The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

Reid Miles Podcasts Two shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter. Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations. The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance. The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard. Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished success stories or neat conclusions — it’s about connection, reflection, and telling the truth while the story is still being written. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. 17h ago

    Building Safer Paths to Friendship and Dating for Autistic Adults

    Why Connection Can Feel So Hard for Autistic Adults—and What Might Help What if the problem isn’t a lack of interest in connection, but years of being misunderstood? In this episode, I sit down with Trista to talk about autism, loneliness, safety, and why finding the right kind of connection can feel so complicated for autistic adults. We explore the gap between being around people and actually feeling known, and we get into the questions many families and professionals still avoid. I’m sharing a conversation about friendship, dating, masking, independence, and the real risks that can come with rejection or manipulation. Trista also explains why she created Capable Hearts, an app designed to help autistic adults meet others in a space built with shared understanding in mind. More importantly, we talk about what true support should look like without taking choice away. If you’ve ever wondered how to support an autistic adult without controlling them, or why “included” doesn’t always mean “connected,” this episode will give you a lot to think about. About the Guest Trista is a BCBA and the creator of Capable Hearts. She has spent years supporting autistic individuals and families, with a strong focus on communication, independence, and meaningful connection. https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION Key Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Trista and ask how she first got into this work4:48 - The person who changed how she understood autism8:34 - Looking beneath behavior instead of judging what’s visible14:53 - Why she felt autistic adults needed a different way to connect20:25 - Why existing apps didn’t feel safe or supportive enough24:15 - Isolation, misunderstanding, and autistic loneliness26:38 - What Trista wanted the app experience to feel like40:00 - Safety, vulnerability, and protecting independence46:27 - How families can talk about relationships without shame53:01 - What she wants autistic people to know after rejection check out the app on the appstore or android store https://capablehearts.com/ If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with a parent, educator, caregiver, or autistic adult who may need it. #Autism #Neurodiversity #AutisticAdults #DisabilitySupport #InclusiveRelationships Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  2. 5d ago

    Building belonging one question one family and one brave story at a time

    How Catherine Hughes Turned a Family Crisis Into Advocacy, Belonging, and Hope What happens when a parent asks for help and the system gets it painfully wrong? In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Hughes for a conversation that starts with heartbreak and grows into something every caregiver, educator, and neurodivergent person needs to hear. Catherine shares the moment that changed her life as a young mother, and why that experience pushed her to speak up for families who feel blamed, dismissed, or left to figure it all out alone. Along the way, we talk about autism, advocacy, belonging, caregiver support, and the quiet power of being truly heard. You’ll hear why “fitting in” isn’t the goal, what real belonging can look like at home, in schools, and in the community, and why stories often reach people in ways facts can’t. We also get into something many families carry in silence: the guilt of asking for help. About the Guest Catherine Hughes is an advocate, speaker, author, and leader in behavioral health. She supports caregivers and neurodivergent individuals through her work and through The Caffeinated Advocate, where she helps families find support, voice, and connection. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or unsure where to turn next, I think this conversation will stay with you. Listen through to the end, because Catherine shares a simple question that can change how we support each other. Key Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Catherine Hughes and ask about the life that shaped her 0:26 - Catherine shares the early signs she noticed in her son and the dismissal she faced 6:05 - The arrest, foster care, and the moment everything changed 10:20 - How that crisis led Catherine into advocacy and family support 16:25 - Why labels should never decide what someone is capable of 23:26 - When Catherine’s personal pain became a clear mission 27:36 - Why compassion matters more than compliance in care 32:16 - What belonging really means beyond inclusion 39:38 - Why public speaking didn’t come naturally, and what changed 55:19 - What caregivers need to remember about caring for themselves 62:50 - What schools, workplaces, and communities still need to change 69:31 - The everyday moments that still give Catherine hope Catherines Resources: Website:thecaffeinatedadvocate.com Email:chughes@thecaffeinatedadvocate.com If this episode speaks to you, listen, share it with someone who needs it, and stay connected for more conversations on neurodiversity, autism, ADHD, caregiving, and belonging. #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #CaregiverSupport #Belonging #Advocacy Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  3. Jul 15

