The Way We Roll
A seriously funny take on life from the disability driven duo Simon Minty and Phil Friend.
Episodes
Neurodiversity: Buzzword or Breakthrough?
Has there really been an explosion of people who are neurodivergent? In our latest podcast, Dr Nancy Doyle, founder of Genius Within and organisational psychologist, answers our questions. Nancy is a social entrepreneur and leading authority on neurodiversity and disability inclusion in the workplace. She created Genius Within – pioneering scalable, evidence-based solutions that empower neurodive
Tourette’s at the BAFTA’s, Less remote working. Our 10th anniversary.
It was hard to miss the furore of the offensive language moment at the BAFTAs this year. A couple of months on, we take a cool, reflective look at what went wrong and how we can do better next time. We wonder whether this moment has progressed the inclusion of people with Tourette’s? It seems the Covid impact on working from home is truly ending as remote work declines and more employees are expec
From Passenger to ‘Problem’: The Making of an Accidental Activist with guest Mark Mardell
In this episode of The Way We Roll, we are joined by broadcaster and journalist Mark Mardell to unpack a shocking travel experience that raises bigger questions about disability, power, and dignity.Airports and airlines often frame decisions around safety — but where is the line between care and control? Mark’s experience highlights how quickly concern can morph into blanket policies based on assu
Tom Yendell - Mouth and Foot Painting Artists
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) has been around since 1957 and has a remarkable impact. Tom Yendell from the MFPA is our guest and explains the organisation's purpose: supporting artists who paint without using their hands. There are 33 British artists and nearly 800 worldwide, and they are born with a uniqueness or disability or acquire them later in life. MFPA provides a supporti
The Workplace Problem Nobody Talks About
In this episode of The Way We Roll, we’re joined by Dr Georges Petitjean, founder of WARM (Workplace Addiction Recovery Movement).Georges set up WARM after years of seeing the same pattern play out: Employees struggling with substance use were too nervous to tell their employers because of the potential consequences, including discrimination or career damage, rather than support being offered.Alth
Trauma Porn, Pity Porn, Tragedy or Triumph or Factual - news reporting on disability, early diagnosis and NHS lack of support.
Our first podcast of 2026 has our usual mix of debate, provocation, humour, and, we like to think, important insight. We discuss how disability is reported in the media, and whether we, as disabled readers, have our own bias in seeing it one way. Do medical prognoses collide with our lived experience? If there is no disability voice is there balance? For a second topic, we highlight how one minute
Podcasts of the Year Review 2025
We look back on some highlights from The Way We Roll shows from 2025. We start with disability inclusion, featuring Celia Chatres-Aris, then move on to Making Inclusive Television with Henry Smith, and Adaptive Fashion with Victoria Jenkins. We check in with our most-listened-to show, Phil’s difficult trip to Spain, called Malaga Mayhem. We give honourable mentions to Euan’s Guide head, Kiki McDon
Cut To Size - Accessible Adaptive Fashion
People join an industry, and many adapt to its culture. Occasionally, someone challenges the culture, disrupts it and brings about a new way of thinking. Our guest, Victoria Jenkins, has done just that, and done it in the harsh, fickle world of fashion.Victoria spent 16 years in the fashion industry, acquiring extensive knowledge of garment construction. Among others, she has worked with Victoria
We Want Sex on a Bus!
