Spark Launch Podcast

Mike and Chaya sit down with Dr. Uli K. Chettipally, an emergency medicine physician and autism-tech innovator, who is reimagining what support can look like for non-speaking autistic people. Uli shares how his daughter Siri’s autism diagnosis changed the course of his life and work, leading him from frustration with existing therapies to building new tools rooted in dignity, movement, communication, and belief. We Also Cover:

• What autism looked like in Siri’s early childhood, before reliable communication
• Why Dr. Chettipally questioned the results his family saw from ABA therapy
• How exercise helped Siri with anxiety, regulation, and daily life
• The link between motor planning, speech, and non-speaking autism
• How letter board communication changed Siri’s education and self-advocacy
• Why families are told to doubt communication tools that are working
• What “high needs” can really mean when someone has no reliable way to communicate
• How robotics, VR, and gaming could support autism therapy
• Siri’s college success and her plans for neuroscience
• What Sirica.ai hopes to make easier for non-speaking autistic people and their families

About Dr. Uli K. Chettipally: Dr. Uli K. Chettipally is an award-winning physician, researcher, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine, clinical decision support, and digital therapeutics. He is the founder of Sirica Therapeutics, a start-up that is developing a novel device system for autism, using robotics, virtual reality, and video gaming. His mission is to make therapy fun and effective for children with autism and their families. He is also the founder and President of InnovatorMD, the world's largest physician innovation platform that aims to inform, inspire, and ignite solutions that revolutionize patient care. He organizes events, classes, and meetups for physician innovators and startups, and runs a Health Tech pre-seed accelerator in partnership with Founder Institute. He is passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, quality, and affordability Connect with Dr. Uli K. Chettipally:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulichettipally
• Siri’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysirichettipally
• Siri's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siri_speaks_2026
• Sirica Therapeutics: https://www.siricatx.com

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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Enrique Cachafeiro, an education innovator and serious game designer challenging the industrial-era classroom model. Enrique explains why traditional education systems are fundamentally misaligned with neurodivergent minds, why school accommodations often fall short, and how gamification and immersive learning can help build a system centered on curiosity instead of conformity. We Also Cover:

• Why the traditional education system prioritizes conformity over curiosity
• How standard accommodations leaves neurodivergent students stuck inside a structure that still doesn’t fit
• How grades create false confidence or fixed student identities
• Why neurodivergent learners often thrive through autonomy, curiosity, and deep interest-based exploration
• How gamification reframes failure as feedback, practice, and iteration
• The difference between adding technology to a classroom and actually redesigning education
• Why parents and teachers are often trapped in the same unsupported system as students

Quotes: "If you have a shoe that doesn't fit you, accommodations are like giving you a shoehorn so you can best put your foot in a shoe that doesn't fit you." — Enrique Cachafeiro "School is actively detrimental. And for our special kiddos, it's even worse because the system is really good at putting labels on people." — Enrique Cachafeiro "There isn't failure. There's struggles, and struggles are part of any path." — Enrique Cachafeiro "Stop equating the school system with education. There are other ways, and we just have to get brave enough to try them." — Enrique Cachafeiro About Enrique Cachafeiro: Dr. Enrique Cachafeiro has spent the last decade finding ways to evolve the state of the classroom to take advantage of new instructional technologies and strategies. He specializes in the introduction of technology into the classroom, the use of innovative strategies such as blended learning and gamified learning, and in helping teachers and administration adopt these into their districts and classrooms. Dr. Cachafeiro continues to push the envelope by exploring emerging technologies, such as immersive worlds, virtual reality, and AI, as well as video games and their application to the classroom. He has not only done this in his own classroom but has also presented at various levels to various groups on the use and adoption of the technologies. Presently, he is working for Duke Health as an Education and Training Coordinator and teaches a course on Serious Game Design. He continues to be an advocate for change in education. Connect with Enrique Cachafeiro:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-cachafeiro
• The ESCAPE Model: https://escapemodel.com
• Lusory State: http://lusorystate.com
• ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Enrique-Cachafeiro
• Science Circle Profile: https://www.sciencecircle.org/enrique-cachafeiro2