    Raising Brave Neurodivergent Kids Without Losing Yourself Along the Way

    When Advocacy Starts at Home: What Beth Silver Taught Me About Support, Labels, and Being Brave What happens when a parent stops waiting for answers and starts building a way forward for their child? In this episode, I sit down with Beth Silver for a deeply honest conversation about raising neurodivergent children, facing fear in real time, and learning how to ask for help without shame. Beth shares how motherhood pushed her from marketing and PR into advocacy, and why some of the hardest lessons came from school meetings, therapy rooms, and moments when no clear answer was in sight. We talk about the weight parents carry, why the right diagnosis can matter more than people want to admit, and how support can change everything when it finally feels real. Beth also opens up about boundaries, burnout, self-care, and the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up when you’re running on coffee and courage. If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, supporting one, or trying to understand your own experience, I think this conversation will stay with you. You’ll hear stories that may feel familiar—and a few truths that might shift how you see advocacy, communication, and what being brave really looks like. About the Guest Beth Silver is a marketing consultant, advocate, and trusted support for families raising neurodivergent children. Through her work and community connections, she helps parents find clarity, resources, and a plan when life feels overwhelming. Timestamps 0:46 - I welcome Beth Silver and ask who she was before advocacy became part of her life 3:12 - The first signs her son was experiencing the world differently 6:50 - Fear, school struggles, and learning how to ask for help 9:00 - When the hardest part becomes the world’s response 13:38 - Why support systems and boundaries matter more than most parents realize 16:56 - What survival mode looked like day to day 25:16 - How helping other families became part of Beth’s purpose 41:12 - How parenting changed the way Beth thinks about communication 52:15 - What Beth wants overwhelmed parents to hear right now 57:35 - The legacy she hopes her children carry forward Beth's Resourses: Website: doubetllc.com Instagram: @bethwouldknow If this episode speaks to you, listen all the way through and share it with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. #NeurodivergentConnection #AutismSupport #ADHDSupport #ParentAdvocacy #Neurodiversity Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  4. Jul 13

    The Curious Storyteller: How Creativity Boundaries and AI Helped One Dad Co Parent with More Peace

    When Co-Parenting Keeps You on Edge: Finding Peace After Divorce with Sol I sat down with Sol for a deeply honest conversation about divorce, co-parenting, healing, and what it takes to stop living in constant reaction mode. In this episode, I explore what life can feel like after a relationship ends, especially when you still have to stay connected as parents. Sal shares how overwhelm, conflict, and self-doubt shaped his early days after divorce, and how he slowly began to rebuild trust in himself. Along the way, we talk about boundaries, isolation, emotional triggers, and the quiet inner work that can change how you show up for your kids and for yourself. What struck me most is how Sol turned a painful personal experience into something practical for other co-parents. I’m sharing how that idea took shape, why emotional distance can matter so much in high-conflict communication, and what many people miss about the real weight of co-parenting. If you’re parenting through separation, supporting someone who is, or trying to understand how healing and neurodivergent traits can intersect with stress, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. About the Guest Sol is a creative entrepreneur and co-parent who built Best Interest, an app designed to help reduce conflict in co-parent communication using AI-supported message review. Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Sol and we begin before the divorce 2:38 - Sol reflects on having a brain that resists neat labels 4:19 - The moment he knew he couldn’t keep living this way 8:01 - Parenting young kids through divorce and COVID 10:01 - How creativity helped protect both him and his children 14:21 - What people don’t understand about co-parenting 15:46 - The isolation of high-conflict co-parenting 22:12 - The grounding practice that changed his healing 27:58 - How lived experience became the Best Interest app 36:19 - What feels most different about who he is now 41:46 - What Sal hopes others take from his story If this episode speaks to you, listen through to the end and share it with someone who needs a little more support around divorce, co-parenting, healing, or neurodivergence. #CoParenting #DivorceHealing #NeurodivergentSupport #ParentingAfterDivorce #MentalHealth Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  5. Jul 10

