ListenABLE

In this episode of ListenABLE , hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin speak with Peta Hooke , a podcaster and disability advocate living with C erebral Palsy . As the creator and host of The I Can’t Stand Podcast , Peta brings a practical perspective to disability representation, drawing from her personal experiences and conversations within the disabled community. Peta discusses what it&r...

Nick Dempsey is an Australian disability advocate, motivational speaker, and content creator whose life changed dramatically after a diving accident on his 21st birthday left him with a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. While celebrating with friends at his parents’ home, he misjudged a dive into a shallow backyard pool, dislocating his neck upon impact. "Just after talking about how good...

Paralympian, and unapologetic voice for change—Al Viney joins ListenABLE  hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin for a bold conversation about disability, elite sport/rowing, and the systems that still need fixing. "Differentiating between an injury was bad and my disability is not bad". Al breaks down what really happens after a life-changing injury, from navigating inaccessible medic...

“Hello I'm Rosie, I'm disabled, I'm here, I'm proud of it listen to us make us in the conversation because we are not ever going to go away!”. On this episode of  ListenABLE , Angus O'Loughlin is joined by the unstoppable Rosie Jones — comedian, writer, actor, and all-round legend. With her razor-sharp wit and deliciously dark humour, Rosie doesn’t just take up space i...

In this episode of ListenABLE , hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Charles Brice , a quadriplegic journalist and ABC News Breakfast presenter , to discuss his career and experiences in the media industry. "I don't want to be pigeonholed as a 'Disability Reporter'... I've got many other interests outside my injury. So I've thought that was really important for my career" Af...

Matt Formston is a world champion surfer, Paralympian, and Guinness World Record-holder, known for surfing 51-foot waves at Nazaré and breaking barriers in not only his sport but his own perceptions of himself. "I’ve worked out it’s because I was fearful of being different... Now, I’m proud of my disability, and it’s part of who I am, "  Discover his unique appr...

Tommy Quick , a true testament to resilience and determination to "prove people wrong" every single day of his life At just  12 years old, Tommy had a stroke , leaving him in a coma for five weeks. His recovery was nothing short of extraordinary— relearning life skills and overdelivering on people's expectations of him through sheer perseverance. Bringing on such high stakes challenges...

What’s it like to live with  Usher syndrome , a condition that causes both  progressive vision loss and deafness ?  "I really, really struggle with the fact that my hearing loss is almost a hidden disability?" In this episode, Malaine Robinson  shares her experience of adapting to life with dual disabilities, from early diagnosis to becoming a  guide dog handler...

"There is no way that I'm getting back in the water... and I never thought I would go back again" In this episode of the ListenABLE Podcast , hosts Angus O'Loughlin and Dylan Alcott dive into the extraordinary journey of retired Paralympic swimmer Ellie Cole, one of Australia's most celebrated athletes. With 17 Paralympic medals, including six gold, Ellie has not only redefined success in the pool...

"So it wasn't until I was introduced to wheelchair sports... then I think I found my tribe" It's finally time... join us for an unforgettable episode featuring Louise Sauvage , a trailblazer in the Paralympic movement and a true icon in disability sports history. From dominating wheelchair racing tracks to shaping the future as a coach and podcast host, Louise shares her incredible story of her re...

In this episode of ListenABLE, host Angus O'Loughlin sits down with Amy Evans—a dynamic 26-year-old and owner of 'Little Black Dress Digital' marketing agency, living with a rare genetic condition called Nemaline Rod Muscular Myopathy . Amy opens up about her journey growing up as a twin who has the same disability and the power of support systems. As well as the inclusive world of fashion, horse...

"It ultimately hinges on the coach's willingness and the environment's openness to embrace disability and foster understanding." Join us in the ListenABLE studio as we welcome the remarkable Rowan Crothers, a three-time Paralympian and six-time medalist, for an exclusive behind the curtain for the recent Paris Paralympics (2024). In this captivating episode, Rowan dives into: The important ways cl...

Join Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin as they speak with Andrew Dewberry, better known as DJ Dewbs ! In this episode, Andrew shares his unique journey as a rising star in the music scene while living with Spina Bifida. Discover the heart behind his music and the vital role of Ability Fest in promoting inclusivity. The trio dives into the ongoing challenges of accessibility in the music industry a...

