Welcome to the Beyond the Mind Podcast, where we explore the stories, science, and systems that shape how we heal and grow.

In this episode, host SC welcomes Dylan from UC Berkeley’s Disabled Students Program (DSP). Since 2019, Dylan has been converting inaccessible academic materials into accessible formats using tools like OCR, Speechify, and Genio—ensuring students with disabilities have equal access to learning.

SC and Dylan discuss the barriers students face in traditional academic environments, the power of accessibility-centered design, and Dylan’s own path into user experience and inclusive design. He offers insight into what truly makes a tool or system accessible, and why design must consider diverse cognitive and sensory needs.

This conversation highlights the importance of accessibility as a foundation for wellbeing and educational equity.

Connect with Dylan Woods on LinkedIn or via email: [email protected] 

Subscribe to Beyond the Mind for more conversations on mental health, accessibility, neurodiversity, and the ecosystems that help us thrive beyond the mind

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Disabled Students Program

00:11 Assistive Technologies and Software

01:32 Physical and Invisible Disabilities

02:20 Personal Journey and Career Path

03:10 User Experience Design and Accessibility

04:31 Neurodiversity Summit Insights

05:50 Campus Navigation Challenges

08:17 Support for Students with Disabilities

16:36 Note-Taking Tools and Technologies

25:18 AI in Education and Note-Taking

29:54 The Struggles of Manual Note-Taking

30:45 Discovering Otter AI: A Game Changer

30:53 The Importance of Note-Taking in Work Contexts

32:18 The Evolution of Note-Taking Tools

36:29 User Experience and Accessibility in Design

48:06 Designing for Neurodiversity

54:39 The Role of Graphic Design in UX

58:26 Concluding Thoughts and Future Projects

Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

Welcome to Beyond the Mind Podcast, where we explore the stories, science, and systems that shape how we heal and grow.

In this episode, host SC welcomes Dr. Sam Crandall , an adult-diagnosed neurodivergent woman she met at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. Together, they dive deep into Sam’s personal journey of late diagnosis, the power of community for neurodivergent individuals, and the internalized challenges that arise in a neurotypical world.

Sam shares her experience with autistic burnout, communication differences, and the transformative role of community-based research in creating safer, more inclusive systems of support.

This touching discussion highlights both the shared struggles and the quiet triumphs within neurodivergent communities underscoring the need for self-validation, connection, and healing through understanding.

Subscribe to Beyond the Mind for more conversations on mental health, neurodiversity, and the ecosystems that help us thrive beyond the mind.

To connect with Dr. Sam Crandall, reach out to: [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Mind Podcast
00:38 Sam's Journey to Neurodivergence
02:11 Late Diagnosis and Personal Growth
02:42 Professional Life and Neurodivergence
05:32 Parenting and Neurodivergence
12:14 Challenges and Misunderstandings
22:50 Navigating Disclosure and Identity
27:26 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Acceptance
35:16 Understanding Neurodiverse Traits
36:33 Challenges of Neurodivergent Communication
37:09 Navigating Interruptions and Cultural Differences
40:07 The Importance of Community and Support
44:30 Directness and Honest Communication
54:01 Research on Neurodivergent Women in Higher Education
01:02:50 The Power of Community in Healing
01:10:26 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

Late-diagnosed ADHD can feel like a lifetime of burnout, self-doubt, and trying to “fix” yourself with the next perfect solution. In this episode, Beyond the Mind sits down with Steev Hodgson—ADHD coach and founder of DOSE (Daily Organization, Structure & Execution)—to talk about what actually changes the game: self-compassion, emotional maturity, and tools that help you think intentionally in the moment. Steve shares how his diagnosis in his late 40s reshaped his life, why medication wasn’t the magic answer for him, and how coaching frameworks like “Spark” and “Wave” help shift thoughts, regulate emotions, and build real self-trust. Plus: why DOSE is designed as an ADHD command center—simple, clean, and usable even on your most overwhelmed days.

Steev has generously offered Beyond the Mind listeners a 60 day free trial of DOSE. Simply download the DOSE app, and click login then choose subscription. Then enter in promo code: BEYOND.

Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram

Welcome to Beyond the Mind Podcast, where we explore the intersections of science, healing, and human connection.

In this episode, host SC sits down with Alison Mahal, a board-certified music therapist, to explore how music therapy supports neurodiverse individuals in expressing, processing, and healing through sound.

From her experiences at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit to her deeply personal journey as both therapist and advocate, Alison shares how music can unlock new pathways for emotional regulation, self-understanding, and connection.

Together, they explore the transformative power of rhythm, melody, and resonance in therapy revealing how customized, compassionate approaches help clients navigate complex emotions and find balance beyond words.

Whether you’re curious about music therapy, exploring new therapeutic modalities, or seeking inspiration for personal growth, this episode offers powerful insights into using music as a tool for healing, alignment, and well-being.

Subscribe to Beyond the Mind for more conversations bridging neuroscience, creativity, and emotional healing because transformation happens when we go beyond the mind.

About this Episode

Follow Alison Mahal: Biographies - Bay Area Music Therapy

About: American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)

Find a music therapist: Certification Board for Music Therapists

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Meeting at the Summit

00:43 Alison's Journey to Music Therapy

01:41 Experiences at the Neurodiversity Summit

02:48 Challenges and Adjustments in Conferences

05:42 Music Therapy Techniques and Emotional Connection

08:10 Understanding Restraint Collapse and Personal Experiences

13:36 Discovering ADHD and Its Impact

15:49 Hyperfocus and the Role of Stimulants

16:50 Music as a Language and Improvisation

19:48 Music Therapy in Practice

24:34 Processing Emotions Through Music

34:18 History and Applications of Music Therapy

42:06 Understanding Non-Physical Pain

43:11 Challenges in Starting Music Therapy

43:46 Pathological Demand Avoidance in Therapy

46:31 The Importance of Therapeutic Relationships

49:33 The Healing Crisis in Therapy

55:56 AI in Therapy: Opportunities and Concerns

57:28 The Role of Music in Therapy

01:12:48 Future of Neurodivergent Therapy

01:20:54 Resources and Final Thoughts

Follow Beyond the Mind on Instagram