209 episodes

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.

Beyond 6 Seconds Carolyn Kiel

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 109 Ratings

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.

    Down syndrome, leadership & advocacy with David Egan

    Down syndrome, leadership & advocacy with David Egan

    David Egan is a leader and advocate who promotes the causes of people with disabilities. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to serve as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow on Capitol Hill and with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). As a Special Olympics athlete and International Global Messenger, David has traveled extensively and speaks to diverse audiences, including the U.S. Senate, United Nations, and various universities, nonprofit and for-profit companies. 
    David has also received many awards throughout his career. He was honored by NDSS for his legacy, presented with the American Association for Intellectual Disabilities Media Award, and received the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s highest honor: the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. As the author of the book “More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome,” he inspires his audiences to see our shared humanity and focus on abilities and possibilities rather than limitations.  
    During this episode, you will hear David talk about:
    Growing up with Down Syndrome, and his biggest dreams as a child How he learned to accept his disability What he enjoyed about working at Booz Allen Hamilton, CBRE, and SourceAmerica  His experience as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow How he became a disability advocate The impact of Special Olympics on his life  To learn more about David and his work, visit his website at DavidEganAdvocacy.com and buy his book, “More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome.”
    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.
    Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
    *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.*

    • 15 min
    Neurodiversity affirming community with Katie York

    Neurodiversity affirming community with Katie York

    Katie York (aka The Distracted Autistic) is a late-diagnosed Autistic who also has ADHD. They are currently program coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. Katie is also an advocate and community organizer. In 2022, they founded Harford County Neurodivergents to build a network for neurodivergent adults & provide neurodiversity-affirming resources and education. Katie is a member of Harford County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee and a proud board member of Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride.
    During this episode, you will hear Katie talk about:
    How they discovered their neurodivergence later in life   Creating the Harford County Neurodivergents group, and the local peer support and community it provides What it means to be “neurodiversity-affirming,” and how that can be important for neurodivergent people The impact that Harford County Neurodivergents has had on their members so far What inspired them to get into local politics and advocacy, and their advice for people who want to become more involved in their communities Learn more about Katie on their website at TheDistractedAutistic.com and on Facebook.
    If you want to join the Neurodivergent Podcasters Discord group, email beyond6seconds at gmail.com to receive an invite.
    Join the Autistic Corporate Professionals group on LinkedIn.
    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.
    Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
    *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.*

    • 35 min
    Supporting the Hispanic Tourette's community with Claudia Scott

    Supporting the Hispanic Tourette's community with Claudia Scott

    Born and raised in Costa Rica, Claudia Scott was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in her early teens. Now she lives in the U.S., where she is the Capital Access Manager for Kiva Northwest Arkansas (NWA) at Startup Junkie and an advocate for Tourette's education and support. Claudia uses her experiences to support people with Tourette's, especially in Spanish-speaking communities.
    During this episode, Claudia talks about:
    How she discovered she had Tourette’s when she was growing up in Costa Rica Her experience of how Tourette’s is viewed by the general public in Costa Rica and the United States How her Tourette’s has changed over the course of her life, and how she managed through those changes The support she provides to the Hispanic Tourette’s community, including a Tourette’s support group for Spanish speakers Learn more about Claudia at her travel blog The Tourette Traveler and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
    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.
    Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
    *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.*

    • 31 min
    How to support employees with invisible disabilities

    How to support employees with invisible disabilities

    Jenn Grindeland has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She is also a multiple brain injury survivor. With this background, she teaches leadership skills designed to support equity and inclusion for employees with non-apparent, invisible disabilities.
    During this episode, Jenn talks about:
    How her life changed when she had her first traumatic brain injury (TBI) Why inadequate job accommodations during her TBI recovery hurt her relationships at work How she teaches teams to better support employees who are neurodivergent and/or have non-apparent disabilities Why she thinks many people are scared to advocate for themselves in the workplace Advice for managers who want to support the people with disabilities on their teams Learn more about Jenn and her work on her website TheWorkingWell.us and on LinkedIn.
    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.
    Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
    *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.*

    • 26 min
    Ending epilepsy stigma through filmmaking

    Ending epilepsy stigma through filmmaking

    Miles Levin is a filmmaker and public speaker living with epilepsy. His short film “Under the Lights” starring Pearce Joza and Alyssa Jirrels has become a beacon for epilepsy representation in movies. The film has inspired people to create daily fan art, learn more about epilepsy and open up about their disabilities. He is now making the full length film of Under the Lights, in an effort to create the single biggest epilepsy awareness campaign in history. 
    During this episode, you will hear Miles talk about:
    How his life experience with epilepsy inspired Under the Lights The powerful impact that Under the Lights is having on audiences His fundraising campaign to make the full-length film of Under the Lights (and how you can support the campaign!) Watch the short film of Under the Lights.
    Support the fundraiser for the full-length Under the Lights movie (ends on January 30!)
    Follow Under the Lights on social media: 
    @underthelightsfilm on Instagram
    @underthelightsfilm on Facebook
    @underthelightsfilm1 on TikTok
    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.
    Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
    *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.*

    • 25 min
    Nonspeaking autistic writer and poet Swarit Gopalan

    Nonspeaking autistic writer and poet Swarit Gopalan

    Swarit Gopalan is a 12-year old autistic nonspeaker who uses a letterboard to spell and a keyboard to type to communicate. He lives with his family in Florida and goes to Invictus Academy for school. Swarit is a talented writer and poet who shares his writing on Facebook and Instagram. He is also a passionate advocate for other nonspeaking people. 
    During this episode, Swarit talks about:
    Learning to communicate using a letterboard and keyboard  What inspired him to start writing about his life experiences on social media How he defines dysregulation and how it affects his life Going to school as a nonspeaking student The joy of meeting other nonspeaking people and their families How people can be good friends and allies to nonspeaking people Follow Swarit on social media to read his writing:
    Facebook: Swarit Gopalan - My truisms unfiltered Instagram: @swarit_my_truisms_unfiltered Learn more about resources for nonspeakers mentioned in this episode:
    Motormorphosis Conference for Nonspeakers Directory of Nonspeaker Blogs and Pages (from Neuroclastic) 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.
    Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
    *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.*

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
109 Ratings

109 Ratings

drphil8mybaby ,

Powerful

This show is so impactful, inspirational, and informative! I’ve learned so much that I can actually use in my career and daily life. Carolyn is tackling difficult and important subjects - doing the work of spreading education about neurodiversity and fighting against stigma. The episodes are a short listen, making it easy to binge and easy to check it out…so DO it!

savvy_entrepreneur ,

Great rapport between host and guests

Nice, on-point, insightful, fun where needed, and inspiring podcast. The host is very relaxed and does a great job of building a rapport with guests.

shinyorb ,

Thought provoking & Inspiring!

This show helps you see the world through the eyes of other people in an inspiring and uplifting way. It helps capture the human spirit -- and how with effort -- each of us can be our best selves. I eagerly await each episode!!!

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