StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 87. This week is part three of a three-part series on Andre's College and University years. This time: independent living, floodded dorm rooms and damp smells, Herbie Hancock, expensive cabs and much more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'ANIMALS WITH THE MOST UNSERIOUS NAMES' https://www.instagram.com/p/DXj4SKLFkIN/?igsh=cmhvaGFycG0xczRh Want to hear more or get in-touch?...

Welcome to episode 86. This week is part two of a three-part series on Andre's schooling and college years. This time: boarding school, what learning was like in a specialist environment, navigating new areas, rowing from the middle of nowhere back to civilization and much more. If you'd like to check out Andre's accessible program for reading temperatures and controling fan speeds for windows, yo...

Welcome to episode 85. This week we delve into Andre's younger years at nursery and day school, how he was taught to navigate the world, touch-typing, learning to tell the time using analogue clocks, and for some reason, Shell suits? Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'California man arrested for allegedly swapping in pasta for Lego pieces then returning them' https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...

Welcome to episode 84. This week we discuss the potential pitfalls and scenarios around owning a self-driving car as a blind person. Andre's all for it and wants the ability to get to gigs (near and far) without the expensive concern over cab fairs, but Kirsten is more reserved and considers the 'What If' issues more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'A man was injured after getting his head s...

Welcome to episode 83. This week we discuss the ideas behind a good marriage, as this episode airs on the eve of Kirsten and Andre's 17th wedding anniversary. The title 'What does it mean to you?' is about the overall thoughts, feelings and experiences of what a good relationship should stand for, how we achieve it, and the understanding that good communication can make or break it. Handle with ca...

Welcome to episode 82. This week we're discussing what it would be like if your partner's family didn't like you, and how difficult it might be to keep everyone happy. The likely resentment it would cause and the difficulty in trying to keep people happy could well cause a breakup. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Chinese national charged for trying to smuggle 2,000 ants out of Kenya' https:/...

Welcome to episode 81. This week we're discussing the decision behind an influencer photographing her daughter's coffin and sharing that to social media, whether such things are potentially oversharing, or whether it's letting others know that grief is OK and doesn't need to be hidden. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Over 400,000 KitKats STOLEN in heist as shoppers warned of Easter shortage'...

Welcome to episode 80. This week we delve into a bit of a minefield. Andre asked on Mastodon and Facebook about rude/ridiculous/silly things that people have said to those of us with disabilities and the responses were staggering. From comments like 'You're blind so you must be Muslim' to 'They shouldn't be allowed out,' this episode may make you spit nails, you have been warned. Our Stroonge News...

Welcome to episode 79. This week we discuss what it's like being apart for an extended period of time, ie when one of us is on holiday without the other, separation anxiety and all the strange, unusual noises that happen in the house when there are fewer people in it. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Cannibal jellyfish have invaded one of the most visited cities in Europe' https://metro.co.uk...

Welcome to episode 78. This week we discuss the joys of visiting the UK job centre, which is the place responsible for getting people into work. We talk about the inaccessible form that Kirsten had to fill out on Andre's behalf because it was on many sheets of paper, and the two not so great experiences they had when attending an in-person meeting to prove that yes, Andre is indeed still blind and...

Welcome to episode 77. This week we discuss foods of the passed. Things we ate as children (and honestly probably shouldn't have) but we enjoyed them at the time. From plastic straws with almost raw sugar inside, to sweets in the shape of bugs containing liquid that burst when you bit into them, these are the memories of foods gone by. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Squirrel blamed for gove...

Welcome to episode 76. This week we discuss 'Old wives' tales, sayings of popular wisdom (usually incorrect) passed down from generation to generation. From wearing high heels causing your baby to be cross-eyed, to wet hair being responsible for making you sick and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Watch robber break into jewellery store using forklift before fleeing on donkey' https://w...

Welcome to episode 75. This week we discuss the idea behind overconsumption and what we can do as a society to combat it, even in small ways. From donating food and clothing to friends and family or charity, to reselling old electronics or paying someone to fix them if needed, there's at least one thing to try and better this planet we call home. Stay to the very end for a post-podcast chat about...

Welcome to episode 74. This week we discuss 'Triskaidekaphobia' or the fear of the number 13. As this episode lands on Friday The Thirteenth it felt like a good time to break down some of the superstitions around the number, the day, how it's had a cultural impact on society, and the fact that other places around the world have superstitions about different numbers that are not thirteen at all. Ou...

Welcome to episode 73. This week Kirsten found a series of questions that you ask your partner. Andre had no idea about them in advance, so reacts to them directly. He chose not to find out before-hand so the answers felt more real. Perhaps try posing them to your significant other (or maybe best friend) to see what they have to say about you. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Hospital evacuat...

Welcome to episode 72. This week we're discussing how we've changed both as a couple and individually. It's hard to see change when you've been together for a long time, but when we actually sat down and talked about it, we did notice some things that we were surprised to realise. Change is so gradual when you live with someone else, that it may not always be glaringly obvious that it's even occur...

Welcome to episode 71. This week we're discussing whether having a drink when out with friends is necessary and expected, or safe to skip. For those who don't drink, are you considered 'the boring one?' Kirsten doesn't drink very much at all, and Andre may have a drink when out with friends or at a gig, but not always. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Clean-up underway after thousands of bags...

Welcome to episode 70. This week we're discussing some of the more unusual dreams we've both had, whether dreams have meanings behind them, and what people that have studied dreams in-detail have to say on the subject. Do you ever remember your dreams or do you pass through the night never knowing what your brain was cooking up behind the scenes? Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Beloved walru...

Welcome to episode 69. This week we're discussing the point at which people stop having children, assuming they have any to begin with. for Andre and Kirsten they decided that two was the right amount, although if they'd have had a larger house and more money, the possibility of another may have been on the cards. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Christmas trees replanted to boost sea defence...

Welcome to episode 68. This week we're discussing the idea that when Christmas is done with, it's time to put down the decorations and plan for the year ahead. For us, we like to have it done before January 6, but some wait for the full twelve days before taking everything down. we also talk about the fine gifts we received and the fantastic food we ate over this period, along with thoughts and id...

Welcome to episode 67. This week we discuss what you might be watching or listening to this holiday period, be that a favourite film with the family, a book you're hoping to catch up on or perhaps your favourite podcast. Andre and Kirsten would like to wish you a very merry Stroongemas, happy holidays etc and thank you for listening to us. Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links o...

Welcome to episode 66. This week we discuss different Christmas traditions around the world. From a particular fast-food restaurant doing a roaring trade in Japan requiring reservations weeks or sometimes months ahead of time, to roller skating in Caracas, this list may surprise you. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Putin's scientists launch chilling squadron of remote controlled spy pigeons'...

Welcome to episode 65. This week we discuss the Australian government's ban on social media for under 16's, the ramifications of the ban, the fact that 'Imaginary Friends' may no longer be imaginary courtesy of Chat GPT as they may still want to find ways to quote unquote 'connect' with people, isolation as a result of being locked out, VPN usage and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Swe...

Welcome to episode 64. This week we discuss 'SAD' (Seasonal affective disorder ) in which, during certain parts of the year, you may feel particularly sad about life and the world at-large. We also discuss Kirsten's trip to Copenhagen and the Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark that she visited last weekend with her sister. Some info about SAD: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type...

Welcome to episode 63 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss various kissing scenarios such as public displays of affection, cheek-kisses mostly done by some European countries, whether a father kissing his daughter is acceptable or not and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Flamingo missing from Cornwall park appears to be in France' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y0rr0yk11o?app-re...