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 loss
• What 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 features
• Creating more inclusive workplaces through awareness, flexibility, and thoughtful design

Visit 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 MS
• The 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 identity
• Thriving in dynamic, fast-paced environments as a neurodivergent professional.
• Challenging workplace misconceptions about capability and communication
• Embedding proactive adjustments and neuroaffirming leadership
• Leading systemic change through policy, education, and capacity building
• Creating genuinely inclusive environments that benefit everyone

Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

Danielle is neurodivergent and lives with palindromic rheumatism, undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, endometriosis, and adenomyosis.

We hear how her conditions intersect and why comorbidities complicate care. Danielle explains fascia and its effects on her body and organs. She also clarifies what palindromic rheumatism is: during flare-ups, pain moves around the body in episodes lasting hours or months, and a defining feature is the absence of joint damage, which often delays diagnosis.

Danielle's mental health has also been affected, especially after serious problems like blood clots and lung infection.

The conversation includes practical tools, guidance on workplace flexibility, and highlights the supportive power of the Sunflower community.

For support:

• Arthritis Ireland
• Arthritis Action – UK
• Arthritis Society Canada
• Arthritis Foundation - USA

 
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 sunflower advocate, James Dunn on sudden onset of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the long road to diagnosis, and how he rebuilt identity and purpose after stepping away from a legal career.

 
• Energy budgeting and daily structure
• Identity loss after leaving work and values reframing
• Navigating public spaces with a hidden disability 
• Travel barriers, queues and access to seating
• Workplace culture shift from proof to trust
• Simple adjustments that help everyone

Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

Simone Round shares how a hand tremor evolved into a complex FND diagnosis, now consisting of tics, chronic migraines, non‑epileptic seizures, and the reality of becoming an ambulant wheelchair user. In this episode, Simone talks us through her journey from an active lifestyle and career, working over 70 hours a week, to the steps she now takes to support her mental health and wellbeing. She explains how she now takes pleasure in a much slower pace of life, mindfulness and connection with people who also live with chronic illness.

Simone also describes the differences between carers and PAs and how her independence feels restored since having the aid of one.

If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up and seek support from your healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• Visit your Healthcare practitioner
• FND Hope International
• FND Hope UK
• FND Action UK
• FND Ireland
• FND Matters Northern Ireland
• FND Hope Canada & USA Facebook support page

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

Ashwin Soni joins the Sunflower Conversations to discuss Type 2 diabetes, which began to affect him four years ago. 

We learn about the symptoms Ashwin experienced and the changes he has had to make to manage the condition effectively.

Also discussed are the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, providing a better understanding and greater awareness of what to look out for to seek a diagnosis.

Whether you're supporting a loved one or just trying to refine your routine, you'll find grounded advice and hopeful takeaways in this episode, including accepting the diagnosis, learning the basics, and building repeatable habits to enjoy a long and fulfilling life.

 If you are concerned about any of the subjects discussed in the podcast, please follow up and seek support from your healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• Visit your Healthcare practitioner
• Diabetes Ireland
• Diabetes UK
• Diabetes Canada
• American Diabetes Association 

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

Flic Manning chats with Madeleine Jaine Lobsey about Autism and ADHD, and how we can move from deficit thinking to joyful, neuroinclusive design across events and workplaces.

They discuss:
 • Finding relief and reframing after an autism and ADHD diagnosis
 • Honouring personal needs as part of everyday life
 • Challenging common myths in leadership and creative roles
 • How lived experience helps shape inclusive cultures
 • Practical ways leaders can make inclusion real

Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

Content warning: In this episode, we are talking about the topic of mental health and refer to self-harm and suicide. If any of the conversation causes you distress and you need to speak to someone, please consider contacting a family member or friend for additional support. However, if you need professional help, please contact NHS 111 option 2 (in the UK) or your region’s emergency response number, or healthcare practitioner.

Kelly Winstanley, the National Clinical Lead from the charity Mental Health Matters, joins us on this episode to explain the difference between mental wellbeing and poor mental health. At some point, everyone will experience poor mental health, which is why it is so important to talk about it to reduce the associated shame and stigma. Kelly provides us with some indicators to look out for, enabling us to spot changes early, seek help, and respond with calm, practical steps. 

 
“…if people are listening find themselves experiencing symptoms or feel they’re struggling with their mental health or maybe they recognise that in other people, their family their friends or work colleagues, it’s really important to seek some help. See their GP, as soon as possible, again the earlier they treat it the better, but everyone different and these conditions can affect people in different ways.”

For support:

• Visit your Healthcare practitioner
• Call NHS 111, option 2 - UK
• Zero Suicide Alliance - UK
• Hub of Hope - UK
• Mental Health Helplines - USA 
• Mental Health Support - Canada
• Mental Health Support - Ireland

 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