Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

Kantu (they/he) is the founder and co-owner of the social media presence known as the Angry Autist. Indigenous to the Andes in Abya Yala, Kantu is Quechua and is racialized as a visibly Native person. Kantu is autistic, has dissociative identity disorder (DID) and has experienced psychotic depression. When founding the Angry Autist, it was their goal to bring awareness to their experience as a multiply and visibly disabled, racialized, and medium support needs autistic person. Since then, he has become further radicalized as explicitly anti-racist, anti-ableist, and anti-saneist, drawing inspiration from the ten principles of disability justice, the CripplePunk movement, Indigenous philosophy, mad liberation, and fat liberation. During this episode, you will hear Kantu talk about: How they discovered they have DID How DID stereotypes affect real-life perceptions of DID How their autism affected their own experience of DID Their experience with psychotic depression symptoms and treatments The meaning and significance of mad liberation To find out more about Kantu and his work, follow them on Threads @angry_autist and Instagram @angry_autist . They can also be reached by email at angryandautistic [at] gmail [dot] com . Other Beyond 6 Seconds episodes about dissociative identity disorder (DID): Amber Louise Ainsworth (episode 194): beyond6seconds.net/194 Crystals Multifaceted (episode 215): beyond6seconds.net/215 Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JVP1yibrlXg Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/mad-liberation Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Torina Gedler is a musician who is also known as DEĀ EX MACHINĀ, which means "Goddess from the machine" in Latin. With their lush synth-pop sound, DEĀ EX MACHINĀ promotes harmony and inclusion in society through authentic Disability representation in music. DEĀ EX MACHINĀ advocates for the arts, LGBTQIA+ rights and Environmental and Disability Justice. Their debut EP, APO/THECARY, comes out on July 29, 2026. During this episode, DEĀ EX MACHINĀ discusses: Their work as a musician before and after being disabled by a brain injury Why it's important to have disability representation in music The main themes of their debut EP How joining RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities) influenced their work as a musician Their EP release party on July 29 in Des Moines, Iowa Learn more about DEĀ EX MACHINĀ at www.DeaExMachina.music and listen to their music on Subvert , Spotify , Apple Music and Bandcamp . Learn more about Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) at RAMPD.org . Listen to other Beyond 6 Seconds episodes with neurodivergent musicians: Adin Boyer (episode 227): https://www.beyond6seconds.net/227 Kaishawna (episode 187): https://www.beyond6seconds.net/187 Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=IldZ1PQYP4E Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/dea-ex-machina Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Luke hosts the Howdy Beans Podcast, where he reviews movies, TV shows, video games, books, and all things pop culture. He is dyslexic with an overlap of dyspraxia and dyscalculia, and he's currently on the waiting list for an autism assessment. Luke is an avid reader who writes short stories and poems, and he's currently writing a dark fantasy novel. During this episode, you will hear Luke talk about: ● How he discovered that he was neurodivergent at a young age ● Why he doesn't take reading and writing for granted ● His passion for writing stories ● What led him to start the Howdy Beans Podcast and how he's kept it going for five years Listen to the Howdy Beans Podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/74Pe9IWfTxxbVgEcTt47SG?si=af480bede172486c&nd=1&dlsi=0d644bd85ad24e46 Follow the Howdy Beans Podcast on Instagram and YouTube @thehowdybeanspodcast and on TikTok @the_howdybeans_podcast. Support or sponsor Beyond 6 Seconds: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtu.be/3RGlfliUoIQ Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/luke-howdy-beans-podcast Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider 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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Dr. Eugene Manley Jr. is a cancer scientist, health equity leader, and longtime patient advocate working at the intersection of biomedical sciences, cancer care, AI ethics, and leadership. As a Black healthcare advocate and founder of SCHEQ (STEMM* & Cancer Health Equity), a nonprofit focused on cancer health equity, Eugene runs an annual lung cancer summit that brings together patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry to co-create solutions to disparities in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Eugene has ADHD, which didn't get diagnosed until he was in graduate school. *STEMM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine. Content note: This episode discusses medical/healthcare trauma and physical injuries. During this episode, you will hear Eugene talk about: Discovering his ADHD later in life, and how ADHD shaped him as a person How his academic interests, education and career experiences led him to start his nonprofit The impact of a recent traumatic experience he had as a patient in the healthcare system How SCHEQ helps people understand their rights and options in healthcare settings Learn more about Eugene's work at SCHEQ.org . Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H13-WoQuP9o Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/eugene-manley-scheq Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