    From Feeling Out of Place to Feeling Seen After an ADHD Diagnosis at 57

    What a Late ADHD Diagnosis Can Change About Identity, Belonging, and Self-Forgiveness What happens when you spend decades feeling different, and then finally get the words for why? In this conversation, I sit down with Mark Steiner to talk about what shifted for him after receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life. We talk about the quiet friction so many people carry for years, especially when they’ve learned to cope, create, lead, and keep moving without fully understanding their own minds. Mark shares how that late diagnosis brought relief, but also opened the door to deeper questions about self-worth, past pain, and the stories we tell ourselves. You’ll hear us explore identity, masking, creativity, emotional intensity, and why being different, not less matters so much in neurodiversity conversations. Mark also shares how ADHD shaped his work as a founder and leader, and why self-acceptance changed the way he sees both his success and his past. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a reason life has felt harder than it looked from the outside, this episode may leave you with a few important questions of your own. About the Guest Mark Steiner is the founder and CEO of GigSalad, a platform that has helped thousands of artists and entertainers connect with opportunities. He’s also a creative, speaker, and late-diagnosed ADHD adult who now speaks openly about identity, belonging, and self-understanding. Find him at thinkupon.com. Timestamps 0:53 - I welcome Mark Steiner and ask what life felt like before ADHD had a name 6:21 - Mark shares where ADHD helped him thrive and where it made life harder 12:20 - We talk about being different, not less 16:15 - How Mark’s creative mind shaped his work with artists and entrepreneurs 22:15 - The moment of diagnosis and the relief that followed 26:25 - How his past began to look different through a new lens 28:29 - What changed in the way he saw himself as a leader and creator 33:59 - How adoption and neurodivergence intersected in his sense of belonging 37:37 - What helps different kinds of minds thrive 42:48 - What Mark wants listeners to hear if they’re still searching for answers If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who may need it too. Stay curious, stay fearless, and remember: you’re never alone. #ADHD #Neurodiversity #LateDiagnosis #MentalHealth #TheNeurodivergentConnection Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  6. Jul 8

    How to Build a Life That Feels Safe Colorful and Fully Your Own

    What Changes When I Stop Asking “What’s Wrong With Me?” If you’ve ever felt too much, too different, or deeply misunderstood, this conversation will stay with you. In this episode, I sit down with Patricia Stellamares to talk about masking, survival, late-diagnosed AuDHD, and what happens when we stop trying to be easier for other people to understand. We explore the quiet cost of living in self-protection for too long, and the relief that can come when your neurodivergence finally has a name. Patricia shares how childhood shame, trauma, and being told she was “wrong” shaped the way she moved through the world. Then, we get into the shift from surviving to actually living, what being truly seen can do to the nervous system, and why healing often has less to do with “fixing” yourself and more to do with letting go of harmful stories. If you’ve been carrying questions about belonging, self-trust, or what healing can look like after years of exhaustion, I think this episode will give you a lot to sit with. About the Guest Patricia Stellamares is the founder of Invocation Healing Arts. She creates retreats, coaching experiences, and healing spaces that support neurodivergent people, couples, and anyone working through trauma, self-doubt, and identity. Key Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Patricia Stellamares to the show 2:49 - When feeling “different” started to feel like being “wrong” 5:05 - How long that story followed her 8:48 - The first time she felt truly seen and believed 16:08 - The moment survival and living stopped feeling like the same thing 21:14 - What she wishes people understood about neurodivergent lives 22:33 - What autism and AuDHD gave her that she didn’t have before 26:59 - Healing from being told you’re wrong 29:54 - What she hopes people discover in her retreat work 35:43 - How being truly seen changes us 40:12 - Her message for anyone who feels alone If this episode speaks to you, listen through to the end and share it with someone who needs a little more understanding today. You can also find Patricia at invocationhealingarts.com. #Neurodivergent #AuDHD #AutismAwareness #HealingTrauma #MentalHealth Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    How to Build a Life That Feels Safe Colorful and Fully Your Own

  7. Jul 6

    The Curious Storyteller: Too Many Messages Too Much Stress One Father’s Answer to Co Parenting Conflict

