THE SJ CHILDS SHOW-Building a Community of Inclusion

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What if accessibility came first and everything else got better because of it? That’s the idea we rally around as Sara Bradford, aka SJ Childs—AuDHD Advocate and creator of Stream-Able Live and the SJ Childs Global Network—lays out a clear, urgent case for building inclusion into the foundation of our products, events, and stories. With one in four people in the United States living with a disability today and more than two billion projected globally by 2050, the numbers alone demand a redesign of how we create and share experiences.

We unpack what an access-first world looks like in practice. From live captions that are accurate and customizable to typography choices that improve readability, from seamless screen reader support to predictable navigation patterns, every choice is a lever that opens the door wider. Sara explains how Stream-Able Live hardwires these levers into the platform so creators don’t need permission or add-ons to be included. The result is not just better accessibility; it’s better usability for everyone and a healthier creative ecosystem where disabled creators can lead and shape culture.

Beyond the interface, we talk about accessibility as culture, policy, and strategy. Inclusion first means planning events with access in mind, budgeting for interpretation, writing alt text as standard, and treating transcripts as part of the content, not a footnote. It also means acknowledging the business upside: when we leave people out, we leave innovation on the table. Inclusive design expands audiences, reduces support costs, strengthens brand trust, and surfaces new ideas that only appear when more people can fully participate.

If you’re ready to move from compliance to creativity, from retrofits to inclusive defaults, this conversation is your nudge. Subscribe for more builder-focused stories, share this episode with someone who can move resources, and leave a review telling us the first accessibility change you’ll champion.

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SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A blog that almost stalled. A book that took shape anyway. And a voice that keeps getting louder. We sit down with Michael, an autistic author from Ontario, to trace how “Michaelism: My POV on Life with Autism” went from idea to self-published reality—and why persistence beat perfection at every turn.

Michael opens up about the early days when the word autism felt abstract, while picture-based learning made the world click. That contrast sets the tone for an honest look at communication, school, and the moments that defy low expectations—like a cherished trip to Ottawa and friendships that still carry into his weekly routine. We unpack the power of special interests, from J-pop and K-pop to EDM and dance, and reframe them not as obsessions but as engines for joy, structure, and community. If you’re searching for real stories about autism acceptance, sensory choices, and everyday advocacy, this conversation meets you where you are.

We also dive into the nuts and bolts of self-publishing with IngramSpark, why Michael chose that path, and how book signings and autism conferences in Toronto helped him connect with readers. He walks through key themes from his book—anxiety, emotions, making friends, money and math, communication, volunteering—and shows how each chapter anchors practical skills in lived experience. Through family support, grief, and growth, Michael models what it looks like to claim identity, wear it proudly, and keep moving forward with compassion.

Hit play to meet a writer who leads with heart and clarity. If his mantra—stay strong, never give up—resonates with you, share this episode with someone who needs it. Subscribe for more stories from autistic advocates, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: which special interest has shaped your life?

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What if the very traits that once set your career on fire could be turned into a repeatable system that saves companies and jobs—without burning you out? That’s the tension we explore with turnaround executive Todd Hagopian, whose fifteen years of undiagnosed bipolar disorder powered massive wins and painful self-sabotage before a diagnosis forced a new path. The meds worked, the edge seemed to vanish, and then he did something rare: he bottled the useful parts of hypomania into practical tools anyone can learn.

We walk through the playbook behind multiple successful turnarounds: set audacious goals people can believe in, build calendars that don’t lie, measure profit per minute to protect jobs, and run 52 small projects in 52 weeks so momentum compounds without frying your best people. Todd’s favorite lever—orthodoxy smashing—shows how to find hidden money in “boring” industries by challenging one stale rule at a time. It’s fast, disciplined, and surprisingly humane.

We also get personal about mental health at work. Gen Z is open about neurodivergence; Gen X is still running promotions while staying quiet. That gap breeds fear and missed talent. We offer a different approach: normalize how your brain works before you need accommodations, show the strengths it creates, and design pedal-on, pedal-off rhythms that keep performance high and people whole. At home, we talk sensory overload, communication scaffolding for autistic kids, and the courage it takes to replace secrecy with clarity.

If you lead teams, crave a smarter way to execute, or want language to advocate for neurodivergent strengths, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a manager who needs a better playbook, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What if social apps actually met neurodivergent needs? That question drives a warm, candid conversation with educator-turned-founder Brittany Moser as we dig into Synchrony, a new social and dating app for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent adults. Brittany traces the journey from a rural Queensland classroom to a Manhattan charter school, where practical inclusion strategies showed that supports designed for autistic students often help everyone. Those lessons—visuals, social stories, structured coaching—evolved into a product built to solve a quiet but urgent problem: the moment when a promising connection stalls because the right words or clarity just won’t come.

