Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

Martina Kuzenski is a late-diagnosed autistic woman who received her autism diagnosis at age 28 near the end of her Master's degree program. She is an IT Specialist for the U.S. federal government. She shares her experiences as a Black autistic woman in tech as a mentor for the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program and as a co-author of the best-selling book "Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career". During this episode, Martina talks about: Discovering that she is autistic in her late twenties, and what her life was like growing up How she got into a tech career Her experience of not being "seen" in the tech industry as a Black autistic woman The importance of mentorship, and why she decided to become a P-TECH program mentor The challenges she has faced when trying to find leadership programs for neurodivergent people Why she doesn't feel "autistic enough" in autistic spaces, and the flaws she sees in the neurodiversity movement Connect with Martina on LinkedIn and read her writing on Diary of Self (Martina's blog posts about neurodiversity) and her book "Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career." Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Joshua Hoskins is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who lives in Tamworth, England with his parents. He loves his family and friends, and his hobbies are horse riding, boxing, musicals, supporting Newcastle United Football team, going out on trips and going on holiday. Josh has two jobs: he loves them both and has great buddies at each place. Josh's Mum Debbie helps him create posts on LinkedIn every week, because Josh wants to help other people with Down syndrome to get a job if they want to. During this episode, you will hear Josh and Debbie talk about: How he had found his job at Marshall Fleet Services with WorkFit, and how the Down's Syndrome Association in the UK prepared him for the role What he does in his role with Marshall Fleet Solutions, and what he likes the most about it How LinkedIn helped him find his second job at Movianto What inspired him to write about his life and work on LinkedIn How work has helped him grow as a person, build positive relationships with his coworkers, and support his local community Why employers should consider hiring people with Down syndrome, and how employers can include them in their companies Follow Joshua Hoskins on LinkedIn to read his weekly posts. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Grace Liu is an autistic author, blogger, speaker and pet portrait artist based in the Midlands of England. Grace's book, "Approaching Autistic Adulthood: The Road Less Travelled," was published in October 2021. She blogs about autism, neurodiversity, diversity and inclusion, as well as her life as a biracial (British/Taiwanese) autistic gay woman, and has delivered multiple talks about autism and diversity. Grace has received many commissions for her pet portrait drawings, especially over the past year. She is a dedicated owner to four cats, having had an autistic interest in cats from a very young age! During this episode, you will hear Grace talk about: Her early life after moving from Taiwan to the UK at the age of four, and how she and her family discovered that she is autistic How she got started with her long-running blog back in 2013 Her experiences with racism, and with "coming out" as gay and autistic Becoming an author and public speaker Find out more about Grace and her work at the links below: Book: artistic-autistic.co.uk/approaching-autistic-adulthood Blog: unwrittengrace.wordpress.com Art: artistic-autistic.co.uk/pet-portraits Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Content note: This episode mentions thoughts about suicide and self harm. Shayonee Dasgupta is a Mumbai-based freelance writer and editor who initially pursued a career in law, working with corporate law firms in India. She found out she's autistic and has ADHD in her 30s, prompting a transformative journey of self-discovery and learning to navigate life anew. During this episode, you will hear Shayonee talk about: What it was like growing up before her diagnosis How the challenges she faced working as a lawyer led to her burnout The struggle she faced to get the right mental healthcare and support after her burnout How she received her autism and ADHD diagnosis Her decision to start a new career as a freelance writer Handling expectations from both her extended family and Indian society How she defines success in her own way To find out more about Shayonee and her work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Nick Heaney is a resident artist and co-founder of Artnova Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts. Nick has always found art to be his most authentic way of connecting with the world around him. He was diagnosed with dyslexia during elementary school. He struggled with written language, but found a connection through art. Nick went on to study graphic design and fine art, earning a BFA in graphic design from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. At the age of 26, Nick came out as gay to his friends and family. However, he still felt a sense of disconnect with the people around him, which led to a deeper struggle with his mental health. At the age of 28, Nick sought an autism evaluation which resulted in diagnoses of both autism and ADHD. During this episode, you will hear Nick talk about: What was it like growing up with dyslexia His early artistic talents at a young age What inspires his artwork today His experience of coming out as gay to his family, discovering his autism and ADHD, and finding supportive communities The story behind how he co-founded his art gallery Find out more about Nick and his work on his Instagram @nickheaneyart and on Artnova Gallery's website and Instagram. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

David Egan is a leader and advocate who promotes the causes of people with disabilities. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to serve as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow on Capitol Hill and with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). As a Special Olympics athlete and International Global Messenger, David has traveled extensively and speaks to diverse audiences, including the U.S. Senate, United Nations, and various universities, nonprofit and for-profit companies. David has also received many awards throughout his career. He was honored by NDSS for his legacy, presented with the American Association for Intellectual Disabilities Media Award, and received the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's highest honor: the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. As the author of the book "More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome," he inspires his audiences to see our shared humanity and focus on abilities and possibilities rather than limitations. During this episode, you will hear David talk about: Growing up with Down Syndrome, and his biggest dreams as a child How he learned to accept his disability What he enjoyed about working at Booz Allen Hamilton, CBRE, and SourceAmerica His experience as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow How he became a disability advocate The impact of Special Olympics on his life To learn more about David and his work, visit his website at DavidEganAdvocacy.com and buy his book, "More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome." Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Katie York (aka The Distracted Autistic) is a late-diagnosed Autistic who also has ADHD. They are currently program coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. Katie is also an advocate and community organizer. In 2022, they founded Harford County Neurodivergents to build a network for neurodivergent adults & provide neurodiversity-affirming resources and education. Katie is a member of Harford County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee and a proud board member of Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride. During this episode, you will hear Katie talk about: How they discovered their neurodivergence later in life Creating the Harford County Neurodivergents group, and the local peer support and community it provides What it means to be "neurodiversity-affirming," and how that can be important for neurodivergent people The impact that Harford County Neurodivergents has had on their members so far What inspired them to get into local politics and advocacy, and their advice for people who want to become more involved in their communities Learn more about Katie on their website at TheDistractedAutistic.com and on Facebook. If you want to join the Neurodivergent Podcasters Discord group, email beyond6seconds at gmail.com to receive an invite. Join the Autistic Corporate Professionals group on LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Claudia Scott was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in her early teens. Now she lives in the U.S., where she is the Capital Access Manager for Kiva Northwest Arkansas (NWA) at Startup Junkie and an advocate for Tourette's education and support. Claudia uses her experiences to support people with Tourette's, especially in Spanish-speaking communities. During this episode, Claudia talks about: How she discovered she had Tourette's when she was growing up in Costa Rica Her experience of how Tourette's is viewed by the general public in Costa Rica and the United States How her Tourette's has changed over the course of her life, and how she managed through those changes The support she provides to the Hispanic Tourette's community, including a Tourette's support group for Spanish speakers Learn more about Claudia at her travel blog The Tourette Traveler and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jenn Grindeland has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership. She is also a multiple brain injury survivor. With this background, she teaches leadership skills designed to support equity and inclusion for employees with non-apparent, invisible disabilities. During this episode, Jenn talks about: How her life changed when she had her first traumatic brain injury (TBI) Why inadequate job accommodations during her TBI recovery hurt her relationships at work How she teaches teams to better support employees who are neurodivergent and/or have non-apparent disabilities Why she thinks many people are scared to advocate for themselves in the workplace Advice for managers who want to support the people with disabilities on their teams Learn more about Jenn and her work on her website TheWorkingWell.us and on LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Miles Levin is a filmmaker and public speaker living with epilepsy. His short film "Under the Lights" starring Pearce Joza and Alyssa Jirrels has become a beacon for epilepsy representation in movies. The film has inspired people to create daily fan art, learn more about epilepsy and open up about their disabilities. He is now making the full length film of Under the Lights, in an effort to create the single biggest epilepsy awareness campaign in history. During this episode, you will hear Miles talk about: How his life experience with epilepsy inspired Under the Lights The powerful impact that Under the Lights is having on audiences His fundraising campaign to make the full-length film of Under the Lights (and how you can support the campaign!) Watch the short film of Under the Lights. Support the fundraiser for the full-length Under the Lights movie (ends on January 30!) Follow Under the Lights on social media: @underthelightsfilm on Instagram @underthelightsfilm on Facebook @underthelightsfilm1 on TikTok Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Swarit Gopalan is a 12-year old autistic nonspeaker who uses a letterboard to spell and a keyboard to type to communicate. He lives with his family in Florida and goes to Invictus Academy for school. Swarit is a talented writer and poet who shares his writing on Facebook and Instagram. He is also a passionate advocate for other nonspeaking people. During this episode, Swarit talks about: Learning to communicate using a letterboard and keyboard What inspired him to start writing about his life experiences on social media How he defines dysregulation and how it affects his life Going to school as a nonspeaking student The joy of meeting other nonspeaking people and their families How people can be good friends and allies to nonspeaking people Follow Swarit on social media to read his writing: Facebook: Swarit Gopalan - My truisms unfiltered Instagram: @swarit_my_truisms_unfiltered Learn more about resources for nonspeakers mentioned in this episode: Motormorphosis Conference for Nonspeakers Directory of Nonspeaker Blogs and Pages (from Neuroclastic) Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

In this year-end episode for 2023, host Carolyn Kiel reflects on the big milestones that Beyond 6 Seconds achieved in 2023 and some of her goals for the show in 2024. Below are links to the resources mentioned in this episode. How you can support Beyond 6 Seconds! Follow and share the podcast Visit my website at beyond6seconds.net Play episodes in your favorite podcast app Watch episodes on YouTube Social media: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Subscribe to my email newsletter to get new episodes delivered to your inbox Support this podcast with a donation or advertisement Let me know by email what this podcast means to you: beyond6seconds(at)gmail.com Some of the advocacy & publicity I've done in 2023: Disability Pride Month (July 2023): Curated a list of podcast episodes about disability pride and history for the Sounds Like Impact newsletter (also shared on LinkedIn) Wrote an article for Women Who Podcast Magazine about how to make your podcast more accessible Started a LinkedIn group for autistic corporate professionals to connect and share resources My guest appearances on other neurodiversity and mental health podcasts: Think Inclusive Ignorance Was Bliss Be A Better Ally The Neurodiversity Podcast Podcast promo swaps: Psychocinematic The Other Autism Differently Brained Signal Awards (and other recognition) for Beyond 6 Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Aditi Gangrade is a film director and writer based in India. She is autistic and has ADHD and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). She is the co-founder of Much Much Spectrum, an inclusive storytelling content and insights wing of Much Much Media, a Mumbai-based boutique studio that has worked with brands like Netflix, Instagram, Google and Coca-Cola Foundation. Through Much Much Spectrum, Aditi is working to mainstream stories and representation of mental health, neurodiversity, and disability. During this episode, Aditi talks about: How she discovered that she is neurodivergent What her life was like growing up as an autistic girl with ADHD in India How she got involved with Much Much Media and Much Much Spectrum The importance and impact of sharing intersectional neurodivergent experiences in an Indian context How Much Much Spectrum fosters community among neurodivergent people from all around the world Learn more about Aditi and her work at MuchMuchMedia.com, by emailing partnerships (at) muchmuchmedia.com, or on YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Bayley Garnham is a personal trainer from Auckland, New Zealand. As a teenager, Bayley spent 7 years competing in Olympic Weightlifting at a national level. He has a Bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation, with a major in Sport and Exercise Science. Bayley was diagnosed with dyspraxia and dysgraphia at the age of 12, and he's passionate about promoting the benefits that physical activity brings for neurodivergent people. During this episode, you will hear Bayley talk about: Discovering that he had dyspraxia and dysgraphia at the age of 12 How he developed his passion for personal training and weightlifting, after struggling with team sports as a child His approach to successfully training his clients – especially teenagers (and neurodivergent teenagers) The life benefits he has seen from going to the gym His experience competing in Olympic Weightlifting To hear more about Bayley and his work, you can read his feature article in Dystinct Magazine or email him at bayleygarnham at gmail.com. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Charlie Ocean is an award-winning LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, and consultant who is neuroqueer and nonbinary. They have a background in social work and over 15 years of experience with LGBTQ+ community organizing. To date, they've trained thousands of youth and adults on various LGBTQ+ topics in various settings. Charlie is also the host of Allyship is a Verb, a Sonic Bloom Awards and Ambie-nominated podcast. During this episode, Charlie talks about: What led them to start their LGBTQ+ advocacy in high school How they realized that they were nonbinary and neurodivergent – and what being neuroqueer means to them How their personal experiences in the workplace led them to start their consulting practice Addressing allies' common fears and making space for messy (but necessary) conversations about allyship You can find Charlie's work at the following links: Instagram LinkedIn Website Allyship is a Verb podcast Listener shout-out! A big THANK YOU to Will, a Beyond 6 Seconds listener, for supporting this podcast on Buy Me A Coffee! Check out BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds if you'd like to help support or sponsor a future episode! Beyond 6 Seconds is a winner at the 2023 Signal Awards! My September episode about Dissociative Identity Disorder with Amber Louise Ainsworth won a Gold Award from the judging panel and a Listener's Choice Award in the Best Conversation Starter award category. See the official listing on the Signal Awards website. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Content note: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault, describes a stroke and recovery, and has occasional swearing. Marisa Hamamoto is the first professional dancer to be named as one of People Magazine's "Women Changing the World." Her award-winning nonprofit and professional dance company, Infinite Flow, employs disabled and nondisabled artists with a mission to foster inclusion. Marisa is also a stroke survivor who is autistic and has PTSD. During this episode, you will hear Marisa talk about: Her lifelong passion for dancing, despite facing bias and exclusion within the dance world How a heartbreaking rejection by her dance school classmates inspired her to make a boldly inclusive decision, and showed her how small actions can lead to big change The life-changing stroke that paralyzed her for months, and the long process of healing from the physical and mental trauma that followed How a salsa dance performance in Japan rekindled her passion and confidence as a dancer Her dancing partnership with a disabled athlete that inspired her to found Infinite Flow How she was diagnosed with PTSD and autism as an adult – and reflecting on her life, now knowing that she's autistic You can also find out more about Marisa on her website MarisaHamamoto.com and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Watch Infinite Flow Dance performances at InfiniteFlowDance.org/portfolio. Sign up for Marisa's newsletter and the Infinite Flow newsletter. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jhonelle Bean is a 28-year-old disability advocate living with Tourette Syndrome and PTSD. Jhonelle shares her experience with Tourette Syndrome through social media to educate others and help destigmatize the condition, especially within communities of color. She has also created a community called "For The Advocates," where other disability advocates can find a place to relate and get support and resources from each other. During this episode, you will hear Jhonelle talk about: Her first tics in childhood and adolescence, and the reactions of the people around her Why it took so long for her to get a Tourette's diagnosis How she decided to become a Tourette's advocate online Some common misconceptions about Tourette's Her advocacy about Tourette's and communities of color Why she created the "For The Advocates" community Follow Jhonelle on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter. Follow For The Advocates on Instagram. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Ross K. Foad is a professional actor and voice artist in the United Kingdom. A second generation actor, he was just 18 months old when he made his acting debut, but would get his proper start in acting on the London comedy circuit as a stand up comic and sketch comic actor. He is autistic and dyspraxic, and in 2017 was one of only 30 disabled actors chosen by the BBC for their Class Act Training Scheme, an initiative designed to help increase disabled representation on screen. During this episode, you will hear Ross talk about: What life was like for him growing up autistic and dyspraxic The biggest challenges he faces as a neurodivergent actor His love of voice acting His experience in the BBC Class Act Training Scheme working with mentors and other disabled actors To find out more about Ross and his work, you can find him on Twitter and YouTube. This episode of Beyond 6 Seconds is sponsored by Dystinct Magazine. Dystinct Magazine publishes evidence-based content from specialists in an easy-to-understand format and inspirational stories of everyday role models highlighting how they cope with the struggles and hardships that learning disabilities bring. Dystinct Magazine also offers various opportunities for children to participate in its publication. They have opportunities for young journalists, designers, and illustrators. Check out their website at dystinct.org or contact Zahra (the founder) at [email protected] to see how your children or students with learning disabilities can get involved. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

CW: Mentions of drinking, drug use, suicidal thoughts, depression, trauma, and occasional swearing Amber Louise Ainsworth is a dissociative identity disorder (DID) system from the UK. Since realizing they are a DID system at age 38, they've been working through their healing: processing and sharing all their collective trauma. They have written several books, including "The revelation," which details their first year of healing. During this interview, you'll hear from three of the alters in my guest's DID system: Amber (who is the system host), Mia, and Berlou. They talk about: What life was like before they realized they are a DID system with several alters How they discovered their first alter How their alters communicate with each other (or in many cases, how amnesia prevents them from communicating), and how they write books and poetry about their experiences What it feels like when alters fuse with each other and separate from each other, and how that helps them process and heal from past trauma Follow Amber Louise Ainsworth on Instagram and Twitter, and read their writing at DIDWeWrite.co.uk. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Nate Shalev is a leading expert and advisor on inclusivity helping to create workplace cultures where both businesses and people thrive. They were named a LinkedIn Top Voice and have been highlighted in the Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Nate earned a BA from Barnard College of Columbia University and an MA from New York University. They are the founder of Revel Impact, a consultancy that specializes in social impact and diversity, equity & inclusion. During this episode, you will hear Nate talk about: How they realized that they are autistic The intersections between their transgender and autistic identities Some of the negative experiences they had at work, which led them to start their own business The training and advising they do at companies to help build inclusive practices and open up communications between managers and teams How to be a good ally to your trans and autistic coworkers Creating work systems that can benefit everyone Learn more about Nate's work at RevelImpact.com and on LinkedIn. This episode is sponsored by Misfit Media: a podcast about queerness, disability, fatness and more with a focus on personal experience, knowledge and intracommunity topics. Tune in every Sunday for bite-sized episodes, in which the host Delta talks about all sorts of things ranging from being non-binary, neurodivergence or living in a fat body. Misfit Media is available at anchor.fm/misfitmedia and wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

