Spark Launch Podcast

Spark Launch Podcast

Spark Launch: Neurodiversity Ignited: You’ve landed at Spark Launch — the guide star for embracing what it means to be neurodiverse. Hosted by Chaya Mallavaram (the artsy ADHD brain behind Spark Launch) and Mike Cornell (a peer support specialist who reminds us that imperfection is where the magic happens), this podcast dives deep into the messy, beautiful, and often challenging realities of neurodivergent life. Each episode blends personal stories with expert insights to tackle issues affecting our community, such as mental health, parenting strategies, emotional regulation, workplace dynamics, executive function hacks, and neurodiversity advocacy. Whether you’re navigating life with ADHD, Autism Spectrum, or other neurodevelopmental conditions — or supporting someone who is — this is a space where neurodivergent voices can unmask, embrace their weirdness, and celebrate human diversity.

Episodes

Cut From Chaos: Shane Currin’s Story of Bipolar, Addiction, & Purpose

June 13, 2025 • 57 mins
Mike and Chaya kick off Season 2 by welcoming Shane Currin, a mental health advocate, writer, and podcast host of Diamonds in the Rough. Shane shares his powerful story of overcoming addiction, navigating bipolar disorder, and finding purpose through vulnerability and service. Together, they unpack the challenges and gifts of being neurodivergent, offering insights for parents, individuals, and anyone seeking growth in the face of ...
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    Nature, Nurture, and Neurodiversity w/ Dr. Jeff Karp (Season 1 Finale)

    January 30, 2025 • 51 mins
    Mike and Chaya conclude Spark Launch's first season by sitting down with Dr. Jeff Karp, a biomedical engineer, Harvard Medical School and MIT professor, and passionate neurodiversity advocate. Dr. Karp shares how he went from struggling student to noted innovator with over 175 published papers and 100 patents, calling attention to the ways traditional educational systems fail to support ADHD children and how families can counteract...
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    Walk The Strong Path: Compassion Breeds Resilience w/ James Dewar-Haggart

    January 23, 2025 • 56 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with James Dewar-Haggart, founder of Strong Path, a fitness organization built to prioritize inclusivity for the neurodivergent community. James shares his journey through depression, substance use, and ADHD, and how those experiences shaped his approach to creating a supportive space that acknowledges both emotional and physical well-being.We Also Cover:
    • How trauma amplifies neurodivergent struggles
    • Foste...
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    Living Eponymously: Creativity Over Conformity w/ Bradley Lewis Foster

    January 16, 2025 • 46 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with Bradley Lewis Foster, a creative force in the marketing world who discusses his experiences as a neurodivergent entrepreneur and the often-misunderstood traits associated with ADHD. Brad shares on leveraging neurodiverse thinking through different artforms, leading to greater understanding of both himself and the larger world.We Also Cover:
    • The power of embracing neurodivergent perspectives in creati...
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    The Autism Advantage: Author J.D. Barker Talks Crafting Stories & Taking Chances

    January 9, 2025 • 42 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with author J.D. Barker, known for his gripping suspense thrillers, who reveals how being on the autism spectrum has shaped his career. Discover how neurodiversity fuels creativity as he shares his journey from ghostwriter to NYT bestseller, his lifelong passion for storytelling, and how to find your own 'superpower'.We Also Cover:
    • The Importance of Supportive Relationships
    • Later In Life Autism Diagnosis
    • Ho...
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    Beyond ADHD: Finding Peace Amid the Noise w/ Sam Led

    January 2, 2025 • 66 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with Sam Led, a distinguished ADHD coach, podcaster, and the author of "Beyond ADHD," to delve into the multifaceted nature of ADHD; exploring its implications not just for diagnosed individuals but for society at large. Sam brings a treasure trove of insights, from the pressures of conforming, to reframing the "noise" in our minds as a unique cognitive experience rather than a flaw.We Also Cover:
    • The Imp...
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    Passion Over Profession: A Teen Perspective on Dyslexia, Adulthood, and Happiness w/ Neel Raikar

    December 19, 2024 • 26 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with Neel Raikar, an 18-year-old trying to plot his own course through the complexities of school life while facing the hurdles associated with dyslexia. Neel doesn't hesitate to give his candid - and very relatable - aversion to the education system and how the pressure to conform to traditional career expectations often stifles the personal pursuit of joy.We Also Cover:
    • Learning Difficulties & Conce...
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    Superpower or Struggle? The ADHD Spectrum of Experience w/ Ahmadreza Tadrisi

    December 12, 2024 • 41 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with ADHD psychotherapist Ahmadreza Tadrisi to discuss how his own diagnosis sparked a desire to broaden the understanding of this neuro-type. In their talk, Ahmadreza debunks some harmful ADHD myths and highlights how the "ADHD as superpower" narrative can unintentionally marginalize those who face more significant struggles.We Also Cover:
    • Cultural differences in understanding ADHD, particularly in Iran
    • I...
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    Level Up Your ADHD Parenting Strategies w/ Joshua Rastetter

    December 5, 2024 • 29 mins
    Parenting is an intricate dance, this is doubly true when you and your child share the same neurodivergence. Joshua Rastetter returns to elaborate further on these complexities, reflecting on the frustrations of a rigid educational system that didn’t accommodate his daughter's needs, and the how this led him to rethink generations of parental strategies, opting for something more... gamified.We Also Cover:
    • Intrinsic Motivation a...
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    When The World Is Dark and Cold...

