Spark Launch: Neurodiversity Ignited

SparkLaunch.org, Mike Cornell, Chaya Mallavaram

You’ve landed at Spark Launch — the guide star for embracing what it means to be neurodiverse. Hosted by Chaya Mallavaram (the artsy ADHD brain behind Spark Launch) and Mike Cornell (a peer support specialist who reminds us that imperfection is where the magic happens), this podcast dives deep into the messy, beautiful, and often challenging realities of neurodivergent life. Each episode blends personal stories with expert insights to tackle issues affecting our community, such as mental health, parenting strategies, emotional regulation, workplace dynamics, executive function hacks, and neurodiversity advocacy. Whether you’re navigating life with ADHD, Autism Spectrum, or other neurodevelopmental conditions — or supporting someone who is — this is a space where neurodivergent voices can unmask, embrace their weirdness, and celebrate human diversity. Subscribe now to ignite your mind, elevate your essence, and spark something extraordinary. https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds. Available soon on iOS and Android.  - Play on any tablet or phone. Ready to Ignite Your Child’s Confidence and Curiosity? Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. https://play.sparkade.app/ Follow Mike & Chaya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followshisghost https://www.instagram.com/the_sparklaunch Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- First Session Free: https://followyourghostcoach.com/ ADHD Learning Solutions https://www.sparklaunch.org/

  1. 5d ago

    Fix The System: Neal Glendenning on ADHD Burnout, Neuroinclusion, and Care That Actually Works

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Neal Glendenning, founder of The Neuro Inclusion Project and NdCare Group, who is building neurodivergent care systems rooted in lived experience, compassion, and real-world support. Neal opens up about ADHD burnout, hospitalization, and the moment he realized that awareness alone was never going to be enough. He explains what it means to redesign healthcare, workplaces, and power structures so neurodivergent people are not just accommodated, but truly understood and empowered. We Also Cover: Neal’s personal experience with ADHD burnout and hospitalization Why current therapies often fall short for ADHD and AuDHD people Building an end-to-end ADHD care pathway from pre-diagnosis to lifelong support The difference between awareness and real neuroinclusion Why compromised systems often fail the people they were meant to serve How work environments strip meaning, creativity, and humanity from people Flexible work, productivity, and honoring neurodivergent energy patterns Why hierarchy blocks collective wisdom and system change The role of neurodivergent people in rebuilding broken systems Neal’s vision for public-first ADHD support through the NHS and beyond Quotes: "Any system is limited by the person that is actually in control of it." — Neal Glendenning "You shouldn't have to settle for some system that's compromised." — Neal Glendenning "We’ve taken industrialization too far because now we’re trying to industrialize human beings." — Neal Glendenning "The one benefit of the collapse is rebirth." — Neal Glendenning About Neal Glendenning: Neal Glendenning is the founder of The Neuro Inclusion Project, an ADHD advocate, innovator, and systems thinker working to create a world where neurodivergent people are not just accommodated, but fully understood, supported, and empowered. After navigating his own journey with ADHD, Neal saw how often the systems meant to support neurodivergent people fail to recognize the full picture: the strengths, the struggles, the creativity, the chaos, and the emotional toll of being misunderstood. Through therapy, psychoeducation, corporate training, and community outreach, Neal bridges the gap between neurodiversity awareness and meaningful action. His work challenges outdated narratives, breaks stigma, and helps individuals, teams, and organizations build ADHD-affirming systems rooted in compassion, evidence, lived experience, clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Connect with Neal Glendenning: The Neuro Inclusion Project: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/ Meet Neal and the Team: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/about-us/our-team/ Enquire About Speaking: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/neuro-inclusion-project/enquire-about-speaking/ Neal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-glendenning-142406a4/ Recommended Reading: The Future Belongs to Systems That Can Tolerate Human Variability: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/c939df17-d7f4-4a31-bcc8-aba68a41bb89/The-Future-Belongs-to-Systems-That-Can-Tolerate-Human-Variability.pdf Shame Is a System Maintenance Tool: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/dceb5e25-377d-4d69-9e4b-98e0e4eb8120/Shame-Is-a-System-Maintenance-Tool.pdf ADHD: Beyond Inattention and Hyperactivity: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_adhd-mentalhealthawareness-neurodiversity-activity-7333550656080818177-VEOy/ Stop Fixing Neurodivergent People. Fix the System.: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_neurodiversity-inclusion-leadership-activity-7331782322406490112-9Z4P/ The Hidden Toll of Late Autism Diagnosis: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_latediagnosis-autisminadults-neurodiversity-activity-7351506009971982338-rxfo/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Fix The System: Neal Glendenning on ADHD Burnout, Neuroinclusion, and Care That Actually Works
  2. Aug 7

