ListenABLE

“A Diagnosis Changed Everything… and Nothing” | Kelly Berger (Rare Disease Story)

What happens when you finally get the diagnosis that explains your whole life… and what doesn’t it change at all?In this powerful episode of ListenABLE, Angus sits down with disability advocate and podcaster Kelly Berger, who shares her journey living with an ultra-rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy, Collagen 6. After years of misdiagnosis, Kelly received her genetic confirmation as an adult, a moment that brought clarity, community and a new sense of direction, without changing who she fundamentally is.Kelly speaks candidly about the emotional weight of diagnosis, navigating healthcare systems, building community, and what real accessibility actually looks like in daily life. From the realities of infrastructure in the US to the gaps between performative inclusion and genuine integration, this conversation goes well beyond awareness and into what meaningful change requires.We also dive into Kelly’s podcast 'Wheel Talk', her advocacy work, and how she’s helping reshape how disability, rare disease and identity are spoken about in public spaces.This is a conversation about resilience, identity, leadership and how visibility changes everything.Living with Collagen 6 congenital muscular dystrophyThe emotional impact of finally receiving a genetic diagnosisRare disease advocacy and disability representationAccessibility in infrastructure and public spacesNavigating healthcare systems and misdiagnosisDisability identity and prideBuilding community with and without disabilityLanguage, inclusion and allyshipPerformative vs meaningful disability representationCreating podcasts within the disability communityWhy visibility mattersKelly Berger is a disability advocate, podcaster and rare disease community leader living with Collagen 6 congenital muscular dystrophy. She is the co-host of Wheel Talk, a podcast exploring disability, identity and lived experience through honest, accessible conversations. Kelly works actively in advocacy, accessibility awareness and rare disease representation.ListenABLE is a podcast created to amplify disability voices, challenge stereotypes and explore what inclusion actually looks like in practice. Hosted by Angus O’Loughlin alongside Dylan Alcott, the show brings real stories, lived experience and meaningful conversations into the mainstream.Podcast: Wheel Talk with Kelly and Averyhttps://www.instagram.com/thewheeltalkpodcast/

The Day Kelly Finally Got Answers After Years of Misdiagnosis

Episode out Tuesday!

Disability Pride, Para Sport and the Power of Storytelling with Elizabeth Wright

In this episode, Elizabeth Wright shares her journey from being a Paralympic swimmer to becoming a sports journalist. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of her career, the importance of representation in media, and her personal experiences with disability. Elizabeth emphasises the need for more coverage of Paralympic sports and the significance of embracing one's identity and pride in the face of ableism. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of disability representation in journalism and the importance of community support. Connect with Elizabeth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethlwright/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-wright-ply-300610129/ Website: http://www.elizabethwright.net/ What we cover: Elizabeth Wright transitioned from Paralympic swimmer to sports journalist. She emphasizes the need for more representation of disabled individuals in media. The Sydney 2000 Paralympics were a turning point for public support of para sports. Elizabeth faced challenges in her identity after retiring from swimming. She found empowerment through photography and art. Living with a disability requires daily practice of self-acceptance. Elizabeth advocates for more coverage of Paralympic sports. She reflects on the ableist perceptions in society. The importance of community pride in disability is highlighted. Elizabeth aims to inspire more disabled individuals to pursue journalism. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:58 Elizabeth Wright's Journey in Sports Journalism 05:51 Reflections on the Paralympic Games 09:05 Life After Competitive Swimming 11:51 Exploring Identity Through Art and Photography 14:54 Understanding Disability and Personal Experience 21:19 The Journey of Adaptation 22:34 Prosthetics: Tools of Empowerment 26:54 Disability Pride: A Daily Practice 31:10 The Future of Disability Representation in Journalism 33:43 Confronting Ableism: Personal Experiences and GrowthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Designing Beauty with Disability in Mind | Storm Menzies and Holly Sultana

In this episode of ListenABLE, Dylan and Angus sit down with Storm and Holly, the founder and brand ambassador of ByStorm Beauty, a trailblazing inclusive beauty brand designed for people with disabilities. They explore the challenges of inaccessible makeup, the importance of representation in beauty, and how ByStorm is creating products that empower the disability community while building a profitable, inclusive business. Storm shares the journey from co-designing accessible tools to collaborating with major brands, while Holly reflects on the personal impact of independence, confidence, and visibility. Discover how thoughtful design, community consultation, and advocacy are reshaping the beauty industry—and learn why accessibility benefits everyone. Connect with Holly and Storm: Storm: https://www.linkedin.com/in/storm-menzies/ ByStorm: https://bystormbeauty.com/ Holly: linkedin.com/in/holly-sultana-b37410212 Chapter Titles & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Listenable 00:01 – Accessible Makeup Inspiration: How breaking a hand led to a new approach 01:40 – Meet Storm & Holly: Founders and ambassadors of ByStorm Beauty 03:00 – Empowerment Through Representation: How ByStorm impacts the disability community 06:10 – The Problem With Inaccessible Beauty: Everyday struggles and barriers 07:27 – Normalizing Struggle: Holly’s perspective on accessibility and independence 08:33 – Overcoming Ableism in Beauty: Challenges convincing others accessibility matters 12:12 – Building a Disability-Led Business: From prototypes to a thriving brand 16:20 – What is Accessible Makeup?: Tools, attachments, and co-design 18:08 – Collaborations & Industry Impact: Celeste Barber and mainstream engagement 19:43 – Representing ByStorm: The ambassador experience and social impact 25:08 – Community & Advisory Board: Lived experience shaping product development 27:00 – Retail & Global Expansion: Inclusion in stores and future plans 31:04 – Time & Independence: How accessibility saves time and fosters autonomy 33:06 – Product Design Details: Shapes, grips, and user experience 34:52 – Packaging & Unboxing: Accessibility beyond the product itself accessible makeup, inclusive beauty, disability advocacy, disability-led business, ByStorm Beauty, makeup for disabilities, co-design products, empowerment, representation in beauty, inclusive product designSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Parliament: Senator Jordon Steele-John on Disability, Politics, and Representation

Australian Senator Jordon Steele-John joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin to share what life is really like inside Parliament as a wheelchair user and one of the few disabled politicians in Australia. From rushing to Senate votes without extra time allowances to reshaping accessibility in politics, Jordon gives a candid and inspiring look at how inclusion, policy, and representation intersect in Australia’s most powerful building. The conversation spans his journey from a 23-year-old Greens candidate from WA to a national advocate for accessibility, neurodiversity, and disability rights. Jordon opens up about moments of misunderstanding on the campaign trail, how his ADHD and cerebral palsy shape his leadership, and why true inclusion starts with “getting our own house in order.” This episode is full of insight, humour, and practical advice for anyone—disabled or not—who wants to create change in their community. Connect with Jordon: https://www.instagram.com/jordonsteelejohn/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordon-steele-john-656ba917a/ Key Topics Life as a Senator with disability Accessibility barriers in Parliament House Ableism in political systems How Parliament handles (or doesn’t handle) disability inclusion The power of lived experience in politics Jordon’s journey to the Senate at age 23 Disability pride and representation ADHD, cerebral palsy, and leadership Advice for young people with disability wanting to enter politics Building collective action for change Quotes “If Parliament is going to make laws that fix accessibility in the community, we’ve got to literally get our own house in order first.” – Jordon Steele-John “People thought I was collecting for charity, not running for office. That moment showed how deeply society equates disability with needing help, not giving leadership.” – Jordon Steele-John “Politics should represent every voice—including people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. The system can and should be rebuilt to meet everyone’s access needs.” – Jordon Steele-John About Jordon Steele-John Jordon Steele-John is an Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia and the youngest person ever elected to the Australian Senate. A proud disabled man with cerebral palsy and ADHD, Jordon has been a leading advocate for disability rights, climate justice, and inclusive reform since 2017. His work includes helping establish the Disability Royal Commission and pushing for systemic accessibility across Australian institutions. Jordon Steele-John, Dylan Alcott, Angus O’Loughlin, ListenABLE podcast, Australian Parliament accessibility, disability politics Australia, cerebral palsy, ADHD, Greens Senator WA, disability representation, ableism in politics, Disability Royal Commission, inclusion, accessibility reform, disabled leaders, advocacy AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.