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  • S1E20 - Interview with Kylee Maloney - Creative and Student of Life

    S1E20 - Interview with Kylee Maloney - Creative and Student of Life
    2026/01/31
    Kylee Maloney

    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
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    39 分
  • S1E19 - Interview with Andrew Gadd - Disability Advocate and Content Creator

    S1E19 - Interview with Andrew Gadd - Disability Advocate and Content Creator
    2025/12/31
    Andrew Gadd

    Andrew is a passionate disability advocate, content creator and aspiring YouTuber. He has a passion for showcasing the positives of leading a fulfilling life with a physical condition.

    You can connect with Andrew here:

    Linktree:

    https://linktr.ee/AGGUIDES

    TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew_gadd?_r=1&_t=ZN-92TAGl0r02Y

    YouTube:

    https://youtube.com/@andrew_gadd?si=ymO5vaHGG8sCzn12

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast

    00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest - Andrew Gadd

    01:04 Interview with Andrew Gadd

    21:49 Employment Matters

    25:20 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future!

    26:35 Goodbye from Dr Pam

    26:56 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    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 Offergeldhttps://youtube.com/@andrew_gadd?si=ymO5vaHGG8sCzn12

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

    Read transcript
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    28 分
  • S1E18 - Interview with Mark Williams - Entrepreneur and National Sales Manager - NZ for HT Systems

    S1E18 - Interview with Mark Williams - Entrepreneur and National Sales Manager - NZ for HT Systems
    2025/11/30
    Mark Williams

    Mark is a successful entrepreneur, and National Sales manager - NZ for HT Systems (Kera sit2sit & Kera Travel hoists). Their first product, the Kera sit2sit hoist, has already made a huge difference in the lives of people living with disability.

    Mark has first hand experience as a User of the Kera Travel hoist and can help guide New Zealanders with NZ funding.

    Information on NZ funding can be found on the HT systems website here, and this is where Mark's contact details, such as email address and phone number are available.https://www.htsystems.co.nz

    Mark previously ran a lighting business for over two decades, and this business is now based in Auckland, NZ. Check out Flexilight New Zealand

    Mark has two short videos of his house/property lighting setup available to be viewed on youtube.

    Outside Christmas Lights - Napier NZ

    My house -Christmas 2024 Napier NEW ZEALAND

    Mark is also involved with custom made wheelchair spoke protector designs at Bazaa Wheels

    On a personal note, Mark is in the middle of writing a book about his work and life, so watch out for that announcement coming up.

    Emma Bennison

    This month Emma is reading us her blog article "Stop Mining our Ideas. Start Appointing Disabled Leaders"

    Audio Chapters

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast

    00:21 Introduction to Podcast

    00:51 Interview with Mark WIlliams

    13:20 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    14:17 Stop Mining Our Ideas. Start Appointing Disabled Leaders

    21:32 Advert - fast braille translation service

    22:34 Goodbye from Dr Pam

    Footnotes

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

    Available on amazon here

    Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops

    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
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    23 分
  • S1E17 - Interview with Stephanie Birkhead - Author of Behind the Shutters (Memoir)

    S1E17 - Interview with Stephanie Birkhead - Author of Behind the Shutters (Memoir)
    2025/10/31
    Stephanie Birkhead

    Behind the Shutters is a deeply personal and moving memoir that lifts the lid on life behind closed doors. Stephanie Birkhead shares her powerful journey of survival, resilience, and hope after enduring experiences that shaped her life in unexpected ways. With raw honesty and courage, she invites readers to step inside her story — not just of struggle, but of strength, healing, and finding light after the darkest of times.

    Discover her memoir: Behind The Shutters Amazon link: https://mybook.to/jMM8

    Connect with Stephie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephie-birkhead-931762388

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:32 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 01:51 Interview with Stephie Birkhead 24:57 Advert - Fast braille translation service 25:58 Goodbye from Dr Pam 26:14 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    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
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    27 分
  • S1E16 - Interview with Gemma O'Donnell - Barrister and Solicitor - Founder of Chronically Legal

    S1E16 - Interview with Gemma O'Donnell - Barrister and Solicitor - Founder of Chronically Legal
    2025/10/01
    Gemma O'Donnell

    Gemma O’Donnell is an experienced Barrister and Solicitor. She is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and older people. Gemma loves dark chocolate, books, and making food to share.

    About Gemma’s business - Chronically Legal Chronically Legal makes it easy to get your legal ducks in a row.

    Chronically Legal can help with: • Enduring Powers of Attorney, • Orders under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act (PPPR Act), • Residential Care Subsidies and • Trusts/ Incorporated Societies.

    We offer fixed fees (for everything but litigation) and bespoke instalment payment plans

    Email: gemma@chronicallylegal.co.nz Website: www.chronicallylegal.co.nz

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:44 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 02:07 Interview with Gemma O'Donnell 44:30 Denied right to learn Braille - Radio New Zealand 47:53 Employment Matters - part 4 52:00 Advert - Fast braille translation service 53:02 Goodbye from Dr Pam 53:19 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    Dr Pam and Kylee Maloney's Interview sourced with permission from RNZ (Radio New Zealand) website: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/573515/denied-right-to-learn-braille-woman-shares-historical-experience-at-royal-new-zealand-foundation-of-the-blind-s-apology

    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
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    54 分
  • S1E15 - Episode 15 - DARUMA movie - Best Actor Winners Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson

    S1E15 - Episode 15 - DARUMA movie - Best Actor Winners Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson
    2025/08/31
    DARUMA (the Movie)

    On 1st September, DARUMA finally comes to Australia and New Zealand! From Oscar-winning executive producer Peter Farrelly comes the first film in US cinematic history to star two leads with disabilities in a narrative not about overcoming disability.

