Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

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 students in school.

During this episode, Sabrina talks about:

• Her experience growing up as a child with dyslexia, and as a parent of childre...

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 Mathematics) and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) and entrepreneurial activities to help overcome her ac...

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 characters. Caroline also works as a consultant, assisting other creators in making their shows accessible to as many people as possible.

During t...

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 episode that led to a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, she returned to work in communications and fundraising roles at three mental ...

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 a passion for accessible design. Tas supports fellow members of their community through vocational coaching, developing adaptive curriculu...

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 and enjoys helping others to find their voice and tell their story. She was diagnosed later on in life at 18, and as result explores how la...

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 advocating for South Asian mental health and defying the stigma in the South Asian community when it comes to talking and seeking therapy for men...

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...

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 world sees Down syndrome.

Matthew is also an actor whose first movie “Horsegirls” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025. He lo...

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 recognition with recent placements in film festivals, including the British Independent Film Festival, Lit Laughs, and the Palm Springs Dive...

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, harassment, and even extremist threats, Rylan made it their mission to help queer business owners navigate the internet safely while getting the ...

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 neurodivergent kids.

Sunita is passionate about creating opportunities for culturally responsive support in a way that helps families honor b...

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 syndrome communities. As someone who has lived experience of Tourette syndrome himself, he has been actively engaged in community facilita...

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 well-being. Growing up in Nigeria with undiagnosed dyslexia, she experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating an education system that was not...

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 weekends.

During this episode, you will hear Lya talk about:

• How she realized she is neurodivergent
• What it was like growing up as a ...

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 and has contributed to various anthologies on mental health and social justice. 

During this episode, Trystan and I talk about:

• How he...

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 Director of Kind Theory, a neurodiversity-based nonprofit based in Texas. Using the insights and knowledge of neurodivergent people thems...

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 and consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure in Australia.

Jessica shares her lived expertise in an effort to equip individuals, parents/ca...

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 to her lifelong struggles.

Beatrice founded AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group), an autistic-led advocacy group based in Asia t...