any other able-bodied person. While we do have some limitations, we also have a lot of abilities and attributes, and I think it's important that when people see what we can do, they'll be more likely to not only want to spend more time with somebody with a disability, but I want to encourage people to hire people with a disability, because people with disabilities can make some of the best workers and most reliable employees an employer can ever hope to find.
Speaker 1:Well, thank you for that, because I do think that people need to recognize that. It makes a lot of sense. And I want to go back to 1970, which means it was two years after I was born. I just wanted to tell you that. So tell me what was going through your mind after the injury and how did you push forward after that.
Speaker 2:Okay. Well, when I was injured, I spent close to 10 months in various hospitals and rehabilitation centers, and when I was in the rehab center, it seemed like many of my fellow patients weren't doing much with their lives, and I believe a lot of that was because they weren't encouraged to do so. It seemed like the medical personnel had very limited expectations for what somebody could do following this type of injury, and I was fortunate that my family encouraged me to make the most of my mental abilities to still be able to achieve and do more than most people expected.
Speaker 1:You're so right about the mental side of it, and a lot of times people don't realize that we have the opportunity to be who we want to be and do what we want to do. We get to do that and so, disability or not, you still believed in that and you knew that there was going to be an opportunity. And look at what you've accomplished. So you've broken barriers at every stage of your life. Outside of that injury, what was the toughest moment and how did you overcome it?
Speaker 2:Well, there are a number of things, but one of them was to convince myself that not only could I complete the schooling that I wanted to do to obtain a job and work successfully at a job, but also to lead a successful family life, and that, I feel, is my biggest accomplishment. Just so your listeners know, I'm not only married, but I'm the father of triplet boys.
Speaker 1:That's what I saw on your paper Three boys. So how old are they?
Speaker 2:Now they're 20 years old, they're sophomores in three separate colleges in upstate New York, doing incredibly well, and I couldn't be more proud.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I can see it in your face. It's just so beautiful. So I love studying personal development and mindset, and that has truly helped me through some of my hardest days in my life. And right now I'm going through the biggest struggle of my life. My husband needs a liver transplant and then we'll have that within two weeks. We have a living donor, which is incredible, and so I look at things differently, though A lot of people think I should be sad, and you know, of course, I have a little bit of fear, because it's a natural, because we're human Right, but I know the other side of this is going to be amazing, and he's going to get an opportunity to have maybe 20 more years of life instead of being sick all the time. So how has mindset and purpose helped you get to where you are today?
Speaker 2:Well, it helped me believe in myself, to believe that there's still a difference I can make, not only in my life or my family's life, but in others as well, and once I saw that I could do that, that's helped me feel better about myself. And when I got my first job following my injury, that increased my feelings of self-esteem, my self-worth, my self-confidence, and it made an enormous difference in how I feel getting up every single day.
Speaker 1:So you're married to, is it Ann?
Speaker 2:Anna, an incredible wife.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I love that. And how long have you been married?
Speaker 2:Now 20 years, 20 years no actually 21 years yeah 21.
Speaker 1:Yeah, 21, because you have a 20-year-old kid. There you go.
Speaker 2:Right 21 years.
Speaker 1:So, when you transitioned from engineering to law, what fueled that decision?
Speaker 2:Okay, actually, after engineering I had a psychology professor in school that really suggested that I go into a career that involved counseling, because he felt I could make a difference in people's lives. And at the time that I was in engineering that was well before they had laptop computers it was really difficult for me to try and function as an engineer. So even though I completed my schooling in engineering, I never actually worked as an engineer. I continued my schooling, obtained two master's degrees in counseling concerning affirmative action and non-discrimination for people with disabilities, and after my talks I'd often be asked questions, and while I would do my best to answer those questions, I was always careful to caution the questioners. They should really speak with a lawyer about their concerns. And I guess it didn't take long before I started to think you know, there's no reason why I couldn't become that lawyer. So I left my job and went to law school.
Speaker 1:And so how long have you been a lawyer?
Speaker 2:More than 40 years, in fact. I retired full time. I retired a little over a year ago and now I'm enjoying spending more time with my wife you know my kids when they're home from school and it gave me time to actually complete a book that I was working on about my life. That's called I Dream of Things that Never Were the Ken Kunkin Story.
Speaker 1:Oh, I'll be sure, is it published?
