Disability Disrupters

Dr Pam MacNeill

Disability Disrupters is brought to you by Disability Responsiveness New Zealand Ltd. It is a podcast featuring interviews with disabled people from around the globe. We delve into the lives of remarkable disabled people, learn how they have achieved their goals, and also canvas their views on the disability sector landscape, including how they perceive leadership and management within that sector by disabled people ourselves. Tune in to hear these insightful interviews, as well as updates and information about the ways in which we demand that society respond positively to our needs.

  1. 3일 전

    Interview with Sadie Dingfelder - Author, science journalist, neurodiversity advocate

    Sadie Dingfelder - Author, science journalist, neurodiversity advocate Sadie has prosopagnosia — face blindness — which means she can't recognize anyone by their face. Not her mother, not her coworkers, not her husband (she once grabbed a jar of peanut butter out of a stranger's cart because she thought he was her husband. He was two aisles over). Sadie has written a memoir about her face blindness and other conditions, called Do I Know You ? , Temple Grandin wrote the foreword. Because of her Face blindness, Sadie built her own assistive tech system: She photographs everyone she meets and writes notes about them. What they look like, what they were wearing, what we talked about. It's basically a manual face database. It works, mostly, but it's exhausting — and it freaks people out when they notice. Here's the irony: the technology Sadie actually needs is the one everyone else fears. Facial recognition. The thing governments are banning and privacy advocates are protesting is, for her, just... what normal people already have built into their brains. Sadie tried an early version of a face recognition app right when the pandemic hit — and of course **it didn't work with masks**, which is exactly when a faceblind person needs it most, because masks wipe out the few cues they do use (hair, glasses, context). Face blindness affects roughly 1 in 50 people, but there's no accommodation framework, no widely available app, and most people don't even know it exists. Sadie didn't find out she had it until she was 40 — along with three other rare neurological conditions (stereoblindness, aphantasia, and severely deficient autobiographical memory), all missed for decades because she had just learned to work around them. Sadie is a former reporter for the Washington Post and currently works for National Geographic in the USA. You can find Sadie on Sadie’s website where you can follow her on social media, contact her and read her blog If you prefer a hardcopy of her memoir and are located in New Zealand, you can purchase Do I Know You ? at PaperPlus 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast guest - Sadie Dingfelder 00:43 Ad - Get interviewed for Disability Disrupters podcast 01:14 Interview with Sadie Dingfelder 28:01 Deep Dive - Why does Society label People instead of recognising that it is systems that are impaired 50:21 Goodbye from Dr Pam 50:34 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/ Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters Read transcript

    51분
  2. 3월 31일

    Interview with Yenn Purkis - Autistic Author, Speaker, Advocate

    Yenn Purkis Yenn Purkis is an Autistic and ADHD, non-binary, asexual advocate and author. They also have a diagnosis of atypical schizophrenia and anxiety. Yenn has been a disability advocate since 2005 when their first book, the autobiography Finding a Different Kind of Normal, was accepted for publication. Yenn has worked as Deputy CEO (External Relations) at the Disability Leadership Institute, served as Accessibility Manager for Rebus Theatre, and worked as a public servant for 17 years. A prolific author, Yenn has written or co-authored 18 published books. They have been presenting since 2002 and have delivered talks worldwide, including presenting at TEDx Canberra twice. Yenn is a sought-after speaker with extensive lived and professional experience in disability advocacy and systemic inclusion. Their website is: https://yennpurkis.com/ For a list of all their published books: https://yennpurkis.com/books/ Some of Yenn’s TEDx and conference presentations: Autigender: Disability, Gender, and What You Can Do as Allies | Yenn Purkis | TEDxCanberra Disability, Resilience and Achieving the Supposedly Impossible: Yenn Purkis at TEDxCanberra 2023 Au-Some Conference: Yenn Purkis - A journey through self-advocacy Brimbravo, where you can book Yenn as a speaker https://brimbravo.com/speakers-profile-yenn-purkis/ 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast 00:45 Interview with Yenn Purkis 27:32 Deep Dive - Disability Responsiveness 48:37 Goodbye from Dr Pam Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com Podcast audio, transcript and captions editor : Britta Offergeld Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters Read transcript

    49분
  3. 2월 28일

    Kylee Maloneys award winning broadcast with Victoria Maxwell - Crazy for Life

    In this special edition of the Disability Disrupters podcast, Kylee Maloney presents her award winning broadcast, interviewing Victoria Maxwell about Victoria's one woman show called Crazy for Life. Kylee was February 2026's podcast guest, so check her episode, Episode 20, after this one. Victoria Maxwell Victoria Maxwell, BFA, BPP*  is a sought-after international (and funny) keynote speaker, performing artist and workshop leader. She uses her personal story of recovery from mental illness to increase awareness, transform negative beliefs and ignite powerful conversations about mental health. Blending 30 years as an actor, and 15 as a wellness warrior, Victoria inspires people to take immediate action to improve their well-being.  The Mental Health Commission of Canada has endorsed her one-of-a-kind keynote performances as one of the top anti-stigma interventions that creates lasting shifts. Two scientific studies have shown her theatrical keynotes reduce stigma. Learn about the research results here and here. She was named one of Canada’s top leaders in Mental Health by the National Centre for Addiction and Mental Health centre (CAMH) and honoured with the National Difference Makers award. Her plays, keynotes and other efforts have won or been nominated for over 14 awards. They include the Entertainment Industries Council PRISM Award, SAMHSA Voice Award, best foreign stage play at the Moondance International Film Festival, and one of Top Ten Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Prior to her diagnosis, Victoria was an actress during the 90’s, playing small roles opposite actors such as X-Files’ David Duchovny, John Travolta and Johnny Depp. She’s blogged for Psychology Today for over 8 years. While her story is her own, the messages are universal. Even the most veteran of conference delegates are energized and enlightened by her keynotes and workshops. Victoria's website is here: https://victoriamaxwell.com/ 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast 00:44 Kylee and Victoria 29:13 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast 30:06 Goodbye from Dr Pam Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/ Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters Read transcript