    Burnout & Balance: Reciprocity and Resilience in Healthcare w/ Katy Johnson

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Katy Johnson, a registered nurse and founder of Reciprocity KC, who brings vital wellness support directly to burned-out healthcare professionals. Katy opens up about her late-in-life ADHD and social-phobia diagnosis, unpacks the reality of compassion fatigue, and explains why prioritizing somatic release and self-compassion is the true first step toward healing. We Also Cover: Misidentifying adult ADHD symptoms as simple perfectionism and procrastination. The grief and relief of a late-in-life diagnosis Why mindfulness can be challenging for neurodivergent brains and how movement helps The process of forgiving yourself for decades of negative internal dialogue. Recognizing healthcare worker burnout and the grief and sadness that builds up without a release Why hospitals aren't the place for healthcare workers to heal and the need for external wellness spaces Why the female-dominated healthcare industry normalizes toxic levels of compassion fatigue The unique challenges of launching a nonprofit organization while navigating ADHD Making wellness spaces more inclusive, accessible, and less performative Quotes: "For years. I was going to my doctor, my therapist, saying, 'I used to be so productive... What is wrong with me? Why?'" — Katy Johnson "I do think that the communities could do more for the healthcare providers. I know the hospitals can't do it. Their job is to save the patients, not to save their staff." — Katy Johnson "If you don't feel good in the room, are you in the right room? Because for me, it wasn't the right room, and it's not about them being bad people. It's about me and where I was comfortable." — Katy Johnson About Katy Johnson: Katy Johnson, RN, MHL, is a former pediatric transplant nurse and the founder of Reciprocity KC, a nonprofit dedicated to helping healthcare professionals heal from the inside out. After spending more than a decade working in pediatric hematology, oncology, and transplant, she witnessed firsthand the devastating toll of compassion fatigue and chronic stress on those who give so much of themselves. At 38, Katy was late-diagnosed with ADHD and social phobia—and likely falls within the AuDHD spectrum—a discovery that profoundly shifted her approach to nervous system regulation, sensory needs, and authenticity. Guided by the belief that you can’t pour from an empty cup and that caregivers deserve care too, she launched Reciprocity KC to offer donation-based yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness events for medical professionals in the Kansas City community. Today, Katy balances her nonprofit mission with a career in oncology biopharma, raising two kids, and continuing her own journey of growth through movement and self-discovery. Connect with Katy Johnson: Website: https://www.reciprocitykc.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reciprocity.kc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Reciprocity-Collective/61577774972418 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reciprocity-collectivekc/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Burnout & Balance: Reciprocity and Resilience in Healthcare w/ Katy Johnson
  3. Jul 31

    Regulate, Restore, Remember: Unmasking the Neurodivergent Nervous System w/ Briana McCallum

