The Sunflower Conversations

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations , James Dunn speaks with Vikesh Anand , TEDx speaker and founder of STUTTA (Australian Stuttering Association), about living with a stutter and advocating for greater awareness and acceptance.  • What stuttering is, including different types of speech blocks and covert vs overt stuttering  • The mental load of masking speech, including anxiety, shame and...

We talk about motor neurone disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with Pauline from the MND Association and Joff, who shares what diagnosis and day-to-day life really look like. We explore how symptoms show up, why support and research urgency matter, and how small acts of understanding can make public spaces safer and kinder.  What MND is and why symptoms vary so much ...

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations , James Dunn speaks with Nicole Trimboli about surviving two cancers, living with a permanent stoma and ostomy bag, and rebuilding confidence when your body and life change fast.  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a young mum and the mental scars that can linger  • Daily life with an ostomy bag, diet planning and body image.  • Writing What a Shit Show as a guide,...

The topic for this episode is mental health and schizophrenia. If you are affected by anything we discuss, please follow up with your healthcare provider.  We talk with Alex Phillips from Mind in Camden about schizophrenia and hearing voices, focusing on lived experience rather than frightening labels. We explore how people can recover, how families can offer support, and how everyday compassion r...

We talk with Jay Reinstein about his early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis, from the first confusing moments at work to the fear, stigma, and family impact that followed. We also dig into what helps day-to-day, how advocacy restores purpose, and why practical support like the Sunflower lanyard can change a journey from panic to confidence.  Noticing early cognitive changes in a high-responsibilit...

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations , James Dunn speaks with Mel Ogden about profound hearing loss alongside endometriosis, Hashimoto’s disease, and breast cancer, and how it's shaped her identity, work, and self-advocacy.  Mel shares her journey from childhood through to adulthood, navigating communication, disclosure, and shifting access needs across different environments. Communica...

In this first episode of Season 3, James Dunn returns as our new host, bringing thoughtful and engaging conversations to the forefront. He is joined by Fiona, an organisational design and HR leader with over 18 years’ experience, who shares her experience of living with vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD), also known as Best disease, and how it has shaped her perspective on identity, accessibility...

We talk with Alex Manners, an autistic speaker and author. In this episode, Alex explains what autism feels like for him, from literal language and sensory stress to special interests, like football, that genuinely help him cope. We also explore how improved communication and practical inclusion tools, such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, can make everyday life more accessible.  In this epis...

Terri Louise Brown, founder of Talks with MS  joins us in this episode. We learn how to create a charity from scratch and discover the importance of community support for those living with multiple Sclerosis. Terri has relapse-remitting spinal MS and shares why she feels the power of community is essential, and her journey from an online group to creating a registered charity. We explore the inclu...

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with disability inclusion leader, Courtney Rosato, about her late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, navigating diverse professional spaces, and how her lived experience informs systemic change. Late diagnosis and its impact on personal and professional identity Thriving in dynamic, fast-paced environments as a neurodivergent professional. Challenging workplace misco...

Danielle is neurodivergent and lives with palindromic rheumatism, undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. We hear how her conditions intersect and why comorbidities complicate care. Danielle explains fascia and its effects on her body and organs. She also clarifies what palindromic rheumatism is: during flare-ups, pain moves around the body in episodes lasting...

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with sunflower advocate, James Dunn on sudden onset of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the long road to diagnosis, and how he rebuilt identity and purpose after stepping away from a legal career.   • Energy budgeting and daily structure • Identity loss after leaving work and values...

Simone Round shares how a hand tremor evolved into a complex FND diagnosis, now consisting of tics, chronic migraines, non‑epileptic seizures, and the reality of becoming an ambulant wheelchair user. In this episode, Simone talks us through her journey from an active lifestyle and career, working over 70 hours a week, to the steps she now takes to support her mental health and wellbeing. She expla...

Ashwin Soni joins the Sunflower Conversations to discuss Type 2 diabetes, which began to affect him four years ago.  We learn about the symptoms Ashwin experienced and the changes he has had to make to manage the condition effectively. Also discussed are the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, providing a better understanding and greater awareness of what to look out for to seek a diag...

Flic Manning chats with Madeleine Jaine Lobsey about Autism and ADHD, and how we can move from deficit thinking to joyful, neuroinclusive design across events and workplaces. They discuss:  • Finding relief and reframing after an autism and ADHD diagnosis  • Honouring personal needs as part of everyday life  • Challenging common myths in leadership and creative roles  • How lived experience helps...

Content warning: In this episode, we are talking about the topic of mental health and refer to self-harm and suicide. If any of the conversation causes you distress and you need to speak to someone, please consider contacting a family member or friend for additional support. However, if you need professional help, please contact NHS 111 option 2 (in the UK) or your region’s emergency response numb...

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with inclusion strategist Nicole Marshall on late autism diagnosis, unmasking, and the simple changes that make work humane and effective.  • Self-discovery through adult autism diagnosis and identity work • The cost of masking and energy management • Common workplace misconceptions about neurodivergence • Lessons from teaching to inclusion strategy • Inclusion...

Nate Hadlock and Keely Cat-Wells, advocates from the United Ostomy Associations of America, join us to address common questions and dispel myths and the stigma about living with an ostomy. Millions of people worldwide have a stoma, yet there is a significant lack of knowledge and awareness about ostomies and the life-saving treatment they provide.  Sharing their own journeys as ostomates, we discu...

Lydia Best, President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), shares her personal journey with hearing loss and explains the barriers faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. We discuss the emotional impact of hearing loss, technological solutions like cochlear implants, and practical ways to create more inclusive communication environments. Lidia explains what access...

Tim Wilkins from the Alzheimer's Society and Paul Hoskins join us to discuss dementia. The stigma and misconceptions around dementia often paint a bleak picture of life after diagnosis. Paul has a different story to tell as he is living with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's.    "Some days can be very hard. Some days are a lot easier," Paul explains, offering a glimpse in...

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with Catherine Hanna, a proud Sunflower and road safety advocate. Catherine shares her journey with post-concussion syndrome, the misconceptions surrounding an invisible brain injury, and how writing poetry has helped her process trauma and rebuild her identity. • Post-concussion syndrome can occur without hitting your head or losing consciousness • Brain injuri...

This episode was recorded on Instagram Live. Hollie Christian Brooks joined us to discuss her new play "Yawn: A Chronically Fatigued Play", which draws from her personal experience with ME/CFS to educate audiences about non-visible disabilities and create new connections with the community. We discuss everything, from symptoms and periods to self-discovery and the power of the Sunflower....

Tasha Sorhaindo shares her journey living with multiple chronic health conditions and founding her charity, Chronically Marvellous, that supports individuals with non-visible disabilities. Tasha is autistic and lives with systemic lupus, dilated cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, arthritis and osteoporosis. After being able to run marathons and becoming gravely ill wi...

Ant Raje shares his journey of living with ADHD and deafness in one ear, exploring how they impact focus, communication, and identity. He challenges common misconceptions, reflects on the power of empathy, and shares why creating spaces where people feel seen and heard matters more than having all the answers. • Living with both ADHD and hearing loss creates unique challenges as paying attention (...

Murray Golder shares his experience with epilepsy and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), highlighting how this support enables him to continue working full-time while managing his condition safely. Murray explains that his absence seizures, which can cause him to lose awareness for 20 seconds to 2 minutes, can place him in danger as he isn’t conscious of what he is doing. And more recently, as a...