Neurodiversity Episodes

Aug. 21, 2023

Trans and autistic inclusion at work – with Nate Shalev

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 …

Episode page
Aug. 7, 2023

Autistic music therapist and singer Swara Swami

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 …

Episode page
July 24, 2023

The Autism-Friendly Cookbook - with Lydia Wilkins

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 …

Episode page
July 10, 2023

Dyscalculia education and advocacy – with Elena Chambers

Elena Chambers is a disability advocate, writer, poet and photographer. On her blog, , 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...

Episode page
June 26, 2023

Autism in Black – with Maria Davis-Pierre

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...

Episode page
June 12, 2023

Fragile X and ADHD – with Sarah Brown

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 …

Episode page
May 29, 2023

Life as a Black Deaf Autistic musician, AAC user and student -- with …

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)...

Episode page
May 15, 2023

Dysgraphia and ADHD representation in children’s books – with Patty D…

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...

Episode page
May 1, 2023

Beauty in the broken pieces – TBI, epilepsy and ADHD with Kate Wallin…

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...

Episode page
April 24, 2023

Autism, community and the DataFam – with Adam Mico

Adam Mico found supportive community, authentic connection and career growth as an autistic professional within the Tableau DataFam (data family).

Episode page
April 17, 2023

Supporting mental health in Black autistic & disabled communities – w…

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...

Episode page
April 10, 2023

Intersections of Autistic, Asian American and Jewish Identities – wit…

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...

Episode page
April 3, 2023

Inclusive education – with Jordyn Zimmerman, nonspeaking autistic adv…

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,...

Episode page
March 20, 2023

Neurodivergence and Giftedness – with Emily Kircher-Morris

After working as a gifted education teacher, Emily Kircher-Morris became a clinical mental health counselor who supports gifted and twice-exceptional (gifted + neurodivergent) children. She is also the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast and the author...

Episode page
March 6, 2023

A nonspeaking autistic writer’s advocacy – with Ben Breaux

How do you get an education when you cannot speak, and the school system does not understand your abilities or support your needs? This was the experience of Ben Breaux, a 22-year-old nonspeaking autistic man with epilepsy who uses a …

Episode page