3Spoonies On Representation in Print Media

3Spoonies Episode Number 50, 5th March 2026 With Karen Duncan, Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper    How disabled people are represented in newspapers, magazines, and print media has a real impact — on public opinion, policy, employment, and how safe it feels to exist in the world. In this episode of 3Spoonies, we’re talking honestly about disabled representation in print media: what’s improved, what’s still harmful, and why “good intentions” aren’t always enough. We also explore how print media intersects with online spaces, activism, and lived experience — and why accountability matters just as much as intent.   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    Guests Maddy Alexander-Grout is a visibility strategist, ADHD coach, and advocate for people with hidden disabilities.   Links: https://stan.store/maddyalexandergrout  Buy the Book, Mad about Money: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394299729?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&bestFormat=true    Victoria-Jayne Scholes www.legallypowered.co.uk https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/author/profile/321956.Victoria-Jayne_Scholes/   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!  Men Forge Forward Men Forge Forward is a free online community where professional men under pressure reclaim their edge through brotherhood, accountability, and the 30-day FireUP Challenge. menforgeforward.com The Createry The Createry is a friendly coworking and content creation studio space located in the heart of Nottingham. TheCreatery.co  https://www.instagram.com/TheCreateryUK   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 01:00 Meet the Hosts and Guests 02:28 Guests’ Experience with Print Media 03:06 Being Misrepresented in the Press 06:03 Harmful Labels and Media Narratives 09:03 Why Victoria Started Writing 11:59 Media Narratives and Disability Policy 14:56 Neurodivergence and Media Bias 18:02 Harmful Headlines and Public Perception 21:57 Behind the Scenes of Media Coverage 26:10 Do Positive Stories Sell? 29:55 Impact of Representation on Disabled People 32:56 Media Narratives vs Reality 35:55 Positive Representation Can Work 39:02 Challenging Stereotypes 39:57 Where to Find the Guests 40:30 Outro _____