The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid

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. 1d ago

    How One Mom Found Steady Ground While Raising Two Kids With Different Needs

    What Caregiving Really Looks Like When the System Falls Short What happens when you’re raising two neurodivergent children and the help you need still doesn’t meet real life? In this episode, I sit down with Danielle for an honest conversation about Autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, single parenthood, and the kind of caregiving most people never fully see. I’m sharing a story that speaks to parents, caregivers, and anyone trying to support a family carrying more than most people realize. Danielle opens up about the daily pressure of meeting both of her children where they are, while also facing financial strain, burnout, and the quiet loneliness that can come with doing so much on your own. At the same time, this conversation isn’t only about hardship. You’ll also hear about the small moments of joy, the hidden strengths people often miss in nonverbal children, and the kind of real support that actually makes a difference. If you’ve ever wondered what families like Danielle’s wish the world understood, this episode will stay with you. About the Guest Danielle is a single mother raising two children with special needs: her teenage son, Brian, who is autistic and has ADHD, and her daughter, Ava, who is autistic and has cerebral palsy. She shares her family’s day-to-day reality with honesty, heart, and hope. Timestamps 0:03 - I introduce Danielle’s story and what this conversation explores1:20 - Danielle shares her family’s background and her children’s diagnoses10:53 - What an ordinary day of caregiving actually looks like23:19 - What caregiving feels like from the inside28:19 - Why even grocery shopping can become a major task32:47 - How Ava experiences the world beyond spoken words43:39 - Who Brian is beyond his Autism label51:06 - What the support gap looks like in everyday life69:07 - What real support truly looks like for a family like Danielle’s74:15 - Danielle’s message for listeners who feel unseen or overwhelmedhttps://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION If this episode speaks to you, listen all the way through, share it with someone who needs it, and keep being part of this neurodivergent community conversation. #Neurodivergent #AutismAwareness #Caregiving #SpecialNeedsParenting #ADHD 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. 3d ago

    Invisible Illness When Doctors Miss What Your Body Knows

    When Chronic Illness Changes Your Identity: My Conversation with Dr. Jeff Bone What do you do when your body says something is wrong, but no one seems to hear you? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeff Bone to talk about the hidden weight of chronic illness, what it feels like to be misdiagnosed, and how life can change when your health no longer feels predictable. This conversation goes far beyond symptoms. We get into grief, loneliness, identity, and the quiet fear that comes with living in a body you can’t fully trust. Dr. Bone is a psychologist, writer, and host of To the Bone: Conversations on Pain, Illness, and Meaning. After years of searching for answers, he was eventually diagnosed with an immune disorder linked to toxic mold exposure. What stayed with me most was how honestly he spoke about being dismissed, rebuilding meaning, and learning how to live with pain without turning against himself. If you’ve ever felt unseen, overwhelmed, or unsure how to explain what you’re carrying, I think this episode will stay with you. I also share why curiosity, self-compassion, and being truly present can matter more than having all the answers. Timestamps 0:02 - Why chronic illness can affect identity, relationships, and the future you pictured1:15 - What life looked like before everything changed6:43 - The pain of being misdiagnosed and not believed8:21 - The first real clues behind his illness12:25 - Realizing this wasn’t something that would simply pass15:33 - The part of chronic illness most people don’t see19:20 - How poetry became a way to cope and make sense of the chaos25:37 - Grieving the life you thought you’d have35:01 - A small practice that can help when everything feels too heavy41:34 - Changing your relationship with pain48:46 - What I hope people hear when they feel dismissed or alone If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs to feel less alone. #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #NeurodivergentConnection #MentalHealth #DisabilitySupport 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. 6d ago

    Why IEP Meetings Leave Parents Lost and What Schools Need to Do Instead

    Why So Many Neurodivergent Kids Struggle in School — And What Needs to Change If school feels more like a battle than a place to learn, this conversation will hit home. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Riegel to talk about why so many neurodivergent students are misunderstood in classrooms, IEP meetings, and behavior systems. We get into the gap between what schools measure, what they actually support, and why that mismatch can leave kids feeling like they’re the problem. I’m sharing a conversation that goes beyond labels like ADHD and autism and gets to the heart of what many parents, educators, and caregivers see every day: bright kids struggling in systems that were never built with their brains in mind. You’ll hear why behavior is often misread, what schools miss about executive functioning, and how small shifts in the classroom can change far more than most people expect. About the guest: Lisa Riegel is an educator, leadership expert, and author of NeuroWell. She works with schools and professionals to bring brain-based practices into real learning spaces, with a strong focus on helping students feel safe, seen, and supported. If you’ve ever wondered why some kids keep falling through the cracks—or what it could look like if we actually got it right—this episode will give you a lot to think about. Timestamps 0:03 - I welcome Lisa Riegel and set up the conversation0:30 - What Lisa noticed early about students who didn’t fit the system2:08 - Why IEP data and school supports often don’t match4:37 - Why behavior plans can miss what autistic students really need7:33 - The personal moment that changed Lisa’s work forever12:09 - A simple classroom shift that helped students focus better16:49 - Why teachers need a better understanding of how the brain works23:22 - What Lisa wishes more people understood about ADHD and autism31:52 - The biggest mistake schools make about behavior33:31 - Small changes that created big results in real classrooms38:29 - Where the education system breaks down most for neurodivergent people47:36 - What helps neurodivergent minds thrive Listen in, then share this with a parent, teacher, or caregiver who needs this conversation. #Neurodivergent #ADHD #AutismAwareness #InclusiveEducation #IEP 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. Aug 3

