Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

Jennifer Opal is a DevOps Engineer with the HelloSign Team at Dropbox, a multi-award winning neurodiversity & inclusion advocate, blogger & keynote speaker. She also has dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. Jennifer has worked with clients such as Bloomberg, Google and HackAJob, providing insight on being a neurodivergent queer Black woman engineer in tech, in the hopes of educating & inspiring others. During this episode, you will hear Jennifer talk about: How she got diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD as a university student What inspired her to get into coding and tech as a career The challenges she's faced as a neurodivergent employee, and as the only Black person at one of her first tech jobs The importance of inclusive work environments How she shares her story and tech career journey to educate and inspire others To find out more about Jennifer and her work, you can follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. You can also find her on JenniferOpal.com. This episode features a promo for All About Change hosted by Jay Ruderman. All About Change is a podcast about people who have leveraged the hardship they faced to better the lives of others. For your dose of hope and inspiration, check out All About Change on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 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.*

On this special solo episode for Autistic Pride Day, I talk about how I got my autism diagnosis as an adult. Please note that this is not meant to be medical or professional advice of any kind. It's just my own personal experience! Your experience may vary. Resources I mention during this episode: My 12/20/22 episode where I describe what led me to pursue an assessment. Autism assessment provider directory (crowdsourced map on Autastic.com). 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.*

Haley Moss is a neurodiversity expert, public speaker and author of four books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. We talk about Haley's latest book, "The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook," which shares the "unwritten rules" of adulthood and life advice for autistic young adults. Haley also talks about her own experience as an autistic child and adult: How she learned she is autistic at the age of 9, and gave her first public talk about autism at age 13 Her career journey to become the first openly autistic lawyer in Florida Why interdependence and asking for help are important parts of young adulthood The power of being an advocate in your local community Find out more about Haley and her work on HaleyMoss.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Special offers for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners: Enter to win a copy of Haley's latest book! (U.S. listeners only) Check out the June 14, 2022 Instagram post at @beyond6seconds to learn how you can enter to win a free copy of "The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook" if you're in the U.S. Save 20% off the purchase price of two of Haley's books from Jessica Kingsley Publishers: "The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook" and/or "A Freshman Survival Guide For College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders." Go to jkp.com, add one or both of these books to your cart, and enter the discount code Moss20 at checkout to get 20% off those books. This discount code is valid on jkp.com until July 15th, 2022 and can be used in the U.S. or U.K. only. 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.*

Britney Wolf is a passionate Tourette Syndrome advocate who is trying to beat the stigmas surrounding the disorder. Through social media, speaking events and more, she takes every opportunity to let the Tourette Syndrome community know that they aren't alone and teach those outside of the community what the disorder is actually like to live with. During this episode, you will hear Britney talk about: Her experience growing up with Tourette's How she became an advocate for Tourette Syndrome during her school years, and then on social media How she responds to people online who accuse her of faking her Tourette's Some of the biggest stereotypes about Tourette Syndrome Her experience with OCD and anxiety What inspired her to write her new book, "Ticcing My Way Through Life" For more information about Britney and her work, you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok and learn about her new book, Ticcing My Way Through Life. 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.*

Content warning: Mentions of racism/racist language, suicidal thoughts and auditory hallucinations Peter Zhao grew up in Nanjing China and then in Bayside Queens, New York. Now he lives in Long Island, New York, works in Healthcare, and is a husband and father of two sons. Peter has Tourette Syndrome, ADHD and OCD, and recently got his bipolar diagnosis. He started to advocate for Tourette's after he fought back against bullies in 7th grade and continues to advocate for Tourette Syndrome awareness and mental health every day. During this episode, you will hear Peter talk about: The different cultural expectations he faced in China and the US regarding his tics and mental health How he finally received his bipolar diagnosis as an adult His experience with managing his tics and mental health, both with and without medication His journey of becoming an advocate for Tourette Syndrome and mental health, starting from 7th grade into adulthood Connect with Peter on social media: IG: @fabulously_tourette TikTok: @fabulouslytourette Twitter: @FabulouslyTour1 Facebook: FabulouslyTourette 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.*

Nadine Drummond is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker from London with roots in Jamaica. A former producer and reporter at CNN and Al Jazeera, she now develops media and content strategy for 14 African countries in her role at the United Nations. Nadine is also dyspraxic. She struggled growing up pre-diagnosis. When her disability was finally diagnosed in college, she denied and hid her dyspraxia at first, then came to accept it and eventually talk about it publicly in a LinkedIn post that went viral in 2021. Nadine wasn't supposed to be a journalist. She was supposed to be a lawyer – that was the career path her family picked for her. After realizing she hated law school, though, she broke away from her family's expectations. She left her home country to build her career in journalism – a profession where she uses her dyspraxic strengths to improve and save the lives of people around the world. On this episode, Nadine shares all of these stories and more. Her experience is a testament to how working in your strengths can empower you to make a difference. (Content warning: Starting around minute 50 of this episode, Nadine talks about gender based violence and sexual assault in Central African Republic. This is the topic of her life-changing film that helped extend the life of The Water Project, which directly protected and improved the lives of the women living in that country.) Learn more about Nadine at the links below: "This Little Girl is me" – Nadine's viral LinkedIn post Nadine's Medium blog Nadine's journalism projects 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.*

This podcast was recorded live at the Intersectional Infinity Summit on 3/30/2022. Ky Kennedy is a mother, lactation consultant, author and autism advocate. After seeing a need for an autistic founded and ran organization, Ky and their sister founded Autistics Unmasked (AU). Now Ky and the rest of the team at AU are well on their way to providing educational resources to schools, employers and family members of autistic people across the nation. During this session, we discuss: Ky's experiences as an undiagnosed autistic child and their self-diagnosis in adulthood Why Ky and their sister founded AU to support BIPOC and queer autistic people Some of the challenges that autistic BIPOC face in society, and how AU is addressing these challenges through educational curriculums for first responders and schools The exciting work AU is doing now and planning for the future! Learn more about Autistics Unmasked at www.AutisticsUnmasked.org. Learn more about the Intersectional Infinity Summit on Twitter @NINE_On_Can. 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.*

