Content note: This episode discusses abuse in a religious cult, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, and the negative impact of U.S. current events on marginalized people.

Tas The Artist is an autistic, queer, disabled and deaf graphic artist, illustrator, and advocate who blends storytelling with a passion for accessible design. Tas supports fellow members of their community through vocational coaching, developing adaptive curriculum materials and advocating for workplace accessibility. Whether they are creating a surrealist horror piece or working in advocacy, Tas brings a thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative approach to every aspect of their professional life. 

During this episode, you will hear Tas talk about:

• The unique circumstances of how they discovered that they are autistic
• What their childhood was like growing up as an undiagnosed autistic child in a religious cult
• How were they able to leave the cult and “deprogram” themselves
• How they discovered their passion for art, and how art helps them process their trauma
• What drew them specifically into the horror genre for their art
• Their experience with progressively losing their hearing in adulthood, and processing their hearing loss through their art
• Their work in digital accessibility and design, and how to make art more accessible
• The impact of current events on their life

Learn more about Tas and their work at TasTheArtist.com or on LinkedIn.

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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Charis Hawkley is an award-nominated disability advocate with dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. She enjoys discussing her experiences as a neurodivergent woman through writing articles, guesting on podcasts and speaking at events. She has been editor of the Dyspraxia Magazine since September 2024 and enjoys helping others to find their voice and tell their story. She was diagnosed later on in life at 18, and as result explores how late diagnosis affected her life and her experiences as a neurodivergent woman.

In this episode, Charis talks about:

• What dyspraxia is and what it was like growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism
• How she became a writer for Dyspraxia Magazine, and became involved with the additional seasonal events
• How she has found a sense of community with other people with dyspraxia 
• How her disabilities have affected her daily life and education 

Follow Charis on Instagram and LinkedIn. Learn more about Dyspraxia Magazine on Facebook, Instagram and DyspraxiaMagazine.com.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Preeti Kalra is a Hospital Clinical Pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Masters in Health Administration. She is the Director of Partnerships and Communications and Chicago Network Lead for WE ARE SAATH, an organization dedicated to advocating for South Asian mental health and defying the stigma in the South Asian community when it comes to talking and seeking therapy for mental health.

She is also on the Associate Board for March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal health and ending preventable premature birth within the United States. 

Preeti was born prematurely. In this episode, she talks about her experience as a preemie and as a member of the South Asian community, including:

• The circumstances of her birth as a preemie and how that affected her health as a child
• How she discovered that she was neurodivergent and how that impacted her life as a South Asian woman and as a preemie
• How her neurodivergence affected her academic studies and shaped the direction of her career
• Some potential long-term effects of being born a preemie, and why is it important to consider those effects when those babies become adults
• Her research on premature birth and the current state of maternal healthcare in South Asian countries
• How parents can be good advocates for their preemie children

Follow Preeti on Instagram @pkalra33 or email her at pkalra33 at gmail dot com. Learn more about the Adult Preemie Advocacy Network at AdultPreemies.com/resources.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Lisa Hurley is an Anthem award-winning activist and author of the new book, “Space To Exhale: A Handbook For Curating A Soft, Centered, Serene Life.” She is also the Founder of The Great Exhale, a serene virtual community focused on sisterhood and soft living, where Black women can relax, lay their burdens down—and exhale. Her advocacy converges at the nexus of self-care, community care, joy, and rest.

During this episode, you will hear Lisa talk about:

• How she realized that she is autistic, and what her life is like as a Black, autistic woman
• How autistic burnout inspired her to write “Space to Exhale,” and the guidance she provides in her book
• The importance of having a community while taking care of yourself 
• “Life-Work Balance” vs “Work-Life Balance”
• What it means to prioritize “soft living”

Find out more about Lisa and her book at SpaceToExhaleBook.com and follow Lisa on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Matthew Schwab is a 27-year-old North Carolina native with Down syndrome who has his own public speaking business, Matthew Schwab Speaks. In 2019, he gave a TEDx talk about the importance of employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Matthew hopes to help change how the world sees Down syndrome.

Matthew is also an actor whose first movie “Horsegirls” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025. He loves working as a restaurant host, doing things with family and friends and spending time with his fiancée. 

During this episode, you will hear Matthew talk about:

• What his childhood was like growing up with Down syndrome
• Why he started his own public speaking business, and the types of topics he likes to discuss
• What he likes to do at work and with his friends, family, and fiancée
• How he got into the world of theater and acting
• Challenging some common stereotypes about people with Down syndrome  

Learn more about Matthew and his work at the following links:

• Official Website - MatthewSchwabSpeaks.com
• YouTube - Matthew Schwab Listens Podcast Playlist
• Facebook - Matthew Schwab Speaks
• Instagram - @matthewschwabspeaks

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

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Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Abbie Hills is a UK-based talent agent, producer, writer, and passionate disability advocate with cerebral palsy. Abbie founded The Dazey Hills Company in 2019 to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, representing talent across the UK and Europe. Her writing has gained recognition with recent placements in film festivals, including the British Independent Film Festival, Lit Laughs, and the Palm Springs Diversity Screenplay Contest. 

