How might understanding the experiences of disability help us be more curious about our own and others' minds and bodies?

And, most importantly, how might any of that help us be kinder and more patient with ourselves and each other?

I’m profoundly grateful to legal scholar and disability media-maker Qudsiya Naqui for proposing today’s topic.

Qudsiya Naqui: https://law.udc.edu/qudsiya-naqui/

Theme music by Sean Balick. ”Mind Body Mind" by BodyTonic, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Ep. #304: Curious in Mind & Body, with Qudsiya Naqui

Erosionen

David and Rachel discuss amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dignity at all stages of life. This is a heavy one; please listen with care and skip if needed.

Episode 436: ALS

A couple in Tokyo were all set to move into a new home when a real estate agent abruptly relayed a message from the apartment management company. “We regret to inform you that we cannot proceed with the contract.”They repeatedly tried to get an explanation from the company but could not gain access. The couple then realized the company’s decision to reject their application came soon after the property owner learned about their mental disabilities.

Episode notes:

‘Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/10/30/tokyo-couple-denied-housing-after-disabilities-revealed/


Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed

Lisa Cox is a former advertising professional that had the world in front of her… she wasn't born disabled, but a moment at an airport changed her life forever.

The representation of people with disability in advertising and marketing still has a long way to go. People are so blinkered in their approach, but Lisa is a strong advocate for those in power to understand that there is a major missed opportunity to talk about this. We are a diverse community, and we need diverse images, people, and views moving forward. It makes good business sense to do this. 

Lisa is doing a PHD focused on improving employment outcomes for disabled people. The social, economic, and financial results have proved to be of great benefit when a diverse representation is used. This includes underemployed, medial tasks and improving the opportunities and attitudes of those who have an opportunity to work with a disabled person.

"We are not all buying wheelchairs and prosthetic legs... we are buying cat food, cars, lunch etc."

We got talking about some of the positives of the NDIS, game changing experiences whilst fully aware of the negative commentary and those looking to take advantage of the system. Lisa is a beautiful person who is energised, motivated, and driven to make a difference. 

Her media engagements have been wide and vast but one gets the feeling that this is just the beginning.

Lisa Cox

A 43-year-old care worker at a facility for people with disabilities in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, has been arrested for indecent assault and is suspected of abusing 15 residents in total, the facility’s operator said Thursday. According to the social welfare corporation Gamounokai, which runs the Akane support facility, the worker admitted to acts including pinching, headbutting, and hiding stuffed toys from residents between April last year and August this year, saying he “couldn’t control [his] irritation.” All additional victims were men with disabilities, though no injuries were reported. The corporation has apologized to residents and families, and pledged measures such as stricter staff supervision and the installation of monitoring cameras to prevent further abuse.

Episode notes:

‘Care Facility Worker Suspected of Abusing Disabled Residents, 15 Possible Victims, Says He “Couldn’t Control His Frustration” ’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/01/care-facility-worker-suspected-of-abusing-disabled-residents-fr15-possible-victims-says-he-couldnt-control-his-frustration/


Care Facility Worker Suspected of Abusing Disabled Residents, 15 Possible Victims, Says He “Couldn’t Control His Frustration”

This interview first aired on Thursday the 6th of November, 2025 on ONE FM 98.5 Shepparton.

One FM breakfast announcer Plemo interviews Athena Papadatos who is an advocate for people with a disability and is looking to run a monthly self help group at the South Shepparton Community House.

To find out more and to get involved head to https://southcom.org.au/
You can call - (03) 5821 6172.
or email - info@southcom.org.au 

Listen to One FM Breakfast with Plemo: Monday - Friday, 6am - 9am.

Contact the station on admin@fm985.com.au or (+613) 58313131

The ONE FM 98.5 Community Radio podcast page operates under the license of Goulburn Valley Community Radio Inc. (ONE FM) Number 1385226/1.

PRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association Limited  and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) that covers Simulcasting and Online content including podcasts with musical content, that we pay every year. This licence number is 1385226/1

Athena Papadatos on disability support issues and new self help support group

I am not a climate change denier, nor am I indifferent to environmental issues, but these types of cups are really difficult for me to use as a person with disabilities. The Golden Arches may not be the ‘environmental issue’ hill I wish to die on, but its going to be really difficult for me to go to McDonalds in Japan after November 19th.

The fast-food chain said it will begin introducing a new lid design that eliminates the need for straws, starting Nov. 19, replacing the paper straws introduced in 2022.

Episode notes:

‘McDonald's Japan to stop using paper straws from November 19th 2025’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/04/mcdonalds-japan-to-stop-using-paper-straws-from-november-19th-2025/


McDonald’s Japan to stop using paper straws

A welfare-related company based in Osaka City is suspected of having improperly received tens of billions of yen in disability employment support subsidies (payments) since fiscal 2024, city officials revealed on November 5. The company allegedly exploited a system that increases subsidy amounts based on the number of disabled workers who find employment in regular companies. Osaka City has launched an audit under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and is considering demanding repayment.

Episode notes:

‘Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/07/osaka-firm-suspected-of-tens-of-billions-in-improper-disability-work-subsidies/


Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies

The Hikone branch of the Otsu District Public Prosecutors Office announced on the 10th that it has decided not to indict a 70-year-old male care worker from Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. The man had been arrested on suspicion of preparation for murder and violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Act after allegedly hiding a kitchen knife at the welfare facility for people with disabilities in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, where he worked, with the intent to kill a 44-year-old resident. The prosecutors did not disclose the reason for their decision.

Episode notes:

‘Attempted murder of a resident at Shiga care facility for people with disabilities; care worker arrested with knife will not be prosecuted’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/11/attempted-murder-of-a-resident-at-shiga-care-facility-for-people-with-disabilities-care-worker-arrested-with-knife-will-not-be-prosecuted/


Shiga care worker for disabled arrested with knife will not be prosecuted

Rap & Hyperpop
🏳️‍⚧️ + neurodivergent = 😈

DIY von Beat & Bars bis Mix & Master
Just getting started – always down for feedback 💌
Booking & Collabs? Slide in my DMs 📩

Choose to be Curious is a show all about curiosity. We talk about research and theory, but mostly it's conversations about how curiosity shows up in work and life.  

Now syndicated and available via Pacifica RadioNetwork.

One FM Community Radio Station airs a range of programs, including  "Ethnic Programs"  (in languages other than English), specialist interview programs such as "Shepplife" and health programs (So Much More)which are podcast here.  We also podcast a range of local sports programs as part of our Super Saturday Sports Show.  
Goulburn Valley Community Radio Station  Inc. (One FM 98.5) podcast site operates under APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Rights Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) and ACMA (Australian Communications Media Authority) Licence Number  1385226/1.

The programs are recorded and first aired at One FM 98.5 Community Radio Station in Shepparton (Victoria, AUSTRALIA), and produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation or the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council.

All intro and outro music for So Much More podcasts are taken from Beneplacito Boogaloo composed by Terry Barbossa and Matt Holland.

This podcast hosted by media professional Nic Hayes is all about getting the education and motivation to work with media. Understanding the drivers, the tips, the very skills required to make it in the media makes this a must listen podcast for all communicators and business owners.

All Bad Things is a weekly podcast about accidents, tragedies, natural disasters and other anxiety fuel. Hosted by wry GenXer David and bleeding-heart Millenial Rachel. Trigger warning for everything possible.

Hosted by Michael Gillan Peckitt, who resides in Kobe, Japan, the Disability News Japan Podcast is News website 'Barrier Free Japan's podcast, a weekly digest of some of the news about disability in Japan in audio form. New episodes will usually be available every Friday at 6am Japan Time.

New tracks tagged #disability