Advertise on podcast: The Sunflower Conversations

This episode discusses living with sickle cell disease and its impacts. We are joined by SOuL Just Be co-editor Ayuk Besong Anne-Chantal and Dr Lewis Thomas to explore the complexities of living with sickle cell disease. Both guests bring their lived experience and professional expertise to shed light on the physical, emotional, and social challenges individuals with this condition face. What sickle cell is How sickle cell affects work, education, emotions and relationshipsWhat a sickle cell crisis is Recognising triggers Why sickle cell is global, and the link to malariaStigma and misinformationRacial biasThe helpful role of the Sunflower in preventing being misjudgedIf you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up with your healthcare practitioner for support. For support: Sickleverse Website: sickleverse.comInstagram: @sicklecellcoach, TikTok: @drlewisthomas, Facebook: Dr Lewis Thomas, YouTube: @sicklecellhelp, LinkedIn: Dr Lewis ThomasSOuL Just Be SOuL Just Be E-magLinkedIn @A&A Consulting and Engineering servicesYouTube sickle cell podcast @A&ConsultingServicesSCD Champs Game AppCharities The Sickle Cell Society - UKSickle Cell Society IrelandSickle Cell Disease Association of America Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada  Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review. Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by © Sandee Facy / Michael Saleta www.sandeefacy.com.au

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Nicole Quinlan about her journey living with a non-visible disability following a life-changing cancer diagnosis. Nicole shares her experience of being dismissed by healthcare professionals, advocating for answers, navigating treatment and living with lymphedema, while highlighting the importance of kindness and understanding.  • noticing a rapid physical change after childbirth and trusting your instincts  • being repeatedly dismissed in primary care and persisting until answers arrive  • managing lymphedema day to day with pain, swelling triggers, and practical tools  • learning how kindness from clinicians and strangers can change everything  • discovering the Hidden Disability Sunflower and reducing judgement in public spaces  Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

Content warning: This podcast episode discusses female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), including its physical, emotional, and psychological impacts. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Listener discretion is advised. If you have been affected by the issues discussed, please consider seeking support from a healthcare professional. In this episode, Huda Mohammed, who is an FGM Specialist and Pelvic Health Midwife from the charity Vavengers, discusses the Impact of FGM on Women's Health. Women who have undergone FGM often face a myriad of health complications that can affect them throughout their lives. We discuss: Physical Pain: Chronic pain and discomfort during intercourse, menstrual cycles, and childbirth.Psychological Trauma: Many women report feelings of trauma, anxiety, and depression related to their experiences with FGM.Infections and Complications: Increased risk of urinary tract infections, complications during childbirth, and infertility issues. For support: Vavengers - UKAction to End FGM/C - Global Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review. Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by © Sandee Facy / Michael Saleta www.sandeefacy.com.au

Content warning: This podcast episode discusses female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), including its physical, emotional, and psychological impacts. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Listener discretion is advised. If you have been affected by the issues discussed, please consider seeking support from a healthcare professional. We talk with Sema Gornell, the charity Vavenger's CEO, about one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding FGM/C: that it is a medical necessity. In reality, there are no health benefits to the practice; rather, it can lead to severe physical and psychological harm. Sema points out that the female genitalia is one of the most sensitive areas of the body, containing over 10,000 nerve endings. The removal or alteration of this area can result in lifelong complications, including chronic pain, reproductive issues, and mental health struggles. We also challenge the myths that stop progress. FGM is not “just culture”, and it is not a private issue that communities are comfortable with. Sema explains how demand and misogynistic norms shape expectations of women’s bodies, and why men and boys must be champions if we want prevention to work. For support: Vavengers - UKAction to End FGM/C - GlobalHosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review. Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by © Sandee Facy / Michael Saleta www.sandeefacy.com.au

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Yvette O'Dowd, who first showed symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) at 32 years old and has now been living with the condition for over 30 years. An advocate and author of the children's book Granny Has Wobbly Legs, Yvette shares her experience of living with MS, exploring fatigue, brain fog, stigma, and the practical adjustments, including the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, that help make everyday life more accessible. • Early MS signs, diagnosis and living with uncertainty • Hidden symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, numbness and heat sensitivity • Managing energy through pacing and spoon theory • The emotional impact of invisible disability and being misunderstood • Treatment decisions, lifestyle changes and daily coping strategies • Explaining MS to children through Granny Has Wobbly Legs • Simple accessibility changes that make a meaningful difference • How the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower supports understanding and confidence Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Vikesh Anand, TEDx speaker and founder of STUTTA (Australian Stuttering Association), about living with a stutter and advocating for greater awareness and acceptance.  • What stuttering is, including different types of speech blocks and covert vs overt stuttering  • The mental load of masking speech, including anxiety, shame and constant self-monitoring  • Finding community at 28 through a stuttering support group, shifting towards acceptance  • Moving into advocacy and creating spaces like “Speak Freely” through STUTTA  • The importance of patience and not finishing sentences for people who stutter  • How the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower supports confidence and awareness in daily life Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

We talk about motor neurone disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with Pauline from the MND Association and Joff, who shares what diagnosis and day-to-day life really look like. We explore how symptoms show up, why support and research urgency matter, and how small acts of understanding can make public spaces safer and kinder.  What MND is and why symptoms vary so much The long process of ruling out other conditions Prevalence Resilience and adapting to changeThe helpful role of the Sunflower in preventing being misjudged If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up with your healthcare practitioner for support. For support MND Association UKIrish Motor Neurone DiseaseThe ALS Association USAALS Canada Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.   If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.   Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by © Sandee Facy / Michael Saleta www.sandeefacy.com.au

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Nicole Trimboli about surviving two cancers, living with a permanent stoma and ostomy bag, and rebuilding confidence when your body and life change fast.  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a young mum and the mental scars that can linger  • Daily life with an ostomy bag, diet planning and body image.  • Writing What a Shit Show as a guide, a story and a form of therapy  • Travelling with a hidden disability, airport security, toilets and the Sunflower lanyard  • The harm of judging who uses accessible toilets and why visibility is not proof Purchase a copy of Nicole's book "What a Shit Show"   Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

The topic for this episode is mental health and schizophrenia. If you are affected by anything we discuss, please follow up with your healthcare provider.  We talk with Alex Phillips from Mind in Camden about schizophrenia and hearing voices, focusing on lived experience rather than frightening labels. We explore how people can recover, how families can offer support, and how everyday compassion reduces stigma.  Hearing voices as an umbrella for different sensory experiences Why some experiences can feel positive or meaningful Living well and recovery without forcing voices to disappear Stigma in society and responding with a compassionate human approach How the Hidden Disability Sunflower can signal a need for patience If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up with your healthcare practitioner for support. For support Intervoice - InternationalNational Hearing Voices Network - UK Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.   If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.   Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by © Sandee Facy / Michael Saleta www.sandeefacy.com.au

We talk with Jay Reinstein about his early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis, from the first confusing moments at work to the fear, stigma, and family impact that followed. We also dig into what helps day-to-day, how advocacy restores purpose, and why practical support like the Sunflower lanyard can change a journey from panic to confidence.  Noticing early cognitive changes in a high-responsibility job and seeking assessment Emotional shock of diagnosis, including anxiety, depression, and worry about being a burden Rebuilding purpose through boards, projects, and staying socially connected Daily adjustments Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyard and how it improves airport support for non-visible disabilities  For support VOA Foundation - USAAlzheimer's Society UKAlzheimer's Society IrelandAlzheimer's Society Canada If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up with your healthcare practitioner for support. Hosted by Chantal Boyle and Lynn Smith, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.   If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.   Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Mel Ogden about profound hearing loss alongside endometriosis, Hashimoto’s disease, and breast cancer, and how it's shaped her identity, work, and self-advocacy.  Mel shares her journey from childhood through to adulthood, navigating communication, disclosure, and shifting access needs across different environments. Communication in daily life, including lip reading and the importance of captionsLearning to disclose access needs, moving from masking to self-advocacy, and why confidence isn’t always linearThe impact of chronic illness and cancer on identity, energy, and day-to-day lifeChallenging assumptions like “you don’t sound deaf” and how these moments shape the experience of non-visible disabilityVisit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

In this first episode of Season 3, James Dunn returns as our new host, bringing thoughtful and engaging conversations to the forefront. He is joined by Fiona, an organisational design and HR leader with over 18 years’ experience, who shares her experience of living with vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD), also known as Best disease, and how it has shaped her perspective on identity, accessibility, and inclusion. Growing up with a childhood diagnosis and navigating the evolving impact of progressive vision lossWhat progressive vision loss can look like in real life, why corrective lenses often cannot “fix” low vision, and the quiet internal question so many people carry: am I disabled enough to ask for help?Why experimenting with free technology can be a powerful first step towards inclusion. Practical workplace accessibility tools, including screen readers, magnifiers, and read-aloud featuresCreating more inclusive workplaces through awareness, flexibility, and thoughtful designVisit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

We talk with Alex Manners, an autistic speaker and author. In this episode, Alex explains what autism feels like for him, from literal language and sensory stress to special interests, like football, that genuinely help him cope. We also explore how improved communication and practical inclusion tools, such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, can make everyday life more accessible.  In this episode, we cover a lot from school to employment. Below are just some of the topics we cover: Why Alex still uses the term Asperger's Special interests and how football and the football programmes support Alex's emotional regulation Why sarcasm, idioms, and vague questions cause real barriers Sensory sensitivities like labels, sock seams, and ticking sounds What autistic meltdowns are, how masking contributes, and what recovery feels like The importance of routine If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up with your healthcare practitioner for support. Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.   If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.   Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Terri Louise Brown, founder of Talks with MS  joins us in this episode. We learn how to create a charity from scratch and discover the importance of community support for those living with multiple Sclerosis. Terri has relapse-remitting spinal MS and shares why she feels the power of community is essential, and her journey from an online group to creating a registered charity. We explore the inclusive Empowerment Awards, the importance of supportive educators, the use of technology for good, and why the Sunflower lanyard is a quiet voice for invisible disabilities. For support: Talks with MSThe Empowerment Awards  If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up and seek support from your healthcare practitioner.  Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.    If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.    Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with disability inclusion leader, Courtney Rosato, about her late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, navigating diverse professional spaces, and how her lived experience informs systemic change. Late diagnosis and its impact on personal and professional identityThriving in dynamic, fast-paced environments as a neurodivergent professional.Challenging workplace misconceptions about capability and communicationEmbedding proactive adjustments and neuroaffirming leadershipLeading systemic change through policy, education, and capacity buildingCreating genuinely inclusive environments that benefit everyoneVisit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.