Noah Seback cannot speak -- however, he has a lot to say. Noah is a nonspeaking autistic young man with apraxia, which has made it impossible for him to communicate reliably for most of his life. Then, at the age of 16, he learned how to use a letterboard to spell out the words he wanted to say -- and his entire world opened up. As Noah described it to me, "it was nirvana!" Since Noah is nonspeaking, he is joined on this episode by his communication regulation partners, David and Nadine Seback (who are also his parents). During this episode, you'll hear David and Nadine read Noah's responses – which means you'll be hearing Noah's words through David and Nadine's speaking voices. During this episode, Noah shares: How his life completely changed after learning how to communicate using a letterboard at age 16 The importance of presuming competence of nonspeaking people How he responds to people who don't believe that letterboard spelling is a valid method of communication How he began to overcome and heal from his trauma Why he started qUirk, his mentoring business, to help nonspeakers – especially those who are labeled "the worst of the worst" What he wants parents of nonspeaking kids to know, and his advice for nonspeakers who are struggling right now Find out more about Noah, his writing and his mentoring business at www.quirkthrives.com. 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.*

Photographer Joseph Hill is known as the "unofficial mayor" of Southern Pines, North Carolina. He's currently the exclusive photographer for the Southern Pines Welcome Center, where many of his pictures are available for purchase as postcards. His work has been featured in PineStraw Magazine and on the front page of The Pilot newspaper. Joseph also has autism, and he's on a mission to spread positivity and encourage other entrepreneurs like himself. (Note: I'm using person-first language like "has autism" for Joseph at his request.) During this episode, you will hear Joseph talk about: What it was like growing up with autism How his parents and family friend have helped him develop his passion and career as a photographer How he finds and captures the beauty of everyday things in his photography The photograph that helped kickstart his photography career His mission to spread positivity and encouragement For more information about Joseph and his photography, you can find him on his official website, Facebook, 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! 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.*

Kori Tomelden is a late diagnosed autistic ADHDer, life strategist for autistic and ADHD women & a transformational purpose coach. She lives in Albany, NY where she is raising a neurodivergent family. Her older daughter is non-speaking autistic (and also has ADHD and anxiety) and her youngest daughter is HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) and gifted. Kori brings her own life experiences as an empathic, intuitive autistic woman, mother and entrepreneur to her coaching work and her "Authentically Autistic and ADHD" podcast. During this episode, you will hear Kori talk about: Her multi-year journey to discover she is an autistic ADHDer, which started while she was looking for resources to support her autistic daughter How her special interest in understanding human behavior shaped her chosen career How her first-hand experience with autism and ADHD has influenced her coaching What inspired her to revamp her podcast, and how she's using it to "unmask" herself Learn more about Kori at her links below: YouTube Podcast Official Website Facebook Twitter Instagram 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.*

Why has public discourse about autism been dominated by non-autistic voices? And, what's been happening recently to change this? My guest Eric Garcia breaks this down in today's episode! Eric is a journalist based in Washington DC and the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent. He is also the author of the book, "We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation" which was published in 2021. During this episode, you will hear Eric talk about: Why non-autistic voices have traditionally dominated the public conversation about autism How government policies have shaped and evolved the public's perceptions about autism Including a wide variety of autistic people's experiences in his book – including non-speaking autistic people – as well as his own experiences as an autistic Latino man How writing this book helped him confront some of his own biases – and what he learned about becoming a better ally and learning from criticism Where the public can find accurate information about autism and the autistic community How social media has helped autistic people share their experiences, amplify their voices and effect change (for example, by calling out harmful autistic stereotypes about autism in a recent movie by a certain singer) Buy Eric's book, "We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation" Read Eric's National Journal article (the precursor to "We're Not Broken") Check out Eric's recommendations for other helpful autism resources: The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism Sincerely, Your Autistic Child #ActuallyAutistic on Twitter – hashtag used by autistic content creators (a good place to listen to autistic people, and especially helpful if you're newly-diagnosed autistic) #AskingAutistics on Twitter – use this hashtag to post questions you want to ask autistic people 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.*

For World Autism Day, I've recorded a solo episode where I explain how my thinking has evolved about the word "autistic" – how I was once scared of it, how I overcame my outdated views and biases associated with it, and why now I consider "autistic" to be a powerful word that I'm proud to claim as part of my identity. I share why I prefer identity-first language over person-first language when describing my autistic self, and why we should let individuals choose how they want to describe themselves. What other topics should I discuss on a solo episode? If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please let me know! Get in touch through my website www.beyond6seconds.net/contact/ or on social media. 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.*

As a child, Ariel Henley's face was compared to a Picasso painting. This horrifying comment didn't come from a schoolyard bully. It was written in a magazine article about Ariel and her experience growing up with Crouzon syndrome, a congenital condition that affects the shape of her face. From that day forward, Ariel was determined to tell her story. She transformed that insult into the title of her new memoir, "A Face for Picasso." Tune into my latest episode to hear Ariel talk about her book, as well as: Her story of growing up with Crouzon syndrome The pain and harassment she faced Finding self-acceptance Her advocacy for face equality and authentic media representation of people with facial differences and other disabilities To find out more about Ariel and her work, visit her website at www.arielhenley.com and order her memoir, "A Face for Picasso." 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. This episode also features a promo of the Art Heals All Wounds podcast. *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.*

