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Artwork for The Sunflower Conversations

The Sunflower Conversations

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Autism
Hearing Loss
ADHD
Type 2 Diabetes
Disability Inclusion
Education
Dementia
Me/cfs
Neurodiversity
Inclusion
Functional Neurological Disorder
Ostomy
Workplace Inclusion
Alzheimer's Disease
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Alzheimer's Society
Personal Independence Payment
United Kingdom
Australia

Welcome to the Sunflower Conversations, the podcast where we explore the experiences of disabled people with non-visible disabilities through the lens of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

This is a space to hear authentic stories from disabled people navigating life with non-visible disabilities such as chronic illness, mental health conditions, neurodivergence, and more. While most episodes fo... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes153Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessDocumentaryMental HealthSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Sunflower Conversations

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Nicole Trimboli about surviving two cancers, living with a permanent stoma and ostomy bag, and rebuilding confidence when your body and life change fast. 

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a ... more

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The topic for this episode is mental health and schizophrenia. If you are affected by anything we discuss, please follow up with your healthcare provider. 

We talk with Alex Phillips from Mind in Camden about schizophrenia and hearing voices, focusi... more

YouTube

We talk with Jay Reinstein about his early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis, from the first confusing moments at work to the fear, stigma, and family impact that followed. We also dig into what helps day-to-day, how advocacy restores purpose, and why prac... more

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In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Mel Ogden about profound hearing loss alongside endometriosis, Hashimoto’s disease, and breast cancer, and how it's shaped her identity, work, and self-advocacy. 

Mel shares her jour... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Alex Phillips
Hearing Voices Project Supervisor, Mind in Camden
Mind in Camden
Episode: Understanding Schizophrenia with Alex Phillips, Mind in Camden
Jay Reinstein
Executive with VOA Foundation, advocate for early onset Alzheimer's
Voices of Alzheimer's Foundation
Episode: Early onset Alzheimer’s with Jay Reinstein, VOA Foundation
Mel Ogden
Guest focused on disability and inclusion
Procurement and Inclusion advocate
Episode: Profound Hearing Loss – with Mel (Australia & New Zealand)
Fee Heron
Organizational design expert with HR and inclusion focus; advocate for accessibility
Independent consultant / HR and inclusion specialist
Episode: Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (Best Disease) with Fiona - Australia & New Zealand
Alex Manners
Autism and neurodiversity speaker, presenter and author
Speaker and Author
Episode: Autism - my life diagnosed with Aspergers with Alex Manners
Terri Louise Brown
Founder and CEO of Talks with MS
Talks with MS
Episode: Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis to charity building Talks With MS
Courtney Rosato
Disability inclusion specialist with a legal background
Independent consultant in disability inclusion and policy
Episode: AuDHD with Courtney Rosato – Australia & New Zealand
Danielle Cudjoe Michalksi
CEO at Thinking Light Coach
Thinking Like Coach / Thinking Light Coach
Episode: Palindromic Rheumatism, Comorbidities and Neurodivergence with Danielle Cudjoe Michalksi
James Dunn
Guest with lived experience of hidden disabilities (POTS and ME/CFS)
Community member, Sunflower organization
Episode: POTS and ME/CFS with James - Australia and New Zealand

Hosts

Chantal
Host of The Sunflower Conversations with multiple affiliations linked to Sunflower initiatives; central figure in lead interviews and coordination with Sunflower campaigns.
Flick Manning
Host focusing on disability inclusion and accessibility through personal storytelling and policy discussions.
Madeleine Jaine Lobsey
Guest-turned-host focusing on neurodiversity leadership; involved in Wunderverse and inclusion initiatives.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Amazing stories we should all hear

    So generous by all these guests to share their stories and particularly what others around them can do to help all people with different abilities, especially hidden disabilities

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skye Canberra
    Australiaa month ago
  • Great podcast

    Absolutely love this podcast! Sunflower Conversations gives such a thoughtful and eye opening look into the daily experiences of people living with hidden disabilities. Every episode teaches something new, makes you reflect and reminds you how important it is to be kind and compassionate - because you never know what someone might be going through!

