PODCAST · education
Wheel Talk
by Freddo Smith
Conversations about life from the perspective of a wheelchair user.
Episodes
-
It's Amazing What Seven Days Can Do
Just when you think life is terrible, or things aren’t going to plan, sometimes all you need to do is wait a week. It’s amazing what a little time and perspective can do!This week we’ll discuss Thanksgiving, holiday plans, an update on the woodland path, and whatever else comes up along the way.
-
The Reality of Aging With a Disability
Getting older is something everyone has to deal with, but what happens when you’re already living with a disability?We’re talking about aging with a disability: changing bodies, energy levels, independence, relationships, and all the things nobody really prepares you for.Is getting older with a...
-
How Much Should The World Accommodate Us?
A video of a wheelchair user being refused access to a full bus gets us talking about a much bigger question: where does accessibility end and entitlement begin?
-
What People Get Wrong About Disability
What do people really think when they see someone in a wheelchair?We talk about the assumptions, awkwardness and misconceptions that can come with disability, and what happens when people actually get to know us. Plus, a few stories that prove disability doesn’t always look the way people expect.
-
The Phone Call Every Parent Fears
Brittney's son was in a serious car accident this week. Fred had his own accident. Life can be unpredictable and change in the blink of an eye. We discuss what it's like to let go of control and enjoy life in the face of risk.
-
We didn't plan this...
We’ve got a bit to catch up on, including some big changes, an unexpectedly emotional goodbye to some adaptive equipment, the ongoing battle of finding somewhere to put everything, and whatever else comes up along the way.
-
What Does Being Popular Online Actually Mean?
Today we’re talking about the strange relationship between our online lives and the real world. Does being popular online actually mean anything? Can you outgrow old friendships, and why can people you’ve never met sometimes feel more connected to you than people you see every week? Plus, a...
-
We Rarely Realise How Far We've Come
Seven years ago, Fred couldn’t have imagined travelling independently, flying solo, finding communities, getting on stage and doing the things that once thought were impossible. We also talk honestly about feeling like a burden, and how that feeling doesn’t simply disappear. Sometimes it’s there...
-
The FOMO of Summer
Summer won’t last forever. This week we’re chatting about freedom, gratitude, and making the most of the time we’ve got, wherever the conversation takes us.
-
Why This Week Meant So Much
Fred shares what it’s been like riding the Bowhead and why it’s given him a real sense of freedom, while Brittney brings a fascinating look at the history of disability rights and how far we’ve come. We also chat about old friends, solo time, new adventures, and why independence means something...
-
The Hidden Cost of Saying No
This week we're talking about the hidden cost of saying no. From skipped opportunities to unexpected adventures, we're reflecting on the moments we nearly missed, why some "safe" choices leave us feeling empty, and how saying yes can sometimes lead to the best stories.
-
Trying New Things Isn't Easy
From Brittney’s first-ever camping trip to Fred’s adaptive mountain biking adventure in Chamonix (which included an unexpected rollover!) and performing magic in a brand-new setting, it’s been a week full of firsts, laughs and lessons.
-
Coincidence or Something More?
Life has a funny way of bringing the past back when you least expect it. This week we're talking about a strange coincidence that's had us both reflecting, Brittney's return to camping after disability, and some unexpected good news!
-
These Roles were not Designed For Us
Fred's been asked to perform walk around magic. Brittney's been asked to officiate a wedding.There's just one small problem...Neither role was exactly designed with wheelchair users in mind.
-
The birthday gift that started an argument
As Fred turns 44, he discovers that birthday gifts get a little more practical... and that even the most thoughtful presents can sometimes take a while to appreciate.This week on Wheel Talk, Fred and Brittney discuss thoughtful gifts, being bad gift receivers, wheelchair scooter accessories,...
-
Why We Keep Doing Things We Know Are Bad For Us
Fred and Brittney discuss habits, discipline, accountability, and why it's so easy to fall back into old patterns, even when we know better. From Atomic Habits to real life struggles with distraction, motivation, and staying present, we explore what helps us stay on track and what pulls us off...
-
Making the Extraordinary Ordinary
After years of adapting to life in a wheelchair, things that once felt impossible now feel ordinary: hand cycling, swimming in the lake, singing karaoke, travelling, working, living life properly again.But when other people see those moments, they often see something extraordinary.So what happens...
