Spark Launch: Neurodiversity Ignited

By Mike Cornell, Chaya MallavaramSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement Personal Journals

Spark Launch: Neurodiversity Ignited episodes

October 02Game On Autism: Blending Esports & Education w/ Marc Joubert (Season 3 Finale)
Mike and Chaya sit down with Marc Joubert, founder of Ruckus Media Group, who uses gaming and esports to create overlooked opportunities for learning and connection. Marc shares how working with autistic people changed the way he understood communication, patience, and his own responsibility to adapt. They explore why dismissing a child’s interests can close off more than entertainment, how games can make learning accessible, and why supporting neurodivergent people means questioning the systems around them.
We Also Cover:
Building opportunities for young people through esports in education
Understanding individual gaming preferences without generalizing the autistic experience
How sound, flashing lights, and storylines affect a player's experience
Exploring games that support creativity, logical thinking, and social skills
Working with Autism South Africa to develop educational resources
Recognizing the difference between accepting gaming and leaving kids unsupervised
Why game-based learning can reach students who struggle with traditional teaching methods
Learning how platforms like Roblox work to better support online safety
Making room for individual growth without forcing someone else's timeline
Quotes:
“The biggest lesson has been to remain open to new ideas, to new ways of doing things.” — Marc Joubert
“The toughest task I’ve had to really get accustomed to is actually slowing myself down.” — Marc Joubert
“You can’t force the crops to grow. They have got to go through their cycle.” — Marc Joubert
About Marc Joubert:
An innovative marketer and sports/gaming enthusiast with extensive through-the-line experience in Brand, Product & Financial Services Marketing across the Motor, Clothing, Furniture Retail and most recently, Sports Media Sectors.
Marc has a history of delivering ROMI/ROI and sales growth through customer-focused solutions in diversifed and changing markets.
Marc's aim is to highlight the issues facing young sportsmen/women and to develop the platforms to allow them to showcase their skills in their drive to become World Class.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked Marc's mission to help build a more sustainable local esports ecosystem, leading to becoming an official NASEF Affiliate and the development of the, first-of-its-kind in SA, esports learning management system.
Connect with Marc Joubert:
Ruckus Media Group: https://www.ruckusmedia.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
39 min
September 25Better Tools, Not Different Kids: The Future of Neuroaffirming Tech w/ Amy Stratbucker
Mike and Chaya sit down with Amy Stratbucker, co-founder and CEO of Hello, My Friend, a neuroaffirming AI companion that supports autistic and neurodivergent kids. Amy shares how parenting her neurodivergent son changed the way she understood support, independence, belonging, and why children need tools that meet them where they are instead of where they're told they should be.
We Also Cover:
What neuro-affirming support looks like in everyday life
Why parenting from good intentions doesn't always translate into the right support
Neurodivergent kids masking at school and decompressing at home
Why social skills support and social-emotional learning should build confidence, not compliance
Supporting parents, therapists, teachers, and children as one ecosystem
Building independence without creating dependence on technology
Quotes:
“If more kids could be more confident in who they are, just as they are, wow. Do we benefit as a community? And as a society?” — Amy Stratbucker
“We are building this to build independence, not dependence.” — Amy Stratbucker
“Having him feel a sense of belonging and comfort in who he really was, which is what I’m hopeful to provide for other kids; a space where they can show up and be who they are and not have to mask.” — Amy Stratbucker
About Amy Stratbucker:
As Co-Founder and CEO of BridgeSpace, Amy leads the development of an emotionally intelligent AI companion platform designed to empower neurodivergent children in exploring conversations and emotions confidently beyond the therapy room. There’s no reason to accept struggle as the standard… when we can build tools that create a path forward.
With nearly two decades of consulting experience, she brings expertise in succession planning, new business development, and organizational consulting to drive impactful solutions. Through her work at AJS Consulting, she has spent over 19 years developing and implementing innovative strategies that help organizations navigate change and thrive in VUCA environments. Guided by a dedication to collaboration and integrity, her focus remains on enabling organizations to build resilience, enhance performance, and foster transformative growth.
Connect with Amy Stratbucker:
Hello, My Friend: https://hellomyfriend.io/
Email Amy: [email protected]
Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astratbucker/
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
September 18You Expect Everything, But Believe Nothing: Parenting Better w/ Donna Kargel
