Conversations have always been great drivers of change. That’s why we are so excited to launch a new CPA podcast that features conversations between some great minds, thinking differently about how we change expectations, attitudes and culture around some of today’s biggest disability issues: ableism, accessibility, visibility, and inclusion.

Season one features Nadia Badawi, Iona Novak, Bronya Metherall, Pete Horsley and Alistair McEwan chatting with Tracey Spicer, Tara Moss, Naomi Simson, and Rae Johnston. We’ve also asked some wonderful Australians with lived experience of cerebral palsy to share their stories with us, including Hannah Diviney, Emily Dash, Lia Sintras, Arran Keith, Joe Darcy, and  Marley Lyras-Hull!

Cerebral Conversations is coming soon! Tell your friends, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  

One in ten Australian babies spend time in a newborn intensive care unit, and it’s an incredible group of people who are improving outcomes for those infants. However, the greatest success will come when we all get involved. Join Professor Nadia Badawi and Tracey Spicer as they discuss the often challenging, but always inspiring, world of newborn intensive care. Hear how Nadia thinks differently about what is possible for babies born with cerebral palsy. Tracey asks how our understanding of CP has changed over the years and critically, what does that mean for the future? Could a global pandemic really offer silver linings to those living with disability? And what’s changed to make the idea of a cure for CP no longer seem so fantastical?

Internationally recognised neonatologist and CPA’s Chair of Cerebral Palsy, Professor Nadia Badawi is renowned for her research into neonatal intensive care outcomes. At CPA’s Research Foundation, Nadia and the team are investigating ways to prevent, treat and ultimately, cure cerebral palsy. Learn more about their work at cerebralpalsy.org.au/our-research/

Author, journalist and broadcaster, Tracey Spicer is a passionate advocate for the causes that matter most. For her decades of work for social welfare and charitable groups (including as an ambassador of the Royal Hospital for Women’s newborn care unit), Tracey was awarded the Order of Australia in 2018. Learn more at traceyspicer.com.au

Cerebral Conversations is proudly created by the team at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Find out more at cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebralconversations

A cerebral (palsy) conversation with Joe Darcy, Eve’s dad.

In the first hours and days of baby Eve’s life, her parents Joe and Hiam heard the
toughest news and words every new parent dreads: complications, NICU, brain damage... Through all the ups and downs of those rollercoaster days, Joe never gave up hope and
baby Eve is now a skateboarding six year old who’s defied all the medical odds.
Joe shares his memories of Eve’s first days, how he kept hope alive, and how trusting
your gut can make a truly life-changing difference. 

Cerebral Conversations is proudly created by the team at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to tackle the big issues around disability and find out what happens when we redefine ‘impossible.’ Find out more at cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebralconversations

A cerebral (palsy) conversation with internationally renowned neonatologist,
Professor Nadia Badawi. 

Early in her career, Nadia realised that working with newborns was an opportunity
to change the entire course of a person’s life, not to mention having a huge impact
for their family and the wider community. That realisation has taken her on an incredible path: becoming a leading voice in neonatal intensive care and, six years ago, meeting
baby Eve and helping her become the “little blonde cannonball” she is today.
Nadia looks back on her remarkable career and introduces us to some of the
extraordinary people she’s shared it with.

Cerebral Conversations is proudly created by the team at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to tackle the big issues around disability and find out what happens when we redefine ‘impossible.’ Find out more at cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebralconversations

Neuroplasticity is the secret ingredient for better brain power – and better outcomes for children with disability. In this episode Professor Iona Novak, CPA’s Chair of Allied Health, co-founder of the CPA Research Institute and renowned journalist, author and broadcaster Tracey Spicer go deep into our grey (and white) matter to explore the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways and what that means for a child’s critical early years of neurological development. How can we rewire our brains by learning new skills? Why are some pathways a bit overgrown and others rather well-trodden? Can teenagers and adults harness neuroplasticity, and how is it relevant for people without disability?

A cerebral (palsy) conversation with Invictus Games competitor and CPA client, Arran Keith, and his physiotherapist Claire Smart.

Therapy that maximises neuroplasticity is the best way to improve movement and mobility, but the challenge is how to keep a young mind motivated. The good news? Therapy can now be a whole lot more fun than just relying on repetitive exercises. 

Claire and Arran (also an avid RaceRunner and triathlete), chat with us about technology, wheelchair races and all the other creative ideas and tools they use to help Arran smash his goals to smithereens (not least of which is competing at the 2024 Paralympics – watch this space!). And then there's Arran's plan to be Prime Minister one day...

Australia is recognised as one of the most inclusive nations in the world, but really, is it?

Disability advocate Hannah Diviney joins Tara Moss to dig into the details of what it’s like to live with a disability and tackle stereotypes, mental health issues, and barriers to work and education. How do Hannah and Tara overcome the stigmas around disability and women? What does living with a disability mean for our sense of identity? And really, why isn’t there a disabled Disney princess? (Hannah’s working on that.)

Hannah Diviney is a writer, founder of the Krazy Kosci Klimb, supporter of CPActive (a new initiative campaigning for change) and Co-Editor in Chief and Creative Lead at Missing Perspectives. For Hannah, visibility is so important. As she says, “visibility of disabled people in relationships, or disabled people being parents: that sort of visibility is very helpful for me in combating against my insecurities around whether I can have that, whether that's in the future for me..” 

Check out Hannah's work at Missing Perspectives, sign her Disabled Disney Princess petition, and follow her on Twitter @hannah_diviney and Instagram @hannahthewildflower  

Tara Moss is an author, former model and ambulatory wheelchair user living with
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Tara uses her public profile to help de-stigmatize disability, chronic illness and chronic pain. In 2020, she accepted the honorary role of Pain Champion with Pain Australia.

Check out Tara's books and blog at taramoss.com and follow her two wonderful Instagram accounts: @Taraandwolfie and @taramossauthor

Cerebral Conversations is proudly created by the team at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to tackle the big issues around disability and find out what happens when great minds think differently. Find out more at cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebralconversations

A cerebral (palsy) conversation with filmmaker, actor, advocate and CPA client, Emily Dash.

From screening her films at Tropfest and the Sydney Film Festival to collaborating with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Emily has achieved more than most of us do in a lifetime. And – with the help of a great support crew and some savvy problem solving – she’s done it all in spite of the barriers to employment that many people living with a disability face. Emily tells us about her amazing career, her inspirations and advice for other young writers, and gives us the low down on what it’s like to get a call from Margot Robbie out of the blue. 

Follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyDash2 and Facebook at Emily Dash Artist Advocate

Check out Emily's work:
Groundhog Night short film trailer
I Am Not A Work Of Art short film
The Cards I'm Dealt short film 
Connect
Reimagining the Village
ACO Move 

Cerebral Conversations is proudly created by the team at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to tackle the big issues around disability and find out what happens when we redefine ‘impossible.’ Find out more at cerebralpalsy.org.au/convos