Speaker 2:It's published by 12 Tables Press. It's available on Amazon as well as other sites, and if somebody would like to go to my website, which is kenkunkincom, it will tell a number of different ways to purchase my book, which is kencumkincom, it will tell a number of different ways to purchase my book, which is available not only in a hardcover, but in a Kindle version as well as an audio version.
Speaker 1:Great. Well, thank you for sharing that. I'll be sure to get it. I love books. I have probably thousand plus books at least, so I will definitely get a copy of it. So I want to talk about your 40 years in the DA's office. What case or moment stands out as the most meaningful to you?
Speaker 2:Well, you know it was almost more than the individual cases. It was actually the work just getting in the courtroom. I went through three years of law school in the standard three year time period, passed the difficult New York State bar exam the first time I took it. I went through a very intensive four week training program in the district attorney's office and I was so proud to go to court my first day and I couldn't fit through the swinging doorways in the courtroom. Are you kidding me? It was too narrow to allow me to get through in my electric wheelchair.
Speaker 1:Oh no.
Speaker 2:These are the things that stand out for me in my job. My first assignment was to our district court, was to our traffic court bureau, which was located on the second floor of a neighboring building and the elevator was broken. So I was finally promoted after three days because no one knew when the elevator would be fixed. So many obstacles I've been in.
Speaker 1:That's good. So you've been honored with multiple awards, from legal excellence to disability advocacy. What does success? So you've been honored with multiple awards, from legal excellence to disability advocacy. What does success mean to you now?
Speaker 2:Success means that other people will see that they can do the same thing and hopefully follow in my footsteps.
Speaker 2:When I was injured, I didn't know of any other role models that I could look to for help, for inspiration, for encouragement, to know that somebody with my disability could go on and lead a successful life. Now they may have been out there, but I didn't know about them, I mean since my injury. You know there are people such as Christopher Reeve, who unfortunately passed away, but he's been a tremendous role model for people. But Christopher Reeve was injured almost 25 years after I was, so I didn't have somebody like him that I could turn to. But you know I've been fortunate in my job that I've been able to mentor a lot of individuals, whether it be through law or as a rehab counselor, and as a result I feel so good about the fact that now I think other people are starting to do more with their lives, and that just includes not only the person with a disability but the potential employers out there who are now looking more favorably about hiring people with disabilities.
Speaker 1:So what piece of advice would you give to someone facing their own life changing adversity?
Speaker 2:Well, there are a number of things. One just because something has not been done before doesn't mean you can't do it now. You know you need to keep up hope, keep your self-confidence high and decide what you feel is something that you really truly want to do, and don't listen to the naysayers. Don't listen to the people that tell you it's just too difficult or you can't do something. Many times they're saying that because they didn't know of somebody who hasn't done that before. That doesn't mean that you cannot do it now. But I'd also suggest that when you have the opportunity, do your best to help others. There's nothing that can make you feel better about yourself than knowing you've made a difference in other people's lives, and I would also encourage people to keep their expectations high for themselves as well as for others. This is an awful lot we can all do with the right attitude.
Speaker 1:Attitude means everything. So let's talk about your book, because I know you mentioned that I Dream of Things that Never Were. Captures your remarkable journey. What do you hope that readers take away from it once they read it?
Speaker 2:Well, once again, I hope that they realize that there's no reason why you can't make a difference in people's lives, no matter what condition you're in. And I want to just repeat again just because something has not been done before doesn't mean you cannot be the first person to do it now. And, if I might add, I'd just like to tell you, listeners, where I came up with the title for my book. While I was still in the rehab center undergoing rehabilitation, I was asked to testify before a United States Health Subcommittee chaired by Senator Edward Kennedy, and eight days after my testimony, senator Kennedy sent me a glass paperweight in the mail that had an inscription on it, and the words on that inscription have always been very meaningful to me. The inscription read some men see things as they are and say why. I dream of things that never were and say why not? And that's why I got the title of my book. And Senator Kennedy said that's a quotation his late brother, robert Kennedy, liked to say very much.
Speaker 2:And it means the world to me to hear those words.
Speaker 1:I love that. What a great title. So if you could go back and talk to your 20 year old self, what would you say today?
Speaker 2:I would say never lose hope. Sometimes it's darkest before the dawn. There's still an awful lot you can do, whether it be through education, through work or in family life, and do your best to not only make the most of your life but to help as many people as you can along the way.