-
Things nobody tells you about becoming disabled
Today we’re talking about the weird things nobody tells you about becoming disabled.The awkward stuff, the funny stuff, the frustrating stuff, and the things that genuinely surprised us after our accidents.
-
What nobody tells you about wheelchair travel
Yes, things can go wrong. But fear doesn’t have to run your life forever. We’re talking disability, travel, independence, accessibility fails, and the little moments that remind you how far you’ve come. From airports and magic conventions to broken lifts and wheelchair chaos, we’ll probably go…
more -
Unexpected Lessons From a 3 Week Road Trip
Fred’s been away for three weeks, and a lot can change when you step out of your normal routine. In this live episode of Wheel Talk, Brittney sits down with Fred to unpack the trip: what he expected, what actually happened, and some of the moments that stuck with him the most. From travel…
more -
When Life Loses its Shape
Fred’s finished work… and it doesn’t feel how he expected. We talk about losing structure, building habits, and whether freedom is always a good thing.
-
The problem with "inspirational" disability stories
Today’s conversation goes into a space that feels uncomfortable but important. Where’s the line between support and patronising? Let’s talk about it.
-
The Reality of Wanting Kids (IVF, Sacrifice & Timing)
Fred and Brian talk about wanting kids, IVF, and the big life choices that come with parenthood.
-
Sacrifices We Didn’t See Coming
On this episode of Wheel Talk, Fred and Brittney dive into a lighthearted, provocative conversation about parenthood, personal sacrifice, and reproductive choices. From a paralyzed woman having two kids with sperm donors to the ethics of balancing life pleasures like cannabis with the desire to...
-
Moments that remind you how fragile and meaningful life is ❤️
Fred and Brittney catch up on a few recent moments that put life into perspective. With a new wheelchair accessory to spotlight and some potentially thought provoking questions, there is plenty to explore in this live conversation.
-
When Things Just Flow… and When They Don’t
Fred shares the story of a recent night that left him feeling energised, confident, and right in the flow, while in contrast Brit has been dealing with changing moods, and the reality of navigating different headspaces while trying to keep moving forward.
-
Something Really Nice Happened Last Night
Fred takes the lead after a magic gig the night before, Brittney brings updates, and the conversation drifts into happiness, work, and why spreading joy matters more than we think.
-
Not Knowing What Comes Next
From political and economic tension in Canada, to pressure around picking sides, to big life questions about retirement, aging with a disability, and what the next chapter even looks like, it all feels a bit up in the air right now. Brit shares what’s been weighing on her mind, and we open the...
-
The Quiet Return to Normal
After a heavy stretch of conversations, this week feels different. Life hasn’t suddenly become easier, it’s just started to settle. Routines are returning, energy’s shifting, and normal is quietly finding its way back in.
-
Illness and Disability -the fine line between listening to your body and hiding from effort
Self kindness doesn't mean letting yourself off the hook forever, and giving yourself too much grace can be a great excuse for laziness.
-
Fatherhood & Identity with Brian Kinney
Identity, disability, parenthood, and the questions you think you’ve already made peace with… until someone brings them back up.Featuring an emotional moment when Brian was faced with a photorealistic AI generated video of him being able bodied playing with his daughter
-
Is Purpose Something We Find - or Something We Create?
What is purpose, really? Is it something we’re meant to discover, or something we quietly create through the way we live our lives? Fred recently started working as a checkout clerk at a grocery store, and Brittney works as a substitute teacher. From very different roles, they ask the same deeper...
-
What No One Tells You About Starting Work Again
We dive into the messy middle between excitement and exhaustion: the buzz of starting something new, the crash that comes after, and what “building capacity” looks like when you’re disabled.
-
The Truth About Disability Benefits
Today we dive into the rising tension around disability benefits, especially in the UK, from media narratives to public attitudes, budget pressures, and what independence really means for disabled people. We’ll explore why headlines have become so hostile, whether the criticism is fair, and how…
more -
When Winter Shrinks Your World
We dive into what winter really feels like when you rely on wheels to get around - from shrinking accessible spaces to the guilt of living in a ski town that celebrates snow while it limits your independence. We also touch on the worries and realities of parenting in winter: from Fred’s fears…
more -
The Strange Beauty of Opposites
Life can be brutal and beautiful on the same day. This week we’re diving into the tension of opposites: Christmas shopping and funeral planning, new puppies and urethral trauma, joy tangled with grief.