This month we’re talking about sex and disability — a topic that’s often ignored or treated as taboo. Our guest is Jennie Williams, CEO of Enhance the UK, who’s been a leading voice in breaking down the barriers around intimacy and disability.Jennie talks about what drew her to this work and shares insights from Undressing Disability and The Love Lounge — a space where disabled people can talk ope
I Will Try…To Fix You: Benevolent Bias, Coldplay live and surgery
In case it’s a new term to you, let us start with a definition of Benevolent Bias in relation to disability. The Wiley Dictionary says “usually manifests as pity or charity, paternalistic protection, and condescending or exaggerated praise for common activities.” A new term perhaps, but not a new behaviour. We discuss. Coldplay came to Wembley in August and we went to see them. We discuss the show
What does disability mean in 2025 and DWP making a mess
Depending on where you read it, there could be 13 million or 16 million disabled people in the UK. Some statistics suggest 1 in 4 of us, while others indicate 1 in 5. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch recently suggested the term ‘disabled’ is in danger of losing all meaning. Is she on to something? What is the point of a definition, and what measure do we use? Some who are disabled under the
“Surely, it’s all ok now for disabled people?” Kiki McDonald and Euan’s Guide Access Survey 2025
As a disabled person, when you first start talking to a non-disabled person about the barriers to your participation, you can be met with the response, ‘I thought that’s all sorted now. ’ If you suggest they take a look at 20 shops locally, chances are they’ll find many are not physically accessible. And that’s just a high street. Euan’s Guide carry out a survey asking disabled people in the UK ab
No Time to Waste: Celia Chartes-Aris on the Real Work of Change
Isn’t it great when you speak with someone and they are on your wavelength, but are also so wise that they make you think a little harder?Our guest this month is one of these people. Celia Chartes-Aris is all about policy, research and law. Her impressive impact led to her being crowned No. 1 on the Disability Power 100 list in 2025. However, her real power lies behind the scenes, being well-conne
Malaga Mayhem
The second part of this month’s show is all about Phil’s recent trip to Malaga.After meticulous planning, Phil and Sue, his wife, set off for some winter sunshine. On landing, a broken powered wheelchair meant limitation, frustration, moments of kindness and a lot of stress and cost.How did Phil and Sue manage?So, will they ever fly again? Let's just say the train to Spain is suddenly looking
From Berlin to Malaga Part 1:
Global Disability Summit 2025, BerlinThis month, we’re splitting the show into two parts. First up, Simon recently attended the 3rd Global Disability Summit in Berlin. Simon found himself out of the loop, having not attended an event like this for a decade. As is often the case with huge multi-national conferences, they are overwhelming at times, brilliant for meeting people, and have fantastic sp
Inclusively Made with Henry Smith
Somewhere near the Blue Mountains, just outside Sydney, Australia, something special is happening in production. Our guest, Henry Smith, shares insights about it and the organisation he has co-founded, Inclusively Made. Henry and his partner, Genevieve Clay-Smith, have been creating human-centred films for many years. Henry explains how Genevieve initially stumbled upon working with talented disab
Have the life chances of disabled people improved in the UK since 2005?
It is often said that politicians only think short-term. However, twenty years ago, the Labour government released a report titled “Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People.” This cross-government strategy outlined a programme to enhance the opportunities and life chances for disabled individuals by 2025. The aim was that this year, disabled people in Britain would have full opportunities and
Keep it light: Assisted Suicide update and when is hypocrisy acceptable? Plus best bits of 2024
On Friday, 29th November, Members of Parliament voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Phil, who is part of Not Dead Yet, an organisation that opposed the bill, gives us an update. He was also at the demonstration outside Westminster Palace. On our last podcast, our guest Peter Torres Fremlin said that sometimes, as disabled advocates, we need to mature and acce
Has Our Day Arrived? International Disability perspectives with Susan Scott-Parker and Peter Fremlin Torres
This month, to coincide with the International Day of Persons with a Disability 2024, we will explore the international progress of disability inclusion with our two guests.Susan Scott Parker is a renowned global expert and an authoritative voice on disability and its effects on global business.Peter Torres Fremlin is the editor of Disability Debrief, a newsletter that reports on disability news f
Keep Making Change - Euan’s Guide and Abbi Brown
