Skip to content
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people podcast artwork

PODCAST · society

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

by Carolyn Kiel

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.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Jun 29, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. 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...

  2. 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…

    more
  3. 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…

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

    This is a special crossover episode with Made For Us, a podcast that explores the intersection of innovation and inclusion. On Made For Us, host Tosin Sulaiman speaks to founders, designers and business leaders who are thinking deeply and creatively about how to build better and more inclusive...

  5. 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...

  6. 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...

  7. 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…

    more
  8. From Undercover Boss to children's book author – with autistic advocate Pastiche Graham

    Pastiche Graham is a proud autism advocate, emerging motivational speaker, children's book author and powerhouse for change and inclusion. After being featured on the CBS Television show Undercover Boss in 2022 (Season 11, Episode 4), Pastiche's platform pivoted towards a lifelong journey of...

  9. Connecting disabled leaders and advocates – with Max Barrows

    Max Barrows is an award-winning disability rights leader and advocate based in Vermont. As the Outreach Director for Green Mountain Self-Advocates, Max mentors people with developmental disabilities to speak up for themselves and become leaders. Max is also the Assistant Director of Technical...

  10. Neurodivergence and corporate leadership – with Kirsty Cullen-Campanelli

    With a career across media, tech, and entertainment, Kirsty Cullen-Campanelli has held roles at the BBC, Netflix and Apple. Her experience as a corporate executive and a late-diagnosed Autistic woman with ADHD have shaped her neuroinclusive leadership style. On my latest episode, Kirsty shares…

    more
  11. Fashion model & artist with Down syndrome - Sania Khimji

    Sania Khimji is an accomplished artist, model, influencer, and international beauty pageant winner based in India who continues to redefine boundaries and inspire inclusivity in every space she enters. Living with Down syndrome, Sania celebrates her uniqueness as just one part of her powerful…

    more
  12. Addressing food insecurity with Meals in the Meantime – A special Podcasthon episode with Kevin M. Yates

    This is a special Beyond 6 Seconds episode for Podcasthon, where for one week, thousands of podcasts are highlighting a nonprofit of their choice, to raise awareness and encourage support for charities around the world. The focus of this episode is Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit organization...

  13. Living with Dyscalculia – with Ivy Rizzo

    Psychotherapist Ivy Rizzo has a master's degree, speaks multiple languages, and owns her own business... but she struggles with doing basic math, remembering important dates, and recalling events in chronological order. Dyscalculia is often dismissed as just being "bad at math," but for Ivy, it…

    more
  14. Schizoaffective disorder – with Sonido Reyes

    Sonido Reyes is an award-winning and bestselling author who is best known for tackling difficult topics through a hopeful lens. They write stories celebrating their own queer and Mexican identities, including The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, The Luis Ortega Survival Club, The Broposal…

    more
  15. Neurodivergent communication differences – with Patti Kasper

    This episode is a special collaboration between Beyond 6 Seconds and the Living with FASD podcast hosted by Patti Kasper. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can impact physical, cognitive, and behavioral development. FASD is a...

  16. Disability Community for Democracy – with Nieta Greene

    Nieta Greene is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Disability Community for Democracy, Inc., an organization focused on safeguarding the rights of individuals within the disability community and providing a platform for political engagement founded on intersectional disability justice.…

    more
  17. 2025 year-end episode

    In this year-end solo episode, I celebrate some big milestones that Beyond 6 Seconds achieved in 2025, highlight the variety of topics that my guests and I discussed on my podcast, and share what podcasting-related things I've been up to this year! I also reflect on several challenges that the...

  18. The Introverted Misfit – with Caroline Smith

    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…

    more
  19. Deafness, Disability and Mental Health – with Kellina Powell

    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...

  20. A Day with No Words – Nonspeaking autism representation with Tiffany Hammond

    Tiffany Hammond is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and disability advocate. She is the author of A Day with No Words, a picture book about a Black mother and son who use a tablet to communicate with each other and the world around them. A Day With No Words successfully normalizes...

  21. Advocating for dyslexic students – with Sabrina Fandell

    As a dyslexic child, Sabrina Fandell had to sit in her school's book closet for her reading lessons. Now she sits on the Board of Directors of the International Dyslexia Association - Dallas Branch. She is passionate about fostering inclusive environments and advocating for neurodivergent…

    more
  22. Ava N. Simmons — STEM entrepreneur and toy designer with dyslexia and dysgraphia

    Ava N. Simmons, also known as Ava The S.T.E.M. Princess®, is a 12-year-old S.T.E.M. Ambassador, Entrepreneur, Toy Designer, Author, and the creator of educational toy brand Team Genius Squad. Diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in 2021, Ava used S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and...

