Chat to Ramps on the Moon right here!

Jen Toksvig is a theatre writer, director, poet, lyricist, game designer and advocate.

Jen joins Michele for a thought-provoking conversation about reimagining theatre, accessibility and storytelling. Rather than treating access as something fixed, Jen argues that support should always be responsive because "every access support need is situational" and every audience member arrives with different needs, experiences and expectations.

Together they explore why traditional theatre often prioritises the story over the people experiencing it, with Jen offering a radical alternative: create spaces where audiences have agency, feel comfortable enough to be uncomfortable and are invited into the storytelling rather than simply observing it. "I put the story last," she says, believing that connection matters more than control.

The conversation challenges assumptions about inclusion, creativity and leadership, asking what might happen if theatres stopped protecting tradition and instead designed experiences around the people in the room, one conversation at a time.

Image of Jen: Credit - Kate Griffin Photography

Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.

Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor. MBE, Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon.

Michèle takes the Ramps on the Moon podcast straight into the engine room of mainstream theatre. Across all episodes, she chats with actors, directors, producers and chief executives to uncover the joys, the tensions, the breakthroughs and the lessons in placing disabled people at the centre of cultural organisations.

Michèle shares the realities of the ‘now’ and what the future can hold for disability equality in the arts with Anti-Ableism weaved into every part of an organisation.

If you'd like to be considered as a guest on this podcast, or have a subject you'd like Michèle to talk about - please contact: zanna@rampsonthemoon.co.uk

This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk

Chat to Ramps on the Moon right here!

In this episode, Michèle Taylor is joined by disability consultant, broadcaster and comedian Simon Minty for an honest conversation about disability, leadership and creating lasting change.

Reflecting on more than 30 years of working across business and the arts, Simon and Michèle explore how attitudes towards disability have shifted, while recognising how much work still lies ahead. Simon speaks candidly about balancing anger with pragmatism, describing himself as "not a radical, but a rebel", and explains why lasting change comes through conversation, humour and helping people see the world differently.

Together, Michele and Simon discuss the emotional labour of disability advocacy, the importance of lived experience alongside professional expertise, and why asking people what they need to do their best work is far more powerful than simply talking about reasonable adjustments.

The conversation ends on a hopeful note, celebrating the next generation of disabled leaders and the role of "rebel elders" in supporting those who will take the movement forward.

Thank you Simon for an really interesting and honest discussion.

sminty.net

abnormallyfunnypeople.com

Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.

Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor. MBE, Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon.

Michèle takes the Ramps on the Moon podcast straight into the engine room of mainstream theatre. Across all episodes, she chats with actors, directors, producers and chief executives to uncover the joys, the tensions, the breakthroughs and the lessons in placing disabled people at the centre of cultural organisations.

Michèle shares the realities of the ‘now’ and what the future can hold for disability equality in the arts with Anti-Ableism weaved into every part of an organisation.

If you'd like to be considered as a guest on this podcast, or have a subject you'd like Michèle to talk about - please contact: zanna@rampsonthemoon.co.uk

This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk

Chat to Ramps on the Moon right here!

In this episode Michèle Taylor talks to Claire Hodgson and Jamie Beddard, joint Artistic Directors of Diverse City - A performing arts company who make bold, inclusive performance work, that supports artists to develop and grow, as well as work with multiple communitues to open up the arts to them.

Claire is a Theatre, Dance and Circus Director, committed to achieving social justice. Claire founded Diverse City in 2005 and is the co-founder of Extraordinary Bodies, the UK’s leading professional integrated circus company.

Jamie is the Joint Artistic Director of Diverse City with Claire, and Lead Artist for Extraordinary Bodies, as well as a prominent UK disabled actor, writer, director, and advocate for inclusion in the performing arts

Their mission at Diverse City:

"To fight for equality in every artistic arena: the boardroom, the audience, backstage, and centre stage should all be truly representative and we're here to make that happen.”

A brilliant podcast episode which delves deep into their personal fights against ableist barriers and the critical importance of allyship and how being an ally works in real life situations. They also chat about their joint role - and the freedom that brings to their creativity and personal development.

extraordinarybodies.org.uk which covers all of their circus work

diversecity.org.uk

Thank you to Jamie and Claire for such fascinating and open conversation.

Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.

Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor. MBE, Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon.

Michèle takes the Ramps on the Moon podcast straight into the engine room of mainstream theatre. Across all episodes, she chats with actors, directors, producers and chief executives to uncover the joys, the tensions, the breakthroughs and the lessons in placing disabled people at the centre of cultural organisations.

Michèle shares the realities of the ‘now’ and what the future can hold for disability equality in the arts with Anti-Ableism weaved into every part of an organisation.

If you'd like to be considered as a guest on this podcast, or have a subject you'd like Michèle to talk about - please contact: zanna@rampsonthemoon.co.uk

This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk