Spark Launch Podcast

Mike and Chaya sit down with Michele Price, a seasoned leadership development expert who specializes in empowering women and non-binary individuals. Through the lens of her indigenous heritage and identity, Michele shares insights on dismantling biases and the challenges women face in the current socio-political climate.We Also Cover:

• The evolution of leadership styles, particularly among women
• Societal changes on women's rights and representation
• Empathy and relationship building in leadership
• Indigenous philosophy and the community collective
• How generational healing can transform family legacies and communities
• The power of asking questions

Quotes:

• "In our culture, we didn't punish people for being different. We paid attention to what the differences were in our children, and we supported that."
• "When you build healthy relationships with people and authentic relationship with people, leadership becomes so easy."
• "Life's not about hitting a home run every time. The winningest teams in baseball focus on getting on base. How are you going to get on base?"
• "And I always remind them, yes, you have an individual journey. That's important. And it's also important for you to remember: what do you bring to the collective journey? Because it affects you."

About Michele Price:With over 40 years of experience in leadership development, Michele Price specializes in guiding women and non-binary individuals through transformative leadership journeys. Drawing from Indigenous wisdom, social justice, and the GADUGI framework, they empower leaders to dismantle bias, embrace empathy, and foster holistic self-leadership. Through their podcast 'Verbal Vortexes' and newsletter, they help leaders align with their vision while navigating the complexities of collective and individual purpose.Connect with Michele:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleprice/
• https://breakthroughbusinessstrategies.substack.com/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Mike and Chaya sit down for an existential and suuuper ADHD conversation with entrepreneur Jon Cunningham - a conversation that is the sheer definition of "going with the flow." Together, they unravel the complexities of navigating a world misaligned with the neurodivergent experience, managing judgement, and the existential fear of failure that often plagues neurodiversity.We Also Cover:

• Psychological Effects of Negative Messaging During Childhood
• Positive Affirmations to Combat Automatic Negative Thoughts
• Ingrained Negative Self-Talk
• Finding Belonging in the ADHD Community
• Leveraging Unique Strengths Rather Than Conforming to Societal Norms
• Developing Personalized Systems to Help Manage Daily Tasks
• The Rollercoaster of Adult Diagnosis
• The Unfortunate Acceptance of Disabling Aspects of Neurodiversity

Quotes:

• "I always wonder, where were we taught to be perfect? Was it through somebody else's standards, which was not ours."
• "Evolution is not going to happen if we are doing the same thing, if we are always trying to fit in and not take chances."
• "Once we know that we've got an interest based nervous system, we know that if we are excited by something, we will follow through on it and deliver."

About Jon Cunningham:Jon Cunningham is a UK-based entrepreneur and business mentor with over 20 years of experience in development, automation, and growth strategy. He is the founder of FlowFlows, a consultancy focused on helping businesses streamline their operations, particularly through tools like Asana, and improving their growth through automation and process optimization. Jon is also the founder of The Futureneers, a social enterprise aimed at supporting young people who struggle within traditional education systems by mentoring them to build self-belief and reach their potential.His work spans a wide range of areas, including business strategy, automation, and sales, and he is known for his hands-on approach with founders and CEOs, with a reputation for being an insightful problem solver with a straightforward, human approach to business challenges.Connect with Jon:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-cunningham/
• https://flowflows.com/
• https://thefutureneers.com/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Mike and Chaya sit down with Lindsay Rice, a passionate educator and advocate, to explore some often-overlooked complexities in the classroom. Delving into Lindsay's personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual and as a parent of neurodiverse children, she shines a light on an education system that often fails to accommodate diverse minds, and how a harrowing kindergarten experience fueled her desire to change the narrative around neurodiversity.We Also Cover:

• Understanding Neurodivergent Behaviors in Educational Settings
• Communication Barriers
• Expressing Emotions In a Safe and Constructive Way for All Student Types
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and Its Impact on Students
• How Implementing Simple Strategies, such as Joyful Movement, can Benefit Learners of All Ages
• The Science of Dopamine and How To Harness It In The Classroom
• The Critical Need of Discovering Your Personal Method of Emotionally Regulating

Quotes:

• "A lot of our neurodivergent students don't have the words yet to explain what they're going through."
• "If us as neurodivergent adults don't feel comfortable making sure that we spread that narrative, then the same traumas are just going to be repeated."
• "Kids don't learn from people they don't like and from people they don't trust."
• "We need to make sure that we're creating spaces where kids feel seen and heard, not just managed.
• "You can't get made fun of for something you're proud of."

About Lindsay Rice:Lindsay is an experienced educator with over 11 years of teaching and currently teaches 3rd grade at Ohio Avenue Elementary School in Columbus. She’s a powerful advocate for neurodivergent learners, drawing from her own experiences with ADHD and autism, as well as being a parent to three neurodivergent children.Lindsay has presented for renowned organizations like the NEA, NSTA, and ATE, and is deeply involved in initiatives aimed at building inclusive classrooms and shaping policy to better serve all students, especially those from neurodiverse and culturally diverse backgrounds. She is passionate about preparing preservice educators to support neurodivergent scholars and is currently working with NEA’s Leaders for the Just Schools Program to further that mission.Connect with Lindsay:

• https://dear-neurotypical-adult.blogspot.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-rice-2150b0199/
• https://x.com/lindsaymrice17

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Mike and Chaya welcome Mia Love, a holistic health practitioner and dedicated neurodiversity advocate, to discuss how she promotes harmony between traditional western medical practices and holistic healing to foster greater self-efficacy She also details her journey from years of misdiagnosis to neurodivergent realization.We Also Cover:

• Societal Pressure to Conform
• Managing Emotional Dysregulation
• Social Overwhelm
• Setting Internal and External Boundaries
• Community Stigma
• Honoring Personal Needs
• Emotional Toll of Masking
• Access Barriers to Treatment

Quotes:

• "Figure out what things really matter. Figure out what things feel good to you. Figure out the people that feel good for you to be around and and trust."
• "How they heal, how they transmute, transform within themselves is up to them... we have no place to make that all a judgment."
• "Love is the ultimate goal and it’s amazing how many of our problems just go away."
• "I unapologetically lived who I am out loud."

About Mia Love:With over 25 years as a facilities professional in higher education at Stanford University, Mia’s passion lies in neurodiversity initiatives. She deeply understands neurodivergent thinking and AuDHD, creating inclusive and supportive environments. Her decade-long experience as a Holistic Health Practitioner fosters both academic success and holistic growth. As a TEDx and keynote speaker, Mia advocates for the Neuro-Spicy community. Through her entrepreneurial venture, Real Freedom With Love, she empowers professionals with practices like Reiki and energetic healing, combating imposter syndrome and promoting balance. Her 15+ years in hospitality highlight her ability to connect and uplift.Connect with Mia:

• https://www.mialovecoaching.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/originalmialove
• https://www.facebook.com/mrsmialove
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfwl

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Mike and Chaya chat with trauma-informed therapist Shoshana Cook, who delves into Attachment Theory, shedding light on the shortcomings in mental health treatment related to it and advocating for a more comprehensive approach.We Also Cover:

• Incorporating Multiple Treatment Modalities (CBT, DBT, etc)
• A "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach to Mental Recovery Doesn't Exist
• How Treatment Center Turnover Rates Affect Continuity of Care
• Psychoeducation For Attachment Styles
• Parts Therapy/Internal Family Systems
• Schema
• Systemic Changes for the Mental Health Field
• Setting Realistic Expectations
• Trauma Myths
• Complexity of Attachment Styles (Avoidant, Anxious, Ambivalent)
• Customizing Treatment Goals and Methods on an Individual Basis

Quotes:

• "They believe that they're not worthy. They believe that they're not lovable. They believe that they can never have someone just someone that will stay."
• "And even if it wasn't blatant abuse, it could be something as simple as the parent traveled a lot for work were never really around or was sick and they weren't able to show up for their child in the way that they needed to."
• "There are a lot of misdiagnoses. There could be 20 diagnoses for a symptom. We can't just look at a symptom. We can't just throw a medication at something. What we really need to be looking at is, what is the root cause? Why are they experiencing this?"
• "I work with clients with BPD, and they're some of the kindest, most compassionate people I've ever met. Because their trauma has made them hyper-empathetic to other people. So they're like, 'I know what it feels like to feel bad, so I always want to make sure other people don't feel bad.'"

About Shoshana Cook:Shoshana began her career in 2019 at a non-profit adolescent lockdown facility in Maryland. She identified gaps in the system that needed change for a more ethical, individual-focused approach to take hold. After working with adults experiencing severe mental health issues, she transferred to the substance abuse and co-occurring disorder unit, staying until early 2023. Through these roles, she gained insights into treatment misconceptions and the importance of diversity. Now in private practice, she works with adults impacted by trauma, understanding that unhealed trauma often underlies many other issues."Heal it at the root and then the branches and leaves will also flourish"Connect With Shoshana:

• Shoshana's Website
• @renewed.healing.therapy on Instagram
• Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RenewedHealingPrints

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Chaya and Mike sit down with Mark Fister, CTO of Haystack Unlimited and proud ADHDer. Mark sheds light on the challenges that neurodivergent individuals face during the interview process and day-to-day job duties, what kind of necessary accommodations foster success, and how his company is building a supportive future for neurodiverse workers.We Also Cover:

