Nerding out on Neurodiversity – Details, episodes & analysis

This is another special episode for us! What makes today's episode another especially special one is our guest, Evan McComb. Another old student of ours, and another absolute pleasure and joy to know today. It was inspiring and a great privilege being able to share in even a small part of your journey. If you enjoyed Devin's story, you will love Evan's. (Also, Evan was another continuous delight to teach!) Initially going to school for engineering, Evan shifted gears -- now, he goes to culinary school! Evan takes us through his journey, exploring his thoughts on his educational journey, especially the external pressures that he was putting on himself. Throughout the whole conversation, Evan showed a sincere openness and vulnerability that we know is part of the essence of who Evan is. We genuinely appreciate how much you shared about your life, celebrations, struggles, and all. Anyone who has ever felt out of place, uncertain of their future path, or just curious about current neurodivergent struggles would benefit from hearing Evan's story and experiences!🥳🎉 Evan, we are so, so incredibly proud of who you are and the authentic, curious, and passionate person you continue to become. You continue to shine, just by being you. -- Things will always get better. -- Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, we have the great joy of speaking with Cynthia Miller-Lautman! Cynthia is an Occupational Therapist based in Canada, specializing in neurodiversity through sensory integration and developing fine/gross motor skills. She works with schools, educators, caregivers, and a myriad of others. In her role, Cynthia makes sure that these complex sensory processing concepts are easy to understand and accessible for all. Alongside this, Cynthia has worked closely and intentionally with various Indigenous communities while being cognizant and sensitive of various cultural nuances and needs. As a result, Cynthia co-develops wonderful and supportive approaches to aid with regulation through a sensory lens. Together, we dive deep into what makes an Occupational Therapist -- as well as various myths and misconceptions. We loved our time with Cynthia and learned a ton about how different sensory processing needs manifest for different individuals. Hearing about Cynthia's experiences and expertise with sensory processing was inspirational, especially with the purpose and need for the various internal systems that we all feel. We know that everyone will benefit immensely from hearing Cynthia's story and understanding of neurodiverse individuals. Cynthia, it was such a privilege and pleasure speaking with you and hearing all about your experiences and journey🦄🥳🦄! -- Make the world Sensory Safe! -- Cynthia Miller-Lautman can be found at her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, we speak with Mr. Sam Young -- the phenomenal mind and leader behind Young Scholar's Academy! Mr. Sam guides us through the beginning of YSA, while also highlighting how the school operates. As a specialized school meant -- and made -- for neurodiverse, twice-exceptional students, YSA shines as an exceptional and intentional enrichment program. Mr. Sam aims to make sure that all of the teachers at YSA are "better teachers" than he is (which we highly doubt!). Alongside the history and idea for YSA, Mr. Sam gets open and vulnerable with us. He addresses his personal struggles with his ADHD diagnosis, recognizing this within various avenues in his past, and how important a program like YSA is for these types of students. We wholeheartedly valued our time with Mr. Sam -- and YSA sounds like such a magical place! 🦄🥳🦄 Thank you for all you do, and are, for these students. We loved our ADHD-trio! -- Oh, this is education...! -- Mr. Sam and Young Scholars Academy can be found at the YSA website and his LinkedIn! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we have the great privilege to speak with Gordon Smith! A multidimensional person, Gordon is a counselor, coach, and creative who specifically works with gifted adolescents and adults. Based in North Carolina, Gordon began Gifted and Growing as a multifaceted approach to supporting and caring for all gifted and neurodiverse individuals. His core expertise lies in helping gifted people become more fully themselves. Through this, Gordon's passion, dedication, and career blend together to seamlessly aid the entire neurodiverse world! 🥳 At the same time, Gordon has been an active and foundational member of the North Carolina community -- something that's been empowering and inspirational in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While a complex topic, we loved being able to dive deep into the post-hurricane world and what that looks and feels like. We are confident that North Carolina is in wonderful hands with Gordon Smith's expertise, compassion, and knowledge. Thank you for your time and enthusiasm, Gordon! 🥳🦄 -- Do. The. Scary. Thing. -- You can find Gordon Smith at: Gifted and Growing   Gifted Trauma Alchemy Group Experience Gifted Adult Group Experience   For Post-Helene Charitable Organizations: Beloved Asheville Manna Food Bank  River Arts District Foundation For Mutual Aid Info: Mutual Aid Hub Mutual Aid 101 Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we have the great privilege to speak with Claire Sabatine, the visionary founder and CEO of Powerplay! Claire's journey has been nothing but inspirational -- especially in how she can seamlessly blend her experiences as an actor, educator, and producer. Through Powerplay, Claire uses performance-centered techniques and approaches to genuinely help anyone recognize that their voice has power. From boardrooms, classrooms, and theatres, Claire's work helps remind all of us about the importance of play! 