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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
Alzheimer's Society
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Personal Independence Payment
United Kingdom
Motor Neurone Disease

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 monthlyEpisodes157Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthDocumentaryHealth & FitnessSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Sunflower Conversations

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Nicole Quinlan about her journey living with a non-visible disability following a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

Nicole shares her experience of being dismissed by healthcare profes... more

Content warning: This podcast episode discusses female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), including its physical, emotional, and psychological impacts. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Listener discretion is advised. If you have... more

YouTube

Content warning: This podcast episode discusses female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), including its physical, emotional, and psychological impacts. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Listener discretion is advised. If you have... more

In this episode of Sunflower Conversations, James Dunn speaks with Yvette O'Dowd, who first showed symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) at 32 years old and has now been living with the condition for over 30 years. An advocate and author of the childre... more

YouTube

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Vikesh Anand
Advocate for stuttering awareness; founder of Australian Stuttering Association (Stutter)
Australian Stuttering Association
Episode: Stutter With Vikesh - Australia & New Zealand
Pauline Matheson Marks
From the MND Association
MND Association
Episode: Motor Neurone Disease MND / ALS with Pauline Matheson Marks, MND Association and Jon Machel
Joff Machel
Person with lived experience of MND
Individual with lived experience
Episode: Motor Neurone Disease MND / ALS with Pauline Matheson Marks, MND Association and Jon Machel
Nicole Trimboli
Guest with lived experience of bowel cancer and ostomy
Wellness advocate; Bowel Cancer Outcomes Registry; Choloplast ambassador; author
Episode: Bowel Cancer and Living with an Ostomy with Nicole Trimboli - Australia & New Zealand
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

Hosts

James Dunn
Host of the show guiding interviews and introducing guests; appears across multiple episodes.
Chantal
Co-host and interview facilitator; frequently guides conversations and coordinates guest topics.
Flick Manning
Host who co-leads episodes and brings lived-experience perspectives; often collaborates in Australia/NZ region.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 27 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
    Australia4 months 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 Kingdom6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience comments emphasize the value of Sunflower symbols in travel and events.
Many find the guests inspiring and the conversations genuinely empathetic and practical.
Episodes feel thoughtful and eye-opening, highlighting everyday experiences with compassion.
The show is praised for turning personal stories into accessible advice for organizations.
Listeners appreciate the authentic sharing that helps normalize hidden disabilities.

Top Mental Health Podcasts

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?

This show centers on lived experiences of people with non-visible disabilities, exploring how hidden conditions shape work, family, travel, and daily life. Episodes spotlight practical advocacy tools, inclusive workplaces, and community-led support, with recurring focus on Sunflower symbolism as a communication cue and a bridge to accessible spaces. The conversations are intimate and action-oriented, often blending personal journeys with tangible tips for organizations to improve inclusion, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to advocate for themselves and others. A standout strength is consistently elevating diverse perspectives from health, neurodiversity, and chronic illness spaces, making it a useful resource for listeners seeking em... more

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How many listeners does The Sunflower Conversations get?

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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. The Rest Is Politics
2. The Rest Is Entertainment
3. Just The Gist

How many episodes of The Sunflower Conversations are there?

The Sunflower Conversations launched 6 years ago and published 157 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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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.

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What guests have appeared on The Sunflower Conversations?

Recent guests on The Sunflower Conversations include:

1. Vikesh Anand
2. Pauline Matheson Marks
3. Joff Machel
4. Nicole Trimboli
5. Alex Phillips
6. Jay Reinstein
7. Mel Ogden
8. Fee Heron

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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