Shows
The Way We RollMalaga MayhemThe second part of this month’s show is all about Phil’s recent trip to Malaga.After meticulous planning, Phil and Sue, his wife, set off for some winter sunshine. On landing, a broken powered wheelchair meant limitation, frustration, moments of kindness and a lot of stress and cost.How did Phil and Sue manage?So, will they ever fly again? Let's just say the train to Spain is suddenly looking very attractive.Links:Ilunion Hotel2025-05-2325 minThe Way We RollFrom Berlin to Malaga Part 1:Global Disability Summit 2025, BerlinThis month, we’re splitting the show into two parts. First up, Simon recently attended the 3rd Global Disability Summit in Berlin. Simon found himself out of the loop, having not attended an event like this for a decade. As is often the case with huge multi-national conferences, they are overwhelming at times, brilliant for meeting people, and have fantastic speakers, but not so good ones. They highlight what needs to be done to progress disability inclusion and where different countries and regions are currently. Simon gives us the highs and lo...2025-05-0230 min
Inside the RailsBehind The Odds With Simon NottIn this episode of Inside the Rails, hosts Simon Double and Phil Boyle discuss the latest in horse racing and their syndicates.
They look at recent racing actions and the industry stories of the day before they are joined by this month's guest, Simon Nott.
Simon, a racing journalist, joins to discuss his career, the changes in the betting ring over the years, and his passion for music.
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
01:35 Special Guest: Simon Nott
02:14 BG Racing Updates
03:10 Solario Racing Updates
06:04 Cheltenham F...2025-02-0132 minThe Way We RollKeep it light: Assisted Suicide update and when is hypocrisy acceptable? Plus best bits of 2024On Friday, 29th November, Members of Parliament voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Phil, who is part of Not Dead Yet, an organisation that opposed the bill, gives us an update. He was also at the demonstration outside Westminster Palace. On our last podcast, our guest Peter Torres Fremlin said that sometimes, as disabled advocates, we need to mature and accept people’s motives, which might not be the same as ours, but a win is a win. We debate some moments of possible recent hypocrisy, i.e. funding for...2024-12-2054 minThe Way We RollKeep Making Change - Euan’s Guide and Abbi BrownWe were very sorry to hear of the recent passing of Euan MacDonald MBE. Among Euan’s many achievements was the creation of Euan’s Guide, the award-winning disabled access charity. Perhaps best known for the disabled access review website EuansGuide.com, they also make accessible toilets safer and carry out a huge Access Survey. We remember Euan and talk about his impact.We’re delighted to welcome back Abbi Brown, although for not the best of reasons. We spoke in July this year about Abbi becoming trapped in her East London flat after the lift in her bl...2024-11-0148 minInside the RailsA World Without Shoes?Simon Double and Phil Boyle return with another engaging episode of Inside the Rails.
Trainer Simon Earle joins as a special guest, discussing his journey from a jockey to a trainer and his unconventional method of training horses without shoes.
The hosts delve into recent horse races, including Champions Day and the Arc, look ahead to the Breeders Cup, and touch on the financial state of horse racing and the impact it has on small trainers and syndicates.
00:00 Welcome to Inside the Rails
00:44 Meet Our Guest: Trainer Simon Earle
02:15...2024-11-0132 min
Build Your Assets Podcast with Phil WilkinsEmbracing Failure and Finding Success: Simon Curtis on Building Career Driver | BYA PodcastDiscover the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Simon Curtis, co-founder of Career Driver, in this captivating episode of the BYA Podcast. Host Phil Wilkins delves into Simon's remarkable path from nightclub promoter to successful tech entrepreneur. Learn valuable lessons on embracing failure, diversifying business strategies, and maintaining a social conscience in the corporate world.
Simon shares insights on pivoting during the pandemic, the importance of company culture, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with practical wisdom for building your assets in all areas of life.
Learn more about Career Driver: https://careerdriver.com/
JOIN...2024-10-1549 minThe Way We RollIt hurts my head and saddens my heart - NHS, disability and being trapped in your own flatPhil speaks of his disheartening recent experiences at A&E at his local NHS hospital. We grapple with the oh-so-simple task of trying to make the NHS better, as it feels like it’s broken, and how that can break us. A previous guest and friend of the pod, Abbi Brown, was recently trapped in her flat for days. The lift in her block was broken, and although there was another lift, it was beyond a locked door, and her property managers refused her access. Abbi is a wheelchair user and has now regained her independence. We tal...2024-08-0245 minInside the RailsWeatherbys: The Backbone of British RacingIn this episode of Inside the Rails, hosts Simon Double and Phil Boyle discuss recent syndicate runners and delve into the extensive history of racing's administration with guest Simon Cooper, Company Secretary of Weatherbys.
Simon discusses the digital evolution of racing administration, and provides detailed insights into Weatherbys' various functions, from the stud book to financial services.
Simon also shares fascinating historical anecdotes and offers suggestions for enhancing British racing, focusing on ease of syndication, horse traceability, and positive industry narratives.
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
www.solarioracing.c...2024-08-0133 minThe Way We RollDisability and ShameAdmitting shame is a tough thing to do. Perhaps as complex as the shameful experience itself? Clearly, it is not unique to disabled people. Is there something more with us? An additional new perceived weakness, or from internalised ableism, it is hard to ignore but easier to deny. Stigma and societal attitudes can mean we have it thrust upon us if a person, on finding out we are disabled, says, ‘What a shame.’ Two people inspired the topic of shame in our latest show. Natalie Illsey, a disabled creative in the US, emailed us to ask how we fe...2024-05-0352 min
Leeds Business PodcastHow to run a Pop-Up Shop - Simon Williams & Marshall FriezeThis week’s guests are Marshall Frieze and Simon Williams who, for only three weeks a year, run a speciality pop-up shop.Hear why they do it, the unique challenges they face, how Covid turned EVERYTHING on it’s head and what the key is to the shop’s continued year-on-year improvement.INTRODUCING SIMON WILLIAMS & MARSHALL FRIEZESimon Williams is the owner of SW Retail Consultancy Ltd. Having been in retail for nearly 30 years in various roles, he using his retail knowledge & experience to help grow and develop SMEs and start-ups.As a c...2024-04-2442 minThe Way We RollBeing Noisy: Effective campaigning and Assisted Dying / Suicide latestBristol City Council recently reversed their planned cost-cutting strategy, which would have impacted independent living for disabled people. The UK government recently reversed the proposed closure of ticket offices at railway stations, which would have had an impact on disabled people. Sophie Morgan, the Rights on Flights campaigner, appears to be close to getting legal rights for disabled people on flights. Is campaigning stronger than ever? We talk through the possible renaissance and ask, is it all it seems?At the end of February this year, the UK Government’s Health Select Committee published findings on Assisted Dy...2024-03-2845 minThe Way We RollNot once but twice: losing independent living.How would you feel if your local authority suggested you move from your home of 30 years to a residential care home because they need to save money? It's something Bristol City Council were proposing for disabled people as they try to reduce their deficit. Although this proposal has been shelved, it might not be the last time we see it. We explore the reasoning, impact and resistance. Becoming disabled can bring a complete change of outlook, and you might reflect on who you once were. The author, Hanif Kureishi (My Beautiful Launderette, The Buddha of Suburbia), lost...2024-03-0156 minThe Way We RollLosing Autonomy + It Takes More Than Adjustments + Purple PoundSimon was at the airport recently. He was on his mobility scooter, and his mum was using an airport wheelchair. Looking at the long line in the disabled passport queue, his walkie-talkie sister and cousin decided to move to the non-disabled line. We explore what happened and how it made Simon feel. The Business Disability Forum has produced a second adjustments in the workplace piece of research. Both managers and individuals who are Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent responded. Phil picks through the key findings. History is littered with new businesses created to serve disabled consumers th...2023-12-0155 minThe Way We RollDisability Confident but Don’t AssumeThey say you shouldn’t kick a person when they’re down. It feels right now the UK Government are down. And unfortunately for them, Phil and Simon have found more reasons why they deserve maybe not a kick but a strong toe poke. Launched in late September 2023, Ask Don’t Assume is the government’s disability awareness-raising campaign. It asks everyone to avoid making assumptions about disabled people as well as asking non-disabled people to become allies. Many disabled-led organisations and influential people dismissed it. We explore why it feels outdated and inappropriate and ask why, if it was...2023-11-0345 minThe Way We Roll7 Daily Hurdles, UN Snubs, and Personal JourneysForbes Online posted an article which showed the 7 things disabled people have to think about, which non-disabled types don’t have to. Simon thinks it’s informative and helpful, like an access rider. Phil bemoans why we still need to tell people the basics. There are big concerning issues relating to disability right now. Why isn’t the UK Government meeting with the UN about its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities? How do you justify the possible closures of ticket offices at train stations, which will impact disabled...2023-10-041h 03The Way We RollWhen is the word ‘vulnerable’ the right word? Plus celebrating Lenny RushA bumper show this month. There’s an underlying theme around the erosion or optionality of including disabled people. What do you do when you’re hotel room isn’t ready…especially when you return to the hotel after a night out at midnight and find out? Move to another room? Not so simple if you’re a wheelchair user. Kat Watkins had this happen to her, and we explore what coulda shoulda happened. Did you know there are new consumer duties which may assist differently disabled people (beyond Phil’s favourite group being learning disabled peopl...2023-06-3047 minThe Way We RollIf disability is so good, why don’t we all become disabled?Disability talk and debate: what might be the consequences of how we talked about being disabled, reducing benefit fraud, the impact of the digital divide and street harassment, all discussed by Phil and Simon? What are your thoughts on benefit fraud? How should it be tackled? Are the Tories being absurd or frightening? Simon recently saw a play, ‘It’s a Mother f**king Pleasure’ at the Soho Theatre by FlawBored Theatre. The main thrust was irreverent fun ridiculing short-term ‘ableist’ attitudes and disability in society, including introducing ‘able anxiety’ as a term, But it went deeper: If...2023-06-0540 minThe Way We RollFrom Croissants to Controversies: Phil & Simon's Tasty Take on Disability ClassicsThree disability classics in this months show. It’s Phil and Simon debating and exploring. Firstly an independent American short film highlights how to ask for help as a disabled person and how best other people can offer it. Called ‘Act of God’, the film explores different strategies and responses in a witty and thoughtful way. It gets us talking and Simon gets moody whilst Phil stays calm and polite.Language is next: Prof. Amanda Kirby, who is neurodivergent herself wonders how language changes and it’s impact. Her example, ‘awe’ is both good and bad when it b...2023-05-0551 minThe Way We RollGym Gains and Grandchildren: Navigating Life's Highs and LowsWelcome to the first show of 2023, where Phil and Simon are ready to serve up the year's hot topics! In this episode, we'll discuss everything from the highs and lows of 2022 to the exciting things on the horizon for 2023.First up, we'll be talking about the joys of hitting the gym as a visibly disabled person. It's not always easy, but the gains are worth it (pun intended). We'll also discuss the excitement of welcoming a new grandchild into the world and pondering the meaning of "equal love."We'll also be delving into the struggles...2023-02-0349 minThe Way We RollStrictly Right or Wrong / Not All Disabilities Are INvisiblePhil and Simon are ripping it up, pushing the conversation, and exploring the boundaries of where we are today when it comes to disability. There’s fun, seriousness, thoughtfulness, respectful disagreement, celebration and controversyWe ask why does the ‘life stops after becoming disabled’ idea remain so strong? Phil explores his concerns about Ellie Simmonds going on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and Simon vehemently disagrees. We highlight the worrying crisis for disabled people in being able to recruit PAs and support workers. If that wasn’t enough, Phil has an idea for some merch. Right at th...2022-11-0449 minThe Way We RollHow can you represent 13 million diverse disabled people’s interests? Here’s how!Our guest is Gordon McCullough, the Chief Executive Officer of the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RIDC). If you’ve not come across the RIDC, they are a well-established research organisation with a panel of more than 3500 disabled people. As Gordon has said, "No business would actively exclude a fifth of its potential customer base, yet many do by not being accessible to disabled people, and this is where the RIDC comes in". Gordon explains how they carry out their qualitative and quantitative research through the fantastic panel they have created. Carrying out valuable research for organisations is...2022-09-0245 minThe Way We RollNothing About Us Without Us!It’s a fantastic show this month - insight, depth, nostalgia, vulnerability, power and the future. The BBC recently broadcast a docudrama telling the story of the disability rights campaigners of the early 1990s in the UK. Using the love story between two key protagonists, Then Barbara Met Allan is a landmark piece of television. Not only because of the story it told but the number of creative disabled people who made it. It allows Phil and Simon to take a joyful and triumphant walk and wheel down memory lane to talk about their memories of this tim...2022-04-0150 min
PauseStopResetFrom Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to Grateful For Each Moment with Phil BarthIn this episode we’re joined by Phil Barth. A family man at heart, he’s the author of the book "Great Things Happen Every Day" a book about stress management, banana milkshakes and rummage sales. While he had his 15 minutes of fame when Phil was a contestant on the TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in 2003, that’s not really gives Phil an interesting story to tell. You see Phil had become an accomplished public speaker and was supposed to be going to the Toastmasters World Championships, before a heart attack caused...2022-03-0133 minThe Way We RollOh Bristol, so much to answer for - Getting paid for disability advocacy & creating a safe place or exclusion?Bristol recently advertised for a Commissioner for their Disability Equality Commission. You need skills and experience and be expected to be a spokesperson. Time commitment is up to seven working weeks a year. Salary, zero. How much do we value equalities work? What value do we give to different contributions? When should we get paid, and when is it voluntary? How do we value those who help achieve it?There has been all-party support for some new play parks for disabled adults in Bristol again, coincidentally. So good news? Well, it might be, but why has this...2021-12-2348 min
Five in the EyeFive in the Eye 334 with SimonMICHAEL
Hello and a very warm welcome to episode 0334 of Five in the Eye with me, Michael Ohajuru. As regular listeners know, this is the show on Colourful Radio where we pick five stories in the news that have caught our eye - some serious, some more light-hearted - and we take them apart and reassemble them. Right in front of your eyes! Or ears!
PHIL
And this is Phil Woodford joining Michael via Zoom this week and welcoming a very special guest. He’s an old pal of Michael’s from way back...2021-12-0340 minThe Way We RollAgree to disagree? Assisted Suicide, Disability on TelevisionTwo topics feature in this months podcast. Gardners might use the term perennials to describe them. Others might say weeds that never quite go away. Two topics we discuss and we disagree on, but we have an enjoyable and explorative discussion getting there. Assisted suicide, aka assisted dying, is back in the spotlight as Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill passed through the House of Lords at the end of October. Whilst this won’t directly change the UK legislation (currently, assisted suicide is illegal), it shows the debate is very much alive. Phil is opposed to changi...2021-11-2653 minThe Way We RollGet Up, Stand Up for Your Rights (and micro-aggressions)Delivering training on disability means you get some excellent questions on the subject. A colleague of ours was recently asked, ‘Is impotence a disability under the Equality Act?’ We try and work it out by exploring the impact and then ask, what sort of discrimination might arise to see a case?After last month’s hugely popular show about the word Ableism we move to another relatively new term - microaggressions. Defined as ‘an indirect, subtle or unintentional form of discrimination, we ponder when to let it slide and when do you tackle it? We wonder what might be...2021-09-2444 minThe Way We RollDisability and ability coexistA full show, we have several current topics and two brilliant guests. Author Victoria Scott has written a book that is, influenced by her relationship with her sister (who is disabled) and the family dynamics when deciding if medical intervention is the right path. Geoff Adams-Spink tells us about Netflix smash, Lupin plus a new Radio 4 show, The Confessional where celebrities admit to behaviour they are not always proud of. And of course, you have Phil and Simon rattling through topics that have got them thinking. Simon cites disabled lawyer, Gregory Mansfield, whose insightful tweets show disability a...2021-07-2358 minThe Way We RollStruggling or Floundering? When do you help a disabled person?In her recent Guardian article, Dr Frances Ryan raised concerns that ‘Remote working has been life-changing