The Sunflower Conversations

Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis to charity building Talks With MS

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Terri Louise Brown, founder of Talks with MS  joins us in this episode. We learn how to create a charity from scratch and discover the importance of ...

AuDHD with Courtney Rosato – Australia & New Zealand

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with disability inclusion leader, Courtney Rosato, about her late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, navigating diverse...

Palindromic Rheumatism, Comorbidities and Neurodivergence with Danielle Cudjoe Michalksi

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle is neurodivergent and lives with palindromic rheumatism, undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, endometriosis, and adenomyosis.We hear ...

POTS and ME/CFS with James - Australia and New Zealand

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with sunflower advocate, James Dunn on sudden onset of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and myalgi...

FND with Simone Round

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Simone Round shares how a hand tremor evolved into a complex FND diagnosis, now consisting of tics, chronic migraines, non‑epileptic seizures, and t...

Type 2 Diabetes with Ashwin Soni

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ashwin Soni joins the Sunflower Conversations to discuss Type 2 diabetes, which began to affect him four years ago. We learn about the symptoms Ashwi...

AuDHD with Madeleine - Australia and New Zealand

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Flic Manning chats with Madeleine Jaine Lobsey about Autism and ADHD, and how we can move from deficit thinking to joyful, neuroinclusive design acros...

Mental Health with Kelly Winstanley, Mental Heath Matters

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Content warning: In this episode, we are talking about the topic of mental health and refer to self-harm and suicide. If any of the conversation cause...

Autism with Nicole - Australia and New Zealand

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with inclusion strategist Nicole Marshall on late autism diagnosis, unmasking, and the simple changes that make wo...

Living with an Ostomy, with Keely Cat-Wells and Nate Hadlock, UOAA

04 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nate Hadlock and Keely Cat-Wells, advocates from the United Ostomy Associations of America, join us to address common questions and dispel myths and t...

Hearing Loss with Lidia Best, European Federation of Hard of Hearing People

27 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lydia Best, President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), shares her personal journey with hearing loss and explains the bar...

Dementia with Paul Hoskins and Tim Wilkins, Alzheimer's Society

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Wilkins from the Alzheimer's Society and Paul Hoskins join us to discuss dementia. The stigma and misconceptions around dementia often paint ...

Post-Concussion Syndrome with Catherine - Australia and New Zealand

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with Catherine Hanna, a proud Sunflower and road safety advocate. Catherine shares her journey with post-concussio...

ME / CFS with Hollie Christian Brookes, Yawn

31 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded on Instagram Live.Hollie Christian Brooks joined us to discuss her new play "Yawn: A Chronically Fatigued Play", w...

Chronic illness with with Tasha Sorhaindo, Chronically Marvellous

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tasha Sorhaindo shares her journey living with multiple chronic health conditions and founding her charity, Chronically Marvellous, that supports indi...

ADHD and Hearing Loss with Ant - Australia and New Zealand

03 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ant Raje shares his journey of living with ADHD and deafness in one ear, exploring how they impact focus, communication, and identity. He challenges c...

PIP with Murray Goulder

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Murray Golder shares his experience with epilepsy and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), highlighting how this support enables him to continue worki...

Cerebral Palsy and BPD with Laura - Australia and New Zealand

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Pedernuzzo shares her experiences living with multiple disabilities and provides invaluable insights into disability advocacy. She explains how ...

Advocating for the Sunflower with Andrea Cartensen

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea Carstensen, a double Master's student at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Sunflower Friend.Andrea discovered...

Stargardt Disease with Erin - Australia and New Zealand

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erin Philpott shares her journey with Stargardt disease, revealing how she navigated diagnosis as a teenager and now balances motherhood while advocat...

Ankylosing Spondylitis with Sean Ewert and Manny Caro, Spondylitis Association of America

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome Sean Ewart and Manny Caro from the Spondylitis Association of America to provide an overview of Spondyloarthritis (SpA), a family of closel...

Multiple Sclerosis with Terri Louise Brown, Talks With MS

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Terri Louise Brown has Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS), experiencing frequent relapses and daily pain. In this conversation, Terri shares ...

Stroke with Saran - Australia and New Zealand

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Saran Chamberlain shares her journey as a young stroke survivor, from experiencing a life-changing event at 38 to becoming a national advocate for the...

Short Bowel Syndrome, feeding tubes and ostomy bag with Shaylee Raye Hunter

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we welcome Shaylee Raye Hunter, Miss Petite Utah, who shares her journey as an advocate for women's rights and disability visibility. ...

Autoimmune Diseases and Neurodivergence with Téa - Australia and New Zealand

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Téa Runback shares her personal journey living with multiple invisible disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and a collection of autoimmune condition...

