Let's Talk Disability - The Impact of Having a Non-Visible Disability or Long Term Health Condition
Download MP3In this powerful episode of Let’s Talk Disability, host Professor Jackie Carter brings together two colleagues with very different experiences of disability and leadership within the University of Manchester.
Communications and Engagement Manager Will Stone shares his remarkable and deeply personal journey of living with kidney failure, two transplants, and the lifelong impact of hidden illness—stories often unseen behind his everyday professional life. Joining him is Hannah Rundle, Director of Faculty Operations, who reflects openly on leadership, vulnerability, and her own experiences of managing a long‑term condition.
Together, they explore what it really means to work, lead, and thrive with hidden disabilities; the pressures and expectations of academic environments; and the culture change still needed to make universities truly compassionate and inclusive. From honest conversations about guilt, resilience, and fear of disclosure, to practical reflections on travel policies, wellbeing, and line‑manager consistency, this is an episode rooted in truth, courage, and humanity.
What makes this podcast special is its commitment to action: every conversation ends not just with words, but with real, tangible commitments from guests on what they will do next to make the university a more disability‑inclusive place.
If you care about inclusion, leadership, wellbeing, or simply want to understand the diverse lived experiences of colleagues around you—this episode is a must‑listen.
It’s heartfelt, eye‑opening, and full of the kind of honesty that sparks lasting change.
It’s heartfelt, eye‑opening, and full of the kind of honesty that sparks lasting change.
Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that move from dialogue to action!
Creators and Guests
Host
Professor Jackie Carter
Academic EDI Lead for Disability, member of the Shaw Trust Power 100 for 2023. Author of Work Placements, Internships & Applied Social Research. Prof of Statistical Literacy. FaCSS, NTF. 1-in-20 Women in Data. Late Bloomer. @GM4Women
Guest
Hannah Rundle
Hannah is the Director of Faculty Operations in Humanities. She provides leadership for, and management of, all administrative and specialist support services within the Faculty and contributes strategic and tactical advice to the Vice-President and Dean and to the Faculty's Senior Management Team and other Faculty bodies. She chairs the Faculty Professional Services Senior Leadership Team and is a member of the Faculty Leadership Team. Previously, Hannah was Director of College Operations for the College of Humanities at the University of Exeter having previously undertaken roles at Exeter in External Relations, Graduate Education, and Academic Services. Hannah has also worked at the University of Oxford.
Guest
Will Stone
Experienced and skilled professional who has worked within large organisations providing counsel and strategic support in external communications, employee communications, stakeholder relations and all aspects of marketing.
