Podcasting gives Shayne more than just a voice

He enrolled in a radio and podcast skills building course and after finishing the 12 week program with RadioVoice, Shayne didn’t want to stop.

He has now produced over 50 episodes of his own podcast, Disability Talk, covering topics across the disability sector with guests ranging from specialist disability accommodation providers to sports program organisers.

“I wanted to do a podcast to show others with a disability that they could also be brave and achieve more,” says Shayne, who is also a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant.

“I enjoy learning more about the disability sector and ways in which it can assist me as needed. 

“I also love hearing other people’s stories and also the ways businesses are helping people with a disability.”

Shayne is involved in many of the steps to create the podcast, including finding the guests, working out the questions for them, calling them up and recording the podcast.

He says the process has been particularly helpful for developing his communication skills and learning to research – which he needs to do to make sure he asks his guests “all the right questions”.

It’s difficult to tell just how many people listen to the podcast, because it is available on so many platforms. But as Shayne’s mentor and Director of RadioVoice, Daz Smith, says, “Whether there’s one person listening or whether there’s 100,000 people listening, we’re doing what we do and we’re doing it with passion”.

Building skills

Although the program Shayne began with was focused on radio, it has developed into more of a skills building program centred on podcasts, because that’s what participants wanted to get out of it.

Twice a week, Shayne goes into the studio to work on his podcast and keep developing related skills, like speaking clearly, confidence, communication and resilience.

He has been able to use these skills in other areas of life, including during his weekly three hour work shift at a social enterprise café.

“I use the communication skills at work in the café, which is very important in a busy kitchen, also being able to have conversations with my friends,” says Shayne.

Although he holds a Certificate III in Patisserie and has a passion for working in kitchens, Shayne has been finding it difficult to secure work opportunities because potential employers “want experience”.

“The main challenge I face is finding a job, someone who is prepared to just give me a go. This is a real barrier,” he says.

So on Fridays, Daz and Shayne step away from the production desk to look for paid work.

Support beyond the studio

Daz helps Shayne to look for work, apply for jobs, learn how to look the part for interviews and develop other job seeking skills.

 Shayne has recently found three hours of paid work every Wednesday in hospitality and says finding more paid work was at the top of his list of goals as he has recently moved out of his family home to live with a friend.

“My main goal was to get paid work, that’s the big one – because I’m renting I need a bit of extra cash,” he says.

The move into his apartment has been a “massive change” says Shayne, and has increased his independence.

“I don’t have to put up with family barking at me or family saying ‘do this do this’,” he explains.

“Moving out has always been a goal, probably for at least two to three years, because I wanted to move out of home and have my own independence. 

“I had to use my research skills, picked up from the RadioVoice program, to find a suitable unit, and also [find out] whether we could afford to move out and also live comfortably.”

Shayne already drives himself around and goes to a regular ten pin bowling meet each week by himself to socialise.

Once a month he catches up with a group of friends for a games night and on weekends he goes out to watch AFL and NRL games live.

What started out as finding his voice in radio has not only taught Shayne new skills but also a passion and drive that have filtered through in all aspects of his life. 

Shayne’s podcast, Disability Talk, can be found on Spotify.