Image description: The words “The second time podcast” in black text on a purple background. There is also a sketch of a computer and mouse.
You can listen to this podcast in a number of places:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
- RSS feed (to open in your preferred listening app)
- YouTube
This website is the only place which has the script for the episode.
I know some platforms and apps have automatic transcriptions but I cannot endorse AI and will not take responsibility for their accuracy.
Episode Script:
Welcome this short bonus episode of the Second Time Podcast. I want to have a quick word about my why, and about advocacy.
As I said in episode 1, I talk about this stuff because:
“It’s because the fault does not sit with me, the fault sits with inaccessible employment and lack of appropriate disability supports. I am not ashamed to be unemployed, disabled, and looking for work. This situation is merely facts to me. Exhausting facts, most certainly, but merely facts. I know many people do not feel safe to speak up on these topics and that’s why I think it’s even more important that I do speak up.”
I was in a position where I learned in 2023 that I was already at rock bottom. I had nothing to lose by speaking up. So I started talking about it. I noted my experiences and turned them into a book. And then when I found myself in a similar place this year, in 2026, I began this podcast.
It’s not my ideal topic for a podcast. I’d much rather go back to my old one which was more about creativity and topics of actual interest to me. But I am safe to speak up on this topic, and speaking up matters.
I view my book and this podcast as a form of quiet advocacy. This is something I’ve written about before and I’ll put a link in the show notes.
Basically, I push back on the idea that the only worthwhile forms of advocacy are the big ticket times. Which often means government approved forums, and thoughts being shared through the lens of palatability and usually via named organisations.
I think most forms of advocacy have a place, and the important part is that it all adds up to a collective body of knowledge. I am one person, sharing one experience, from one perspective. This is no more or less important than any other person doing the same thing. I have no interest in fame or virality. Actually, I am pretty confident I would hate both of those things.
I think people get focused on “big ticket” things to the detriment of building that collective body of knowledge. Small steps, small voices, are not worthless voices or steps.
Links referenced in the episode:
Recorded and edited by myself, Vanessa Smith.
Intro and outro music by Ben Dawson.
