Documenting Failure - Episode 6 - Key References
Key references:
In order of hearing the reference in the podcast.
Ray Young- Ray is an award-winning transdisciplinary performance artist, writer, educator and coach. Creating unique, genre-defying work through collaboration and resistance to traditional form, Ray’s practice exists at the boundaries of live art, activism and immersive experience. Examining race, queerness, climate justice and neurodiversity, Ray’s work holds space for those who face intersecting systemic barriers, celebrating and championing these identities.
Alexandrina Hemsley- Alexandrina Hemsley is a dance artist and writer attending to the material unfolding and vibration of language and bodies. Her work is inherently interdisciplinary, working across film, choreography, writing, and participation. Her practice is shaped by and insists on embodied enquiries into a multiplicity of voices. Since 2009, she has worked across dance live art, screendance, mentoring, creative & critical writing.
Cappuccino - an espresso-based coffee drink traditionally prepared with steamed milk, including a layer of milk foam. The cappuccino colour is a warm shade with earthy tones, belonging to the brown palette.
COVID- an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Burnout- Burnout is the physical or emotional exhaustion resulting from chronic workplace stress. It can have symptoms from generalised fatigue to depression and insomnia.
Safety net- is something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty.
Artistic Director - An Artistic Director is a key leadership role, responsible for shaping the artistic vision of a company and/or venue.
Creative Director- The Creative Director is an essential professional figure in the field of visual communication who operates in various fields such as advertising campaigns, film and design and plays a leadership role in defining the artistic and communicative direction of a project.
Yewande 103- Yewande 103 (Y103) is a Black, disabled-led, parent-led dance organisation founded in 2020 by artist and writer Alexandrina Yewande Hemsley. From 2026, Rudzani Moleya (Associate Artistic Director) and Megan Saunders (Producer: Strategy & Programme) joined the team.
Locs- Dreadlocks, also known as locs, are a hairstyle that consists of rope-like strands that are achieved by braiding or interlocking the hair.
Community- a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
Vulnerable- Being vulnerable is defined as in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect.
Access to Work- Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work.
Arts Council England- They are the national development agency for creativity and culture. We help people in every corner of the country to experience and benefit from creativity.
Budget- a statement of the financial position of an administration (as of a nation) for a definite period of time based on estimates of expenditures during the period and proposals for financing them
Abstract- 1 relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than specific people, objects, or actions
- abstract thinking
- abstract ideas/concepts such as love and hate
of art : expressing ideas and emotions by using elements such as colors and lines without attempting to create a realistic picture
- abstract art
- an abstract painting/painter
Executive functioning- Executive function refers to skills that you use to manage everyday tasks like making plans, solving problems and adapting to new
Funding- Funding is the act of providing resources to finance a need, program, or project. While this is usually in the form of money, it can also take the form of effort or time from an organisation or company.
Abyss - a hole so deep or a space so great that it cannot be measured.
Bridge the gap- To connect two things that are different or far apart; to reduce or eliminate the difference between two groups or things
Stranded- If you're stuck somewhere with no way of getting anywhere else, you're stranded. If you run out of gas while driving in the desert, you'll be stranded until someone finds you.
Grant- A grant is a fund given by a person or organization, often a public body, charitable foundation, a specialised grant-making institution, or in some cases a business with a corporate social responsibility mission, to an individual or another entity, usually, a non-profit organisation, sometimes a business or a local government body, for a specific purpose linked to public benefit.
Existential crisis- An existential crisis is a period of deep questioning about your purpose, values, identity, and the meaning of life.
Fraud- Fraud is when someone tricks or deceives you to gain a dishonest advantage – usually money, goods, services or property. There are many words used to describe fraud, such as scam, con, swindle, extortion, sham, double-cross, hoax, cheat and hoodwink.
Self-employed- Self-employment is the state of working for oneself rather than an employer.
Freelancer- someone who is not employed by any one organisation but does particular pieces of work for different organisations.
Comprehend- to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive.
Observing- to see, watch, perceive, or notice. He observed the passersby in the street.
Access Rider- a document outlining their specific access needs to ensure they can do their best work.
Lab- a facility/space that provides controlled conditions in which scientific, technological or creative research, experiments, and measurement may be performed.
Co-curators- : one who shares the duties of curating something (such as an exhibit) with one or more others. A curator is a manager or overseer.
Labelling- Labelling or using a label is describing someone or something in a word or short phrase. For example, the label "criminal" may be used to describe someone who has broken a law.
Policing- the act of maintaining public order and security, enforcing the law, or regulating or controlling something, by or as if by members of a police force.
Infantilising- The act or process of infantilizing, or treating a non-infant as an infant. Nursing homes lead to an infantilization of the elderly.
Collaborate- Collaborate means to work together, especially on a goal or shared project.
Aftermath- the period of time after a bad and usually destructive event — usually singular. In the aftermath of the fire, many people were in need of shelter. The country is rebuilding its economy in the aftermath of the war.
Ableist/Ableism- Ableism is a word for unfairly favouring non-disabled people. Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against physically or mentally disabled people.
Hurdles- a barrier or other obstacle
Anticipate- to expect; look forward to; be sure of.
People pleaser- A “people pleaser” personality means a person feels a strong urge to please others, even at their own expense. They may feel that their wants and needs do not matter or alter their personality around others.
Tie myself in knots- to cause problems for oneself from being too careful, trying too hard, etc. The mayor tied himself in knots answering a touchy political question. 2. : to become very upset or worried.
Loop- a shape like a curve or a circle made by a line curving back towards itself
Carer/care work- A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.
Carer- A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.
Roles- A role is a part you play. In school, you might take on the role of clown, in your family, the role of the responsible one, on stage, the role of Juliet. Role can also mean job or function.
Responsibilities- a duty or task that you are required or expected to do. [count] The janitor has many responsibilities. Mowing the lawn is your responsibility. She has to deal with a lot of family and work responsibilities.
Friendships- It is an honest and mutually beneficial relationship. It's about spending time and getting to know another human being and enjoying their company.
Agency- One's agency is one's independent capability or ability to act on one's will.
Power- power is a general word that suggests the ability to control or influence what is done, felt, etc. the power of the throne.
Visioning- Visioning is the process of imagining and articulating a desired future state. It involves creative and strategic thinking to define long-term goals, aspirations, and outcomes for individuals, organisations, or societies
Stable- not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.
Fluctuate- not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.
Fluidity- not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.
Desolate- is devoid of inhabitants and visitors : deserted.
Medical misogyny- Medical misogyny is defined as the systematic bias against women within healthcare, resulting in the dismissal of women's health concerns as 'normal' or 'just stress.
Misogynoir-Misogynoir is a term referring to the combined force of anti-black racism and misogyny directed towards black women. The term was coined by black feminist writer Moya Bailey in 2008 to address misogyny directed toward Black transgender and cisgender women in American visual and popular culture.
Sustainable- able to be confirmed or upheld.
Financial companies- an institution engaged in such specialized forms of financing as purchasing accounts receivable, extending credit to retailers and manufacturers, discounting installment contracts, and granting loans with goods as security.
Corporate- involving or associated with a corporation.
Risk analysis- analytical process to provide information regarding undesirable events; – process of estimating probabilities and expected consequences for identified risks.
Collision course- a course or path of a vehicle, projectile, etc., that, if unchanged, will lead to a collision with another object. Any plan, attitude, or course of action that leads to a confrontation or conflict with another.
Crossroads- a place where two or more roads cross.
Administrators- : a person who administers something: such as a person whose job is to manage a company, school, or other organization
Humble- not proud or arrogant; modest.
Grief- keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret
Bereavement- Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. It's characterised by grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through when we experience a loss.