    The guests are always so inspiring and the conversations feel so genuine and heartfelt. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to better understand the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SitoraY
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great Podcast!!

    I have a visible disability but I also have invisible conditions which have been covered on the podcast. I have listened to every episode and it has made me feel like I’m not alone. I recommend this podcast to everyone with a medical/mental health condition. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Racheewheels
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Sunflower story

    Fantastic insight of how a person with epilepsy lives with her health condition. A very articulate and brave lady.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lolollololollll
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many mention the episodes feel hopeful and practical for everyday inclusion.
The Sunflower symbol is highlighted as a helpful cue for accessibility and safety.
Listeners praise the authenticity and vulnerability of guests, offering real-world insights.
Listeners note the conversations educate non-disabled audiences about invisible conditions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Post-Concussion Syndrome with Catherine - Australia and New Zealand
Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about post-concussion syndrome, especially since it's often invisible?
People assume brain injury means you're bed-bound, not realizing there can be significant functional issues that aren't visible, like dizziness, fatigue, difficulty with attention and memory, and the fluctuating nature of symptoms.
PIP with Murray Goulder
Q: What exactly is PIP and who is eligible?
PIP is designed to assist people with conditions affecting mobility or daily activities; eligibility is assessed based on how the condition impacts daily living and movement, including the ability to walk certain distances and perform everyday tasks, with assessments often including memory and cognitive considerations.
ME / CFS with Hollie Christian Brookes, Yawn
Q: How do you manage symptoms day to day, given the fluctuations?
The approach centers on knowing one's own body, maintaining flexible routines, setting boundaries, and having recovery plans that accommodate energy limits; audiences learn about pacing, energy management, and the importance of self-advocacy.
ME / CFS with Hollie Christian Brookes, Yawn
Q: So what is Yawn and what can audiences expect to experience?
Yawn is a one-act play drawn from Hollie's experiences with ME/CFS, focusing on fatigue, diagnosis journeys, and the personal growth that can come from living with a hidden illness; it aims to educate, empower, and connect audiences through a narrative that is at once challenging and hopeful.
Dementia with Paul Hoskins and Tim Wilkins, Alzheimer's Society
Q: What role does the Sunflower lanyard play in daily life?
The lanyard acts as a visible signal for others to be patient and offer support, improving access to assistance and reducing anxiety in public spaces.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Sunflower Conversations

What is The Sunflower Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A podcast focused on lived experiences of people with non-visible disabilities, often centered around the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol. Episodes feature personal journeys through chronic illness, mental health, neurodivergence, and accessibility challenges, interwoven with practical guidance on inclusion, workplaces, travel, and public spaces. A notable thread is using first-hand narratives to reduce stigma, while also highlighting tools and programs that foster safer, more welcoming environments for diverse disability experiences. The show frequently blends personal storytelling with expert insights on healthcare, design, and policy to help listeners understand and advocate for inclusion in everyday life.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Sunflower Conversations?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Sunflower Conversations. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Sunflower Conversations and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Sunflower Conversations get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Sunflower Conversations, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Sunflower Conversations?

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How many subscribers and views does The Sunflower Conversations have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Sunflower Conversations has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Sunflower Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Sunflower Conversations:

1. Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein
2. What's That Rash?
3. Politics Now
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. No Filter

How many episodes of The Sunflower Conversations are there?

The Sunflower Conversations launched 5 years ago and published 153 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Sunflower Conversations?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Sunflower Conversations?

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What guests have appeared on The Sunflower Conversations?

Recent guests on The Sunflower Conversations include:

1. Alex Phillips
2. Jay Reinstein
3. Mel Ogden
4. Fee Heron
5. Alex Manners
6. Terri Louise Brown
7. Courtney Rosato
8. Danielle Cudjoe Michalksi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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