As the hosts of the Othering Podcast, Mike and Dory advocate for marginalized communities. Their podcast provides a platform where neurodivergent, disabled and LGBTQ+ people can share their stories. During this episode, you will hear Dory and Mike talk about: Why they started the Othering Podcast, and how they came up with the name of the show Sharing their own lived experiences of neurodivergence and disability on their podcast How they select their podcast guests and topics Why is it important to amplify the stories of disabled and LGBTQ+ people Learning from the feedback they have received about their podcast The long-term impact they want their podcast to have Listen to the Othering Podcast interviews mentioned in this episode: Joseph Kibler: otheringpodcast.com/podcast/episode/6e011856/joseph-kibler-talks-about-disability-hiv-and-lgbtq-representation-in-hollywood Mychal Threets: otheringpodcast.com/podcast/episode/7810e147/mychal-threets-reading-rainbow-adhd You can find all episodes of the Othering Podcast at OtheringPodcast.com . Support or sponsor Beyond 6 Seconds: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/othering-podcast Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider 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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Jasmine Williams-Jacobs is the founder and director of Black Remote She, a community-driven platform for Black queer, trans, non-binary, disabled people and allies interested in working and connecting remotely. Black Remote She connects community members to remote-flexible job postings at equitable work cultures, as well as to liberatory networks, mutual aid support and gender-affirming resources as tools for economic empowerment. Black Remote She has been recognized in numerous publications, including Essence, Stonewall, Community Centric Fundraising, INTO More, and Inclusion Hub. Jasmine is also a 2025 Disability Rising Fellow with Disability Culture Lab, where they are helping to build narrative power for disability justice. During this episode, Jasmine talks about: The layoff that inspired them to start Black Remote She The specific job searching challenges that Black, LGBTQ+ and disabled people face How Black Remote She connects people to jobs and support resources How employers are vetted before they can post job listings on Black Remote She Visit BlackRemoteShe.com for more information about job postings and resources. Connect with Jasmine at info [at] blackremoteshe.com . Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGN6f_EoFRo Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/black-remote-she Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

This is a special crossover episode with Made For Us, a podcast that explores the intersection of innovation and inclusion. On Made For Us, host Tosin Sulaiman speaks to founders, designers and business leaders who are thinking deeply and creatively about how to build better and more inclusive products. Tosin's guest on this episode is Maura Horton, CEO and founder of MagnaReady, an accessible fashion brand that enables millions of people with limited dexterity and mobility to dress independently. Maura developed the concept for MagnaReady after her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's and struggled to button his shirts. She invented and eventually patented a magnetic closure system that replaces buttons and has since licensed the technology to Fortune 500 Companies including PVH Corp, owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Maura also partnered with and advised Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, the first mainstream brand to launch a children's adaptive apparel line. In this episode, Maura talks about: The state of the adaptive clothing market before MagnaReady How Maura got the inspiration to infuse magnets into her husband's shirts The challenges she faced in the design and manufacturing process Why Maura thinks the term 'adaptive' is unhelpful Learn more about MagnaReady at magnaready.com and @magnaready on Instagram. Listen to other episodes of Made For Us: podfollow.com/made-for-us/view Follow Made For Us on social media: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/madeforuspodcast Instagram: instagram.com/madeforuspodcast Support or sponsor Beyond 6 Seconds: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/accessible-fashion-maura-horton-magnaready Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider 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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Oliver James is a California-based personal trainer, motivational speaker, literacy activist, and influencer. He has been featured by Today, NPR, the Jennifer Hudson Show, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Rachael Ray, and ABC News, among many others. Additionally, he received the Barbara Bush National Literacy Award in 2023. Oliver is the author of "Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok." His book is about teaching himself to read starting at the age of 32, and his experience with