In addition to her writing, Abbie works as an Access Coordinator, supporting D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent talent in film and television productions. She also mentors aspiring talent, advocating for greater accessibility and representation in the entertainment industry.

During this episode, you will hear Abbie talk about:

• Her experience growing up with cerebral palsy, which for her is an “invisible" disability
• How an MRI scan of her brain changed the way she viewed her disability
• How people have judged her because of her disability
• How cerebral palsy affects her day-to-day life
• What inspired her to become an actress, and how her disability affected her experience in the entertainment industry
• The need for community among adults with disabilities
• Her journey from being an actor who hid her disability to founding her own talent agency and working as an Access Coordinator

To find out more about Abbie and her work, visit her personal website AbbieHills.uk and production company website TheDazeyHillsCompany.co.uk and follow her on Instagram @itsabbiehills.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Rylan Hoffman, the founder of Hoff Social, is a transmasculine and neurodivergent marketing strategist and content creator who has spent 14+ years building online communities. With over 100 million organic views, they know the power of visibility, but also its risks. After facing doxxing, harassment, and even extremist threats, Rylan made it their mission to help queer business owners navigate the internet safely while getting the right eyes on their content.

During this episode, you will hear Rylan talk about:

• How they first discovered that they were neurodivergent (ADHD and autistic)
• The intersection of their gender identity with their neurodivergence
• Their own experience of being mass harassed and doxxed online as a queer content creator
• How they help queer businesses grow their online presence while staying safe online
• Online marketing and safety tips for queer and neurodivergent business owners  
• Creating engaging content for their community while being mindful of the algorithm

To find out more about Rylan and their work at hoffsocial.com and on Instagram @hoffsocial.

Resources for growing safely online (mentioned at the end of this episode):

• Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Crash Override Network
• Right To Be
• We Keep Us Safe

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

CW: Eating disorder, death of a parent.

Sunita Theiss is an autistic, ADHD and PDA* parent, writer, and advocate. A second-generation Indian American, she has a rich background in communications, marketing, and storytelling, and has found several ways to support and encourage families raising neurodivergent kids.

Sunita is passionate about creating opportunities for culturally responsive support in a way that helps families honor both their values and their children’s needs. She is a regular contributor to PDA North America's Insights and Key Ministry's blog, and her writing has been featured in many publications, including Business Insider and Christianity Today. 

*PDA is most often defined as Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy.

During this episode, you will hear Sunita talk about:

• Discovering her own neurodivergence after she had her children
• Her experience growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent kid in a South Asian family in the U.S. state of Georgia
• How raising her children has affected how she views her neurodivergence
• Growing up in the Hindu community and living as a Christian as an adult
• Writing about her experience in church as a neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children
• How “low demand parenting” works for her and her family

Join Sunita's writing workshop and/or coaching services:

• A Story Only You Can Tell: A Writing Gathering for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids – use the code CAROLYN for $10 off Sunita’s writing workshop (scheduled for 6/26/2025)
• Low Demand Parenting Coaching - use the code SUNITA15 for $15 off

Read Sunita's writing at sunitatheiss.com/writing, on Instagram @sunitatheiss and on Substack.

The book that Sunita mentions in this episode is called “The Myth of Good Christian Parenting” by Kelsey McGinnis and Marissa Burt.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Dr. Daniel P. Jones is a Creative Practitioner, Disability Scholar, and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Daniel specializes in inclusive research methodologies, focusing on the embodied experiences of public spaces, kinship, and solidarity within Tourette syndrome communities. As someone who has lived experience of Tourette syndrome himself, he has been actively engaged in community facilitation and Tourette syndrome activism in the UK for over a decade. 

During this episode, you will hear Daniel talk about:

• How he realized he had Tourette syndrome – years after he had been diagnosed
• What was it like for him growing up with Tourette's in a religious household
• How his PhD thesis research focuses on the experiences that adults with Tourette's have in both public physical spaces and digital spaces
• What he learned about how the experiences of BIPOC and queer people with Tourette's are different in these spaces
• His work to lead and promote inclusive research 

Follow Daniel on Bluesky: @danielpjones.bsky.social Visit Daniel's website: DanielPJones.com

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Content warning: This episode mentions physical and verbal abuse in school, suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt, and drug use.

Oladoyin Idowu is a pioneering dyslexia advocate and mental health professional dedicated to bridging the gap between neurodiversity, education, and mental well-being. Growing up in Nigeria with undiagnosed dyslexia, she experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating an education system that was not designed for neurodivergent learners. In 2016, she founded One Word Africa Foundation, becoming one of Nigeria’s foremost voices in dyslexia awareness and support.  

During this episode, you will hear Oladoyin talk about:

• What her life was like growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia in Nigeria
• How Google helped her realize that she had dyslexia as an adult in 2015
• The different issues that she has to deal with because of her dyslexia
• The story behind how she founded the One Word Africa Foundation in 2016
• How her experience with higher education changed after she went back to school after her dyslexia diagnosis
• The type of work that the One Word Africa Foundation does for people with dyslexia and their loved ones
• The connections that she has noticed between dyslexia and mental health

Connect with Oladoyin on LinkedIn or follow One Word Africa on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*