Exploring Different Brains

Comedian Darcy Michael discusses his diagnoses for ADHD and autism. For 20 years, Darcy Michael has been a powerhouse in comedy, with a voice unlike any other. Lauded by the Montreal Gazette as one of their favorites at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival, Darcy has graced its stages over ten times. His meteoric rise continued in 2021 when he launched a TikTok account, quickly garnering 4 mil...

ICF certified coach Gillian Forth discusses how to make a workplace neuroinclusive. Gill is a 35 year old white settler, cisgender, neuro queer woman who is married, childfree, and living in the suburbs of Ontario, Canada. Their coaching practice is neuro affirming and inclusive of LGBTQQIP2SA plus communities and people of all gender identities. Gill has spent a decade in the nonprofit sector wit...

Comedian James Mullinger discusses ADHD’s effect on his life and performances. James Mullinger was one of the UK’s top comedians and Comedy Editor for GQ magazine when he moved to Canada in February 2014. Since his arrival, he has taken the country by storm. Sold out shows across the country, appearances on CBC’s The Debaters, CTV’s The Social and The Good Stuff With Mary Berg. Movies, TV shows, f...

CONTENT WARNING: discussion of pregnancy loss Cartoonist Chari Pere discusses how she used art to share her experiences with pregnancy loss. Cartoonist Chari Pere is on a mission to create art that is heartfelt, funny, and relatable–and has most recently done so with her award-winning "Unspoken" Cartoonmentary series, shedding light on miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and other taboo topics. She has p...

Author, attorney, and self-advocate Haley Moss explains autistic joy, and how to be supportive of it. Haley Moss was diagnosed with autism at age 3. She graduated with her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2018, and graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 with Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Criminology. She is a renowned visual pop artist and the author of Mi...

Clinical psychologist, autism self-advocate, and educational consultant Dr. Eric Endlich shares tips for students transition from high school to college. About our guest: Eric Endlich, Ph. D., clinical psychologist and founder of Top College Consultants®, manages a diverse, nationwide team of college admissions professionals helping neurodivergent students transition to higher education. He co-tea...

Host Bea Moise continues her chat with author and accessibility expert Alex Norman. Alex Norman is the founder and CEO of Access Built, a leading agency helping organizations reimagine environments to be more inclusive. As the author of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living, Alex blends powerful life stories with actionable design strategies. A former global adverti...

Access Built CEO Alex Norman shares the tenants of universal design, his journey to achieve inclusive living. Alex Norman is the founder and CEO of Access Built, a leading agency helping organizations reimagine environments to be more inclusive. As the author of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living, Alex blends powerful life stories with actionable design strategie...

Actor, voice-over artist, author, and self-advocate Adam Lee Sietz shares how improv comedy helped him navigate ADHD. Adam Sietz has spent more than a quarter century writing, producing and performing in the Entertainment Business. He has written and performed with the National Lampoon, and written extensively for television, animation, radio, corporate events and various private individuals from...

Expert and author Terri Duncan explains the importance of emotional regulation, and offers was to support those with emotional disregulation. Terri Duncan is a Speech Language Pathologist and has worked with Autistic children and a broad range of developmental delays. She is also author of the book Why Emotional Regulation Might Mean EVERYTHING. Terri has her B.A. in Psychology and Linguistics fro...

Self-advocate Tim Ulmer shares his journey with epilepsy, and talks about his show Epilepsy Gangster. Tim Ulmer is an epilepsy self-advocate, and author, and the creator and producer of Epilepsy Gangster. Tim also facilitates the prominent support group that he started over a decade ago. He's been a moderator-writer for Health Union's EpilepsyDisease.com where people can read his columns about liv...

Self-advocate and author Rebecca Tillou shares the realities of life with FASD, and her journey towards getting a diagnosis at age 33. Rebecca Tillou is a self-advocate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which is under the umbrella Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Since being diagnosed at the age of 33, she has become a tireless advocate raising awareness of this often misunderstood condition. She is the...

