3Spoonies Episode Number 52, 2nd April 2026

With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper 

What happens when you mix disability, chronic illness, dark humour, and stand-up comedy?

In this episode of 3Spoonies, we’re joined by comedian Suzi Payton to talk about the role of humour in surviving life with chronic illness and disability — and why disabled people so often use comedy as a coping mechanism.

This is an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation about how laughter can coexist with pain — and why comedy is often one of the few safe outlets disabled people have.

Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials 

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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/ 

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If you’d like to find out more about our hosts;

Jo O’Neil

Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness 

Claire Napper

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper

Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery

Karen Duncan

Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses 

Guest - Suzi Payton 

www.suzipayton.com 

Suzi Payton | LinkedIn

https://www.instagram.com/suzipayton_audhdspeaker.comedy/

https://www.facebook.com/suzipaytonadhd

https://www.tiktok.com/@suzipaytonaudhdcomedian

https://www.youtube.com/@suzipayton

Sponsors

A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor: 

Lisa Greener – Green Cat Books

Founded in 2017 by fellow spoonie Lisa Greener, Green Cat Books has supported nearly 70 authors and published over 120 titles. We handle the production side of publishing so authors can focus on writing, work, or simply taking time to rest.

Our catalogue includes children’s books, sci-fi, romance, and poetry, alongside audiobooks and videobooks, with selected titles now available on Spotify and Audible. We also promote independent creators and offer an affiliate programme for book lovers who want to share and earn.

Find out more:

www.greencatbooks.com

And to our advert sponsors! 

Helen Pugh

Ablepreneurs

We believe talent doesn’t fade because of illness or disability; it just needs the right environment to shine.

www.ablepreneurs.co.uk 

Nic Gray

The Anti-Hustle Hub is a supportive online community for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who want accountability, connection and sustainable ways of working, without burnout.

https://nicgray.co.uk/the-anti-hustle-hub 

https://nicgray.co.uk

https://facebook.com/nicgrayadhd

Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:23 Sponsor: Green Cat Books

00:59 Introducing the Guest

02:03 How Comedy Became Part of Her Journey

04:38 Using Comedy to Talk About Disability

08:12 Challenging Stereotypes Through Humour

12:47 Audience Reactions and Changing Perceptions

17:21 The Power of Representation in Comedy

21:54 Balancing Humour and Serious Topics

26:38 Comedy as Advocacy

31:16 Advice for Disabled People Interested in Comedy

35:42 Final Thoughts

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