The Second Time Podcast

Vanessa Smith

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All about job hunting for the second time as an openly disabled person.

2d ago

Episode 16 - Week 22

Welcome to the Second Time Podcast. This is the wrap of week 22 of job hunting. This week is about rejections, blame, and confusion. Show notes: Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
4d ago · Bonus

Episode 15 – Why are you doing this?

I want to have a quick word about my why, and about advocacy. Show notes: https://normalness.com/2026/09/16/the-second-time-podcast-episode-15-why-are-you-doing-this/ Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
Sep 11

Episode 14 - Week 21

A short update episode this week, covering some things I’ve noticed that have changed between the first time I job hunting as an openly disabled person, and how it’s going this time. Show notes: https://normalness.com/2026/09/11/the-second-time-podcast-episode-14-week-21/ Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
Sep 4

Episode 13 – An example of inclusion gone wrong

Following on from last weeks discussion of inclusion policies, I want to tell you about something that happened in this round of job hunting. Only a few people know about this, but some time has passed and it's right to talk about it now. A quick refresher on last week first - the main point I was making was that saying "we're inclusive" means nothing unless you actually do things that are inclusive. Show notes: https://normalness.com/2026/09/04/the-second-time-podcast-episode-13-an-example-of-inclusion-gone-wrong/ Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
Aug 28

Episode 12 – Inclusion Policies

I have no real news or fun updates to share with you. I'm still in the running for jobs in some recruitment processes, but they're going weeks (more often, months) without an update, so I'm just kind of here, keeping on applying for things, and hoping that one turns into a contract to sign. There's really nothing new to share on that front. I do the same thing week in, week out, and try to not let the bleakness of opportunities and drudgery of the work get me down. Today though, I want to talk about inclusion policies. Show notes: https://normalness.com/2026/08/28/the-second-time-podcast-episode-12-inclusion-policies/ Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
Aug 21

Episode 11 - The Other Stuff

This one will be a little different from the weekly update style. I have plenty to talk about, but simply do not feel like rehashing a load of unpleasantness from the past few weeks right now, so I'm not going to. I'm going to talk about what life looks like in a broader sense right now. I originally thought I needed this episode for me, to tell myself I am doing enough, but interestingly, it also came up in chats with friends during the week, so I guess it's something that may be valuable to more than just me. Show notes: https://normalness.com/2026/08/21/the-second-time-podcast-episode-11-the-other-stuff/ Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
Aug 7

Episode 10 - Week 16

A quick episode this week, catching up on the ups and downs of the past two weeks of job hunting. Show notes: https://normalness.com/2026/08/07/the-second-time-podcast-episode-10-week-16/ Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
Jul 28

Episode 9 - Book Launch

I’m pleased to say that yesterday I released my newest book - the First time. A memoir about job hunting for the first time as an openly disabled person. https://normalness.com/2026/07/27/the-first-time/

Trailer

Episode 0 - Introduction

In 2023 I had to job hunt for the first time as an openly disabled person, someone who couldn't hide my disabilities and only disclose them later or if needed. I'm in the final stages of editing and cleaning up a book about that time, which will be published soon. And yes, I'm writing a book about job hunting, about to publish a book about job hunting... while job hunting again. I was made redundant this year and as I draft the notes for this episode, it's my ninth week of looking for work. The second time job hunting as an openly disabled person. I had been taking notes again on what job hunting was like this time around - spoiler alert, very different. But I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the information. Over a weekend, while I was pretending that simultaneously watching Stargate SG1 and playing power wash simulator was relaxing, the idea for a podcast wandered into my head and got stuck. It seemed like a good idea, so here we are, recording an introduction episode of The Second Time. Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith. Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson. Links referenced in the episode: Dr George Taleporos clip: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZiyTvPxak0/ Follow me online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normal_ness/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@normal_ness Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/normalness.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NormalNess/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/normal_ness Full show notes including script: https://normalness.com/2026/06/20/the-second-time-podcast-episode-0-introduction/

All about job hunting for the second time as an openly disabled person.

Creator

Vanessa Smith
Years Active

2026
Episodes

17
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Vanessa Smith
Show Website

The Second Time Podcast