Recommended Reading:

• Karl Kapp’s Books on Gamification and Learning: https://karlkapp.com/books/
• The Multiplayer Classroom by Lee Sheldon: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Multiplayer_Classroom.html?id=DdLVDwAAQBAJ
• Escape Velocity: Defying the Gravity of “Real Schools” by Enrique Cachafeiro: https://appstate.figshare.com/articles/thesis/Escape_Velocity_Defying_the_Gravity_of_Real_Schools_/30333703

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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Jodi Davidson, founder of Leader Within coaching and consulting, who opens up about how shame, perfectionism, and masking can quietly run the show. She shares the story behind her Kintsugi-inspired approach (release, repair, renew), plus the reality of late-diagnosed neurodivergence, the exhausting weight of masking, and how growing up as a sibling to someone with autism shaped her. We Also Cover:

• Why belonging has to start internally before any external system can feel real
• How layoffs can force a deeper reckoning with identity and self-worth
• The Kintsugi framework and what release, repair, and renew can look like in real life
• How hacking ADHD can change the way motivation and task initiation actually work
• The reality of late-diagnosed neurodivergence and what masking can cost over time
• How caregiver burnout and family dynamics shape self-esteem, empathy, and survival
• Why self-compassion matters when you catch yourself slipping into old patterns
• Why the pressure to be "perfect" is actually a trauma response that kills creativity

Quotes:

• “We could have the best conditions externally… but if we don’t do the work inside.” — Jodi Davidson
• “I hate the word deficit... if we don't look at it from a place of it being pathologized, and instead recognize that it's just simply the way people are wired.” — Jodi Davidson
• “Perfectionism isn't egoistic always... neurodivergent individuals often feel like they're gonna be found out if they're not perfect.” — Mike

About Jodi Davidson: Jodi Davidson is a coach and consultant who helps individuals and teams build real self-trust, self-compassion, and belonging from the inside-out. After years working in large organizations on inclusion and belonging, she hit a hard personal truth: external “belonging” efforts can fall flat when people don’t feel worthy or whole internally. Jodi’s work is shaped by lived experience—family caregiving, neurodivergence in her family, and learning to forgive herself for choices made under pressure. Today she’s developing the Kintsugi Connected Leader framework (release, repair, renew), using the Kintsugi metaphor to help people integrate the “cracked open” parts of life into something more honest, sustainable, and human. Connect with Jodi Davidson:

• Leader Within Consulting: https://leaderwithin.net/
• 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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Lainey Hills, founder of Curiously Divergent and Neuro Curiosity, to talk about why neurodivergent employees struggle at work because of workplace design—not lack of capability. Lainey shares her experiences with autism, ADHD, masking, and workplace discrimination, leading to greater understanding of practical accommodations, EEOC rights, and what supportive leadership should look like. We Also Cover:

• Why Psychology And Tech Often Attract Neurodivergent People
• Masking, Authenticity, And Mental Health Costs
• Misdiagnosis Patterns For Women And Medication Risks
• Communication Devices, Nonverbal Autism, And Assumptions About IQ
• EEOC Basics, Disclosure, And What Employers Can (And Can’t) Ask For
• Why PIPs Commonly Fail Neurodivergent Employees
• Simple Manager Adjustments For RSD And Feedback Conversations
• Remote Work, RTO, And Sensory/Transition Overload In Offices
• Lateral Movement, Shadowing Other Departments, And Innovation
• Parenting Neurodivergent Kids Without Shame Or “Brokenness” Narratives

Quotes:

• "Neurodivergents are like Furbies."
• “89% of neurodivergence face outright discrimination at work.”
• "Accommodations are not favors."