We were very sorry to hear of the recent passing of Euan MacDonald MBE. Among Euan’s many achievements was the creation of Euan’s Guide, the award-winning disabled access charity. Perhaps best known for the disabled access review website EuansGuide.com, they also make accessible toilets safer and carry out a huge Access Survey. We remember Euan and talk about his impact.We’re delighted to welcome
We don't want Purple Washing - Stephane Leblois, The Valuable 500
Since its launch in 2019, the Valuable 500 has signed up more than five hundred senior executives from worldwide companies and organisations to put disability on the board agenda. So far, so pretty good. But as the Valuable 500 matures, it is now asking more of its members and wants them to report back on progress. It is holding a meeting in Tokyo in December 2025.At the centre of this is our gues
Getting the partnership right and being bold: Alice Maynard CBE DBA and Richard Hawkes OBE
Our guests this month are Alice Maynard and Richard Hawkes, formerly of Scope, a leading disability charity in the UK. In 2010, Alice became Chair, and shortly after, Richard joined as Chief Executive Officer. During their time leading Scope, it went through a significant transformation and a turbulent time. Significant changes included closing services used by disabled people, which attracted pra
It hurts my head and saddens my heart - NHS, disability and being trapped in your own flat
Phil speaks of his disheartening recent experiences at A&E at his local NHS hospital. We grapple with the oh-so-simple task of trying to make the NHS better, as it feels like it’s broken, and how that can break us. A previous guest and friend of the pod, Abbi Brown, was recently trapped in her flat for days. The lift in her block was broken, and although there was another lift, it was beyond a
Suzanne Bull: Live Music, Breast Cancer and me.
If we’re lucky in life, we might find a role that makes sense to us and makes a difference to others. Our guest this month has achieved that and more. A huge music fan, especially of live music, and a disabled person who’d experienced barriers accessing gigs, Suzanne Bull MBE founded Attitude it Everything in 2000. It a charitable organisation which connects disabled people with music and live ev
U.N.ited We Fail and PIP PIP away
We’ve had a show like this before, where we ask what the UK government are doing when it comes to disability and why now. We’re not sure they know what they are doing. PM Rishi Sunak has ‘started a conversation’ on reviewing Personal Independence Payment, the main disability benefit in the UK. He decided to start this just before the local elections and also knowing it cannot be finished before th
Disability and Shame
Admitting shame is a tough thing to do. Perhaps as complex as the shameful experience itself? Clearly, it is not unique to disabled people. Is there something more with us? An additional new perceived weakness, or from internalised ableism, it is hard to ignore but easier to deny. Stigma and societal attitudes can mean we have it thrust upon us if a person, on finding out we are disabled, says, ‘W
Being Noisy: Effective campaigning and Assisted Dying / Suicide latest
Bristol City Council recently reversed their planned cost-cutting strategy, which would have impacted independent living for disabled people. The UK government recently reversed the proposed closure of ticket offices at railway stations, which would have had an impact on disabled people. Sophie Morgan, the Rights on Flights campaigner, appears to be close to getting legal rights for disabled peopl
Not once but twice: losing independent living.
How would you feel if your local authority suggested you move from your home of 30 years to a residential care home because they need to save money? It's something Bristol City Council were proposing for disabled people as they try to reduce their deficit. Although this proposal has been shelved, it might not be the last time we see it. We explore the reasoning, impact and resistance. Becomin
Talking Loud and Clear: Accessible and Inclusive Communications
‘Know your audience and communicate to as many people as you can, including disabled people’, says Sarah Brown Fraser on effective, accessible communication. That Sarah can whittle information down to valuable nuggets might be a consequence of her role as Head of Communications and Policy at the Activity Alliance. As our guest, Sarah is timely, with accessible and inclusive communications being a
Under the Hood with Andrew Miller CEO: Navigating Motability's Road Ahead
Our guest is Andrew Miller, the Chief Executive Officer of Motability Operations (MO). Many of you will know of this unique organisation. Indeed, some of you will be customers. The Motability Scheme leases cars, powered wheelchairs and scooters to more than 700,000 disabled people in the UK. It is the largest car fleet in the UK. Andrew heads up the scheme's delivery, ensuring customers have
Losing Autonomy + It Takes More Than Adjustments + Purple Pound
Simon was at the airport recently. He was on his mobility scooter, and his mum was using an airport wheelchair. Looking at the long line in the disabled passport queue, his walkie-talkie sister and cousin decided to move to the non-disabled line. We explore what happened and how it made Simon feel. The Business Disability Forum has produced a second adjustments in the workplace piece of research.