• The Double Empathy Problem
• The Myth of Social Incompatibility
• Innovation Within Neurodivergent Communities
• Psychological Safety in the Workplace
• Blind Recruiting and Unconscious Bias
• The Role of AI in Neurodiverse Accommodations
• Haystack Unlimited's Video Game for Job Recruitment

Quotes:

• "The fundamental problem is called unconscious human bias, which has served humans very well from an evolutionary perspective, but does not serve us well in 2024, nor will it serve us well onwards."
• "80% of autistic people are unemployed or underemployed."
• "They have strong deductive reasoning and sustained concentration. But over there in the job, they can't seem to do anything. They can't seem to cut butter with a with a butter knife. Why is that? There's more to this than meets the eye."
• "Connect those words, nonjudgmental and love. Maybe that's my favorite two words connected together."

About Mark Fister:Mark Fister is a father and husband, executive, snowboarder, technologist, trail runner, speaker, canyoneer, author, investor, and terrible chess player. Mark loves to see business and technology from as many perspectives as possible. To wit, he has held 20 different roles in the software industry at companies like Dell, IBM, eBay, PayPal, and even his own company.Recently, Mark has been learning about servant leadership. After interviewing over 100 people on the topic, he discovered he was on the autism spectrum, which brought clarity to his life. After some soul searching, he is now dedicated to ending joblessness for neurodivergents everywhere through previous work at Auticon and BeMe and now his own company, Haystack Unlimited.Connect with Mark:https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfister/https://haystackhub.com/https://servantleadershipconsulting.net/https://www.theoctopusmovement.org/Related Reading:

• Autistic peer-to-peer information transfer is highly effective - A Game of Autistic Telephone

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Mike and Chaya chat with Joshua Rastetter, who shares an insightful perspective on navigating neurodiversity mindfully, along with valuable advice for parents navigating the spectrum alongside their children. Josh opens up about his journey with Dyscalculia and how discovering his ADHD through his daughter’s diagnosis led to a profound shift in their relationship and his life.We Also Cover:

• Feeling "Lazy" With ADHD
• The Importance of Individualized Coping Skills
• Dyscalculia Is Weird
• Undiagnosed ADHD Leading To Issues With Parents
• Managing Hyperfocus
• The Different Definitions of Meditation
• Individualized Coping Skills

Quotes:

• "It's about removing the baseline mirage of 'normal.'”
• "It was a real paradigm shift both for me and for my daughter because these these tricks and accommodations that I had been making for myself for years went from being something innate that I wasn't doing on purpose to something very purposeful and very intentional."
• "When you are a zebra in a herd of horses, that is where it becomes a disorder: when you're trying to be something other than a zebra."
• "I found myself in the same shoes as my parents where I had this internal narrative where I was saying it was laziness or it was defiance and that that I had to get her to listen. And it was frustrating for me and it was frustrating for her."

About Josh:Joshua Rastetter is based in Texas with over 10 years of experience in SaaS applications and B2B enterprise software. Specializing in ProductOps, focusing on user-centric design, accessibility, and inclusivity. He has established product-market fit across various industries and led a diverse team of over 50 professionals across three continents. Known for quickly gaining credibility with stakeholders, Joshua brings a unique perspective as a neurodivergent father, product manager, and data nerd.Connect With Josh:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrastetter/
• https://www.rastetterpm.com/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

Toxic masculinity, a pervasive and damaging set of behaviors and expectations associated with traditional masculinity, negatively impacts both men and society as a whole. In this episode, Mike and Chaya explore and expose the complexities of this poisonous patriarchy, the theory of "the man box," and the ways rigid social definitions of masculine contributed to Mike's development of an eating disorder.We Also Cover:

• Emotional Suppression
• Emphasizing Emotional Intelligence and Empathy As Basic Human Conditions
• How Societal Expectations Restrict Emotional Regulation
• The Historically Arbitrary Nature of Masculinity and Femininity
• The Ways Neurodivergent Can Be Susceptible To Toxic Peer Pressures
• Media Influence
• Abuse Cycles

Quotes:

• “Toxic masculinity is not just the wanting and need for respect, but feeling that you are owed respect—whether or not it's earned—and that creates a lot of anger.”
• "One of the top ways to battle toxic masculinity is not just changing media and culture, but teaching that thinking deeply about the world and themselves is normal."
• "I think back to previous generations where you would see depictions of fathers who'd come home and not really have anything to do with the family because that wasn't their function. That was the only way of doing things they knew."
• "And there's also an isolating nature to toxic masculinity. Any friendship you may have with another man, you cannot be that 'close' to them because then the homophobia comes in, or you're being weak because you're leaning on a friend."