  23. Deaf and OCD representation in audio drama — with Caroline Mincks of Seen and Not Heard

    Caroline Mincks is a writer, director, and voice actor who is best known for their audio drama "Seen and Not Heard," which is about navigating hearing loss as an adult. Seen and Not Heard features disability representation, including deaf, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autistic...

  24. Living with schizoaffective disorder – with Sally Littlefield

    Content note: This episode describes my guest's experience with psychosis, delusions, and suicidality / suicide attempts. Sally Littlefield is a national speaker and mental health advocate dedicated to changing how the world understands schizophrenia. After experiencing a 10-month long psychotic...

  25. Identity, horror and artistic expression – with Tas The Artist

    Content note: This episode discusses abuse in a religious cult, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, and the negative impact of U.S. current events on marginalized people. Tas The Artist is an autistic, queer, disabled and deaf graphic artist, illustrator, and advocate who blends storytelling with…

    more
  26. Dyspraxia, dyslexia and autism – with Charis Hawkley

    Charis Hawkley is an award-nominated disability advocate with dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. She enjoys discussing her experiences as a neurodivergent woman through writing articles, guesting on podcasts and speaking at events. She has been editor of the Dyspraxia Magazine since September 2024…

    more
  27. Life as a neurodivergent preemie – with Preeti Kalra

    Preeti Kalra is a Hospital Clinical Pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Masters in Health Administration. She is the Director of Partnerships and Communications and Chicago Network Lead for WE ARE SAATH, an organization dedicated to...

  28. Space To Exhale – with Lisa Hurley

    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…

    more
  29. Down syndrome advocacy – Matthew Schwab Speaks

    Matthew Schwab is a 27-year-old North Carolina native with Down syndrome who has his own public speaking business, Matthew Schwab Speaks. In 2019, he gave a TEDx talk about the importance of employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Matthew hopes to help change how the...

  30. Cerebral palsy and disability in the entertainment industry – with Abbie Hills

    Abbie Hills is a UK-based talent agent, producer, writer, and passionate disability advocate with cerebral palsy. Abbie founded The Dazey Hills Company in 2019 to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, representing talent across the UK and Europe. Her writing has gained...

  31. Social media marketing for queer business owners – with Rylan Hoffman

    Rylan Hoffman, the founder of Hoff Social, is a transmasculine and neurodivergent marketing strategist and content creator who has spent 14+ years building online communities. With over 100 million organic views, they know the power of visibility, but also its risks. After facing doxxing,...

  32. Autism Inclusion in the Christian Church – with Sunita Theiss

    CW: Eating disorder, death of a parent. Sunita Theiss is an autistic, ADHD and PDA* parent, writer, and advocate. A second-generation Indian American, she has a rich background in communications, marketing, and storytelling, and has found several ways to support and encourage families raising...

  33. Tourette syndrome community and research - with Dr. Daniel P. Jones

    Dr. Daniel P. Jones is a Creative Practitioner, Disability Scholar, and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Daniel specializes in inclusive research methodologies, focusing on the embodied experiences of public spaces, kinship, and solidarity within Tourette...

  34. Dyslexia advocacy in Nigeria – with Oladoyin Idowu

    Content warning: This episode mentions physical and verbal abuse in school, suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt, and drug use. Oladoyin Idowu is a pioneering dyslexia advocate and mental health professional dedicated to bridging the gap between neurodiversity, education, and mental…

    more
  35. Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina – with Lya Batlle-Rafferty

    Lya Batlle-Rafferty, an MIT graduate with a degree in Cognitive Science, has had a career focused mostly on technology. She has often been a trailblazer as the only woman in a large company performing that type of work. She hosts her podcast, Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina, on her nights and...

  36. Trans and ADHD inclusion – with Trystan Reese

    Trystan Reese is an award-winning author and facilitator dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with nearly two decades of experience in the trans community. He also has ADHD and identifies as neurodivergent. Trystan founded Collaborate Consulting to provide training on LGBTQ+ inclusion…

    more
  37. Neurodiversity-affirming support for autism and ADHD – with Samar Waqar of Kind Theory

    This episode is part of the 3rd edition of Podcasthon: a global effort among 1000+ podcast hosts to raise awareness and support for important causes by highlighting a charity of their choice during the same week (March 15-21, 2025). Today's episode features Samar Waqar, the Founder and Executive...