    30분
  4. 1월 31일

    Interview with Kylee Maloney - Creative and Student of Life

    Kylee Maloney Kylee Maloney has been a creative for as long as she can remember: from trying to make music with two hands on the piano at three to writing fanfiction at nearly 60, she has always enjoyed using her voice, words and music as modes of self-expression — and sometime employment. As a survivor of abuse in the care of RNZFB, she works as Administrator for the small group of survivors tasked with constructing a compensation and redress framework for positive change. She also enjoys reading, weight lifting, a decent glass of wine and setting the world to rights with a small and select group of friends. As a newly-diagnosed autist, she now proudly wears the sunflower and hopes to continue to help others through promotion of self-knowledge as a tool for growth. The song performed by Kylee after her interview is called, The Water is Wide, from her album, Early One Celtic Morning. The album is available on Spotify and Apple Music Connect with Kylee: Kylee has a professional clone of her voice on Eleven Labs. If you would her to read to you and you have Eleven Reader, add Kylee here: https://elevenlabs.io/app/voice-lab/share/c2b0aec5bdab1dd57f61079e0ad3a1d694cc1657aaa1dfef1e0e31bccf2c3f78/pcKdPWtbF6bM9o7NHjCI The link to Kylee's fanfic on AO3 is here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/TheKiwiCelt/works Kylee is featured in an interview here about her IT course on radio New Zealand Email Kylee with Subject line: Disrupters at silvercords@icloud.com Podcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 01:05 Interview with Kylee Maloney 37:53 Goodbye from Dr Pam 38:07 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast Dr Pam's Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/ Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters Read transcript

    39분
  5. 2025. 11. 30.

    Interview with Mark Williams - Entrepreneur and National Sales Manager - NZ for HT Systems

    Mark Williams Mark is a successful entrepreneur, and National Sales manager - NZ for HT Systems (Kera sit2sit & Kera Travel hoists). Their first product, the Kera sit2sit hoist, has already made a huge difference in the lives of people living with disability. Mark has first hand experience as a User of the Kera Travel hoist and can help guide New Zealanders with NZ funding. Information on NZ funding can be found on the HT systems website here, and this is where Mark's contact details, such as email address and phone number are available.https://www.htsystems.co.nz Mark previously ran a lighting business for over two decades, and this business is now based in Auckland, NZ. Check out Flexilight New Zealand Mark has two short videos of his house/property lighting setup available to be viewed on youtube. Outside Christmas Lights - Napier NZ My house -Christmas 2024 Napier NEW ZEALAND Mark is also involved with custom made wheelchair spoke protector designs at Bazaa Wheels On a personal note, Mark is in the middle of writing a book about his work and life, so watch out for that announcement coming up. Emma Bennison This month Emma is reading us her blog article "Stop Mining our Ideas. Start Appointing Disabled Leaders" Audio Chapters 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast 00:51 Interview with Mark WIlliams 13:20 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast 14:17 Stop Mining Our Ideas. Start Appointing Disabled Leaders 21:32 Advert - fast braille translation service 22:34 Goodbye from Dr Pam Footnotes Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters Read transcript

    23분
  6. 2025. 10. 31.

    Interview with Stephanie Birkhead - Author of Behind the Shutters (Memoir)

    Stephanie Birkhead Behind the Shutters is a deeply personal and moving memoir that lifts the lid on life behind closed doors. Stephanie Birkhead shares her powerful journey of survival, resilience, and hope after enduring experiences that shaped her life in unexpected ways. With raw honesty and courage, she invites readers to step inside her story — not just of struggle, but of strength, healing, and finding light after the darkest of times. Discover her memoir: Behind The Shutters Amazon link: https://mybook.to/jMM8 Connect with Stephie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephie-birkhead-931762388 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:32 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 01:51 Interview with Stephie Birkhead 24:57 Advert - Fast braille translation service 25:58 Goodbye from Dr Pam 26:14 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/ Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters Read transcript

    27분

소개

Disability Disrupters is brought to you by Disability Responsiveness New Zealand Ltd. It is a podcast featuring interviews with disabled people from around the globe. We delve into the lives of remarkable disabled people, learn how they have achieved their goals, and also canvas their views on the disability sector landscape, including how they perceive leadership and management within that sector by disabled people ourselves. Tune in to hear these insightful interviews, as well as updates and information about the ways in which we demand that society respond positively to our needs.