Beyond the Mind

BeyondtheMind
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Beyond the Mind is where personal narratives meet neuroscience, legal systems meet lived experience, and stigma meets soul. Each episode: Unpacks real journeys from survival to self-understandingTranslates the language of the brain and body into something you can live withDismantles the myths around “normal,” success, and capabilityGives voice to people failed by systems, but not by their own potentialWe’re not here to fix you. We’re here to help you see the whole picture — and finally feel seen inside it.

  1. 10H AGO

    From Burnout to Building an ADHD App | Tahir Finley Interview

    What happens when you spend your entire life trying harder… but still feel like you’re falling behind? In this episode of the Beyond the Mind podcast, I sit down with Tahir Finley, founder of ADHD Game Plan and creator of the ADHD support app Anchor, for an honest conversation about late-diagnosed ADHD, burnout, nervous system overwhelm, and the invisible emotional labor of trying to function in systems that weren’t built for your brain. Tahir shares his journey through: struggling in school despite wanting desperately to succeed conflicting ADHD diagnoses and medication experiences military structure, entrepreneurship, burnout, and identity collapse the emotional reality of feeling like people are slowly “giving up” on you and ultimately, how he began rebuilding support systems that actually work for ADHD minds We also talk about: why ADHD is often misunderstood as laziness the emotional weight of working memory overload why traditional productivity tools fail many neurodivergent people the importance of safe, supportive environments and how thoughtful design can reduce cognitive overwhelm instead of adding to it This conversation is deeply human. Not just about ADHD— but about what it feels like to keep trying when life feels harder than it “should” be. And why understanding yourself changes everything. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, overwhelm, executive dysfunction, feeling misunderstood, or trying to rebuild your life while carrying invisible challenges… this episode is for you. To learn more from Tahir Finley: https://www.instagram.com/adhdgameplan Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theanchor.todo.app iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anchor-daily-to-dos/id6744028228 Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    1h 1m

  2. MAY 7

    Empowering Neurodiverse Students with Education and Advocacy with AnneMarie Anderson

    In this insightful episode, AnneMarie Anderson, founder of an education consultancy, discusses her mission to match families and students with needed resources, offering school advocacy and tutoring. AnneMarie shares her personal experiences growing up, her challenges with social interactions, and her path to corporate success despite the difficulties presented by small talk and networking. Reflecting on her journey through education, she shares innovative methods to empower neurodiverse students, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, tailor-made educational resources, and developing personal advocacy skills. Delve into her unique approach to fostering student curiosity and self-identification, the intricacies of working within the educational system, and the significance of maintaining joy and agency throughout. Additionally, AnneMarie talks about her published works, 'Brain Sex: A Thinking Person’s Guide to the Sex Ed Book' and 'Thrive Academic Systems Workbook,' highlighting her dedication to comprehensive and inclusive education. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Mission 01:38 Personal Journey in Education 05:31 Challenges of Small Talk and Masking 06:21 Navigating Corporate Life 20:33 Reflections on Neurodiversity and Education 38:33 Navigating Neurotypical Leadership 39:34 The Struggle with Honesty and Directness 40:44 Teaching Self-Advocacy and Privacy 41:53 Challenges in the Education System 44:38 Navigating Invisible Illnesses 48:36 Empowering Students and Parents 56:23 Books and Resources for Advocacy 56:56 Exploring Sexual Education and Values 01:10:34 Parenting and Personal Growth 01:16:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    1h 17m

  3. APR 27

    Why ADHD Coaching Works When “Tips & Tricks” Don’t with David Wake

    In this conversation, ADHD coach David Wake breaks down what many people miss: ADHD isn’t just about focus. It’s about emotion, transitions, shame, sleep, and the invisible effort it takes to do “simple” things — especially when you’ve spent years blaming yourself. We talk about: The emotional side of ADHD (including excitement, urgency, and intensity) Why mornings and sleep are such common pain points How relationships get strained when ADHD isn’t understood Why medication can be life-changing — and why it still isn’t the whole picture What coaching provides that no checklist ever will: safety, insight, accountability, and a new way to make sense of your mind If you’re ADHD and tired of “just do this” advice that never sticks, this episode offers a more grounded explanation — and a path forward that doesn’t require you to become a different person. To learn more about David Wake ADHD Coaching, visit https://www.davidwakeadhdcoaching.com Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    1 hr