Autoimmune Diseases with Kate Middleton, The Wren Project - Podcasthon episode

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Middleton, CEO of The Wren Project, joins us for a special edition as part of the Podcasthon, which seeks to spotlight thousands of charities.In ...

The Empowerment Awards and Multiple Sclerosis with Elisha Samuels

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we chat with Elisha Samuels, who recently won Hidden Disability Personality of the Year at The Empowerment Awards by Talks with MS. T...

Multiple invisible disabilities with Zoe Simmons - Australia and New Zealand

01 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“...we really need more representation of this so we can smash these attitudes for all disabilities.”Peta Hooke interviews Zoe, a disabled journal...

Epidermolysis Bullosa with Karen Thackray, DEBRA UK and Lisa Irvine

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Thackray from DEBRA UK and Lisa Irvine joined us to discuss the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), sometimes known as butterfly ski...

Leprosy with Chris Stratta, The Leprosy Mission

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Stratta from The Leprosy Missions is our guest this week on the podcast to educate us about how Leprosy, a curable disease often associated with...

Autism with Amelia Wright - Australia and New Zealand

01 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“I think it's important for people to realise that disabled people can be successful.”Peta Hooke interviews Amelia, a queer, autistic and ver...

The LEGO Group collaboration with Lauren von Stackelberg

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we welcome Lauren von Stackelberg, the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the LEGO Group, to the podcast to learn more about the ne...

Airport Travel with Michael Connolly, Skywise Solutions

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded at Rise4Disability.Experience the world of accessible travel in aviation with Michael Connolly as we welcome him to the Sunf...

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with Fran White - Australia and New Zealand

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“…the mental, challenges are as great as perhaps the physical ones.“ Peta Hooke interviews Fran, an ambassador for MS Australia. Fran chats abo...

Cerebral Palsy and Mental Health with Eva Abley

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live.Meet Eva Abley, the unstoppable force behind the memoir "The Good, The Bad and The Wobbly." A...

Functional Neurological Disorder and Fibromyalgia with Gabrielle Hine

03 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gabrielle Hine shares her life-altering journey with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and fibromyalgia. Gabby experiences symptoms such as paral...

Autism with Ashlee Law - Australia and New Zealand

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“People say to me things like, oh, you can't be autistic. That's not right. You make eye contact, or you do public speaking for your job…...

Cerebral Palsy with Richard Luke, Scope and Karen Watson, Cerebral Palsy Adult Services UK

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Luke from Scope and Karen Watson from Cerebral Palsy (CP) Adult Advice Service UK joined the podcast to answer questions from the Sunflower co...

Tourette's Syndrome and Mental Health with Joshua Fletcher - Australia and New Zealand

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“You have mental health challenges, but you are still who you are.”Peta Hooke interviews Joshua about Mental Health and Tourette’s Syndrome. Jos...

Employment - Empowering Disabled Freelancers with Lydia Wilkins

08 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock the secrets to thriving as a self-employed individual with disabilities in our latest episode featuring Lydia Wilkins, a freelance journalist a...

Pompe Disease with Hele Borup - Australia and New Zealand

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“People judge before they stand back and think, you know, there might be another reason for, for a person behaving the way that they do.”Peta Hook...

Cushing's Syndrome with Gretchen Jordan

04 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the vital role of the pituitary gland and its impact on our health with Gretchen Jordan, Associate Director of the Cushing Support and Resear...

Autism and ADHD with Isabella Fantastia - Australia and New Zealand

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“My brain is having to put in a lot of coping mechanisms to be able to just be in that space or in that place.”Peta Hooke interviews Isabella abou...

Tourette's Syndrome with Leighton, Uncle Tics - Australia and New Zealand

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Language warning: Strong language used in this podcast.Content Warning: Please be advised that this episode contains strong language and discusses sui...

Schizoaffective disorder with Alana - Australia and New Zealand

30 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This month, our Sunflower Conversations Podcaster in Australia and New Zealand, Peta Hooke, interviews Alana talking about schizoaffective disorder, a...

Acromegaly with Martin Cornally

23 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Cornally shares his experience of the rare pituitary disease called acromegaly. Hear firsthand how a pituitary tumour led to excessive producti...

PTSD and CPTSD with Rachel Bilksi, PTSD UK

16 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest is Rachel Bilski from the charity PTSD UK. PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is typically associated with veterans. However...

ADHD and Autism with Althea Rice - Australia and New Zealand

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This month, our Sunflower Conversations Podcaster, Peta Hooke, interviews Althea, talking about ADHD and Autism.The Sunflower Conversations is a Podca...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with Amy Kelly, Crohn's & Colitis Ireland

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest is Amy Kelly, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Crohn's & Colitis Ireland. Amy was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when...

