Beyond the Gold — Meet the Paralympians Making History in the New Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take? Podcast Series Supported by P&G

9/12/2024

As the world unites around the excitement of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the latest in a groundbreaking podcast series is taking a deeper dive into how we all win by making the world more accessible for everyone.

P&G is proud to support "Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take?," a new podcast series from the team behind the Emmy-award winning documentary "Rising Phoenix" that isn't just celebrating athletic achievement - it's championing accessibility for all people.

Giving a Platform to Powerful Voices

In this new podcast, U.S. Paralympic Gold medalist Matt "The Armless Archer" Stutzman and U.S. Olympic legend Michael Johnson interview eight incredible Paralympians as they prepare for this summer's Paris 2024 Paralympic Games from August 28 - September 8, 2024. The series gives listeners an opportunity to get to know the elite athletes going for the medals, and to understand what it really takes to be an elite Paralympian, while capturing the excitement and spirit of the Paralympic Games.

Listeners will hear from incredible athletes, including:**

• Nick Mayhugh: a four-time gold medalist in Para Track and Field, sharing his journey from overcoming adversity to dominating on the world stage.
• Anastasia Pagonis: a visually impaired swimmer and Gen Z icon, discussing her experiences with mental health and inspiring others to embrace their authentic selves.
• Blake Leeper: a world champion Paralympic sprinter, challenging perceptions and advocating for equality in sport.
• Scout Bassett: a Paralympic runner and advocate for disability rights, sharing her story of resilience and determination.
• Ezra Frech: a multi-sport Paralympic athlete and social media star, inspiring others to defy limitations and pursue their passions.
• Oksana Masters: a 19 times Paralympic champion in both summer and winter sports, demonstrating the power of perseverance and defying expectations.
• Hunter Woodhall: a Paralympic sprinter and double amputee, challenging stereotypes and inspiring others to embrace their differences.

Supporting Accessibility for All

Recognizing that inclusion means access for everyone, each episode of "Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take?" is available in audio format, with:

• Downloadable transcripts: ensuring accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Captioned videos: featuring a deaf British Sign Language signer, further broadening the reach and impact of the series.

Winning with a Legacy of Inclusion

This new season builds on the success of the 2021 "Equal Too: Achieving Disability Equality" podcast, which featured policymakers, activists, athletes and allies from around the globe, including actors Jameela Jamil and RJ Mitte, Paralympian Tatyana McFadden, and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons. P&G's commitment to disability inclusion was further solidified with a donation to the Agitos Foundation, supporting programs that align with the IPC's vision of 'making for an inclusive world through sport'.

We're proud to champion stories of inclusion and accessibility through platforms like "Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take". The podcast series is just one example of P&G's commitment to creating a Disability Confident culture within our company, for our consumers and in the communities where we live and work. We are excited to continue our partnership with a film "Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution" co-produced by P&G, with over 60% of the production team, guests and contributors identifying as people with disabilities, the documentary ensures authentic representation is at its core.

At P&G, we believe everyone deserves access to experience our brands and products in a way that works for them in everyday life. From screen readers to developing accessible packaging with features like tactile markings, to inclusive design principles for our websites and digital platforms, and captivating audio descriptions, we're committed to making our products and platforms accessible and inclusive of everyone.

"Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take?" is available now! Listen here or your preferred podcast platform.

Here's more about how P&G is working with our employees, through our brands and with our partners in communities to create a more inclusive world for all.