Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people – Details, episodes & analysis

Caroline Smith founded her business, The Introverted Misfit, to help shy, awkward introverts become socially confident versions of themselves so they can have healthy, manageable social lives.

Because of her experience with being autistic, which was the source of many social difficulties and major social anxiety for her, she knows what it's like to build self-acceptance, self-improvement, and a life that works for individualized needs.

Now Caroline helps fellow introverts (whether they are autistic or not) learn how to connect with others, create fruitful relationships, and have a manageable social life – without acting like someone they're not!

During this episode, you will hear Caroline talk about:

• When she realized that she was autistic
• Her experience dealing with social anxiety 
• Why she decided to help people become more socially confident
• The role of self-acceptance in making new friends and connections
• Her advice for autistic people who struggle with social cues
• Why it's important not to hyperfocus on your own social mistakes
• The importance of having coping mechanisms for overwhelming social situations
• How her "Misfit Meetups" bring people together to socialize in a low-pressure, fun environment

To learn more about Caroline, her coaching program and Misfit Meetups, visit TheIntrovertedMisfit.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Download Caroline's FREE AUDIO GUIDE: 3 Simple Ways to Start a Conversation with Anyone.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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*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.*

Kellina Powell, known as the Deaf Queen Boss, is a podcast speaker, best-selling author, and passionate advocate for the deaf and disability communities. She empowers young adults with disabilities to chase their dreams, breaks down barriers around mental health, and educates others about deaf culture and inclusion.  

During this episode, you will hear Kellina talk about:

• What it was like for her to grow up deaf from an early age, and her exposure to deaf culture
• How she educates people about the deaf community and mental health issues
• The coaching work that she does for people with disabilities

Learn more about Kellina and her work at KellinaEmpowerment.com and follow her on 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. 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.*

Lisa Hurley is an Anthem award-winning activist and author of the new book, "Space To Exhale: A Handbook For Curating A Soft, Centered, Serene Life." She is also the Founder of The Great Exhale, a serene virtual community focused on sisterhood and soft living, where Black women can relax, lay their burdens down—and exhale. Her advocacy converges at the nexus of self-care, community care, joy, and rest.

During this episode, you will hear Lisa talk about:

• How she realized that she is autistic, and what her life is like as a Black, autistic woman
• How autistic burnout inspired her to write "Space to Exhale," and the guidance she provides in her book
• The importance of having a community while taking care of yourself 
• "Life-Work Balance" vs "Work-Life Balance"
• What it means to prioritize "soft living"

Find out more about Lisa and her book at SpaceToExhaleBook.com and follow Lisa on Instagram, TikTok 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. 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.*

At his first job as a TV host, Seamus Evans disclosed his Tourette Syndrome. That revelation almost ended his dream career.

Fortunately Seamus didn't lose his job. In fact, he spent the next 13 years in his dream career, entertaining his fellow Australians as a TV and radio personality. Now he is an ambassador for Tourette Syndrome Association Australia and a keynote speaker who shares his story to inspire and encourage kids and adults with Tourette's.

In this episode, Seamus talks about his experience growing up with Tourette's, how he taught himself to transform his tics (both on and off the air), how his sense of humor helps him in social situations, and why he encourages everyone to embrace their flaws – because in Seamus' words, "normal is boring."

To learn more about Seamus and his work, you can find him at the following links below:

SeamusEvans.com

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

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*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.*

For 25 years, Ruth Rathblott hid her limb difference.

She doesn't hide it anymore. As she explained in her recent TEDx Talk: when she stopped hiding, she found freedom.

Ruth has been a leader in nonprofit organizations for more than 25 years, with 15 years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, and more than eight years as CEO of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. She currently serves as a Board Member of The Lucky Fin Project. She speaks about inclusion and diversity, the gifts of being unique and the freedom that comes with accepting your differences.

During this episode, you will hear Ruth talk about:

• Her decision to start hiding her limb difference as a teenager, and how it impacted her mental and physical health for decades
• The people in her life who encouraged her to stop hiding and start sharing her personal experience with disability
• The chance encounter in a store where she first learned about the wider community of people with limb differences
• How people have reacted to seeing her limb difference – and how kids react differently than adults
• Her mission to convince companies to include disability in their definitions of workplace diversity 

For more about Ruth and her work, follow her on LinkedIn and check out her website www.ruthrathblott.com.