  4. APR 27

    ADHD & Autism at Work: Navigating HR, Documentation, and Accommodations with Marcus Tiberius

    "What happens when you spend your whole life sensing you’re “different” — but no one gives you the language for why? In this episode, Marcus shares his journey of being late-identified as high-functioning autistic and ADHD — and the  reality of finding out his family “always knew,” but chose not to tell him. We talk about the quiet ways neurodivergence can show up when you’re not framed as “a problem,” but you still feel the difference in how you process, relate, and move through the world. And we follow the moment everything changed: a job that wasn’t the right fit, escalating anxiety and depression, and the decision to finally advocate for himself at work — which triggered a formal accommodations process that felt confusing, chaotic, and painfully slow. Marcus takes us inside what people don’t see: The emotional toll of navigating HR and invisible systems Why accommodations can take months (or more) even when they’re legally protected How to protect yourself with documentation (and why journaling your internal experience matters too) The power of having the right people in your corner: a supportive doctor, friends, family, and therapy What it looks like to stop suppressing who you are — and choose self-advocacy instead This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a process they don’t understand, trying to function inside systems that weren’t built for their brain or their body. It’s also a reminder: advocating for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s stabilizing. Marcus closes with the kind of grounded wisdom that only comes from lived experience — and a vision for what he wants to build next: using what he learned to become the person in someone else’s corner… the one who doesn’t quit on them when they’re ready to quit on themselves. If you’re navigating diagnosis, accommodations, burnout, or the quiet grief of being misunderstood — this episode will leave you feeling less alone, and more clear on your next step. To connect with Marcus: marcuskilgorekm@gmail.com Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    43 min

  5. APR 27

    The Neurodiversity Conversation New Moms Aren’t Having with Kalista Boundy (Part 2)

    Kalista’s story didn’t start with motherhood. It started years earlier — with testing out of high school at 13, cycling through bursts of brilliance and burnout, and quietly wondering why consistency always felt just out of reach. From the outside, she looked capable. Gifted. Independent. But underneath, there was a persistent pattern: overwhelm, exhaustion, and the feeling of “I should be able to handle this.” It wasn’t until early motherhood that everything intensified. In Part 2 of her story, we fast forward to life during COVID, pregnancy, and the early months with her daughter — where the invisible weight of executive dysfunction became impossible to ignore. We talk about: Why the newborn stage can expose undiagnosed ADHD The specific kind of overwhelm that feels relentless and bodily — not just “busy” The shame of struggling with daily tasks that “should” be manageable How motherhood can amplify executive function gaps What changed after therapy, diagnosis, and ADHD-informed support And the power of lowering expectations without lowering self-worth This episode is especially for new moms who are: Drowning in the day-to-day details Wondering why basic routines feel disproportionately hard Quietly asking, “Why does this seem easier for everyone else?” Trying to “tough it out” because that’s what motherhood is supposed to look like Sometimes postpartum struggle isn’t just hormones. Sometimes it’s years of overcompensating finally catching up. A diagnosis didn’t fix everything. But it gave Kalista language, context, and permission: Permission to ask for help. Permission to simplify. Permission to stop trying to function like a robot. Motherhood didn’t break her. It revealed what had always been there — and gave her the clarity to finally work with her brain instead of against it. If you’re in early motherhood and something feels heavier than it should… this conversation might help you see yourself differently. Not failing. Not weak. Not incapable. Just unsupported in ways that now — finally — make sense. Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    27 min

  6. APR 27

    What If It isn’t Just Postpartum? The Neurodiversity Convo New Moms Aren’t Having w/Kalista Boundy

    When Kalista became a mother, the patterns she’d been managing since childhood became impossible to outrun. From early academic acceleration to cycles of burnout and “starting over,” her story reflects a common but rarely discussed experience: high-capability women whose undiagnosed ADHD only becomes visible when life demands more than their coping systems can sustain. In this episode, we explore: Why achievement can hide executive dysfunction How grief, transitions, and stress amplify underlying patterns Why new motherhood is often the tipping point And how reframing your past changes your future This conversation isn’t about blame. It’s about context. For the mom quietly wondering if there’s something deeper going on — this episode offers language, compassion, and a new lens. Because sometimes the struggle isn’t that you’re not trying hard enough. It's that a new chapter requires new structure and tools. Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    27 min