childhood learning disabilities and educational neglect. In just 365 days, he went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu, to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year. Oliver has become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he's documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way. During this episode, you will hear Oliver talk about: Why he describes himself as being "functionally illiterate" and how his experience with literacy "started wrong" What inspired him to share his journey to learn how to read on social media, at the age of 32 How reading has profoundly changed his perspective on life What it was like writing a book about his experience Buy Oliver's book "Unread": hachettebookgroup.com/titles/oliver-james/unread/9781454959403/ Follow Oliver at oliverspeaks1 on Instagram , TikTok , Threads and YouTube . Email Oliver at OliverSpeaks1 [at] gmail.com . Learn more about the Nardagani app that has helped Oliver learn how to read: nardagani.com Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=xWGXsqQaloQ Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/oliver-james-unread Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Justin Valenti is an artist and disability advocate. He enjoys creating artwork in his home studio and at the VisAbility Art Lab at VisArts in Rockville, Maryland. He is also the business owner of Artistic Expressions by Justin K Valenti, and has exhibited his artwork in Maryland, Virginia and California. Justin has been an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since childhood. He has been on the Board of Directors for the Arc Maryland since 2020. During this episode, you will hear Justin talk about: What his life was like growing up with disabilities How he discovered his passion and talent for art How creating art helps his mental health His proudest achievements as an artist and disability advocate Learn more about Justin and his work at JKValenti2014.com and VisArtsCenter.org or contact Justin directly at justin.k.valenti [at] gmail [dot] com . Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=lbv80Y58CTU Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/justin-valenti Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Amy Richards is a queer autistic podcaster and business owner from Cardiff in the UK. Amy became self-employed in 2015, after multiple burnouts culminated in a breakdown that ended her previous career as a high school English and Media teacher. With her business hat on, she offers business strategy sessions, builds websites and supports online business owners with their websites, email marketing and automation. In 2020, Amy started a podcast called Squarepeg, where she chats with one autistic guest at a time about their autism discovery journey and what they've learned along the way. Amy is also a Nervous System Regulation practitioner, working with other autistic adults to help them become better regulated, less anxious and have more energy. During this episode, you will hear Amy talk about: Her life before her autism diagnosis, including the first moment she strongly suspected she was autistic What inspired her to begin sharing her autistic experiences publicly and start her podcast, Squarepeg Her approach to selecting her guests and editing her podcast episodes The importance of including a diverse range of guests on our podcasts How a listener's email led Amy to make a major change to her podcast The most significant things she has learned while working on her podcast Learn more about Amy and her podcast on the Squarepeg website at https://squarepeg.community or by email at hello [at] squarepeg.community . Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=u1jx3u_ev0E Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/sharing-autistic-stories Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Pastiche Graham is a proud autism advocate, emerging motivational speaker, children's book author and powerhouse for change and inclusion. After being featured on the CBS Television show Undercover Boss in 2022 (Season 11, Episode 4), Pastiche's platform pivoted towards a lifelong journey of advocacy. Pastiche's first book, "Pia Pistachio Gets a Job," features much-needed representation of autistic girls in children's literature. In this episode, we talk about Pastiche's journey from disheartened autistic child to enthusiastic autism advocate & author, the impact of appearing on Undercover Boss, and the inspiration for "Pia Pistachio Gets a Job." Pastiche also discusses the importance of autism representation: specifically for autistic women and girls in literature, and for autistic adults in the workplace. Learn more about Pastiche at PasticheGraham.com and buy "Pia Pistachio Gets a Job" on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Follow Pastiche on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Threads . Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds ! 