PMDD with Anna Cooper and Dr Rebecca Tomlinson, Menstrual Health Project

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live.CONTENT WARNING. The terms suicide and eating disorders are referenced.  Please visit your healthcare ...

PMDD and Chemical Menopause with Amani Omejer

21 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CONTENT WARNING. We touch upon suicide, eating disorders and self-harm. Our guest will talk about her lived experiences, and signposting to charities ...

Parkinsons with Eve Jensch

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eve Jensch is 37 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago. Eve lives in Ireland with her three children and her husband and joins us to t...

Autism and ADHD with Clare and Matilda Kemp

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Clare and her daughter, Matilda, join us to discuss Matilda's school experiences. Matilda is nine years old and in year five at primary school; s...

Optic Nerve Glioma with Michelle Culbert and Karina Smith

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guests are Karina Smith and Michelle Culbert, from South Florida, who both have Optic Nerve Glioma, a rare eye condition affecting sight that typi...

Eating Disorders, Autism and ADHD with Adam Fare

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CONTENT WARNING. The topic is eating disorders, and throughout the podcast, our guest will talk about their lived experiences, as well as signposting ...

Learning Disabilities with Dorothy Watson and Marcus Tanner, The Sunnybank Trust

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guests are Marcus Tanner and Dorothy Watson, CEO of The Sunnybank Trust.“The Sunnybank Trust supports adults with a learning disability across N...

Eating Disorders with Zoe Summers, BEAT UK

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CONTENT WARNING. The topic is eating disorders, and throughout the podcast, our guest will talk about their lived experiences, as well as signposting ...

Stroke with Jo Aurora, Different Strokes, and Hayette Wilkinson

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jo joined us from the charity Different Strokes to answer Sunflower wearers' questions and to explain what a stroke is, the signs to look out for...

Stroke and Hayette Wilkinson

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live.Hayette is a mother, wife and stroke survivor.  Aged 32 Hayette experienced a severe stroke called a s...

Autism and the Sunflower with William Vanderpuye

10 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

William Vanderpuye is a social worker and is autistic. In this conversation, William shares what the Sunflower means to him and the confidence and sup...

Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr Louise Newson

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Louise Newson is a GP & Menopause Specialist and joined us to share her knowledge and expertise. Dr Newson and her team at Newson Health are at...

Autism with Maddie White

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live.Maddie shared her lived experience of being wrongly diagnosed with mixed anxiety, depression and panic ...

Perimenopause and Menopause with Fay Durrant

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fay Durrant is a Wellbeing and Menopause coach and joined us to discuss perimenopause and menopause as well as her own lived experience with perimenop...

Rett Syndrome with Beth Johnsson

08 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Beth Johnsson joins us to talk about Rett Syndrome. This rare genetic disorder affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disa...

Mental Health with Sandy Kaur, Sehhat

24 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sandy Kaur joins the Sunflower Conversations to discuss mental health and suicide prevention in Punjabi and South Asian communities and how her charit...

Multiple Sclerosis with Lisa Nice

10 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Nice has multiple sclerosis (MS). She joins Chantal and Paul to explain how the autoimmune and neurodegenerative condition affects her. We also d...

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) with Bethany and Hannah Keime

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our guests are sisters Bethany and Hannah Keime, who have a condition called Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease of the heart muscle where th...

ADHD, Processing Disorder and Depression with Ginger Ragaishis

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ginger Ragaishis is Miss Vermont Teen 2023 and is currently a junior in high school. Ginger has ADHD and learning disabilities and uses her lived expe...

Cerebral Palsy with Eva Abley

13 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eva Abley joined Paul and Chantal at Disability Expo to share her life experience of living with cerebral palsy.Eva is 15 years old and a 2022 Britain...

Fragile X Syndrome with Monique Mitchell and Liz Jewell, Fragile X Australia

06 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Liz Jewell is the Family Support Counsellor at Fragile X Australia, and Monique Mitchell is the mum of two children with Fragile X Syndrome. This co...

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and ADHD with Solène Anglaret

30 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Solène joined Ruth and Chantal at Disability Expo to share her life experiences of living with BPD and ADHD. It was a deep and meaningful conversati...

Autism with Patrick Fopma

16 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For our first-ever face-to-face Sunflower Conversations recording, Chantal was joined by Patrick Fopma, who is autistic and who describes himself as h...

Bowel and Vaginal Cancer and Acoustic Neuroma with Karen Bucknall

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Karen is a beauty pageant queen who joins the conversation to discuss her diagnosis, treatment and recovery.Karen shares intimate details of her healt...

Dysautonomia with Miss Chile Ambar Zenteno

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ambar Zenteno, Miss Chile, has dysautonomia and is shining her light on the condition through the beauty pageant Miss World - Beauty with a Purpose pl...

ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory processing with Justin Wesolek

18 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Justin has ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory processing issues. A graduate at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, in Wisconsi...

Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 with Anna Ballreich

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Ballreich joins us from the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 to explain the history of the games and what visitors can expect to see and ...

Epilepsy with Murray Goulder and Daniel Jennings, Epilepsy Action

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Murray Goulder has epilepsy and joins us with Daniel Jennings from charity, Epilepsy Action, to talk about absence seizures, treatment, public misconc...

Disability Expo with Jade Godier

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jade Godier joins us to share exciting news about Disability Expo, a free person-focused event for people with lived experience of disability. Showcas...

AbleVu and Meegan Winters

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meegan Winters is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program regional partner in the US and co-founder of AbleVu and Able Eyes.Meegan talks about her l...

Congenital Anosmia and visual impairment with Claire-Louise Pitman

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Claire-Louise has Congenital Anosmia and is severely visually impaired. Since birth, Claire-Louise hasn't had a sense of smell, but only discover...

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) with Jasmeet Kaur and Helen Eftekhari, PoTS UK

09 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Helen Eftekhari is a specialist nurse in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), and Jasmeet Kaur has lived experience of the health condition.Our conve...

Brain injury with Holly Tyrer and Scott Casson-Rennie, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by colleagues Holly Tyrer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower USA, and Scott Casson-Rennie Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Ireland. It is Holly...

ME/CFS and Long Covid with Russell Fleming, ME Association

05 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Russell joins us from the ME Association to discuss Myalgic Encephalopathy and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), including what it is, and how it aff...

Lupus with Paul Howard, Lupus UK and Rachel Hall

29 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the autoimmune disease Lupus, with Paul Howard, the CEO of Lupus UK. And Rachel Hall, who has lived experience of Lupus. Paul talks us thr...

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr Chris Symeon and Dawn Golder, FND Hope UK

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Functional neurological disorder is a really common neurological condition. It happens because of a problem with brain signalling. So, it's in...

Type 1 Diabetes with Emma Cathro

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“But you can end up in a coma if your sugar levels are too high because your body just can't function with so much sugar.”We are joined by Su...

COPD with Dr Andrew Whittamore Asthma & Lung UK and Felicity Payne

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Andrew Whittamore of Asthma and Lung UK and Felicity Payne join us to talk about Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD which is the name for ...

Dyslexia and Dyspraxia with Dayna Halliwell

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dyslexia and Dyspraxia with Dayna HalliwellDayna is a digital content creator and actor and uses her lived experience of dyslexia and dyspraxia to rai...

STAMMA with Kirsten Howells

30 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“…there are some people who are super comfortable stammering who won't looking for therapy or to change anything about their relationship wit...

National Stuttering Association with Pam Mertz

22 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pam joins us to give an insight to stuttering and the theme for International Stuttering Awareness Day which is Be Seen, Be Heard. The stereotypes ass...

Migraine with Steph Weatherley, The Migraine Trust and Katy Brown

16 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steph Weatherley is the Information and Support advisor at The Migraine Trust, and has lived experience of migraines. We are also joined by Katy Brown...

British Dyslexia Association with Helen Goodsall

02 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

British Dyslexia Association with Helen GoodsallHelen is the Knowledge & Information Manager at the British Dyslexia Association, an experienced w...

FASD with Jacob Casson-Rennie

11 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

FASD with Jacob Casson-RennieJacob is 16 years old and lives with his parents in Ireland, who head up FASD Ireland and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower I...

Autism and ADHD with Jen Hankin

28 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jen Hankin is a musician who composes, teaches and performs. Her creative skills extend to fine arts (digital and watercolour), photography, videograp...

Cystic Fibrosis and Ableism with Izzie Jani-Friend

24 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Izzie is a journalist and is using her lived experience as a young woman with cystic fibrosis to combat ableism through her writing. In this conversa...

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and mental health with Chloe Francis

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chloe Francis has a range of health conditions including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Tourettes syndrome/Tic disorder, Sensory processing disorde...

Bowel and lung cancer, stoma and dialysis with Gemma Savory

03 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gemma had a missed early diagnosis of bowel cancer because the doctor believed her to be too young to have cancer at the age of 30.  In the past 8 y...

Tourette Syndrome and Brazilian Jui Jitsu with Khovan Hussein

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tourette Syndrome and Brazilian Jui Jitsu with Khovan Hussein“With my Tourette's, sometimes my verbal tics can be stuff like swearing, or I mig...

Registered blind with Claire Sisk

05 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Registered blind with Claire SiskClaire had two strokes aged 29 after which she developed retinal dystrophy and is now registered blind. Following her...

Tourette Syndrome and Autism with Martin Moxness

22 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tourette Syndrome and Autism with Martin MoxnessMartin Moxness lives in Denmark and has many talents including being a successful Instagram a_differen...