Mike and Chaya sit down with Donna Kargel, founder of Lotus Coaching and veteran educator, to talk neurodivergent parenting, the education system, and how early labels can shape a kid’s identity for life. Donna breaks down why standard milestones often backfire for divergent thinkers—and what actually helps kids build curiosity, confidence, and self-trust.
We Also Cover:
Why high expectations mean nothing without genuine belief in your child's capability
Why neurodivergent parenting has to start with connection at home
What to do when your kid is labeled “learning disabled” (and starts believing it)
How labels can become identities children spend adulthood trying to undo
Why “good grades” can hide a kid who’s quietly burning out
The neurobiology of early attachment and how it shapes lifelong beliefs
How to support a neurodivergent child in school without turning them into a project
The difference between praising intelligence and recognizing effort, persistence, and process
Why education loses the child when data, standards, and college pipelines take over
How parental modeling of emotional regulation shapes what kids believe is possible
The role of belonging, autonomy, and safety in learning
Quotes:
“You can plant the seed, and you can water it ... But you’re not in charge of the growing.” — Donna Kargel
"Where do you go when no one's watching? When you're daydreaming, when you checked out of the teacher talking, your mom talking... Tell me where you go because that's your creativity." — Donna Kargel
About Donna Kargel:
Donna Kargel is a veteran educator, former principal, academic success coach, and founder of Lotus Coaching. She draws on her own neurodivergent experience—including being labeled learning disabled as a young child—to help families question the assumptions placed on children and young adults.
Her work centers on connection, authenticity, resilience, and finding a person’s real access point for learning and work. Through coaching, career exploration, assessments, and free parent workshops, Donna helps young people recognize the strengths they already carry instead of forcing themselves into a path chosen by someone else.
Connect with Donna Kargel:
Website: https://coachlotus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095357930612
Recommended Reading:
Carol Dweck - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Research on growth mindset and how feedback shapes belief and achievement
Gabor Maté - Scattered: How Attention Deficit Disorder Originates and What You Can Do About It: On neurodevelopment, attachment, and how early experiences shape identity
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
33 min
September 11Big Feelings & Calm Parenting w/ Devora Segall
Mike and Chaya sit down with Devora Segall, therapist, parenting coach, and founder of Segall Coaching, who helps overwhelmed parents build calmer, more connected relationships at home. Devora opens up about her own experience of overwhelmed parenting, shares trauma-informed and DBT-based tools for pausing before reacting, and explains why emotional regulation is often the first step toward real change.
We Also Cover:
Why extreme reactions are often the clearest sign to pause before responding
How a deep breath and a 30-second pause can interrupt automatic parenting patterns
Noticing body sensations, thoughts, and emotions in real time
The difference between go skills and slow skills in emotional regulation
Why neurodivergent parenting can come with more emotional intensity, not less capacity
How parents can reconnect with their “wise mind” in stressful moments
What the “inner child” really means and why it matters in parenting
How repeated rupture affects trust between parent and child
Why repair is possible, even after years of reactive parenting
Getting to the root issue instead of only focusing on behavior
Quotes:
"It's really a matter of degree and intensity because every human being has big feelings. People who are neurodivergent have them more often and more intensely."
"The inner child is usually the part of you that's still hurting."
About Devora Segall:
Devora Segall, LCSW, is a parenting coach, therapist, author, and founder of Segall Coaching. She helps overwhelmed moms move from yelling and guilt toward calm, confidence, and connection through practical, DBT-based parenting support. Devora is the author of Sensitive Hearts Strong Minds and The Peaceful Parenting Solution, and her work focuses on emotional regulation, breaking old patterns, and building stronger parent-child relationships.
Connect with Devora Segall:
Segall Coaching: https://segallcoaching.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devora-segall-8288a6299/
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
17 min
September 04Finding Your Fit: Tailoring Education to Neurodiverse Needs w/ Cassie Olguin
Mike and Chaya sit down with Cassie Olguin, a Partnerships Specialist at Outschool and homeschool mom of 11+ years. Cassie shares how her family moved from a traditional-school mindset to homeschooling, and then navigated a new layer of needs as one of her twins was diagnosed with OCD, autism, and ADHD. Together, they explore what it looks like to protect a child’s spirit, redefine “success” beyond test scores, and build a learning life that flexes with mental health, sensory needs, and curiosity.
We Also Cover:
Why testing high doesn't always translate to actually understanding the material