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Max Barrows is an award-winning disability rights leader and advocate based in Vermont. As the Outreach Director for Green Mountain Self-Advocates, Max mentors people with developmental disabilities to speak up for themselves and become leaders. Max is also the Assistant Director of Technical Assistance and Outreach for the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC), where he works to strengthen local and state self-advocacy organizations across the United States. During this episode, you will hear Max talk about: What life was like growing up as an autistic person How he became involved in disability advocacy Why self-advocacy and peer-to-peer connections are essential for people with disabilities How he grew more comfortable with public speaking as part of his advocacy work His role in helping to educate law enforcement about autism The harmful impact of negative rhetoric about autism Learn more about Green Mountain Self-Advocates and the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) where Max works. Contribute to Carolyn's tip jar to support the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast's disability advocacy. 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

With a career across media, tech, and entertainment, Kirsty Cullen-Campanelli has held roles at the BBC, Netflix and Apple. Her experience as a corporate executive and a late-diagnosed Autistic woman with ADHD have shaped her neuroinclusive leadership style. On my latest episode, Kirsty shares what life is like for her as an autistic corporate executive with ADHD, and how discovering her autism and ADHD shifted her understanding of herself. She also discusses her approach to creating inclusive workplace cultures, managing teams, conducting job interviews, and navigating high-pressure environments. Connect with Kirsty on LinkedIn . Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds ! 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Sania Khimji is an accomplished artist, model, influencer, and international beauty pageant winner based in India who continues to redefine boundaries and inspire inclusivity in every space she enters. Living with Down syndrome, Sania celebrates her uniqueness as just one part of her powerful story that's rooted in creativity, confidence, and courage. Through her art, modeling, and advocacy, Sania continues to shine as a global voice for empowerment — showing the world that when you lead with passion, purpose, and pride, there are truly no limits to what you can achieve. During this episode, you will hear Sania talk about: What was it like growing up with Down syndrome The challenges and stereotypes she faced as someone with Down syndrome How she got interested in fashion and modeling What inspired her to become an artist who shows her art in India and around the world How she advocates for people with disabilities Her goals for the future Follow or contact Sania on Instagram . Contribute to Carolyn's tip jar to support the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast's disability advocacy. 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

This is a special Beyond 6 Seconds episode for Podcasthon, where for one week, thousands of podcasts are highlighting a nonprofit of their choice, to raise awareness and encourage support for charities around the world. The focus of this episode is Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit organization addressing food insecurity in the Chicagoland south suburbs. Meals in the Meantime provides free, fresh, healthy, high-quality grocery bags of food at drive-thru, pop-up food pantries. I interviewed Kevin M. Yates, President and Founder of Meals in the Meantime, about: What inspired him to start Meals in the Meantime How Meals in the Meantime achieves its mission of "filling the food gap with nourishment and dignity" How the nonprofit's philosophy of "What Would You Eat" (WWYE) influences the types of foods that Meals in the Meantime provides Why Meals in the Meantime is different from other types of food banks and food pantries Learn more about how you can support Meals in the Meantime at MealsInTheMeantime.org and follow them on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and LinkedIn . Visit podcasthon.org to discover charities featured by podcasters from around the world. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds ! 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Psychotherapist Ivy Rizzo has a master's degree, speaks multiple languages, and owns her own business... but she struggles with doing basic math, remembering important dates, and recalling events in chronological order. Dyscalculia is often dismissed as just being "bad at math," but for Ivy, it has a wide-ranging effect on her life. In this episode, Ivy talks about: How the severity of her dyscalculia impacts her math, memory and sequencing skills What it was like for her growing up with dyscalculia in the 1980s-1990s How dyscalculia impacts her adult life, including work, parenting and friendships Her viral post about how she visualizes the months of the year The shame of being misunderstood by educators and supervisors, who misinterpreted her dyscalculia in traumatic ways How her neurodivergence helps her support and strengthen her client relationships Using her strengths and tech tools to help accommodate her dyscalculia To find out more about Ivy and her work, visit her website and follow her on Threads . If you enjoyed this episode about dyscalculia, you may also enjoy my episode about dyscalculia education and advocacy with Elena Chambers (episode 190) . 