About Laney Hills: Laney Hills is the founder of CuriouslyDivergent and NeuroCuriosity, and an autistic advocate who knows firsthand what it means to work in systems that weren’t built for you. After spending years masking, navigating corporate power dynamics, and experiencing workplace discrimination, Laney began translating those experiences into education and change. Today, she works with leaders, HR professionals, and teams to redesign workplace systems so neurodivergent people don’t have to choose between authenticity and survival. Her work centers on clarity, dignity, and building environments where people are no longer asked to be entirely too much—or not enough. Connect with Laney Hills:

• Laney Hills-Mullen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curiouslydivergent/
• CuriouslyDivergent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/curiouslydivergent/
• CuriouslyDivergent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslydivergentcommunity/

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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Elissa Renee—speech-language pathologist, autism clinical specialist, and the founder of Speech Works by Elissa—for a conversation that challenges what we assume “communication” looks like. Elissa shares how her own experience with selective mutism and speech apraxia shaped the way she supports non-speaking kids today, and what changed when she later realized she’s autistic. We Also Cover:

• Selective mutism, apraxia of speech, and word-finding
• Adult diagnosis in women, accommodations, and self-understanding
• Non-speaking vs non-verbal and why language matters
• Communication therapy through motor planning and auditory processing
• Why repetition-only speech therapy fails autistic learning styles
• The severe mental and physical toll of masking
• Separating verbal output from intelligence
• The six muscle groups involved in speech and why breath support matters more than most people realize
• Masking, burnout, and help from The Aspie World

Quotes:

• "A learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. It means that there's a discrepancy between your skills."
• "We see a child, a non-speaking child trying to communicate through behaviors or gestures or grabbing things or trying to express their emotions… and we immediately think they have no feelings, they have nothing to say, and that's not true. They just don't have the proper way to express it."
• "Non-speaking children have things to say."

About Elissa Renee: Elissa Renee Mandel (she/her), founder of Speech Works by Elissa, is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Autism Clinical Specialist based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Diagnosed as autistic and ADHD later in life, Elissa brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her practice. Her journey began after witnessing how conventional approaches fell short for her neurodivergent clients and herself. With a focus on children facing severe speech delays, apraxia, sensory challenges, and those considered “non-verbal,” Elissa empowers parents through step-by-step communication programs, coaching, and actionable home strategies. Her progressive, world-class techniques have garnered praise from clients and experts alike for transforming the lives of children who previously “couldn’t speak a word.” Elissa is a strong advocate for sensory-friendly events, early parent involvement, and the power of neurodivergent-informed care. She is a featured expert in the upcoming TV docuseries “Legacy Makers,” a sought-after podcast guest, and the co-creator of online resources to help families anywhere accelerate their child’s journey to communication. Connect with Elissa:

• Website: speechworksbyelissa.com
• Instagram: @speechworksbyelissa | @itselissarenee (personal)
• Facebook: Speech Works by Elissa LLC
• TikTok: @speechworksbyelissa
• YouTube: Speech Works by Elissa | The Neurodivergent Marketer
• LinkedIn: Elissa Renee Mandel
• TV Appearance: Featured expert on “Legacy Makers,” Season 1, “Voice of Change” 
• Collaboration: Autism Acceleration Academy with Daniel Jones, The Aspie World

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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Candace Gillhoolley: author, and co-host of the #1-rated quantum computing podcast Impact Quantum. The daughter of an IBM inventor who was working on quantum algorithms decades before the world caught up, and someone who didn't learn to read until she was 10, Candace makes a compelling case that the neurodivergent brain doesn't just navigate complexity — it's built for it. We Also Cover:

