Kala Allen Omeiza is a prolific author at the intersection of race, culture, and autism. Her latest book, "Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress, and Empowerment," has received widespread acclaim for its in-depth exploration of the unique challenges and triumphs faced by autistic individuals of minority backgrounds. She has also worked on various research projects on neurodiversity and mental health at Harvard, Duke, Harvard Medical, and as a US Fulbright scholar in Nigeria. She is a graduate of Miami University and a masters graduate of Psychological Research from the University of Oxford.

During this episode, Kala discusses:

• What inspired her to write “Autistic and Black” and share the experiences of Black autistic people across the African diaspora
• How she uses the Kwanzaa principle of Ujima to bring the stories in the book together
• Her experience interviewing nonspeaking autistic individuals 
• Writing about her own life experiences as a Black autistic woman

To find out more about Kala and her work, you can visit her website, subscribe to her newsletter, and buy her book "Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress, and Empowerment".

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

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*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.*

Aashna Parikh is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and inclusive marketing specialist based in India. Living with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, she has consulted and collaborated with Forbes-listed and Fortune 500 companies across diverse sectors such as Fintech, Sustainability, Agriculture, and Technology. A strong advocate for neurodiversity, disability, and gender, she examines these issues through an intersectional lens.  

During this episode, you will hear Aashna talk about:

• What was it like growing up and going to school with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities
• Living with disabilities in a world where people tell her she “doesn’t look disabled”
• The type of work that she does as a DEI consultant
• Her thoughts on DEI through an intersectional lens
• How DEI is addressed in different countries
• Her advice for requesting accommodations at work and in job interviews

Connect with Aashna on LinkedIn or via email at aashnacparikh at gmail.com .

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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*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.*

Martina Kuzenski is a late-diagnosed autistic woman who received her autism diagnosis at age 28 near the end of her Master’s degree program. She is an IT Specialist for the U.S. federal government. She shares her experiences as a Black autistic woman in tech as a mentor for the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program and as a co-author of the best-selling book “Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career”. 

During this episode, Martina talks about:

• Discovering that she is autistic in her late twenties, and what her life was like growing up
• How she got into a tech career 
• Her experience of not being “seen” in the tech industry as a Black autistic woman
• The importance of mentorship, and why she decided to become a P-TECH program mentor
• The challenges she has faced when trying to find leadership programs for neurodivergent people
• Why she doesn’t feel “autistic enough” in autistic spaces, and the flaws she sees in the neurodiversity movement

Connect with Martina on LinkedIn and read her writing on  Diary of Self (Martina's blog posts about neurodiversity) and her book "Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career." 

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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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.*

Joshua Hoskins is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who lives in Tamworth, England with his parents. He loves his family and friends, and his hobbies are horse riding, boxing, musicals, supporting Newcastle United Football team, going out on trips and going on holiday.

Josh has two jobs: he loves them both and has great buddies at each place. Josh’s Mum Debbie helps him create posts on LinkedIn every week, because Josh wants to help other people with Down syndrome to get a job if they want to.  

During this episode, you will hear Josh and Debbie talk about:

• How he had found his job at Marshall Fleet Services with WorkFit, and how the Down's Syndrome Association in the UK prepared him for the role
• What he does in his role with Marshall Fleet Solutions, and what he likes the most about it
• How LinkedIn helped him find his second job at Movianto 
• What inspired him to write about his life and work on LinkedIn
• How work has helped him grow as a person, build positive relationships with his coworkers, and support his local community
• Why employers should consider hiring people with Down syndrome, and how employers can include them in their companies 

Follow Joshua Hoskins on LinkedIn to read his weekly posts.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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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.*

Grace Liu is an autistic author, blogger, speaker and pet portrait artist based in the Midlands of England. Grace's book, “Approaching Autistic Adulthood: The Road Less Travelled,” was published in October 2021. She blogs about autism, neurodiversity, diversity and inclusion, as well as her life as a biracial (British/Taiwanese) autistic gay woman, and has delivered multiple talks about autism and diversity. Grace has received many commissions for her pet portrait drawings, especially over the past year. She is a dedicated owner to four cats, having had an autistic interest in cats from a very young age! 

During this episode, you will hear Grace talk about:

• Her early life after moving from Taiwan to the UK at the age of four, and how she and her family discovered that she is autistic 
• How she got started with her long-running blog back in 2013
• Her experiences with racism, and with “coming out” as gay and autistic 
• Becoming an author and public speaker

Find out more about Grace and her work at the links below:

• Book: artistic-autistic.co.uk/approaching-autistic-adulthood
• Blog: unwrittengrace.wordpress.com
• Art: artistic-autistic.co.uk/pet-portraits 

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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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.*

Content note: This episode mentions thoughts about suicide and self harm. 

Shayonee Dasgupta is a Mumbai-based freelance writer and editor who initially pursued a career in law, working with corporate law firms in India. She found out she's autistic and has ADHD in her 30s, prompting a transformative journey of self-discovery and learning to navigate life anew.

During this episode, you will hear Shayonee talk about:

• What it was like growing up before her diagnosis 
• How the challenges she faced working as a lawyer led to her burnout
• The struggle she faced to get the right mental healthcare and support after her burnout 
• How she received her autism and ADHD diagnosis 
• Her decision to start a new career as a freelance writer
• Handling expectations from both her extended family and Indian society
• How she defines success in her own way

To find out more about Shayonee and her work, you can connect with her 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.*

Nick Heaney is a resident artist and co-founder of Artnova Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts. Nick has always found art to be his most authentic way of connecting with the world around him. He was diagnosed with dyslexia during elementary school. He struggled with written language, but found a connection through art. Nick went on to study graphic design and fine art, earning a BFA in graphic design from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. 

At the age of 26, Nick came out as gay to his friends and family. However, he still felt a sense of disconnect with the people around him, which led to a deeper struggle with his mental health. At the age of 28, Nick sought an autism evaluation which resulted in diagnoses of both autism and ADHD.

During this episode, you will hear Nick talk about:

• What was it like growing up with dyslexia
• His early artistic talents at a young age
• What inspires his artwork today
• His experience of coming out as gay to his family, discovering his autism and ADHD, and finding supportive communities
• The story behind how he co-founded his art gallery

Find out more about Nick and his work on his Instagram @nickheaneyart and on Artnova Gallery's website and Instagram.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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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.*

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.*

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.

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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.*

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.*

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.*