At his first job as a TV host, Seamus Evans disclosed his Tourette Syndrome. That revelation almost ended his dream career. Fortunately Seamus didn't lose his job. In fact, he spent the next 13 years in his dream career, entertaining his fellow Australians as a TV and radio personality. Now he is an ambassador for Tourette Syndrome Association Australia and a keynote speaker who shares his story to inspire and encourage kids and adults with Tourette's. In this episode, Seamus talks about his experience growing up with Tourette's, how he taught himself to transform his tics (both on and off the air), how his sense of humor helps him in social situations, and why he encourages everyone to embrace their flaws – because in Seamus' words, "normal is boring." To learn more about Seamus and his work, you can find him at the following links below: SeamusEvans.com Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.*

For 25 years, Ruth Rathblott hid her limb difference. She doesn't hide it anymore. As she explained in her recent TEDx Talk: when she stopped hiding, she found freedom. Ruth has been a leader in nonprofit organizations for more than 25 years, with 15 years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, and more than eight years as CEO of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. She currently serves as a Board Member of The Lucky Fin Project. She speaks about inclusion and diversity, the gifts of being unique and the freedom that comes with accepting your differences. During this episode, you will hear Ruth talk about: Her decision to start hiding her limb difference as a teenager, and how it impacted her mental and physical health for decades The people in her life who encouraged her to stop hiding and start sharing her personal experience with disability The chance encounter in a store where she first learned about the wider community of people with limb differences How people have reacted to seeing her limb difference – and how kids react differently than adults Her mission to convince companies to include disability in their definitions of workplace diversity For more about Ruth and her work, follow her on LinkedIn and check out her website www.ruthrathblott.com. Watch Ruth's TEDx Talk: When I stopped hiding, I found freedom 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Ayanna Davis, also known as phenomenallyautistic on social media, is an autism advocate who was born & raised in Westchester County, New York. Along with being autistic, she has survived over 300 seizures, is living with chronic illnesses and has 3 autoimmune diseases. She is passionate about spreading her messages of self love, joy, equality, diversity, inclusion, and autism awareness & acceptance through the arts. She is also a children's book illustrator, designer, former choreographer, and lover of all performing arts. During this episode, you will hear Ayanna talk about: How her love of the arts helped her while growing up as a Black girl with undiagnosed autism Her work as a children's book illustrator and a choreographer The challenges Black women face when trying to get an autism diagnosis Living with chronic illnesses during the pandemic Her goals for her art and advocacy To find out more about her work, you can find Ayanna at @phenomenallyautistic on Instagram and TikTok and check out her coloring book, We Are Magical. 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Alex Gilbert is a New Yorker, a Mets fan, a yogi, and a brunch enthusiast. She also has dyslexia and ADHD. After spending her career working in leadership development, she started Cape-Able Consulting, a consulting and coaching business that helps adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD who are struggling in their careers. Her biggest goal in creating Cape-Able Consulting is to change the stigma surrounding learning. During this episode, you will hear Alex talk about: Her experiences with teachers, both positive and negative, during her school years How she uses the concepts of "best principles" and "superpowers" to help her clients succeed in their careers How she learned to advocate for herself at work, and how she helps her clients advocate for themselves at their workplaces What inspired her to start her own business How workplace accommodations for learning disabled employees can help everyone in the workplace If you want to know more about Alex and her work, check out her website at capeableconsulting.com and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Rosemary Richings is a writer, author, panel member of Dyspraxia Magazine, and co-founder of Dyspraxic Alliance, a global online support network by and for dyspraxics. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder). In 2014, Rosemary started her own freelance writing business to reduce the stress of finding an accessible work environment. Her debut book, "Stumbling Through Space and Time: My Life So Far with Dyspraxia" is being published in the fall of 2022. Recently, Rosemary joined the board of trustees of Dyspraxic Me, a peer group for dyspraxic youth. During this episode, you will hear Rosemary talk about: Her dyspraxia diagnosis, and how dyspraxia affected her at school Her struggle to find a supportive working environment where she could truly thrive How she developed her longtime passion for writing into a freelance writing business What had inspired her to write her book about dyspraxia, and how social media connected her to a publisher To find out more about Rosemary and her work, you can find her with the following links below! Rosemary's Twitter RosemaryRichings.com (Rosemary's consulting website) RosieWritingSpace.com (Rosemary's writing blog) DyspraxicMe Twitter Dyspraxic Alliance Twitter 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. This episode also features a promo for the new season of 2 Lives, a podcast about people who faced darkness and how those incidents changed the trajectory of their lives. *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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Before Kelly Coons was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirteen, she had a coming-of-age story that was mostly deemed as neurotypical. However, she always felt isolated and, until her diagnosis, believed that she was to blame. After her diagnosis, Kelly became passionate about disability advocacy and promoting autistic pride. Today she is an autism advocate and a novelist who studied English at Smith College. During this episode, you will hear Kelly talk about: Growing up with two autistic brothers – and how she got her own autism diagnosis How Kelly learned she is autistic – a year after her parents and teachers already knew Her autism advocacy – and why she likes answering people's questions about autism most of the time Life as an autistic college student The story behind her novel, All Ways, and how it counteracts common literary narratives about autism by centering autistic experiences and voices To find out more about Kelly and her work, check out her website, learn more about her novel "All Ways" and connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn. 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Feeling frustrated and alone, Natalie Brooks started posting on Instagram about her struggles as a dyslexic adult in the workplace. She soon realized that her experiences resonated deeply with dyslexic adults around the world -- and it inspired her to expand her social media following into a global online community! Through her company, Dyslexia in Adults, Natalie has built a supportive and collaborative community where dyslexic adults discuss the challenges and strengths of their dyslexia. During this episode, you will hear Natalie talk about: How a working environment that benefits dyslexic employees can also benefit everyone at work Her own struggles with self-doubt and low self-confidence at work Why she decided to share her struggles on social media, and how that led her to create a supportive online community for dyslexic adults How she handles her imposter syndrome when it comes to talking about her company Her perspectives on common dyslexic strengths For more information about Natalie and her work, visit her website at www.dyslexiainadults.co and follow her on Instagram @dyslexia_in_adults. 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