The hidden cost of comparison culture and chasing standardized grades

The real-world benefits of homeschooling neurodivergent kids

When it's time for academics to step back for mental and physical health

How interest-based learning benefits all students

Using creative platforms like Minecraft and art to teach math

What to consider with online learning vs public school for neurodivergent kids

Practical ways working parents can integrate alternative schooling

Leveraging dual enrollment pathways for high schoolers

Giving yourself permission to pivot and ditch a curriculum that isn't working
Quotes:
“We don’t need a billion mathematicians… we need creatives.” — Cassie Olguin

“Just because you started something doesn’t mean you have to finish it.” — Cassie Olguin

“None of my kids could read at what would be considered grade level until the sixth grade… and now they are all way above grade level.” — Cassie Olguin

“Some of what we view as accommodations for neurodivergent learners are just the right way to teach anybody anything.” — Mike Cornell
About Cassie Olguin:
Cassie Olguin is a Partnerships Specialist at Outschool and has homeschooled her three daughters for 11+ years (one in high school and twin middle schoolers, one of whom is neurodiverse). A former paralegal with a Political Science degree, she transitioned from the legal field into home education—using a California homeschool charter while exploring a wide range of curricula and approaches. At Outschool, she focuses on community engagement and content development, working closely with educators and families to build supportive, student-centered learning environments. Cassie advocates for flexible, personalized options across public, private, homeschool, and hybrid models, and believes every child deserves an education that fits their unique needs.
Connect with Cassie Olguin:
Outschool: https://outschool.com/

Cassie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassieolguin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassies.hs.corner/

Outschool Resources for Parents: https://outschool.com/parents
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
45 min
August 28The Unedited Self: Dropping the Script on Late-Diagnosed Autism w/ Kristin Walker
Mike and Chaya sit down with Kristin Walker, founder and CEO of Mental Health News Radio Network, who returns to the show to share the profound impact of receiving an autism and ADHD diagnosis in her 50s. Kristin opens up about the strange and beautiful work of unmasking after a later-in-life autism and ADHD diagnosis, shedding old survival patterns, and rejecting the deficit mindset often placed on neurodivergent minds.
We Also Cover:
The grief, relief, and disorientation of late-diagnosed autism and ADHD

Building the Mental Health News Radio Network across 12 years while fully masked and unaware

Why neurodivergent masking can hide your strengths, not just your struggles

How relationships can help us find our way back to ourselves

Slow processing and the exhaustion of performed competence

Learning boundaries without abandoning connection

How threat-mapping shapes neurodivergent relationships

Letting go of scripts, shortcuts, and conversational over-prep

The difference between living from self-protection and living from self-trust

How deficit-based views of neurodivergence are a trap
Quotes:
"I got diagnosed with autism and ADHD right after I turned 54… that has been a really trippy ass journey." — Kristin Walker

"I’m done editing myself. I’m done. The best parts of me are the unedited parts." — Kristin Walker

"That’s not Mike that’s talking. That’s scripts that are talking, and I don’t really script so much anymore." — Mike

"Every time I peel back something else and bring something out into the open... every time I say no, another chamber opens that I get to explore." — Kristen Walker
About Kristin Walker:
Kristin Walker is the founder and CEO of Mental Health News Radio Network, a platform for conversations about mental health, trauma, neurodivergence, behavioral health, and lived experience. She is also connected to everythingEHR, where her work bridges behavioral health, technology, and systems-level support.
As an Electronic Health Records Expert for Behavioral Health Organizations, she regularly speaks at healthcare conferences and consults with hospital systems across the country. Kristin's unique approach emphasizes collaborative leadership and creating inclusive spaces for different perspectives on mental health, making her a respected voice in both the technology and mental health communities.
Connect with Kristin Walker:
Mental Health News Radio Network: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradio.com/

Mental Health News Radio Podcast: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradionetwork.com/our-shows/mental-health-news-radio/

Lawn Chairs in Space Podcast: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradionetwork.com/our-shows/lawn-chairs-in-space/

Kristin Walker on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristinswalker

Mental Health News Radio Network on Instagram: @mhnrnetwork

Mental Health News Radio Network on Facebook: facebook.com/MentalHealthNewsRadioNetwork
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
August 21You Can't Out-Hustle Your ADHD (But You Can Team Up With It) w/ Ryan Mayer
Mike and Chaya sit down with Ryan Mayer, a certified ADHD coach who helps neurodivergent adults stop trying to “discipline” their brains and start building systems that actually work. Ryan shares how drowning in corporate burnout, overwhelm, and the constant pressure to “try harder” pushed him toward a strengths-based approach to adult ADHD. Most importantly, he explains why self-care is a non-negotiable part of taking your life back.
We Also Cover:
The relief and regret that comes with an adult ADHD diagnosis

Student services and ADHD college accommodations

Why trying to "spreadsheet your way out of ADHD" always leads to burnout

The realities of living with an invisible disability

How to stop fixing your weaknesses and start leveraging your signature strengths

Bypassing task paralysis through external accountability

Why self-care isn't a luxury, but a strategic necessity for ADHD management

Using "tiny experiments" instead of rigid routines to build momentum

Using the "power of the pause" to slow down physical and mental hyperactivity

How taking off the neurotypical filter changed Ryan’s life and business

The growing need for neuro-inclusion in modern workplaces
Quotes:
"You can't just keep trying to swim across a raging river of consequences... you have to build a bridge." — Ryan Mayer

"Self-care isn't just something nice to do. If you have ADHD, it's a strategic necessity." — Ryan Mayer

"We spend way too much time focusing on our deficits instead of leveraging our signature strengths." — Ryan Mayer

_"People have no idea how much harder it is for us to do anything... underneath they're paddling like crazy to try to keep up."_— Ryan Mayer
About Ryan Mayer:
Ryan Mayer is a certified ADHD coach who helps neurodivergent adults (especially late-diagnosed folks) manage overwhelm, procrastination, and the day-to-day chaos that comes from living in a world built for neurotypical systems. After spending over a decade in corporate roles, he hit the familiar wall: pushing harder didn’t create consistency—it created burnout. That shift led him into coaching and into building practical, strengths-based tools for working with an ADHD brain instead of constantly correcting it.
Today, Ryan coaches clients globally and also supports companies through neuro-inclusion work—helping workplaces understand what ADHD really looks like on the inside (and what actually helps). You’ll also find him sharing tactical ADHD strategies across TikTok and YouTube through Ryan Mayer Coaching.
Connect with Ryan Mayer:
Website & Free Masterclass: https://ryanmayercoaching.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RyanMayerCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_coach_ryan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd_coach_ryan/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmayerpeopleconnector/

Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/ADHDcoachRyan

Free Resource - Conquer Your ADHD in the Workplace Guide: https://guides.ryanmayercoaching.com/?which\_resource\_are\_you\_most\_interested\_in=ADHD+at+Work
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
39 min
August 14Fix The System: Neal Glendenning on ADHD Burnout, Neuroinclusion, and Care That Actually Works
Mike and Chaya sit down with Neal Glendenning, founder of The Neuro Inclusion Project and NdCare Group, who is building neurodivergent care systems rooted in lived experience, compassion, and real-world support. Neal opens up about ADHD burnout, hospitalization, and the moment he realized that awareness alone was never going to be enough. He explains what it means to redesign healthcare, workplaces, and power structures so neurodivergent people are not just accommodated, but truly understood and empowered.
We Also Cover:
Neal’s personal experience with ADHD burnout and hospitalization

Why current therapies often fall short for ADHD and AuDHD people

Building an end-to-end ADHD care pathway from pre-diagnosis to lifelong support

The difference between awareness and real neuroinclusion

Why compromised systems often fail the people they were meant to serve

How work environments strip meaning, creativity, and humanity from people

Flexible work, productivity, and honoring neurodivergent energy patterns

Why hierarchy blocks collective wisdom and system change

The role of neurodivergent people in rebuilding broken systems

Neal’s vision for public-first ADHD support through the NHS and beyond
Quotes:
"Any system is limited by the person that is actually in control of it." — Neal Glendenning

"You shouldn't have to settle for some system that's compromised." — Neal Glendenning

"We’ve taken industrialization too far because now we’re trying to industrialize human beings." — Neal Glendenning

"The one benefit of the collapse is rebirth." — Neal Glendenning
About Neal Glendenning:
Neal Glendenning is the founder of The Neuro Inclusion Project, an ADHD advocate, innovator, and systems thinker working to create a world where neurodivergent people are not just accommodated, but fully understood, supported, and empowered. After navigating his own journey with ADHD, Neal saw how often the systems meant to support neurodivergent people fail to recognize the full picture: the strengths, the struggles, the creativity, the chaos, and the emotional toll of being misunderstood.
Through therapy, psychoeducation, corporate training, and community outreach, Neal bridges the gap between neurodiversity awareness and meaningful action. His work challenges outdated narratives, breaks stigma, and helps individuals, teams, and organizations build ADHD-affirming systems rooted in compassion, evidence, lived experience, clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
Connect with Neal Glendenning:
The Neuro Inclusion Project: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/

Meet Neal and the Team: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/about-us/our-team/

Enquire About Speaking: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/neuro-inclusion-project/enquire-about-speaking/

Neal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-glendenning-142406a4/
Recommended Reading:
The Future Belongs to Systems That Can Tolerate Human Variability: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/c939df17-d7f4-4a31-bcc8-aba68a41bb89/The-Future-Belongs-to-Systems-That-Can-Tolerate-Human-Variability.pdf

Shame Is a System Maintenance Tool: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/dceb5e25-377d-4d69-9e4b-98e0e4eb8120/Shame-Is-a-System-Maintenance-Tool.pdf

ADHD: Beyond Inattention and Hyperactivity: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_adhd-mentalhealthawareness-neurodiversity-activity-7333550656080818177-VEOy/

Stop Fixing Neurodivergent People. Fix the System.: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_neurodiversity-inclusion-leadership-activity-7331782322406490112-9Z4P/

The Hidden Toll of Late Autism Diagnosis: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_latediagnosis-autisminadults-neurodiversity-activity-7351506009971982338-rxfo/
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
August 07Burnout & Balance: Reciprocity and Resilience in Healthcare w/ Katy Johnson
Mike and Chaya sit down with Katy Johnson, a registered nurse and founder of Reciprocity KC, who brings vital wellness support directly to burned-out healthcare professionals. Katy opens up about her late-in-life ADHD and social-phobia diagnosis, unpacks the reality of compassion fatigue, and explains why prioritizing somatic release and self-compassion is the true first step toward healing.
We Also Cover:
Misidentifying adult ADHD symptoms as simple perfectionism and procrastination.

The grief and relief of a late-in-life diagnosis

Why mindfulness can be challenging for neurodivergent brains and how movement helps

The process of forgiving yourself for decades of negative internal dialogue.

Recognizing healthcare worker burnout and the grief and sadness that builds up without a release

Why hospitals aren't the place for healthcare workers to heal and the need for external wellness spaces

Why the female-dominated healthcare industry normalizes toxic levels of compassion fatigue

The unique challenges of launching a nonprofit organization while navigating ADHD

Making wellness spaces more inclusive, accessible, and less performative
Quotes:
"For years. I was going to my doctor, my therapist, saying, 'I used to be so productive... What is wrong with me? Why?'" — Katy Johnson

"I do think that the communities could do more for the healthcare providers. I know the hospitals can't do it. Their job is to save the patients, not to save their staff." — Katy Johnson