🥳 We loved our time with Claire and know you will, too! It was incredible getting to hear about her motivations to blend play, performance, and humanity in such a meaningful manner. Claire's compassion, creativity, and insight make her a wonderful and authentic bridge between the multiple masks we all wear and how we can play and perform in the world. Her ability to show that play doesn't go away after you're 'done being a kid', it transcends into being a sincere avenue for growth, introspection, and curiosity. Thank you for your time and wisdom, Claire! We are so appreciative of you, Powerplay, all you bring the world! 🥳🎉 -- What if we didn't stop playing? -- Claire Sabatine can be found at her website as well as on ⁠her Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn ⁠as well as Powerplay's ⁠Instagram!⁠ Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we have the immense pleasure and privilege to speak to Kathryn Morris, the CEO and founder of The Savants! Kathryn's inspirational journey shifted her out of the professional acting scene into that of a mother to two twins with an autism diagnosis. Through her experience raising her kids, Kathryn started The Savants as a place to help support any and all parents on the neurodiverse journey -- and we know that Kathryn does absolutely incredible work! We love that Kathryn's journey has allowed us to meet, share stories, and genuinely connect 🥳 We loved our time with Kathryn and know you will, too! It was incredible getting to talk with Kathryn and hear about her experience as a mother and as a well known actress -- Cold Case, anyone? It's amazing to hear how Kathryn took a fear of hers and changed her perspective to see it instead as a joyful adventure. Kathryn's expertise and curiosity lead her to truly be at the forefront of neurodiversity advocacy and awareness. Thank you for your time, wisdom, and joys, Kathryn! We are so appreciative of you, The Savants, our ongoing partnership, and all you offer the world! 🥳🎉 -- What if we all pushed things forward? -- Kathryn Morris can be found at The Savants as well as on her Instagram and LinkedIn as well as The Savants' Instagram! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we were lucky enough to speak with Dr. Jen Rafferty! The founder of Empowered Educator -- something positive from the COVID pandemic! -- Jen is committed to transforming how educators show up for themselves and for their students and school communities. Her work focuses on genuinely supporting educators with the aim of prioritizing social-emotional learning and deep self-reflection. We also love how invested Dr. Jen Rafferty is in the world of research and implementation! We loved our time with Jen and know you will, too! Being able to explore all of the complications surrounding education was so refreshing. Jen's expertise and understanding of the broad 'brokenness' within the education system set the foundation for much of our conversation. Asking questions and being curious are so critical. Thank you for your time, curiosity, and passions, Jen -- we are so appreciative of you, your work, and the positivity you bring to the world! 🥳🎉 -- Remember: Drop. Your. Ego. -- Dr. Jen Rafferty can be found at the Empowered Educator Website as well as on Instagram and on LinkedIn! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we had the incredible privilege to speak with Sarah Hahn and Ellie Foster, two passionate and driven people co-directing the education aspects of the Kevin Love Foundation! Founded in 2018, the Kevin Love Foundation aims to provide tools and supports to all individuals and communities to help everyone learn to embrace vulnerability, authenticity, and live more positive lives. Sarah and Ellie propel this vision ten-fold as they diligently design curriculum that works for all people. Together, they epitomize what it is to be empathetic, understanding, and patient. We loved our time together with Sarah and Ellie and we know you will as well! It's no wonder they are such successful partners and educators -- their combined energy is electric and inspiring. Hearing their stories, as well as Kevin Love's, was meaningful and moving. Thank you, Sarah and Ellie, for your time, care, and excitement! 🥳🎉 Also, that Spiderman lesson plan? I mean... c'mon, how amazing is that? Sarah Hahn and Ellie Foster can both be found at the Kevin Love Fund's Website. Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a very special episode for us -- it's our one year anniversary! And, this episode, we have the great pleasure of answering questions sent in from our guests! We loved being able to get a bit personal today, and we hope you'll enjoy it as well🥳🥳 Thank you for trusting us with your time for an entire year 🎉 We can't wait to show you all of the magnificent guests and conversations we've had ☺️ Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Sheldon Gay, an all around multidimensional powerhouse! The founder of "Sheldon Gay is BUG'N", he aims to help any and all neurodiverse individuals identify with that label and learn how to embrace it. Whether through speaking engagements, individualized coaching, or through his podcast ("I Must Be BUG'N"), Sheldon emphasizes the need to make sense of a world where 'normal' isn't really that 'normal' . It's incredible knowing that Sheldon is not only a part of the world of neurodiversity, but also an outspoken advocate and positive representative. 🥳🥳 As a late-identified gifted, and therefore neurodivergent, Black man, Sheldon sees the world in ways that can be very different from what society has told us is reasonable. In essence, he knows what it’s like to feel misunderstood and isolated -- and he understands the importance of being seen and valued within society. We loved being able to explore Sheldon's experience growing up, especially as a melanated person, and what led him to his passions and unique perspectives on the world around him. Thank you for your time, expertise, and joy, Sheldon! Also, what a great throwback to Doug! 🥳🎉 (Also, Sheldon's use of BUG'N itself? Phenomenal! It stands for -- Black Underrepresented/Unidentified Gifted and otherwise Neurodivergent.) -- Why not start a school? -- Sheldon Gay can be found through his website or through Instagram. His podcast, "I Must Be BUG'N", can be found on YouTube or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices