Exploring Different Brains

Celebrated disability advocate and author, FSU’s Dr. JR Harding, discusses his world travels, and why he thinks everyone needs an adventure. Dr. Harding is a recognized disability leader with over 37 years of personal and professional experiences within the disability community. He is a two-time US Presidential appointee, seven-time Florida gubernatorial appointee, and has made significant contrib...

Celebrated disability advocate and author, FSU’s Dr. JR Harding, discusses his work helping the next generation of business leaders embrace inclusion. Dr. Harding is a recognized disability leader with over 37 years of personal and professional experiences within the disability community. He is a two-time US Presidential appointee, seven-time Florida gubernatorial appointee, and has made significa...

Zavikon COO Hilary Kokenda discusses their work creating and facilitating career opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. Hilary Kokenda is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Zavikon. Zavikon’s mission is “…to match qualified candidates with disabilities or those who are neurodivergent with employers who believe inclusion is the future. Zavikon is the bridge to inclusion.” Prior to becoming...

Psychology student Shanna Anssari, M.S. shares how she navigated mental health challenges while pursuing her education. Shanna Anssari, M.S. received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Loyola University Chicago, and her Masters of Science, Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies at Boston University School of Medicine. She will soon be attending Nova Southeastern University in pu...

Author & self-advocate Jose Del Cueto shares his journey from a traumatic childhood with undiagnosed ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia to a long and successful career in marketing. Jose Del Cueto leads an ongoing mentoring internship program for university and community college students in Central Florida. He is actively involved in child welfare, serving on the board of community-based organizations...

Author & psychiatrist Dr. Mark Goulston shares his journey to being a mental health professional. Originally a UCLA professor of psychiatry for over 25 years, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, Dr. Mark Goulston’s expertise has been forged and proven in the crucible of real-life, high stakes situations. An influencer who helps influencers become more influential, his unique b...

Author & psychiatrist Dr. Mark Goulston shares advice for parents with teens having a mental health crisis. Originally a UCLA professor of psychiatry for over 25 years, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, Dr. Mark Goulston’s expertise has been forged and proven in the crucible of real-life, high stakes situations. An influencer who helps influencers become more influential, hi...

IEC founder Dr. Mai Pham discusses their work transforming healthcare for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities Hoangmai (Mai) H. Pham, MD MPH, President and CEO of Institute for Exceptional Care (IEC), is a general internist and national health policy leader and mother to two beautiful young men, one of whom is autistic. Dr. Pham was previously Vice President, Provider Alignm...

UM-NSU CARD's Dr. Michael Alessandri shares the importance of organization partnerships in supporting the autistic community. Dr. Michael Alessandri is the Executive Director of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). He is also the Chairman of the Board at Els for Autism, and Board officer for Casa Familia, a housing project i...

UM-NSU CARD's Dr. Michael Alessandri discusses how the COVID19 pandemic forced autism providers to rethink how they deliver services. Dr. Michael Alessandri is the Executive Director of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). He is also the Chairman of the Board at Els for Autism, and Board officer for Casa Familia, a housing p...

Go Baby Go founder and Univ of Delaware professor Dr. Cole Galloway discusses his work helping children with mobility challenges. Dr. James Cole Galloway is a Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware. He is also the Founder of the Go Baby Go program, which helps children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities move and explore the world. Go Baby Go's most popular...

Els for Autism program director Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott shares their work supporting all ages of autistic individuals, and previews their upcoming conference. Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP is the Els for Autism Foundation Program Director. She has been working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities across ages and settings for over 25 years. Erin i...

Dementia self-advocate and author Michael Ellenbogan returns to discuss living with the disease, and his work raising awareness around the world. Michael started having early signs at the age of 39, and spent over a decade to receive a diagnosis. Since then he has become a celebrated and tireless self-advocate seeking a cure, including having a letter for Alzheimer’s advocacy accepted into Congres...

