Grace Liu is an autistic author, blogger, speaker and pet portrait artist based in the Midlands of England. Grace's book, “Approaching Autistic Adulthood: The Road Less Travelled,” was published in October 2021. She blogs about autism, neurodiversity, diversity and inclusion, as well as her life as a biracial (British/Taiwanese) autistic gay woman, and has delivered multiple talks about autism and diversity. Grace has received many commissions for her pet portrait drawings, especially over the past year. She is a dedicated owner to four cats, having had an autistic interest in cats from a very young age!  During this episode, you will hear Grace talk about:  Her early life after moving from Taiwan to the UK at the age of four, and how she and her family discovered that she is autistic  How she got started with her long-running blog back in 2013 Her experiences with racism, and with “coming out” as gay and autistic  Becoming an author and public speaker  Find out more about Grace and her work at the links below:  Book: artistic-autistic.co.uk/approaching-autistic-adulthood Blog: unwrittengrace.wordpress.com Art: artistic-autistic.co.uk/pet-portraits   Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. 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.*

Finding acceptance as an autistic biracial gay woman – with Grace Liu

First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.

That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.

Personal Journals

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Mental Health

Joshua Hoskins is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who lives in Tamworth, England with his parents. He loves his family and friends, and his hobbies are horse riding, boxing, musicals, supporting Newcastle United Football team, going out on trips and going on holiday. Josh has two jobs: he loves them both and has great buddies at each place. Josh’s Mum Debbie helps him create posts on LinkedIn every week, because Josh wants to help other people with Down syndrome to get a job if they want to.   During this episode, you will hear Josh and Debbie talk about:  How he had found his job at Marshall Fleet Services with WorkFit, and how the Down's Syndrome Association in the UK prepared him for the role What he does in his role with Marshall Fleet Solutions, and what he likes the most about it How LinkedIn helped him find his second job at Movianto  What inspired him to write about his life and work on LinkedIn How work has helped him grow as a person, build positive relationships with his coworkers, and support his local community Why employers should consider hiring people with Down syndrome, and how employers can include them in their companies   Follow Joshua Hoskins on LinkedIn to read his weekly posts. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. 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.*

Hiring people with Down syndrome - with Joshua Hoskins

Content note: This episode mentions thoughts about suicide and self harm.  Shayonee Dasgupta is a Mumbai-based freelance writer and editor who initially pursued a career in law, working with corporate law firms in India. She found out she's autistic and has ADHD in her 30s, prompting a transformative journey of self-discovery and learning to navigate life anew. During this episode, you will hear Shayonee talk about:  What it was like growing up before her diagnosis  How the challenges she faced working as a lawyer led to her burnout The struggle she faced to get the right mental healthcare and support after her burnout  How she received her autism and ADHD diagnosis  Her decision to start a new career as a freelance writer Handling expectations from both her extended family and Indian society How she defines success in her own way  To find out more about Shayonee and her work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. 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.*

Autistic burnout and career change – with Shayonee Dasgupta

Nick Heaney is a resident artist and co-founder of Artnova Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts. Nick has always found art to be his most authentic way of connecting with the world around him. He was diagnosed with dyslexia during elementary school. He struggled with written language, but found a connection through art. Nick went on to study graphic design and fine art, earning a BFA in graphic design from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.  At the age of 26, Nick came out as gay to his friends and family. However, he still felt a sense of disconnect with the people around him, which led to a deeper struggle with his mental health. At the age of 28, Nick sought an autism evaluation which resulted in diagnoses of both autism and ADHD. During this episode, you will hear Nick talk about:  What was it like growing up with dyslexia His early artistic talents at a young age What inspires his artwork today His experience of coming out as gay to his family, discovering his autism and ADHD, and finding supportive communities The story behind how he co-founded his art gallery  Find out more about Nick and his work on his Instagram @nickheaneyart and on Artnova Gallery's website and Instagram. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. 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.*

Art, neurodivergence and self-discovery – with Nick Heaney

David Egan is a leader and advocate who promotes the causes of people with disabilities. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to serve as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow on Capitol Hill and with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). As a Special Olympics athlete and International Global Messenger, David has traveled extensively and speaks to diverse audiences, including the U.S. Senate, United Nations, and various universities, nonprofit and for-profit companies.  David has also received many awards throughout his career. He was honored by NDSS for his legacy, presented with the American Association for Intellectual Disabilities Media Award, and received the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s highest honor: the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. As the author of the book “More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome,” he inspires his audiences to see our shared humanity and focus on abilities and possibilities rather than limitations.   During this episode, you will hear David talk about:  Growing up with Down Syndrome, and his biggest dreams as a child How he learned to accept his disability What he enjoyed about working at Booz Allen Hamilton, CBRE, and SourceAmerica  His experience as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow How he became a disability advocate The impact of Special Olympics on his life   To learn more about David and his work, visit his website at DavidEganAdvocacy.com and buy his book, “More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome.” Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. 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.*

Finding acceptance as an autistic biracial gay woman – with Grace Liu

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