Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading. That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.

Neurodivergent creativity – with Luke from the Howdy Beans Podcast 07/13/2026

How ADHD Shaped a Career in Cancer Research and Health Equity – with Eugene Manley 06/29/2026

How ADHD Shaped a Career in Cancer Research and Health Equity – with Eugene Manley 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. *STEMM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine. Content note: This episode discusses medical/healthcare trauma and physical injuries. During this episode, you will hear Eugene talk about: Discovering his ADHD later in life, and how ADHD shaped him as a person How his academic interests, education and career experiences led him to start his nonprofit The impact of a recent traumatic experience he had as a patient in the healthcare system How SCHEQ helps people understand their rights and options in healthcare settings Learn more about Eugene’s work at . Support or sponsor this podcast: Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: Read the episode transcript: Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/41618615

Your voice makes a difference – with Dory and Mike, hosts of the Othering Podcast 06/15/2026

Job searching for Black, Disabled, LGBTQ+ folks – with Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Black Remote She 06/01/2026

Job searching for Black, Disabled, LGBTQ+ folks – with Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Black Remote She 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. Jasmine is also a 2025 Disability Rising Fellow with Disability Culture Lab, where they are helping to build narrative power for disability justice. During this episode, Jasmine talks about: The layoff that inspired them to start Black Remote She The specific job searching challenges that Black, LGBTQ+ and disabled people face How Black Remote She connects people to jobs and support resources How employers are vetted before they can post job listings on Black Remote She Visit for more information about job postings and resources. Connect with Jasmine at info [at] blackremoteshe.com. Support or sponsor this podcast: Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: Read the episode transcript: Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/41370155

Changing the narrative around accessible fashion with Maura Horton - Crossover episode with Made For Us 05/25/2026

Changing the narrative around accessible fashion with Maura Horton - Crossover episode with Made For Us 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 and struggled to button his shirts. She invented and eventually patented a magnetic closure system that replaces buttons and has since licensed the technology to Fortune 500 Companies including PVH Corp, owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Maura also partnered with and advised Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, the first mainstream brand to launch a children’s adaptive apparel line. In this episode, Maura talks about: The state of the adaptive clothing market before MagnaReady How Maura got the inspiration to infuse magnets into her husband’s shirts The challenges she faced in the design and manufacturing process Why Maura thinks the term ‘adaptive’ is unhelpful Learn more about MagnaReady at and on Instagram. Listen to other episodes of Made For Us: Follow Made For Us on social media: LinkedIn: Instagram: Support or sponsor Beyond 6 Seconds: Read the episode transcript: Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: 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. /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/41128610

Learning to read at age 32 – with Oliver James, author of Unread 05/18/2026

Learning to read at age 32 – with Oliver James, author of Unread 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 went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu, to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year. Oliver has become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he’s documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way. During this episode, you will hear Oliver talk about: Why he describes himself as being “functionally illiterate” and how his experience with literacy “started wrong” What inspired him to share his journey to learn how to read on social media, at the age of 32 How reading has profoundly changed his perspective on life What it was like writing a book about his experience Buy Oliver’s book “Unread”: Follow Oliver at oliverspeaks1 on , , and . Email Oliver at OliverSpeaks1 [at] gmail.com. Learn more about the that has helped Oliver learn how to read: nardagani.com Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=xWGXsqQaloQ Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/oliver-james-unread Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192 Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/41128305

Art and Disability Advocacy – with Justin Valenti 05/04/2026

Sharing autistic people’s stories – with Amy Richards of the Squarepeg podcast 04/27/2026

Sharing autistic people’s stories – with Amy Richards of the Squarepeg podcast 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 is also a Nervous System Regulation practitioner, working with other autistic adults to help them become better regulated, less anxious and have more energy. During this episode, you will hear Amy talk about: Her life before her autism diagnosis, including the first moment she strongly suspected she was autistic What inspired her to begin sharing her autistic experiences publicly and start her podcast, Squarepeg Her approach to selecting her guests and editing her podcast episodes The importance of including a diverse range of guests on our podcasts How a listener’s email led Amy to make a major change to her podcast The most significant things she has learned while working on her podcast Learn more about Amy and her podcast on the Squarepeg website at or by email at hello [at] squarepeg.community . Support or sponsor this podcast: Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: Read the episode transcript: Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/41013295