    When Co-Parenting Keeps You on Edge: Finding Peace After Divorce with Sol I sat down with Sal for a deeply honest conversation about divorce, co-parenting, healing, and what it takes to stop living in constant reaction mode. In this episode, I explore what life can feel like after a relationship ends, especially when you still have to stay connected as parents. Sal shares how overwhelm, conflict, and self-doubt shaped his early days after divorce, and how he slowly began to rebuild trust in himself. Along the way, we talk about boundaries, isolation, emotional triggers, and the quiet inner work that can change how you show up for your kids and for yourself. What struck me most is how Sal turned a painful personal experience into something practical for other co-parents. I’m sharing how that idea took shape, why emotional distance can matter so much in high-conflict communication, and what many people miss about the real weight of co-parenting. If you’re parenting through separation, supporting someone who is, or trying to understand how healing and neurodivergent traits can intersect with stress, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. About the Guest Sol is a creative entrepreneur and co-parent who built Best Interest, an app designed to help reduce conflict in co-parent communication using AI-supported message review. Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Sol and we begin before the divorce 2:38 - Sol reflects on having a brain that resists neat labels 4:19 - The moment he knew he couldn’t keep living this way 8:01 - Parenting young kids through divorce and COVID 10:01 - How creativity helped protect both him and his children 14:21 - What people don’t understand about co-parenting 15:46 - The isolation of high-conflict co-parenting 22:12 - The grounding practice that changed his healing 27:58 - How lived experience became the Best Interest app 36:19 - What feels most different about who he is now 41:46 - What Sol hopes others take from his story If this episode speaks to you, listen through to the end and share it with someone who needs a little more support around divorce, co-parenting, healing, or neurodivergence. #CoParenting #DivorceHealing #NeurodivergentSupport #ParentingAfterDivorce #MentalHealth Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  8. Jul 1

    Building Confidence in Neurodivergent Kids One Strength at a Time

    What Helps Neurodivergent Kids Thrive When School Doesn’t Fit? What happens when a child isn’t failing because they can’t learn, but because the system isn’t built for how they learn? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman to talk about what truly helps neurodivergent students grow. We get into the teachers who change everything, why confidence can matter just as much as accommodations, and what families need to hear when they feel worn down. I also share parts of my own school story, because this topic isn’t abstract for me, it’s personal. You’ll hear why self-advocacy can’t wait until college, what schools still miss about autistic and learning disabled students, and why labels only tell part of the story. Dr. Tiegerman also explains the bigger mission behind his family’s work and the belief that no child should be counted out. If you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or someone finding your way after a diagnosis, I think this episode will leave you with hope, and maybe a few hard questions worth sitting with. About the Guest Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman is a psychologist and Chief Operating Officer of Tiegerman, an organization that supports children and adults with learning, language, and developmental needs. His work spans assessment, education, advocacy, and family support. Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman and we start with the human side of his story 5:49 - How his family history shaped his work in special education 12:38 - Why strengths matter just as much as struggles 22:48 - What parents need to know about advocacy and support 27:17 - Why self-advocacy becomes critical in college 31:35 - When traditional education falls short for neurodivergent students 42:16 - What schools still misunderstand about autistic students 46:42 - What parents taught him that textbooks never could 55:31 - What gives him hope, and what still needs to change 63:07 - His message for exhausted parents who are scared about the future Dr. Tiegermen's Resources: Tiegerman website - www.tiegerman.org. Dr. Tegerman shared this as the main place to learn more about the organization and its programs. Tiegerman main phone number - 516-609-2000, extension 100 for the receptionist. He said this is a starting point for being directed to the right person or service. If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs the reminder that they’re not alone. #NeurodivergentConnection #AutismSupport #ADHDAwareness #SpecialEducation #ParentAdvocacy Hosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Building Confidence in Neurodivergent Kids One Strength at a Time
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Reid Miles Podcasts Two shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter. Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations. The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance. The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard. Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished success stories or neat conclusions — it’s about connection, reflection, and telling the truth while the story is still being written. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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