Beyond 6 Seconds

Beyond 6 Seconds

First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.

That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.

Beyond 6 Seconds is proud to be an award-winning podcast! Check out my About page for more details.

*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.*

Recent Episodes

View all
Dissociative identity disorder (DID), psychotic depression and Mad Liberation – with Kantu
269
Aug. 10, 2026

Dissociative identity disorder (DID), psychotic depression and Mad Liberation – with Kantu

Kantu shares how they discovered they have dissociative identity disorder (DID), how their autism has affected their own experience of DID, their experience with psychotic depression, and the meaning and significance of mad liberation.
Listen to the Episode
Disability representation in music
268
July 27, 2026

Disability representation in music

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
Listen to the Episode
Neurodivergent creativity – with Luke from the Howdy Beans Podcast
267
July 13, 2026

Neurodivergent creativity – with Luke from the Howdy Beans Podcast

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
Listen to the Episode
How ADHD Shaped a Career in Cancer Research and Health Equity – with Eugene Manley
266
June 29, 2026

How ADHD Shaped a Career in Cancer Research and Health Equity – with Eugene Manley

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 trea
Listen to the Episode
Your voice makes a difference – with Dory and Mike, hosts of the Othering Podcast
265
June 15, 2026

Your voice makes a difference – with Dory and Mike, hosts of the Othering Podcast

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
Listen to the Episode
Job searching for Black, Disabled, LGBTQ+ folks – with Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Black Remote She
264
June 1, 2026

Job searching for Black, Disabled, LGBTQ+ folks – with Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Black Remote She

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,
Listen to the Episode
View all Episodes

Recent Blog Posts

Beyond 6 Seconds wins another Women Who Podcast Award!
Aug. 8, 2026

Beyond 6 Seconds wins another Women Who Podcast Award!

Earlier this week, I found out that my Beyond 6 Seconds Podcast won a 2026 Women Who Podcast Award! My March 2026 Podcasthon episode about Meals in the Meantime won First Place in the Service to Others category. Meals in the Meantime is a nonprofit …
Read the Blog Post
Beyond 6 Seconds wins a Women Who Podcast Award!
Aug. 11, 2025

Beyond 6 Seconds wins a Women Who Podcast Award!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Beyond 6 Seconds is a winner in the 2025 Women Who Podcast Awards! My podcast was awarded First Place in the Impactful Story category, specifically for my episode with Sheri Brynard about inclusive education…
Read the Blog Post
Neurodiversity stories on the radio
Aug. 1, 2024

Neurodiversity stories on the radio

Last month I was interviewed on a radio show called "On Your Mind" with Sam Marion on WRFG Atlanta 89.3 FM, where I got to talk about what inspired me to start Beyond 6 Seconds, conversations about neurodivergence beyond autism and ADHD, and amplify…
Read the Blog Post
View all posts

About the Host

Carolyn Kiel Profile Photo
Carolyn Kiel

Carolyn Kiel is an experienced instructional designer of employee training programs. As the Host and Producer of Beyond 6 Seconds, she has created a platform where neurodivergent and disabled entrepreneurs, creatives and advocates can showcase their candid stories. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.