In this episode, Douglas M Katz shares his journey as a disabled veteran and inventor of an adaptive knife designed to assist those with disabilities in the kitchen. He discusses the inspiration behind his product, the impact it has had on the disabled community, and the importance of independence and universal design. Douglas emphasizes the need for innovative solutions in the adaptive product market and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He also outlines his future plans for product development and the challenges of marketing adaptive products.

Takeaways

• Douglas is a disabled veteran who invented a knife to help with his own issues.
• He believes that understanding disability helps in accepting it.
• The knife was designed to assist those with upper body disabilities.
• The product has positively impacted the lives of many disabled individuals.
• Douglas emphasizes the importance of independence for disabled people.
• He discusses the concept of the 'ability curve' in relation to disability.
• Marketing adaptive products is challenging due to societal perceptions.
• There is a need for more innovative solutions in the adaptive product space.
• Douglas encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek advice and feedback.
• He plans to develop a personal use version of the knife and an adaptive cutting board.

Links

DM me on LinkedIn: Christian Stylianou

Our Instagram: The Disability Podcast

Douglas M Katz: https://linktr.ee/dougkatz

lunor.life Instagram: lunor.life

Sign up to our newsletter at lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

In this episode of The Disability Podcast, Christian sits down with Maureen, a hearing loss coach (and self-described “auditory mentor”) based in Arizona. Maureen shares her journey from being diagnosed with hearing loss at 10, to getting hearing aids in her mid-30s, and later receiving cochlear implants (first in 2005, second in 2009).

They talk honestly about the emotional side of hearing loss, the quiet denial many people don’t realise they’re living in, and how misunderstandings can make you seem “rude” when you simply didn’t hear someone. Maureen also gives practical tips for social situations, explains what healthy self-advocacy looks like at work, and why finding “your tribe” can change everything.

What you’ll learn

• Why hearing loss can be easy to miss (until you realise what you haven’t been hearing)
• How denial shows up as “everyone else is mumbling”
• Simple ways to make social settings easier (seating, lighting, background noise)
• How to stop others overcompensating and set boundaries without awkwardness
• What self-advocacy looks like in real life (and how to actually follow through)
• Why persistence matters when navigating workplace processes and accommodations

Links

DM me on LinkedIn: Christian Stylianou

Our Instagram: The Disability Podcast

Maureen Covinsky: Website

lunor.life Instagram: lunor.life

Sign up to our newsletter at lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

In this episode of the Disability Podcast, Laura Bratton shares her journey of losing her sight at a young age and the emotional and psychological challenges that followed. She discusses the importance of support systems, the role of gratitude in her life, and how she has learned to adapt and problem-solve in a sighted world. Laura also highlights the advancements in technology that have aided her daily life and her passion for empowering others through her speaking engagements. The conversation concludes with a discussion on common misconceptions about blindness and the shared human experience.

Takeaways

• Laura was diagnosed with a rare eye disease at age nine.
• Her initial mindset was one of denial about her blindness.
• Support from family and friends was crucial in her journey.
• Gratitude helps her focus on the positives amidst challenges.
• Problem-solving skills have become second nature to her.
• Technological advancements like Siri and Alexa have been beneficial.
• She enjoys empowering students through her speaking engagements.
• Misconceptions about blindness often stem from a lack of understanding.
• Normalcy in treatment from family helped her regain confidence.
• Everyone has their struggles, and we all seek belonging.

Links

DM me on LinkedIn: Christian Stylianou

Our Instagram: The Disability Podcast

Laura Bratton:  https://www.laurabratton.com/

lunor.life Instagram: lunor.life

Sign up to our newsletter at lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

In this episode, I’m talking about something that comes up for pretty much everyone with a disability: having to explain it again and again and figuring out when it’s worth it and when it’s just draining.

I start with the real life stuff that nobody tells you about, like the awkward moments in social situations (yep… the handshake while holding a drink), and the small strategies that make everything smoother without turning it into “a disability conversation”.

Then I move into work and disclosure including the “do you have a disability?” box on job applications and why I personally choose to be open, even when I don’t know whether it helps or hurts.

But the big theme of the episode is this: disability forces you to become a problem solver. You learn to think differently, approach situations from more than one angle, and create solutions other people wouldn’t even consider. That’s not something to hide it’s something to understand and use.

Key takeaway: If telling someone makes your life easier, tell them. If it doesn’t, you don’t owe anyone a deep explanation.

In this episode:

• Why social situations can be exhausting when you’re meeting new people
• The “drink + handshake” problem and how to make it less awkward
• Why planning your environment matters more than people realise
• When asking for a small bit of help actually makes everything smoother
• The disability disclosure box in job applications (and how I think about it)
• Disability as a problem solving advantage and how to communicate that
• A simple way to think through problems from multiple angles
• How to decide when to explain your disability and when to leave it

Links

DM me on LinkedIn: Christian Stylianou

Our Instagram: The Disability Podcast

lunor.life Instagram: lunor.life

Sign up to our newsletter at lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

In this episode, Christian talks about why sport and physical activity can be a game changer for people with disabilities, not just for fitness, but for confidence, independence, and building a real social life. He shares how his own relationship with sport started young, fuelled by family motivation, and how that mindset helped him push through school, discover what worked for him, and keep showing up.

He explains the “isolation loop” that many disabled people face: barriers to entry can lead to fewer activities, fewer social events, fewer friends, and deeper isolation. Sport can break that cycle when there’s an inclusive space to start, a welcoming club culture, and the right accessibility in place. Christian also challenges “disability friendly” claims that don’t hold up in reality, using gyms as an example, and highlights how better access, better training, and real consultation with disabled people would improve experiences for everyone, not just disabled members.

Links

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

Sign up to our newsletter at lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

Christian also highlights the importance of disabled designers with real lived experience guiding the industry. Much adaptive clothing still focuses mainly on wheelchair users while many others need simple thoughtful adjustments. The good news is that technology materials and choice are improving every year. More options lead to greater confidence independence and freedom which is what this movement is all about.

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

Travelling with a disability can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating airports, luggage, security and long journeys with limited mobility. In this episode of The Disability Podcast, Christian shares his personal, foolproof routine for making every step of the travel process calmer, easier and far less stressful.

From choosing the right luggage and planning simple transport routes, to handling security with an AFO splint and staying independent throughout the journey, this episode breaks down the real-life tips that make a difference. Christian also talks about seat choices, boarding strategies, moving through the airport confidently and the mindset that keeps travel enjoyable rather than exhausting.

Powered by lunor.life — a growing community built to make life with a disability easier, more connected, and more independent.

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

From navigating airports to understanding what actually makes a home adapted, this season dives into the things that matter most in day-to-day life — with honest stories, useful insights, and a few tangents along the way.

This season also introduces video episodes, so you can listen or watch however you prefer.

Powered by lunor.life — a growing community built to make life with a disability easier, more connected, and more independent.

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

lunor.life: https://lunor.life/

Today our guest is Hollis Pierce, the host of Twenty-First Century Disability and A disabled digital historian with a dark sense of humour

So let's get right into it.

Thank you so much for coming onto to the Podcast, Hollis

If you want to get to know a little more about Hollis:

Hollis Pierce Links:

2nd Part of the Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2222428/14066092

Instagram:

Twenty-First Century Disability: https://www.instagram.com/21stc.d/?hl=en

Hollis Pierce: https://www.instagram.com/cyborg_hollis/?hl=en

Twitter/X:

Twenty-First Century Disability: https://twitter.com/21stC_D/

Hollis Pierce: https://twitter.com/Cyborg_Hollis

If you want to share some tips and tricks of your own, don't hesitate to contact me from either the Instagram or LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

Our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedisabilitypodcast

Today our guest is Charlie Randell, a disability content creator and fellow podcast host with Cerebral Palsy. We dive in deep with questions about early life, education and how companies could benefit with having disabled people in there workforces.

So let's get right into it.

Thank you so much for coming onto to the Podcast Charlie

If you want to get to know a little more about Charlie

Charlie Randell Links:

https://linktr.ee/n_q_p_c

If you want to share some tips and tricks of your own, don't hesitate to contact me from either the Instagram or LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

Today our guest is Matthew Couchman, a Geophysicist and former Surrey County Cricket Player who suffers from Transverse Myelitis. It is a long episode where we delve into the positives of sport on your physical and mental health.

So let's get right into it.

Thank you so much for coming onto to the Podcast Matthew

If you want to get to know a little more about Matthew:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewcouchman/

If you want to share some tips and tricks of your own, don't hesitate to contact me from either the Instagram or LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

In this episode we are talking with Hugo, and learning about his life with cerebral palsy. We dive into his time at school, university, social life and how he is using his cerebral palsy to live life to the fullest.

So let's get right into it.

Thank You so much for coming onto to the Podcast Hugo.

If you want to get to know a little more from Hugo himself:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugohs/

If you want to share some tips and tricks of your own, don't hesitate to contact me from either our Instagram or LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

Today we are talking with Sebastian Teh, and what is was like to go through from school through university and into early adulthood with Dyslexia. We find out how it affected him as he grew up and some of the ways he was able to turn it into a benefit.

So let's get right into it.

Thank You so much for coming onto to the Podcast Sebastian

If you want to get to know a little more from Sebastian himself:

Sebastian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seb_teh/?hl=en

If you want to share some tips and tricks of your own, don't hesitate to contact me from either our Instagram or LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/

In the first episode I talk a little about my life, my experiences and why I have chosen to start the podcast. This will be the start of a great journey so take a listen, follow and subscribe for future episodes :)

Me:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailored_techniques/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christian-stylianou-46899b167?

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disability_podcast/