Autism self-advocate and therapist Megan MacKay discusses her work helping those experiencing PTSD and CPTSD. Megan MacKay works as an addiction and trauma psychotherapist. She is a CSAT, LCPC and LPC in the states of Arizona and Montana. Megan is also a Clinical Mental Health Consultant at Trapper Creek Job Corps, and a Board Member for Returning Youth Initiative. She also is a host and Board mem...

Autism self-advocate and therapist Megan MacKay discusses her role with Job Corps, and how it can help the neurodivergent population. Megan MacKay works as an addiction and trauma psychotherapist. She is a CSAT, LCPC and LPC in the states of Arizona and Montana. Megan is also a Clinical Mental Health Consultant at Trapper Creek Job Corps, and a Board Member for Returning Youth Initiative. She also...

In the second part of our review of 2024, we hear from some of the people making a difference for the neurodiversity community including Dr. Jennie Trocchio, Cheryl Checkers, Aisha McDonald & more! AISHA MCDONALD – full interview pt 1 https://differentbrains.org/recognizing-intersectional-trauma-with-aisha-t-mcdonald-lmhc-edb-328/ / pt 2 https://differentbrains.org/suicide-prevention-mental-health...

In the first part of our review of 2024, we hear from some of the neurodivergent self-advocates that have appeared on the show, including Shawn Smith, Ali Idriss, Diane Gould & more! ALI IDRISS – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/adhd-in-the-er-with-ali-idriss-edb-316/ | for more about their work: https://differentbrains.org/author/ali-idriss/ DIANE GOULD – full interview: https://differ...

Canadian ADHD & autism self-advocate and therapist Shawn Smith shares his experiences battling burnout, and offers tips on how ot overcome it. Shawn Smith M.Ed., CCC, LCT is an autistic and ADHD Counsellor and psychotherapist, and the founder of Don’t dis-my-ability® Consultation Services Inc. Shawn helps parents, young people, and adults who are neurodivergent (ADHD/Autism/Dyslexic and more). Pri...

PDA expert and autism self-advocate Diane Gould, LCSW discusses Pervasive Demand Avoidance (previously known as Pathological Demand Avoidance). Diane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that specializes in serving autistic individuals. As the Executive Director and Founder of PDA North America, she founded the annual PDA North America conference held in Chicago that has changed the lives of hundr...

Linda J. Silver, M.S., Ed. S. discusses Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and her career ensuring appropriate accommodations for students. Linda J. Silver, M.S., Ed. S. is the Executive Director and Founder of Silver & Associates Educational Consulting Solutions. She is an expert in the field of Section 504, an award winning certified school counselor, a nationally recognized spe...

Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC returned to discuss her work as a Suicidologist. and the importance of inclusive mental health. Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert. She has worked in the social services field for over 12 years in a variety of capacities ranging from advocacy, direct service, and mac...

Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC explains why trauma should be looked at through an intersectional lens. Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert. She has worked in the social services field for over 12 years in a variety of capacities ranging from advocacy, direct ser...

Autism self-advocate, author, and speaker Sam Farmer discusses replacing internalized ableism with self-acceptance. Sam Farmer is an information technology consultant, neurodiversity community self-advocate, writer, author and public speaker. Identified later in life as autistic, he writes articles, records podcasts and presents at libraries, conferences and for corporations and autism community o...

Dr. Craig Escudé discusses the importance of training doctors to care for the IDD and neurodivergent communities. Dr. Craig Escudé is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience providing medical care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical...

Cheryl Checkers and Dr. Christopher Kye shares their experience working with autistic patients experiencing mental health challenges. Cheryl Checkers is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Board-Certified Counselor, and Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist who specializes in working with teens and adults on the autism spectrum and their loved ones. She is the President o...

Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Anna Diaz & Luis Martinez share facts about seizure disorders, and how the Alliance is working to increase awareness and support. Anna Diaz is a Social Service Aide for the Epilepsy Alliance Florida (EAF), and is herself an epilepsy self-advocate. Luis Martinez is a Community Resource Specialist for EAF. Established in 1971 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), EAF is the prin...