    The Curious Storyteller: Finding Steady Ground After Trauma Grief and a Life Changing Diagnosis

    What Happens When You Look Fine on the Outside but Feel Lost Inside? In this episode, I sit down with Mike Dyson for an honest conversation about identity, discouragement, grief, and what it takes to keep going when life feels heavier than you can explain. Mike shares parts of his story that many people hide: childhood rejection, the pressure to perform, silent insecurity, and the kind of pain that can sit behind a confident face. We also talk about the health crisis that shook his world and why that season forced him to face fear, loss, and purpose in a new way. What stayed with me most is this: how do you tell the difference between healing and hiding? And what changes when you stop believing the worst things about yourself? About the guest: Mike Dyson is the author of The Shadow. He writes and speaks about faith, identity, restoration, emotional pain, and hope for people who feel stuck in darkness. If you’ve ever felt unseen, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, I think this conversation will meet you where you are. Listen through to hear the questions that matter most. Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Mike Dyson and begin with his story before the book 1:25 - Mike opens up about childhood rejection, fatherlessness, and insecurity 4:20 - We talk about distorted identity and the “shadows” that shape self-worth 7:33 - Mike shares what it’s like to look confident while struggling inside 13:14 - A major health scare, grief, and the emotional weight that followed 19:12 - How suffering changed Mike’s sense of purpose 32:23 - The meaning behind The Shadow and the difference between two kinds of shadows 35:18 - Why people confuse hiding with healing 41:57 - What happens when we believe darkness over truth 53:23 - How faith and suffering can exist at the same time 57:32 - What Mike hopes readers take from his book 61:13 - Where to find Mike and get the book Get you copy of the Anti-Planner - https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION If this episode speaks to you, listen to the full conversation and share it with someone who may need the reminder that they’re not alone. #TheCuriousStoryteller #MikeDyson #TheShadow #MentalHealth #FaithAndHealing 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 31

    Raising Self Advocates While Holding a Family Together

    When “This Wasn’t the Plan” Becomes Your Reality as a Parent What happens when the life I imagined for my children suddenly changes—and I can’t fix it the way I thought I could? In this episode, I sit down with Tabitha deGrave for an honest conversation about parenting through diagnosis, uncertainty, and the kind of strength people often praise but rarely understand. We talk about what it feels like to raise one child with autism and another with tuberous sclerosis complex, and how those two paths can reshape a mother’s identity in ways no one really prepares you for. Tabitha shares the guilt, grief, and constant questions that can come after a diagnosis. At the same time, she also speaks to the patience, advocacy, and deep awareness that can grow in that hard space. We also get into why labels can matter, how support can change a child’s future, and what many families wish someone had told them much earlier. If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or someone trying to support a neurodivergent child, I think this conversation will meet you where you are. And if you’ve ever wondered how to keep showing up when life looks nothing like you expected, there’s something here for you. About the Guest: Tabitha deGrave is a mother, advocate, and author who shares her family’s experience to help other families feel less alone after a diagnosis. She speaks openly about caregiving, community, and the reality of raising children with different support needs. Key Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Tabitha and ask who she was before diagnosis entered motherhood2:46 - How her daughters’ autism and TSC diagnoses began to unfold4:17 - The guilt that followed missing early autism signs6:33 - What it felt like to hear a rare diagnosis for the first time8:43 - What each child taught her about patience and the healthcare system15:06 - The moment she realized this was more than “just a phase”16:42 - Why she leaned into diagnosis instead of fearing the label25:20 - The part of caregiving most people never see27:04 - What strength really feels like on the inside31:02 - Why she started sharing her story to help other families36:27 - What she’d place in the hands of a mom in early uncertainty Get you copy of the Anti-Planner - https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION If this episode speaks to you, listen through to the end and share it with someone who needs that reminder: you’re not alone. #AutismSupport #NeurodivergentConnection #ParentingSpecialNeeds #TSCawareness #CaregiverSupport 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 29