From Undercover Boss to children’s book author – with autistic advocate Pastiche Graham 04/20/2026

Connecting disabled leaders and advocates – with Max Barrows 04/13/2026

Neurodivergence and corporate leadership – with Kirsty Cullen-Campanelli 04/06/2026

Fashion model & artist with Down syndrome - Sania Khimji 03/23/2026

Addressing food insecurity with Meals in the Meantime – A special Podcasthon episode with Kevin M. Yates 03/16/2026

Living with Dyscalculia – with Ivy Rizzo 03/09/2026

Schizoaffective disorder – with Sonido Reyes 02/23/2026

Schizoaffective disorder – with Sonido Reyes Sonido Reyes is an award-winning and bestselling author who is best known for tackling difficult topics through a hopeful lens. They write stories celebrating their own queer and Mexican identities, including The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, The Luis Ortega Survival Club, The Broposal, and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar. They also have contributed short stories to the anthologies Transmogrify! and For the Rest of Us. Sonido is also the vice-president of My Galvanized Friend, a nonprofit focused on providing access to and amplifying LGBTQ+ writing, art, and creators. During this episode, you will hear Sonido talk about: How they were diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder What life was like growing up with schizoaffective disorder How manic episodes have affected their writing What they want people to understand about schizoaffective disorder How they choose the topics of the stories they write The importance of representation in books How they became involved with the nonprofit My Galvanized Friend Visit for links to Sonido’s website, writing and social media. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy my conversation about of this podcast. This episode is sponsored by Tas Kronby, Accessibility Consultant & Designer: Parallax scrolling, scroll bar hijacking, flickering, and neon colors are ruining your design—they trigger dizziness, migraines, and vertigo. You’ve audited for vision and hearing compliance. But does your online content make people sick? Tas Kronby offers Vestibular Accessibility Audits that go beyond compliance. Learn what you need to make your business truly inclusive. Tas will help you Design with All in Mind. Visit to schedule your free consultation. *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/40109805

Neurodivergent communication differences – with Patti Kasper 02/09/2026

Disability Community for Democracy – with Nieta Greene 01/26/2026

2025 year-end episode 12/22/2025

The Introverted Misfit – with Caroline Smith 12/08/2025

Deafness, Disability and Mental Health – with Kellina Powell 11/24/2025

A Day with No Words – Nonspeaking autism representation with Tiffany Hammond 11/10/2025

A Day with No Words – Nonspeaking autism representation with Tiffany Hammond Tiffany Hammond is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and disability advocate. She is the author of A Day with No Words, a picture book about a Black mother and son who use a tablet to communicate with each other and the world around them. A Day With No Words successfully normalizes communication methods outside of verbal speech and provides representation of neurodiversity and autism in a way that affirms and celebrates. Through Tiffany’s platform, Fidgets and Fries, she shares stories about autism, identity, and the fullness of Black and disabled family life. She is the proud mother of two autistic sons and uses her lived experiences to shift narratives around autism and communication. Win a copy of A Day with No Words! For a limited-time, Beyond 6 Seconds is giving away a hardcover copy of “A Day with No Words” to up to 3 listeners in the United States. To enter, check out my pinned Instagram post on November 11, 2025. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM ET on November 21, 2025.⁠ Up to 3 winners will be selected at random. This giveaway is valid for listeners at US addresses only. During this episode, you will hear Tiffany talk about: How her family’s real-life experiences inspired her to write A Day with No Words Why she wrote her book from the perspective of a nonspeaking autistic child What her nonspeaking autistic son Aidan thinks of the book How her book is different from other children's books about autism Common misconceptions that people have had about her autistic sons Learn more about Tiffany at . Follow Tiffany on , and . . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/38854875

Advocating for dyslexic students – with Sabrina Fandell 10/27/2025

Ava N. Simmons — STEM entrepreneur and toy designer with dyslexia and dysgraphia 10/13/2025