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Briana McCallum, founder of Divine Empowerment Coaching, who helps neurodivergent people and caregivers build regulation, self-trust, and resilience. Briana opens up about her path from an medication-resistant kid to becoming a Reiki master, how alternative healing finally brought her peace, and drawing insight from her own lived experience as a neurodivergent woman and parent. She breaks down the gut-mind connection, the hidden physical toll of masking, and exactly how to regulate a dysregulated nervous system so you can stop fighting your own wiring. We Also Cover: Briana’s path from misunderstood child to healer, coach, and advocate How she explains energy work through chakras and the central nervous system Why grief, stress, and dysregulation can show up as pain in the body The gut-brain connection and how food affects mood, focus, and inflammation Glutamate sensitivity, sugar crashes, and tracking food patterns for self-awareness How masking in neurodivergence disrupts emotional and energetic alignment Breathwork, grounding, and nervous system regulation in overstimulating environments Medication resistance, intolerance, and holistic starting points for support Adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms, and nutrition for cognitive and emotional steadiness The tension and complement between neurodivergent and neurotypical ways of moving through the world Quotes: "As a life coach, it is an intentional process. Like, hey, I'm gonna come mess you up in the most beautiful ways." — Briana McCallum _"When we mask and we are pretending to be somebody we are not, there's so much turmoil inside of us. But we can always realign."_— Chaya "The only thing we really have control over is ourselves." — Briana McCallum About Briana McCallum: Briana McCallum is an ACCP International Board Certified Life Coach from Jay Shetty's Certification School and a Neurodiversity Empowerment Coach specializing in helping neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers achieve their goals and set themselves up for success.   Using her trinity coaching model — combining mind, body, and spiritual health — she approaches every goal, dream, and aspiration with a full-circle wellness perspective.   With 4 years of Life Skills Leadership at Cooperiis Healing Farm, 20+ years of studies in psychology, sociology, and human development, and over 30 years of lived experience, Briana brings a deeply personal and professional foundation to her work.   She is also a Reiki Master, holistic health consultant, medium, and the founder of LMH Custom Teas & Herbs LLC — a trinity wellness company blending botanical medicine, energy healing, and personalized coaching support.   As a neurodivergent woman who could not tolerate medications, Briana was forced to navigate her own path to wellness — moving through cycles of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain using holistic and integrative approaches. That lived necessity became the foundation of the coaching practice she offers today through Divine EMP Coaching. Connect with Briana McCallum: LMHTEA: https://lmhtea.org/ Divine Empowerment Coaching: https://divineempowerment.org/ YouTube and social links: available through https://lmhtea.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mccallumbriana Facebook (LMH): https://www.facebook.com/lmhtea Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccallumbriana/ LinkedIn (LMH): https://www.linkedin.com/company/lmh-custom-tea-herbs/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Regulate, Restore, Remember: Unmasking the Neurodivergent Nervous System w/ Briana McCallum
  4. Jul 24

    Nonspeaking Autism and the Right to Communicate w/ Dr. Uli K. Chettipally

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Dr. Uli K. Chettipally, an emergency medicine physician and autism-tech innovator, who is reimagining what support can look like for non-speaking autistic people. Uli shares how his daughter Siri’s autism diagnosis changed the course of his life and work, leading him from frustration with existing therapies to building new tools rooted in dignity, movement, communication, and belief. We Also Cover: What autism looked like in Siri’s early childhood, before reliable communication Why Dr. Chettipally questioned the results his family saw from ABA therapy How exercise helped Siri with anxiety, regulation, and daily life The link between motor planning, speech, and non-speaking autism How letter board communication changed Siri’s education and self-advocacy Why families are told to doubt communication tools that are working What “high needs” can really mean when someone has no reliable way to communicate How robotics, VR, and gaming could support autism therapy Siri’s college success and her plans for neuroscience What Sirica.ai hopes to make easier for non-speaking autistic people and their families About Dr. Uli K. Chettipally: Dr. Uli K. Chettipally is an award-winning physician, researcher, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine, clinical decision support, and digital therapeutics. He is the founder of Sirica Therapeutics, a start-up that is developing a novel device system for autism, using robotics, virtual reality, and video gaming. His mission is to make therapy fun and effective for children with autism and their families. He is also the founder and President of InnovatorMD, the world's largest physician innovation platform that aims to inform, inspire, and ignite solutions that revolutionize patient care. He organizes events, classes, and meetups for physician innovators and startups, and runs a Health Tech pre-seed accelerator in partnership with Founder Institute. He is passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, quality, and affordability Connect with Dr. Uli K. Chettipally: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulichettipally Siri’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysirichettipally Siri's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siri_speaks_2026 Sirica Therapeutics: https://www.siricatx.com Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Nonspeaking Autism and the Right to Communicate w/ Dr. Uli K. Chettipally
  5. Jul 17