Speaker 1:That's definitely what I feel that I've been on this earth to do is to help as many people as I possibly can, and I feel like we sometimes go through things so that we can learn, get through them and teach other people how to. And what's next for you? Can Any new projects or goals on the horizon since you're now retired?
Speaker 2:Right now. Obviously, it's helping my boys become the best they can be, and they're doing absolutely great. Actually, the next step in my journey is actually that my wife, kids and I are going to be traveling out to Montana in May because my brother's youngest son is getting married. So we're going to take a nice road traveling out to Montana in May because my brother's youngest son is getting married. So we're going to take a nice road trip out to Montana, attend the wedding, see some sites both on the way and the way back, and just get to enjoy each other's company and watch our family continue to grow.
Speaker 1:So what are your boys going to school for?
Speaker 2:Well, my son James is studying renewable energy at the State University of New York at Morrisville. My son Timothy is pursuing a dual major at the Newhouse School for Communications and the Maxwell School of Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and right now he'd like to become a journalist. And my son Joseph is actually studying mechanical engineering at Cornell. And Joey started attending Cornell 50 years after I graduated from Cornell.
Speaker 1:Wow, that is really cool. So you can see the pride. You can just see how proud you are and having your three boys and all of them going to school how great is that. So let's talk about. The last thing before we end is what else do you like to do?
Speaker 2:Well, you know, in addition to spending times with my boys and my wife, you know, I still fortunately or unfortunately enjoy watching football. I'm an avid New York Jets fan. Oh no, wait, we got to hang up now, right. So you know, every Sunday I'm glued to the television. But you know, I prefer listening to audio books. They're actually turning the pages of the book if they're in the middle of doing something else, you know, and they can still continue their reading. I'm happy to say that my audio book is out.
Speaker 1:I love that you narrated it. That's so cool. I love your voice so I look forward to it. I'm going to get it on Audible. I think that would be a great way to get to know you even better. So I feel bad for you that you're a New York Jets fan, because I'm a Steeler fan and it doesn't ever work. But one of my husband's uncles is a big New York Jets fan and we get to tease each other all the time.
Speaker 2:Well, I heard today that the Jets just signed Justin Fields.
Speaker 1:Oh, they did not.
Speaker 2:Who I believe in Steel is for a second.
Speaker 1:No, they did not. I did not hear that. I have not been on. Are you serious?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what I heard.
Speaker 1:Oh no, we just signed a new receiver, DK from Seattle. I can't think of his name.
Speaker 2:Yeah, DK. Yeah, we just signed him today. I did hear that this morning.
Speaker 1:But I do love football too and I've been an avid sports fan and you know it does make me happy. But the one thing is I used to watch them. My parents lived in South Carolina, I'm here in Pittsburgh and they moved away so my dad and I would talk through every game. So he passed away about a year and a half ago and I can tell you it's just not in the same sense. Just, I miss him, miss him, my buddy talking Steelers, you know, and all the fun we used to have and the tears when they would win. Yeah, I do love football as well, so thank you for being on here with me. Your story is beyond inspiring. You've not only redefined resilience, but have shown us that adversity can be a launching pad for even greater purpose. Thank you for sharing that. And for those that are listening, how can they get a hold of you? Can you share your contact information with them?
Speaker 2:Sure, they could go on my website, which is kenkumkacom, and that will tell them exactly how they could learn more about me, how to purchase the book and how they can get in touch with me. Now I have a question for you, deanna, oh yeah sure. Why did you decide to do podcasts?
Speaker 1:So I actually started this podcast to help me get through the grief of losing my father and I thought that if I could find other people that had adversity you know in their life and I could connect with them, that would help me. So now this has turned into like 65 episodes of people all over the world that I would have never known. It's the greatest networking opportunity I've ever had is podcasting. I love it and it's really made me feel confident as a better speaker and a better leader, because we have a 200 agent real estate company. So you know I want to be the best all the time, so this helps me to do that. So it's because of grief that I decided to do it.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm glad you found your way to deal with it and good luck to you and your husband with the challenges.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. And you know we found a living donor, so we're one step in the right direction and just know it. So thank you for everything and for our listeners. If you could like, subscribe and share this episode, you know, if we could just help one person every single episode, that that's the point of what we're doing here is to help people. So if we can help one person, then this podcast is a success. I'm hoping we can help more than one. Thank you, ken.
