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.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – with Jessica Birch 02/24/2025

Chinese New Year, filmmaking and autism acceptance with Beatrice Leong 02/10/2025

Adin Boyer - American Idol, autism and anti-bullying advocacy 01/27/2025

Adin Boyer - American Idol, autism and anti-bullying advocacy Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Adin Boyer grew up struggling with being bullied, making friends and accepting himself. He finally began to flourish while attending a performing arts middle and high school, when he faced less bullying and leaned into his musical talent and training in classical piano, choir, opera and music theory. Adin gained widespread international notoriety as a contestant on season 21 of American Idol, where he advanced to the top 55. Now Adin performs locally and on tour, with solo and full-band indie rock performances, and speaks to audiences about autism acceptance, neurodiversity affirmation and anti-bullying advocacy. During this episode, Adin talks about: His multi-year struggle to accept himself after being told about his autism diagnosis at age 12 Being bullied and misunderstood in elementary school, and how attending a performing arts middle and high school helped his personal growth and friendships Getting involved in music at a very young age and how his biggest musical inspiration (Coldplay) shaped his songwriting Being cast for American Idol and how his unique experience on the show influenced him as a performer and advocate The system he developed to manage his energy and routine when he is on tour How his anti-bullying talks resonate with kids across the United States (Note: During this episode we use person-first language like "has autism" and “on the spectrum” when discussing Adin’s experience, because this is how Adin prefers to describe himself.) Learn more about Adin, his music and his autism advocacy on his website , on Instagram , on his profile for his upcoming shows performances, and by email: adinboyer [at] gmail.com. 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/34827080

2024 year-end episode 12/16/2024

Inclusive education and Down syndrome advocacy – with Sheri Brynard 12/02/2024

Inclusive education and Down syndrome advocacy – with Sheri Brynard Content warning: This episode discusses forced sterilization / removal of reproductive rights. Shéri Brynard is the only person with Down syndrome in South Africa with a tertiary education diploma in Educare. She achieved this without any special assistance or amendments made to the coursework, and despite the fact that her lectures and study material were only provided in English, which is her second language. She is currently a full-time qualified teacher’s assistant at a Primary School for learners with special educational needs and presents motivational speeches to advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome, all over the world. Shéri is an international ambassador for all people with Down syndrome, appointed by Down syndrome international (DSi). She represents people with Down syndrome in South Africa at the DSi meetings, as well as at many other international meetings, and at the United Nations, focusing on disability. Shéri believes that all people can choose to make the best of their circumstances, and she is a living example of this choice. Through her own determination and her family’s support, Sheri has been overcoming prejudice and stigma for her entire life to achieve her dreams. Shéri shares her experiences during this episode, including: ● The barriers she faced to getting her education and working in South Africa, and how her family helped her challenge and overcome people’s bias and assumptions about her ● What inspired her to become a teacher ● What was it like completing her tertiary education in her second language, without any special accommodations from the school ● How she became an advocate who speaks on disability rights To find out more about Shéri and her work, visit her website at , follow her on or email her mother at Brynard.s @ gmail.com . 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/33988877

Fighting stigma about schizophrenia - with Michelle Hammer 11/18/2024

Fighting stigma about schizophrenia - with Michelle Hammer Content warning: This episode discusses suicidality, paranoia, hallucinations and delusions, and mentions drug use and homelessness. Michelle Hammer is a schizophrenia activist who spends her time passionately fighting stigma. She is a New York City native who is featured in the WebMD documentary “Voices,” which was nominated for a Tribeca X Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Michelle was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 after a misdiagnosis of bipolar at age 18. At 27, Michelle decided to use her artistic talents and fearless personality to do something that could benefit the mental health community. In May 2015, she founded a mental health-focused clothing brand called Schizophrenic.NYC with the mission of reducing stigma by starting conversations about mental health. Michelle has also been featured in many publications such as Mashable, The Daily Mail, Stylist, and Buzzfeed, and has also been featured on TV networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS. During this episode, you will hear Michelle talk about: Experiencing her first symptoms of schizophrenia in high school and college What it’s like for her to experience hallucinations and delusions What inspired her to start her clothing brand, Schizophrenic.NYC People’s reactions to her designs and pop-up events in New York City Challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about schizophrenia Find out more about Michelle on her clothing brand’s website and 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/33698492

Inclusive education – with LeDerick Horne, dyslexic poet and advocate 10/28/2024

Work experience in an autism employment program -- with Jack Pabich 10/14/2024

Epilepsy advocacy 09/30/2024

Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace 09/16/2024

Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace Dr. Kana Grace is a research psychologist, advocate, Specialist Mentor, and educator, specializing in the mental and physical health of neurodivergent people. Currently, Kana is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL), where she completed her PhD. Kana has lived experiences with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, dyspraxia, hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). She founded Valtameri (which means ocean in Finnish) to advocate for and support neurodivergent people and their families, based in Okinawa, Japan. Through Valtameri, she offers one-to-one support for neurodivergent people of all ages. She also gives talks and public lectures to deepen the understanding of neurodivergence in Okinawa Japan, and all over the world. Fluent in both English and Japanese, Kana bridges cultures in her extensive work. During this episode, you will hear Kana talk about: How she discovered she is neurodivergent while at University What her life was like before she was diagnosed Why she decided to focus her PhD on the study of loneliness in autistic adults The importance of involving autistic researchers in autism research Her experience working in academia Her observations about how autism and neurodivergence is viewed in Japan The goals she wants to achieve with her research Find out more about Kana and her work on her . 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/32904097