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 zahra@dystinct.org 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.*