3Spoonies

Claire, Jo and Karen

We are 3Spoonies - entrepreneurs navigating our way through life and business with not enough spoons. This is a podcast for business people with chronic illness, disabilities, neurospiciness or anyone who wants to be more inclusive. We include honest discussions, useful tips and expert guests to give different perspectives on life and business with a disability. We cover topics such as business planning, knowing your limits, access to work and so much more. Join us every Thursday for a group discussion, special guest, or community questions on the last topic!

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    3Spoonies On Representation in Print Media: Community Questions

    3Spoonies Episode Number 50.5, 12th March 2026 With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper    How should disabled people be represented in newspapers, magazines, and print media — and who should be telling those stories? In this community questions episode of 3Spoonies, we respond to listener questions about disabled representation in print media, media bias, misinformation, and the emotional toll of seeing disability misrepresented in headlines. This episode is for disabled people, allies, creators, journalists, and anyone who wants to better understand why representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about accuracy, respect, and power.   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guests Maddy Alexander-Grout is a visibility strategist, ADHD coach, and advocate for people with hidden disabilities. Links: https://stan.store/maddyalexandergrout  Buy the Book, Mad about Money: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394299729?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&bestFormat=true    Victoria-Jayne Scholes www.legallypowered.co.uk https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/author/profile/321956.Victoria-Jayne_Scholes/   Sponsors Outside the Box: Neurodiverse Coaching and Mentoring® Supporting neurodivergent adults to finally thrive in a world that sees their brilliance Website: https://amandamckay.com/  Support Needs Wheel download: https://amandajharman.com/supportneedswheel/ Book a discovery call with AJ: https://calendar.app.google/DoCLrD9DhaFv3w7B8   Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies   _____ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:23 Sponsor 00:59 Community Questions Intro 01:42 Asking About Accessibility Needs 03:32 Why Open Conversations Matter 05:28 Accessibility Assumptions vs Reality 07:41 Invisible Disabilities and Misconceptions 10:09 Representation and Media Responsibility 13:33 Improving Accessibility Awareness 16:48 Advice for Businesses and Event Hosts 19:52 Final Thoughts 21:03 Outro _____

    13 min
  2. 5 MAR

    3Spoonies On Representation in Print Media

    3Spoonies Episode Number 50, 5th March 2026 With Karen Duncan, Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper    How disabled people are represented in newspapers, magazines, and print media has a real impact — on public opinion, policy, employment, and how safe it feels to exist in the world. In this episode of 3Spoonies, we’re talking honestly about disabled representation in print media: what’s improved, what’s still harmful, and why “good intentions” aren’t always enough. We also explore how print media intersects with online spaces, activism, and lived experience — and why accountability matters just as much as intent.   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guests Maddy Alexander-Grout is a visibility strategist, ADHD coach, and advocate for people with hidden disabilities.   Links: https://stan.store/maddyalexandergrout  Buy the Book, Mad about Money: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394299729?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&bestFormat=true    Victoria-Jayne Scholes www.legallypowered.co.uk https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/author/profile/321956.Victoria-Jayne_Scholes/   Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor:   Lisa Greener – Green Cat Books Founded in 2017 by fellow spoonie Lisa Greener, Green Cat Books has supported nearly 70 authors and published over 120 titles. We handle the production side of publishing so authors can focus on writing, work, or simply taking time to rest. Our catalogue includes children’s books, sci-fi, romance, and poetry, alongside audiobooks and videobooks, with selected titles now available on Spotify and Audible. We also promote independent creators and offer an affiliate programme for book lovers who want to share and earn. Find out more: www.greencatbooks.com   And to our advert sponsors!  Men Forge Forward Men Forge Forward is a free online community where professional men under pressure reclaim their edge through brotherhood, accountability, and the 30-day FireUP Challenge. menforgeforward.com The Createry The Createry is a friendly coworking and content creation studio space located in the heart of Nottingham. TheCreatery.co  https://www.instagram.com/TheCreateryUK   Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies _____ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:23 Sponsor: Green Cat Books 01:00 Meet the Hosts and Guests 02:28 Guests’ Experience with Print Media 03:06 Being Misrepresented in the Press 06:03 Harmful Labels and Media Narratives 09:03 Why Victoria Started Writing 11:59 Media Narratives and Disability Policy 14:56 Neurodivergence and Media Bias 18:02 Harmful Headlines and Public Perception 21:57 Behind the Scenes of Media Coverage 26:10 Do Positive Stories Sell? 29:55 Impact of Representation on Disabled People 32:56 Media Narratives vs Reality 35:55 Positive Representation Can Work 39:02 Challenging Stereotypes 39:57 Where to Find the Guests 40:30 Outro _____