    From feeling out of place to finding language for ADHD and trauma

    When ADHD, Trauma, and “Whispers” Start Making Sense In this episode, I sit down with Annie talk about what it feels like when your brain, body, and past are all trying to get your attention at once. We get into Annie’s path from military service to trauma research, and how an ADHD diagnosis helped her make sense of years of feeling out of step with the world around her. Along the way, we talk about the subtle ways trauma can hide in plain sight, why some neurodivergent people experience the world more intensely, and what those quiet “whispers” from the body might really be saying. If you’ve ever thought, maybe I’m fine, but something still feels off, this conversation will give you a new lens to look through. I’m also sharing why trauma doesn’t always look dramatic, how it can show up as personality, stress, or disconnection, and why that matters for neurodivergent people in everyday life. About the Guest Annie is a military veteran, metaphysical trauma researcher, and author who studies how trauma, nervous system patterns, and neurodivergence show up in real life. Timestamps 0:02 - I welcome Annie and we begin with her military experience2:33 - What an ADHD diagnosis changed when Annie looked back on her life6:46 - Why some neurodivergent people process meditation and awareness differently8:28 - The “cargo container” Annie carried without language for it14:33 - Why people say they don’t have trauma, even when it shapes everything17:40 - How trauma can show up in homes, habits, and relationships24:19 - Using AI to better understand conflict, tone, and compassion31:21 - Annie explains her “Black Room” method33:08 - What “whispers” from the body can look like in daily life36:32 - A real-life look at the 6 Layers of BelongingAnnies Website: https://oneemprima.com/ Pre-Order a copy of her book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trauma-whispers-before-it-roars-annie-emprima/1150805354?ean=9798995925538 Get you copy of the Anti-Planner - https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs a better way to understand ADHD, trauma, and neurodivergence. #ADHD #TraumaHealing #Neurodivergent #AutismAwareness #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.

    From feeling out of place to finding language for ADHD and trauma

  7. Jul 27

    The Curious Storyteller: When the Life You Built Looks Fine but Feels Wrong

    What If the Life You’re Living Was Never Really Yours? In this episode, I sit down with Shruti Trivedi to talk about purpose, grief, mental health, and the quiet pressure of living by someone else’s script. We explore what happens when life forces you to stop, question everything, and ask, Whose life am I living? Shruti shares how moving from IT into coaching changed the way she sees success, self-care, and what it means to live with peace instead of just performance. We also talk about pregnancy loss, why so many hard experiences stay unspoken, and how small shifts in language can change how we carry pain. Then we turn to something every parent, educator, and caregiver will care about: the life skills kids aren’t always taught, from listening to handling emotions and building real human connection. And just when the conversation seems grounded in the present, we look ahead to AI, the future of work, and what we can’t afford to lose as technology keeps moving faster. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or unsure what really matters anymore, this conversation may leave you with a few big questions you didn’t know you needed to ask. About the Guest Shruti Trivedi is a former IT professional turned coach who helps people reconnect with purpose, process grief, and create space for more honest, meaningful lives. Her work is shaped by her personal experience with pregnancy loss, therapy, parenting, and mental health advocacy. Timestamps 0:03 - I welcome Shruti and we begin with purpose, education, and where humanity may be headed7:35 - Shruti shares the personal experiences that changed her path11:11 - We talk about the “template of life” and what it means to question it13:39 - What Shruti had to unlearn in parenting, work, and relationships15:26 - How her definition of success changed over time17:28 - The life skills schools often miss19:28 - The one skill every child should leave school with22:21 - Why we spend more time learning how to do than how to be27:58 - What excites and worries us about AI and the future35:25 - Shruti’s message for anyone feeling trapped by society’s script Get you copy of the Anti-Planner - https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION If this episode speaks to you, listen through to the end and share it with someone who may need it. Subscribe for more conversations on mental health, purpose, parenting, education, and human connection. #MentalHealth #Purpose #Parenting #AIandHumanity #LifeSkills 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 24

    From Feeling Different to Finding Meaning in Neurodivergence

    When Neurodivergence, Identity, and Spiritual Sensitivity Collide What happens when a diagnosis doesn’t feel big enough to explain your experience of the world? In this episode, I sit down with Alice Dillon to explore that question from a deeply personal and thought-provoking angle. We talk about what it means to live with labels like ADHD and neurodivergent while also feeling that something more personal, intuitive, or hard to name is going on underneath. Along the way, I challenge the role of diagnosis, belonging, masking, and the quiet pressure to fit into a world that often misunderstands difference. Alice shares how she’s made sense of her own experience over time, why some labels help while others can feel limiting, and what she believes gets missed when we explain everything through a clinical lens alone. We also get into a bigger question I think many people in this community carry: What if the very traits we’ve been told to tone down are part of what the world needs most? About the Guest Alice Dylan is an author, teacher, and intuitive guide. She’s the author of Alone in a Sea of Normal and shares her work through Facebook and YouTube as @askalice9999. Key Timestamps 0:14 - What it feels like when sensitivity gets a clinical name3:41 - The tension between self-diagnosis, identity, and support11:13 - How Alice understood herself before “neurodivergent” became common16:31 - What belonging looked like without labels23:48 - What “spiritual perception” feels like day to day27:47 - The childhood moment that changed everything30:18 - Holding science, diagnosis, and lived experience at the same time35:41 - What could change if neurodivergent people didn’t have to keep fighting to fit in48:07 - What might sit at the core of these experiences beyond labels51:43 - Where to find Alice and her book https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION If you’ve ever felt caught between diagnosis, intuition, and the need to be understood, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. Listen in, then tell me what stood out to you most. #Neurodivergent #ADHD #AutismAwareness #MentalHealthPodcast #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.

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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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