Related Reading:

• The Man They Wanted Me to Be: Toxic Masculinity and a Crisis of Our Own Making - Jared Yates Sexton
• How The Man Box Poisons Our Sons
• The History of "The Man Box"
• The Impact of Toxic Masculinity On Men's Mental Health
• How to Fight Toxic Masculinity | Scientific American
• Toxic Masculinity as a Barrier to Mental Health Treatment in Prisons

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

In this episode, Mike and Chaya chat with Youssef Sleiman, a neurodivergent writer and gifted individual. Yousef details his personal journey with understanding 2e (Twice Exceptional), how he leverages his differently thinking brain to the cause of neurodiversity, the transformative power of storytelling on self-discovery, and deep dives the neuroscience behind Twice Exceptionality.We Also Cover:

• The Folly of IQ Tests
• Misconceptions of Neurodivergent Intellect
• Tips for Identifying 2e
• The Reality of Giftedness vs Media Portrayals
• Brain Structures and Functions
• Trauma and Neurological Changes
• Developmental Psychology

Quotes:

• "Their neurodivergence is so far from the neurotypical that the things that they are processing and trying to work through -- types of existential questions or types of physiological questions."
• "There's no coincidence that most young adult literature works this way, where you have a protagonist who's starting off seemingly normal, but things are a little bit hard for them."
• "I do distinctly remember there being an ongoing tension where my teachers would know this about me, would have seen a score on file and been told, 'his mother doesn't want him in these the classes, so stretch him in any way you can.'"
• "In a in a typical brain, there's a certain amount of gray matter, how many however many ounces in the fMRI scans and in autopsies. There's a greater amount of gray matter in gifted brains."

About Youssef:Youssef Sleiman, a 2e neurodivergent professional writer, combines creativity, AI tools, and SEO expertise to make important topics engaging. As a former copywriter for top brands, Youssef harnessed tools like Frase, ChatGPT, and Google’s AI to analyze search rankings and create high-performing articles and blog posts. His unique blend of left-brain and right-brain strengths ensures cutting-edge content. Drawing from his experience as a newspaper reporter, Youssef’s problem-solving skills enhance his work as a copywriter, resulting in informative and engaging campaigns.Connect With Youssef:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ysleiman/
• https://www.facebook.com/youssef.writer/
• https://www.amazon.com/stores/Youssef-R.-Sleiman/author/B0D29XRS36
• https://www.brightinsight.support/
• https://intergifted.com/

Related Reading:

• Identity Development Theory: The Game!™ 
• Gifted Needs and Tabletop Roleplaying Games: The Hows and Whys from a Neurodivergent Dungeon Master

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram

We sit down with Navya Adhikarla, an autistic ADHDer who shares her story of social isolation and alienation both in the U.S. and India. Her lifelong struggle with identity, coupled with the roadblocks she experienced in education and business, led her to becom a champion of psychological safety and advocate for neurodiverse accommodations -- transitioning from invisibility to authenticity.We Also Cover:

• Neurodiversity as a Workplace Asset
• The Complexities of Social Interaction
• Reclaiming Identity Beyond Societal Expectations
• Trust Through Vulnerability
• Self-Advocacy and Self-Efficacy
• Imposter Syndrome
• Culture Differences in Neurodiversity Awareness Between India and United States

Quotes:

• "And I guess that's that's the whole story of my life because I've been searching for so many things outside, but eventually, I end up creating them myself."
• "The thing that you're searching for is right inside you. It's just you. You don't have to go searching for it."
• "You truly want someone to hear you out and see you, and you don't want to be invisible."
• "I'm super scared about when I will find a place that will truly see me, truly cherish me for who I am and the skills I have, because I don't want to save my skills or capacities for anything. I want to utilize them to do something good."

About Navya Adhikarla:An insatiably curious and innovative designer, Navya brings an interdisciplinary perspective to complex challenges. With an engineering degree and a Duke University Master’s in Engineering Management, she has experience in program management, go-to-market consulting, tech ethics research, IT consulting, and university leadership. Navya applies human-centered, inclusive design thinking to product, marketing, strategy, and accessibility projects. Her core values of integrity, empathy, courage, and hope guide her approach.Connect with Navya:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/asnbhhanu5/
• https://navyaadhikarla.wordpress.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/half.cooked.artist/
• https://thefryingpansandflyingpuns.wordpress.com/

Related Reading:

• (Don’t) Look me in the Eye: The Challenge of Eye Contact – Psychological Safety - Guest Post by Navya

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram