Evenbreak proudly sponsors The Unlearning Ableism Podcast, hosted by Jamie Shields and Celia Chartres-Aris. The podcast invites guests to discuss their lived experiences of disability, ableism, and internalised ableism, centring honest conversations and making the uncomfortable, comfortable.
Image Description: Podcast hosts Jamie Shields, a white man with short brown hair and Celia Chartres-Aris, a white woman with long blonde hair, standing side by side in smart suits. The text reads, “The Unlearning Ableism Podcast: Q&A with the hosts.”
Why The Unlearning Ableism Podcast Matters
With a focus on accessibility and representation, the podcast amplifies Disabled voices, driving forward a vision of a world where everyone can fully participate and thrive – without barriers.
The Unlearning Ableism Podcast is the brainchild of Jamie Shields and Celia Chartres-Aris, co-founders of Disabled by Society. In their words:
“17% of the world’s population experiences Disability, making us the largest minority group in the world. Despite this society continues to disable us and oppresses Disabled people with systemised barriers to participation and opportunity.”
At a time when disability rights are under threat, with benefit reforms making life harder for Disabled people, conversations about ableism are more urgent than ever. Through honest discussions and insightful interviews, Unlearning Ableism aims to educate, empower, and inspire listeners to rethink their perspectives and take meaningful action toward inclusion.
Q&A with the Unlearning Ableism Podcast hosts
We caught up with Jamie and Celia to find out more about the podcast and its impact.
Evenbreak: What inspired you to create the Unlearning Ableism podcast, and how has your own journey shaped its mission?
Jamie:
“We are two Disabled friends with a shared mission, to change how people view, think about, and learn about Disability, transforming Disability exclusion into inclusion. We knew that together, we could make a meaningful difference. We were already recognised leaders in our field, it only felt natural to combine our experience and expertise.”
Find out more about how it all started: Disabled by Society Website
Evenbreak: Can you share any specific moments or conversations from the podcast that had a profound impact on you personally?
Celia:
“There have been so many incredibly powerful moments in series 1 (and we are sure many, many more to come in series 2!). The conversation with Montreece Payton-Harding around intersectionality and the additional barriers Disabled people face, has been a very powerful moment that really stands out for us. And, of course, our first episode back after our first award win at RIDI.”
Evenbreak: The Unlearning Ableism podcast focuses on accessibility and representation. How do you ensure these values are embedded in every aspect of your work?
Jamie:
“We are a 100% Disabled-owned and led business, with all our employees and partners that work in our team also being too. We believe that the best people to tell you what Disabled people need are Disabled people themselves! We are so lucky to have such a talented and dedicated team that put accessibility and representation if intersectionality at the forefront of everything we do. We aim to make our series as accessible as possible across as many platforms as possible, so that everyone is able to enjoy listening, watching or following along.”
Evenbreak: What’s one message or lesson you want everyone to take away after listening to the podcast?
Celia:
“The one thing we all have in common is that we are all different! And difference and diversity is to be celebrated, harnessed and utilised not pushed away and silenced.”
Evenbreak: How do you hope this podcast influences broader societal attitudes and systemic change?
Jamie:
“We aim to make the uncomfortable comfortable – this means we want to break down the stigma and fear about talking about Disability and identity. The fear of talking or getting things wrong means we often stay silent, we want to encourage respectful curiosity and break down barriers so that Disability and every taboo associated with it is demystified and eradicated.”
ID: The Unlearning Ableism podcast hosts Jamie Shields, a white man with short brown hair and Celia Chartres-Aris, a white woman with long blonde hair. Jamie is giving Celia a piggy-back and they are both laughing.
Listen & Join the Conversation
Catch up on all episodes of The Unlearning Ableism podcast on Spotify.
Looking for jobs with truly disability-inclusive employers? Browse all jobs on Evenbreak.
