ListenABLE

SESSION in PROGRESS
SESSION in PROGRESS

Challenge what you think it’s like to live with disability.  Hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin speak to people living with disabilities about their lives and ask them the questions you thought were off-limits. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll learn something. This is a podcast for everyone - disabled or abled, and hopes to break down stigmas, change perceptions, and to challenge what you think it’s like to live with disability.

  1. 6 hr ago

    AI Is Failing People With Disability. A Blind Engineer Explains Why

    Three buses passed Santiago “Santi” Velasquez because he could not see when to hail them. Instead of accepting that public transport was not designed for him, the blind electrical engineer decided to build a better system. In this episode of ListenABLE, Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Santi to discuss the experience that inspired Halo, an accessibility-first public transport app that alerts drivers when a passenger needs assistance, where they are boarding and where they need to get off. Santi explains how he became one of the relatively few blind electrical engineers in the world, why his parents taught him that “the only thing you cannot do is see”, and how he learned advanced mathematics, coding and engineering through Braille, audio technology and problem-solving. The conversation also explores the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence for people with disability. Santi argues that AI can be incredibly useful, but only when people with lived experience are included in the data, design and decision-making process. From accessible public transport and guide dog discrimination to Braille literacy, rideshare accountability and the danger of treating people with disability as charity cases, this is a powerful conversation about independence, expectations and designing a world that works better for everyone. As Santi says: “We’re not just charity cases. We have to have high expectations of ourselves because otherwise, who else is going to have them?” In this episode 00:00 “I’ll be damned if I’m going to be a second-class citizen”01:00 Welcome to ListenABLE02:05 Meet Santiago “Santi” Velasquez03:24 Growing up blind in Colombia06:14 Becoming a blind electrical engineer09:12 Learning mathematics, coding and engineering through Braille10:28 The tactile display that lets people feel a screen15:22 Is artificial intelligence actually accessible?20:58 Why blind children still need to learn Braille24:07 High expectations instead of charity25:58 The three buses that inspired Halo28:44 Why disability-led inventions benefit everyone30:20 How passengers with disability become invisible to transport systems31:55 Santi’s global ambition for Halo34:39 How the Halo public transport app works36:25 Who should pay for accessible transport technology?38:14 Creating accountability across transport and rideshare services42:36 Why sharing lived experience matters44:04 The Bowl of Uncomfortable46:10 What people need to know about guide dogs48:07 Santi’s final message Learn more about Santi and Hailo Request Hailo in your city: Download and use Halo if you are travelling on participating services in Victoria. Follow the ListenABLE hosts Dylan Alcott:https://www.instagram.com/dylanalcott/ Angus O’Loughlin:https://www.instagram.com/angus_oloughlin/ ListenABLE:https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ Production ListenABLE is recorded and produced in partnership with SESSION in PROGRESS, Melbourne’s video podcast studio and production team. SESSION in PROGRESS:https://sessioninprogress.com.au/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/session.in.progress/ Subscribe to ListenABLE for honest, funny and educational conversations about disability, accessibility and the experiences that connect us. #Disability #Accessibility #PublicTransport

  2. 5 Jul

    He Was Winning the Race. Then His Body Shut Down

    In 1988, Mark Dorrity went for a run on a 35-degree day in regional New South Wales. He was leading the race when severe heat stroke caused his body to shut down. Mark spent 70 days unconscious in intensive care. He lost most of the muscle in his body, underwent a high-level leg amputation and was given little certainty about what life after hospital could look like. But this is not simply a story about survival. In this episode of ListenABLE, Mark joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin to share how he rebuilt his life from the ground up. From learning to stand again, returning to full-time work and confronting inaccessible public spaces, to retraining his brain through Toastmasters decades later, Mark’s story is a powerful lesson in resilience, neuroplasticity and choosing to keep moving forward. Mark also reflects on how far disability access and inclusion have come in Australia since the late 1980s, why accessible parking matters far more than people realise, and why he refuses to live with regret. What happened when Mark collapsed from severe heat stroke during an eight-kilometre race Waking up in intensive care 70 days later The moment Mark learned his leg had been amputated Rebuilding strength after losing most of his muscle mass Returning to work after a life-changing injury Living with a high-level amputation and why a prosthesis was not sustainable for Mark How disability access and inclusion have changed since the late 1980s The reality behind accessible parking and public spaces Neuroplasticity, Toastmasters and retraining the brain later in life Why resilience is not about avoiding difficulty, but choosing to keep showing up 00:00 The moment Mark’s life changed01:31 A race, extreme heat and collapsing near the finish line04:35 Waking up 70 days later in intensive care07:14 The decision to amputate or let Mark die09:48 Accepting a new reality immediately11:10 Learning how to live again after intensive care13:06 Seeing his story on the front page of the newspaper14:55 Why a wheelchair was not practical for Mark16:39 The first time using a walking frame in public18:11 Where Mark’s resilience came from19:02 What disability access was like in Australia in the late 1980s21:42 How Mark views disability today24:59 Prosthetics, pain and adapting to life without one27:05 Returning to full-time work27:46 Cognitive recovery, speech and Toastmasters30:20 Neuroplasticity and retraining the brain32:08 Seeing his body after amputation33:25 Would Mark warn himself before the race?34:50 Mark’s message on risk, resilience and living fully Mark Dorrity, heat stroke survivor, amputation recovery, high-level amputation, disability podcast Australia, disability inclusion, accessibility Australia, neuroplasticity, resilience story, life after amputation, Dylan Alcott podcast, ListenABLE podcast, disability advocacy, rehabilitation journey, Toastmasters recovery

  3. 15 Jun

    Spencer West on the Truth About Being Seen

    Spencer West returns to ListenABLE for an honest and powerful conversation about disability, accessibility and what it really means to be seen.Four years after his first appearance on the podcast, Spencer joins Angus O’Loughlin in person to talk about Melbourne’s accessibility, able-bodied assumptions, language around disability, social media advocacy and the moments from his life that people often romanticise from the outside.Spencer opens up about growing up without legs, rejecting prosthetics, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, feeling excluded from inaccessible queer spaces and learning that he does not always have to share his story just because someone asks.Guest Links: Spencer Westhttps://linktr.ee/spencer2thewesthttps://www.spencer2thewest.com/https://www.instagram.com/spencer2thewest/https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer2thewesthttps://www.youtube.com/user/Spencer2TheWest00:00 Spencer West returns to ListenABLE02:04 Melbourne accessibility and public transport03:28 When accessibility is gatekept04:42 Should people get praise for accessible spaces?05:52 Spencer explains his disability07:43 The assumption about disability people need to drop09:04 Disability language and using the word disabled11:32 Learning to advocate for his own body13:49 The truth about climbing Kilimanjaro16:21 Social media, responsibility and disability advocacy17:17 Feeling more visible than misunderstood17:47 Using humour to educate

  4. 31 May

    “I Would’ve Been Happy Without The Medal” | Ben Tudhope

    Australia’s winter Paralympic star Ben Tudhope joins ListenABLE for one of the most honest and emotionally grounded conversations of the series. From becoming Australia’s youngest ever Winter Paralympian at just 14 years old, to returning home from the 2026 Winter Paralympics with two medals, Ben opens up about pressure, identity, confidence, loneliness, disability, and the mindset that helped him compete on the world stage. In this episode, Ben shares what it actually feels like to perform under Paralympic expectation, why he refuses to let medals define him, and how growing up with cerebral palsy shaped his resilience, humour, and outlook on life. He also speaks candidly about loneliness as an elite athlete, travelling the world away from family, learning to enjoy his own company, and why being “inspiring” is often misunderstood when it comes to disability and Paralymic sport. Whether you love elite sport, mindset conversations, disability advocacy, or simply hearing incredible human stories, this episode is packed with perspective, vulnerability and moments that will stay with you long after listening. Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/bentudhope/ Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ In This Episode - Ben Tudhope’s journey to becoming a Paralympic snowboard medalist - Competing at four Winter Paralympic Games - The pressure of backing up success after Beijing - Why Ben doesn’t define himself by medals - Growing up with cerebral palsy - The role Ben’s parents played in his confidence - Snowboarding, identity and elite athlete mindset - Loneliness and sacrifice in elite sport - The overuse of the word “inspirational” - What people misunderstand about Paralympians - Learning to control the controllables - Confidence, humour and living with disability - Ben’s reflections on success, pressure and happiness About ListenABLE ListenABLE is hosted by Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin, sharing raw, funny, vulnerable and powerful conversations with people living with disability and the people reshaping how Australia thinks about disability, identity and inclusion. Follow & SubscribeFollow ListenABLE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for new episodes every week. #Paralympics #BenTudhope #ListenABLE #Disability #CerebralPalsy #Snowboarding #WinterParalympics #Mindset #MentalHealth #AustralianPodcast #AdaptiveSport #DisabilityAdvocacy #DylanAlcott

  5. 17 May

    Two Mates, One Chair: The Travel Series Changing Disability Perceptions

    What happens when two best mates decide not to let disability stop them from seeing the world? In this episode of ListenABLE, Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Fletcher and Lachie, the duo behind the viral social account “Two Mates One Chair”. After a mountain biking accident left Fletch paraplegic, the pair turned friendship, humour and pure determination into a global adventure that’s inspiring millions online. From piggybacking up 270 slippery stairs in Hong Kong, to navigating inaccessible train stations in Europe, ATV mishaps in Brazil, and discovering the kindness of strangers around the world, this conversation is equal parts hilarious, emotional and eye-opening. The boys open up about: The reality of travelling the world in a wheelchairGoing viral online while backpacking internationallyAccessibility challenges across Europe, Asia and South AmericaFletcher’s life-changing mountain biking accidentFriendship, disability and learning to ask for helpWhy people with disability still deserve adventureThe countries that surprised them most with accessibilityHow social media has changed perceptions around disabilityThe messages from followers that changed everythingWhy saying “yes” has completely transformed their livesThis is one of the funniest and most uplifting ListenABLE episodes yet, while also delivering an important conversation around accessibility, inclusion and the power of friendship. Follow Two Mates One Chair https://www.instagram.com/twomates1chair/ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ 00:00 Ability Fest & Dylan Alcott Foundation02:40 Meet “Two Mates One Chair”05:50 The first viral video07:14 Accessibility around the world16:14 Fletcher’s mountain bike accident20:40 Learning the art of the piggyback27:00 What happens after the trip ends?29:00 Advice for young people with disability32:00 “My life is 10 times better now”35:50 How people treat disability overseas38:00 Dating, nightlife & travelling together39:40 What’s next for the boys? disability travel stories ,paraplegic travel, wheelchair backpacking ,accessible tourism, spinal cord injury recovery, wheelchair travel vlog, disability awareness podcast, ListenABLE podcast, inclusive travel, viral travel story, Australian travel creators, adaptive lifestyle

  6. 3 May

    Australia’s First Wheelchair Netball Umpire | Brodie Taylor’s Story

    What happens when someone refuses to accept the limits placed on them? This week on ListenABLE, Angus O’Loughlin and Dylan Alcott sit down with Brodie Taylor, the first person in Australia to become a qualified wheelchair netball umpire. Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at just seven months old, Brodie has spent his life navigating disability, accessibility and assumptions. But instead of accepting barriers, he found a way to create history in Australian sport. Brodie shares how netball unexpectedly found him, how officiating gave him a new purpose, and why confidence is often the biggest difference-maker for people with disability.He also opens up on wanting a future career in politics, where he hopes to help drive accessibility and meaningful change across Australia. Topics Covered - Becoming Australia’s first wheelchair netball umpire - Living with transverse myelitis - Disability and sport misconceptions - Confidence and self-belief - Why representation matters - Netball strategy and officiating - Accessibility in Australia - Future ambitions in politics Best Quotes “Disability doesn’t mean inability.” “It’s you against the world. If you want it, go get it.” “Once you have confidence in yourself, no one can stop you.” “We can’t change everything overnight, but we can start.” Chapters 00:00 Meet Brodie Taylor 02:01 Making Australian netball history 03:23 Diagnosed at seven months old 06:58 Finding netball and purpose 10:16 Becoming an umpire 13:21 Breaking bias in sport 18:10 Why politics is next 21:43 Confidence and disability 24:49 Advice for the next generation 27:14 Bowl of Uncomfortable Brodie Taylor, wheelchair netball umpire, ListenABLE podcast, Dylan Alcott podcast, disability sport Australia, accessible sport, netball Australia, transverse myelitis, disability advocate Australia

  7. 19 Apr

    “My Partner Shot Me. I Survived.” | Surviving Domestic Violence

    What happens when a single moment changes your life forever? In this powerful episode of ListenABLE, Larissa Camp shares the harrowing story of surviving a domestic violence attack that left her with a partial hand amputation and a completely different path in life. At just 23 years old, Larissa’s relationship turned violent when her partner pulled a shotgun on her during an argument. What followed was a life-threatening fight for survival that changed everything. But this episode is not just about trauma. It’s about identity, healing, motherhood, disability, and discovering purpose after unimaginable adversity. Larissa joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin to speak openly about what it’s like to rebuild a life after violence, how disability reshaped her self-worth, and how she eventually found confidence, independence and a career she never expected. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply moving. • Larissa Camp’s incredible survival story after a domestic violence shooting • What it’s like waking up to discover a life-changing amputation • The emotional reality of navigating identity after acquiring a disability • Why people with disabilities are more vulnerable to domestic violence • How motherhood helped Larissa rediscover purpose and strength • The journey from trauma to becoming a successful hairstylisT • How forgiveness and resilience can coexist after extreme trauma • What to do if you suspect someone you know is experiencing domestic violence After surviving the shooting, Larissa spent weeks in hospital recovering from severe injuries, including a partial hand amputation she didn’t even realise had happened until days after surgery. The emotional recovery was even harder. She struggled with depression, identity loss, and uncertainty about whether she would ever work again. But years later, a simple moment changed everything. While caring for her young son, Larissa realised she could still braid hair. That small discovery became the foundation for a new career as a hairstylist and helped her rebuild her confidence. Today, Larissa shares her story to help others recognise the warning signs of domestic violence and to remind people living with disability that they still have purpose. Follow Larissa: https://www.instagram.com/ann_ri3/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissacamp/ If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support services are available. In Australia:1800RESPECT – National Domestic Violence Support Line International listeners can search for local domestic violence hotlines or crisis support services in their country. Listenable is a podcast about normalising disability through honest conversations and lived experiences. Hosted by Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin, the show explores disability, identity, relationships, and the everyday moments that shape how we understand the world. domestic violence survivor story, disability podcast. acquired disability, amputation survivor, domestic violence awareness, disability identity ,trauma recovery stories, Larissa Camp story, Dylan Alcott podcast, Listenable podcast

