The Eclectic

The Eclectic

By Eloka OduahSociety & Culture
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The Eclectic episodes

  • Reproductive Rights and Freedoms of People with Disabilities

    What does it mean to have control over your body when society sees you as incapable of making choices about it?

    In this powerful episode of The Eclectic Podcast, host Eloka Oduah explores the often-ignored issue of reproductive rights for people with disabilities. From forced sterilizations to lack of access to inclusive sexual health education and care, disabled individuals continue to face systemic barriers to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.

    Eloka is joined by Winnie Njeri Muthoni, a gender and disability mainstreaming officer, to discuss:

    • Myths around asexuality, parenting, and consent

    • The importance of inclusive policies and education

    • What reproductive justice means for people with disabilities

    • How to support the movement for autonomy and accessibility

    This episode challenges taboos, unpacks policy gaps, and uplifts real stories. Because every body deserves choice, freedom, and dignity.

    Transcript available, send an email to [email protected] to get it.

    44 min
  • My Life with a Cochlear Implant

    In this empowering episode of The Eclectic Podcast, we sit down with a remarkable guest who is Deaf, uses a cochlear implant, and has made it her life’s mission to break down barriers in communication, gender equality, and disability inclusion. As a communications specialist, she brings both lived experience and professional insight into what it means to navigate the world with an invisible disability while pushing for visibility, representation, and justice.

    We talk about:

    • The layered experience of being Deaf in hearing-dominant spaces

    • How cochlear implants have shaped her personal and professional life

    • The intersection of disability and gender in advocacy work

    • What true accessibility and inclusive communication really look like

    • The role of storytelling in humanizing disability rights

    Whether you’re in the disability space, curious about inclusive communication, or just love powerful stories — this episode is for you.

    🎧 Listen now and share with someone who believes in the power of being heard.