"If you don't feel good in the room, are you in the right room? Because for me, it wasn't the right room, and it's not about them being bad people. It's about me and where I was comfortable." — Katy Johnson
About Katy Johnson:
Katy Johnson, RN, MHL, is a former pediatric transplant nurse and the founder of Reciprocity KC, a nonprofit dedicated to helping healthcare professionals heal from the inside out. After spending more than a decade working in pediatric hematology, oncology, and transplant, she witnessed firsthand the devastating toll of compassion fatigue and chronic stress on those who give so much of themselves. At 38, Katy was late-diagnosed with ADHD and social phobia—and likely falls within the AuDHD spectrum—a discovery that profoundly shifted her approach to nervous system regulation, sensory needs, and authenticity.
Guided by the belief that you can’t pour from an empty cup and that caregivers deserve care too, she launched Reciprocity KC to offer donation-based yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness events for medical professionals in the Kansas City community. Today, Katy balances her nonprofit mission with a career in oncology biopharma, raising two kids, and continuing her own journey of growth through movement and self-discovery.
Connect with Katy Johnson:
Website: https://www.reciprocitykc.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reciprocity.kc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Reciprocity-Collective/61577774972418

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reciprocity-collectivekc/
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
July 31Regulate, Restore, Remember: Unmasking the Neurodivergent Nervous System w/ Briana McCallum
Mike and Chaya sit down with Briana McCallum, founder of Divine Empowerment Coaching, who helps neurodivergent people and caregivers build regulation, self-trust, and resilience. Briana opens up about her path from an medication-resistant kid to becoming a Reiki master, how alternative healing finally brought her peace, and drawing insight from her own lived experience as a neurodivergent woman and parent. She breaks down the gut-mind connection, the hidden physical toll of masking, and exactly how to regulate a dysregulated nervous system so you can stop fighting your own wiring.
We Also Cover:
Briana’s path from misunderstood child to healer, coach, and advocate

How she explains energy work through chakras and the central nervous system

Why grief, stress, and dysregulation can show up as pain in the body

The gut-brain connection and how food affects mood, focus, and inflammation

Glutamate sensitivity, sugar crashes, and tracking food patterns for self-awareness

How masking in neurodivergence disrupts emotional and energetic alignment

Breathwork, grounding, and nervous system regulation in overstimulating environments

Medication resistance, intolerance, and holistic starting points for support

Adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms, and nutrition for cognitive and emotional steadiness

The tension and complement between neurodivergent and neurotypical ways of moving through the world
Quotes:
"As a life coach, it is an intentional process. Like, hey, I'm gonna come mess you up in the most beautiful ways." — Briana McCallum

_"When we mask and we are pretending to be somebody we are not, there's so much turmoil inside of us. But we can always realign."_— Chaya

"The only thing we really have control over is ourselves." — Briana McCallum
About Briana McCallum:
Briana McCallum is an ACCP International Board Certified Life Coach from Jay Shetty's Certification School and a Neurodiversity Empowerment Coach specializing in helping neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers achieve their goals and set themselves up for success.
Using her trinity coaching model — combining mind, body, and spiritual health — she approaches every goal, dream, and aspiration with a full-circle wellness perspective.
With 4 years of Life Skills Leadership at Cooperiis Healing Farm, 20+ years of studies in psychology, sociology, and human development, and over 30 years of lived experience, Briana brings a deeply personal and professional foundation to her work.
She is also a Reiki Master, holistic health consultant, medium, and the founder of LMH Custom Teas & Herbs LLC — a trinity wellness company blending botanical medicine, energy healing, and personalized coaching support.
As a neurodivergent woman who could not tolerate medications, Briana was forced to navigate her own path to wellness — moving through cycles of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain using holistic and integrative approaches. That lived necessity became the foundation of the coaching practice she offers today through Divine EMP Coaching.
Connect with Briana McCallum:
LMHTEA: https://lmhtea.org/

Divine Empowerment Coaching: https://divineempowerment.org/

YouTube and social links: available through https://lmhtea.org/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mccallumbriana

Facebook (LMH): https://www.facebook.com/lmhtea

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccallumbriana/

LinkedIn (LMH): https://www.linkedin.com/company/lmh-custom-tea-herbs/
Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds
https://play.sparkade.app/
Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.
Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.
Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone.
Stay Connected:
Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/
ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai
Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost
Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation:
https://followyourghostcoach.com/
As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
47 min

About Spark Launch: Neurodiversity Ignited

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