In this second year-in-review episode, we are going to hear from neurodiversity change makers in medicine, education, therapy, and more we spoke with in 2022. Featured are: DR. ANGELIQUE HARRIS - Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Boston University School of Medicine / Associate Professor in General Internal Medicine, in the Department of Medicine / Executive Director of Faculty Develop...

In this first year-in-review episode, we are going to hear from a handful of the amazing neurodivergent self-advocates we’ve had the privilege of speaking with. Featured are: JUDE MORROW - Irish autism self-advocate, author, and speaker (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/loving-your-place-on-the-spectrum-with-jude-morrow-edb-258/ ) For more about Jude: https://judemorrow.com/ https://www...

Autism self-advocate and Beacon College’s Director of Career Advisement/Development/Partnership Dr. James Williams discusses his work helping students find employment. (VIDEO - 31 mins) Beacon College, a private nonprofit college founded in 1989 in Leesburg, Florida, is the first accredited institution of higher learning designed with curriculum and support services to serve those students with dy...

ADHD self-advocate, autism mom, cognitive specialist, and parenting coach Bea Moise shares what she has learned from her neurodiverse household. Beatrice (Bea) Moise, M.S., BCCS., is a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist, Parenting Coach, author of Our Neurodivergent Journey and National Speaker. She created A Child Like Mine to educate parents of children with unique atypical brains that have bo...

Mentra CEO & co-founder Jhillika Kumar discusses their work creating a platform to connect neurodiverse talent with employers. Jhillika Kumar is the co-founder and CEO of Mentra, a Georgia Tech graduate, and honorary degree recipient, and previous Grace Hopper Keynote speaker for neurodiversity empowerment. Jhillika’s passion for neurodiversity advocacy stems from her life experiences growing up a...

Jessica Kidwell of the Neuroversity Podcast discusses why listening to and highlighting the voices of neurodivergent self-advocates is so important. From Jessica’s bio: “Jessica Kidwell has been a lot of things. A freelance writer, a preschool teacher, a government employee, a bartender, a waitress, a lifeguard, and most recently, a podcaster. She is the host of the brand new podcast, Neuroversity...

BUSM’s Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion Dr. Angelique Harris discusses her work ending stigma in higher education. Dr. Angelique C. Harris is Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Boston University School of Medicine and is an Associate Professor in General Internal Medicine, in the Department of Medicine. They also serve as the Executive Director of Faculty Development for Boston U...

Positive Development’s Dr. Jennie Trocchio, Dr. Lina Moyano & Yomayra Mora-Perea share their work creating a new option in therapy for neurodivergent individuals. Dr. Jennie Trocchio is an autism educator, speaker, Developmental Therapist, and Vice President of Clinical Operations at Positive Development. Lina Maria Moyano, Ed. D., L.C.S.W. is an Autism Mental Health Care Professional and Clinical...

Mara Myers shares her son’s journey with the autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder known as PANDAS. Mara Myers is a registered nurse, and the mom of a young son with PANDAS: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. According to the NIMH: “a child may be diagnosed with PANDAS when: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorder, or both suddenly ap...

Developmental therapist Dr. Jennie Trocchio shares how DRBI therapy can help autistic individuals thrive and build great connections. Dr. Jennie Trocchio is an autism educator, speaker, Developmental Therapist, and Vice President of Clinical Operations at Positive Development. Positive Development’s mission is to “…help people with autism and other developmental differences build connections and s...

Stanford University student & researcher Lauren Clarke, BS, MHA discusses why doctors need more education in neurodiversity. Lauren is a joint MD/MA in Education student at Stanford University working towards improving the quality of medical education related to caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also takes pride in supporting and mentoring other medical studen...

Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph. D. shares his work maximizing the brain’s potential through technology. Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph. D., is a neuroscientist, consciousness educator, leadership coach, and facilitator of personal and organizational development and transformation. Drawing from over a decade of neuroscience and consciousness research and experience as a facilitator, Gabriel taps latent human cap...