Nick Dempsey is an Australian disability advocate, motivational speaker, and content creator whose life changed dramatically after a diving accident on his 21st birthday left him with a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. While celebrating with friends at his parents’ home, he misjudged a dive into a shallow backyard pool, dislocating his neck upon impact.

"Just after talking about how good my mates are, they broke my neck and then went down to the pub..."

Nick has since become a powerful voice in the disability community. He shares his journey candidly on platforms like TikTok and through his podcast “Chats From A Chair,” where he explores life with a disability and broader issues of representation and accessibility.

In an episode of the ListenABLE podcast, Nick discussed his lived experience and the innovative solutions he’s developed to maintain independence—including an adaptive drinking glove he designed himself. He also speaks openly about the mental health challenges and relationship dynamics that come with life post-injury.

Nick’s efforts go beyond advocacy. He has become a registered marriage celebrant, further proving that life after injury can still be filled with purpose, creativity, and connection. His story highlights the importance of normalising disability through storytelling, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength in community.

Want to support Nick? Check our the links below!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickkdempsey/
• The Rolling Celebrant: https://www.instagram.com/the_rolling_celebrant/
• Drinking Buddy: https://www.instagram.com/_drinkingbuddy_/
• Chats from a Chair: https://www.instagram.com/chatsfromachair_podcast/

Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/gTxHIdWFz1A

Grab our first merch release at our website Session in Progress.
https://fromyourpocket.com.au/work/listenable/merch

Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paralympian, and unapologetic voice for change—Al Viney joins ListenABLE hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin for a bold conversation about disability, elite sport/rowing, and the systems that still need fixing.

"Differentiating between an injury was bad and my disability is not bad".

Al breaks down what really happens after a life-changing injury, from navigating inaccessible medical language to challenging the rules of Paralympic classification. She shares the highs and hard truths of competing on the world stage, and why the separation between the Paralympics and Olympics still needs to be discussed.

This episode cuts through the fluff—touching on adaptive tech, sport governance, the realities of drunk driving, and what meaningful inclusion actually looks like in healthcare and high performance sport.

Whether you're in the disability space or just catching up, this one’s essential listening.

Want to support Al? Check our the links below!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/al.viney/
• Mazenod Panthers All Ability Football Club

Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/56OY2SgJ4Ac

Grab our first merch release at our website Session in Progress.
https://fromyourpocket.com.au/work/listenable/merch

Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Hello I'm Rosie, I'm disabled, I'm here, I'm proud of it listen to us make us in the conversation because we are not ever going to go away!”.

On this episode of ListenABLE, Angus O'Loughlin is joined by the unstoppable Rosie Jones — comedian, writer, actor, and all-round legend. With her razor-sharp wit and deliciously dark humour, Rosie doesn’t just take up space in the comedy world — she owns it.

She spills on everything from growing up with cerebral palsy to tackling the stand-up circuit with jokes that hit harder than a British winter. Along the way, we get into her comedy and writing credits (Sex Education, thank you very much), her kids’ books that actually get it right when it comes to disability (The Amazing ED Eckhart series), and why being trolled online won’t stop her from saying exactly what she thinks.

Rosie’s not here to be your inspiration — she’s here to make you laugh, and maybe rethink a few things. This episode is a mix of sharp observations, real talk about ableism, and plenty of “did she just say that?” moments. It’s bold, smart, and totally Rosie.

Want to support Rosie? Check our the links below!

• Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/rosie-jones/
• Website: https://rosiejonescomedy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josierones/
• Documentary 'Am I a R*tard?': https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/rosie-jones-am-i-a-rtard/umc.cmc.26vz2vwf2t4fdzp7e4djyeqmy

Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/ULvMJw4FRtc

Grab our first merch release at our website Session in Progress.
https://fromyourpocket.com.au/work/listenable/merch

Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.