Ava N. Simmons — STEM entrepreneur and toy designer with dyslexia and dysgraphia 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 academic challenges and build her confidence. To share her learning journey and encourage others, Ava creates engaging S.T.E.M.-based educational videos, authors S.T.E.M. books, conducts peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. activities in the community, and develops S.T.E.M. toys for children ages 5-13, including children who are neurodivergent or in underserved areas. She has conducted thousands of peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. experiments with children in the community, over 700,000 households have viewed her educational videos, she has authored 3 books, and developed 15 branded S.T.E.M. Educational Toys. Additionally, she is the Host of the PBS Kids Channel Show from PBS North Carolina called Mini Fab Science Lab, and her STEM-STEAM kits are featured in the Scholastic Catalog. During this episode, you will hear Ava talk about: ● Her experience in school as a student with dyslexia and dysgraphia ● How she got interested in S.T.E.M. at a young age ● How Team Genius Squad helps make S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. more accessible to kids everywhere ● Where she gets ideas for her experiment kits ● The origin of her PBS Kids Channel show, Mini Fab Science Lab Learn more about Ava: (PBS Kids show) Team Genius Squad on , , , and Team Genius Squad in the on page 33: (M) STEM Genius Lemon Light Experiment Kit with Interactive Experience Item No: 794043 Kits and Virtual Session with Ava Item No: 793745 4-Pack of Kits Only Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/38518215

Deaf and OCD representation in audio drama — with Caroline Mincks of Seen and Not Heard 09/29/2025

Living with schizoaffective disorder – with Sally Littlefield 09/15/2025

Living with schizoaffective disorder – with Sally Littlefield 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 health nonprofits. This professional experience deepened her insight into trauma, stigma, and systemic barriers faced by people with serious mental illnesses. Sally’s writing has appeared in Slate, STAT News, and Psychology Today, and she has been featured in national media such as the Associated Press and the television network A+E. Now a full-time advocate, she offers talks and trainings focused on stigma reduction, recovery, and mental health crisis de-escalation. Her mission is to promote empathy, dignity, and understanding for people with schizophrenia. During this episode, you will hear Sally talk about: What schizoaffective disorder is, and how it differs from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder Her experience of hospitalizations, misdiagnosis, and the prolonged psychotic episode where she believed her life was a hyperreality psychological experiment How society dehumanizes and dismisses people with schizophrenia spectrum illnesses Finally accepting that she has schizoaffective disorder and deciding to become a mental health advocate Learn more about Sally and her work at , on and on Instagram . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/38097580

Identity, horror and artistic expression – with Tas The Artist 09/01/2025

Identity, horror and artistic expression – with Tas The Artist 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 curriculum materials and advocating for workplace accessibility. Whether they are creating a surrealist horror piece or working in advocacy, Tas brings a thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative approach to every aspect of their professional life. During this episode, you will hear Tas talk about: The unique circumstances of how they discovered that they are autistic What their childhood was like growing up as an undiagnosed autistic child in a religious cult How were they able to leave the cult and “deprogram” themselves How they discovered their passion for art, and how art helps them process their trauma What drew them specifically into the horror genre for their art Their experience with progressively losing their hearing in adulthood, and processing their hearing loss through their art Their work in digital accessibility and design, and how to make art more accessible The impact of current events on their life Learn more about Tas and their work at or on . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/37916470

Dyspraxia, dyslexia and autism – with Charis Hawkley 08/18/2025

Life as a neurodivergent preemie – with Preeti Kalra 08/04/2025

Life as a neurodivergent preemie – with Preeti Kalra 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 mental health. She is also on the Associate Board for March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal health and ending preventable premature birth within the United States. Preeti was born prematurely. In this episode, she talks about her experience as a preemie and as a member of the South Asian community, including: The circumstances of her birth as a preemie and how that affected her health as a child How she discovered that she was neurodivergent and how that impacted her life as a South Asian woman and as a preemie How her neurodivergence affected her academic studies and shaped the direction of her career Some potential long-term effects of being born a preemie, and why is it important to consider those effects when those babies become adults Her research on premature birth and the current state of maternal healthcare in South Asian countries How parents can be good advocates for their preemie children Follow Preeti on Instagram or email her at pkalra33 at gmail dot com. Learn more about the Adult Preemie Advocacy Network at . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *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.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/37552015

Space To Exhale – with Lisa Hurley 07/21/2025

Down syndrome advocacy – Matthew Schwab Speaks 07/07/2025

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

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