Carly talks about Anxiety
Your Voice Matters
"Anxiety is more than nothing. It's extremely exhausting and debilitating. It's okay not to be okay." Anxiety doesn't always need a reason and it's never "nothing." In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Carly Considine, an autistic adult and mother of autistic children, about the reality of living with heightened anxiety. Carly shares personal stories of panic attacks, the struggle to find rationality in anxious moments, and practical coping strategies that help her family navigate daily challenges. From mindfulness techniques to the exhaustion of masking,...
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Music, Regulation & Play with Bella Ely
Your Voice Matters
"We sing, we create, we play, we have fun and it can't be one without the other." In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Bella Ely, a music teacher with 23 years of teaching experience who specialises in working with autistic children. Bella shares how she discovered the power of music as a tool for emotional regulation early in her career, working with vulnerable children in foster care and orphanages. She explains her unique approach to online music sessions that combine creativity, play, and emotional regulation strategies, helping children and their families...
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Malaika (MK) on Life in our Shoes & Finding your Spark
Your Voice Matters
Trigger warning: This episode discusses childhood trauma, sexual abuse, medical trauma, paralysis, and societal discrimination. Living with a disability and neurodivergence while defying the odds, Malaika (MK) proves that medical expectations don’t define your journey and achievements. "Find your spark. Go make your soul happy. Do what you love, and let's heal this world together." - Malaika (MK) In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Malaika, a multi-creative advocate who shares their journey of navigating multiple disabilities, childhood trauma, and discovering...
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Strength and Resilience in Neurodivergence with Belinda Moscoso
Your Voice Matters
Trigger warning: This episode includes honest discussion about isolation, stigma, and the challenges of living with chronic illness. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Belinda Moscoso, a passionate advocate for the neurodivergent and SEND communities. Belinda shares her journey of receiving a late diagnosis of ADHD and autism alongside her son, as well as her experiences of living with chronic illness. Together, they explore the importance of acceptance, resilience, inclusivity, and the power of advocacy in breaking down stigma. This episode...
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Connecting with Children through Theatre and Play with Mick Collins
Your Voice Matters
Trigger warning: This episode touches on themes of trauma, isolation, and the impact of the pandemic on children’s mental health. Please take care while listening. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Mick Collins, a storyteller, theatre practitioner, leading practitioner in Trauma Informed Practice, and educator. Mick shares his creative and compassionate approach to working with SEND children and children with trauma backgrounds, showing how theatre, play, and sensory experiences can open up communication and connection. Together, they explore the importance of safe...
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The Passion That Drives My Music with Dale Dixon
Your Voice Matters
Trigger warning: This episode briefly discusses challenges faced by disabled and neurodivergent individuals, including social isolation and stigma. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Dale Dixon, a passionate musician and advocate from the neurodivergent community. Dale shares how his love for music began with his mother’s influence, the challenges and joys of his musical journey, and his dreams of performing around the world. "We can tell our own self that we love our own disability, whether you're blind or visually impaired or whatever your disability is. Be...
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Neurodiversity and Friendship with MissNatasha Connects
Your Voice Matters
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions around friendship challenges, feelings of isolation, and the emotional impact of not being accepted for who you are. While the conversation is uplifting, some listeners may find these themes emotionally sensitive. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with MissNatasha Connect, an author, digital educator, and passionate advocate for neurodivergent communities. Together, they explore what real, affirming friendship looks like for neurodivergent people. “Having someone that really accepts you for you, your whole....
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ADHD, education, coming out, and the LGBTQA community with Andrea Schiff
Your Voice Matters
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of isolation, stigma, and the emotional challenges of coming out. Listener discretion advised. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Andrea Schiff, a proud trans woman, neurodivergent advocate, and creative spirit. Andrea shares her journey navigating life with ADHD and dyslexia while exploring gender identity in a world that often misunderstands both. Together, they reflect on the power of supportive communities, the need to challenge harmful narratives, and the importance of being truly seen and accepted. This...
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Riko Ryuki’s journey and the link with the LGBTQ+ community
Your Voice Matters
Trigger Warning: This episode explores themes of identity, including autism, gender, and asexuality. It touches on feelings of isolation, confusion, and the emotional impact of not having the language to describe one’s experience. These topics may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Riko Ryuki, a neurodivergent parent, advocate, and writer, about their journey through autism, gender, and identity. Riko shares how discovering they are agender and asexual helped them feel more whole, and why language and...
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Navigating Parenthood with PDA and Autism with Nia Zihni
Your Voice Matters
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the emotional challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child, including topics such as burnout, meltdowns, sensory overload, and parental guilt. Some listeners may find these themes emotionally sensitive or triggering. Please take care while listening. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Nia Zihni, a neurodivergent parent navigating life with her autistic son, who has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. Nia shares the emotional and practical realities of parenting, including managing sensory needs, meltdowns, and...
info_outlineTrigger warning: This episode discusses childhood trauma, sexual abuse, medical trauma, paralysis, and societal discrimination.
Living with a disability and neurodivergence while defying the odds, Malaika (MK) proves that medical expectations don’t define your journey and achievements.
"Find your spark. Go make your soul happy. Do what you love, and let's heal this world together." - Malaika (MK)
In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Malaika, a multi-creative advocate who shares their journey of navigating multiple disabilities, childhood trauma, and discovering healing through creativity and community.
From professional football to working with UNICEF, Malaika opens up about boundaries, self-care, and advocating for the Black disabled community. This honest and raw conversation is for anyone seeking to live authentically and find what makes their soul spark - and how we’re soul-beings not human beings.
"We treat each other like we're money beings, not human beings. We're more than that, we're soul beings." - Malaika (MK)
Key takeaways:
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The body keeps score. Childhood trauma, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, lives in the body. Healing requires acknowledging pain and creating safe spaces for release.
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Learning to set boundaries as an adult is a process of reparenting yourself. Not everyone will like your boundaries, but they're necessary for your wellbeing.
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Find what makes your soul spark. Discovering activities that bring joy and balance is crucial for managing physical and emotional regulation.
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Community and connection heal us. Sharing stories, building authentic relationships, and supporting each other reduces isolation and creates collective healing.
About Malaika:
Malaika is a multi-creative advocate, disabled person, and neurodivergent individual living in the UK. Born in Uganda in 1988 and raised in Britain from age two, Malaika has worn many hats, from playing professional football and working with UNICEF and UNAIDS to advocating for Project Red and challenging childhood trauma patterns. Living with multiple disabilities including paralysis, autism, and ADHD, she uses their platform to speak about the intersections of race, disability, neurodivergence, and spirituality. Through creative expression and community building, she champions the message that our voices matter and that healing is possible when we find our spark.
Where to find Malaika:
Learn more about Achievable Journey.
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