At the tender age of 18, Ashley King’s life is all about booze, boys, and parties. But when she wakes up blind on holiday, she has to face her darkest depths — grieving a new life she didn’t choose or want.
Static isn’t your typical inspiration story. It’s a poignant and funny take on the struggles and triumphs of a young woman learning to navigate the world without sight. This dark comedy asks — does everything really happen for a reason? Can joy be found in unexpected places?
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At the tender age of 18, Ashley King’s life is all about booze, boys, and parties. But when she wakes up blind on holiday, she has to face her darkest depths — grieving a new life she didn’t choose or want.
Static isn’t your typical inspiration story. It’s a poignant and funny take on the struggles and triumphs of a young woman learning to navigate the world without sight. This dark comedy asks — does everything really happen for a reason? Can joy be found in unexpected places?
It’s been almost a year since Static was released — and Ashley King and Meg Wilcox are back to share some exciting updates on the series.
It will also soon be the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of six tourists in Laos — all killed by methanol poisoning from a happy hour event at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vientiane. Bethany Clarke survived being poisoned that night; her best friend, Simone White, did not.
In this episode, Bethany tells her own very personal story with methanol poisoning. Hear how she and Ashley have since become friends — despite living on opposite sides of the globe — and all about their advocacy work to spread awareness on methanol poisoning.
Guest interview: Bethany Clarke
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
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Show notes:
(00:00) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest
(12:30) Ashley interviews Bethany Clarke
(52:23) Reflections and episode wrap-up
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
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Sign the Change.org petition:
For the U.K. and Australia: https://www.change.org/p/put-methanol-safety-warnings-in-airports-and-schools
For Canada: https://www.change.org/p/educate-travelers-on-the-dangers-of-methanol-poisoning-in-airports-schools
Other resources:
https://www.methanolpoisoningawareness.org/
BBC: Hostel linked to methanol deaths of six tourists set to reopen (June 12, 2025): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg7x4x1lk5o
BBC: Alcohol safety lessons after holiday poisoning (July 22, 2025: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq74xlrj80o
U.K. curricular changes (set to begin September 2026): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b8499e11b4ded2da19fd92/Relationships_education__relationships_and_sex_education_and_health_education_-_statutory_guidance.pdf
Australia’s Partying Safely Overseas website, with resources on methanol poisoning: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/safety/partying/partying-safely-hub
Find Bethany online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonewhitemethanolawareness/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonewhitemethanolaware
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Simone-methanol-awareness-61575554820271/
Find Ashley online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashkng
TikTok:...
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir
At the tender age of 18, Ashley King’s life is all about booze, boys, and parties. But when she wakes up blind on holiday, she has to face her darkest depths — grieving a new life she didn’t choose or want.
Static isn’t your typical inspiration story. It’s a poignant and funny take on the struggles and triumphs of a young woman learning to navigate the world without sight. This dark comedy asks — does everything really happen for a reason? Can joy be found in unexpected places?
