Alex Gilbert is a New Yorker, a Mets fan, a yogi, and a brunch enthusiast. She also has dyslexia and ADHD. After spending her career working in leadership development, she started Cape-Able Consulting, a consulting and coaching business that helps adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD who are struggling in their careers. Her biggest goal in creating Cape-Able Consulting is to change the stigma surrounding learning.

During this episode, you will hear Alex talk about:

• Her experiences with teachers, both positive and negative, during her school years
• How she uses the concepts of "best principles" and "superpowers" to help her clients succeed in their careers
• How she learned to advocate for herself at work, and how she helps her clients advocate for themselves at their workplaces
• What inspired her to start her own business
• How workplace accommodations for learning disabled employees can help everyone in the workplace

If you want to know more about Alex and her work, check out her website at capeableconsulting.com and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Rosemary Richings is a writer, author, panel member of Dyspraxia Magazine, and co-founder of Dyspraxic Alliance, a global online support network by and for dyspraxics. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder).

In 2014, Rosemary started her own freelance writing business to reduce the stress of finding an accessible work environment. Her debut book, "Stumbling Through Space and Time: My Life So Far with Dyspraxia" is being published in the fall of 2022. Recently, Rosemary joined the board of trustees of Dyspraxic Me, a peer group for dyspraxic youth.

During this episode, you will hear Rosemary talk about:

• Her dyspraxia diagnosis, and how dyspraxia affected her at school
• Her struggle to find a supportive working environment where she could truly thrive
• How she developed her longtime passion for writing into a freelance writing business
• What had inspired her to write her book about dyspraxia, and how social media connected her to a publisher

To find out more about Rosemary and her work, you can find her with the following links below!

Rosemary's Twitter

RosemaryRichings.com (Rosemary's consulting website)

RosieWritingSpace.com (Rosemary's writing blog)

DyspraxicMe Twitter

Dyspraxic Alliance Twitter

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This episode also features a promo for the new season of 2 Lives, a podcast about people who faced darkness and how those incidents changed the trajectory of their lives.

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Before Kelly Coons was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirteen, she had a coming-of-age story that was mostly deemed as neurotypical. However, she always felt isolated and, until her diagnosis, believed that she was to blame.

After her diagnosis, Kelly became passionate about disability advocacy and promoting autistic pride. Today she is an autism advocate and a novelist who studied English at Smith College.

During this episode, you will hear Kelly talk about:

• Growing up with two autistic brothers – and how she got her own autism diagnosis
• How Kelly learned she is autistic – a year after her parents and teachers already knew
• Her autism advocacy – and why she likes answering people's questions about autism most of the time
• Life as an autistic college student
• The story behind her novel, All Ways, and how it counteracts common literary narratives about autism by centering autistic experiences and voices

To find out more about Kelly and her work, check out her website, learn more about her novel "All Ways" and connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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Click here for the episode transcript.

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Feeling frustrated and alone, Natalie Brooks started posting on Instagram about her struggles as a dyslexic adult in the workplace.

She soon realized that her experiences resonated deeply with dyslexic adults around the world -- and it inspired her to expand her social media following into a global online community!

Through her company, Dyslexia in Adults, Natalie has built a supportive and collaborative community where dyslexic adults discuss the challenges and strengths of their dyslexia.

During this episode, you will hear Natalie talk about:

• How a working environment that benefits dyslexic employees can also benefit everyone at work
• Her own struggles with self-doubt and low self-confidence at work
• Why she decided to share her struggles on social media, and how that led her to create a supportive online community for dyslexic adults
• How she handles her imposter syndrome when it comes to talking about her company
• Her perspectives on common dyslexic strengths

For more information about Natalie and her work, visit her website at www.dyslexiainadults.co and follow her on Instagram @dyslexia_in_adults.

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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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

2021 has been quite a year for me -- and my experiences this year have given me new clarity on what I want to focus on with this podcast.

I'm excited to share these new developments with you!

Tune into this episode to hear about the new direction I'll be taking with Beyond 6 Seconds starting in 2022, and the personal news that's driving this change.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to my latest podcast episodes!

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

I recorded this episode with my friend Corinna Bellizzi at the She Podcasts Live conference in October 2021. Corinna hosts the Care More. Be Better. podcast and was a guest on my show a few months ago.