• How dyslexia forged Candace's big-picture, non-linear thinking style
• The "neuro-basic" systems that are failing neurodivergent kids and adults alike
• Why AI-based job interviews flatten neurodivergent candidates, erasing their "quantum personality"
• DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) as a game-changer for neurodivergent families
• What it really means to parent from love instead of fear
• Why neurodivergent kids are more flexible and adaptable than we ever give them credit for
• Technology's role in making neurodivergent diagnosis earlier, more accurate, and far less traumatic
• How eye-tracking technology may reshape early autism diagnosis in infants
• Why letting your kids fail young is one of the best gifts you can give them

Quotes:

• "I didn't know what out-of-the-box thinking was because I didn't even know a box existed." — Candace Gillhoolley
• "It took away my quantum personality — the superposition between the zero and the one." — Candace Gillhoolley
• "When you're uncertain, you're learning. Every moment of uncertainty is a moment where you're learning." — Candace Gillhoolley
• "The ‘not knowing’ something is the invitation to become aware of something." — Mike Cornell

About Candace Gillhoolley: Candace Gillhoolley is an engagement leader and author with 15+ years of experience helping clients succeed in EdTech, digital marketing, and publishing. As the co-author of Foundations of Sentient Marketing, her passion lies in making complex concepts accessible and actionable, empowering businesses to implement innovative and inclusive strategies. She is a vocal advocate for the neurodivergent community, exploring how emerging technologies can be designed to celebrate different ways of thinking and create more inclusive digital environments. Connect with Candace Gillhoolley:

• Website & Podcast: https://impactquantum.com
• Neurodiverse Marketing: https://neurodiversitymarketing.com/
• Books on Amazon — search "Candace Gillhoolley":
  • https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stop-Duisburg-familys-Holocaust/dp/B0B38CWZJL
  • https://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Sentient-Marketing-Harnessing-Engagement/dp/B0D7VRPBL7
  • https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Curious-Gateway-Computing-Revolution-ebook/dp/B0FG5HDLWJ

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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Dr. Ravi R. Iyer, a Harvard-educated physician, entrepreneur, ADHD thought leader, and creator of IR Focal Point, to talk about the one force that turns potential into reality: attention. Ravi unpacks why desire alone is not enough, the hidden mechanics of human potential., and why so many people live as consumers of life instead of creators. We Also Cover:

• ADHD focus and attention training
• Dopamine and reward loops
• Attention as the bridge between desire and action
• Human potential and self-expression
• How external validation hijacks identity
• Parenting as a power dynamic
• How language shapes a child’s sense of possibility
• Learning through immersion and multiple senses

Quotes:

• “Desire does not produce success. That is like saying you can cook an A three course meal on a spark. You can’t.”
• “The entire world is sitting at the restaurant of their lives, eating the menu instead of eating the meal.”
• “Do you realize the benign indifference that the universe has to your problems?”
• “They don’t recognize that they have the capacity to create the meal of their life.”

About Dr. Ravi R. Iyer: Dr. Ravi R. Iyer is a Harvard-educated physician, entrepreneur, and ADHD thought leader focused on human potential, intentional focus, and neuro-inclusive leadership. He is the founder of the Iyer Clinic, CEO of Active Power Inc., and the creator of IR Focal Point, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and organizations harness attention as a tool for performance and transformation. Ravi is also the author of The Reaper’s Dance and shares teachings on neurodiversity, health, and human potential through his online platforms. Connect with Dr. Ravi Iyer

• Website: iyerclinic.com
• IR Focal Point: irfocalpoint.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6v-s-lmOlC3m7PTEMp-aXA
• TEDx Talk: "The Power of Intentional Focus"
• Book: The Reaper's Dance (available on Amazon)
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/driyermd

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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Sam Mitchell, autistic creator and host of Autism Rocks and Rolls, to talk about autism advocacy, identity, and why special interests can be a gift, not something to erase. Sam shares how years of bullying, depression, and exclusion shaped his early life, and how a creative outlet grew into a nonprofit, a speaking platform, and a mission to help people see autism through a more human, strength-based lens. We Also Cover

• How bullying and exclusion shaped Sam’s early experience
• Why podcasting became a creative and personal turning point
• The reality of autism, ADHD, autistic burnout, and social exhaustion
• How special interests can become strengths
• How speaking gigs and social interaction can drain an autistic person’s energy
• Autism, ADHD, sleep, and the constant challenge of trying to power down a busy brain
• Why deficit-based autism support falls short for autistic kids and adults
• What schools and support systems often miss about autistic strengths and support needs
• The value of family support, gratitude, and self-belief
• How Autism Rocks and Rolls is creating awareness through speaking, events, and media

Quotes

• "Hang in there because greatness is arriving. You just may not see it yet, but it’s going to come to you."
• "For one day, screw the deficiencies. Let’s focus on the positive aspects."
• "After the speaking engagements, I’m exhausted, man. People are exhausting."

About Sam Mitchell Sam Mitchell is the creator and host of the podcast and nonprofit Autism Rocks and Rolls. What started as a high‑school hobby has grown into a nonprofit where Sam serves as Executive Director. Through his show, live events, and educational content, Sam works to destigmatize autism, challenge deficit‑based language, and highlight the talents and skills of people on the spectrum. He has recorded well over 100 episodes, been a guest on hundreds of shows, and interviewed notable guests such as Dr. Temple Grandin, multiple WWE wrestlers, NASCAR drivers, and American Idol rocker James Durbin. Beyond podcasting, Sam speaks at conferences across the U.S. and Canada, organizes community events such as his “Success for All and How We Get There” gala, and trains businesses on employment and autism. Together with his mother, Gina, he is also co‑authoring a children’s book that is currently with a publisher. Connect with Sam Mitchell

• Website: autismrocksandrolls.com
• Listen to the Autism Rocks and Rolls Podcast
• Sam’s TEDx Talk on Autism and Structure
• Read Sam Mitchell’s Flutie Foundation feature
• Autism Rocks and Rolls – Mental Health News Radio Network
• Sam on Instagram: @autismrocksandrollspod
• Watch Autism Rocks and Rolls on YouTube

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.org/
• 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.

Mike opens up about his personal history with depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm as an AuDHD individual — from his earliest memories of struggling as a child to his last attempt in 2018. He and Chaya explore what it means to feel "out of frequency" as a neurodivergent person, the coping strategies that kept him alive, and what actually helps (and what doesn't) when someone you love is in crisis. Content Warning: This episode contains frank discussion of suicidality, suicide attempts, and self-harm. Timestamps for specific topics are listed below. We Also Cover:

• The difference between passive and active suicidal ideation
• How autistic compartmentalization allows access to painful memories without emotional overwhelm
• Why the first thought isn't your responsibility — but the second one is
• Mono no aware, the transience of pain, and sitting with impermanence
• Using art, media, and small milestones as reasons to stay
• Why telling someone "all the reasons they have to live" backfires
• The danger of easy access to lethal means in impulsive moments
• Masking, self-hatred, and the feedback loop of depression and neurodivergence
• Finding self-worth through peer support instead of external validation
• Mental Health First Aid as a practical resource for anyone

Quotes:

• "I always felt out of frequency. That's what I've always called it. I was in a different frequency than everybody else. I'm now looking back — I'm AuDHD, of course I'm out of frequency with everybody else around me."
• "Don't remind them of all the reasons they have to live, because you have ruined any chance of trying to connect with them at that point. Trust me, they are already kind of aware of all of that."
• "I needed to get serious about using the information and feelings that I had put towards other people for so long."
• "Everyone already kind of knows what they need. They just sometimes need a little bit of help — like that ghost that's inside of them that knows the advice they need to hear."

