In this episode of ListenABLE , Angus O'Loughlin and Dylan Alcott are joined by Rita Havea, a model, content creator and disability advocate living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a progressive genetic neuromuscular condition, "Went and saw a genetic counsellor, linked myself to CMT support groups, did as much research as possible,'cause I felt that made me feel stronger in myself". The conversation also delves into how disability can affect family dynamics, particularly when conditions ...
Jun 29, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 128
In this episode of ListenABLE , hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin speak with Cherie Clonan — autistic business leader, digital marketing expert, and founder of The Digital Picnic. Diagnosed with Autism later in life, Cherie shares her lived experience as a neurodivergent woman, parent of autistic children, and CEO of one of Australia’s most human-centric digital agencies. "The way I parent, the way I show up in my marriage, I'm a better friend for that diagnosis sitting in my life now..." ...
Jun 16, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 127
In this episode of the ListenABLE Podcast , your hosts Dylan and Angus are joined by John Mckenna , a renowned disability advocate, podcaster, and expert with over 60 years of lived experience navigating life with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. John is a passionate advocate for disability rights, independence, and the importance of community support for people with disabilities. John's journey highlights the evolution of assistive technologies, from early electric wheelchairs to cutting-edg...
Jun 01, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 126
In this episode of ListenABLE , hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin speak with Peta Hooke , a podcaster and disability advocate living with C erebral Palsy . As the creator and host of The I Can’t Stand Podcast , Peta brings a practical perspective to disability representation, drawing from her personal experiences and conversations within the disabled community. Peta discusses what it’s like to live independently with a physical disability, the ongoing role of support workers, and the reali...
May 18, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Nick Dempsey is an Australian disability advocate, motivational speaker, and content creator whose life changed dramatically after a diving accident on his 21st birthday left him with a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. While celebrating with friends at his parents’ home, he misjudged a dive into a shallow backyard pool, dislocating his neck upon impact. "Just after talking about how good my mates are, they broke my neck and then went down to the pub..." Nick has since become a powerful voice...
May 04, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Paralympian, and unapologetic voice for change—Al Viney joins ListenABLE hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin for a bold conversation about disability, elite sport/rowing, and the systems that still need fixing. "Differentiating between an injury was bad and my disability is not bad". Al breaks down what really happens after a life-changing injury, from navigating inaccessible medical language to challenging the rules of Paralympic classification. She shares the highs and hard truths of compe...
Apr 21, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 123
“Hello I'm Rosie, I'm disabled, I'm here, I'm proud of it listen to us make us in the conversation because we are not ever going to go away!”. On this episode of ListenABLE , Angus O'Loughlin is joined by the unstoppable Rosie Jones — comedian, writer, actor, and all-round legend. With her razor-sharp wit and deliciously dark humour, Rosie doesn’t just take up space in the comedy world — she owns it. She spills on everything from growing up with cerebral palsy to tackling the stand-up circuit wi...
Apr 06, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 122
In this episode of ListenABLE , hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Charles Brice , a quadriplegic journalist and ABC News Breakfast presenter , to discuss his career and experiences in the media industry. "I don't want to be pigeonholed as a 'Disability Reporter'... I've got many other interests outside my injury. So I've thought that was really important for my career" After a motorbike accident at 19 , Charles transitioned from an aspiring pilot to a journalist, using his pl...
Mar 23, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Matt Formston is a world champion surfer, Paralympian, and Guinness World Record-holder, known for surfing 51-foot waves at Nazaré and breaking barriers in not only his sport but his own perceptions of himself. "I’ve worked out it’s because I was fearful of being different... Now, I’m proud of my disability, and it’s part of who I am, " Discover his unique approach to surfing, where his "front foot becomes my cane, " and hear how his safety team and spotters help him navigate extreme waves with ...
Mar 10, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Tommy Quick , a true testament to resilience and determination to "prove people wrong" every single day of his life At just 12 years old, Tommy had a stroke , leaving him in a coma for five weeks. His recovery was nothing short of extraordinary— relearning life skills and overdelivering on people's expectations of him through sheer perseverance. Bringing on such high stakes challenges such as the 'gruelling' Kokoda trail. Tommy shares his ambitious mission: cycling to the four furthest points of...
