The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast

Welcome to the very first Neurodiversity Voices Mini!In this special short-form episode, host Paul Cruz shares reflections from the Employ to Empower Summer Make Change Market held on May 28 at Bentall Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.This community-focused event brought together advocates, employers, organizations, and community members committed to creating more inclusive opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities. Paul reflects on the meaningful conversations, connections, and shared commitment to accessibility, belonging, employment inclusion, and neurodiversity awareness that made the event so impactful.Paul also provides an important update regarding The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast's "$5 Helps Make Change" donation postcard campaign. During the event, some supporters who received donation postcards encountered an issue with the donation link that incorrectly requested a Business ID number. The issue has now been fully resolved.If you received a donation postcard at the Make Change Market or while passing through Bentall Centre and were unable to complete your donation because of this issue, you are encouraged to try again using the same link.In this episode, you'll hear about:• Reflections from the Employ to Empower Summer Make Change Market in Vancouver• Building community through neurodiversity advocacy and storytelling• Why lived experience matters in creating meaningful change• The importance of accessibility, inclusion, and belonging• An update on the "$5 Helps Make Change" donation campaign• Lessons learned from engaging directly with the community• The launch of the new Neurodiversity Voices Mini seriesWhether you're autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or otherwise neurodivergent, a parent, educator, employer, advocate, or ally, this episode highlights the power of community connection and the importance of amplifying neurodivergent voices.Thank you for supporting The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast and helping us create a world where every mind belongs.#Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #Autism #ADHD #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibility #EmploymentInclusion #CommunityBuilding #Advocacy #Vancouver #NeurodiversityVoicesPodcast #LivedExperience #Belonging #PodcastAmplifying real voices. Real stories. Real impact.Follow The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast so you never miss new conversations about autism, ADHD, and neurodivergent experiences. Follow to get notified when new advocates, educators, and lived-experience experts join the show.The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast is currently #6 in the Top 100 Neurodiversity Podcasts All Time among millions of podcasts on the Goodpods platform, ranked by listens, ratings, comments, subscriptions, and shares.Instagram/LinkedIn/YouTube: @neurodiversityvoicespodcastWebsite: www.neurodiversityvoices.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if burnout wasn’t the end of your story — but the beginning of becoming who you were meant to be?In this episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, host Paul sits down with Lisa Richer, a neurodivergent success partner, consultant, advocate, and former elite gymnast whose work helps people navigate what she calls “the messy middle.”Lisa shares her personal journey through burnout, late diagnosis, parenting neurodivergent children, workplace challenges, and rediscovering her identity after years of survival mode. Together, they explore the emotional realities of neurodivergence, the pressure always to be “the strong one,” and why growth often happens in uncertainty rather than in clarity.The conversation also dives into Lisa’s framework of clarity, confidence, and courage — and how learning to ask for help can become the first step toward transformation.Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, supporting someone who is, or navigating your own version of the messy middle, this episode offers an honest and deeply human conversation about identity, resilience, and self-trust.Memorable Quotes“Sometimes the hardest breakdowns in our lives are the beginning of becoming who we were meant to be.”“Growth doesn’t happen in certainty. It happens in the messy middle.”“You don’t have to do it alone — and you don’t have to stay stuck.”“My neurodivergence is my greatest gift.”Book: Confident You - The Raw Conversations: Real Stories of Courage, Healing, and Redefining Confidencehttps://confidentyoubook.com/Event MentionIf you’re in Vancouver, come visit Paul at the Employ to Empower Summer Make Change Market on May 28, 2026, from 1:00–5:00 PM at the Breezeway at Three Bentall Centre, located at 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC.Stop by the booth, say hello, and connect with the community.Subscribe & SupportIf you enjoyed this episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who may need to hear this conversation.Your support helps amplify neurodiverse voices and lived experiences.Amplifying real voices. Real stories. Real impact.Follow The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast so you never miss new conversations about autism, ADHD, and neurodivergent experiences. Follow to get notified when new advocates, educators, and lived-experience experts join the show.The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast is currently #6 in the Top 100 Neurodiversity Podcasts All Time among millions of podcasts on the Goodpods platform, ranked by listens, ratings, comments, subscriptions, and shares.Instagram/LinkedIn/YouTube: @neurodiversityvoicespodcastWebsite: www.neurodiversityvoices.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Justine Jecker

What if what looks like “attitude” is actually miscommunication?

What happens when a society decides your value is measured solely by what you produce?In this thought-provoking conversation, Helena St. George explores the chilling premise behind her novel Shattered but Not Silenced—a dystopian world where productivity determines survival. Drawing from her lived experience as a parent of neurodivergent children, Helena unpacks the emotional, political, and human stakes behind systems that prioritize output over humanity.This episode dives deep into autonomy, advocacy, quiet resistance, and what it truly means to be valued as a person—not a function.Powerful Moments“My art is my voice. Maybe one day they’ll listen.”“I didn’t want to make her likable—I wanted to make her relatable.”“The tragedy isn’t her autism. It’s the system.”“If you can lick a stamp, you’re employable… except stamps are self-stick now.”Who This Episode Is ForListeners interested in neurodiversity & advocacyFans of dystopian fiction with real-world parallelsParents navigating education systems and support servicesAnyone questioning how society defines value and successFinal ReflectionThis episode challenges a deeply ingrained belief: that our worth is tied to what we produce.Instead, it offers a more human truth—That value comes from perspective, presence, and individuality.Resources & LinksHelena St. George’s website: helenastgeorge.comShattered but Not Silenced - https://helenastgeorge.com/shattered-not-silencedClosing ThoughtIf a system only values productivity…Then resistance begins the moment you decide your humanity is enough.If this episode resonates, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it.Amplifying real voices. Real stories. Real impact.Follow The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast so you never miss new conversations about autism, ADHD, and neurodivergent experiences. Follow to get notified when new advocates, educators, and lived-experience experts join the show.The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast is currently #6 in the Top 100 Neurodiversity Podcasts All Time among millions of podcasts on the Goodpods platform, ranked by listens, ratings, comments, subscriptions, and shares.Instagram/LinkedIn/YouTube: @neurodiversityvoicespodcastWebsite: www.neurodiversityvoices.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.