    DARUMA is a story about fatherhood, found family and forgiveness. Rent the film on Amazon Prime or Apple TV+

    Starring: Christopher Reeve Best Actor Winner, Tobias Forrest Slamdance Best Actor Winner, John W. Lawson CBS Blue Bloods' Abigail Hawk And Golden Globe winner Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

    DARUMA is available with open captions and has audio descriptions for free via All4Access. Download the app at https://all4access.com/ for audio descriptions of DARUMA.

    IndieFilm DisabilityRepresentation Movies AuthenticCasting Disability

    If you want to tag us the socials are here: INSTAGRAM: @darumamovie https://www.instagram.com/darumamovie

    Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W12KK9poUV0

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:30 Advert - Disability Responsiveness new Zealand (DRNZ) 00:53 Interview with John Lawson and Tobias Forrest 47:39 Goodbye from Dr Pam 47:55 Podcast Donations request

    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
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    49 分
  • S1E14 - Interview with Neelu Jennings - Politician, Disability Advocate and Adventure athlete

    S1E14 - Interview with Neelu Jennings - Politician, Disability Advocate and Adventure athlete
    2025/08/26
    Neelu Jennings

    Neelu Jennings is a politician, disability advocate, and adventure athlete from Lower Hutt, New Zealand. A member of the Green Party, she has stood for both local and national office while raising two children as a full-time parent. Neelu brings deep expertise to her advocacy, holding a master’s degree in disability policy and a postgraduate diploma in public health, alongside professional experience with the Office for Disability Issues.

    As the founder of Integrated Sport NZ and a decorated para-athlete, she has broken barriers in sport—becoming the first blind person to complete the Coast to Coast and the Crazyman multisport races, as well as climbing Mt Aspiring and paddling across Cook Strait. Her leadership has been recognised with an Attitude Award and a Woman of Influence Award. In April 2025, Neelu and Optimed’s Craig Norman teamed up to race the Porirua Grand Traverse - the multisport event involved legs in a double kayak (12k), a tandem mountain bike (28k) and a supported trail run (18k).

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:40 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 01:58 Interview with Neelu Jennings 30:59 Employment Matters - part 3 35:04 Advert - Fast braille translation service 36:04 Goodbye from Dr Pam 36:20 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    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
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    37 分
  • S1E13 - Interview with Nick Ruane - Disability advocate and leader

    S1E13 - Interview with Nick Ruane - Disability advocate and leader
    2025/07/31
    Read transcriptNick Ruane Nick Ruane has a long history of community involvement, advocacy, leadership, and disability activism. Nick has a Master of the Arts (with Honors) in Political Science and Government from Victoria University. He is a board member for New Zealand Riding for the Disabled and was co-chair of the Wellington Accessibility Advisory Group for 5 years, giving advice to Council on Accessibility. He is currently the Workbridge Group Foundation Advisor, advising on establishing a Philanthropic giving program, establishing a small grant program, and re-launching the Foundation website. He also posts about disability politics topics at https://nicholasruane.substack.com/ Dr Pam's Disability Self-empowerment module one is now available ! Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available to purchase on amazon 00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guests 00:56 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 02:26 Interview with Nick Ruane 19:24 Employment Matters - part 2 25:14 Advert - Fast braille translation service 26:12 Introduction to United Blind Leaders Webinar segments 27:28 United Blind Leaders Webinar segments 47:15 Goodbye from Dr Pam 47:32 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast United Blind Leaders Webinar recap How Leadership Changes the Way We Advocate United Blind Leaders recently hosted a powerful and deeply personal webinar exploring how stepping into leadership changes the way we advocate—and how advocacy, in turn, shapes leadership. Facilitated by UBL Co-founder, Emma Bennison, the session brought together three distinguished speakers with decades of lived experience, activism, and leadership: Susan Thompson, Martin Stewart, and Dr Pam MacNeill. Together, they unpacked the shifts required when moving from independent advocacy to organisational leadership, shifts that call for strategic thinking, political savviness, and an unshakable commitment to the communities we serve. Each speaker reflected on the delicate balance between working within systems to create change whilst staying true to grassroots advocacy. Dr Pam McNeill shared candidly about her 18 years working within the New Zealand government, navigating complex relationships with ministers while staying loyal to disabled communities. Her approach? Find strategic alignment without compromising values—and don’t be afraid to stir the pot when necessary. Susan Thompson spoke of earning respect through active participation across all parts of an organisation—from client committees to internal operations—while never losing sight of her identity and responsibility as a blind person. She emphasised the importance of choosing battles carefully, maintaining emotional discipline, and being “part of the blind community, not above it.” For Martin Stewart, the shift from activist to advocate was also a deeply personal journey. He described moving from anger-fuelled protest to organisational leadership, crediting his role at Blind Citizens Australia as a transformative turning point. “I wanted to be a reputable person,” he said. “And now I’m happy to be swimming in the mainstream.” About United Blind Leaders United Blind Leaders (UBL) is an international movement of blind and vision-impaired people advocating for authentic representation in decision-making roles, particularly in organisations that provide services to blind people. We believe leadership by people with lived experience is essential—not optional—when it comes to shaping the future of our communities and the organisations that serve us. Learn more and sign up to our mailing list at www.unitedblindleaders.org to stay updated on upcoming events, campaigns, and opportunities to get involved. Want to join the conversation? UBL-Chat is our community discussion list where blind and vision-impaired people can connect, share ideas, and debate issues that matter. To join, send a blank email to: ubl-chat+subscribe@groups.io Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops 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
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    48 分