Disability Confident but Don’t Assume
They say you shouldn’t kick a person when they’re down. It feels right now the UK Government are down. And unfortunately for them, Phil and Simon have found more reasons why they deserve maybe not a kick but a strong toe poke. Launched in late September 2023, Ask Don’t Assume is the government’s disability awareness-raising campaign. It asks everyone to avoid making assumptions about disabled pe
7 Daily Hurdles, UN Snubs, and Personal Journeys
Forbes Online posted an article which showed the 7 things disabled people have to think about, which non-disabled types don’t have to. Simon thinks it’s informative and helpful, like an access rider. Phil bemoans why we still need to tell people the basics. There are big concerning issues relating to disability right now. Why isn’t the UK Government meeting with the UN about its obligations under
Motorbikes, Memoirs, and Making Waves: Sophie Morgan Unplugged
In an exceptional show, our guest is the remarkable human that is Sophie Morgan. Sophie often finds liberation on a motorbike. She pops up frequently on TV, presenting Crufts or the Paralympics as a guest on Loose Women or breakfast TV. This past year she’s been promoting her autobiography Driving Forwards: A Journey of Resilience and Empowerment After Life-Changing Injury. She’s a powerful campai
‘Failing upwards’ and ‘Able-anxiety’ with FlawBored Theatre Company
Can you fail upwards? Aarian Mehrabani from FlawBored Theatre says that is what they have done. With his theatre company co-founders Samuel Brewer and Chloe Palmer, they have created a play that pushes the boundaries of disability arts and arts more broadly. How has the audience reacted? Do those with a disability react differently to those who aren’t disabled (the answer is sometimes yes)? After
When is the word ‘vulnerable’ the right word? Plus celebrating Lenny Rush
A bumper show this month. There’s an underlying theme around the erosion or optionality of including disabled people. What do you do when you’re hotel room isn’t ready…especially when you return to the hotel after a night out at midnight and find out? Move to another room? Not so simple if you’re a wheelchair user. Kat Watkins had this happen to her, and we explore what coulda shoulda happened. Di
If disability is so good, why don’t we all become disabled?
Disability talk and debate: what might be the consequences of how we talked about being disabled, reducing benefit fraud, the impact of the digital divide and street harassment, all discussed by Phil and Simon? What are your thoughts on benefit fraud? How should it be tackled? Are the Tories being absurd or frightening? Simon recently saw a play, ‘It’s a Mother f**king Pleasure’ at the Soho Theatr
From Croissants to Controversies: Phil & Simon's Tasty Take on Disability Classics
Three disability classics in this months show. It’s Phil and Simon debating and exploring. Firstly an independent American short film highlights how to ask for help as a disabled person and how best other people can offer it. Called ‘Act of God’, the film explores different strategies and responses in a witty and thoughtful way. It gets us talking and Simon gets moody whilst Phil stays calm and po
Are we looking at disability through the wrong lens?
