3Spoonies On Language and Labels

3Spoonies On Language and Labels

Episode Number: 60 Date: 23rd July 2026  

 

What happens when a label helps you understand yourself… but also changes how other people see you?

In this episode of 3Spoonies, we discuss language, labels and identity — from disability and chronic illness to neurodiversity, race, mental health and representation.

We explore the labels that helped us, the ones that hurt and the complicated relationship many people have with identity, diagnosis and belonging.

Topics include:

• disability identity and accepting labels
• autism, ADHD and neurodivergence
• growing up with labels and assumptions
• race, representation and prejudice
• gifted child burnout
• chronic illness and invisible disability
• person-first vs identity-first language
• reclaiming language and community identity
• “inspiration porn” and harmful media narratives
• words like brave, suffering, confined to and overcoming
• media portrayals of disability and chronic illness
• PIP, systems and medical labels
• mental health stigma
• why empathy matters

This is an honest conversation about the power language has — to support, exclude, explain and connect.

Because sometimes finding the right word changes everything.

What labels have helped or hurt you? Let us know in the comments

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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 

 

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. 

 

Links: 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!

https://lizdrury.com/ 

 

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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