2021 has been quite a year for me -- and my experiences this year have given me new clarity on what I want to focus on with this podcast. I'm excited to share these new developments with you! Tune into this episode to hear about the new direction I'll be taking with Beyond 6 Seconds starting in 2022, and the personal news that's driving this change. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to my latest podcast episodes! *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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

I recorded this episode with my friend Corinna Bellizzi at the She Podcasts Live conference in October 2021. Corinna hosts the Care More. Be Better. podcast and was a guest on my show a few months ago. In this episode, Corinna interviews me about the why behind Beyond 6 Seconds, including the importance of going beyond the initial 6 seconds of our first impressions. We also discuss our podcasting journeys and how we work to peek behind the veil and get to the truth behind the story in our interview format shows. We also share our key takeaways from She Podcasts Live. This interview originally aired on the Care More. Be Better. podcast and then on the Femcasters podcast. 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Travis Davis remembers the first time he realized the impact of sharing his story -- a simple lunchtime conversation that encouraged him to start talking about his life with cerebral palsy. Since that pivotal conversation, Travis has become a TEDx speaker, podcaster and local disability advocate in New Mexico. He has a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in Adapted Physical Education, and is ADA Coordinator certified. In this episode, Travis talks about that lunchtime encounter, as well as: When he was a substitute teacher, why he encouraged his students to ask him questions about his disability The chance meeting on an airplane that introduced him to wheelchair basketball Why he started his "Off The Crutch Podcast" about his experiences with cerebral palsy To learn more about Travis and his work, you can find him at the following links: TravisDavis.net Facebook Instagram EqualSteps.org consulting services Off the Crutch Podcast 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Margaux Wosk is a non-binary, autistic artist residing in Canada, and the owner of Retrophiliac, their own art business. They are bridging the gap between activism, advocacy and art to bring a message of acceptance to the world. During this episode, you will hear Margaux talk about: What led them to create their art business, Retrophiliac, after many years of being a self-taught artist The story behind the Neurodiversity Pride Infinity Rainbow pin – the first pin design they created How their art has helped amplify their advocacy for disabled small business owners To find out more about Margaux and their work, you can find them on the following links down below: Navigating Life website Retrophiliac Etsy store Retrophiliac on Facebook, 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! 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jasmine Crowe is an award-winning social entrepreneur, TED Speaker, and leader who is working to make the world a better place one cause at a time. In 2017, after years of feeding people experiencing homelessness from her own kitchen, she launched Goodr, a sustainable waste management company that leverages technology to combat hunger and reduce food waste. She has been featured on CNBC, Oprah Magazine, Inc., Forbes, Fast Company, the NY Times, and was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 100 influential female founders. Under her direction, Goodr has redirected over 12 million pounds of surplus food from restaurants, event centers, airports, and businesses to the millions of people who are food insecure. Goodr clients include SAP, Turner Broadcasting, Hartsfield Jackson Airport, Six Flags Over Georgia, and many more. During this episode, you will hear Jasmine talk about: What makes Goodr different from a food pantry How Goodr works with large venues and local non-profits to distribute food to people who are food insecure How Goodr pivoted its business during the pandemic The free grocery store that Goodr launched inside of Ronald McNair Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia What inspired her to write her brand new children's book, Everybody Eats For more information, check out goodr.co and follow Goodr on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Check out the Everybody Eats website at everybodyeatsbook.com and order your copy of the book! 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.

TW: Mentions of suicidal ideation, death from cancer Kathleen Brown was diagnosed with a rare cancer at the age of 13. While her cancer battle was enormously challenging, she felt completely unprepared for the mental health and emotional struggles that came with it: dark feelings, isolation, trauma and loss. This difficult experience inspired Kathleen to found buddhi, a digital platform with content, community and curated products for cancer thrivers and their family and friends. With buddhi, she is on a mission to support healing across the entire cancer experience. It's a place to bring your realness and leave toxic positivity at the door. Before founding buddhi, Kathleen worked for more than 25 years on behalf of the cancer community in fundraising and advocacy, for organizations including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and The V Foundation. Prior to St. Jude, she spent a decade in advertising sales with Disney/ESPN and Comcast. During this episode, you will hear Kathleen talk about: Her story of getting a rare cancer diagnosis at age 13, and how she grappled with dark and isolating feelings during treatment and post-treatment The well-meaning but damaging impact of "toxic positivity" How buddhi supports cancer survivors and their family and friends Her decision to leave the full-time job she loved, to focus on the startup she was born to create Visit the buddhi website at hibuddhi.com and follow them on Facebook, 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! Click here for the episode transcript.

In this episode I'm talking with Jacob Ratliff, a Client Attraction Coach and entrepreneur, about bringing your authenticity into your business. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jacob used his identity and lived experiences as the catalyst for creating his business, where he helps entrepreneurs increase brand awareness and visibility, create meaningful engagement, and maintain long-term clients. Jacob struggled with being authentic in his business at first. We'll learn how he stepped into his authentic self and found success, and as a result, is able to help his clients lean into their authentic, confident, empowered selves to grow their businesses. Stay tuned to hear Jacob's advice for getting more clarity and alignment in your business as an entrepreneur! And if you find this episode helpful, then please share it — or let me know how you've used authenticity to succeed in your own business. During this episode, you will hear Jacob talk about: Discovering his entrepreneurial spirit at five years old Pivoting from a full-time salaried job to the world of freelancing and business ownership His decision to change the type of clients he works with -- and the small but meaningful changes he made to lean into his authenticity as an entrepreneur and attract the clients he wanted to work with The biggest challenges faced by the entrepreneurs that he coaches The power of being authentic in your business as an entrepreneur How shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset has helped his personal and professional life Connect with Jacob on his website www.jacobratliff.com and on Facebook. 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.

Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC and the award-winning and best-selling author of "The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table." In 2020, Minda was named the #1 Top Voice for Equity in the Workplace by Linkedin. She's been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Fast Company, The NY Times, and Time Magazine, to name a few. Minda also speaks on topics like managing diverse teams, courageous leadership, and advancing women of color in the workplace. During this episode, you will hear Minda talk about: How her own experience with job-related trauma and racism inspired her to write a career book for women of color -- despite being told that there was no market for a book on this topic Some of the less-examined causes of "imposter syndrome" at work How to build your network in a hybrid workplace or fully remote workplace Why Minda uses the term "success partner" instead of ally -- and how managers and coworkers can be success partners for women of color at work What inspired the topics for her next two books: "Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace" and "You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls' Guide to Finding Your Voice" If you want to connect with Minda, you can find her on her official website, mindaharts.com, and follow her on LinkedIn. 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.

"Move forward. Step back and recalibrate. Move forward again." This is how Doug Stevenson, CEO of Story Theater International, has built a successful life and career as a storyteller, keynote speaker, trainer, and coach. Doug is a masterful storyteller, but his true gift is helping people become engaging storytellers and unforgettable leaders. He is the author of Doug Stevenson's Story Theater Method, and has delivered storytelling keynotes and workshops for leadership, sales, training, marketing, and HR teams in the US and in 17 other countries. In this episode, Doug shares: How his background as an actor and real estate agent led him to his passion for public speaking and storytelling The stories in his own life that have led him to "move forward, step back and recalibrate, move forward again" The power of finding and sharing the meaningful moments in life, no matter how small How he teaches corporate leaders to tell stories that improve their performance and communications How the pandemic forced him to slow down and shift his approach to coaching, public speaking, and life in general Contact Doug by visiting his website at www.storytelling-in-business.com or email him at [email protected]. Mention the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast to get a free 20-minute consultation with Doug! Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

After 28 years as a highly skilled employee, David Shriner-Cahn was told that his job was over. In spite of the immediate trauma and fear, he knew that as his next step, he'd rather work for himself and have more control over his destiny. That was in 2006. Today, David is a thriving entrepreneur, podcaster and speaker. He guides high achieving professionals who yearn to impact the world with their knowledge and creativity by becoming successful consultants or coaches, following long careers as employees. He also hosts two podcasts: Smashing the Plateau, which focuses on how to overcome roadblocks and generate long-term business success, and Going Solo, which explores how to reinvent yourself as an entrepreneur after a late-career job loss. During this episode, you will hear David talk about: His career journey from engineer to entrepreneur His own experience with job loss -- and how he coped and moved forward from it How he learned about business development and marketing to be a more successful entrepreneur The origins of his two podcasts, Smashing The Plateau and Going Solo What he's learned about success in self-employment, from his personal experience and the entrepreneurs he's interviewed and coached Listen to David's podcasts at Smashing the Plateau and Going Solo. Connect with David on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Corinna Bellizzi is a natural products industry executive and social benefit entrepreneur. In her professional life as the head of marketing and sales for her clients, she champions social benefit programs to enhance brand development and company impact. In January 2021 she launched her show, "Care More. Be Better: A Social Impact + Sustainability Podcast" to amplify the efforts of inspired individuals and conscious companies. Through Care More. Be Better, she shares their stories in an effort to show us all that one person with one idea can have a big impact. No subject is off limits -- as she covers topics from refugee relief to payday lending and everything in-between. During this episode, you will hear Corinna talk about: How she wanted to create an impact on the world with her podcast The "Calls to Action" she includes for her listeners on her podcast How important it is to donate time and skills to organizations Why it is important to connect with others, even if they are far away How her podcast helped her stay connected during the pandemic Her future plans for her podcast as the world begins to open back up To find out more about Corinna and her podcast, visit www.caremorebebetter.com or her social media links: Clubhouse Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Linda Maloney served 20 years in the Navy and was one of the first women in U.S. history in 1993 to join a combat military flying squadron. She was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and is the recipient of numerous military awards, including the distinguished air medal for combat. She also was the first woman to eject from a Martin Baker ejection seat from her A-6 aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean. She retired from the Navy in 2004 and started her second career as a defense contractor, author and business owner. Linda is currently the CEO of Women Veteran Speakers, the first speaker's agency of its kind that exclusively offers exceptional women military veterans as event speakers, trainers, coaches and facilitators. She is also the Project Director for the Proudly She Served project, which highlights women who serve or who have served in the U.S. military and tells their stories. During this episode, Linda shares: Her story of ejecting from her aircraft What it was like being one of the first women in a combat military flying squadron Her transition from the Navy to business ownership What inspired the Proudly She Served project, and how it honors the service and stories of women military veterans Learn more about Linda's work at WomenVeteranSpeakers.com and ProudlySheServed.com and find her on LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Kuda Biza is a serial entrepreneur who started his first company when he was 9 years old in Zimbabwe. Over the course of 10 years he has successfully launched 6 businesses. Currently, he is the co-founder & CMO of Nunbelievable, a socially-conscious baked goods company that donates meals for every box of cookies sold. He is also the co-founder of #ThisIsMyEra, a personal development brand, and Signables, a sports collectibles brand. Kuda also founded the Amani Hope Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to empower underprivileged children by providing scholarships. During this episode, you will hear Kuda talk about: How a desire for an ice cream as a child led him to fall in love with entrepreneurship How he picks the focus areas for his businesses Why it's important for entrepreneurs to make mistakes they can learn from and take conscious risks every day How his non-profit organization aligns with the goals of his socially conscious businesses Learn more about Kuda at his website www.SPEARMethod.com and follow him on Instagram @kudabiza. Special offer: Use the code BEYOND6SECONDS to get 20% off your cookie purchase at nunbelievable.com! For every box of cookies you purchase, Nunbelievable will donate a meal to someone in need. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Chien-Chi Huang is the founder of the Asian Breast Cancer Project and the Executive Director of Asian Women for Health, a peer-led, community-based network dedicated to advancing Asian women's health and wellbeing through education, advocacy and support. During this episode, you will hear Chien-Chi talk about: How her personal experience with breast cancer inspired her to start the Asian Breast Cancer Project How Asian Women for Health has helped Asian women speak out about their experiences with racism and isolation during the pandemic Her own experience with racism – and how it led her to create the "Racism is a Virus" public service announcement video Her career journey in Taiwan and the United States, through advertising, video production and motherhood How "The Three Cs" method can help people interrupt their negative thinking and support their mental well-being On June 5, 2021, join Chien-Chi at the Asian American Mental Health Forum! The event is free and open to all. Register at http://bit.ly/AAMHF2021 To find out more about Chien-Chi and Asian Women for Health, check out the resources below: Website: www.asianwomenforhealth.org Email: [email protected] "Racism is a Virus" PSA (video) and other anti racism resources Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

TW/CW: War, violent imagery, PTSD Diana Oestreich is an activist, veteran, nurse, and relentless practitioner of peace. She is the founder of the Waging Peace Project, a movement activating everyday peacemakers to commit acts of courage for the sake of justice, rooted in relentless love. In her first book, "Waging Peace," she shares her experience serving in Iraq as a combat medic and her choice to wage peace during wartime and after returning home. During this episode, Diana shares: What it was like being deployed at age 23 to the "War on Terror," as part of the Army National Guard What her daily life was like in Iraq as a combat medic The critical moment of conflict between her faith in God and her duty as a soldier that changed her forever -- and compelled her to wage peace in a place of war How her friendship with a local Iraqi woman changed how she thought about the "enemy" The challenges she faced after returning home, and why she was silent for many years about her experiences in Iraq How she learned to wage peace at home in the face of racism, violence and fear -- and how we can all wage peace in our communities to make a more beautiful world possible You can learn more about Diana on her official website www.dianaoestreich.com, where you can buy an autographed copy of her book, "Waging Peace," read her Waging Peace Manifesto and learn more about hosting a book club with Diana. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Kevin Allen is a classically trained pianist, music producer, math teacher, guest speaker, entrepreneur and YouTuber. From spending 12 years working in the corporate world, to becoming a middle school math teacher, to really diving into music and content creation, Kevin has had a diverse and multi-creative career journey. He has been making music for about 15 years and just recently decided to begin sharing his content with the world through his podcast and YouTube channel. During this episode, you will hear Kevin talk about: How he started making music as a young child, then rekindled his passion for music as an adult Why he created his YouTube channel, K_AL Experience The story behind his corporate career -- how he got his first job while still in college, the different roles he held, and his decision to move on to pursue teaching How he balances his teaching, tutoring business, and YouTube channel How networking has been critical to growing his career The multi-creative "dream guests" he'd like to interview on his show You can find out more about Kevin and his work on his YouTube channel K_AL Experience, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and on his official website www.kalexperience.com. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Hunter Hansen is an autistic content creator on YouTube and Instagram and a blogger on thelifeautistic.com. After discovering his autism in his late teens, Hunter tried to outgrow and suppress his autistic traits for years, until coming to terms and embracing his identity as an autistic adult. He has since turned that suppression into passion, advocating for greater understanding and appreciation of autism and autistic people. Hunter works for a major company as a business analyst and lives in the Denver area with his wife and three daughters. During this episode, you will hear Hunter talk about: The origin of his blog -- and why he decided to shift his blog's initial focus and start writing about his autism What inspired him to start The Life Autistic channel on YouTube His process for creating his videos -- and why he never runs out of idea topics How Instagram Reels helped him expand his audience further His advocacy goals for helping companies create better workplaces for autistic employees and get the most out of their autistic talent in a variety of jobs (not just coding and tech!) Learn more about Hunter and follow his content on thelifeautistic.com blog, The Life Autistic YouTube channel, on Twitter, and on Instagram @the_life_autistic. Also, here's the link to the "bricks" post on The Life Autistic blog that Hunter mentions during this episode. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

TW/CW: Mentions of domestic violence Nichelle Walker is a passionate community service advocate who encourages people to take responsibility for doing things that matter within their local communities. She sees community service as a way to find local solutions to national and global problems. Nichelle is also a survivor of domestic violence; her experience further cultivated a need inside of her to give back to others. During this episode, you will hear Nichelle talk about: How her passion for community service started at a young age How she believes that even the smallest actions can help the community How she learns from the girls that she mentors through BUILT BY GIRLS How her experience as a domestic violence survivor led her to change her life and help other people in similar situations The community service she has done on a national and global scale, in both the US and UK How community service has helped her make new connections and learn about different cultures, despite the isolation of the pandemic How her new photography business has opened up new ways for her to give back to her community Learn more about Nichelle at her website, nichellewalker.myportfolio.com. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Julia Ward is an actor and filmmaker whose award-winning documentary, in.clu.sion, is raising awareness about the authentic representation of people with disabilities in the media. Julia is also a senior in high school, and filmed in.clu.sion during lockdown in 2020. During this episode, Julia shares: How her brother Spencer inspired her to film in.clu.sion The challenges and benefits of filming during lockdown -- including how she got interviews with actors Cole Sibus and Mat Fraser and director Peter Farrelly How her film discusses issues with the representation of people with disabilities in movies and television The reaction her film has received from the public Her goals and plans for the future You can watch in.clu.sion on Amazon Prime and find out more about Julia on her official website. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

If your employees spent their workdays engrossed in colorful LEGO® bricks, what would you think? If you're David Kokai, you'd probably think that business is good! David founded a company devoted to the LEGO® secondary market when he left the corporate world to start WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB), a LEGO® parts dealer. WLWYB operates their breakthrough platform, MOCHUB, which allows LEGO® builders to share their work and make money with their creations. WLWYB is a neurodiverse workplace that employs autistic people in key parts of their business, and recognizes that the diversity within their teams makes their company stronger. During this episode, David and Lili talk about: How David's interest in data science inspired him to start a LEGO®-focused business Why they decided to create a neurodiverse and autism-friendly work environment at their company How they recruit and employ autistic people in key parts of their business and build a work environment that is safe, effective and a great place to grow for all of their employees How they adjusted their business operations during the pandemic lockdown with almost no interruptions in orders Advice for people who want to start their dream company To find out more about WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD, visit their official website wlwyb.com and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also contact David and Lili through the contact us page on the WLWYB website. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript. More about David Kokai, Founder of WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB): David Kokai is the founder of WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB). He studied economics at the Corvinus University of Budapest (former University of Economics Budapest) and graduated from the University of Vienna. He had been working in the IT sector at leading multinational companies for more than a decade in several managing roles based in Budapest and Vienna. After getting acquainted with the secondary market for LEGO® in 2010, he opened a LEGO® parts dealership called WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB). WLWYB's business innovation is that it has placed its operations in this segment in a unique way in the world based on strong data science, supporting key enterprise functions with a comprehensive, custom-developed business intelligence system; such as purchasing, inventory management, and pricing. As a result of many years of systematic building, in addition to its position in the secondary market of LEGO®, WLWYB opened the world's first marketplace in 2018 specializing in bespoke LEGO® creations, called MOCHUB. MOCHUB provides an opportunity for emerging and professional LEGO® builders to receive a royalty from the sale of the models they design. MOCHUB sold many thousands of bespoke LEGO® kits around the world in its first year of operation. After several years of work, the company became an autism friendly workplace in 2019.

Kevin M. Yates is a learning & development leader with a career spanning 20+ years, a sought-after expert in the field of learning measurement, a global public speaker and e-book author... and as a Black man living and working in the U.S., he sometimes feels he is mistakenly seen as a "unicorn." On this episode, Kevin talks about what he means by "unicorn" and how it relates to his experiences as a Black man living and working in the United States. He speaks candidly about the impact of race in his professional and personal life. We also talk about how the racial and social justice movements of 2020 have further inspired Kevin to live in authenticity by being transparent about his whole self and experiences, because as he puts it, "living in duality is too much work." Find out more about Kevin on his website, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on YouTube. Get your free copy of Kevin's e-book, "L&D Detective Kit for Solving Impact Mysteries©" Listen to my previous Beyond 6 Seconds interview with Kevin (episode 61) about how he created his dream career after a layoff. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Elaine Montilla is an accomplished senior executive who has been an IT leader in higher education for two decades. As an immigrant, Latina, lesbian woman, Elaine has overcome many challenges to build her successful IT career. She is currently Chief Information Officer and Assistant Vice President for Information Technology at The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, a Forbes Technology Council member and contributor, and an AMA Women's Leadership Center presenter. Elaine is also a TEDx speaker and the founder of 5xminority.com, a company and social media brand dedicated to empowering women and minorities, especially in tech, with a mission to demonstrate how businesses can be powerful platforms for social change. During this episode, you will hear Elaine talk about: What inspired her to start 5xminority.com Her story of moving from the Dominican Republic to New York and discovering her interest in IT while attending college, where she learned English and programming language at the same time How her first job working in a restaurant kickstarted her IT career The obstacles she overcome to build a successful IT career in the US as an immigrant, female, Latina, lesbian human being… and how she battled imposter syndrome while advancing in her career Why you can't believe everything you think, and how challenging your own thoughts is critical to overcoming imposter syndrome and unconscious bias How important it is for your career development to "be comfortable being uncomfortable" and have difficult conversations Why it is important for leaders to admit their mistakes and to be vulnerable Learn more about Elaine and her work at 5xminority.com and on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Watch Elaine's TEDx talk: The Value of Mentoring Women and Minorities in Tech Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Courtney Stewart is the Founder and CEO of LipRevolt, a cosmetics brand specializing in lipstick that promotes social activism. Through LipRevolt, Courtney aims to inspire people to fight for what they believe in and to speak up for others. LipRevolt donates 15 percent of its net profits to organizations that support women's rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ rights. Courtney started her career in public service after receiving her BA in Political Science from Spelman College and MS in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy from American University. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault and abuse, and an incident of racism and violence. During this episode, you will hear Courtney talk about: How her personal experiences, the #metoo movement and the importance of using your voice inspired the creation of LipRevolt Why she decided to support nonprofits with her own business' profits How she learned to run a beauty business as a newcomer to the beauty industry Her future plans for LipRevolt, and why the month of March is significant to her Find out more about LipRevolt on LipRevolt.com, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. If there is a nonprofit that you want to see LipRevolt support, you can message your recommendation to the Instagram account. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Heneka Watkis-Porter is an entrepreneur, coach, 5x author and international speaker. As the host of The Entrepreneurial You Podcast, she has interviewed Richard Branson, John Lee Dumas, Seth Godin and many other influencers. Heneka is also the creator of the Caribbean's first virtual conference and expo: The Entrepreneurial You Virtual SME Conference & Expo. She hosts Leadercast events in Jamaica and writes for the Leadercast blog and Thrive Global. During this episode, Heneka shares her experience and advice about what makes a leader worth following, including: What she learned about leadership from starting her own business The importance of sharing feedback and showing vulnerability as a leader Her experience with burnout, how she recovered, and why it's important to make time for self-care (especially for leaders) How she gets opportunities to interview famous leadership experts on her podcast – and what makes their advice so powerful How mentors can help entrepreneurs and other leaders succeed To learn more about Heneka and her work, you can find her on her official website henekawatkisporter.com where you can contact her directly on WhatsApp. You can also listen to her podcast, The Entrepreneurial You, and visit her social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more about how to attend Heneka's "Slow Down & Live: Health Is Wealth" summit in January 2021. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

On the Beyond 6 Seconds end of year episode for 2020, host Carolyn Kiel talks with fellow podcaster Laura Joyce Davis, the host of the Shelter in Place podcast. We discuss our experiences podcasting in 2020: how it has helped us cope with the challenges and isolation of this year, inspired our creativity, and allowed us to make connections and share powerful stories. Plus, we discover our mutual background in a cappella singing, and how it impacts the way we podcast! Listen to Laura's podcast, Shelter in Place, at shelterinplacepodcast.info. Learn more about the things we reference during this episode: Goodnight America (song by Miko Marks) Podcast conferences: She Podcasts Live Conference and Werk It Festival The MetropoliTones (Carolyn's a cappella singing group) Laura's solo song from her a cappella group (Tangled Up in Blue) that was included in the Best of College A Cappella 2002 collection. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Jenny Delacruz is a Haitian-American writer, a licensed counselor and the founder of Cobbs Creek Publishing. She is a wife and mom of 2 boys. Born and raised in New York, she has always been aware of the importance of diversity and how each person has a story that weaves back to generations. Jenny's passion for teaching her children about world history and current events led her to pursue writing and launch her own educational children's book series. She has written 2 picture books, "Fridays With Ms. Mélange: Haiti" and "Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight?" which helps children cope with the impact of COVID-19. She recently released her first nonfiction book for adults called "How Was Your Summer? Fostering Critical Conversations with Students." It's a guide for parents and teachers to nurture mental health in kids from grades K-12. During this episode, you will hear Jenny talk about: How she wrote her first book for her son who wanted to learn more about Haiti, which led her to start Cobbs Creek Publishing Her advice on how to talk to kids about tough topics in an age-appropriate way How her youngest son inspired her to write "Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight?" How she uses social media to increase her books' reach and accessibility Her future plans for writing and publishing You can find out more about Cobbs Creek Publishing at cobbscreekpublishing.com, on Instagram, on YouTube, and on Facebook. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

"Are you happy in your heart?" My next guest, Sarah Worlton, first began hearing this question while volunteering during a humanitarian expedition in Guatemala. More than a decade later, Sarah has led numerous humanitarian expeditions to villages in Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico and Nepal. She also hosts the "Are You Happy In Your Heart?" podcast, which was inspired by what her volunteer work has taught her about life, purpose and happiness. On this episode, Sarah shares how her humanitarian work and the challenges of 2020 have helped her grow as a person and led her to become a public speaker, podcaster and life coach. To find out more about Sarah and her podcast, visit her official website www.sarahjworlton.com or her Instagram @sjworlton. Special offer: Through the end of 2020, Sarah is offering free 30-minute life coaching sessions for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners! Email her at sarah.worlton at gmail.com for more information. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript, including the poem that Sarah mentions in this episode.

Lena Cohen-Hawkins is an international speaker, powerhouse business consultant, three-time author, and corporate trainer. As a master's level clinician and executive coach, Lena counsels people on how to access, understand, and regulate emotions, in order to excel in the real world and find fulfillment in their careers and personal lives. She has worked with companies like CBS, Prudential Financial, United Way and The United States Army, and has shared her story on the TED Talks stage. During this episode, Lena and I talk about her third book, "Brilliant Resilience," which was published in July 2020, including: How a surprise phone call from an old friend made her new book her passion project for 2020 How she turned a major disappointment in her career into a new start How her self-awareness and faith allowed her to move forward in the face of trauma, loss and disappointment How sometimes, support comes from the most unlikely places To find out more about Lena and her work, you can find her on her official website, lenacohen.com. You can also buy her book, "Brilliant Resilience", on Amazon, and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

We often talk about "finding your passion" in life ... but what happens when you find your passion, and then you feel it fade away? Where do you go from there? According to Ryan Mason, you find a different dream and make it come true. Ryan is the Founder and CEO of two successful businesses. The first is Luxe Brand, America's leading luxury shoelace provider, which has been featured on Good Morning America, the NFL Network, in Foot Locker stores, and on more than 30 athletes and celebrities -- and the other is BizBuzz, which provides integrated marketing automation software and services for more than 250 small and medium-sized businesses. Yahoo recently named Ryan one of its Top 12 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2020. During this episode, you will hear Ryan talk about: His promising early football career -- and why it came to an end during his college years How an Instagram post set him on the path to building his new creative business idea -- and the hard work and focus it took to make his idea a reality How Luxe Brand captured the attention of celebrities, the media and Foot Locker The people who have mentored and supported Ryan throughout his career journey How repeatable processes and unique marketing tactics helped Ryan's companies grow To find out more about Ryan and his work, visit his official website or the websites for his companies Luxe Brand and BizBuzz. Additionally, you can connect with Ryan on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Ryan's new book, The Digital Playbook, is now available for pre-order -- and for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners, he is offering free marketing tools to the first 100 people who preorder the book and fill out the "Get Started For Free" form on the BizBuzz website. Watch the video of this episode on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.

Rebekah Bastian is the CEO & Co-founder of OwnTrail, an online platform that connects, mentors and empowers women as they share their personal and professional journeys and experiences. Previously, Rebekah was Vice President of Product and Vice President of Community and Culture at Zillow. She is the author of the book "Blaze Your Own Trail," a contributor to Forbes and a frequent speaker on social impact, career navigation and corporate diversity. During this episode, you will hear Rebekah talk about: How she grew her career at Zillow, and how her experiences there helped inspire her to write her book and create OwnTrail Why so many women are still not getting the mentoring support they need, and how OwnTrail helps address this problem by providing access to "micro-acts of mentorship" that women may not otherwise receive How OwnTrail is different from other online networking sites Why it's important for women to share both their personal and professional journeys with each other Find out more about OwnTrail at www.owntrail.com and on social media: @owntrail on Instagram, @OwnTrail on Twitter, @BlazeYourOwnTrail on Facebook and OwnTrail on LinkedIn. Learn more about Rebekah at @rebekah.bastian on Instagram, @rebekah_bastian on Twitter, and Rebekah Bastian on LinkedIn. Rebekah and Carolyn have published their own OwnTrails! See what they look like here and here. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast! Click here for the episode transcript.