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Navigating Disability
Welcome to the Navigating Disability Podcast Show!! Your hosts, Kate Read and Jenn Abbott are committed to changing the narrative around 'normal' and 'ability' and look so forward to sharing our weekly guests with you! Get ready to be inspired, empowered and enlivened as we dive into education, lived experiences, expert advice, behind the scenes on political movements and how YOU, our listeners can THRIVE within your community!
So this means, if you, your family, client or loved one are impacted by disability, you've landed on the right channel.
We know how daunting the future can seem from time to time, and when you know you can lean into expert advice and interviews to get your questions answered or your faith renewed, the journey can feel more achievable.
Be sure to subscribe and hit the alerts so you never miss an episode of NAVIGATING DISABILITY with your resident support experts and researchers, Kate Read and Jenn Abbott.
Episodes
35 episodes
Building Soulful Support: Breanna Jenkins on Reimagining Disability Care
What does it really mean to provide neuroaffirming support for young people with disabilities? In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Navigating Disability, we sit down with Breanna Jenkins, founder of
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Episode 35
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26:13
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What the Misfire Taught Me: Letting Go of Shame and Learning to Live Again with Bruce Simpson
In this raw episode of Navigating Disability, hosts Kate Read and Jenn Abbott sit down with Bruce Simpson, a seasoned trial lawyer, disability advocate, and survivor of a profound mental health crisis.Bruce opens up about what...
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Episode 34
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55:23
A Mother’s Intuition: When Love Knows More Than the System
In this profoundly moving episode, we sit down with Giuliana Ferretti, mother, advocate, Advanced Enrolled Nurse, and founder of both Plan Wise Living and the not for profit charity Genovation. During this deeply personal conversation we discus...
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Episode 33
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43:21
Hiding in Plain Sight: What 27 Years of Shame Taught Me
What happens when you spend 27 years hiding a part of yourself the world told you to be ashamed of?In this raw and powerful episode, Chris Ruden opens up about growing up with a limb difference, the emotional toll of internalised ableism...
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Episode 32
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44:41
The Reality of Invisible Disability: Chanelle’s Journey to Self-Love
What happens when you live with a disability no one can see, and few believe?In this deeply moving episode of Navigating Disability, Chanelle Morris shares her powerful journey from shame and silence to self-acceptance and advoc...
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Episode 31
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44:05
Paralysis, Purpose & the Power of Sport with Chris Davis
What does it take to transform trauma into triumph? In this inspiring episode of Navigating Disability, we speak with Chris Davis, an elite para-archer, mental health professional, and proud husband. Paralysed at five due to a polio-type virus,...
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Episode 30
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56:04
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Surviving Burnout, Embracing Diagnosis with Laura Lewis
Laura Lewis is a woman of resilience, revolution, and relentless love. In this emotionally rich episode, Laura shares her journey of being a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD adult, a mental health survivor, and an advocate who turned adversity ...
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48:46
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From Spinal Cord Injury to Emergency Doctor: The Journey of Dinesh Palipana
What happens when a life-changing injury collides with an unshakable dream? In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with Dr. Dinesh Palipana, the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland, as he shares his powerful story of loss, resil...
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48:02
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Parenting Autistic Kids & Late Diagnosis: Mel Spencer’s Story
What happens when your child’s autism diagnosis becomes the mirror that reveals your own? In this moving and empowering episode, we sit down with Mel Spencer OAM—fierce Autistic advocate, CEO of Different Journeys, and mum to three Autistic tee...
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40:56
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Thriving Outside of the Box: Storm Hassett on Queer Identity, Mental Health, and Reframing Disability
What happens when the world tells you you're too different to belong—but you build a space anyway? In this powerful and vulnerable episode, we sit down with Storm Hassett: queer, neurodivergent, Indigenous leader and founder of The Identity Cli...
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35:24
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No Words. No Answers. Just Grit—and a Tiny Dog That Changed Everything.
What if the thing you thought would break you… actually made you unstoppable?At just four years old, Peter Dempsey experienced a life-altering stroke that took away his ability to walk, speak, and connect. Doctors had no answers...
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52:43
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From Survival to Systemic Change: El Gibbs on Leading with Lived Experience
What happens when a life of systemic exclusion fuels a passion for transformative leadership? In this powerful episode, Kate and Jenn sit down with El Gibbs, newly appointed CEO of DANA and longtime disability rights advocate, writer, and polic...
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47:49
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Turning Challenges into Superpowers: Seamus Evans on Life Beyond Labels
Today on Navigating Disability, we welcome the unstoppable Seamus Evans—comedian, speaker, and neurodiversity champion. Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome and ADHD as a child, Seamus shares his remarkable journey of overcoming bu...
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41:09
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Liv’s Legacy: A Father’s Fight to Transform Eating Disorder Care
Robb Evans on Losing His Daughter to Anorexia | Eating Disorder Advocacy & Liv’s LegacyIn this powerful and emotional podcast episode, we sit down with Robb Evans—high-performance coach, health strategist, and father—who shares the h...
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1:03:24
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From Pain to Power: Skye Shannon on Losing a Leg, Gaining Purpose & Fighting for Inclusion
What does it mean to lose a part of yourself—physically and emotionally—and still rise to fight for others? In this raw and deeply human episode of Navigating Disability, we sit down with advocate, speaker, and changemaker Skye Shannon...
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1:07:11
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Redesigning Access: How Robbie Phelan Is Rebuilding Transport for Everyone
This week on Navigating Disability, we’re joined by Robbie Phelan—carpenter by trade, changemaker by mission, and Director and Founder of Modular Transport Access Solutions (MODTAS). Based in Melbourne, Robbie is leading a quiet revolu...
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41:14
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Dr Richard Fejo - An emotional story of survival, resilience, rock bottom and the journey back to fulfillment
*Trigger Warning: This show mentions trauma, suicide, depression, mental health and societal conditioning. If you or anyone you know needs help, call 13 11 14 in Australia*Dr Richard Fejo, better known as Richie, is a Larrakia man of di...
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42:31
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Jordan Jarrett-Bryan - Are we really inclusive? Do we focus on ability rather than disability?
Strap yourself in for this show where all the touchy subjects are touched! Work, friendship, sex, dating, love, inclusivity, discrimination, people of colour, disability.... And so much more!! As super candid and raw conversation w...
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50:53
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Veronica Stephan-Miller The advocate for Ability is calling out the Government on basic human rights!
We are so inspired by Veronica this week and very excited to bring you someone so committed to the cause of awareness and education around disability! This weeks show is REALLY highlighting the ABILITY in disability!! "As ...
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41:45
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Ashleigh Moreland, founder of the Re-MIND Institue reminds us to be present, follow our intuition and develop emotional intelligence to thrive!
Dr Ashleigh Moreland is the founder of Re-MIND Institute, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges and build meaningful, connected lives. Alongside her professional expertise in neuroscience, emotional intelligence, ...
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1:04:48
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Ward Sheehan-Aged Care, NDIS and a story of overcoming the 'system'
What an incredible story of taking on the system and finding success that is helpful for his family and parents. Ward's commitment to finding solutions, creating support and helping YOU discover the supports that are available 'out there' is ev...
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35:01
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Deb Quelch, Neurodivergent mum to 2 amazing autistic boys, a researcher and educator and incredible inspiration
Dive into this weeks podcast for a heart warming and empowering show where Kate & Jenn dive down the rabbit hole and share stories and experiences with a fellow neurodivergent mum, juggling the challenges, the wins and the beautiful discove...
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54:49
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Dr. Hoby Wedler has carved out a unique niche by focusing on how sensory experiences shape human emotions and reactions
Dr. Hoby Wedler is a celebrated chemist and entrepreneur, noted for his innovative work at the nexus of flavor science, organic chemistry, and sensory perception. Holding a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from the University of California, ...
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45:32
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Mark Toomey - Staunch advocate against the harm caused by NDIS and Independent candidate doing something about it!!
Mark Toomey leading the RoboNDIS Campaign - This man means business!The NDIS has a lot to answer for as far as Mark is concerned when you listen to this show, I wonder if you'll agree?Sharing his own battles with the NDIS when h...
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1:02:46
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Autism and Aspergers Advocate Bob Buckley shares his personal lived experience and that of his son driving his passionate commitment to...
Bob Buckley is an autism advocate, known for his contributions to the autism community through leadership, policy development, systemic and individual advocacy. With support from his partner and as Co-convenor of Autism Aspergers A...
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51:15
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