Synchrony’s heart is Jesse, an AI social coach named for Brittany’s cofounder’s autistic son. Jesse appears inside a live chat with three clear options: help me express myself, help me understand what’s happening, and protect my comfort. Instead of generic advice, Jesse looks at the actual conversation, offers concise interpretations, and suggests language that users can personalize. The goal is not to script people into neurotypical patterns; it’s to support authentic expression, reduce masking, and make room for different goals—whether that’s platonic friendship, romance, or simply a safe way to practice. Independence matters too: users can explore questions privately without leaning on parents or therapists for every step.

Safety and community design are built into the app. Synchrony uses government ID verification plus a vouching step from a trusted person to keep bad actors out and the culture strong. Available soon on iOS and Android, the team is focused on growing the waitlist so early members find real matches and conversations right away. We talk visibility, representation, and why autistic adults are not antisocial; they’re often underserved by tools that ignore their communication styles. Brittany also shares hopes for supported in-person events and partnerships to bridge app-based gains into daily life.

Want to help build an inclusive, responsive community from day one? Join the waitlist at joinsynchrony.com, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so more listeners can discover these conversations. Your support helps turn better design into better belonging.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A teenager sent to rehab without ever touching drugs. A yellow‑Formica childhood stitched with bullying and bravado. A school shooting buried by a bigger headline. Jessica Danel’s story doesn’t ask for sympathy—it demands your attention and rewards it with candor, humor, and hard‑won wisdom. We sit down with Jessica to unpack the heartbeat behind her memoir, Bucket List from a Redneck Girl, and the Just Saying podcast she launched to give other moms a place to breathe.

Jessica walks us through the chapters that shaped her: Park Circle friendships and Catholic school scars, an El Camino first love on her terms, and a wedding day so chaotic she calls it “Jerry Springer.” She shares how she built a 208‑child preschool from her living room—then watched the 2008 crash squeeze the life out of a thriving business while her newborn needed open‑heart surgery. The conversation turns deeply personal as she details her daughter’s ongoing medical journey, a later genetic answer—16p11.2 duplication—that reframed years of questions, and the daily realities of autism, speech delays, and sensory‑driven anxiety. We talk inclusion that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, the steep jump from elementary to high school supports, and the small, stubborn wins that keep families going.

Through it all, Jessica’s voice stays warm and grounded. She owns her mistakes, explains how reconciling with her mom reshaped old narratives, and offers clear advice on marriage (be friends, share goals, compromise) and advocacy (document, ask, try again tomorrow). If you’ve ever felt misread by the systems meant to help, this conversation will feel like a hand on your shoulder. Stream the episode, grab the book on Amazon, Apple Books, or Barnes & Noble, and follow Jessica on Instagram, TikTok, and X. If the story moved you, subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope today, and leave a review—your words help others find ours.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A simple song sparks a bigger truth: creative expression can move us through trauma and toward purpose. From that opening, we dive into a frank, compassionate conversation with neurodiversity consultant and advocate Lisa Richer about late diagnosis, parenting autistic and ADHD kids, and the hard-earned art of trusting your gut when the “experts” disagree.

Lisa traces her path from anxiety and ADHD to burnout and recovery, revealing how a single label can validate years of lived experience without defining the person behind it. We examine the emotional whiplash of hearing “too early” or “too late” on a child’s diagnosis, and how both reactions can fuel action when channeled into building the right team. Pediatricians who listen, psychologists who see the whole child, OTs, behaviorists, and teachers who collaborate—these partners reduce the unknown unknowns that stall progress and drain hope.

We also unpack Lisa’s years as an elite gymnast, only later learning she navigated visual processing challenges that made beam edges and vault boards feel like they were shifting. What looked like inconsistency was adaptive brilliance. That lens now informs Journey to Bloom, where Lisa helps parents navigate IEPs and emotions, mentors professionals—many neurodivergent—through career pivots, and equips organizations to lead across neurotypes using her RIPE Ideas framework: reflect, implement, practice, evaluate.

There’s more to explore: Lisa’s chapter in Confident You, Raw Conversations, a collaborative book about finding purpose through lived challenges; and By With And For Autistic Adults, where the Launch You program supports ages 18–24 with person-centered planning, small cohorts, and practical goals, from independent living to leadership. Throughout, we return to one principle: your gut is data. Trusting it doesn’t silence experts; it helps you pick the right ones, set boundaries that protect energy, and build belonging without shrinking.

If this conversation resonates, follow Journey to Bloom, check out the book, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that validation is not definition. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s one piece of support you wish you had sooner?

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A rainy Saturday, a canceled playground trip, and a child named Logan turn into an unforgettable lesson on resilience. We welcome Dr. Ambrose Pass Turner—counseling psychologist, professor, and longtime clinician—to share how a personal health crisis became the spark for a children’s book that helps families navigate disappointment with calm, creativity, and connection. You’ll hear how simple moments can coach big skills: critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotion regulation that kids can practice at home and carry into the classroom.