    41 min
  3. 15 JAN

    3Spoonies on Customer Service for Disabled People: Community Questions

    3Spoonies with Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper  Date:15th January 2026 Episode Number 46.5   In this episode look at Improving Customer Service for Disabled People: Community Questions Click this link for more discussions on disability ? https://www.youtube.com/@3Spoonies?sub_confirmation=1   Thank you for listening to this episode of 3Spoonies! If you enjoyed this episode, we would love for you to leave us a review, subscribe for our weekly update and share it with your friends!   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guest Info: Gavin Neate    “Working for Guide Dogs I was aware that if you gave someone tips on how to interact immediately before an interaction you could remove much of the anxiety either party has about an arrival. I left Guide Dogs and developed WelcoMe a free service that gives disabled people a chance to explain to staff members how best to help them when they arrive.”   Links Website https://www.wel-co.me/   How to set up a profile and use WelcoMe. https://youtu.be/rbPZA6iBBUU?si=HJJqAEGsYzKV3BJe   Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: Vicki Admin Fairy   Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK. www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/   Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

    15 min
  4. 8 JAN

    3Spoonies on Customer Service for Disabled People.

    Podcast Notes      3Spoonies  With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper  Date: 8th January 2026 Episode Number 46   In this episode we talk about Improving Customer Service for Disabled People. Click this link for more discussions on disability ? https://www.youtube.com/@3Spoonies?sub_confirmation=1   Closing Remarks: Thank you for listening to this episode of 3Spoonies! If you enjoyed this episode, we would love for you to leave us a review, subscribe for our weekly update and share it with your friends!   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guest Info: Gavin Neate   “Working for Guide Dogs I was aware that if you gave someone tips on how to interact immediately before an interaction you could remove much of the anxiety either party has about an arrival. I left Guide Dogs and developed WelcoMe a free service that gives disabled people a chance to explain to staff members how best to help them when they arrive.”   Links Website https://www.wel-co.me/   How to set up a profile and use WelcoMe. https://youtu.be/rbPZA6iBBUU?si=HJJqAEGsYzKV3BJe   Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: Vicki Admin Fairy   Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK. www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/   And to our advert sponsors!  Watmore and Co. Accounting   At Watmore and Co. Accounting, we provide accessible-first accounting—helping without jargon or judgment.   https://watmoreandco.com/  https://meetings.hubspot.com/lawrence-watmore  SENTENCE ABOUT THE BUSINESS  Ablepreneurs™ is a community empowering disabled and chronically ill entrepreneurs to build sustainable, energy-aware businesses through connection, support, and visibility.   LINKS  https://ablepreneurs.co.uk/   Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

    44 min
  5. 1 JAN

    3Spoonies on Knowing When and How to Ask for Help: Community Questions

    3Spoonies With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper  Date: 1st January 2026 Episode Number 45.5   In this episode we talk about Knowing When and How to Ask for Help: Community Questions Click this link for more discussions on disability ? https://www.youtube.com/@3Spoonies?sub_confirmation=1   Thank you for listening to this episode of 3Spoonies! If you enjoyed this episode, we would love for you to leave us a review, subscribe for our weekly update and share it with your friends!   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: Vicki Admin Fairy   Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK. www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/   Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