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Sonido Reyes is an award-winning and bestselling author who is best known for tackling difficult topics through a hopeful lens. They write stories celebrating their own queer and Mexican identities, including The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, The Luis Ortega Survival Club, The Broposal, and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar. They also have contributed short stories to the anthologies Transmogrify! and For the Rest of Us. Sonido is also the vice-president of My Galvanized Friend, a nonprofit focused on providing access to and amplifying LGBTQ+ writing, art, and creators. During this episode, you will hear Sonido talk about: How they were diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder What life was like growing up with schizoaffective disorder How manic episodes have affected their writing What they want people to understand about schizoaffective disorder How they choose the topics of the stories they write The importance of representation in books How they became involved with the nonprofit My Galvanized Friend Visit SonidoReyes.carrd.co for links to Sonido's website, writing and social media. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy my conversation about schizoaffective disorder with Sally Littlefield on episode 243 of this podcast. This episode is sponsored by Tas Kronby, Accessibility Consultant & Designer: Parallax scrolling, scroll bar hijacking, flickering, and neon colors are ruining your design—they trigger dizziness, migraines, and vertigo. You've audited for vision and hearing compliance. But does your online content make people sick? Tas Kronby offers Vestibular Accessibility Audits that go beyond compliance. Learn what you need to make your business truly inclusive. Tas will help you Design with All in Mind. Visit TasTheArtist.com/design-services/ to schedule your free consultation. 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

This episode is a special collaboration between Beyond 6 Seconds and the Living with FASD podcast hosted by Patti Kasper. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can impact physical, cognitive, and behavioral development. FASD is a type of neurodivergence, but it's often left out of conversations about neurodivergence. This episode is part of a series that Patti is doing on her podcast to help bring FASD into those conversations. We discuss what communication differences can feel like for people with certain types of neurodivergence, such as FASD, autism (including apraxia in non-speaking autism), ADHD, and schizophrenia. We also explore why communication challenges can happen, and how friends and loved ones can help provide understanding and support. A quick caveat: This conversation is not medical or diagnostic advice, and it does not speak for every neurodivergent person. Instead, Patti and I are sharing our own experiences and some insights from the people we've interviewed on our podcasts. You can find Living with FASD podcast on Apple, Audible, Patreon, Pocket Casts, Rumble and YouTube, and connect with Patti at dot.cards/yourfasdcoach . Do the things we mention in this episode match your experience as a neurodivergent person? Do you have other experiences? Let me know what you think ! 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Nieta Greene is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Disability Community for Democracy, Inc., an organization focused on safeguarding the rights of individuals within the disability community and providing a platform for political engagement founded on intersectional disability justice. She is a resilient and proud Disabled Puerto Rican, Black, gender non-conforming, gay woman. Nieta openly champions her identity as she advocates for inclusivity and belonging on behalf of those unable to voice their concerns. During this episode, Nieta talks about: Her experience growing up with multiple disabilities in the 1980s, and becoming involved in disability and LGBTQ+ advocacy Founding Disability Community for Democracy, Inc. after the 2024 U.S. election Systemic challenges that disabled people face in the United States (employment, healthcare, housing, etc.) and how politics impacts those challenges The importance of coalition building How to increase the disability community's political power in the United States Learn more about Nieta and Disability Community for Democracy at DisabilityCommunityForDemocracy.org , subscribe to Nieta's Substack Nothing About Us Without Us and find social media and other links on Linktree . Contribute to Carolyn's tip jar to support the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast's disability advocacy. 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. *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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

In this year-end solo episode, I celebrate some big milestones that Beyond 6 Seconds achieved in 2025, highlight the variety of topics that my guests and I discussed on my podcast, and share what podcasting-related things I've been up to this year! I also reflect on several challenges that the neurodivergent and disability communities are facing in the United States, and share my focus for the year ahead. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript , which also contains links to some of the other podcasts and resources I mention in this episode. 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. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*