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 disabilities How he discovered his passion and talent for art How creating art helps his mental health His proudest achievements as an artist and disability advocate Learn more about Justin and his work at JKValenti2014.com and VisArtsCenter.org or contact Justin directly at justin.k.valenti [at] gmail [dot] com. Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=lbv80Y58CTU Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/justin-valenti 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.*

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 https://squarepeg.community or by email at hello [at] squarepeg.community . Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=u1jx3u_ev0E Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/sharing-autistic-stories 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.*

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 appearing on Undercover Boss, and the inspiration for "Pia Pistachio Gets a Job." Pastiche also discusses the importance of autism representation: specifically for autistic women and girls in literature, and for autistic adults in the workplace. Learn more about Pastiche at PasticheGraham.com and buy "Pia Pistachio Gets a Job" on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Follow Pastiche on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Threads. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! 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.*

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 became involved in disability advocacy Why self-advocacy and peer-to-peer connections are essential for people with disabilities How he grew more comfortable with public speaking as part of his advocacy work His role in helping to educate law enforcement about autism The harmful impact of negative rhetoric about autism Learn more about Green Mountain Self-Advocates and the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) where Max works. Contribute to Carolyn's tip jar to support the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast's disability advocacy. 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.*

With a career across media, tech, and entertainment, Kirsty Cullen-Campanelli has held roles at the BBC, Netflix and Apple. Her experience as a corporate executive and a late-diagnosed Autistic woman with ADHD have shaped her neuroinclusive leadership style. On my latest episode, Kirsty shares what life is like for her as an autistic corporate executive with ADHD, and how discovering her autism and ADHD shifted her understanding of herself. She also discusses her approach to creating inclusive workplace cultures, managing teams, conducting job interviews, and navigating high-pressure environments. Connect with Kirsty on LinkedIn. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! 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.*