Watch Ruth's TEDx Talk: When I stopped hiding, I found freedom

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*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Ayanna Davis, also known as phenomenallyautistic on social media, is an autism advocate who was born & raised in Westchester County, New York. Along with being autistic, she has survived over 300 seizures, is living with chronic illnesses and has 3 autoimmune diseases. She is passionate about spreading her messages of self love, joy, equality, diversity, inclusion, and autism awareness & acceptance through the arts. She is also a children's book illustrator, designer, former choreographer, and lover of all performing arts.

During this episode, you will hear Ayanna talk about:

• How her love of the arts helped her while growing up as a Black girl with undiagnosed autism
• Her work as a children's book illustrator and a choreographer
• The challenges Black women face when trying to get an autism diagnosis
• Living with chronic illnesses during the pandemic
• Her goals for her art and advocacy

To find out more about her work, you can find Ayanna at @phenomenallyautistic on Instagram and TikTok and check out her coloring book, We Are Magical.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Alex Gilbert is a New Yorker, a Mets fan, a yogi, and a brunch enthusiast. She also has dyslexia and ADHD. After spending her career working in leadership development, she started Cape-Able Consulting, a consulting and coaching business that helps adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD who are struggling in their careers. Her biggest goal in creating Cape-Able Consulting is to change the stigma surrounding learning.

During this episode, you will hear Alex talk about:

• Her experiences with teachers, both positive and negative, during her school years
• How she uses the concepts of "best principles" and "superpowers" to help her clients succeed in their careers
• How she learned to advocate for herself at work, and how she helps her clients advocate for themselves at their workplaces
• What inspired her to start her own business
• How workplace accommodations for learning disabled employees can help everyone in the workplace

If you want to know more about Alex and her work, check out her website at capeableconsulting.com and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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Click here for 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Rosemary Richings is a writer, author, panel member of Dyspraxia Magazine, and co-founder of Dyspraxic Alliance, a global online support network by and for dyspraxics. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder).

In 2014, Rosemary started her own freelance writing business to reduce the stress of finding an accessible work environment. Her debut book, "Stumbling Through Space and Time: My Life So Far with Dyspraxia" is being published in the fall of 2022. Recently, Rosemary joined the board of trustees of Dyspraxic Me, a peer group for dyspraxic youth.

During this episode, you will hear Rosemary talk about:

• Her dyspraxia diagnosis, and how dyspraxia affected her at school
• Her struggle to find a supportive working environment where she could truly thrive
• How she developed her longtime passion for writing into a freelance writing business
• What had inspired her to write her book about dyspraxia, and how social media connected her to a publisher

To find out more about Rosemary and her work, you can find her with the following links below!

Rosemary's Twitter

RosemaryRichings.com (Rosemary's consulting website)

RosieWritingSpace.com (Rosemary's writing blog)

DyspraxicMe Twitter

Dyspraxic Alliance Twitter

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This episode also features a promo for the new season of 2 Lives, a podcast about people who faced darkness and how those incidents changed the trajectory of their lives. 

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Before Kelly Coons was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirteen, she had a coming-of-age story that was mostly deemed as neurotypical. However, she always felt isolated and, until her diagnosis, believed that she was to blame.

After her diagnosis, Kelly became passionate about disability advocacy and promoting autistic pride. Today she is an autism advocate and a novelist who studied English at Smith College.

During this episode, you will hear Kelly talk about:

• Growing up with two autistic brothers – and how she got her own autism diagnosis
• How Kelly learned she is autistic – a year after her parents and teachers already knew
• Her autism advocacy – and why she likes answering people's questions about autism most of the time
• Life as an autistic college student
• The story behind her novel, All Ways, and how it counteracts common literary narratives about autism by centering autistic experiences and voices

To find out more about Kelly and her work, check out her website, learn more about her novel "All Ways" and connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Click here for 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Feeling frustrated and alone, Natalie Brooks started posting on Instagram about her struggles as a dyslexic adult in the workplace.

She soon realized that her experiences resonated deeply with dyslexic adults around the world -- and it inspired her to expand her social media following into a global online community!

Through her company, Dyslexia in Adults, Natalie has built a supportive and collaborative community where dyslexic adults discuss the challenges and strengths of their dyslexia.

During this episode, you will hear Natalie talk about:

• How a working environment that benefits dyslexic employees can also benefit everyone at work
• Her own struggles with self-doubt and low self-confidence at work
• Why she decided to share her struggles on social media, and how that led her to create a supportive online community for dyslexic adults
• How she handles her imposter syndrome when it comes to talking about her company
• Her perspectives on common dyslexic strengths

For more information about Natalie and her work, visit her website at www.dyslexiainadults.co and follow her on Instagram @dyslexia_in_adults.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Click here for 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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*