Feb 23, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 119
What’s it like to live with Usher syndrome , a condition that causes both progressive vision loss and deafness ? "I really, really struggle with the fact that my hearing loss is almost a hidden disability?" In this episode, Malaine Robinson shares her experience of adapting to life with dual disabilities, from early diagnosis to becoming a guide dog handler and falling in love with her 'partner in crime' Dessi. What You’ll Learn: The challenges of navigating daily life with Usher syndrome. How g...
Feb 10, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 118
"There is no way that I'm getting back in the water... and I never thought I would go back again" In this episode of the ListenABLE Podcast , hosts Angus O'Loughlin and Dylan Alcott dive into the extraordinary journey of retired Paralympic swimmer Ellie Cole, one of Australia's most celebrated athletes. With 17 Paralympic medals, including six gold, Ellie has not only redefined success in the pool but is now making waves as a prominent media personality and advocate for inclusion. Ellie shares h...
Dec 08, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 117
"So it wasn't until I was introduced to wheelchair sports... then I think I found my tribe" It's finally time... join us for an unforgettable episode featuring Louise Sauvage , a trailblazer in the Paralympic movement and a true icon in disability sports history. From dominating wheelchair racing tracks to shaping the future as a coach and podcast host, Louise shares her incredible story of her relationship with the Paralympics, and innovation, and impact she believes it's had on not only her li...
Nov 24, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 116
In this episode of ListenABLE, host Angus O'Loughlin sits down with Amy Evans—a dynamic 26-year-old and owner of 'Little Black Dress Digital' marketing agency, living with a rare genetic condition called Nemaline Rod Muscular Myopathy . Amy opens up about her journey growing up as a twin who has the same disability and the power of support systems. As well as the inclusive world of fashion, horse racing and what it's like to live in a day with Nemaline Myopathy. Amy also shares a confronting beh...
Nov 10, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 115
"It ultimately hinges on the coach's willingness and the environment's openness to embrace disability and foster understanding." Join us in the ListenABLE studio as we welcome the remarkable Rowan Crothers, a three-time Paralympian and six-time medalist, for an exclusive behind the curtain for the recent Paris Paralympics (2024). In this captivating episode, Rowan dives into: The important ways classifications shape sponsorship opportunities for Paralympic athletes. How Cerebral Palsy can be an ...
Oct 27, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Join Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin as they speak with Andrew Dewberry, better known as DJ Dewbs ! In this episode, Andrew shares his unique journey as a rising star in the music scene while living with Spina Bifida. Discover the heart behind his music and the vital role of Ability Fest in promoting inclusivity. The trio dives into the ongoing challenges of accessibility in the music industry and tackles common misconceptions about artists with disabilities, breaking down barriers and shining...
Oct 13, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Diving into his passion for health and fitness, Kyle Willmington launched a creative social media challenge, inspiring others to make healthier choices by testing the limits of his disability, Charcot Marie Tooth. With a focus on the power of mindset, Kyle discusses how he navigates obstacles and the vital support he receives from family and friends. As the episode draws to a close, Kyle reveals his exciting vision for a community centered on wellness and education for individuals with disabilit...
Sep 29, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 112
"Oh don't hang around Emma you might get Autism" Emma Tomlinson, an independent artist and professional musician, shares her experience as an Autistic person and speaks with Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin about how music has been a powerful tool for communication and self-expression. She discusses her journey from being selectively mute as a child to finding her voice through Opera and the performing arts. She even shares that art with us in the episode! Emma emphasises the importance of repr...
Sep 15, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Host of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Dylan Alcott talks about the amazing yet limiting TV set he will be presenting the games to millions of Australians back home. In this episode you'll hear: Curt McGrath talk about the incredible first words he said after losing his legs to a roadside bomb while serving fro the Army. Madison De Rozario is competing in her 5th Paralympic games and is looking to go back to back Gold Medals in the marathon after a successful Tokyo campaign. We ask her what she woul...
Sep 01, 2024•31 min
Ahead of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony Thursday Morning (Australian time) the ListenABLE Podcast has 2 special episodes speaking with our past and competing Australian Paralympians. In this episode you'll hear: Jarryd Clifford is set to compete in the 1500m and 5000m events and speaks about the hilarious reason why he doesn't use a guide even though he is legally blind Paul Harpur is a Paralympian across two different sports! Goalball and athletics. He speaks about setting a PB at ...