Peter Torres Fremlin joins us this month. He’s a prolific writer and journalist, specifically the Disability Debrief which is a newsletter reporting on disability news from around the world and the people that are making change happen.He has lived and worked in many countries, including Bangladesh and Egypt and worked for several large international organisations such as the International Labour O
Give me a child until she is seven and I will show you the adult. Our guest is Ruth Owen
Dr Ruth Owen OBE started in the tech industry, then became CEO of Whizz-Kidz, a national children’s disability charity. Two years ago, Ruth accepted a demanding and, some consider, contentious role, becoming CEO of one of the big disability charities in the UK, Leonard Cheshire. Ruth is our guest this month. As we spoke with Ruth, we moved away from her career and considerable achievements to find
Gym Gains and Grandchildren: Navigating Life's Highs and Lows
Welcome to the first show of 2023, where Phil and Simon are ready to serve up the year's hot topics! In this episode, we'll discuss everything from the highs and lows of 2022 to the exciting things on the horizon for 2023.First up, we'll be talking about the joys of hitting the gym as a visibly disabled person. It's not always easy, but the gains are worth it (pun intended). We
Networkologist with a splash of Purple Obstinacity
Creating change in the world of disability takes many skills. One perhaps less recognised is finding the right word for the right moment. Our guest this month is adept at this and would give Gyles Brandreth a run for his money. Kate Nash is the founder and chief executive of Purple Space, a professional development membership hub for disability employee resource groups. Her recently published firs
Strictly Right or Wrong / Not All Disabilities Are INvisible
Phil and Simon are ripping it up, pushing the conversation, and exploring the boundaries of where we are today when it comes to disability. There’s fun, seriousness, thoughtfulness, respectful disagreement, celebration and controversyWe ask why does the ‘life stops after becoming disabled’ idea remain so strong? Phil explores his concerns about Ellie Simmonds going on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing,
A history of disability activism and disabled people in politics
Professor David Turner is a social and cultural historian with expertise in disability, medicine, gender and the body. He is our guest this month. David’s current research explores the history of disabled people’s political activism in Britain since the eighteenth century. In an accessible and illuminating conversation, he tells us of the earliest known recorded documentation of disability rights
How can you represent 13 million diverse disabled people’s interests? Here’s how!
Our guest is Gordon McCullough, the Chief Executive Officer of the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RIDC). If you’ve not come across the RIDC, they are a well-established research organisation with a panel of more than 3500 disabled people. As Gordon has said, "No business would actively exclude a fifth of its potential customer base, yet many do by not being accessible to disabled
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Laughs
Some people fear disability and comedy. Not so our guest this month. Steven Verdile created the satirical website The Squeaky Wheel to create and publish funny stories with disability as a theme. Steven explains how the site came about, what inspired the name and how the growing team of writers write the material. An expanding and loyal readership means the site is thriving. It’s even been the an
Television and Disability Special - with Allan MacKillop and Nichola Garde
If disability and television are your thing, you will have noticed some significant improvements of late. On-screen, we know #RepresentationMatters but behind the camera is equally important.Our guests this month are two of the people who are instrumental in changing the landscape of disability and television. Nichola Garde is the Project Manager of Elevate. This is the BBC’s mid-career-boosting s
Nothing About Us Without Us!
It’s a fantastic show this month - insight, depth, nostalgia, vulnerability, power and the future. The BBC recently broadcast a docudrama telling the story of the disability rights campaigners of the early 1990s in the UK. Using the love story between two key protagonists, Then Barbara Met Allan is a landmark piece of television. Not only because of the story it told but the number of creative di
Don't You, Forget About Me. Immunocompromised people and Covid restrictions
Coronavirus restrictions are easing here in the UK and around the world. We are said to be on the road to freedom; masks are dropping, hand sanitiser solidifying, and we're willing to take a chance again. For many, this is excellent news, but not for all. For those who are immunocompromised (500,000 people UK) or clinically extremely vulnerable (3.7m people UK), the road to freedom has many p
Review of 2021. What’s ahead in 2022?
We had a chat with regular guest Joanna Wootten and cultural critic Geoff Spink to ask them their disability or Deaf stand out moment from 2021 and what they’re excited about in 2022. We added our highlights in there too.The stand out moments for us is very broad and includes Strictly Come Dancing, Abnormally Funny People comedy at the Royal Festival Hall, the next Lewis Hamilton racing in Bahrain
Oh Bristol, so much to answer for - Getting paid for disability advocacy & creating a safe place or exclusion?
