In Episode 5 of MiND Stim, Jacques sits down with Arber Ismaili, a 20-year-old autistic advocate and soon-to-be degree apprentice at HSBC, to explore what it means to embrace difference, lead with positivity, and build real community online and off.
Part lived experience, part playbook, this conversation gets specific: stimming without shame, masking and why suppression backfires, inclusive hiring that brings out strengths, and practical advice for social platforms. Arber shares how consistency and authenticity build trust, how to handle trolls, and why small, sensory-aware events can be more inclusive than large, noisy rooms.
They also dig into the less-talked-about pieces: the social rules that trip people up, turn-taking and time limits on the mic, the feeling of isolation at school, and how choice and clarity lower stress and reveal strength.
Arber reflects on early speech and language therapy, finding his voice on LinkedIn, and the role of support from Radical in preparing for interviews. His message to hiring teams is simple and actionable: “Treat them like they’re people, not numbers.”
Arber’s story runs from shy school years to an HSBC offer in private banking, with a steady thread of self-acceptance, community, and courage. It closes with the spirit that defines him: “Never forget what cosmic, shining, gleaming stars you are.”
🎧 Tune in for grounded advice, myth-busting, and immediately usable steps for leaders, teams, event hosts, and neurodivergent professionals alike.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.