The Joy of Neurodiversity

Recorded live at SXSW EDU, this episode explores one of the biggest blind spots in the way we talk about neurodiversity: awareness without action. Joy Buckner is joined by executive function coach Crista A. Hopp and therapist Dane Ray for a powerful conversation about what happens when systems acknowledge neurodiversity but do not actually change. Together, they move beyond labels and look more cl...

What if the thing you’ve been waiting for was never approval, but self knowing and self love? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Toby Gorniak, MBE, founder of The Gorniak Method, to explore identity, belonging, culture, and what it truly means to discover your genius and live like you believe it. Toby shares his story of growing up Roma in Poland, experiencing racism at five years old,...

What if neurodiversity isn’t something to accommodate…but something to design for? In this episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity , Joy Buckner sits down with workplace learning designer and neuro-inclusive advocate Sascha Evans to explore what happens when organizations intentionally plan for neurodivergent minds. Spoiler: everyone benefits. Together, they unpack how inclusive learning design impro...

What happens when families do everything right and the system still fails their children? In this honest and deeply grounding episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity, Joy Buckner is joined by parent and advocate Ronald O’Neal for a real conversation about raising neurodivergent children inside educational and legal systems that were never designed with them in mind. Ron shares his lived experience na...

What happens when autism is treated as a learning difference, but mental health is left out of the conversation? In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Kenneth Mims, M.Ed. shares why ignoring the mental health needs of autistic individuals can lead to isolation, depression, and devastating outcomes later in life. Kenneth brings both lived experience and professional insight as a physicist, ed...

Sometimes you don’t need another conversation, you need a pause. In this mid-season check-in on The Joy of Neurodiversity podcast, Joy Buckner reflects on neurodiversity, learning, advocacy, and what’s next. In this episode, Joy reflects on the journey of The Joy of Neurodiversity so far. From its roots in storytelling and lived experience to the growing focus on advocacy, learning science, and re...

What happens when a child is told they’ll never succeed… and chooses to write a different story? In this powerful episode, Kelly Van Zant shares her journey from being completely illiterate as a teenager to becoming an outspoken advocate for neurodivergent learners and families. Her story is raw, human, and deeply resonant for anyone who has ever been underestimated or misunderstood. We dive into...

THE TRUTH ABOUT HOW YOUR BRAIN LEARNS with Gretchen Wegner, Academic Coach & Founder of The Anti-Boring Learning Lab What if learning didn’t feel confusing, overwhelming, or intimidating, but actually made sense ? In this episode, Gretchen Wegner breaks down the real science behind how your brain learns. Not the myths. Not the old-school study advice. The actual mechanics of what’s happening i...

Guest: Crista A. Hopp, Founder & CEO, Connected Pathways Coaching & Academy Tagline: Because every brain is unique—and when you discover what works for yours, everything changes. 💡 Episode Overview At some point, we’ve all thought it: “They’re so smart… they just don’t focus.” “They never finish what they start.” “Why can’t they just get organized?” In this eye-opening conversation, Joy s...

💡 In This Episode What if the problem isn’t our students — it’s the system designed to teach them? In this powerful conversation, Joy Buckner and Sara Haboubi , founder of Jumpstarting Learning , unpack how traditional education still measures success by outdated rules and how tools like NLP and mental imagery can help every learner thrive. Together, they explore what it really means to “prepare...

When Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey realized how invisible dyslexia was across Africa, she didn’t wait for permission to change that. She turned her lived experience into action and built what is now the Africa Dyslexia Organisation . 🌍 In this powerful conversation, Rosalin joins host Joy Buckner to share how one woman’s determination is reshaping the narrative of dyslexia across an entire contine...

Why this special episode? Every so often, a story comes along that changes how we see the world. Magnetosphere is one of those stories. More than a film, it’s a cinematic journey that immerses us in the sensory-rich world of synesthesia and shines a light on the beauty of neurodivergent experience. By spotlighting this groundbreaking project, we’re celebrating the power of art to awaken empathy, c...

