The Way We Roll

Simon Minty and Phil Friend

A seriously funny take on life from the disability driven duo... Simon Minty and Phil Friend.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    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 expected to be in their workplaces. Does this have a disproportionate and negative impact on disabled employees? That said, we need to ensure we don’t argue for a world where disabled people only work from home.  Ten years ago, in April 2016, we recorded our first podcast. Back then, the Brexit referendum had just begun, there was a review of disability benefits and a doctors’ strike. Plus ça change! We remember the first pod and highlight a couple of favourite moments since. To wrap up, Phil has good news after MSPs rejected a law to introduce assisted suicide in Scotland, and Simon recommends the Disability And… podcast with Jack Thorne and Eli Beaton, who talk about disability and television.  Links BBC I Swear director says Baftas 'let down' Tourette's campaigner The Guardian letters re BAFTA  BAFTA Statement Feb 2026 BAFTA Tourette's row has 'reversed' film's message Tourettes Hero  Remote Jobs Are Disappearing — And Disabled Workers Are Paying The Price Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dying Disability and… Access to TV podcast  First show April 2016

    42 min

  2. 27 MAR

    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 assumptions rather than evidence, leaving disabled passengers powerless and stranded. Mark shares his story of being refused boarding on a flight from Istanbul to London simply because he has Parkinson’s—and no doctor’s letter to “prove” he was fit to fly.  It’s a deeply personal account of confusion, humiliation, and bureaucratic indifference in one of the world’s busiest airports. Mark describes the humiliation, isolation, and loss of autonomy, from being publicly questioned to wandering an airport alone without support or information. Mark’s response to this experience — fuelled by anger and a strong network- has helped force a policy change. The episode explores how collective voices, media attention, and persistence can turn a personal injustice into wider change. Links Mark Mardell Wikipedia  BBC article 27th October 2025 Rights on Flights

    35 min

  3. 27 FEB

    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 supportive environment for artists to express themselves creatively, often helping them regain a sense of purpose after experiencing life-altering events. It supports artists with disabilities by providing grants, art materials, and local tutors to help them become professional artists. Digital art represents both a threat and a challenge for the MFPA. The organisation needs to bring along the supporters who prefer the non-digital work and explore digital options to attract a younger demographic. 2026 is a big year for the AMFPA with its 70th Anniversary Conference and four-day exhibition in London in April.  Links Mouth and Foot Painting Artists  Wikipedia on international AMFPA VDMFK and the London conference  Open Road Access WAV vehicle hire

    23 min

  4. 20 FEB

    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. Although in recent years there’s been a rise in openness about work-related mental health conversations, addiction has largely been left out. That silence matters, with around 8–10% of employees affected by substance use disorders. Only a small fraction ever receives treatment; most are at work and coping alone. Our conversation explores why some organisations still insist “this isn’t happening here” – a familiar reaction to anyone who remembers when disability was hushed up. We talk about how stigma, language, and fear delay support, often until things reach a crisis point. Georges explains why WARM focuses on psychological safety rather than diagnosis or discipline. The aim is simple but powerful: make it safer to talk, easier to seek help, and more normal to access support early. That benefits individuals, teams, and organisations alike. We also dig into the overlaps – addiction, mental health, chronic pain, prescribed medication, disability, and work culture. Addiction itself isn’t recognised as a disability under the Equality Act, but the associated mental health conditions often are. Georges outlines plans for a pilot with employers who want to lead rather than look away. This means small changes, better language, clearer signposting and a willingness to know what’s really going on. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about something we don’t talk about enough – and why it needs to be discussed more. Links www.warmatwork.org

    24 min

  5. 30 JAN

    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 you can get a lot of support as a disabled person, and then suddenly it drops off. When we have little choice of service providers, we often have to put up with poor service. Why are these outsourced service providers getting it so wrong?  Our topics were prompted by the BBC report about singer Jessy Nelson having twin baby daughters who both have SMA. Then there’s the Guardian article written by wheelchair user Paul Sagar, about his trials in getting a wheelchair after an accident.  To finish up, we do our own Spotify Wrapped with our show numbers and a look ahead to 2026’s guests. Links Little Mix Jessy Nelson’s children Other children talk of their diagnosis Paul Sagar getting frustrated Beyond Mobility  I’m Not Your Inspiration - Stella Young TedTalk How to report on disability responsibly in journalism  Disability News Service

    41 min

  6. 22/12/2025

    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 McDonald, and Jennie Williams, who are talking about sex and disability. Finally, we revisit our February show on the twenty-year strategy for the Life Chances of Disabled People, which ended this year. There’s a bumper Listener’s Corner with your messages. Links Celia Chartres Aris show Inclusively Made with Henry Smith show Adaptive Fashion with Victoria Jenkins show Malaga Mayhem show 20 Years Later, the Life Chances of disabled people show

    55 min

  7. 28/11/2025

    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 Beckham, Sweaty Betty, and Jack Wills. After disability affected her, she realised there was a need for adaptive fashion and a potential gap in the market. We ask Victoria how she started her brand, Unhidden Clothing and what were the significant barriers. We challenge her on the business case, which for so long was seen as a barrier for so long. She tells us about her favourite solo runway shows and what’s next.  Smart, articulate, driven as well as fallible as we all are, Victoria makes a compelling guest.. Links Unhidden website Victoria’s LinkedIn Victoria’s website The Lilac Review The Little Book of Ableism Smile by Mallavora

    48 min

  8. 31/10/2025

    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 openly about sex, relationships and everything that comes with them. From communication and consent to pain, fatigue and body image, we explore what it really means to ask for what you need without embarrassment. We also look at the bigger picture — how stigma, poor sex education and medical assumptions still get in the way, and what can be done to make things more inclusive. As always, Simon and Phil share some of their own experiences — the funny, awkward and very real parts of love and sex when disability is involved. It’s an honest, practical and sometimes surprising conversation about pleasure, connection and the right to be seen as a sexual being. There’s even a discussion about sex on a bus. Links: Enhance the UK Jennie Williams CEO LinkedIn  Instagram Love Lounge Undressing Disability  Sexuality and Disability website  Books The Sexual Politics of Disability: Untold Desires Tom Shakespeare 1996 Ultimate Guide To Sex And Disability: For All of Us Who Live With Disabilities, Chronic Pain and Illness 2020 Sex and Disability 2012

    55 min
See All (127)

4.9
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

A seriously funny take on life from the disability driven duo... Simon Minty and Phil Friend.

Information

  • Creator
    Simon Minty and Phil Friend
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Way We Roll
  • Show Website
    The Way We Roll

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