for disabled people, don’t take it away now‘ As we come out of lockdown, we know that some companies are expecting employees to be back in the office 9 to 5, seven days a week. Ryan also flags up concerns regarding cultural events. Is there a new risk that organisers might say disabled people can watch it online rather than making the event or venue accessible?When two of Simon’s neighbours react differently to an on the street altercation he has, what shou...2021-07-0946 minThe Way We RollMissed it by half a second!One person, many facets: disability, ethnicity, mental health, being a woman and youth.On this month's show, we are delighted to welcome Doaa Shayea. In her 22 years, she has packed in an extraordinary amount.Doaa talks frankly about her mental health challenges and what she's learned about herself and the world she lives in. Energetic, resilient and determined, she faces the future with optimism and confidence. She also believes as disabled people we mature much more quickly that others as we become aware of others around us ands their reactions.Born...2021-06-1450 minThe Way We RollSay the WordIf you use the word ‘disabled’ with something you’re promoting, do people switch off? If you create a product to assist a disabled person but ignore this, are you authentic? Are products created for disabled people only used by disabled people…except the telephone, electric can openers, electric windows, pre-cut fruit, voice dictation, automatic doors…but other than these…? Does the word ‘disability’ point to a history, to culture, to shared experience?Is using the word ‘disabled’ appropriate when talking about someone who has a long term or chronic health condition? Where do ‘Energy Limiting Impairments’ fi...2021-05-2148 min
Canadian Intelligence EhEpisode #92: Simon Cottee on Trinidad and Tobago as the #1 source for ISIS jihadisWe all know that tens of thousands of people from over 100 countries went to join ISIS in 2014. The feeder nations are all over the map (literally!) but the #1 per capita was…Trinidad. Trinidad? Phil Gurski talks with UK scholar Simon Cottee who just published a book on this fascinating finding.Click here to find out more about my guest Simon Cottee!Black Flags of the Caribbean, How Trinidad Became an ISIS HotspotSimon Cottee investigates how ISIS came to gain such an...2021-05-0532 minThe Way We RollOne giant leap for disabled people and two steps back.This month we explore outer space or more specifically the opportunity that some disabled people might get to become an astronaut. Clearly, the European Space Agency see disability as a positive in their quest for new talent. However, when it comes to vaccines and ‘do not resuscitate’ notices and learning disabled people, there’s evidence that they are not a priority or perhaps worse. Would you date a physically disabled person? It seems The Disability Unit want to know why. But we can’t work out why they need to know. As Phil and Simon are both physicall...2021-03-2650 minThe Way We Roll“There’s no such thing as a single-issue struggle, we don't live single-issue lives”A considered show this month with Phil and Simon. We review the deeply unsettling BBC documentary ‘Targeted - the truth about disability hate crime’. You can watch it on iPlayer. On YouTube, we've posted a video of us discussing the documentary. (links to both below)Simon recently attended some equality training called Beyond Bias, delivered by Guilaine Kinouani from Race Reflections. Two elements struck him as relevant to disability equality, so we try and see if they apply. First was the concept of intergenerational trauma, and the second, a quote from Audre Lorde (pictured below) ‘There’s no such...2021-02-2641 minThe Way We RollAffirmative model, vaccinations and problematic parakeets (again!)Two jabs Phil has had both vaccinations to protect him from Covid-19. How has it changed him? Is he wild and free at last or staying in with the windows closed? Never one to miss a debate about one of the models of disability, Simon asks Phil what does he think of the ‘affirmative model’. Is this the answer to the charity/tragedy model of disability? If it’s valid, how can it become useful? Stick with this one as it gets a little silly at the end. You can also watch us discuss this, with extra materia...2021-02-1239 minThe Way We RollWhen I said, ‘Stop the world, I want to get off' I didn’t mean this!Welcome to our final show of 2020. Never missing a controversy, we start the show asking if Covid 19 and the move to home working, gave disabled employees an unfair advantage if employers prioritise and pay for their adjustments and not those of non-disabled colleagues.Ex-BBC TV maker, Emma West wrote an article asking “Where are we now in terms of representation of disability in popular culture?” We discuss her article and the topic, wondering if this year it has got better. We explore whether quoting the 13+m disabled people in the UK is a useful tool here? We...2020-12-2435 min