Resources:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
• Mental Health First Aid — Training courses available nationwide

Connect with Mike:

• Follow Your Ghost Peer Support & Coaching
• Email: [email protected]
• Autism Personal Coach — Book a free 15-minute consultation
• Hey Peers — ADHD support groups and one-on-one sessions

Trigger Warnings & Timestamps
This episode contains frank, personal discussions of the following topics. Timestamps are provided so listeners can skip specific sections if needed.

• Suicidal Ideation & Attempts — [00:06:37] – [00:14:00] Mike describes his history with suicide attempts including methods (discussed broadly)
• Self-Harm — [00:12:14] – [00:13:32] Discussion of self-harm behaviors including hair pulling, hitting, and the evolution of those behaviors into current coping/stimming strategies
• Gun Access & Impulsive Attempt — [00:09:38] – [00:11:00] Detailed account of Mike's 2018 attempt
• Depression & Suicidal Thought Patterns — [00:22:29] – [00:25:32] Mike discusses ongoing depressive thought patterns

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, or the mental health challenges of living with autism or ADHD, you are not alone. Spark Launch exists for exactly this conversation. 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.org/
• 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.

Mike and Chaya sit down with Stéphane Mousseau, learning strategist and founder of LIX Learning, a framework designed to bring clarity, trust, and neuro-inclusive design to the world of digital course creation. Stéphane opens up about his own ADHD, the years he spent masking it in rigid corporate environments, and how the frustration of broken systems — at work and in learning — drove him to build something better. We Also Cover:

• Why ADHD brains are wired to reject clunky systems — and what that actually reveals about the system, not the person
• The interest-based nervous system and how motivation works differently for neurodivergent minds
• Social integration at work: the overlooked onboarding factor that makes or breaks belonging for neurodivergent employees
• Psychological safety, trust, and why having a friend across the hall matters more than we admit
• Why hot desks are quietly destroying workplace connection
• How leaders can move from “DEI statements” to actual neuro-inclusive leadership standards
• How LIX Learning helps learning teams build clearer, more trustworthy courses for all minds
• Why so many ADHD entrepreneurs go independent — creative freedom, or a rejection response to systems that never fit?

Quotes:

• "Clarity helps all minds. Whatever they do for neurodivergent talent is just bringing more clarity into the workplace — and it's beneficial for everyone." — Stéphane
• "We are not broken. We have so much more to offer. Don't put us into a box." — Chaya
• "A lot of entrepreneurs have ADHD, right? Is it because ADHD people are so creative? Or is it because that's the response to not being fully accepted in a typical workplace?" — Stéphane

About Stéphane Mousseau: Stéphane is a learning strategist who focuses on clarity, accessibility, and how people actually experience work and learning. After years in corporate roles, ADHD was sometimes a challenge within systems that prized speed, ambiguity, and unspoken expectations. Rather than seeing this as a personal limitation, it became a signal. Instead of masking ADHD, Stéphane leaned into it and used it as fuel to question how learning and work are designed in the first place. That experience led him to develop practical approaches for improving learning clarity and reducing cognitive overload. His work helps organizations evaluate how usable, accessible, and action-oriented their learning experiences really are, and redesign them so people can actually apply what they learn. Alongside this, he facilitates neuro-inclusive leadership workshops, supporting leaders in creating clearer expectations, workflows, and communication practices that better support neurodivergent employees while improving performance and psychological safety across teams. Connect with Stéphane Mousseau:

• LIX Learning: https://lixlearning.com
• LIX Learning on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lix-learning
• Stéphane on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephanemousseau

Recommended Reading:

• LIX Improves Learning Clarity and Accessibility: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lix-learning_learninganddevelopment-instructionaldesign-activity-7402764958695882752-0VF4
• LIX Analysis for Clearer Learning Experiences: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lix-learning_learninganddevelopment-instructionaldesign-activity-7402840449532813312-feeN
• LIX Live in Early Access: From Chaos to Clarity: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lix-learning_a-big-moment-for-learning-quality-lix-is-activity-7407502184327581696-4eSM

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.org/
• 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.