We dig into early childhood development and why “connection beats attention” when behavior goes sideways. Dr. Turner walks us through “I Will Play With Me,” showing how a story can model executive function without lectures, and how parents can use questions—What is Logan feeling? What would you try next?—to build empathy and flexible thinking. We then turn to “The ADHD Warrior” and its companion activity book, which help kids see their experiences clearly, strengthen focus through short structured practice, and partner with teachers on small classroom shifts that make a big difference. Whether a family chooses medication or not, practical tools like diet review, focus plans, and predictable routines create a path forward.

Rounding things out, Dr. Turner announces “Parents Talk,” an educational podcast where parents are the featured experts on their children. Bring the hard questions about ADHD, autism, IEPs, and 504 plans; leave with clear next steps, real success stories, and confidence to advocate. If you’re ready to turn tough days into teachable ones—and teach skills that last beyond a single storm—this conversation is your guide. Subscribe, share with a fellow parent, and leave a review with one resilience tip that’s worked for your family.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A candid, joyful talk with author Bria Rose about flipping Beauty and the Beast on its head, managing perfectionism as autistic creatives, and building momentum as an indie author through outreach, edits, and community. We share practical steps for starting, finishing, and promoting a book while keeping your voice intact.

• season focus on autism summits and storytelling magic
• Bria Rose’s path from Disneyland to dark romance author
• practical advice to start writing without an outline
• using layers of edits to beat perfectionism
• Her Dark Promise premise and Easter eggs
• indie publishing wins: book boxes, special editions, local media
• reviews, word count choices, pacing lessons
• audiobook launch and narrator highlights
• upcoming projects and consistent author branding
• where to buy, how to request in stores, direct support options

Please help support me, go on my website and pre-order the audiobook
If you want to see my book in shops, you need to call the stores and you need to request it
Get it from my website, get it from me, support me as for direct direct sales right here because you get a bonus chapter, a bonus scene

https://authorbriarose.com/

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A dream, a diagnosis, and a blueprint for calmer families—this conversation with Constance Lewis traces how a sudden medical crisis turned into a playful, powerful tool for emotional regulation. When her son Miles began having grand mal seizures at four, Constance and her husband Andre (a pediatric dentist) entered a maze of tests, medications, and second opinions. After a brain lesion finally came to light and surgery followed, they channeled the experience into a children’s book that helps kids name, normalize, and navigate their feelings using colors and capes.

We walk through the heart of the method: letting children choose colors for emotions, using capes or simple tokens to “wear” a feeling safely, and modeling regulation in real time. Constance shares how the framework helped when Miles lost language under stress, how it supported his siblings (including a tutu-loving sister who’s inspiring the next book), and how teachers can adapt it for the classroom with discreet color check-ins. Along the way, we dig into the tightrope every caregiver knows—sorting intuition from anxiety—so you can advocate clearly with clinicians while keeping your nervous system steady.

If you’re a parent, teacher, therapist, or healthcare professional seeking simple SEL tools, trauma‑informed practices, and kid‑friendly coping strategies, you’ll find pragmatic steps, hopeful stories, and a reminder that feelings are signals, not verdicts. Explore resources and blog guides at colorfulcapesoffeelings.com, find the book on Amazon (paperback) and at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Books‑A‑Million (hardcover), and follow along on Instagram at colorful_underscore_feelings.books. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more families find it.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

The conversation starts with a memory many families know too well: an early checkup, a handful of red flags, and years of whispered support plans. From there, we move into motion—Carol Waldman shares how a lonely path through therapies and IEPs grew into public advocacy, culminating in a unanimous San Diego measure to expand training and hiring for neurodiverse adults. Along the way, we unpack what real inclusion looks like: a high school three-pointer that turned tokenism into belonging, a faith community that gave meaningful roles instead of sidelined programs, and a DC internship that paired mentorship with responsibility.

We talk plainly about autism’s spotlight: awareness is up, but understanding often lags behind. Carol challenges the “cause vs. cure” narrative and makes a case for funding supports that change daily life—teacher training, sensory-aware classrooms, transition programs, and workplaces designed for different minds. She walks us through Andrew’s journey—pushing past lowered expectations, building confidence, navigating a pandemic quarantine alone, joining a new city’s social fabric, and learning the gritty skills of networking and persistence. These are not headline moments; they’re the scaffolds of independence.

If you’re an educator, you’ll hear concrete ways to reframe goals without shrinking expectations. If you’re an employer or HR leader, you’ll get a blueprint for inclusive job design, mentorship, and transparent communication. And if you’re a policymaker or advocate, you’ll see why data-backed programs and accountability in public hiring matter more than press releases. Most of all, you’ll feel the throughline: do not underestimate neurodiverse potential. Expect growth, provide tools, and watch confidence turn opportunity into outcome.

Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who needs it, and leave a review with one change you want to see in schools or workplaces. Your ideas help us push this movement from visibility to real access.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- [email protected]