    Game Over for Traditional Education: Neurodivergence For The Win w/ Enrique Cachafeiro

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Enrique Cachafeiro, an education innovator and serious game designer challenging the industrial-era classroom model. Enrique explains why traditional education systems are fundamentally misaligned with neurodivergent minds, why school accommodations often fall short, and how gamification and immersive learning can help build a system centered on curiosity instead of conformity. We Also Cover: Why the traditional education system prioritizes conformity over curiosity How standard accommodations leaves neurodivergent students stuck inside a structure that still doesn’t fit How grades create false confidence or fixed student identities Why neurodivergent learners often thrive through autonomy, curiosity, and deep interest-based exploration How gamification reframes failure as feedback, practice, and iteration The difference between adding technology to a classroom and actually redesigning education Why parents and teachers are often trapped in the same unsupported system as students Quotes: "If you have a shoe that doesn't fit you, accommodations are like giving you a shoehorn so you can best put your foot in a shoe that doesn't fit you." — Enrique Cachafeiro "School is actively detrimental. And for our special kiddos, it's even worse because the system is really good at putting labels on people." — Enrique Cachafeiro "There isn't failure. There's struggles, and struggles are part of any path." — Enrique Cachafeiro "Stop equating the school system with education. There are other ways, and we just have to get brave enough to try them." — Enrique Cachafeiro About Enrique Cachafeiro: Dr. Enrique Cachafeiro has spent the last decade finding ways to evolve the state of the classroom to take advantage of new instructional technologies and strategies. He specializes in the introduction of technology into the classroom, the use of innovative strategies such as blended learning and gamified learning, and in helping teachers and administration adopt these into their districts and classrooms. Dr. Cachafeiro continues to push the envelope by exploring emerging technologies, such as immersive worlds, virtual reality, and AI, as well as video games and their application to the classroom. He has not only done this in his own classroom but has also presented at various levels to various groups on the use and adoption of the technologies. Presently, he is working for Duke Health as an Education and Training Coordinator and teaches a course on Serious Game Design. He continues to be an advocate for change in education. Connect with Enrique Cachafeiro: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-cachafeiro The ESCAPE Model: https://escapemodel.com Lusory State: http://lusorystate.com ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Enrique-Cachafeiro Science Circle Profile: https://www.sciencecircle.org/enrique-cachafeiro2 Recommended Reading: Karl Kapp’s Books on Gamification and Learning: https://karlkapp.com/books/ The Multiplayer Classroom by Lee Sheldon: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Multiplayer_Classroom.html?id=DdLVDwAAQBAJ Escape Velocity: Defying the Gravity of “Real Schools” by Enrique Cachafeiro: https://appstate.figshare.com/articles/thesis/Escape_Velocity_Defying_the_Gravity_of_Real_Schools_/30333703 Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Game Over for Traditional Education: Neurodivergence For The Win w/ Enrique Cachafeiro
  6. Jul 10