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Nazima Saiyed shares her extraordinary journey raising her son Hood, a non-speaking autistic communicator whose brilliance defies expectations. From the early days of his autism diagnosis to discovering facilitated communication, Dr. Saiyed’s story is one of fierce love, resilience, and breaking barriers. She speaks candidly about balancing her academic career with p...

🧠 Teen Voices on ADHD, Dyscalculia & the Power of Being Heard In this powerful episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity , host Joy Buckner sits down with Lemar, a bright, brave, and deeply insightful high school student from Dubai. Lemar opens up about her journey with ADHD and dyscalculia, sharing what it’s really like to navigate school, family, and mental health as a neurodivergent teen. From...

Episode Summary: In this illuminating episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity , host Joy Buckner welcomes therapist and nervous system educator Jill Baumgartner to explore the subtle yet powerful signals our bodies send long before we realize we’re stressed, anxious, or emotionally overloaded. Through the lens of neurodiversity , Jill breaks down the science behind emotional dysregulation , the nervo...

🎙️ The Joy of Neurodiversity – Episode 07: Beyond the Mask: How Acceptance Unlocked My Neurodivergent Superpowers with Shazreh Flanagan In this powerful episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity, host Joy Buckner sits down with Shazreh Flanagan, an artist and entrepreneur, to discuss the journey of embracing neurodivergence and unlocking hidden strengths. Shazreh shares her deeply personal experiences...

In this episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity , host Joy Buckner sits down with Sophia and Angela D’Antonio—a remarkable mother-daughter duo whose shared journey through neurodivergence sparked a mission of advocacy, awareness, and support. Sophia, a teen dyslexia advocate, began raising awareness as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Her passion for dismantling myths and creating community...

🎙️ The Joy of Neurodiversity – Episode 04 More Than One Story: The Intersectional Realities of Neurodivergent Lives with Dane Ray In this episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity, host Joy Buckner sits down with Dane Ray, a dedicated affirming therapist and advocate with over two decades of experience in education, prevention, and public health. Dane brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation, e...

🎙️ The Joy of Neurodiversity – Special Mini Episode: "What the Heck is Neurodiversity?" In this special mini-episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity, host Joy Buckner celebrates Neurodiversity Celebration Week by breaking down a question many people are still unsure about: “What the heck is neurodiversity?” In under 10 minutes, Joy offers a clear, relatable explanation of what neurodiversity actually...

🎙️ The Joy of Neurodiversity – Episode 02: "More Than a Label: A Mother's Story of Autism and Advocacy" with Royale Spann In this powerful episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity, host Joy Buckner sits down with Royale Spann, a devoted mother and fierce advocate, to share her journey of raising her autistic son, Taylor. Royale opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and deep personal g...

🎙️ The Joy of Neurodiversity – Episode 2: "Breaking Free: Overcoming Internal Barriers to Thrive" with Mohammed Qahtani In this episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity , I sit down with Mohammed Qahtani , a World Champion Toastmaster, speaker, and advocate , who shares his extraordinary journey of overcoming a severe stutter and the challenges that shaped him. Mohammed’s story is one of res...

🎙️ The Joy of Neurodiversity – Episode 1: "Building Balance: A Mother’s Story of Love and Advocacy" with Laura Laugier Welcome to the very first episode of The Joy of Neurodiversity! 🎉 In this debut conversation, I’m joined by Laura Laugier , a dedicated mother and fierce advocate who has built a life centered around supporting and celebrating neurodivergence. Laura’s journey is deeply...

Episode 00: This is The Joy of Neurodiversity 🎙️ ✨ Welcome to The Joy of Neurodiversity! In this debut episode, host Joy Buckner shares the inspiration behind the podcast and what listeners can expect. Once convinced there was no space for these conversations, she now knows the world is ready to embrace and celebrate neurodivergent minds. This episode is a sneak peek into what to expect as we tak...