In this episode, Corinna interviews me about the why behind Beyond 6 Seconds, including the importance of going beyond the initial 6 seconds of our first impressions. We also discuss our podcasting journeys and how we work to peek behind the veil and get to the truth behind the story in our interview format shows. We also share our key takeaways from She Podcasts Live.

This interview originally aired on the Care More. Be Better. podcast and then on the Femcasters podcast.

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Click here for the episode transcript.

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Travis Davis remembers the first time he realized the impact of sharing his story -- a simple lunchtime conversation that encouraged him to start talking about his life with cerebral palsy.

Since that pivotal conversation, Travis has become a TEDx speaker, podcaster and local disability advocate in New Mexico. He has a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in Adapted Physical Education, and is ADA Coordinator certified.

In this episode, Travis talks about that lunchtime encounter, as well as:

• When he was a substitute teacher, why he encouraged his students to ask him questions about his disability
• The chance meeting on an airplane that introduced him to wheelchair basketball
• Why he started his "Off The Crutch Podcast" about his experiences with cerebral palsy

To learn more about Travis and his work, you can find him at the following links:

TravisDavis.net Facebook Instagram EqualSteps.org consulting services Off the Crutch Podcast

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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Click here for the episode transcript.

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Margaux Wosk is a non-binary, autistic artist residing in Canada, and the owner of Retrophiliac, their own art business. They are bridging the gap between activism, advocacy and art to bring a message of acceptance to the world.

During this episode, you will hear Margaux talk about:

• What led them to create their art business, Retrophiliac, after many years of being a self-taught artist
• The story behind the Neurodiversity Pride Infinity Rainbow pin – the first pin design they created
• How their art has helped amplify their advocacy for disabled small business owners

To find out more about Margaux and their work, you can find them on the following links down below: Navigating Life website Retrophiliac Etsy store Retrophiliac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Click here for the episode transcript.

*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 represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jasmine Crowe is an award-winning social entrepreneur, TED Speaker, and leader who is working to make the world a better place one cause at a time. In 2017, after years of feeding people experiencing homelessness from her own kitchen, she launched Goodr, a sustainable waste management company that leverages technology to combat hunger and reduce food waste. She has been featured on CNBC, Oprah Magazine, Inc., Forbes, Fast Company, the NY Times, and was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 100 influential female founders.

Under her direction, Goodr has redirected over 12 million pounds of surplus food from restaurants, event centers, airports, and businesses to the millions of people who are food insecure. Goodr clients include SAP, Turner Broadcasting, Hartsfield Jackson Airport, Six Flags Over Georgia, and many more.

During this episode, you will hear Jasmine talk about:

• What makes Goodr different from a food pantry
• How Goodr works with large venues and local non-profits to distribute food to people who are food insecure
• How Goodr pivoted its business during the pandemic
• The free grocery store that Goodr launched inside of Ronald McNair Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia
• What inspired her to write her brand new children's book, Everybody Eats

For more information, check out goodr.co and follow Goodr on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Check out the Everybody Eats website at everybodyeatsbook.com and order your copy of the book!

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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TW: Mentions of suicidal ideation, death from cancer

Kathleen Brown was diagnosed with a rare cancer at the age of 13. While her cancer battle was enormously challenging, she felt completely unprepared for the mental health and emotional struggles that came with it: dark feelings, isolation, trauma and loss.

This difficult experience inspired Kathleen to found buddhi, a digital platform with content, community and curated products for cancer thrivers and their family and friends. With buddhi, she is on a mission to support healing across the entire cancer experience. It's a place to bring your realness and leave toxic positivity at the door.

Before founding buddhi, Kathleen worked for more than 25 years on behalf of the cancer community in fundraising and advocacy, for organizations including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and The V Foundation. Prior to St. Jude, she spent a decade in advertising sales with Disney/ESPN and Comcast.

During this episode, you will hear Kathleen talk about:

• Her story of getting a rare cancer diagnosis at age 13, and how she grappled with dark and isolating feelings during treatment and post-treatment
• The well-meaning but damaging impact of "toxic positivity"
• How buddhi supports cancer survivors and their family and friends
• Her decision to leave the full-time job she loved, to focus on the startup she was born to create

Visit the buddhi website at hibuddhi.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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Click here for the episode transcript.