As a young autistic girl, Swara Swami could sing before she could speak. Now Swara is a music therapist and singer who advocates for mental health and autism awareness on her social media. Swara has her Bachelors in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music and is currently doing her Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University. She has worked with several well-known Indian musical artists as part of the Berklee Indian Ensemble, where she also performed on a Grammy-nominated album. During this episode, you will hear Swara talk about: What it was like growing up as an autistic girl in India How neurodivergence is viewed in India What inspired her to become a music therapist, and the challenges she has faced working in the music therapy field Her experience as a student who has studied and lived in several different countries Her singing experience, including her performance on a Grammy-nominated album Why she advocates for autism and mental health awareness Follow Swara on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Lydia Wilkins is a freelance journalist and author based in the UK who covers disability and social issues. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Metro, The Independent, Refinery 29, The Daily Mail and PosAbility Magazine. She writes a newsletter on Substack discussing the intersection between feminism and disability culture. Her debut book, "The Autism-Friendly Cookbook," was published in November 2022. She is also an ambassador for AccessAble, an organization providing access guides across the UK. During this episode, you will hear Lydia talk about: Her experience working as an autistic journalist What inspired her to write "The Autism-Friendly Cookbook," and how her book makes cooking more accessible for autistic people How clear communication skills are both critical and underrated The difference between asking informed questions and expecting emotional labor from people with disabilities Content warning: occasional swearing, a reference to suicide Limited-time giveaway! Beyond 6 Seconds is also giving away a copy of "The Autism-Friendly Cookbook" to two of our listeners in the United States! Check out my post on Twitter (pinned post) or Threads on Monday, July 24th, 2023 for more information. Up to two winners will be chosen at random. Valid for US addresses only. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EDT on Friday, August 4, 2023. "The Autism-Friendly Cookbook" is also available for purchase on the Jessica Kingsley Publishers US and UK websites, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and Waterstones. Find out more about Lydia and her work at LydiaWilkins.co.uk, subscribe to her Substack newsletter The Disabled Feminist, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Elena Chambers is a disability advocate, writer, poet and photographer. On her blog, Dyscalculia Community, she writes about disability in a social context, societal-level ableism, and her personal experience of growing up with a learning disability. She also posts on social media about issues pertaining to disability justice, inclusion, and awareness. She currently works as a special education paraprofessional in the Ann Arbor Public Schools and will begin a Master's in Social Work at the University of Michigan in September 2023. During this episode, you will hear Elena talk about: How she got diagnosed with dyscalculia at the age of 18 What dyscalculia was like for her as a child, and how it affects her now as an adult What led her to pursue a career in special education What inspired her to start blogging and sharing her experience with dyscalculia on social media To find out more about Elena and her work, you can follow her Dyscalculia Community blog, on Instagram @elenachambers.advocacy and on TikTok @elenachambers_. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Maria Davis-Pierre is a licensed mental health counselor, autism awareness advocate and founder of the organization Autism in Black. As the parent of two autistic children, and being autistic herself, she uses her professional expertise to connect with and empower Black parents of autistic children. Through Autism in Black, she also provides essential training to organizations to help them serve the Black disability community more effectively. She has been featured for her work in Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today, Parents Magazine and on PBS, and has collaborated with Microsoft. During this episode, you will hear Maria talk about: How she discovered that she is autistic and has ADHD, and what her life was like growing up and going to university before her diagnoses The massive challenges with getting an autism diagnosis and effective therapies for her daughter that inspired Maria to start Autism in Black How Autism in Black's training, conference and podcast educate and equip organizations to better serve the Black disability community The importance of an intersectional understanding of disability and culturally responsive therapy To find out more about Autism in Black, you can check out the following links below! AutismInBlack.org Autism In Black 2023 Conference Replays Autism In Black Membership Community @autisminblack on Instagram Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Sarah Brown is a New York City based podcast producer and editor. She has worked on shows such as Minority Korner, Get on Up, #Matter and Fixing the Future. She also produces her own show called The Queerience, which is a podcast all about the LGBTQIA+ community. Sarah has a genetic condition called Fragile X syndrome that manifests in her as ADHD. On this episode, Sarah talks about: What Fragile X syndrome is, and what it was like for her growing up with Fragile X and ADHD Her podcasting work, and the types of topics and guests she has on her podcast, The Queerience How she uses routines and other strategies to manage her life with ADHD How neurodiversity has helped her understand herself more, and find communities of people with similar experiences Follow Sarah and her podcast, The Queerience, on Instagram at @sbrownsays and @thequeeriencepodcast and on Twitter @thequeerience. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Kaishawna is a 21 year old Deaf Black Autistic woman, clarinet player and college student who is studying to become an educator for neurodivergent and disabled students. She communicates using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) text-to-speech app on her iPad, sign language, and sometimes unreliable vocal speech. She is a disability advocate and aspiring author who is working on two novels that feature disabled main characters. During this episode, Kaishawna discusses: Her experiences using AAC to communicate with others How she experiences playing music as a Deaf Autistic musician, and her love of music theory How she found out she was autistic, and how that led her to become involved with disability rights advocacy The difficulty she had finding community as a Deaf Black Autistic woman, and the racism and ableism she faces What she hopes to teach her students as an educator The two novels she is currently working on Follow Kaishawna on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Patty DeDurr is a mom, healthcare worker and award-winning author of two children's books: "This Kid Can Hyperfocus" (a story about ADHD) and "This Llama Can Write" (a story about dysgraphia). She provides educational information and resources about supporting neurodivergent kids on her publisher's website, Sensing Greatness. Patty has ADHD and dysgraphia herself, and she's determined to help reduce stigma surrounding neurodivergence by increasing representation in literature. During this episode, you will hear Patty talk about: What is dysgraphia, and what it's like for her to have dysgraphia and ADHD Why assistive technology is important for individuals with dysgraphia What inspired her to write children's books with neurodivergent characters, and how she came up with the plots for the stories The neurodiversity resources she provides for her advocacy work Learn more about Patty's books, This Kid Can Hyperfocus and This Llama Can Write. Get Patty's free resources for neurodivergent children on her website, Sensing Greatness. Follow Patty on Facebook and Instagram. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. This episode features a promo for Differently Brained, the podcast where no brain is the same. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Content note: This episode describes instances of medical trauma and mental health crises, and mentions violence and death. Kate Wallinga is a forensic psychologist and crisis clinician by training, and currently hosts the podcast "Ignorance Was Bliss," which has surpassed 1 million downloads. Kate has ADHD, epilepsy, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after having a near-death experience in childbirth and a grand mal seizure. During this episode, you will hear Kate talk about: The origin story of the "Ignorance Was Bliss" podcast (and its tagline, "Didn't you feel better before you knew that?") How her life, neurotype, cognition and family relationships changed after her near-death experience and traumatic brain injury – including her experiences with amnesia and aphasia Why she describes herself as being broken, and why being broken is ok How her recovery means she has gotten to a new baseline, and doesn't mean going back to the way she was How she learned to give herself grace in her life, after everything she's been through Listen to Kate's podcast "Ignorance Was Bliss" at IWBPodcast.com or on your favorite podcast player. Follow Kate on Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon and TikTok. Listener shout-out! A big THANK YOU to Buna, a Beyond 6 Seconds listener, for supporting this podcast on BuyMeACoffee.com! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Adam Mico is the Principal of Data Visualization and Enablement at Moderna. He is a Tableau Visionary, 3x Tableau Ambassador, an Advisory Board Member of the Data Leadership Collaborative, and a member of the Tableau Speaker Bureau. In his spare time, he blogs, produces data visualizations, travels, and networks with the larger data community. He is autistic and supports diversity and inclusion efforts, which includes neurodiversity. During this episode, you will hear Adam talk about: His multi-year journey to recognizing and accepting his autism How he discovered Tableau and data visualization as a career interest His transformative decision to "bet on himself" and leave his public sector job after 22+ years to switch careers and industries Finding the Tableau community where, for the first time in his life, he felt supported and safe enough to start "unmasking" his autism as an autistic professional The surprise and honor of being recognized for his contributions to the Tableau data community The "happy accident" that led him to the opportunity to write a published book How he mentors neurodivergent data professionals His advice on how to connect to the Tableau community online and join the #DataFam Follow Adam on LinkedIn and Twitter and get his book "Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification: A prep guide with multiple learning styles to help you gain Tableau Desktop Specialist certification" on Amazon. Are you an autistic person who works in the corporate world? Join the new LinkedIn Group for Autistic Corporate Professionals, a place to share advice and experiences with navigating corporate jobs, careers and workplaces. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Janelle Johnson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), is a wife, mother, and Founder of Bridges Family Life Center, a Systemic Therapy and Consulting group practice near Raleigh, North Carolina. An award-winning educator and innovative mental health leader, she is often sought out for her social justice advocacy regarding intersectionality of ableism, sexism, and racism. She currently serves as President of the NC Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. A graduate of NC State University and Chapman University, she has returned to her first alma mater as a doctoral student in the Educational Equity program. During this episode, you will hear Janelle talk about: How she discovered she was autistic during an interaction with one of her clients Her experience in school as an undiagnosed autistic child How the struggles of a family friend sparked her lifelong interest in psychology The importance of having Black and brown therapists who can support Black and brown clients How she became a doctoral student in the Educational Equity program, researching the intersectionality of disability and race Her personal experience with unmasking as a Black autistic woman and code-switching How she teaches leadership teams how to have conversations about race, disability, and other challenging topics in ways that build organizational culture and connection Find out more about Janelle and her work at the website for Bridges Family Life Center (her therapy and consulting group practice), on Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn more about FACES for Autism, the advocacy and empowerment program for Black families raising autistic children that Janelle partners with as part of her doctoral research. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. This episode features a promo for The Other Autism, a podcast hosted by Kristen Hovet that explores late-diagnosed autism, with a focus on autistic women. Listen to The Other Autism at other-autism.buzzsprout.com or on your favorite podcast app. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Ben VanHook is an autistic master's degree student studying public policy at George Mason University, with the hopes of reforming employment and education policy to make them more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals. Ben's passion for creating a more inclusive world stems from his own experiences as an autistic Jewish Asian American adoptee and has led to him speaking and presenting to employers, professors, researchers and self-advocates in the United States and abroad. During this episode, you will hear Ben talk about: How he learned he was autistic while he was in high school The challenges he faced coming from China to the United States as an adoptee His insights about the intersections of his identities as an autistic, Jewish, Asian American adoptee How posting on LinkedIn led him to become a neurodiversity advocate and public speaker on the intersections of autism, race and religion His role in a TV documentary about intersectionality between race and autism His thoughts on supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace and in their careers What are the main goals for his advocacy To learn more about Ben and his advocacy: Follow him on LinkedIn Watch the PBS documentary episode that featured him: "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity - Neurodivergence and People of Color" See his United Nations presentation about Autistic perspectives on Policy and Advocacy for 2023 World Autism Awareness Day Listener shout-outs! A big THANK YOU to Elaine A. and Dan G. for supporting this podcast on BuyMeACoffee.com! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jordyn Zimmerman earned her bachelor's degree in Education Policy from Ohio University and her Masters of Education at Boston College. As a nonspeaking autistic student who was denied access to effective augmentative communication until she was 18, Jordyn has personal experience challenging the educational status quo. Her experience is featured in the 2021 documentary, "This Is Not About Me." Technology helped open Jordyn's world, and she began advocating for students. She has keynoted and presented at conferences around the world, is on the board of CommunicationFIRST, works as Director of Professional Development at The Nora Project, and has been featured by prominent media outlets. Recently, Jordyn was appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Jordyn is passionate and determined to make a difference in the world of education — making sure every student can access effective communication and exercise their right to a truly inclusive education. During this episode, Jordyn shares: What life was like before she could communicate by typing – and how it changed when she finally got access to effective communication technology at the age of 18 The poor treatment and substandard education she received in school, from people who denied her access to communication technology and refused to recognize her intelligence – and how her experiences fuel her advocacy for inclusive education What was it like going to college away from home – and why she started a college cheerleading team that includes disabled and nondisabled students Her advocacy with the nonprofit organization CommunicationFIRST for people with communication disabilities How she got the opportunity to be featured in the documentary "This Is Not About Me" Her advice for nonspeakers and their allies To find out more about Jordyn and her work, visit her website at JordynZimmerman.com and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

After working as a gifted education teacher, Emily Kircher-Morris became a clinical mental health counselor who supports gifted and twice-exceptional (gifted + neurodivergent) children. She is also the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast and the author of several books, including "Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom" and the revised edition of "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children." She has three neurodivergent children and is neurodivergent herself. During this episode, Emily talks about: What her life was like as a twice-exceptional student (gifted and ADHD) Her experience as a teacher of gifted and twice-exceptional children, and why she decided to become a clinical mental health counselor The importance of neurodiversity-affirming therapy, and what it looks like in practice What inspired her to start The Neurodiversity Podcast The story behind the books that she wrote Find out more about Emily and her work at these links: Twitter: @EmilyKM_LPC The Neurodiversity Podcast Neurodiversity University Her books: Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom and Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

How do you get an education when you cannot speak, and the school system does not understand your abilities or support your needs? This was the experience of Ben Breaux, a 22-year-old nonspeaking autistic man with epilepsy who uses a letterboard and a text-to-speech app on his iPad to communicate. Ben is an aspiring journalist who feels it is very important that non-, minimal- and unreliably speaking autistic people have equal rights, opportunities, and voices in society. He writes and advocates on these topics and more on his public Facebook Page, for numerous autism advocacy groups worldwide, and on advocacy boards and committees in his home state of Virginia and nationally. During this episode, Ben discusses: What life was like before he learned how to communicate using a letterboard The struggles he faced to earn his education The advocacy work he does for nonspeaking autistic people with two nonprofit organizations, NeuroClastic and CommunicationFIRST What inspired him to start sharing his writing online His advice for parents of nonspeaking children, and for nonspeaking people themselves Read Ben's writing on his Facebook page, Instagram and on the Neuroclastic website, and follow Ben on TikTok. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Note: This episode contains occasional swearing (coprolalia). Monica Nguyen is a 20-year-old disability advocate who lives in Sydney, Australia. Monica began sharing her experiences online after facing a lot of discrimination from people who don't understand her Tourette Syndrome. Her goal is to inspire, educate and empower. During this episode, you will hear Monica talk about: What her life has been like with Tourette's, as someone living in Australia who is part of a Vietnamese family The discrimination she's faced in public because of her tics and coprolalia, including a confrontation at a train station that compelled her to start sharing her life experiences with Tourette's online The positive community she has built on TikTok by creating videos about her life with Tourette's The goals she has for her advocacy Follow Monica on TikTok @meowmons and Instagram @ticswithmon. This episode features a promo from the Psychocinematic podcast, which discusses the representation of disability and mental health conditions in film and TV. Listen to Psychocinematic at PsychocinematicPodcast.com or on your favorite podcast app. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Content warning: This episode mentions emotional abuse. Tessa McEvoy is autistic, has a speech disability called Oral Motor Apraxia, and was recently diagnosed bipolar. She talks about her experiences on her popular Facebook page, Apraxia Story, and advocates for autistic, bipolar, abuse survivors and apraxic individuals online. In 2022 she wrote, illustrated and published her book called "What is it like Living with Depression?" During this episode, you will hear Tessa talk about: What inspired her to start sharing her apraxia story online The difficulties she's faced as a neurodivergent person with a speech disability, including being judged, abused and isolated Why she advocates for disabled people who are experiencing abuse The inspiration and motivation behind her book Sharing her life experiences to help people in similar situations feel less alone Follow Tessa on Facebook, join her Patreon community and check out her book, "What is it like Living with Depression?" on Amazon. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Rickey Z is a Pre-K Special Education teacher who started her podcast management business in 2020. She is a co-host on Woe Nelly Media's "Geekin' Out" and is in partnership with ADHD + Black, an up-and-coming organization whose mission is to provide support and resources for the Black neurodivergent community. Rickey Z was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30 while in the process of coming to terms with untreated depression and anxiety. During this episode, you will hear Rickey Z talk about: How she discovered that had ADHD at the age of 30 What it was like growing up as a Black girl with undiagnosed ADHD Why she thinks boys are identified as neurodivergent at younger ages than girls are How realizing she has ADHD impacts how she views and manages her depression and anxiety Managing her life as a special education teacher, mother and owner of a podcast management business How her partnership with ADHD + Black creates resources to support Black neurodivergent people You can find out more about Rickey Z and her work on: Instagram: @rickeyz_social and @adhdandblack TikTok: @rickey_z Twitter: @RickeyZ_Social and @ADHDandBlack Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jeremy Andrew Davis is a screenwriter, film director, and consultant for disability representation in media. He describes himself as multi-disabled with several neurodivergencies as well as chronic illnesses. As a recognized name in disability, he became one of 12 LinkedIn Top Voices of Disability Advocacy of 2022. Jeremy is also a social media influencer with more than 100 million video views across his career, including a TikTok channel that grew to almost 300,000 followers after only six months. During this episode, you will hear Jeremy talk about: How he discovered his neurodivergencies later in life The types of stories he has been telling through his filmmaking, starting from a young age His processes for writing characters – and how he writes diverse casts of characters outside of his own identities and lived experiences What's required to make media that's authentically representative of people with disabilities (it's more than just hiring a disability consultant!) His thoughts on the representation of autistic people on TV, like Love on the Spectrum and Extraordinary Attorney Woo – and what media he feels is getting autistic representation right What led him to start his TikTok account, and how the content he creates there is different from his other writing and filmmaking Find out more about Jeremy and his work on his website and TikTok. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Diane J. Wright is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility media consultant working in film and television. She is also the founder of Autastic.com, which provides resources and community for late-identified autistic people of color and their allies. During this episode, you will hear Diane talk about: How burnout led her to discover that she is autistic and has ADHD Why it is difficult for her to detangle the intersections of her racial, gender and neurodivergent identities What inspired her to create Autastic.com How the Autastic community encourages meaningful conversations and connections among late-identified autistic people of color and their allies The valuable curated resources for late-diagnosed autistic adults on Autastic The life-changing impact that Autastic has had on its community members Her hope for more Black and brown autistic people to find each other, feel less alone and less vulnerable Visit www.autastic.com for more information about Autastic and check out www.autastic.com/support for ways to support their mission. You can also find Autastic on social media on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Dr. Lola Day is a multi-passionate busy mother of 3, a pediatric cardiologist, podcaster and ADHD trained life coach and productivity strategist for women. She is also the CEO and Founder of LollieTasking, a coaching and consulting firm that teaches high achieving, easily distracted professional women how to accomplish their goals without overwhelm or their brain sabotaging their efforts. During this episode, Lola talks about: How she learned she had ADHD while in medical school How she compensated for the challenges and leveraged the strengths of her ADHD, even before getting her diagnosis The systems she put in place – the processes, people, structures and more -- that helped her succeed How she became an ADHD trained life coach to help people lean into their interests and build their own systems for success Why coaching that works for neurotypical people may not work for people with ADHD – and what techniques people with ADHD may want to try instead Find out more about Lola on her podcast, LollieTasking with ADHD, on Instagram @lollietasker, and by email at hello at lollietasking.com. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jack RH O'Sullivan is an award-winning independent filmmaker and film director based in London. He is autistic, has Tourette Syndrome and OCD. He has directed ten short films including "Tourettes & I", a coming-of-age drama about his own experiences with Tourette's. With this film, he intends to raise awareness about Tourette Syndrome, so others don't have to go through the tough childhood of bullying and misinformation he went through. During this episode, you will hear Jack talk about: His late diagnosis of Tourette's, autism, and OCD and how that affected his early life in school The negative and misleading depictions of Tourette's in the media, and the authentic representation that "Tourettes & I" brings to the big screen Casting an actor with Tourette's in the film's lead role How the UK charity Tourettes Action supported the film The film's impact on audiences and at film festivals Learn more about "Tourettes & I" and Jack's other films on Movie Making Media's website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Watch "Tourettes & I" for free starting on New Year's Day 2023 at DarkSkyTV.com. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and I'm excited to host my first podcast guest who is talking about Down syndrome! Mary Borman is an ambassador for Down syndrome and 2018 Self-Advocate of the Year for the National Down Syndrome Society. We recorded this episode a few weeks ago, while Mary was preparing to compete at the Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships in Portugal this month. We talk about several of Mary's accomplishments, which include: Swimming competitively and winning medals at the Special Olympics National Games and Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships Modeling in Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week Lobbying for disability rights and legislation Speaking to organizations across the U.S. about Down syndrome Learn more about Mary and her work at MaryBorman.com and follow her on Instagram and TikTok. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Miya Sae is an autistic Christian, blogger, and aspiring author. Through her writing, she strives to help bridge the neglected gap between autism and Christianity, while bringing hope and encouragement to other misunderstood neurodivergent Christians like herself. During this episode, you will hear Miya talk about: What her life was like before her autism diagnosis How her views of her own autism and her relationship with God changed over time The initial conflict she felt between her faith and her secular special interests, and how she feels about her special interests today The advice that she has for other neurodivergent people who are struggling with their faith You can find more about Miya and read her writing at MiyaSae.com, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

"You can choose to keep living your life in isolation... Or, you can break yourself out of that isolation and start to own the things that make you, you. One of which is having Tourette's, right?" Kevin Helgren's mom shared these encouraging words with her son after seeing him struggle with his Tourette Syndrome diagnosis in middle school. This conversation helped give Kevin the confidence to talk about his Tourette's and start accepting it as a unique and authentic part of himself. Last year, Kevin shared his story in a keynote speech at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he recently got his MBA. His speech, called "You're Scaring the Bears: The Power of Tourette's," helped him educate even more people about Tourette's when it was published on YouTube. In this episode, Kevin talks about living with Tourette's and sharing his experiences publicly, where the unique name of his speech comes from, the importance of leaning into your authentic self, and the intersection of his identities as a neurodivergent gay man. Learn more about Kevin and his Tourette's advocacy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also watch his 13-minute talk, "You're Scaring the Bears: The Power of Tourette's," on YouTube. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Lee Chambers is a business psychologist and the founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, which helps organizations design and deliver well-being and inclusion strategies. He is the current Great British Entrepreneur of the Year for Service Industries and can be often found speaking on gender equity and menopause in the workplace. During this episode, you will hear Lee talk about: Getting his autism diagnosis as an adult His experience growing up as an undiagnosed autistic Black boy, including his struggles to fit in and find role models His eclectic career path that led him to entrepreneurship How he helps organizations improve employee well-being in the workplace – what that means, why it's important for employee retention, talent development and a healthy workplace culture – and why organizations need to "Show, not Tell" when it comes to inclusion The connection between menopause and talent management that's often ignored To find out more about Lee and his work, you can find him on his official website. You can also find him on social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Hamish Hallett is a podcast host and journalist who creates online content about auditory processing disorder (APD). He wants to help those with learning difficulties not to feel limited and to embrace what they have, rather than feel ashamed of it. During this episode, you will hear Hamish talk about: His childhood and school years with auditory processing disorder (APD) The importance of neurodivergent kids having support in schools How an essay assignment helped him see his university experience in a new light What inspired him to start creating content about APD His opinion about calling learning disabilities "superpowers" or "special needs" What it's like hosting his interview podcast, In Pursuit of Passion, as a host with APD His advice for people with APD Follow Hamish on Instagram and TikTok and listen to his podcast, In Pursuit of Passion. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Madge Woollard has run her own business teaching piano and keyboard since 1994. Madge was diagnosed autistic in 2016 at the age of 44. She lives in Sheffield UK with her wife who is also late-diagnosed autistic. A graduate of Cambridge University, she teaches children and adults, privately and in schools, and is keen to specialize in working with neurodivergent students. She is also a member of Spectrum Theatre company, which features neurodivergent and neurotypical performers. During this episode, you will hear Madge talk about: How she and her wife got their autism diagnoses How she struggled to find a teaching job and decided to start her own business instead Her success with teaching piano to autistic and non-autistic students Finding a sense of belonging within local autistic communities, including the Autscape conference and the Spectrum Theatre company The intersections of autistic and LGBTQ+ identities Madge also wrote a chapter for the book "Learning from Autistic Teachers: How to Be a Neurodiversity-Inclusive School." Find out more about the book here. Connect with Madge at the links below: Official Website: mwoollard.webs.com LinkedIn: Madge Woollard Facebook: Madge Woollard Piano and Keyboard Tuition Twitter: @funkiepiano Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Quincy Hansen is a young autistic activist, writer, public speaker and college student from Colorado. He is the author of the new book "Shake It Up! How to be Young, Autistic, and Make an Impact" and writes a blog at SpeakingOfAutism.com. During this episode, you will hear Quincy talk about: Being known as the "bad kid" in school whose struggles were seen as behavior problems -- until he found the right educational environment where he could thrive How connecting with other autistic people online inspired him to blog about his experiences and helped build his self-confidence How his blog grew in popularity after one of his early posts went viral: "How do I get an autistic person to X?" – You're asking the wrong question. How his blog led to other advocacy opportunities, including writing his new book, "Shake It Up!" The importance of practicing self-care so that you can sustain your advocacy His advice for advocates and content creators You can find Quincy's writing on his blog, SpeakingOfAutism.com, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram. For a limited time, Beyond 6 Seconds listeners in the US can save 20% off the purchase price of Quincy's book! Go to jkp.com, add "Shake It Up!" to your cart, and enter the discount code Hansen20 at checkout to get 20% off the book. This discount code is valid until August 31, 2022, for listeners with shipping addresses in the US only. You can also enter to win a copy of "Shake It Up!" Check out my August 9, 2022 Twitter post at @Beyond6S to find out how. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Read the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Mads Johan Øgaard is an award-winning artist, filmmaker and public speaker. He is known for his animated short films about being a neurodivergent child: the multi-award-winning "I AM DYSLEXIC" (based on his own school experiences) and "WITH THE UNIVERSE IN MY SUITCASE" (based on the experiences of people with ADHD who worked on the film with him). During this episode, you will hear Mads talk about: Receiving his dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnoses as a child How drawing helped him focus and learn in school, where he had to advocate for his own learning needs What led him to create his film "I AM DYSLEXIC" while at university, and the international impact it has had since he released it Why he was asked to make a film about ADHD Watch Mads' films: "I AM DYSLEXIC" and "WITH THE UNIVERSE IN MY SUITCASE" (about ADHD) Get Mads' book: "Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid" Find Mads through his website www.madsjohanogaard.com and follow him on Instagram and TikTok. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Click here for the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Brianne Leeson is a writer, artist, and voice actor from Dallas, Texas. She is the creator of the queer supernatural comedy audio drama, "Today's Lucky Winner." Brianne was diagnosed as autistic and with ADHD at age 30, and she has since become a passionate advocate for autism acceptance and representation in media. During this episode, Brianne talks about: How she got her autism and ADHD diagnosis during the pandemic, when her world was turned upside down How her diagnosis helped her reassess and reframe her past struggles with mental health Why an experience with hot sauce removed any doubt in her mind about her autism diagnosis How she realized she had written her own neurodivergence into the two main characters of Today's Lucky Winner Why she decided to explicitly mention during the show that these characters are neurodivergent – and the positive impact this has had on the show's fans How writing helped her process her diagnosis For more information about "Today's Lucky Winner", check out the links below: Apple Podcasts Spotify Facebook Twitter Instagram Patreon --------------------- A message at the top of this episode: The US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade on June 24th, 2022, which stripped away the right to have a safe and legal abortion. To learn more about what you can do, go to podvoices.help. --------------------- Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Click here for the episode transcript. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*