    35 min
  • Discussing Polio with Mona Arsenault
    In this episode of The Eclectic, we sit down with Mona Arsenault—an award-winning advocate, inclusion pioneer, and co-founder of Polio Quebec. Her journey began at 16 as Canada’s youngest Brownie leader and evolved into a lifelong commitment to championing the rights of people with disabilities.
    Mona shares how a single question from a parent changed the course of her life, leading her to create one of Canada’s first fully inclusive Girl Guide units. We dive into her work with post-polio advocacy, her role in shaping emergency egress accessibility standards, and her enduring belief in community, care, and creative leadership.
    This is more than a story—it’s a blueprint for sustainable, people-centered activism.
    In this episode, we discuss:
    • Diagnosing and living with post-polio syndrome
    • Building Polio Quebec and sustaining it for 40 years
    • Health equity, inclusive education, and accessible policy
    • Finding joy in beading and honouring the body’s wisdom
    • Advice for the next generation of disability advocates
    Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned changemaker, Mona’s story will inspire you to lead with courage, clarity, and heart.
    32 min
  • Addressing the impact of Climate Change on Persons with Disabilities with Abhishek Kumar
    How can we truly build a sustainable future if it's not inclusive?
    In this episode of *The Eclectic*, we sit down with **Abhishek Kumar** — lawyer, environmental researcher, and disability rights advocate — to explore how climate action and disability justice must intersect.
    From founding *The Sangyan* to contributing to global UN policies and leading powerful initiatives like *Build Forward Better*, Abhishek shares his journey of driving change at national and international levels.
    Join us as we discuss inclusive climate resilience, disability-led activism, and the urgent call to create a world where **we all belong**.
    35 min
  • Inclusive Learning with Professor Sigamoney Naicker
    Today on The Eclectic, our guest is Professor Sigamoney Manicka Naicker, a renowned education expert, advocate for inclusive learning, and a key architect of South Africa’s post-apartheid education policies. With a career spanning academia and government, he has played a pivotal role in shaping education policies that aim to bridge systemic gaps for working-class communities. As the first Director of Inclusive Education in South Africa, his work has influenced policies not only in South Africa but also globally.
    Today, we’ll explore his journey from growing up in a working-class community to becoming a leading voice in inclusive education. We’ll discuss how education policies can better serve marginalized communities, and the ongoing challenges of implementing inclusive education.
    In this episode, professor Naicker shares:
    • His personal journey and how his experiences as a product of a working-class childhood has shaped his advocacy for inclusive education.
    • An understanding of inclusive education.
    • Some of the biggest challenges he faced in implementing inclusive education policies and lots more.
    You can connect with professor Naicker on https://www.linkedin.com/in/sigamoney-naicker-0027113
    Send us a mail also to [email protected] and follow The Eclectic on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709292433 and join the growing community of people who are making life-changing discoveries!
    28 min
  • Epilepsy Advocacy and Inclusion with Nina Mago
    This week, we have a powerhouse in disability advocacy and epilepsy awareness—Nina Mago. As the Founder and CEO of the Purple Bench Initiative, Nina has dedicated over a decade to transforming public health narratives, breaking stigma, and securing access to epilepsy care for marginalized communities in Uganda and beyond. Her work with global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), has influenced policies and contributed to international epilepsy toolkits.
    Beyond policy advocacy, Nina is actively reshaping societal attitudes through education, media campaigns, and mentorship, ensuring that young people living with epilepsy are seen, heard, and supported.
    In this episode, Nina Mago shares:
    • Her personal Journey with Epilepsy & the defining moment in her journey that solidified her commitment to this cause
    • Her understanding of Epilepsy & experiences with stigma, some common misconceptions about epilepsy and more
    Join us on this exciting episode as we explore her journey, the challenges faced by individuals with epilepsy, and how we can all contribute to a more inclusive society.
    You can connect with Nina on https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninamago?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
    Send us a mail also to [email protected] and follow The Eclectic on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709292433 and join the growing community of people who are making life-changing discoveries!
    39 min
  • Authentic Disability Representation in the Media with Fatimah Usman
    This week, we speak to Fatimah Usman, a biochemist, educator, and passionate advocate for disability inclusion. As a person with albinism, she has witnessed the harmful effects of misrepresentation in entertainment and is calling for a revolution in the way disability stories are told. Through her work in education and advocacy, she’s advocating for authentic representation, ensuring that people with disabilities are not just included but properly portrayed.
    In this episode, Fatimah Usman shares:
    • Her upbringing and what led her into advocacy for disability inclusion
    • As a person with albinism, some of the first experiences that made her realize the need for authentic representation.
    • How her work as a teacher influenced her perspective on inclusion, especially for children with disabilities.
    • What she thinks are the biggest barriers preventing authentic inclusion.
    • How people with disabilities can take control of their own narratives in the media and lots more.
    Join us on this exciting episode as we unpack the challenges, the stereotypes, and most importantly, the solutions to creating an entertainment industry that truly reflects the diversity of the world we live in.
    You can connect with Fatimah on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatimah-usman-256885195?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
    Send us a mail also to [email protected] and follow The Eclectic on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709292433 and join the growing community of people who are making life-changing discoveries!
    26 min
  • Music: A tool for Creative and Inclusive Transformation with Dr. Denice White
    This week, we're joined by the incredible Dr. Denise White, a multi-award-winning Special Needs and Music Educator Entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to transforming the lives of children with special needs, particularly intellectual disability, through music. With over 25 years of experience and a PhD in music invention, Dr. White has developed a groundbreaking musical improvisation concept called “Conductology”.
    In this episode, Dr. White shares
    • Her journey into music education and what inspired her to work with children with special needs.
    • How she developed “Conductology”, and what makes it a unique and scientifically proven musical improvisation concept.
    • Some stories and examples of how “Conductology” has transformed the lives of children and adults with disabilities.
    • How she sees “Conductology” being used in different settings, such as schools, communities, and healthcare institutions and lots more.
    So, come along with me as we journey through her inspiring story and explore the power of music to heal, empower, and transform lives.
    You can connect with Dr. White on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisewhiteconductology?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bhnn7XlQLQ0yUxwxLd2BxsA%3D%3D or visit her website @ www.conductology.co.uk to access her work!
    Send us a mail also to [email protected] and follow The Eclectic on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709292433 and join the growing community of people who are making life-changing discoveries!
    25 min
  • The BrailleDoodle with Daniel Lubiner
    Welcome to The Eclectic! Today, we're exploring the intersection of technology, education, and accessibility. Our guest is the creator of the BrailleDoodle, a groundbreaking tool that's making Braille literacy, STEM, and art education more inclusive and accessible. With a mission to promote equality and potential, the BrailleDoodle is revolutionizing the way we learn and create. Let's dive into the story behind this innovative device and its impact on the lives of individuals with visual impairments.
    If you are interested in learning more or supporting the BrailleDoodle mission, visit their website at TouchPadProFoundation.org
    Send us a mail to [email protected] and follow The Eclectic on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709292433 and join the growing community of people who are making life-changing discoveries!
    45 min
  • Applied Poetry with Lucky Pastor
    Today on The Eclectic, we have an exceptional guest whose story is a true testament to resilience and the power of pursuing your dreams. Lucky Pastor joins us, a multi-talented artist, advocate, and educator who has overcome significant challenges to achieve remarkable success. Lucky, despite losing his sight at a young age, has become a poet, scriptwriter, inspirational author, singer, and so much more. In this episode, he discusses the lunch of his second book “Applied Poetry” among other things. We're excited to delve into his incredible journey. Lucky is also the author of an inspirational book called "Braving the Storm." Be sure to check it out after the episode, and let us know in the comments below what resonated most with you from Lucky's story!
    To be part of the book lunch “Applied Poetry” on Thursday, 24th October 2024, join virtually via the link below
    Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qoh-raqr-tpa
    You can connect with Lucky via facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/lucky.pastor.9?mibextid=kFxxJD
    Send us a mail also to [email protected] and follow The Eclectic on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709292433 and join the growing community of people who are making life-changing discoveries!
    24 min

About The Eclectic

From the publisher's feed

The Eclectic is a podcast, where we discuss a variety of topics, bordering on different aspects of life and its intricacies.