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What if the moment that brought your life into focus didn’t come at the beginning, but after the degrees were earned and the career was well underway? In this episode, Dan Baum talks with Darian Senn-Carter, Ed.D., professor and director of the Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), about how a late-in-life autism diagnosis reshaped his understanding of self—and redefined how he moves through the world.

Dr. Senn-Carter shares how the diagnosis helped him embrace differences as strengths and sparked a new chapter grounded in self-compassion, creativity and advocacy. From his journey through self-discovery to his work integrating autism awareness into education, Darian opens up about the intersections of identity, leadership and neurodiversity.

Learn how one diagnosis led to a children’s book and a deeper commitment to authenticity and inclusion. Whether you're an educator, ally or simply curious about how we come to understand ourselves, this episode offers a reminder: difference isn’t a deficit, it’s an opportunity. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t follow a syllabus, and that sometimes the best version of you is the one you stop trying to “fix.”

Purchase "The Boy Who Dreamed Big" by Darian Senn-Carter  
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-boy-who-dreamed-big-how-one-boy-s-autism-became-his-superpower/a5d66159120cd452?ean=9798350983289&next=t

Amazon: https://a.co/d/gWENIfj

Autism Awareness Month Resources: https://libguides.aacc.edu/autism2025

Engagement Coaching at AACC: https://www.aacc.edu/resources/health-and-personal-counseling/engagement-coaching/

Adults with Autism Support Groups:
https://www.autismgrownup.com/
https://www.baltimoreautismsociety.org/calendar-of-events/meetings-groups/

Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute at AACC: https://www.aacc.edu/about/schools-of-study/business-and-law/homeland-security-and-criminal-justice-institute/

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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What would it look like if business students regularly evaluated works of art to complement their critical analysis of business plans? Or budding mathematicians and scientists learned about satellite design through the folds of Oragami? In this episode, Dan Baum interviews Laura Pasquini, program navigator for Visual Arts and Humanities at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), to explore the concept of arts integration. She shares her insights into how the fusion of art with non-art subjects, like math and science, can unlock critical thinking, creativity and empathy in students. Learn about the transformative impact of art on students, the distinction between art and creativity and how art fosters unique problem-solving skills. 

Pasquini highlights her work with faculty members across the college to integrate arts into diverse fields like business, anthropology and STEM, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and creativity in education. Tune in as she sheds light on the growing movement to turn STEM into STEAM, creating a more holistic and engaging learning experience for students. Whether you're an educator, artist or just curious about the future of education, this episode will challenge your perspective on the game-changing role of creativity in learning.

Wired to Create: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/books/wired-to-create/

Sir Ken Robinson TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?subtitle=en

The Walt Disney Concert Hall: https://www.musiccenter.org/visit-explore/visit-explore/campus/walt-disney-concert-hall/

Maryland State Arts Council: https://msac.org/

UMBC Center for Design and Visual Culture: https://cadvc.umbc.edu/

MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art): https://www.mica.edu/art-articles/details/career-notes-art-stem/

Towson University: https://www.towson.edu/cofac/centers/artsintegration/

Johns Hopkins University: https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/06/04/johns-hopkins-arts-initiative/

“Between the Folds” : https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/between-the-folds/

The Corcoran Gallery of Art: https://www.nga.gov/corcoran.html

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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How do you and your supervisor know you're excelling at work? Join host Dan Baum as he speaks with Anne Arundel Community College Human Resources professionals Suzanne Boyer and Lisa Sanford about the groundbreaking conversations that bring the idea of an annual performance review into a new light and how it might just be catching on. 

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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President Dawn Lindsay sits down with host Dan Baum to talk about redefining moments, and how a phone call in an Annapolis restaurant was one of hers. Hear what she’s proud of, how she feels the college has evolved the past 10 years and what AACC’s future looks like.

aacc.edu/podcast

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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Work was a reason for his day, not an interruption. That’s how Cleveland Smith views his 16 years at AACC where he learned, grew and honed his attitude of gratitude. Join host Dan Baum as he chats with the retired police officer and parking pass poet. Can't get enough Cleveland? Hear more in episode 27, “The Golden Rule.” 

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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Dominic Salacki thought he had a clear career direction until one weekend made him question it. Here the recent graduate explains to host Dan Baum how seeing the passion of his professors made him feel equipped to follow his own dreams.

www.aacc.edu/podcast

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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Join host Dan Baum as he speaks with Joyce Dawson about the collaborative design involved in building AACC, what makes it an exciting place to be and how her job is “like Legos for big girls.” 

aacc.edu/podcast

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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Karen Jung never thought she would go to college, much less graduate. Host Dan Baum chats with the MBA holder who says a professor believing in her was the key to her evolving outlook and goals in education.

aacc.edu/podcast

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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Sitting in class at AACC was the first time Kathleen Tattersall felt like she was around new people, different people. Join host Dan Baum as they explore what the experience meant for her outlook on networking, life and community. 

aacc.edu/podcast

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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If you can change a heart, can you change the world? Join host Dan Baum as he speaks with Richard Hardesty about how it takes a community college to change a heart and to raise a graduate, and how he's come full circle in more ways than one.

aacc.edu/podcast

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.

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Hear all about our plans for Season 5 and how to share your own AACC story.  Anne Arundel Community College is celebrating our 60th Anniversary this year and we want to hear how the college has redefined you. 

Record your own story to share, or drop in on Zoom to be interviewed by Dan! 

Drop in recordings will be hosted:
October 21, 2-3 p.m.
November 11, 1-2 p.m.
December 2, 10-11 a.m.

Visit Riverhawks at Home for drop in details, questions Dan will be asking you, or how to self-record. We looking forward to hearing your story!

For more, visit www.aacc.edu/podcast.