Episode Playlist
Episode 19 - EH Barrett (Disability Support Services Bill), Asra Khatija (Chronic Illness)( 0:26:50)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
New Plymouth District Councillor EJ Barrett talks about the Disability Support Services Bill.
To make a submission go to:
Disability Support Services Bill - New Zealand Parliament https://share.google/6eFVPVxIRxJpFszqH
Lived Experience Interview:
We also chat with Asra Khatija who has lived experience with chronic illness. She shares her journey of managing her illness while working and being a busy parent.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 3/06/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 18 - iLead, Bethany Elder( 0:28:52)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
This week, we chat with iLead Manawatu members Lael, Lou and Jasmine. They explain how iLead supports young disabled people.
www.ilead.org.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We also meet Bethany Elder, who developed ME/CFS at 15. She talks about her experiences growing up with chronic illness
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 6/05/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 17 - New Plymouth District Councillor EJ Barret (EDS), Renee's submission to council( 0:25:42)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
This week, we meet New Plymouth District Councillor EJ Barrett. They talk about their experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS).
Lived Experience Interview:
In the second half, Renee shares her submission to the Palmerston North City Council, and explains why she thinks her rates are good value for money.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 29/04/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 16 - Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes NZ, Lou Lawrence( 0:26:58)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
This week, we talked to Kelly McQuinlan, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes Aotearoa New Zealand.
https://ehlers-danlos.org.nz/
Lived Experience Interview:
We also meet Lou Lawrence (Ngati Apa) who has lived experience of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS). They share how it has impacted on their life.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 22/04/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 15 - Renee rants about welfare, Dr Fiona Imlach (migraines)( 0:23:40)
Episode Information
We start this week's episode with a Renee Rant on the current welfare income thresholds, and the struggles people face accessing the support they need.
Lived Experience Interview:
We chat with Dr Fiona Imlach about her lived experience of migraine, and how that's impacted on her life.
https://migrainefoundation.org.nz/
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 18/03/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 14 - Long Covid Awareness Day, LCSA, Louise Thornley( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
This week we catch up with Larisa Hockey, Chair of Long Covid Support Aotearoa. We talk about what has changed over the last 6 years, and what is still needed to support people with Long Covid.
www.longcovidsupport.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We meet Louise Thornley, who had lived experience of chronic illness, before she developed Long Covid. She shares her journey and insights on living with these illnesses.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 11/03/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 13 - International Women's Day, Endometriosis, Piper Stewart-Brehm( 0:22:59)
Episode Information
This week, we acknowledge International Women's Day - Sun 8 March.
Renee talks about the aims of International Women's Day, in the context of women living with chronic illness.
www.internationalwomensday.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We also meet Piper Stewart-Brehm who has lived experience of Endometriosis. She describes her journey, and the challenges she faces.
To find out more about Endometriosis, head to:
https://nzendo.org.nz
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 4/03/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 12 - Pernicious Anaemia Society, Dr. April Yorke( 0:28:19)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
We meet Martine Cotton, the coordinator for the Australia/New Zealand Support Group of the Pernicious Anaemia Society.
To find out more, head to:
https://pernicious-anaemia-society.org
Lived Experience Interview:
We also chat with Dr April Yorke who has lived experience of Pernicious Anaemia. We talk about the challenges she faced, and how it impacted on her and her children.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.
Published: 25/02/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 11 - Chronic illness and relationships with Laura Wolf, and Hugh Dingwall( 0:27:17)
Episode Information
We are back in the studio, and our first episode for 2026 is all about chronic illness and relationships.
Special Interest Interview:
We catch up with NZ Author Laura Wolf and discuss the challenges of having chronic illness and dating.
Read more Laura Wolf here:
www.laurawolfbookclub.wordpress.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We then put Renee’s husband Hugh in the hot seat - talking about how their relationship has changed since she developed chronic illness.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 18/02/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 10 - Life update( 0:28:24)
Episode Information
This week we move away from our usual format to bring you half an hour of discussion on the issues I am currently having with capacity. It's a bit of a rant, but hopefully entertaining and perhaps even informative. Normal service will resume as soon as feasible.
Published: 5/11/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 09 - 'Rest as a Warrior Pursuit' with Catherine Appleby, Britney Cheng( 0:27:25)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
Catherine Appleby introduces us to the concept of "Rest as a Warrior Pursuit". We look at some reasons why Rest is so important and why we sometimes struggle with it.
Lived Experience Interview:
We then chat with Britney Cheng, a young person with lived experience of fibromyalgia. She shares the struggles she faces and the impact this has had on her life.
Published: 15/10/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 08 - Laura Wolf (Author), Kyle( 0:24:12)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
We chat with NZ Author Laura Wolf about her book "Working Through Chronic Pain and Fatigue". Have a listen, then check out this book or her collection of romance novels.
www.laurawolfbookclub.wordpress.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We then meet Kyle, who has lived experience of fibromyalgia. He shares his journey of balancing his pain with being a parent and working full time.
Published: 8/10/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 07 - Hokonui Physio, Sarah Hoefhamer( 0:28:0)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
Our first interview discusses modalities to calm the nervous system, with Lauren Turner from Hokonui Physio.
Have a listen, then visit their website here:
www.hokonuiphysio.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We then hear from Sarah Hoefhamer, who has had lived experience of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since infancy. We talk about how she has coped with life and parenting.
Note: Throughout the interview I use the term "chronic fatigue". I understand that some people prefer the full term "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". I do endeavour to use correct terminology, but I also suffer from brain fog.
Published: 1/10/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 06 - Long Covid Support Aotearoa, Thomas Goss( 0:28:12)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
Today, we meet Larisa Hockey, one of the leaders of Long Covid Support Aotearoa. We talk about what Long Covid is, symptoms, and the challenges that people with Long Covid can face. We also talk about the Long Covid Support Aotearoa Facebook group. Have a listen, then visit their website here:
www.longcovidsupport.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We chat with Thomas Goss, who has lived experience of Long Covid. We talk about what his life was like before he developed Long Covid, and how he copes with this chronic illness.
Published: 10/09/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 05 - Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith, Áine Kelly-Costello( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
We talk to Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith about the different ways that Council supports people with chronic illness or disabilities.
Local elections are happening now throughout the country. Have a listen to these examples, and make sure that your local candidates value this type of community spending. You can find more info at www.policy.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We meet Áine Kelly-Costello, a young disabled person with lived experience of Long Covid, and chat about their journey of becoming unwell whilst overseas.
Published: 3/09/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 04 - Kiwi CRPS, Adele Evans( 0:27:58)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
We chat with Jane from Kiwi CRPS Charitable Trust about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and how their organisation can help.
Listen in, and check out their website:
www.kiwicrps.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We also meet Adele Evans, who has lived experience of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and talk about the challenges she faces living with the illness.
Published: 27/08/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 03 - RNB Physio, Monica Brooks( 0:27:4)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
This week we talk to Raewyn Burrough, a senior physiotherapist from RNB Physio. We chat about her experience of working in neuro rehabilitation and about muscle wastage.
Listen in, and check out their website: www.rnbphysio.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We also hear from Monica Brooks, a young person with lived experience of Long Covid.
Published: 20/08/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 02 - Migraine Foundation, Katie Barden( 0:24:41)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
We meet Dr Fiona Imlach, co-founder of Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand. We chat about how debilitating migraine can be, and the support they can provide for people living with migraine disease.
Listen in, and check out their website: www.migrainefoundation.org.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
This week, we chat with Katie Barden about her lived experience of migraine.
Published: 13/08/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 01 - CCI Support, Renee Dingwall( 0:27:26)
Episode Information
Special Interest Interview:
We meet Annabelle O Cinnseala, who is a Health and Wellness Facilitator for the Bay of Plenty Region, at Complex Chronic Illness Support. She talks about the organisation and the services they provide for people living with complex chronic illnesses.
Listen in, and check out their website: www.ccisupport.org.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
For the very first episode, host Renee Dingwall ropes in her husband Hugh to chat about Renee's journey of Long Covid - from being a City Councillor of Palmerston North, to being disabled and bedbound for 3 years (and counting).
A radio show/podcast produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 6/08/2025 9:00:00 p.m.