Welcome to Disability Disrupters, the podcast about disabled people disrupting the ways in which others view us and our lives, which is often very far from the reality. The podcast is published on the first of each month, and features disability news, views, and interviews with disabled people from around the world, who have used their initiative to carve out successful lives for themselves, despite the often relentless negativity expressed about us by others, perpetuated by social and mainstream media. The podcast illustrates that it is possible to live a rich life with disability, and features information and advice from a range of disabled people who have done just that.
While the podcast highlights the barriers to our participation in everyday life, it illustrates how we can navigate these obstacles to determine our own life pathways. Disabled people have diverse views and experiences, and Disability Disrupters provides a vehicle to delve into a range of topics of interest and share tips for barrier mitigation with others.
While family and allies are encouraged to subscribe and listen to the podcast, Disability Disrupters is made by and for disabled people. Many platforms exist for nondisabled people to learn about us and how we manage our lives, but this is one of few podcast that shares the authentic experiences and views of disabled people, for the benefit of other disabled people. If you are nondisabled but have a professional or other interest in disability issues, a warm welcome.
The podcast is hosted by founder and Managing Director of Disability Responsiveness New Zealand Ltd, Pam MacNeill, who facilitates discussion with a range of disability activists and advocates. We welcome the input of disabled people via e-mail or voice recording sent to disrupters@drnz.co.nz and you are encouraged to share your thoughts and experiences with us.
You can support the Disability Disrupters podcast by leaving a donation/tip here
List of Podcast Episodes
| Released
| Episode
|
|
| 31 Jul 2026 |
S1E26 - Interview with Dr. Huhana Hickey - MNZM, Māori disability and human rights advocate, scholar and former lawyer |
Download |
| 30 Jun 2026 |
S1E25 - Interview with Tim Young - CEO at Smart Access Limited |
Download |
| 30 May 2026 |
S1E24 - Interview with Sadie Dingfelder - Author, science journalist, neurodiversity advocate |
Download |
| 30 Apr 2026 |
S1E23 - Interview with Dan Shepherd - General Manager, Community and Inclusion |
Download |
| 31 Mar 2026 |
S1E22 - Interview with Yenn Purkis - Autistic Author, Speaker, Advocate |
Download |
| 30 Mar 2026 |
S1E22 - Interview with Yenn Purkis - Autistic Author, Speaker, Advocate |
Download |
| 28 Feb 2026 |
S1E21 - Kylee Maloneys award winning broadcast with Victoria Maxwell - Crazy for Life |
Download |
| 31 Jan 2026 |
S1E20 - Interview with Kylee Maloney - Creative and Student of Life |
Download |
| 31 Dec 2025 |
S1E19 - Interview with Andrew Gadd - Disability Advocate and Content Creator |
Download |
| 31 Dec 2025 |
S1E19 - Interview with Andrew Gadd - Disability Advocate and Content Creator |
Download |
| 30 Nov 2025 |
S1E18 - Interview with Mark Williams - Entrepreneur and National Sales Manager - NZ for HT Systems |
Download |
| 30 Nov 2025 |
S1E18 - Interview with Mark Williams - Entrepreneur and National Sales Manager - NZ for HT Systems |
Download |
| 31 Oct 2025 |
S1E17 - Interview with Stephanie Birkhead - Author of Behind the Shutters |
Download |
| 01 Oct 2025 |
S1E16 - Interview with Gemma O\'Donnell - Barrister and Solicitor - Founder of Chronically Legal |
Download |
| 31 Aug 2025 |
S1E15 - Episode 15 - DARUMA movie - Best Actor Winners Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson |
Download |
| 31 Aug 2025 |
S1E15 - DARUMA movie - Best Actor Winners Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson |
Download |
| 26 Aug 2025 |
S1E14 - Interview with Neelu Jennings - Politician, Disability Advocate and Adventure athlete |
Download |
| 31 Jul 2025 |
S1E13 - Interview with Nick Ruane - Disability advocate and leader |
Download |
| 31 Jul 2025 |
S1E13 - Interview with Nick Ruane - Disability advocate and leader |
Download |
| 30 Jun 2025 |
S1E12 - Historical Disability Disrupter - The Life and Times of Ben Purse |
Download |
| 30 Jun 2025 |
S1E12 - Historical Disability Disrupter - The Life and Times of Ben Purse |
Download |
| 31 May 2025 |
S1E11 - Interview with Emma Bennison |
Download |
| 30 Apr 2025 |
S1E10 - Interview with Nikita \'Nikki\' Van Dijk |
Download |
| 30 Apr 2025 |
S1E10 - Interview with Nikita \'Nikki\' Van Dijk |
Download |
| 31 Mar 2025 |
S1E9 - Interview with Grant Cleland ONZM |
Download |
| 31 Mar 2025 |
S1E9 - Interview with Grant Cleland ONZM |
Download |
| 28 Feb 2025 |
S1E8 - Interview with Cyndi Brec - Author |
Download |
| 31 Jan 2025 |
S1E7 - In conversation with Graeme Innes and Jonathan Mosen |
Download |
| 31 Dec 2024 |
S1E6 - Interviews with Paula Jessop and Mark Cook |
Download |
| 31 Dec 2024 |
S1E6 - Interviews with Paula Jessop and Mark Cook |
Download |
| 30 Nov 2024 |
S1E5 - Interview with Dr Peter Wheeler |
Download |
| 31 Oct 2024 |
S1E4 - Interview with Liel Bridgford - Psychologist, Writer and Educator |
Download |
| 30 Sep 2024 |
S1E3 - Interview with Barry de Geest and Carolyns travel experiences (low vision & blind) |
Download |
| 01 Sep 2024 |
S1E2 - Interview with Amos Miller - CEO of Glidance |
Download |
| 01 Aug 2024 |
S1E1 - Interview with Valerie Smith |
Download |
| 01 Aug 2024 |
S1E1 - Interview with Valerie Smith |
Download |