Ambitious- having a strong desire for success or achievement;
Equity- Equity refers to the principle of fairness, justice, and impartiality. Unlike equality, which emphasises treating everyone the same, equity recognises that people have different needs and challenges.
Orphan- a child who has lost both parents through death,
NHS- The NHS is the health service that everybody in the UK can use when they become poorly or injured, to help them to get better.
En masse- En masse comes from French literature, from the phrase "in mass." In this case, mass means "all the people." So, when you do something en masse, everyone does it together.
Horrendous- Horrendous is popularly used to mean extremely bad—awful, dreadful, or horrible.
Destabilising- To destabilise something is to undermine it, or to make it much less stable.
Delusional- having ideas or beliefs that are not based in reality.
Normative- Normativity concerns the standards of what people ought to do, believe, or value. It is a quality of rules, judgments, or concepts that prescribe how things should be or what individuals may, must, or must not do. Normative claims express what ought to be the case, such as "you should not smoke".
Capitalist/Capitalism- Capitalism is an economic system where productive goods are owned by individuals or companies and used to earn a profit, while workers earn only wages.
Aspiration- something that a person wants very much to achieve
Boundaries- a line or limit where one thing ends and another begin. Personal boundaries or the act of setting boundaries is a life skill that has been popularized by self help authors and support groups since the mid-1980s.
Taking the mick- In English, the expression 'taking the mickey', or 'taking the mickey out of somebody' means to laugh at them or make fun of them.
Whatsapp- a phone app that allows you to send messages, photos and short videos to one or more people.
Email- is a means or system for transmitting messages electronically (as between computers on a network).
Disability-led podcast- In an arts practice context, this means that Deaf and Disabled people have creative control of the projects. In an organisational context, this means that the organisation is run by a majority of Deaf and Disabled people.
Invoice- an itemized bill for goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms.
Executive dysfunction- Executive dysfunction refers to impairments in the mental skills that help you plan, focus, stay organized, manage time, and regulate emotions.
Hippodrome- The Birmingham Hippodrome is a theatre situated on Hurst Street in the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, England.
Associate artistic director- the Associate Artistic Director is responsible for the coordination, development and delivery of all company programming in line with the Artistic Director's vision, and the company mandate and objectives.
Mirror/mirroring-Mirroring, or the chameleon effect, is the behavior in which one person subconsciously imitates the gesture, speech pattern, or attitude of another. Mirroring often occurs in social situations, particularly in the company of close friends or family, often going unnoticed by both parties.
Cultivated-To cultivate is to nurture and help grow
Ecology- Ecology is the study of the environment
Rehearsal- A rehearsal is an activity in the performing arts that occurs as preparation for a performance in music, theatre, dance and related arts, such as opera, musical theatre and film production.
Overstep- to go beyond what is proper or allowed by (something)
Remit- the area of activity over which a particular person or group has authority, control or influence.
Intervention- The act or fact of taking action about something in order to have an effect on its outcome. An intervention is the act of inserting one thing between others, like a person trying to help.
Traditional- based on a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time
Choreographer- Choreography is about designing movement in time and space
Studio- the building or room where an artist works
Blurred- not clear; without a clear outline or shape.
Touretteshero is a disabled-led CIC whose mission is to create a more inclusive and socially just society.
Fluctuating disability- A fluctuating condition is one that is always present but will vary in severity, the frequency of flare-ups, and sometimes the symptoms.
Dynamic disability- An individual that identifies as being dynamically disabled, is someone that is able to perform tasks or do activities, for example, in a day, more than once a day, or as sporadically or as often as they can, but the individual may not be able to complete those same tasks or do them at all in the next moment or the next day (week, etc.).
Challenges- a new or difficult task or situation that tests somebody's ability and skill”
Entitled- feeling that you have a right to the good things in life without necessarily having to work for them. He's so entitled!
Hyper-visible- Hypervisibility refers to the excessive attention or scrutiny placed on individuals due to their identity, often based on race, gender, disability, or other marginalised characteristics.