  7. APR 20

    The Leadership Gap No One Is Talking About: Neurodiversity, AI, and the Human Element with Brian Schwartz

    In this episode, we explore something most leadership conversations miss. Not just strategy. Not just performance. But the human dynamics underneath it all. I’m joined by Brian Schwartz—coach, mediator, and leadership consultant—as we unpack what actually happens when high-performing individuals step into leadership roles… and why so many struggle in ways they didn’t expect. We talk about: The difference between executive leadership and executive functioning Why neurodiverse thinkers often rise quickly—but face hidden friction How visionaries and operators misalign inside organizations Why AI won’t replace the need for human-centered leadership And what it really means to build teams that feel valued, heard, and effective This is a conversation about what’s actually driving performance right now—and what leaders need to understand if they want to move forward without losing their teams. Because the truth is: You don’t lose people because of the work. You lose them because they stop feeling seen. If you’ve ever felt like you’re capable of more but something isn’t clicking… If you’ve struggled to lead others—or even yourself—through complexity and change… Or if you’re trying to build something meaningful without losing the human side of it… This episode is for you. To connect with Brian Schwartz directly: Email: Brian@brianschwartz.org Website: brianschwartz.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandanielschwartz/ Instagram: Instagram.com/brian_schwartz_coaching  Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    53 min

  8. MAR 26

    Why Mental Training Matters More Than You Think (w/ MyMentalPal Founder: Nima Yani)

    In this episode, I sit down with Nima Yani, founder of myMentalPal, to explore the connection between mental health, discipline, and performance—and how learning to work with your mind can completely shift how you move through life. Nima shares his journey from growing up in Iran to moving to the U.S. to pursue basketball, and how that experience led him to discover something many of us overlook: you can train your body all day, but if your mind isn’t supported, performance will eventually break down. We talk about:  The relationship between mental health and performance Why discipline isn’t just about willpower  How mindfulness and meditation can be used as practical tools—not just concepts  The gap between learning and actually applying what you learn And how small, consistent shifts can change your trajectory over time We also dive into the creation of myMental Pal—a mental training app that blends personal development, habit building, and mindfulness by turning books into guided meditation experiences. This conversation goes beyond surface-level self-improvement. It’s about understanding how your brain works, how your nervous system responds to stress and change, and how to build habits that actually support you—especially if you’ve struggled with consistency, focus, or follow-through. We also explore:  Why human-led mental health tools still matter in the age of AI  The importance of trauma-informed design And how to create a more sustainable relationship with growth If you’re interested in self-development, ADHD, habit formation, mindfulness, mental clarity, or performance optimization, this episode will give you a different way to think about it. Connect with Nima Yani / My Mental Pal  Download the app and explore more through: https://mymentalpal.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Mind  00:29 Meet Nima Yani: Founder of My Mental Pal  02:01 From Iran to the U.S.: Pursuing Basketball Dreams  03:17 Discovering Meditation Through Performance  05:10 Small Tweaks, Big Results: Lessons from Sports  07:06 Discipline and Decision-Making  11:21 Adapting to a New Country and Culture  13:04 Building Mental Barriers and Focus  14:59 Designing for the User: Building My Mental Pal  18:08 Mental Health, Mindfulness, and Product Design  22:02 Why Human-Led Teaching Matters in the Age of AI  24:04 Micro-Learning Through Meditation  26:07 Building Daily Habits and Consistency  32:26 Trauma, Boundaries, and Mental Health  37:08 Book-Based Meditation and Learning  40:11 Balancing Mind and Body  43:00 Building a Team and Scaling the Vision  45:39 How to Get Started with My Mental Pal  46:48 Closing Thoughts Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

    47 min
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About

Beyond the Mind is where personal narratives meet neuroscience, legal systems meet lived experience, and stigma meets soul. Each episode: Unpacks real journeys from survival to self-understandingTranslates the language of the brain and body into something you can live withDismantles the myths around “normal,” success, and capabilityGives voice to people failed by systems, but not by their own potentialWe’re not here to fix you. We’re here to help you see the whole picture — and finally feel seen inside it.

Information

  • Creator
    BeyondtheMind
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Mind
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Mind