Aug 25, 2024•30 min
This Australian comedian and actress is on the pursuit to change the landscape of the Australian TV Industry and it's inclusion of creators with disability. But how do you break into an industry when you're considered a "distraction"? "I realised that if I want to be a part of change I also need to be creating content". Born with Ectrodactyly, Loz describes her lim difference as " Three fingers on my right hand and kind of four and a half, let's call it four and a half fingers on the other hand"...
Aug 11, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 110
James Chapman Pseudoachondroplasia Dwarfism has taken him around the world, representing Australia in sport, attracting plenty of attention and interesting ways to get around in style, some suitcases are double his size! His adventures don’t stop internationally as he shreds local surf breaks and skates like Tony Hawk thanks to his lower centre of gravity, at 3 ft 7 inches. And for someone who's belief system are rooted Christianity how does ‘god’s perfect image’ shape a relationship for James a...
Jul 28, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 109
"The telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell, whose wife and mother were Deaf, and could not use the phone. It's Ironic!" Chief Internet Evangelist for Google Vint Cerf is widely recognised and applauded for being a pioneer in the invention of the internet, redefining not only connecting software and people on incredible scale but also accessibility and access worldwide. Vint, who is Hard of Hearing, speaks about how technology has transformed his and wife Sigrid's lives from communication ...
Jul 14, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 108
"I've been in really hot cars where like if a person could get out, they would. It's sometimes a dangerous situation". With only 5 minutes notice, any time, any place - Tayla Richardson could be trapped in her own body and there's no way to stop it. " After developing her disability in adulthood, Tayla was diagnosed with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, leaving her muscles to be weaker after they're used, sometimes resulting her to enter periodic paralysis for 2-3 hours at a time. Having a "Dynam...
Jun 30, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 107
There's complexity to Knox Gibson's story. At age 3, his grandfather ran over Knox on the family property with his lawn mower, causing the amputation of his arm. Had that accident not occurred, would Knox now be spending months overseas filming for The Hunger Games? Would he be trailing for his first ever Paralympics, hopeful for a ticket to Paris? Actor, Athlete, Endorsements and still in school! BUT What would life have looked like had the accident never happened? Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loug...
Jun 16, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 106
THE DAY OF APRIL 6TH, 2018 CHANGED THE LIVES OF 29 FAMILIES FOREVER. This episode of ListenABLE we speak with Ryan Straschnitzki who's Hockey team was involved in a head on collision with a semi truck killing fifteen and injuring everyone from coaches, team staff and players like Ryan. "My first instinct was just to get up. That's all I could repeat in my head was 'just get up'. Bt I'm not moving. I look at my legs and they're not moving and there's nothing on top of them" Today Ryan talks about...
Jun 02, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 105
“As a first movie as well, the adrenaline was just insane! Like Seeing Chris (Hemsworth), seeing everyone, it was just amazing” - Sean Millis on ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’. You've probably seen Sean on your social feed before! Whether it's Australian television's ‘The Voice’ where Sean describes the gravity of the blind audition as being “scared and a bit anxious” to the journey of now playing a character in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, can Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin get an exclu...
May 19, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 104
In age of dating in Australia, dating apps aren’t cutting it anymore, especially when you have disability. When Jack Day was given the chance to join the new cast of "Never Have I Ever" Season 2, finding love was merely a bonus. When it comes to modern dating and making lasting connections, Jack's charisma and endearing storytelling style will have you smiling as he discusses his own preferences for love and more importantly why individuals with disabilities should be taken more seriously when i...
May 05, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 103
"When I fly I am a very different person, I am my true self" Ask yourself this question: Would you be comfortable with the pilot of your plane being Autistic? With his passion for promoting real inclusion for people on the Spectrum, Hayden McDonald (22) is Australia's first "Unofficial" Pilot who is Autistic to fly solo across Australia. "Don't want to take that risk and doesn't want to be Neurodiverse Friendly" is when Hayden speaks with Angus and Dylan on the significance of dismantling barrie...
Apr 21, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 102
“I’ve always been talking about my disability through the lens of fashion” With over 120k followers on social media, April Lockhart's limb difference has now become her "greatest accessory" as she educates the public about her disability. April's ability to tell stories through her outfits on social media is one of passion and authenticity as she chats to ListenABLE on how fashion comes first over function every single time. In addition, April shares her "mixed relationship with Fashion Week," d...
Apr 07, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 101
