ListenABLE

Spencer West returns to ListenABLE for an honest and powerful conversation about disability, accessibility and what it really means to be seen.Four years after his first appearance on the podcast, Spencer joins Angus O’Loughlin in person to talk about Melbourne’s accessibility, able-bodied assumptions, language around disability, social media advocacy and the moments from his life that people often romanticise from the outside.Spencer opens up about growing up without legs, rejecting prosthetics, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, feeling excluded from inaccessible queer spaces and learning that he does not always have to share his story just because someone asks.Guest Links: Spencer Westhttps://linktr.ee/spencer2thewesthttps://www.spencer2thewest.com/https://www.instagram.com/spencer2thewest/https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer2thewesthttps://www.youtube.com/user/Spencer2TheWest00:00 Spencer West returns to ListenABLE02:04 Melbourne accessibility and public transport03:28 When accessibility is gatekept04:42 Should people get praise for accessible spaces?05:52 Spencer explains his disability07:43 The assumption about disability people need to drop09:04 Disability language and using the word disabled11:32 Learning to advocate for his own body13:49 The truth about climbing Kilimanjaro16:21 Social media, responsibility and disability advocacy17:17 Feeling more visible than misunderstood17:47 Using humour to educate

Australia’s winter Paralympic star Ben Tudhope joins ListenABLE for one of the most honest and emotionally grounded conversations of the series.From becoming Australia’s youngest ever Winter Paralympian at just 14 years old, to returning home from the 2026 Winter Paralympics with two medals, Ben opens up about pressure, identity, confidence, loneliness, disability, and the mindset that helped him compete on the world stage.In this episode, Ben shares what it actually feels like to perform under Paralympic expectation, why he refuses to let medals define him, and how growing up with cerebral palsy shaped his resilience, humour, and outlook on life.He also speaks candidly about loneliness as an elite athlete, travelling the world away from family, learning to enjoy his own company, and why being “inspiring” is often misunderstood when it comes to disability and Paralymic sport.Whether you love elite sport, mindset conversations, disability advocacy, or simply hearing incredible human stories, this episode is packed with perspective, vulnerability and moments that will stay with you long after listening.Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/bentudhope/Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/In This Episode- Ben Tudhope’s journey to becoming a Paralympic snowboard medalist- Competing at four Winter Paralympic Games- The pressure of backing up success after Beijing- Why Ben doesn’t define himself by medals- Growing up with cerebral palsy- The role Ben’s parents played in his confidence- Snowboarding, identity and elite athlete mindset- Loneliness and sacrifice in elite sport- The overuse of the word “inspirational”- What people misunderstand about Paralympians- Learning to control the controllables- Confidence, humour and living with disability- Ben’s reflections on success, pressure and happinessAbout ListenABLEListenABLE is hosted by Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin, sharing raw, funny, vulnerable and powerful conversations with people living with disability and the people reshaping how Australia thinks about disability, identity and inclusion.Follow & SubscribeFollow ListenABLE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for new episodes every week.#Paralympics #BenTudhope #ListenABLE #Disability #CerebralPalsy #Snowboarding #WinterParalympics #Mindset #MentalHealth #AustralianPodcast #AdaptiveSport #DisabilityAdvocacy #DylanAlcott

What happens when two best mates decide not to let disability stop them from seeing the world?In this episode of ListenABLE, Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Fletcher and Lachie, the duo behind the viral social account “Two Mates One Chair”. After a mountain biking accident left Fletch paraplegic, the pair turned friendship, humour and pure determination into a global adventure that’s inspiring millions online.From piggybacking up 270 slippery stairs in Hong Kong, to navigating inaccessible train stations in Europe, ATV mishaps in Brazil, and discovering the kindness of strangers around the world, this conversation is equal parts hilarious, emotional and eye-opening.The boys open up about:The reality of travelling the world in a wheelchairGoing viral online while backpacking internationallyAccessibility challenges across Europe, Asia and South AmericaFletcher’s life-changing mountain biking accidentFriendship, disability and learning to ask for helpWhy people with disability still deserve adventureThe countries that surprised them most with accessibilityHow social media has changed perceptions around disabilityThe messages from followers that changed everythingWhy saying “yes” has completely transformed their livesThis is one of the funniest and most uplifting ListenABLE episodes yet, while also delivering an important conversation around accessibility, inclusion and the power of friendship.Follow Two Mates One Chair https://www.instagram.com/twomates1chair/Follow us:https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/00:00 Ability Fest & Dylan Alcott Foundation02:40 Meet “Two Mates One Chair”05:50 The first viral video07:14 Accessibility around the world16:14 Fletcher’s mountain bike accident20:40 Learning the art of the piggyback27:00 What happens after the trip ends?29:00 Advice for young people with disability32:00 “My life is 10 times better now”35:50 How people treat disability overseas38:00 Dating, nightlife & travelling together39:40 What’s next for the boys?disability travel stories ,paraplegic travel, wheelchair backpacking ,accessible tourism, spinal cord injury recovery, wheelchair travel vlog, disability awareness podcast, ListenABLE podcast, inclusive travel, viral travel story, Australian travel creators, adaptive lifestyle

