ABOUT THIS EPISODE
3Spoonies On Representation on TV
Episode Number: 62 Date: 20th August 2026
How far has disability representation on TV really come?
In this episode, we’re joined by Samantha Renke for an honest, powerful and often funny conversation about disability in television, media and advertising.
Samantha shares her experiences working in TV, the reality behind the famous Maltesers advert, online trolling, tokenism, inaccessible sets, diversity in casting, disabled pride, attraction stereotypes, and why representation means nothing without real accessibility.
We also discuss:
- Has disability representation gone backwards?
- Why disabled people are still overlooked in adverts
- The hidden barriers disabled presenters face
- Why being “inspirational” can be exhausting
- The pressure disabled people face to always be resilient
- What true inclusion should actually look like
This is one of our most honest and eye-opening episodes yet.
Subscribe for more real conversations on disability, business, life and everything in between.
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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.strangelittleobsessions.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Strangelittleobsessions
Karen Duncan
Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses
Guest Info
X – SamanthaRenke
Instagram – SamanthaRenke
Linkedin – Samantha Renke PGCE
Facebook – Samantha Renke
Sponsor
A HUGE thank to our Main Sponsor for this Season: Maddy Alexander-Grout
Maddy Alexander-Grout is a visibility strategist, ADHD coach, and advocate for people with hidden disabilities.
She’s the founder of Mad About Money, an inclusive platform that provides practical financial advice for neurodivergent individuals, and also runs Invisible to Influential, a brand that helps entrepreneurs turn their vulnerabilities into visibility.
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
And to our Feature Sponsor!
Liz Drury
As a multi award winning professional voice over artist, working from a broadcast quality home studio since 2013, I’m a safe voice for your project.
As the saying goes, first impressions last, and your business needs to sound as good as it looks. Let me help you with that!
Their support allows us to keep showing up every week, having these conversations, and making the podcast what it is — so if you can, please do go and check them out and support them in return.
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