    November 14, 2024 • 18 mins
    Feeling hopeless amidst recent world events is a sentiment many of us currently relate to. But, as Mike and Chaya discuss in this episode, hopelessness can lead to fearlessness.We Also Cover:
    • The cumulative impact of prolonged anxiety on mental health
    • Finding connection in collective struggle
    • Transforming negative energy into activism, creativity, or support
    • The role of meditation in energy and anxiety management
    • Love, anger, and co...
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    How I Spent (And Learned To Love) My Neurodivergent Vacation

    November 7, 2024 • 22 mins
    Mike recounts his recent vacation and how it led to a profound realization about neurodiverse travel experiences. He and Chaya reflect on the pressure to conform to typical social activities and how fulfillment can be found off the beaten path by embracing your own unique itinerary.We Also Cover:
    • The liberation of discarding societal checklists
    • How being neurodivergent allows you to redefine what fun means
    • Permission to go at your...
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    Heal The Collective: Indigenous Insights & Gender Equity w/ Michele Price

    October 31, 2024 • 43 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with Michele Price, a seasoned leadership development expert who specializes in empowering women and non-binary individuals. Through the lens of her indigenous heritage and identity, Michele shares insights on dismantling biases and the challenges women face in the current socio-political climate.We Also Cover:
    • The evolution of leadership styles, particularly among women
    • Societal changes on women's rights ...
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    Mind The Risk: ADHD & Self-Acceptance with Jon Cunningham

    October 24, 2024 • 50 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down for an existential and suuuper ADHD conversation with entrepreneur Jon Cunningham - a conversation that is the sheer definition of "going with the flow." Together, they unravel the complexities of navigating a world misaligned with the neurodivergent experience, managing judgement, and the existential fear of failure that often plagues neurodiversity.We Also Cover:
    • Psychological Effects of Negative Messag...
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    Proud To Learn Differently: Diving Deep into Neurodivergent Education

    October 17, 2024 • 66 mins
    Mike and Chaya sit down with Lindsay Rice, a passionate educator and advocate, to explore some often-overlooked complexities in the classroom. Delving into Lindsay's personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual and as a parent of neurodiverse children, she shines a light on an education system that often fails to accommodate diverse minds, and how a harrowing kindergarten experience fueled her desire to change the narrative ...
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    Be Your Best Neurospicy Self with Holistic Healer Mia Love

    October 10, 2024 • 48 mins
    Mike and Chaya welcome Mia Love, a holistic health practitioner and dedicated neurodiversity advocate, to discuss how she promotes harmony between traditional western medical practices and holistic healing to foster greater self-efficacy She also details her journey from years of misdiagnosis to neurodivergent realization.We Also Cover:
    • Societal Pressure to Conform
    • Managing Emotional Dysregulation
    • Social Overwhelm
    • Setting Internal ...
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    Attachment Styles & Trauma: Healing The Hurts That Bind with Shoshana Cook

    October 3, 2024 • 73 mins
    Mike and Chaya chat with trauma-informed therapist Shoshana Cook, who delves into Attachment Theory, shedding light on the shortcomings in mental health treatment related to it and advocating for a more comprehensive approach.We Also Cover:
    • Incorporating Multiple Treatment Modalities (CBT, DBT, etc)
    • A "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach to Mental Recovery Doesn't Exist
    • How Treatment Center Turnover Rates Affect Continuity of Care
    • Psychoed...
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    Empathy Unlimited: The Future of Neurodiverse Employment with Mark Fister

    September 26, 2024 • 62 mins
    Chaya and Mike sit down with Mark Fister, CTO of Haystack Unlimited and proud ADHDer. Mark sheds light on the challenges that neurodivergent individuals face during the interview process and day-to-day job duties, what kind of necessary accommodations foster success, and how his company is building a supportive future for neurodiverse workers.We Also Cover:
    • The Double Empathy Problem
    • The Myth of Social Incompatibility
    • Innovation W...
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    Embracing Stripes: Dyscalculia and Neurodiverse Parenting with Joshua Rastetter

    September 19, 2024 • 45 mins
    Mike and Chaya chat with Joshua Rastetter, who shares an insightful perspective on navigating neurodiversity mindfully, along with valuable advice for parents navigating the spectrum alongside their children. Josh opens up about his journey with Dyscalculia and how discovering his ADHD through his daughter’s diagnosis led to a profound shift in their relationship and his life.We Also Cover:
    • Feeling "Lazy" With ADHD
    • The Importance...
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    The Macho Myth: Dismantling Toxic Masculinity

    September 12, 2024 • 33 mins
    Toxic masculinity, a pervasive and damaging set of behaviors and expectations associated with traditional masculinity, negatively impacts both men and society as a whole. In this episode, Mike and Chaya explore and expose the complexities of this poisonous patriarchy, the theory of "the man box," and the ways rigid social definitions of masculine contributed to Mike's development of an eating disorder.We Also Cover:
    • Emotional Su...
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    Gifted Neurodivergence: Twice Exceptional, Twice To Give

    September 5, 2024 • 72 mins
    In this episode, Mike and Chaya chat with Youssef Sleiman, a neurodivergent writer and gifted individual. Yousef details his personal journey with understanding 2e (Twice Exceptional), how he leverages his differently thinking brain to the cause of neurodiversity, the transformative power of storytelling on self-discovery, and deep dives the neuroscience behind Twice Exceptionality.We Also Cover:
    • The Folly of IQ Tests
    • Misconcepti...
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