The I Can't Stand Podcast

Trans artist Oliver Ayres and his partner, producer Kaite Head, join Peta Hooke to discuss their new Melbourne Fringe show No Seasons. The performance explores Oliver’s experience freezing his eggs at nineteen, living with disability and chronic illness, and the couple’s ongoing conversations about parenthood, love, and choice. Together, they share how turning such a personal story into theatre has helped them reflect on identity, access, and inclusion. Peta connects with their journey through her own experience of IVF, as they discuss what it means to make art that’s emotionally honest, authentic, and accessible. No Seasons runs at the Melbourne Fringe Festival from 7–18 October. Find out more and book tickets: https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/no-seasons Connect with Ollie and Kaite:  Website: https://www.skintproducing.com/no-seasons Instagram: @ogcayres @skint.producing Connect with Peta: Instagram: @petahooke Website: www.icantstandpodcast.com Email: icantstandpodcast@gmail.com Episode Transcript:https://www.icantstandpodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The I Can’t Stand Podcast, Peta Hooke speaks with disability advocate, entrepreneur, and author Tiffany Yu. Tiffany is the founder of Diversability and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, a powerful guide that evolved from her viral TikTok series. Together, they explore how social media can be a gateway to deeper conversations, how to confront internalised ableism, and why disability pride and disabled joy are essential in the fight for inclusion. Episode Highlights: Why Tiffany started her advocacy on TikTok The power and persistence of microaggressions How guilt and shame can both hinder and help allyship Disability pride, disabled joy, and unlearning internalised ableism The challenges of representation and inspiration tropes Listen now to hear how Tiffany is using art, storytelling, and social media to change how we talk about disability, one mind at a time.Buy the The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: https://www.tiffanyyu.com/book Connect with Peta: Instagram: @petahooke Website: www.icantstandpodcast.com Email: icantstandpodcast@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, disability advocate and Steptember ambassador Sophie Geeves shares her journey from early intervention with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to presenting evidence in Parliament. She opens up about the role of CPA in her life, what Steptember means to her, why inclusion in education is still a fight, and how she navigates belonging in both disability culture and mainstream society. Key Moments: [7:26] Why Steptember is about “movement in all forms” and how funds support babies and families. [10:12] Transitioning from child to adult services with CPA. [12:30] Sophie’s experience giving evidence to the NSW Upper House inquiry on education. [23:31] Her advice for young disabled people finding their voice. Connect with Peta: Instagram: @petahooke Website: www.icantstandpodcast.com Email: icantstandpodcast@gmail.com Episode Transcript: https://www.icantstandpodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, lifelong AFL fan Shaun Keath shares how groundbreaking technology is transforming the way blind and vision-impaired people experience footy. He opens up about the isolation of attending games in the past, the excitement and challenges of testing the new Touch and Track device, and why inclusion in sport matters so deeply. Key Moments: [1:09] Shaun introduces himself and his lifelong passion for AFL. [1:16] How the Touch and Track device works, from cameras to vibrations. [2:24] The isolating experience of attending games before this technology. [6:51] How the device originated in the UK and was adapted for AFL. [13:15] The future of Touch and Track in other stadiums and sports. [14:19] Inside the Victorian Blind Football League. [17:17] What still needs improving for the device to reach its potential. Connect with Peta: Instagram: @petahookeWebsite: www.icantstandpodcast.comEmail: icantstandpodcast@gmail.com Episode Transcript:https://www.icantstandpodcast.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, disabled comedian Gem Turner shares an empowering perspective on living with disability. She talks about using humour to challenge preconceived notions, finding confidence through posting viral videos, and getting real about the daily realities for many disabled people. Key Moments: - [1:23] Gem explains how she started posting videos to "fight back" against being patronised and infantilised. - [4:56] The exhausting expectation to be an "angelic, funny disabled person." - [8:34] Phones are our safety. - [10:45] Dealing with hateful comments from trolls on TikTok. - [13:23] On internalized ableism and feeling conflicted sharing "negative" experiences. - [16:12] Living with constant chronic pain from disabilities. - [18:34] Gem's #1 most hated question strangers ask about her wheelchair. Connect with Gem Turner:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gem_turner_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gem_turner/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gem_turner Website: https://www.gemturner.com/about Connect with Peta: Instagram: @petahooke Website: www.icantstandpodcast.com Email: icantstandpodcast@gmail.com Episode Transcript:https://www.icantstandpodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The I Can't Stand Podcast Returns for Season 5! After an unexpected hiatus, your favorite disability podcast is back! Host Peta Hooke shares what's coming up in the long-awaited fifth season of I Can't Stand, featuring interviews with disabled voices from around the world. Get ready for insightful discussions on ableism, disability and LGBTQI culture, the doctor-to-patient transition, technology accessibility with the ALF and more. With upcoming topics ranging from adaptive beauty to ADHD advocacy, you won't want to miss this diverse lineup of voices shaping Disabled Culture. Tune in next Tuesday, September 9th for the season 5 premiere with Gem Turner! Key Timestamps:- 00:20 - Meet the guests this season - 01:05 - Highlights from interview with Tiffany Yu- 01:35 - Cameron Bloomfield on disability and LGBTQI - 02:00 - Grace Spence Green's transition from doctor to patient- 02:30 - Sean Keith on technology for the vision impaired- 02:50 - Internet sensation Jem Turner on disability online  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 313 days of setbacks, heartbreak and relentless determination, I finally started freezing my eggs. From a devastating fall to the daily sting of IVF injections, this episode shares the raw reality of what it took to get here as a disabled woman navigating a system that wasn’t built for me. This is the most personal part of the story yet and the one I fought hardest to tell. Let's Make IVF Ableism A Thing Of The Past: Please reach out to me directly through my email icantstandpodcast@gmail.com or via social media. My handle is @Petahooke https://www.instagram.com/petahooke/ You can share your story anonymously if needed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the story of how persistence and advocacy helped me reclaim my hope and take the final steps toward freezing my eggs. A journey of heartbreak that pushed me closer to the edge of total despair, than I ever had been before. Then after months of setbacks, I found a team that believed in me and my right to choose motherhood. Let's Make IVF Ableism A Thing Of The Past: Please reach out to me directly through my email icantstandpodcast@gmail.com or via social media. My handle is @Petahooke https://www.instagram.com/petahooke/ You can share your story anonymously if needed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when disability isn't part of the plan? From inaccessible medical equipment to dismissive policies, I uncover the systemic challenges of freezing my eggs with cerebral palsy. This episode is about resilience, advocacy, and finding the strength to fight for what’s right. Let's Make IVF Ableism A Thing Of The Past: Please reach out to me directly through my email icantstandpodcast@gmail.com or via social media. My handle is @Petahooke https://www.instagram.com/petahooke/ You can share your story anonymously if needed. Transcript: part-two-when-the-system-isn’t-ready-for-youSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motherhood was never part of my original plan—until one moment changed everything. Join me as I share the doubts, hope, and resilience behind my decision to freeze my eggs as a disabled woman. This is where my journey begins, and the barriers start to show. Let's Make IVF Ableism A Thing Of The Past: Please reach out to me directly through my email icantstandpodcast@gmail.com or via social media. My handle is @Petahooke https://www.instagram.com/petahooke/ You can share your story anonymously if needed. Transcript: part-one-the-decision-to-freeze-my-eggsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.