Bristol recently advertised for a Commissioner for their Disability Equality Commission. You need skills and experience and be expected to be a spokesperson. Time commitment is up to seven working weeks a year. Salary, zero. How much do we value equalities work? What value do we give to different contributions? When should we get paid, and when is it voluntary? How do we value those who help achie
Agree to disagree? Assisted Suicide, Disability on Television
Two topics feature in this months podcast. Gardners might use the term perennials to describe them. Others might say weeds that never quite go away. Two topics we discuss and we disagree on, but we have an enjoyable and explorative discussion getting there. Assisted suicide, aka assisted dying, is back in the spotlight as Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill passed through the House of Lords at
Chronic illness and Disability, intersection and separation
In the UK one of the first pieces of disability rights legislation was the 1970 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. Over the next three decades, disability rights campaigners made a distinction between illness and impairment, for understandable reasons but perhaps with hindsight, this has had unintended consequences. Language is returning to including both, so disabled people and people wit
Get Up, Stand Up for Your Rights (and micro-aggressions)
Delivering training on disability means you get some excellent questions on the subject. A colleague of ours was recently asked, ‘Is impotence a disability under the Equality Act?’ We try and work it out by exploring the impact and then ask, what sort of discrimination might arise to see a case?After last month’s hugely popular show about the word Ableism we move to another relatively new term - m
Ableism doesn’t mean what you think it means.
Have you noticed a change in how disability is discussed? For example, words like ‘ableism’ and ‘internalised ableism’ are perhaps not mainstream but more commonplace, especially on social media. We were thrilled when Professor Fiona Kumari Campbell, Professor of Disability and Ableism Studies, University of Dundee, agreed to come on the show. In an authoritative and entertaining interview, Fiona
Disability and ability coexist
A full show, we have several current topics and two brilliant guests. Author Victoria Scott has written a book that is, influenced by her relationship with her sister (who is disabled) and the family dynamics when deciding if medical intervention is the right path. Geoff Adams-Spink tells us about Netflix smash, Lupin plus a new Radio 4 show, The Confessional where celebrities admit to behaviour t
Struggling or Floundering? When do you help a disabled person?
In her recent Guardian article, Dr Frances Ryan raised concerns that ‘Remote working has been life-changing for disabled people, don’t take it away now‘ As we come out of lockdown, we know that some companies are expecting employees to be back in the office 9 to 5, seven days a week. Ryan also flags up concerns regarding cultural events. Is there a new risk that organisers might say disabled peop
Missed it by half a second!
One person, many facets: disability, ethnicity, mental health, being a woman and youth.On this month's show, we are delighted to welcome Doaa Shayea. In her 22 years, she has packed in an extraordinary amount.Doaa talks frankly about her mental health challenges and what she's learned about herself and the world she lives in. Energetic, resilient and determined, she faces the future with
Say the Word
If you use the word ‘disabled’ with something you’re promoting, do people switch off? If you create a product to assist a disabled person but ignore this, are you authentic? Are products created for disabled people only used by disabled people…except the telephone, electric can openers, electric windows, pre-cut fruit, voice dictation, automatic doors…but other than these…? Does the word ‘disabili
A few good interpreters - sign language and Deaf jurors, poor transport customer service, drugs and AI
Finally, Deaf people have to endure jury duty… ahem, can fulfil their civic duty like everyone else. After many years of campaigning Deaf people who use sign language, will be able to serve on juries. Common law rules ban the presence of a “stranger” in the jury deliberation room, but this will now be changed, allowing a BSL interpreter in. Wow, last month’s show was popular! We heard from so many
One giant leap for disabled people and two steps back.
