Discover
Chats From A Chair

47 Episodes
Reverse
I chat with Matt Greer, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, 20 years ago. We discuss the early signs that led to his diagnosis, the emotional toll when noticing changes from a degenerative disease, the impact on his family life and how he has adopted his positive attitude and making the most out of life.
In this episode, I speak with former NRL player, now ventilated quadriplegic, Nathan Stapleton. We chat about his life as a professional athlete, how he sustained an injury that resulted in him now relying on a ventilator to breathe, how he has adapted to fatherhood as a quadriplegic and how he has been able to return to work on his farm but in a different capacity.
A unique 2 in 1 episode where psychosexual therapist, Candice Care-Unger interviews me about my experiences with sex, dating and relationships as a quadriplegic and then I chat to her about her work as a clinical psychosexual therapist, working with people with disabilities. Nothing is off limits in this chat.
In this episode I chat with Michelle Massey, owner of a disability travel company called Amplify: Accessible Travel Specialists. We discuss the different range of disabilities that she has worked with to help travel, things you need to plan for when travelling with a disability, some of the more significant problems that they have had to overcome, memorable experiences they have helped create and we chat about some of the more surprising locations around the world that have a high level of ac...
In this episode, I speak with Hayley Grantham who sustained a stroke just 12 months ago, 13 years after her husband also had a stroke. Hayley shares the details of the day leading up to her stroke, the difference between watching and helping someone you love go through recovery compared to going through it yourself, the way it has changed the dynamic of their relationship and how her daughter is able to support her and make light of some situations to aid her in her recovery.
In this episode, I chat with Professor James St John who is head of the Clem Jones Centre for neurobiology and stem cell research. His team have developed a world leading stem cell treatment that is hoped to cure or treat spinal cord injuries and in collaboration with others, will be conducting a world first human trial using these cells. I chat with James about what the trial involves, how these nasal cells were discovered to be effective in spinal-cord injury treatment, the science behind h...
In this episode I speak with Jim and Genny, the Directors of a world leading Neuro rehab centre on the Gold Coast called Making Strides. Jim and Genny explain their excitement about being involved in a world first human trial to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, discuss the events that led to them starting the centre despite coming from different sides of the world, share both the tough and rewarding moments in the gym, the unique community that's been built there and what is involved in ...
In this episode I chat with Ryan Wiggins who became a quadriplegic after diving into a friend's pool. We discuss the day leading up to his injury, why he was placed in an induced coma and his family told to say their goodbyes, how he overcame his darkest days in hospital and is now tackling fatherhood as a quadriplegic.
In this episode, I speak with Matt Curran who sustained significant injuries from a motorbike crash in 2020. Matt sustained burns to 20% of his body, acquired a brain injury and had a leg amputated following the incident. We chat about the difficulties he has faced since his crash, the complexities around the different injuries as well as some of the exciting activities he's able to do today in an adaptive way.
In this episode I speak with Avalon, who is a sex worker specialising in servicing people with high care needs and physical disabilities. She tells us how and why she got into the sex work industry, shares some of her experiences of servicing people with physical disabilities and gives her advice for able bodied people and people with disabilities looking to engage in sexual activity.
In this episode, I speak with army veteran Matina Jewell, who shares her experiences from an active war zone. We discuss her rapid rise up through the army ranks, her active service where she completed intense training such as the incredibly demanding Navy divers course, fast roped from helicopters on-board smuggler ships in the Arabian gulf and served as a UN peacekeeper in an active war zone as well as much more.
In this episode I speak with fellow quadriplegic, Tony Pinto who sustained a spinal cord injury whilst on holidays. He shares the details of his injury which he remembers very vividly, the struggles he has with his new identity, he opens up about his decision to engage with a sex worker to explore his new body and his decision to move to Australia to pursue a cure.
In this episode I speak with NRL superstar, Xavier Coates as we discuss how he almost gave up playing rugby league, his unique pathway into the NRL, his decision to move from the Brisbane Broncos down to the Melbourne Storm, backlash he received after deciding to represent Australia rather than Papua New Guinea, as well as other challenges he's experience throughout his career.
In this episode I speak with Brooke Colless and her son Kai, who is a wheelchair user following a very rare spinal condition. We discuss the nomadic lifestyle the family were living, the concerning progression of Kai's condition, the day he tried to stand up and was paralysed, as well as the way that he is now dominating the adaptive surfing world.
In this episode, I speak with Chanelle Morris who has a rare eye condition that leaves her with around 30% vision. We explore the ways that impacts her day-to-day, dating with a disability and her change in mindset that has enabled her to live a more fulfilling and adventurous life.
In this episode I speak with former AFL player, Max Lynch who had to retire at just 24 years old due to ongoing concussion issues. Max opens up and shares the immediate affects that the head knocks had on him, his emotions around retiring from the AFL, some of the ways it has impacted his life behind close doors including the way it affected relationships with loved ones and how he feels about it all moving forward with the rest of his life.
*This Episode Contains Discussion Around Mental Health* In this episode, I speak with Australian swimmer, Shayna Jack as she opens up about a ban she received from all competition for ingesting a band substance. We discuss how the positive drug test came about, the battles she faced behind close doors, how close she came to giving up swimming forever and what the future holds for her in an out of the pool.
In this episode I speak with world renowned photographer, Jarrad Seng as he shares how he was able to turn a hobby into a very successful career. Jarrad recounts some of the amazing adventures he's been on with a camera in his hand, an exciting new project that he's working on now, as well as sharing some life lessons he's learnt along the way that we can all apply to our own lives.
In this episode I speak with joint 2019 Australian of the year, Dr Richard Harris, OAM, who you might know as the anaesthetist and cave diver that played a pivotal role in the rescue of the Thai soccer team that became trapped in a flooded cave in 2018. I speak with him about how he came to be involved in the rescue efforts, the risks associated with the sedating the young boys and diving them out through a narrow cave, the feelings he had when realising they had all survived and how he views...
In this episode I speak with brothers Tom and Kell Reese or as they're better known on Instagram and TikTok, the Reese Bros. These two have amassed over 800,000 followers across the two platforms and have over 38.5 million likes on TikTok alone with their very funny and relatable skits. I speak with them about how all this started, how they come up with ideas for their videos, explore some of the negative aspects that come with being in the public eye and what the future holds for them.