Diving into his passion for health and fitness, Kyle Willmington launched a creative social media challenge, inspiring others to make healthier choices by testing the limits of his disability, Charcot Marie Tooth. With a focus on the power of mindset, Kyle discusses how he navigates obstacles and the vital support he receives from family and friends. As the episode draws to a close, Kyle reveals h...

"Oh don't hang around Emma you might get Autism" Emma Tomlinson, an independent artist and professional musician, shares her experience as an Autistic person and speaks with Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin about how music has been a powerful tool for communication and self-expression. She discusses her journey from being selectively mute as a child to finding her voice through Opera and the perf...

Host of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Dylan Alcott talks about the amazing yet limiting TV set he will be presenting the games to millions of Australians back home. In this episode you'll hear: Curt McGrath talk about the incredible first words he said after losing his legs to a roadside bomb while serving fro the Army. Madison De Rozario is competing in her 5th Paralympic games and is looking to go...

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony Thursday Morning (Australian time) the ListenABLE Podcast has 2 special episodes speaking with our past and competing Australian Paralympians. In this episode you'll hear: Jarryd Clifford is set to compete in the 1500m and 5000m events and speaks about the hilarious reason why he doesn't use a guide even though he is legally blind Paul Harpur is...

This Australian comedian and actress is on the pursuit to change the landscape of the Australian TV Industry and it's inclusion of creators with disability. But how do you break into an industry when you're considered a "distraction"? "I realised that if I want to be a part of change I also need to be creating content". Born with Ectrodactyly, Loz describes her lim difference as " Three fingers on...

James Chapman Pseudoachondroplasia Dwarfism has taken him around the world, representing Australia in sport, attracting plenty of attention and interesting ways to get around in style, some suitcases are double his size! His adventures don’t stop internationally as he shreds local surf breaks and skates like Tony Hawk thanks to his lower centre of gravity, at 3 ft 7 inches. And for someone who's b...

"The telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell, whose wife and mother were Deaf, and could not use the phone. It's Ironic!" Chief Internet Evangelist for Google Vint Cerf is widely recognised and applauded for being a pioneer in the invention of the internet, redefining not only connecting software and people on incredible scale but also accessibility and access worldwide. Vint, who is Hard of...

"I've been in really hot cars where like if a person could get out, they would. It's sometimes a dangerous situation". With only 5 minutes notice, any time, any place - Tayla Richardson could be trapped in her own body and there's no way to stop it. " After developing her disability in adulthood, Tayla was diagnosed with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, leaving her muscles to be weaker  after they'...

There's complexity to Knox Gibson's story. At age 3, his grandfather ran over Knox on the family property with his lawn mower, causing the amputation of his arm. Had that accident not occurred, would Knox now be spending months overseas filming for The Hunger Games? Would he be trailing for his first ever Paralympics, hopeful for a ticket to Paris?  Actor, Athlete, Endorsements and still in school...

THE DAY OF APRIL 6TH, 2018 CHANGED THE LIVES OF 29 FAMILIES FOREVER. This episode of ListenABLE we speak with Ryan Straschnitzki who's Hockey team was involved in a head on collision with a semi truck killing fifteen and injuring everyone from coaches, team staff and players like Ryan.  "My first instinct was just to get up. That's all I could repeat in my head was 'just get up'. Bt I'm not moving...

“As a first movie as well, the adrenaline was just insane! Like Seeing Chris (Hemsworth), seeing everyone, it was just amazing” - Sean Millis on ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’. You've probably seen Sean on your social feed before! Whether it's Australian television's ‘The Voice’ where Sean describes the gravity of the blind audition as being “scared and a bit anxious” to the journey of now playing a ch...

In age of dating in Australia, dating apps aren’t cutting it anymore, especially when you have disability. When Jack Day was given the chance to join the new cast of "Never Have I Ever" Season 2, finding love was merely a bonus. When it comes to modern dating and making lasting connections, Jack's charisma and endearing storytelling style will have you smiling as he discusses his own preferences f...