This month we explore outer space or more specifically the opportunity that some disabled people might get to become an astronaut. Clearly, the European Space Agency see disability as a positive in their quest for new talent. However, when it comes to vaccines and ‘do not resuscitate’ notices and learning disabled people, there’s evidence that they are not a priority or perhaps worse. Would you da
“There’s no such thing as a single-issue struggle, we don't live single-issue lives”
A considered show this month with Phil and Simon. We review the deeply unsettling BBC documentary ‘Targeted - the truth about disability hate crime’. You can watch it on iPlayer. On YouTube, we've posted a video of us discussing the documentary. (links to both below)Simon recently attended some equality training called Beyond Bias, delivered by Guilaine Kinouani from Race Reflections. Two ele
Affirmative model, vaccinations and problematic parakeets (again!)
Two jabs Phil has had both vaccinations to protect him from Covid-19. How has it changed him? Is he wild and free at last or staying in with the windows closed? Never one to miss a debate about one of the models of disability, Simon asks Phil what does he think of the ‘affirmative model’. Is this the answer to the charity/tragedy model of disability? If it’s valid, how can it become useful? Stick
Nikki Fox - The lost weekend in a hotel in lockdown
With skill, talent, and application Nikki Fox has become a regular face on British television. She might be presenting a piece on the nightly news bulletins as BBC News’ Disability Correspondent. Or she’s reporting on a consumer issue on BBC's Watchdog and increasingly, she randomly appears on The One Show. Last year she was named as the most powerful disabled person in the UK. How did she d
When I said, ‘Stop the world, I want to get off' I didn’t mean this!
Welcome to our final show of 2020. Never missing a controversy, we start the show asking if Covid 19 and the move to home working, gave disabled employees an unfair advantage if employers prioritise and pay for their adjustments and not those of non-disabled colleagues.Ex-BBC TV maker, Emma West wrote an article asking “Where are we now in terms of representation of disability in popular culture?”
Alex Brooker:Defined
TV presenter, Alex Brooker started his career as a sports journalist at the Liverpool Echo. In 2012 he became part of a brand new comedy show, The Last Leg on Channel 4, now in its 20th series. He recently made a documentary for the BBC entitled ‘Disability & Me’ which we reviewed, Alex heard that show and now he’s our guest. We cover disability and identity, what the phrase ‘disability doesn
The Man in the Hat Comes Back
A tech journalist, by day, a musician by night Steve O'Hear is a quietly confident disabled person, all the time. Earlier this year, Steve released an album entitled, ‘Between Floors’. After a few listens, Simon and Phil decided that they needed to have a chat with the man in the hat.Steve has a large presence in the niche field of tech finance journalism. He's been working from home (ef
Is becoming disabled desirable? Telethon's back. Now I find, I've changed my mind and opened up the doors, Help me!
It’s the 1 to 1 show where Phil and Simon chat over the latest topics. If you’d like to hear two liberally minded, disabled men get themselves in an academic mess, this is the show for you. Simon mentions an academic article from the New Discourses website, that asks if radical disability studies support ‘transableism’. This is when someone who is not disabled feels that they are. They may seek su
Drug Research, Language, Stress, Cycle Lanes and Whitstable High Street?
No messing, this month our show dives headfirst into seeing whether Simon’s stresses have lifted. As a result, we drift into how Phil is and why he hasn’t been out for a while. As if that weren’t enough, Simon expresses his very biased concerns about a drug under trial called Vosoritide. Why? In essence, it will make some people with dwarfism taller. Incidentally, in case you didn't know Octo
Water Off a Swimmer's Back - Ellie Simmonds
Being thrust into the limelight aged thirteen could mess with your head a little. Then staying at the top of your game for more than ten years, that’s a lot of pressure. Being seen as a figurehead for the Paralympic movement, a role model for youth, for young women, for people with dwarfism and with disabilities, the weight is immense. Somehow Ellie Simmonds remains the most likeable and unaffecte
Do you want to be cured?
This month the one to one show has depth, sadness, reflection and frivolity.The World Health Organisation has eradicated polio in Africa. Phil got polio as a toddler. Simon asks him how does he feel about there being no more polio people? Phil talks about the impact, good and bad that it has had on the direction his life has taken.Phil has had trouble in his own backyard: parakeets, rabbits and he
If you fall don't bawl!
