Space To Exhale – with Lisa Hurley
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Release Date: 07/21/2025
Neurodivergent creativity – with Luke from the Howdy Beans Podcast
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Luke hosts the Howdy Beans Podcast, where he reviews movies, TV shows, video games, books, and all things pop culture. He is dyslexic with an overlap of dyspraxia and dyscalculia, and he’s currently on the waiting list for an autism assessment. Luke is an avid reader who writes short stories and poems, and he’s currently writing a dark fantasy novel. During this episode, you will hear Luke talk about: ● How he discovered that he was neurodivergent at a young age ● Why he doesn’t take reading and writing for granted ● His passion for writing...
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How ADHD Shaped a Career in Cancer Research and Health Equity – with Eugene Manley
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 cancer health equity, Eugene runs an annual lung cancer summit that brings together patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry to co-create solutions to disparities in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Eugene has ADHD, which didn’t get diagnosed until he was in graduate school. ...
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Your voice makes a difference – with Dory and Mike, hosts of the Othering Podcast
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 Podcast, and how they came up with the name of the show Sharing their own lived experiences of neurodivergence and disability on their podcast How they select their podcast guests and topics Why is it important to amplify the stories of disabled and LGBTQ+ people Learning from the feedback they have...
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Job searching for Black, Disabled, LGBTQ+ folks – with Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Black Remote She
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 equitable work cultures, as well as to liberatory networks, mutual aid support and gender-affirming resources as tools for economic empowerment. Black Remote She has been recognized in numerous publications, including Essence, Stonewall, Community Centric Fundraising, INTO More, and Inclusion Hub. ...
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Changing the narrative around accessible fashion with Maura Horton - Crossover episode with Made For Us
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 products. Tosin’s guest on this episode is Maura Horton, CEO and founder of MagnaReady, an accessible fashion brand that enables millions of people with limited dexterity and mobility to dress independently. Maura developed the concept for MagnaReady after her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s...
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Learning to read at age 32 – with Oliver James, author of Unread
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 National Literacy Award in 2023. Oliver is the author of “Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok.” His book is about teaching himself to read starting at the age of 32, and his experience with childhood learning disabilities and educational neglect. In just 365 days, he...
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Art and Disability Advocacy – with Justin Valenti
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 California. Justin has been an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since childhood. He has been on the Board of Directors for the Arc Maryland since 2020. During this episode, you will hear Justin talk about: What his life was like growing up with...
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Sharing autistic people’s stories – with Amy Richards of the Squarepeg podcast
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 strategy sessions, builds websites and supports online business owners with their websites, email marketing and automation. In 2020, Amy started a podcast called Squarepeg, where she chats with one autistic guest at a time about their autism discovery journey and what they've learned along the way. Amy...
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From Undercover Boss to children’s book author – with autistic advocate Pastiche Graham
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 advocacy. Pastiche’s first book, “Pia Pistachio Gets a Job,” features much-needed representation of autistic girls in children’s literature. In this episode, we talk about Pastiche’s journey from disheartened autistic child to enthusiastic autism advocate & author, the impact of...
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Connecting disabled leaders and advocates – with Max Barrows
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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 Assistance and Outreach for the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC), where he works to strengthen local and state self-advocacy organizations across the United States. During this episode, you will hear Max talk about: What life was like growing up as an autistic person How he...
info_outlineLisa 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 hear Lisa talk about:
- How she realized that she is autistic, and what her life is like as a Black, autistic woman
- How autistic burnout inspired her to write “Space to Exhale,” and the guidance she provides in her book
- The importance of having a community while taking care of yourself
- “Life-Work Balance” vs “Work-Life Balance”
- What it means to prioritize “soft living”
Find out more about Lisa and her book at SpaceToExhaleBook.com and follow Lisa on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*