Join Australian Paralympic legend and APM Ambassador Ellie Cole as she explores disability and inclusion in the workplace.
In a special limited-run series, Ellie sits down with team members from across APM to discuss how their own experience of disability helps them make a difference for other people.
She also speaks with some of APM's people and partners about the impact of hiring employees with disability, with advice for how employers can support inclusion and diversity in their business.
Ellie Cole's Couch is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au.
This podcast was recorded on the Country of the Gadigal people and on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja. It was also produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie speaks with Will, Local Area Coordination Support Officer with the employment project at APM Communities.
They discuss the challenges and success he has had finding employment as a person with autism.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/iea/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/will-on-disability-inclusion-for-better-business)
Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(01:18) - Childhood
(03:21) - Career journey
(06:04) - Working a person with autism
(08:16) - Inclusion at work
(09:24) - Customised Employment
(14:27) - Getting started with customised employment
(17:27) - Impact of employment supports
This podcast was recorded and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
18 Nov 2025
Breaking down barriers with Bree
In this episode, Ellie speaks with Bree, an employment consultant at APM, about the impact of growing up with hearing loss and how it helps her support people with disability to find the right job for them.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/iea/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/bree-on-breaking-down-barriers)
Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(03:30) - Discovering hearing impairment
(05:11) - Support during school
(06:19) - Perspective on disability
(08:24) - Supporting people with disability
(09:45) - What does a disability employment consultant do?
(16:02) - Breaking down barriers with employers
This podcast was recorded on the Country of the Gadigal people and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
3 Nov 2025
Creating Accessible Systems with Els
Ellie speaks with Els, a business analyst with APM Employment Services, about how she helps create accessible systems for people with disability, while living with disability herself.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/des/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/els-on-focusing-on-a-person%E2%80%99s-ability,-not-disability)
Chapters
(00:00) - Phonological dyslexia
(03:31) - Support at school
(06:33) - Joining APM
(10:36) - Creating accessible systems
(12:55) - Working for an inclusive organisation
This podcast was recorded and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
14 Oct 2025
Creating inclusive workplaces for First Nations Australians with Austin
In this episode, Ellie speaks with Austin, National Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at APM Employment Services.
They discuss the opportunities for businesses to benefit from diverse workforces and providing career opportunities for First Nations employees.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/des/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/austin-on-building-disability-inclusion)
Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(02:02) - Studying in the US
(03:21) - Working through discomfort
(04:26) - Creating opportunities at APM
(06:08) - Employment challenges for First Nations Australians
(07:50) - Sharing the responsibility
(09:36) - Employment challenges for First Nations Australians with disability
(12:09) - How businesses can better support First Nations people
(14:28) - Benefits of hiring First Nations Australians
(15:56) - Keeping up momentum
(17:03) - Suggestions for organisations that are just getting started
This podcast was recorded and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
16 Sept 2025
Disability awareness and advocacy with Graham
Ellie speaks with Graham about how his son’s conditions and his own physical challenges raised his awareness of the issues people with disability can face and motivates him to help others.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/des/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/graham-s-motivation-to-make-a-difference)
Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(01:02) - Changing careers
(02:18) - Developing hip condition
(05:30) - Hobbies
(06:56) - Son’s experience with disability
(11:32) - Disability awareness and advocacy
(17:16) - Vulnerability and empathy
This podcast was recorded on the Country of the Gadigal people and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
25 Aug 2025
Living with Parkinson’s doesn’t define Lorna
In this episode, Ellie speaks with Lorna, an Employment Consultant at APM, who uses her lived experience with Parkinson's disease to support others with a disability or health condition.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/des/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/lorna-on-overcoming-the-fear-of-employees-with-disability)
Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(00:31) - Dad’s experience with diabetes
(04:22) - Moving to Australia
(06:18) - Getting diagnosed with Parkinson’s
(10:48) - Opening the door for others at APM
(13:26) - How disability changed Lorna’s perspective
(17:29) - Impact of hiring people with disability
This podcast was recorded and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts)
28 Jul 2025
A daughter's legacy helps to enable better lives with Christine (Full episode)
Ellie meets Christine, a business manager for APM who found strength after suffering the loss of her daughter, and despite her own health concerns, is passionate about empowering others.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/des/about/our-people/ellie-cole/couch-stories/christine-s-daughter-s-legacy-inspires-enabling-better-lives)
Chapters
(00:00) - Intro
(00:29) - Growing up in Armidale NSW
(02:54) - Having a child with disability
(07:28) - The impact of losing a child
(10:32) - Helping people at APM
(12:01) - Living with disability
(14:34) - Applying lived experience at work
(17:06) - The difference an inclusive workplace makes
(18:39) - Working with local communities
This podcast was recorded on the Country of the Gadigal people and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
14 Jul 2025
ADHD and turning barriers into a career with Lyndsey
In this episode, Ellie speaks with Lyndsey - an employment consultant delivering Disability Employment Services at APM.
Growing up with ADHD, Lyndsey faced her own set of challenges, but these experiences have become her greatest strengths in her role at APM.
Watch the full video on the APM website (https://apm.net.au/des/about/our-people/apm-team-stories/lyndsey-s-empowering-lives-with-her-adhd-experience)
Chapters
(00:00) - Growing up
(02:18) - First jobs
(04:46) - Working with children with disability
(06:19) - ADHD diagnosis journey
(08:53) - Working at APM
(13:03) - Bringing ADHD experience to work
(14:00) - Explaining disability employment services
This podcast was recorded and produced on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
APM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past and present.
Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion is produced by APM.
APM is a global health and human services provider enabling better lives through employment, workplace, health and wellbeing, disability and aged care services.
Learn more at apm.net.au (https://apm.net.au/podcasts).
23 Jun 2025
Disability acceptance and understanding with Fran
Employment consultant Fran discusses with Ellie Cole her personal experiences with disability and how it fuels her passion for promoting disability acceptance and understanding in the workplace in this interview.
3 Jun 2025
How inclusive hiring helps businesses thrive with Red
Host Ellie Cole interviews Red, a unit manager, about how championing diversity and inclusion in hiring practices at Compass Group Australia impacts the workplace, especially through their partnership with APM.
14 May 2025
Visual impairment and accessibility in the community with Ayesha Patterson
Host Ellie Cole interviews Ayesha Patterson, a community capacity builder, about employing people with vision impairment and creating accessible communities, highlighting the benefits of diversity and inclusion.
12 May 2025
Ellie Cole's Couch: Employer Education Preview
Host Ellie Cole previews a limited-run series that explores disability and inclusion in the workplace, recorded on Gadigal land and Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
12 May 2025
Ellie Cole's Couch: Lived Experience Preview
Host Ellie Cole previews a limited-run series exploring disability and inclusion in the workplace through conversations with APM team members about their lived experiences.
Who has been a guest on Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Fran
Red
Ayesha Patterson
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
731,457
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
87
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
0
Contact Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion
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Books guests
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Questions about Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion
Who hosts Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion?
Ellie Cole host the show. Published by APM.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Ellie Cole's Couch: Amplify your inclusion take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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