    13 min
  6. 18/12/2025

    3Spoonies on Knowing When and How to Ask for Help

    3Spoonies With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper  Date: 18th December 2025 Episode Number 45   In this episode we talk about Knowing When and How to Ask for Help: Community Questions Click this link for more discussions on disability ? https://www.youtube.com/@3Spoonies?sub_confirmation=1   Thank you for listening to this episode of 3Spoonies! If you enjoyed this episode, we would love for you to leave us a review, subscribe for our weekly update and share it with your friends!   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: Vicki Admin Fairy Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK. www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/   And to our advert sponsors!  Watmore and Co. Accounting   At Watmore and Co. Accounting, we provide accessible-first accounting—helping without jargon or judgment.   https://watmoreandco.com/  https://meetings.hubspot.com/lawrence-watmore  Karen Duncan Faff free social media courses    Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

    43 min
  7. 11/12/2025

    3Spoonies on Visual Impairment: Community Questions

    3Spoonies With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper  Date: 11th December 2025 Episode Number 44.5   In this episode we talk Visual Impairment: Community Questions Click this link for more discussions on disability ? https://www.youtube.com/@3Spoonies?sub_confirmation=1   Thank you for listening to this episode of 3Spoonies! If you enjoyed this episode, we would love for you to leave us a review, subscribe for our weekly update and share it with your friends!   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guest Info: Amanda Harris My name is Amanda Harris and I am a visually impaired Will Writer, author and speaker. I have been visually impaired since birth and I give talks to many diverse groups including schools, organisations and local interest groups.  My passion is to inspire and enable others to overcome their own challenges.  My book “She Will Never ,.. Achieving my Vision with a visual Impairment was published in 2022 and as an audiobook in 2024.   https://linktr.ee/amandaharrisauthor   Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: Vicki Admin Fairy   Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK. www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/ Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

    21 min
  8. 04/12/2025

    3Spoonies on Visual Impairment

    3Spoonies With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper  Episode Number 44 Date: 4th December 2025   In this episode we talk about Visual Impairment  Click this link for more discussions on disability ? https://www.youtube.com/@3Spoonies?sub_confirmation=1   Thank you for listening to this episode of 3Spoonies! If you enjoyed this episode, we would love for you to leave us a review, subscribe for our weekly update and share it with your friends!   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guest Info: Amanda Harris My name is Amanda Harris and I am a visually impaired Will Writer, author and speaker. I have been visually impaired since birth and I give talks to many diverse groups including schools, organisations and local interest groups.  My passion is to inspire and enable others to overcome their own challenges.  My book “She Will Never ,.. Achieving my Vision with a visual Impairment was published in 2022 and as an audiobook in 2024.   https://linktr.ee/amandaharrisauthor   Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: Vicki Admin Fairy   Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK. www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/   And our advert sponsors!   Watmore and Co. Accounting   At Watmore and Co. Accounting, we provide accessible-first accounting—helping without jargon or judgment.   https://watmoreandco.com/  https://meetings.hubspot.com/lawrence-watmore    Liz Drury   Liz Drury is a freelance voiceover artist based in North Lincolnshire and working from a broadcast quality home studio for clients all over the world. She records voiceovers for diverse projects including corporate videos, commercials, explainer videos, e-learning, telephone systems, announcements for events, museum tours and more. Some of the well-known companies to have used her voice include Hilton, JCB, Booking dot com, Nestlé, Barnados and the Church of England to name just a few.   https://www.lizdrury.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizdruryvoiceovers Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

    48 min

About

We are 3Spoonies - entrepreneurs navigating our way through life and business with not enough spoons. This is a podcast for business people with chronic illness, disabilities, neurospiciness or anyone who wants to be more inclusive. We include honest discussions, useful tips and expert guests to give different perspectives on life and business with a disability. We cover topics such as business planning, knowing your limits, access to work and so much more. Join us every Thursday for a group discussion, special guest, or community questions on the last topic!