Geoff Adams-Spink is a Thalidomide survivor, one of the children born in the late 1950s early 60s, with physical and sensory differences after their mother unwittingly took a drug during pregnancy that caused the impairments. Speaking to your mum about why this happened can’t be easy, but Geoff did have that conversation. His parents had great expectations of him, his mother had a mantra to suppor
Go out? Or not go out? That is the Question
It’s the format you tell us you love. When Phil and Simon shoot the breeze and take potshots at one another with the occasional wisecrack. This month, disability ninjas, changing places, Zoom fatigue and social care: crisis and funding. Changing Places toilets are the larger loos in public places for those who might need more assistance, a hoist or changing station. After a consultation, the regul
Jazz Trumpet, Maya Angelou and Inclusive Design - John Corcoran explains.
From Jazz Trumpet to Inclusive Design - John Corcoran shares his journey on The Way We Roll.John Corcoran is a man of many parts whos life and experiences have included being in a pop band, playing jazz trumpet and working as a jazz club impresario. (He once booked Ronnie Scott and Maya Angelou). He has over thirty years of experience and expertise in design, technology, brand, communication, mark
Brooker, Cancel culture, pride and the last iron lung
“…swimming pools were shut. Cinemas, too, and bars and bowling alleys. Church services were suspended. Cities doused their streets with DDT insecticide…they had to be seen to be doing something. Nothing seemed to work. As the summer wore on, the numbers of polio cases grew”Did you think we were talking about Covid-19? Phil talks of the ‘last man who used the Iron Lung’, an early medical method to
High on a Hill was a Purple Goat
Now in his mid-30s, Martyn Sibley suggests he prefers slippers and hot chocolate to hot air ballooning. However, he admits there are still a few adventures he would like to undertake. Martyn says he’s ‘a regular guy who happens to have a disability called 'Spinal Muscular Atrophy’ (SMA). He is driven by his mission. When he wakes up, he knows he’s going to be working on one of his several pro
Are you sure they've got the right Tanni Grey-Thompson?
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is a national figure, a person who has moved from a highly successful athletics career to being a prominent political figure in Westminster, as if this was always the plan. How did she manage that? Born in Cardiff, she picked up the ‘Tanni’ name from her sister’s mispronunciation. She also picked up a strong work ethic from her parents, especially her dad. This meant s
51: What did we learn during Covid 19?
Phil & Simon pressed pause on life and pressed record on Zoom audio to record a special podcast. We have stopped the weekly podcasts and felt we needed a wrap up show inviting back some of our favourite guests. Baroness Jane Campbell, Joanna Wootten and Geoff Adams-Spinks kindly accepted and answer our three questions. What's been hardest during Covid 19 so far?What have you learnt?What w
50: The Phil & Simon Show - Face It with James Partridge
You’re out with a friend or colleague and because they look different from many, they are receiving some stares which you notice. What should you do? If you’re out with James Partridge, ask him, as it’s highly likely that he’s noticed way before you and he’s already ‘dealing with it’. James is a distinguished person. In his life, his family, his career and a few other ways too. In 1990 his first b
49: The Phil & Simon Show Special - What's in it for me?
Why would anyone voluntarily say they have a disability, impairment or long term health condition? Might a reason be when there’s a global pandemic and you feel you’re susceptible? Or bluntly, if you need your supermarket shopping delivered?Trainer, consultant and former lawyer Joanna Wootten asks if more older people are coming out of the ‘disability closet’ acknowledging they have a condition. W
Recommended
10th Floor Podcasts
10 to Life
1128 MINISTRY
11 O'Clock Comics Podcast
123 GO! Food
1-2-3 Learn Spanish with Me!
128 Civics Questions for U.S. Citizenship Test
12 Hour Sound Machines for Sleep (no loops or fades)
#12minconvos
12 Minute Meditation
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson, Book Summary, Podcast, English
1440 Explores