    Belonging From The Inside-Out: Stop Performing, Start Living w/ Jodi Davidson

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Jodi Davidson, founder of Leader Within coaching and consulting, who opens up about how shame, perfectionism, and masking can quietly run the show. She shares the story behind her Kintsugi-inspired approach (release, repair, renew), plus the reality of late-diagnosed neurodivergence, the exhausting weight of masking, and how growing up as a sibling to someone with autism shaped her. We Also Cover: Why belonging has to start internally before any external system can feel real How layoffs can force a deeper reckoning with identity and self-worth The Kintsugi framework and what release, repair, and renew can look like in real life How hacking ADHD can change the way motivation and task initiation actually work The reality of late-diagnosed neurodivergence and what masking can cost over time How caregiver burnout and family dynamics shape self-esteem, empathy, and survival Why self-compassion matters when you catch yourself slipping into old patterns Why the pressure to be "perfect" is actually a trauma response that kills creativity Quotes: “We could have the best conditions externally… but if we don’t do the work inside.” — Jodi Davidson “I hate the word deficit... if we don't look at it from a place of it being pathologized, and instead recognize that it's just simply the way people are wired.” — Jodi Davidson “Perfectionism isn't egoistic always... neurodivergent individuals often feel like they're gonna be found out if they're not perfect.” — Mike About Jodi Davidson: Jodi Davidson is a coach and consultant who helps individuals and teams build real self-trust, self-compassion, and belonging from the inside-out. After years working in large organizations on inclusion and belonging, she hit a hard personal truth: external “belonging” efforts can fall flat when people don’t feel worthy or whole internally. Jodi’s work is shaped by lived experience—family caregiving, neurodivergence in her family, and learning to forgive herself for choices made under pressure. Today she’s developing the Kintsugi Connected Leader framework (release, repair, renew), using the Kintsugi metaphor to help people integrate the “cracked open” parts of life into something more honest, sustainable, and human. Connect with Jodi Davidson: Leader Within Consulting: https://leaderwithin.net/ Email: jodi@leaderwithin.net Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Belonging From The Inside-Out: Stop Performing, Start Living w/ Jodi Davidson
  7. Jul 3

    CuriouslyDivergent: Masking, Misdiagnosis, and Knowing Your Rights w/ Laney Hills

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Lainey Hills, founder of Curiously Divergent and Neuro Curiosity, to talk about why neurodivergent employees struggle at work because of workplace design—not lack of capability. Lainey shares her experiences with autism, ADHD, masking, and workplace discrimination, leading to greater understanding of practical accommodations, EEOC rights, and what supportive leadership should look like. We Also Cover: Why Psychology And Tech Often Attract Neurodivergent People Masking, Authenticity, And Mental Health Costs Misdiagnosis Patterns For Women And Medication Risks Communication Devices, Nonverbal Autism, And Assumptions About IQ EEOC Basics, Disclosure, And What Employers Can (And Can’t) Ask For Why PIPs Commonly Fail Neurodivergent Employees Simple Manager Adjustments For RSD And Feedback Conversations Remote Work, RTO, And Sensory/Transition Overload In Offices Lateral Movement, Shadowing Other Departments, And Innovation Parenting Neurodivergent Kids Without Shame Or “Brokenness” Narratives Quotes: "Neurodivergents are like Furbies." “89% of neurodivergence face outright discrimination at work.” "Accommodations are not favors." About Laney Hills: Laney Hills is the founder of CuriouslyDivergent and NeuroCuriosity, and an autistic advocate who knows firsthand what it means to work in systems that weren’t built for you. After spending years masking, navigating corporate power dynamics, and experiencing workplace discrimination, Laney began translating those experiences into education and change. Today, she works with leaders, HR professionals, and teams to redesign workplace systems so neurodivergent people don’t have to choose between authenticity and survival. Her work centers on clarity, dignity, and building environments where people are no longer asked to be entirely too much—or not enough. Connect with Laney Hills: Laney Hills-Mullen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curiouslydivergent/ CuriouslyDivergent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/curiouslydivergent/ CuriouslyDivergent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslydivergentcommunity/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    CuriouslyDivergent: Masking, Misdiagnosis, and Knowing Your Rights w/ Laney Hills
  8. Jun 26