What happens when someone refuses to accept the limits placed on them?This week on ListenABLE, Angus O’Loughlin and Dylan Alcott sit down with Brodie Taylor, the first person in Australia to become a qualified wheelchair netball umpire.Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at just seven months old, Brodie has spent his life navigating disability, accessibility and assumptions. But instead of accepting barriers, he found a way to create history in Australian sport.Brodie shares how netball unexpectedly found him, how officiating gave him a new purpose, and why confidence is often the biggest difference-maker for people with disability.He also opens up on wanting a future career in politics, where he hopes to help drive accessibility and meaningful change across Australia.Topics Covered- Becoming Australia’s first wheelchair netball umpire- Living with transverse myelitis- Disability and sport misconceptions- Confidence and self-belief- Why representation matters- Netball strategy and officiating- Accessibility in Australia- Future ambitions in politicsBest Quotes“Disability doesn’t mean inability.”“It’s you against the world. If you want it, go get it.”“Once you have confidence in yourself, no one can stop you.”“We can’t change everything overnight, but we can start.”Chapters00:00 Meet Brodie Taylor02:01 Making Australian netball history03:23 Diagnosed at seven months old06:58 Finding netball and purpose10:16 Becoming an umpire13:21 Breaking bias in sport18:10 Why politics is next21:43 Confidence and disability24:49 Advice for the next generation27:14 Bowl of UncomfortableBrodie Taylor, wheelchair netball umpire, ListenABLE podcast, Dylan Alcott podcast, disability sport Australia, accessible sport, netball Australia, transverse myelitis, disability advocate Australia

What happens when a single moment changes your life forever?In this powerful episode of ListenABLE, Larissa Camp shares the harrowing story of surviving a domestic violence attack that left her with a partial hand amputation and a completely different path in life.At just 23 years old, Larissa’s relationship turned violent when her partner pulled a shotgun on her during an argument. What followed was a life-threatening fight for survival that changed everything.But this episode is not just about trauma. It’s about identity, healing, motherhood, disability, and discovering purpose after unimaginable adversity.Larissa joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin to speak openly about what it’s like to rebuild a life after violence, how disability reshaped her self-worth, and how she eventually found confidence, independence and a career she never expected.This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply moving.• Larissa Camp’s incredible survival story after a domestic violence shooting• What it’s like waking up to discover a life-changing amputation• The emotional reality of navigating identity after acquiring a disability• Why people with disabilities are more vulnerable to domestic violence• How motherhood helped Larissa rediscover purpose and strength• The journey from trauma to becoming a successful hairstylisT• How forgiveness and resilience can coexist after extreme trauma• What to do if you suspect someone you know is experiencing domestic violenceAfter surviving the shooting, Larissa spent weeks in hospital recovering from severe injuries, including a partial hand amputation she didn’t even realise had happened until days after surgery.The emotional recovery was even harder.She struggled with depression, identity loss, and uncertainty about whether she would ever work again.But years later, a simple moment changed everything.While caring for her young son, Larissa realised she could still braid hair. That small discovery became the foundation for a new career as a hairstylist and helped her rebuild her confidence.Today, Larissa shares her story to help others recognise the warning signs of domestic violence and to remind people living with disability that they still have purpose.Follow Larissa: https://www.instagram.com/ann_ri3/https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissacamp/If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support services are available.In Australia:1800RESPECT – National Domestic Violence Support LineInternational listeners can search for local domestic violence hotlines or crisis support services in their country.Listenable is a podcast about normalising disability through honest conversations and lived experiences.Hosted by Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin, the show explores disability, identity, relationships, and the everyday moments that shape how we understand the world.domestic violence survivor story, disability podcast. acquired disability, amputation survivor, domestic violence awareness, disability identity ,trauma recovery stories, Larissa Camp story, Dylan Alcott podcast, Listenable podcast