  8. 6 Apr

    "Being Autistic Makes Me a Better Artist" artist daine

    Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter daine joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin for a conversation that is equal parts funny, raw, and genuinely important. daine lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), POTS, and autism and did not know she was disabled until she was 18. By that point she had already been dismissed by multiple neurologists and cardiologists who told her the chronic pain stopping her from climbing the stairs at school was "just anxiety." She is now preparing to drop her debut album and performing at Ability Fest for the second time. This episode covers late diagnosis, medical gaslighting, spoon theory, invisible illness, the suicide statistics for autistic women that daine thinks about every day, and why she believes being deeply, intensely autistic makes her a better songwriter. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Ability Fest and what it actually means to be inclusivedaine has attended and performed at Ability Fest before and is back on the lineup for 2026. Dylan explains what the festival really is: not a festival for disabled people, but a fully accessible event where everyone can party together. Platforms, pathways, Auslan interpreters, sensory rooms, live captioning, and 100% of proceeds going to the Dylan Alcott Foundation. As Angus puts it, the real point is giving six able-bodied friends the chance to finally share a night out with the one person who could never get through the door before. Get your tickets here: https://megatix.com.au/events/ability-fest-2026 daine is a Filipino-Australian singer, songwriter, and producer living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and autism. She is currently finishing her debut album and performing at Ability Fest 2026. Follow daine: https://www.instagram.com/d4ine/ 00:00 Cold open: doctors, stairs, and the diagnosis nobody saw coming02:39 Ability Fest: what it is, why it matters, and daine returning to the lineup04:24 A month in LA and the debut album07:09 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: what it is and why it takes ten years to diagnose09:25 The hosepipe analogy: EDS, POTS, and circulation explained10:38 Growing up without a diagnosis and medical gaslighting12:31 Dynamic disability and passing as non-disabled14:27 Good days vs survival days: spoon theory explained16:52 How disability affects the creative process and studio sessions18:13 Why autism is daine's creative superpower19:54 Getting the autism diagnosis at 18 and what it meant21:08 Social battery, sensory overload, and the right kind of socialising23:12 Navigating the music industry with an invisible disability24:34 What a sustainable career looks like25:04 Autistic suicide risk and why visibility matters27:16 Making shows more accessible as an independent artist29:07 Best gig stories: first LA headline and Laneway 2019 in the rain with Charli XCX31:25 Spicy listener questions disability podcast Australia, ListenABLE podcast, daine musician, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome EDS podcast, autism and chronic illness, invisible disability, dynamic disability, spoon theory chronic illness, POTS dysautonomia, autistic artist Australia, Ability Fest Melbourne 2026, neurodiversity and music, medical gaslighting women, late autism diagnosis, autistic women mental health suicide risk, disability representation music industry, Dylan Alcott Foundation, Filipino-Australian artist autism | Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome | EDS | POTS | invisible disability | dynamic disability | spoon theory | medical gaslighting | late diagnosis | Ability Fest 2026 | neurodiversity | mental health | chronic illness | disability representation | Australian podcast | daine | Dylan Alcott | ListenABLE

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Challenge what you think it’s like to live with disability.  Hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin speak to people living with disabilities about their lives and ask them the questions you thought were off-limits. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll learn something. This is a podcast for everyone - disabled or abled, and hopes to break down stigmas, change perceptions, and to challenge what you think it’s like to live with disability.

Information

  • Channel
    SESSION in PROGRESS
  • Creator
    SESSION in PROGRESS
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    194
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © SESSION in PROGRESS
  • Show Website
    ListenABLE
  • Provider

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