3Spoonies On Language and Labels: Community Questions

Episode Number: 60.5 Date: 30th July 2026

What happens when a label helps you understand yourself… but also changes how other people see you?

In this episode of 3Spoonies, we discuss language, labels and identity — from disability and chronic illness to neurodiversity, race, mental health and representation.

We explore the labels that helped us, the ones that hurt and the complicated relationship many people have with identity, diagnosis and belonging.

Topics include:

• disability identity and accepting labels
• autism, ADHD and neurodivergence
• growing up with labels and assumptions
• race, representation and prejudice
• gifted child burnout
• chronic illness and invisible disability
• person-first vs identity-first language
• reclaiming language and community identity
• “inspiration porn” and harmful media narratives
• words like brave, suffering, confined to and overcoming
• media portrayals of disability and chronic illness
• PIP, systems and medical labels
• mental health stigma
• why empathy matters

This is an honest conversation about the power language has — to support, exclude, explain and connect.

Because sometimes finding the right word changes everything.

What labels have helped or hurt you? Let us know in the comments

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If you’d like to find out more about our hosts;

Jo O’Neil

Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness

Claire Napper

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper

Website: www.strangelittleobsessions.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Strangelittleobsessions

Karen Duncan

Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses

Sponsor

A HUGE thank to ourCommunity Sponsor for this Season: Vicky Wilson

Vicki Admin Fairy® offers tailored administrative support to entrepreneurs, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent, helping them streamline their operations so they can focus on what they do best. With a flexible, client-centred approach, Vicki brings order and efficiency to small businesses across the UK.

www.vickiadminfairy.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/VickiAdminFairy2021

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-wilson1975/

Their support allows us to keep showing up every week, having these conversations, and making the podcast what it is — so if you can, please do go and check them out and support them in return.

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