Send Me A Text Message

In this episode of The Danifesto Podcast, I'm joined by Jodi Whitehouse, founder and CEO of Caring Matters Now, a UK charity supporting people and families affected by Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN), a rare condition that causes large birthmarks and can sometimes lead to serious health complications.

Born in Liverpool with CMN covering much of her body, Jodi grew up facing stares, judgement and isolation. She underwent over 30 operations during her childhood, missed years of school and spent much of her early life not fully understanding her condition.

But what started as an incredibly difficult childhood eventually became something much bigger.

At just 16 years old, Jodi began helping other families affected by CMN, which eventually led to the creation of Caring Matters Now. Today, the charity supports over 900 families, raises awareness of visible differences and helps fund pioneering medical research.

We talk about what it was really like growing up looking different, how she dealt with people's reactions, the impact of her childhood experiences, her Christian faith and the moment she realised that being different wasn't something she needed to hide.

We also discuss the incredible work behind Caring Matters Now, the progress being made in CMN research and why Jodi believes everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.

It's an honest and inspiring conversation about acceptance, resilience, faith and turning personal challenges into something that can change other people's lives.

A massive thank you to Jodi for coming on the podcast and sharing her story.

Find out more about Caring Matters Now or support their work:
https://www.caringmattersnow.co.uk/

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, follow and share the podcast.

The Danifesto Podcast
Real talk. Real life. No filter.

#TheDanifestoPodcast #JodiWhitehouse #CaringMattersNow #CMN #VisibleDifference #Liverpool #Podcast

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

What does it really mean to belong somewhere? And can you have faith while still having doubts?

In this episode of The Danifesto Podcast, I'm joined by Chris Hayes from Heart Liverpool for an open and honest conversation about faith, family, mental health, inclusion and finding somewhere you truly feel accepted.

Chris shares his journey from growing up in Oklahoma, USA, to living in Prague and eventually making Liverpool his home. We talk about how his faith has shaped his life, the challenges he's faced along the way, dealing with anxiety and depression, and why he believes it's completely normal to question what you believe.

We also explore the story behind Heart Liverpool, a community café that's about much more than coffee. It's somewhere people can meet, build friendships, explore faith and feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or circumstances.

As someone who's autistic, I share why Heart Liverpool is one of the places where I genuinely feel comfortable and accepted. We discuss neurodiversity, the importance of inclusion, sensory-friendly environments and why having somewhere you can simply be yourself makes such a difference.

We also talk about the challenges of building a community, the importance of not judging people before getting to know them, and what's next for Heart Liverpool.

Whether you're religious, questioning your faith, or simply interested in hearing someone's story, this episode is about something we can all relate to: finding acceptance, building connections and having somewhere we feel we belong.

The Danifesto Podcast is all about real conversations, real experiences and discussing the things that actually matter, from ADHD and autism to mental health, growing up, Liverpool and everything in between.

Real talk. Real life. No filter.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

Dan is joined by Kanika, founder of Beetroot Consultant, for a wide-ranging conversation about challenging broken systems and creating better ways to work.

They explore how technology can support people without replacing human connection, the opportunities and risks of AI, and why doing things differently requires courage and intention. Kanika and Dan also share their personal experiences of ADHD, medication, creativity and navigating systems that are not always designed with neurodivergent people in mind.

Along the way, they discuss digital trust, medical anxiety, entrepreneurship, 3D printing and the podcast recording they lost the first time around.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

In this episode of The Danifesto Podcast, I’m joined by Joanne Bourne, mum to Harry and the person behind Harry’s Harness.

Joanne shares what life is really like raising a non-verbal autistic teenager with ADHD and developmental delay. We talk about Harry’s early diagnosis, communication, sensory needs, SEN education, social media, judgment from strangers and the reality of keeping him safe.

Joanne also opens up about one terrifying moment when Harry ran straight in front of a car, and how experiences like that eventually led to the creation of Harry’s Harness. What started as something designed to keep Harry safe has grown into something helping other families feel more confident getting out and about.

We also talk about AAC communication, ear defenders, sensory regulation, elopement, parenting criticism, online trolling, independence, dignity and what Joanne hopes Harry’s future will look like.

This is an honest conversation about autism, ADHD, parenting, support, inclusion and why people need to understand neurodivergent families rather than judge them.

The Danifesto Podcast

Real talk. Real life. No filter.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland joins Dan for an honest conversation about the person behind the football career. Chris reflects on his childhood in Leicester, his journey from Coventry City to his boyhood club Liverpool, the pressures of professional football and his memories of playing alongside some of the game’s greatest names.

He also speaks candidly about anxiety, depression and prescription-painkiller addiction, including the moment he realised he had to tell the truth and seek support. Now using his experiences to help others, Chris explains why recovery begins with speaking up, the importance of purpose and structure, and why however desperate life may feel it is always possible to fight back.

Content warning: This episode discusses addiction, depression and suicide.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

Jamie Webster joins me on The Danifesto Podcast for a proper honest conversation about how life has changed from playing pubs in Liverpool and working as an electrician to selling out huge shows and becoming one of the biggest voices to come out of the city.

We talk about what really goes through his head before walking onto a massive stage, the nerves and adrenaline behind performing, the emotional side of releasing music, how the industry has changed with social media, and why there’s no magic algorithm for making a song connect.

Jamie also opens up about the more personal side of his new album, Running Round the Sun, and why he wanted this record to explore feelings and experiences he hasn’t written about as openly before.

One of the most meaningful moments for me was getting the chance to tell Jamie how much his music helped me after losing my grandad and during one of the hardest periods of my life. His response about grief, sadness and sometimes just needing somebody to tell you that things are going to be alright is something I won’t forget.

We also talk about North End Kid, the new song Wherever You Are, and whether anything on the new album can finally knock North End Kid off the top spot for me.

A short episode, but definitely one of the most personal and special conversations I’ve recorded.

Thank you to Jamie for taking the time to come on.

Running Round the Sun is out 4 September.

🎙️ The Danifesto Podcast

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

In this episode of The Danifesto Podcast, I’m joined by Peter Oliver OBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, and Sue Higginson OBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside.

We go behind the scenes of one of the oldest public roles in the country to explore what the Lord-Lieutenant actually does on a day-to-day basis, how Peter and Sue were appointed, and what it means to represent His Majesty The King across Merseyside.

We discuss the history of the Lieutenancy, royal visits, the King’s Honours system, OBEs, MBEs and BEMs, recognising ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and why volunteering is so important to local communities.

The conversation also explores Liverpool’s unique identity, what makes the people of Merseyside so special, the city’s sense of community, music, football, and why service to others sits at the heart of everything they do.

As always on The Danifesto Podcast, we also have an open conversation about neurodiversity, autism, ADHD, mental health, education and supporting young people. Peter and Sue share their thoughts on making schools and communities more inclusive, why understanding matters, and how organisations can better support neurodivergent people.

Finally, we talk about leadership, resilience, balancing voluntary roles with everyday life, the importance of recognising people for the difference they make, and why leaving the world a little better than you found it is something we should all strive for.

If you enjoy honest conversations about community, leadership, mental health, neurodiversity and the people making a real difference, this episode is for you.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

How does a deaf musician actually work?

Most people think they know the answer… but they’re wrong.

In this episode, I sit down with Sean Chandler a musician, teacher, and presenter to talk about what life is really like, from school to communication to how he actually experiences music.

How do you play music, teach, and present… when you’re deaf?

We get into what people constantly misunderstand, the pressure to adapt, and what “inclusion” really looks like in real life.

This isn’t a polished interview it’s a real conversation.

And it might change how you see things.

Sean Chandler Instagram: @mrseanchandler

Also, Flare Audio sent me a pair of their headphones no payment, no script. I’ve been using them while editing and they’ve actually helped cut out a lot of background noise and keep me focused.

I’ll drop the link here:
https://www.flareaudio.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqY-mvo_e8Aj3NdsMjAgNB9iEs9q09Jxyr6f_L97yKUWObvKSgb

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.