Yenn Purkis is an Autistic and ADHD, non-binary, asexual advocate and author. They also have a diagnosis of atypical schizophrenia and anxiety. Yenn has been a disability advocate since 2005 when their first book, the autobiography Finding a Different Kind of Normal, was accepted for publication.

Yenn has worked as Deputy CEO (External Relations) at the Disability Leadership Institute, served as Accessibility Manager for Rebus Theatre, and worked as a public servant for 17 years.

A prolific author, Yenn has written or co-authored 18 published books. They have been presenting since 2002 and have delivered talks worldwide, including presenting at TEDx Canberra twice. Yenn is a sought-after speaker with extensive lived and professional experience in disability advocacy and systemic inclusion.

Their website is: https://yennpurkis.com/

For a list of all their published books: https://yennpurkis.com/books/

Some of Yenn’s TEDx and conference presentations:

• Autigender: Disability, Gender, and What You Can Do as Allies | Yenn Purkis | TEDxCanberra
• Disability, Resilience and Achieving the Supposedly Impossible: Yenn Purkis at TEDxCanberra
• 2023 Au-Some Conference: Yenn Purkis - A journey through self-advocacy

Brimbravo, where you can book Yenn as a speaker https://brimbravo.com/speakers-profile-yenn-purkis/

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast

00:21 Introduction to Podcast

00:45 Interview with Yenn Purkis

27:32 Deep Dive - Disability Responsiveness

48:37 Goodbye from Dr Pam

Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon

Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops

Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

Podcast audio, transcript and captions editor : Britta Offergeld

Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

Read transcript

In this special edition of the Disability Disrupters podcast, Kylee Maloney presents her award winning broadcast, interviewing Victoria Maxwell about Victoria's one woman show called Crazy for Life. Kylee was February 2026's podcast guest, so check her episode, Episode 20, after this one.

Victoria Maxwell, BFA, BPP* is a sought-after international (and funny) keynote speaker, performing artist and workshop leader. She uses her personal story of recovery from mental illness to increase awareness, transform negative beliefs and ignite powerful conversations about mental health.

Blending 30 years as an actor, and 15 as a wellness warrior, Victoria inspires people to take immediate action to improve their well-being.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has endorsed her one-of-a-kind keynote performances as one of the top anti-stigma interventions that creates lasting shifts.

Two scientific studies have shown her theatrical keynotes reduce stigma. Learn about the research results here and here.

She was named one of Canada’s top leaders in Mental Health by the National Centre for Addiction and Mental Health centre (CAMH) and honoured with the National Difference Makers award.

Her plays, keynotes and other efforts have won or been nominated for over 14 awards. They include the Entertainment Industries Council PRISM Award, SAMHSA Voice Award, best foreign stage play at the Moondance International Film Festival, and one of Top Ten Entrepreneurs with Disabilities.

Prior to her diagnosis, Victoria was an actress during the 90’s, playing small roles opposite actors such as X-Files’ David Duchovny, John Travolta and Johnny Depp. She’s blogged for Psychology Today for over 8 years.

While her story is her own, the messages are universal. Even the most veteran of conference delegates are energized and enlightened by her keynotes and workshops.

Victoria's website is here: https://victoriamaxwell.com/

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast

00:21 Introduction to Podcast

00:44 Kylee and Victoria

29:13 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

30:06 Goodbye from Dr Pam

Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future!

Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV

Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

Read transcript

Kylee Maloney has been a creative for as long as she can remember: from trying to make music with two hands on the piano at three to writing fanfiction at nearly 60, she has always enjoyed using her voice, words and music as modes of self-expression — and sometime employment. As a survivor of abuse in the care of RNZFB, she works as Administrator for the small group of survivors tasked with constructing a compensation and redress framework for positive change. She also enjoys reading, weight lifting, a decent glass of wine and setting the world to rights with a small and select group of friends. As a newly-diagnosed autist, she now proudly wears the sunflower and hopes to continue to help others through promotion of self-knowledge as a tool for growth.

The song performed by Kylee after her interview is called, The Water is Wide, from her album, Early One Celtic Morning.

The album is available on Spotify and Apple Music

Connect with Kylee:

• Kylee has a professional clone of her voice on Eleven Labs. If you would her to read to you and you have Eleven Reader, add Kylee here:

https://elevenlabs.io/app/voice-lab/share/c2b0aec5bdab1dd57f61079e0ad3a1d694cc1657aaa1dfef1e0e31bccf2c3f78/pcKdPWtbF6bM9o7NHjCI

• The link to Kylee's fanfic on AO3 is here:

https://archiveofourown.org/users/TheKiwiCelt/works

• Kylee is featured

in an interview here

about her IT course on radio New Zealand

• Email Kylee with Subject line: Disrupters at silvercords@icloud.com

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast

00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest

01:05 Interview with Kylee Maloney

37:53 Goodbye from Dr Pam

38:07 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

Dr Pam's Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future!

Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV

Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

Read transcript