  38. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – with Jessica Birch

    Jessica Birch is a national advocate and speaker living on the South East Coast of Australia. Since her late diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) at the age of 33, she has turned her attention to awareness building and education to create a better understanding of the prevalence…

    more
  39. Chinese New Year, filmmaking and autism acceptance with Beatrice Leong

    Content warning: Death of a pet, mentions of institutionalization and electroconvulsive treatment Beatrice Leong is a Malaysian entrepreneur and documentary filmmaker. After a lifetime of mental health challenges and misdiagnoses, she was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 35, bringing clarity…

    more
  40. Adin Boyer - American Idol, autism and anti-bullying advocacy

    Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Adin Boyer grew up struggling with being bullied, making friends and accepting himself. He finally began to flourish while attending a performing arts middle and high school, when he faced less bullying and leaned into his musical talent and training in classical...

  41. 2024 year-end episode

    In this year-end solo episode, I celebrate some big milestones that Beyond 6 Seconds achieved in 2024. I also share my views on how major politicized social issues impact the disability community, some actions we can take to advocate for our rights (whether you're disabled or not), and how we can...

  42. Inclusive education and Down syndrome advocacy – with Sheri Brynard

    Content warning: This episode discusses forced sterilization / removal of reproductive rights. Shéri Brynard is the only person with Down syndrome in South Africa with a tertiary education diploma in Educare. She achieved this without any special assistance or amendments made to the coursework…

    more
  43. Fighting stigma about schizophrenia - with Michelle Hammer

    Content warning: This episode discusses suicidality, paranoia, hallucinations and delusions, and mentions drug use and homelessness. Michelle Hammer is a schizophrenia activist who spends her time passionately fighting stigma. She is a New York City native who is featured in the WebMD documentary...

  44. Inclusive education – with LeDerick Horne, dyslexic poet and advocate

    CW: Mentions of suicidality. In the third grade, LeDerick Horne was labeled as "neurologically impaired" – a label that followed him through his schooling until he was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. Today, LeDerick is a dynamic spoken-word poet, a respected author, and a passionate advocate...

  45. Work experience in an autism employment program -- with Jack Pabich

    Jack Pabich is a Quality Assurance Support Analyst who found his current job through an autism employment program run by CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. He is responsible for processing requests of potential conflicts of interest, ensuring parties are correctly assigned to the location within the...

  46. Epilepsy advocacy

    Amee is a dedicated health care provider known for her expertise and compassionate care. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a passionate mental health advocate and openly shares her personal journey living with epilepsy on her Instagram @behindthebindis. She is a powerful voice for…

    more
  47. Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace

    Dr. Kana Grace is a research psychologist, advocate, Specialist Mentor, and educator, specializing in the mental and physical health of neurodivergent people. Currently, Kana is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the Institute of Education,...

  48. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) - with Patti Kasper

    CW: Mentions of suicide and experiences with the criminal justice system as it relates to FASD. Patti Kasper is a Neurobehavioral Coach and Trainer who provides staff development training and coaching services to support people affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). With over thirty...

  49. Celebrating Neurodiversity, Beauty, and Belonging - Art Heals All Wounds podcast

    In this episode, I'm sharing an interview from the podcast Art Heals All Wounds, where host Pam Uzzell talks with her daughter Allegra about Celebrating Neurodiversity, Beauty, and Belonging. I also added a short intro to this episode where I share some thoughts on belonging and how I've been...

  50. Working in the creative industry with Tourette's – with Ian Otto

    Ian Otto is a Senior Producer with experience in animation, motion design, immersive, visual effects (VFX) and post production. After working in Berlin for many years, Ian now lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he is Senior Producer with WOODBLOCK, an animation studio for Design, Film and...

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

TOPICS IN THIS SHOW

Click any topic to search every transcript on PodParley for moments someone mentioned it.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

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.

HOSTED BY

Carolyn Kiel

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people have?

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people currently has 269 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people about?

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...

How often does Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people release new episodes?

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people publishes regularly with 269 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people?

You can listen to Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people?

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people is created and hosted by Carolyn Kiel.
URL copied to clipboard!