-
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
We sit down to talk about work, purpose, and the search for meaning, and how our jobs can give structure, connection, joy, and what it means to truly find your place in the world.
-
Saying Goodbye: Brian’s End of Life Journey
This is not a discussion about why Brian made this choice, but about what it feels like to live through the final stretch of life with intention and awareness. We talk about mental health, the emotional toll of saying goodbye, and the surprising moments of clarity, love, and connection that have...
-
What NOT to do when you have a UTI
Fred has his first bladder infection in four years and has some top tips of what NOT to do when it comes to clearing it up fast, the marvels of modern medicine and the advice of AI chatbots!
-
Back Home, Big Ideas and the Next Chapter
Coming home always brings a mix of calm and clarity. Fred’s rediscovering the joy of slowing down, and questions Brit about parenthood and the challenges it brings, and how the wheelchair can add an extra layer of difficulty
-
She said yes! 💍
This week on Wheel Talk, Fred shares stories from an unforgettable few weeks - a retreat that opened his heart, a challenging time with family, and a surprise twist that changes everything.
-
Can people with disabilities really compete in the job market?
Fred is putting himself (and his disability) to the test to see if he can make the cut as a croupier. Competing in the job market is stressful at the best of times, but when you have a disability AND have to speak French (which is not Fred's native language) things get more complicated. In this...
-
Are you living, or just existing?
Kids grow up fast, summer passes too quickly, time continues to tick on whether we want it to or not and we can either let it pass while we keep putting off our dreams and goals or we can decide to make something of this one, amazing, precious life. Today we're going to share some of the ways…
more -
What It's Like Being Away From Your Wheelchair
Brittney shares her wild rafting adventure and what it’s like being separated from your wheelchair out on the water. We also celebrate a huge milestone as a close friend marks 30 years of life in a chair - we're left inspired and grateful from Brian's story. From adventures to anniversaries, it’s...
-
Mischief, Magic and Misunderstandings
Fred debuts an original magic trick he created for a competition, leaving Brittney genuinely amazed. He also shares how he handled a parking dispute entirely in French, showing off his second-language skills in the process. Together, they dive into how to turn nerves into excitement and explore a...
-
The Most Uncomfortable Truth We've Admitted on the Podcast
We tackle an awkward truth that resonates with many in the disabled community. From financial support that keeps the lights on but dims ambition, to the quiet ache of wanting to contribute more, we explore the welfare trap, the loss of purpose, and the search for real fulfilment. It’s a candid…
more -
Dragged, Drenched & Derailed
This week, Fred thought he was filming a simple dog video… but life had other plans. A crash, a curveball, and a surprising twist on the work front.Meanwhile, Brittney hit up a music festival and found mud, rain, and more than a few obstacles.Join us for a wild one. Real moments, honest…
more -
Some Conversations Are Harder Than Others - with Brian Kinney
This week Fred is joined by Brian Kinney, filling in for Brittney while she’s away. It’s been a strange week, some disappointing news, an unexpected conversation, and one story that might raise a few eyebrows.We’re live, we’re unscripted, and you’re welcome to join the chat. Bring your questions,...
-
Quitting YouTube
Fred and Brit open up about the tough decisions they’re facing, what to keep going with, what to let go of, and how to know when it’s time to pivot. Brit has an exciting opportunity to be a movie star and Fred has dreams of being a croupier at a casino, but how does YouTube fit around these…
more -
I Got an Epidural Stimulator for My SCI - Here’s What Happened
This week, we’re talking with Steve Crochetiere, a passionate advocate and fellow wheelchair user, who shares his deeply personal journey with epidural stimulation - a groundbreaking therapy that’s changing lives for people with spinal cord injuries.Steve opens up about why he chose to try this...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Conversations about life from the perspective of a wheelchair user.
HOSTED BY
Freddo Smith
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Wheel Talk have?
Wheel Talk currently has 96 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Wheel Talk about?
Conversations about life from the perspective of a wheelchair user.
How often does Wheel Talk release new episodes?
Wheel Talk has 96 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Wheel Talk?
You can listen to Wheel Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Wheel Talk?
Wheel Talk is created and hosted by Freddo Smith.
URL copied to clipboard!