Justify- To provide or be a good reason for (something) : to prove or show (something) to be just, right, or reasonable. He tried to justify his behavior by saying that he was being pressured unfairly by his boss. The fact that we are at war does not justify treating innocent people as criminals.
Disability tax- It means you have to pay more for goods and services just to be able to live the same quality of life as a non-disabled person.
Compensate- Compensate is about correcting for an imbalance. compensate (for something) to provide something good to balance or reduce the bad effects of damage, loss, etc.
Meltdowns- a sudden loss of control over one's feelings or behavior.
Sensory- of or relating to the senses or sensation.
Safety- the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss.
Unmasked- somebody/something to show the true character of somebody, or a hidden truth about something. In the neurodivergent community, we use the term unmasking to describe a sort of liberation from mainstream expectations
Accommodations- the act of accommodating; state or process of being accommodated; adaptation. Adjustment of differences; reconciliation.
Tech rehearsal- The technical rehearsal or tech rehearsal is a rehearsal that focuses on the technological aspects of the performance, in theatrical, musical, and filmed entertainment.
Vending machine- An automated machine which is intended to provide the users with a diverse range of products: snacks, beverages, pizzas, cupcakes, newspapers, tickets, etc. A vending machine dispenses a product to the users based on the amount of money inserted and selection of the product.
Snacks- A snack is a small portion of food generally eaten between meals. Snacks come in a variety of forms including packaged snack foods and other processed foods, as well as items made from fresh ingredients at home.
Aftercare- the care, treatment, etc., given to people after they leave a place (such as a hospital or prison) — often used before another noun.
Universities- The Cambridge Dictionary defines a university as “a place where people study for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree”. You might then think of a university as the buildings, spaces and other physical facilities on offer, such as lecture theatres, common rooms, accommodation or a library.
Quibbling- A quibble is a small argument or fight. As a verb, it means to pick a mini-fight over something that doesn't really matter.
Neurospicy- Neuroeurospicy is a community-created term used to describe a neurodivergent brain, often in a playful, affirming, and self-expressive way.
Many people searching “neurospicy meaning” are trying to understand whether the term applies to them, especially in relation to autism, ADHD, being AuDHD, or understanding terms like allistic.
Unlike clinical terms, neurospicy is informal. You won’t find it in diagnostic manuals. But you will find it across online communities, social media, and conversations where people are reclaiming how they talk about their brains.
Billie Eilish- Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her distinctive musical sound and vocal style, Eilish is a prominent figure in 2020s pop culture.
Green chef- Tiny Chef (voiced by Matt Hutchinson) is a vegan green humanoid creature who lives in a tree stump and makes different dishes. Tiny Chef (voiced by Matt Hutchinson) is a vegan green humanoid creature who lives in a tree stump and makes different dishes.
Chopping- to cut or sever with a quick, heavy blow or a series of blows, using an ax, hatchet, etc.
Foolishness- Foolishness is the inability or failure to act following reason due to lack of judgment, stupidity, stubbornness, etc. The things such as impulsivity and/or influences may affect a person's ability to make reasonable decisions. Other reasons of apparent foolishness include naivety, gullibility, and credulity.
Automatically- Something that happens automatically happens in a mechanical way without a person having to do anything extra.
Pitching in- pitch in (with somebody/something) (informal) to join in and help with an activity, by doing some of the work or by giving money, advice, etc. Everyone pitched in with the work. Local companies pitched in with building materials and labour.
Invested- When you invest, you put time or money into something, hoping that there will be returns greater than what was originally put in.
Reasonable time scales- Reasonable time is that amount of time which is fairly necessary, conveniently, to do whatever is required to be done, as soon as circumstances permit.
lastminute.com - the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken. last-minute. last-minute. noun. (modifier) given or done at the latest possible time.