    Beyond Words: Selective Mutism, Autism, and How Speech Works w/ Elissa Renee Mandel

    Mike and Chaya sit down with Elissa Renee—speech-language pathologist, autism clinical specialist, and the founder of Speech Works by Elissa—for a conversation that challenges what we assume “communication” looks like. Elissa shares how her own experience with selective mutism and speech apraxia shaped the way she supports non-speaking kids today, and what changed when she later realized she’s autistic. We Also Cover: Selective mutism, apraxia of speech, and word-finding Adult diagnosis in women, accommodations, and self-understanding Non-speaking vs non-verbal and why language matters Communication therapy through motor planning and auditory processing Why repetition-only speech therapy fails autistic learning styles The severe mental and physical toll of masking Separating verbal output from intelligence The six muscle groups involved in speech and why breath support matters more than most people realize Masking, burnout, and help from The Aspie World Quotes: "A learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. It means that there's a discrepancy between your skills." "We see a child, a non-speaking child trying to communicate through behaviors or gestures or grabbing things or trying to express their emotions… and we immediately think they have no feelings, they have nothing to say, and that's not true. They just don't have the proper way to express it." "Non-speaking children have things to say." About Elissa Renee: Elissa Renee Mandel (she/her), founder of Speech Works by Elissa, is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Autism Clinical Specialist based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Diagnosed as autistic and ADHD later in life, Elissa brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her practice. Her journey began after witnessing how conventional approaches fell short for her neurodivergent clients and herself. With a focus on children facing severe speech delays, apraxia, sensory challenges, and those considered “non-verbal,” Elissa empowers parents through step-by-step communication programs, coaching, and actionable home strategies. Her progressive, world-class techniques have garnered praise from clients and experts alike for transforming the lives of children who previously “couldn’t speak a word.” Elissa is a strong advocate for sensory-friendly events, early parent involvement, and the power of neurodivergent-informed care. She is a featured expert in the upcoming TV docuseries “Legacy Makers,” a sought-after podcast guest, and the co-creator of online resources to help families anywhere accelerate their child’s journey to communication. Connect with Elissa: Website: speechworksbyelissa.com Instagram: @speechworksbyelissa | @itselissarenee (personal) Facebook: Speech Works by Elissa LLC TikTok: @speechworksbyelissa YouTube: Speech Works by Elissa | The Neurodivergent Marketer LinkedIn: Elissa Renee Mandel TV Appearance: Featured expert on “Legacy Makers,” Season 1, “Voice of Change”  Collaboration: Autism Acceleration Academy with Daniel Jones, The Aspie World Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Beyond Words: Selective Mutism, Autism, and How Speech Works w/ Elissa Renee Mandel

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You’ve landed at Spark Launch — the guide star for embracing what it means to be neurodiverse. Hosted by Chaya Mallavaram (the artsy ADHD brain behind Spark Launch) and Mike Cornell (a peer support specialist who reminds us that imperfection is where the magic happens), this podcast dives deep into the messy, beautiful, and often challenging realities of neurodivergent life. Each episode blends personal stories with expert insights to tackle issues affecting our community, such as mental health, parenting strategies, emotional regulation, workplace dynamics, executive function hacks, and neurodiversity advocacy. Whether you’re navigating life with ADHD, Autism Spectrum, or other neurodevelopmental conditions — or supporting someone who is — this is a space where neurodivergent voices can unmask, embrace their weirdness, and celebrate human diversity. Subscribe now to ignite your mind, elevate your essence, and spark something extraordinary. https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds. Available soon on iOS and Android.  - Play on any tablet or phone. Ready to Ignite Your Child’s Confidence and Curiosity? Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. https://play.sparkade.app/ Follow Mike & Chaya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followshisghost https://www.instagram.com/the_sparklaunch Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- First Session Free: https://followyourghostcoach.com/ ADHD Learning Solutions https://www.sparklaunch.org/