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

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Your voice makes a difference – with Dory and Mike, hosts of the Othering Podcast
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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 is it important
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Job searching for Black, Disabled, LGBTQ+ folks – with Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Black Remote She
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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, in
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Changing the narrative around accessible fashion with Maura Horton - Crossover episode with Made For Us
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May 25, 2026

Changing the narrative around accessible fashion with Maura Horton - Crossover episode with Made For Us

A special crossover episode with Made For Us, a podcast that explores the intersection of innovation and inclusion.
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Learning to read at age 32 – with Oliver James, author of Unread
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May 18, 2026

Learning to read at age 32 – with Oliver James, author of Unread

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 experien
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Art and Disability Advocacy – with Justin Valenti
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May 4, 2026

Art and Disability Advocacy – with Justin Valenti

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 episo
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Sharing autistic people's stories – with Amy Richards of the Squarepeg podcast
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April 27, 2026

Sharing autistic people's stories – with Amy Richards of the Squarepeg podcast

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 gu
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Recent Blog Posts

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…
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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 am…
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Diversifying Your Guest List for Thoughtful and Inclusive Conversations (workshop replay)
July 29, 2024

Diversifying Your Guest List for Thoughtful and Inclusive Conversations (workshop replay)

On July 15th, I co-facilitated a workshop hosted by The Podcast Academy with my podcaster friends Charlie Ocean and Kristin Quiroz Bayona! The workshop title was "Practice Not Perfect: Diversifying Your Guest List for Thoughtful and Inclusive Conver…
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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.