Medium- Medium can refer to both to the type of art (eg painting, sculpture, printmaking), as well as the materials an artwork is made from.
YouTube- a brand name for a website on which users can post, view, or share videos.
Instagram- the brand name for a photo- and video-sharing application and social media platform launched in 2010.
Reposting- to share another user's content on social media. This can include regramming, repinning, or retweeting. It also includes sharing another user's Instagram post in your Instagram Stories.
Doechii- Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon, known professionally as Doechii, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and actress. After her songs went viral on TikTok in 2021, she signed recording contracts with Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records in 2022.
Pencil dates- It means to write something on a calendar or in a date book in pencil because the time/date needs to be confirmed so you're not absolutely sure that the event, appointment, meeting etc. will take place at that time/on that day.
Material things- physical objects that occupy space, have mass, and can be perceived through the senses. The term refers to tangible goods—such as homes, cars, clothing, and electronics—that people own, purchase, or consume to meet basic needs, achieve comfort, or express personal identity.
Ration- A ration is the fixed portion of food or other goods allowed to each person in times of shortages.
Blunt instrument- An object lacking sharp surfaces, especially as used to cause injury
Interdependent process- Interdependence is a state of being interconnected with others. Interdependence represents the delicate dance of mutual reliance and support within relationships.
Workshop- a seminar, discussion group, or the like, that emphasizes exchange of ideas and the demonstration and application of techniques, skills, etc
Consultancy- A consultant is a professional who provides advice or services in an area of specialization
Neurodiversities- Neurodiversity refers to the variations in the way the brain functions; it can manifest in mood, behaviour and other cognitive functions. Neurodivergence is the term for when someone's brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical".
Engines- An engine is a machine that burns fuel to make something move. The engine in a car is the motor that makes it go.
Artistic practices- The term refers to the way an artist approaches their work. Artistic practice extends beyond the physical activities of making artistic products and can include influences, ideas, materials as well as tools and skills.
Care Package- often includes a combination of social services support, health funding, and financial assistance.
PA- Personal Assistant
Adult Social Care- Adult social care supports people transitioning into adulthood and those over 18's who need help because of age, disability, illness or other circumstances.
Chronic- is continuing or occurring again and again for a long time. Chronic condition, a condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects.
Accessible- able to be used by everyone, including people who have a disability.
Burnout- Burnout is the physical or emotional exhaustion resulting from chronic workplace stress. It can have symptoms from generalised fatigue to depression and insomnia.
Government- an organisation that officially manages and controls a country or region, creating laws, collecting taxes, providing public services, etc.
Subsidise- to pay part of the cost of something: eg Taxpayers shouldn't subsidise a golf course.
Politicised- to make something or someone political, or more involved in or conscious of political matters.
Feminist- a person who believes in feminism, and tries to achieve change that helps women to get equal opportunities and treatment.
Culture Central- A collective voice for arts & culture in the West Midlands.
Radical Listening Week- Radical Listening Week brings together cultural workers, freelancers, organisations, and communities across the West Midlands to explore what equity looks like in practice.
National Lottery- The National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery established in 1994 in the United Kingdom.National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for good causes across the UK.
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha- (born April 21, 1975) is a Canadian-American poet, writer, educator, and social activist. Their writing and performance art focuses on documenting the stories of queer and trans people of color, abuse survivors, mixed-race people and diasporic South Asians and Sri Lankans. A central concern of their work is the interconnection of systems of colonialism, abuse and violence. They are also a writer and organizer within the disability justice movement.
Piepzna-Samarasinha is queer, non-binary, and disabled.
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice- Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha is a queer disabled femme writer, organiser, performance artist and educator of Burgher/Tamil Sri Lankan and Irish/Roma ascent. This the fifth book of six, a collection of personal and political essays that examines disability justice and interdependence from a queer POC (person of colour) perspective.
Solidarity- Solidarity or solidarism is an awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathies creating a psychological sense of unity of groups or classes.