3Spoonies On Comedy and Disability

3Spoonies Episode Number 52, 2nd April 2026 With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper    What happens when you mix disability, chronic illness, dark humour, and stand-up comedy? In this episode of 3Spoonies, we’re joined by comedian Suzi Payton to talk about the role of humour in surviving life with chronic illness and disability — and why disabled people so often use comedy as a coping mechanism. This is an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation about how laughter can coexist with pain — and why comedy is often one of the few safe outlets disabled people have.   Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials  Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/  Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies  Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter      If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness    Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery   Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses    Guest - Suzi Payton  www.suzipayton.com  Suzi Payton | LinkedIn https://www.instagram.com/suzipayton_audhdspeaker.comedy/ https://www.facebook.com/suzipaytonadhd https://www.tiktok.com/@suzipaytonaudhdcomedian https://www.youtube.com/@suzipayton   Sponsors A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor:  Lisa Greener – Green Cat Books Founded in 2017 by fellow spoonie Lisa Greener, Green Cat Books has supported nearly 70 authors and published over 120 titles. We handle the production side of publishing so authors can focus on writing, work, or simply taking time to rest. Our catalogue includes children’s books, sci-fi, romance, and poetry, alongside audiobooks and videobooks, with selected titles now available on Spotify and Audible. We also promote independent creators and offer an affiliate programme for book lovers who want to share and earn. Find out more: www.greencatbooks.com   And to our advert sponsors!  Helen Pugh Ablepreneurs We believe talent doesn’t fade because of illness or disability; it just needs the right environment to shine. www.ablepreneurs.co.uk    Nic Gray The Anti-Hustle Hub is a supportive online community for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who want accountability, connection and sustainable ways of working, without burnout. https://nicgray.co.uk/the-anti-hustle-hub  https://nicgray.co.uk https://facebook.com/nicgrayadhd   Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies   _____ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:23 Sponsor: Green Cat Books 00:59 Introducing the Guest 02:03 How Comedy Became Part of Her Journey 04:38 Using Comedy to Talk About Disability 08:12 Challenging Stereotypes Through Humour 12:47 Audience Reactions and Changing Perceptions 17:21 The Power of Representation in Comedy 21:54 Balancing Humour and Serious Topics 26:38 Comedy as Advocacy 31:16 Advice for Disabled People Interested in Comedy 35:42 Final Thoughts _____