The Purple Orange Podcast

Lend me your legs: Pursuing passion amid grief

Have you ever wondered what we lose when stories are simply framed as 'inspiration' pieces? 🤔

In this episode of the Purple Orange Podcast, Jessie opens up about her journey to becoming a champion equestrian while navigating loss and life with a disability—and how her beloved horse and best friend, Storm, was by her side to see her through her darkest moments.

Tune in to hear Jessie’s reflections on grief, resilience, purpose, and the unfiltered reality of disability.

Listen to Stella Young's TED talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K9Gg164Bsw

Download transcript of Lend me your legs: Pursuing passion amid grief

Language matters

Have you ever wondered how changing a single word can change someone's experience? 🤔

In this episode of The Purple Orange Podcast, Belle Owen and Dr. Ellen Fraser-Barbour dive deep into why language matters. Language is more than just words—it's a tool that shapes identity, influences perceptions, and can either empower or marginalise.

From rejecting outdated terms to embracing identity-first language, Ellen and Belle share how their views on disability have evolved over the years and the impact of these shifts.

Listen to their powerful conversation to learn how you can make meaningful changes with something as simple (and free!) as language.

Click here to download a transcript of Language Matters.

Let's talk about dating

Dating can be challenging. Especially in today’s brave new world of dating apps.

How much of yourself do you put in your profile for all to see? How much do you leave for a later conversation?

Daniella shares insights into her dating experiences, her thought process on whether or not to disclose her differences and the layers and complexities built around why and why not as she walks through some of her raw reflections on her journey through the dating landscape.

Click here to download a transcript of Let's talk about dating.

 

Breaking out of the safe zone

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut? Or like life is kind of a drag? You wait for change to come. And you wait, and you wait…

And then it hits you, it’s not going to change. Not unless you make it happen.

Join Matt as he breaks out of his comfort zone and faces his fears, creating the change he was waiting for in order to truly live.

Click here to download a transcript of Breaking out of the safe zone.

S2E1: Freedom means a good life

To kick off season 2, we have a powerful story centred on home.

 

Imagine living in a home that feels more like a prison.

 

You live without any choice or control over what your day looks like.

 

How would you feel? How would you act?

 

Find out in Episode one Season 2 of the Purple Orange Podcast, which takes us on an incredible journey of darkness to light, in which Tim leaves his group home, and regains control over his life.

 

 

Have you thought about a mainstream school?

"Have you thought about a mainstream school?" touches on inclusive education and how it benefits both people with disability and the schooling community as a whole.

 

Join Michaela as she talks about their family's journey to finding an inclusive mainstream school for her child, Harry.

 

Click here to download and read the transcript of Have you thought about a mainstream school.

The journey to self-acceptance

What happens for someone who acquires their disability?

 

Join Lauren as she takes us on her journey of self-discovery after acquiring disability, how it completely changed the trajectory of her life, and how re-understanding who she was compared to who she is now has helped reform and reignite her purpose and passion.

 

Click here to download and read the transcript of The journey to self-acceptance.

SKILL Special Edition Episode: Choose your own adventure - Achieving your dream of learning to drive

Years ago, Andrew Gibson embarked on a journey of learning to drive after experiencing brain injury. This led to regained confidence, independence, and access to social and employment opportunities. In short, it was life-changing.

Today, Andrew is the Project Leader for SKILL, an individual capacity building project, and in this special edition podcast episode, he talks to Brad Williams, from Williams OT, about turning your dream of learning to drive into an actionable plan for living life the way you want. 

Click here to access the transcript for the episode.

The burden of low expectations: Challenging disability stigma across cultures

Have you thought about how other countries and cultures view disability?

Esther takes us through her journey of battling cultural stigma around disability in Sudan, Uganda and Australia and the challenges of migrating to a new country and forging her path as a woman with disability from a linguistically diverse background!

 

Click here to download and read the transcript of The burden of low expectations: Challenging disability stigma across cultures.

Rethinking the ideal parent

Join Mike and Lucilla, and Mikaila and Ivy as they talk about parenting with a disability, the challenges and solutions they overcame as a family, and how it’s changed their lives for the better.

 

Click here to download and read the transcript of Rethinking the ideal parent.