Beyond 6 Seconds Podcast

I am so grateful to the 23 guests who talked with me on Beyond 6 Seconds this year! My guests shared their lived experiences of being autistic, having ADHD, Tourette syndrome, dissociative identity disorder, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. I interviewed my youngest guest ever, a 12-year-old nonspeaking autistic writer. Additionally, for the first time on my podcast, I talked with guests in detail about their experiences having epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Our conversations spanned 6 countries: the US, UK, India, and for the first time on my podcast: South Africa, Japan and Denmark. We discussed topics like the value of inclusive education, the need for autism research that's led by autistic researchers, how sharing our stories through books, social media, presentations and big-screen movies can help break stigma, and how many of us can thrive with proper support and expectations at school and work. My guests have supported their communities as advocates, activists and leaders. They have shared their talents with the world as artists, researchers, public speakers, writers, technologists, coaches, and caring friends & family members. Their work makes things better for neurodivergent and disabled people. To my guests: I have learned so much from you and I admire your work, creativity and advocacy. I'm grateful for our conversations. Thank you for sharing your candid, authentic stories and experiences with my listeners and me.

In my 2024 year-end solo episode, I'm celebrating some big milestones that Beyond 6 Seconds achieved this year: 226 total episodes, more than 100,000 total downloads, nearly 7 years of podcasting with 3 years focused on neurodivergent stories, features, partnerships and more! I also share my views on how several politicized social issues impact the disability community, some actions we can take to advocate for our rights (whether you're disabled or not) and how we can care for ourselves and our communities as we head into 2025. Check out the episode at  https://lnkd.in/ekrXtUdV .

“I want to show people all over the world that it is okay to be different. I do not want parents or their friends and family to cry when their baby is born with challenges. But if they do cry, I want to take their hand and say, "I am okay, and you will be too." Hear Sheri Brynard share her experience growing up with Down syndrome at www.beyond6seconds.net/225 . #DownSyndrome #DisabilityAdvocacy #DownSyndromeAwareness

On my latest episode, South African #DownSyndrome advocate Sheri Brynard describes fighting for her right to a mainstream education. https://lnkd.in/et9bjpYX #InclusiveEducation

Sheri Brynard shares the importance and value of inclusive education for herself, as a student and teacher's assistant with #DownSyndrome, and for everyone else. Hear more from Sheri on my latest episode: www.beyond6seconds.net/225 Text in image is a quote from Sheri: “Inclusion is not just about helping people like me. It enriches everyone's life.”

When Sheri Brynard wanted to attend a mainstream school, she was told she wasn't welcome there. The principal said that Sheri would give the school a bad name. A few years later, Sheri began helping out at a local nursery school -- but some parents removed their children from the school when they saw her working there. These are a few of the prejudices that Sheri faced as a person with Down syndrome living in South Africa. However, through her own determination and her family’s support, she has spent her life overcoming people's negative assumptions about her, in order to achieve her dreams. Sheri is the only person with Down syndrome in South Africa to earn a tertiary education diploma in Educare -- which she achieved without any accommodations from the school and with lectures and study material provided only in English, her second language! She is currently a full-time qualified teacher’s assistant, an international ambassador for people with Down syndrome appointed by Down Syndrome International and a public speaker who advocates for the rights of people with Down syndrome worldwide. In this episode, Sheri shares her story and talks about the value of inclusive education for all students. Listen to the episode at beyond6seconds.net/225 . #DownSyndrome #DisabilityAdvocacy #DownSyndromeAwareness

“There's tons of people with schizophrenia all around the world living successful lives, but you wouldn't know that – because they're not telling you, because of all your stigma!” Michelle Hammer, founder of the mental health-focused clothing brand Schizophrenic.NYC talks about the stigma associated with #schizophrenia in my latest episode:  https://lnkd.in/e9nCS2ui (In this photo, Michelle is modeling some of her clothing designs: a blue t-shirt with white text that says "Define Normal, Schizophrenic.NYC" and a brimmed hat with shades of pink and blue colors.)

Founder of Schizophrenic.NYC, Michelle Hammer, describes why she shares videos of herself having hallucinations, and her goal of dispelling society's misconceptions about #schizophrenia.

Michelle Hammer was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 22, after being misdiagnosed as bipolar at age 18. For the past few years, Michelle has used her artistic talents and fearless personality to run her mental health-focused clothing brand called Schizophrenic.NYC. Her mission is to reduce stigma by starting conversations about mental health. On this episode, Michelle talks about her schizophrenia diagnosis and symptoms, the public's reactions to her designs at her pop-up shops across New York City, and how she challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about schizophrenia. Listen to the episode at www.beyond6seconds.net/224 . #schizophrenia #schizophrenic #neurodiversity #neurodivergent Image description: A quote from Michelle Hammer on the latest episode of Beyond 6 Seconds. “Don't let stigma from society get in the way of living your best life, and don't let self-stigma get in the way of living your dreams.” In this photo, Michelle is modeling some of her clothing designs: a black t-shirt and black bracelets with white text that say "Don't be paranoid, you look great, Schizophrenic.NYC" and a brimmed hat with swirls of pink and blue colors.

“I believe in inclusive ed. I think that we should all be in spaces together. Every kind of label you can think of, every set of challenges you can think of – there's someone in the world who has figured out how to support a person with those challenges, with their peers.” LeDerick Horne describes his advocacy for inclusive education on my latest episode: www.beyond6seconds.net/223 #InclusiveEducation #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth