Future Voices: Career Conversations Sponsored By Warburtons Community Fund

Real conversations about careers, work and the journey in between.

Future Voices is a podcast series from Inclusive Change, sharing honest experiences from young people navigating careers, education and next steps, with a focus on neurodivergent and disabled voices.

Not polished.
Not scripted.
Just real conversations.

Start here: Podcast trailer

New to Future Voices? Start with the trailer.

This short introduction gives a feel for the conversations, the people involved and what the series is all about.

Listen Now

Episode 1: Careers, Inclusion and AI

Round Table Career Conversation

The first episode launches the Future Voices, Careers Conversation series, focused on inspiring neurodivergent and disabled young people while supporting families and professionals to better understand career pathways.

Hosted by Becca from Inclusive Change, the episode brings together:

• Celina, HR Masters student with cerebral palsy and neurodiversity
• Lucy, part of Inclusive Change mentoring program
• Tom, college acting student

Together they explore:

• gaps in careers education
• uncertainty around career paths and “not knowing yet”
• the pressure of traditional routes like “good grades then university”
• real barriers faced by disabled and neurodivergent individuals in employment
• how AI could impact future careers, including creative industries

Celina shares how accessibility barriers, workplace culture and low disability hiring rates in law affected her confidence, despite achieving a first-class degree.

Lucy reflects on building confidence through step-by-step support and volunteering.

The episode also opens up discussion around AI and careers, including its potential impact on industries like acting.

Episode 2: What if workplaces were designed around people?

STEM Careers with the Lightyear Foundation

Our latest episode explores a simple but important question, what if workplaces were designed around people, not the other way around?

Hosts Celina, Becca and Lucy speak with Hannah Ford Tomlinson, Communities and Partnerships Programme Manager at the Lightyear Foundation, a UK charity working to make STEM careers more accessible and inclusive for disabled and neurodivergent young people.

Together, they explore:

• non-linear career pathways into STEM
• experiences of autism and workplace confidence
• the impact of supportive managers and reasonable adjustments
• barriers in traditional career routes, including law and professional sectors
• what it really means to design work around people so they can thrive

Celina reflects on her own experiences in law, including inaccessible assessment processes, long hours and limited flexible pathways.

This episode highlights the importance of inclusive workplaces and practical changes that make a difference.

Listen here: Future Voices & Project Sandbox Presents Career Conversations

Find out more:
Lightyear Foundation https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/
Mentoring with Inclusive Change https://inclusivechange.co.uk/mentoring-services

What this career podcast is about

Future Voices focuses on real career journeys.

Not just outcomes, but the experiences behind them.

Topics include:

• early careers and career pathways
• neurodiversity and disability in the workplace
• confidence, independence and decision making
• inclusive workplaces and reasonable adjustments
• what support actually makes a difference

Each episode is shaped by the people involved, keeping conversations grounded and relevant.

Why career conversations matter

There is no shortage of career advice.

But advice alone is not enough.

Young people often tell us they are:

• unsure what direction to take
• feeling pressure to make the “right” choice
• navigating systems that are not designed with them in mind

By sharing real experiences, this podcast helps:

• individuals feel understood and less alone
• employers better understand lived experiences
• educators and organisations improve support

Get involved in Future Voices

We are continuing to record new episodes and welcome new voices.

If you would like to take part, you can:

• share your experiences
• build confidence
• develop communication skills
• be part of a meaningful project

No experience needed.

Find out more: https://inclusivechange.co.uk/future-voices

Or get in touch to talk it through [email protected]