Guest: Lynn Greenberg is a former family law attorney turned children’s author. She shares the powerful story behind the Creative Cab Company, the award-winning book series she co-created with her son. Lynn opens up about advocating for neurodivergent kids, recognizing early signs of dyslexia and ADHD, and transforming her family’s journey into characters like Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi and Susie the ADHD Taxi—a heart-opening conversation about celebrating differences, trusting your instincts, and giving every child a voice. Creative Cab Company Website: https://creativecabcompany.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativecabcomp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecabcompany/ Substack: https://creativewayfinders.substack.com/

Guest: Jeff Brown. What does it truly mean to see a child — not just their behaviour, but the brain and experiences underneath it? In this episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, host Paul Cruz is joined by educator and author Jeff Brown, a high school teacher with over 25 years of experience and lived experience as an autistic and ADHD adult. Together, they explore how slowing down our perception can transform classrooms, homes, and lives. Jeff shares why behaviour is so often misunderstood, how neurodivergent students are mislabeled as “lazy” or “defiant,” and what becomes possible when adults choose curiosity over judgment. From sensory overload and rejection sensitivity to discipline systems and long-term self-worth, this conversation reframes advocacy as something that begins with how we see people — long before paperwork or policy. This episode is especially meaningful for: Neurodivergent youth who’ve felt misunderstood Parents and caregivers seeking a more compassionate lens Educators looking to build inclusive, supportive classrooms When people feel seen, they feel safer. And when they feel safe, they can grow. Purchase the book mentioned in this episode through Amazon, "Seeing People: What Every Parent, Teacher, Therapist, Manager, and Person Needs to See About Everyone As Taught by an Autistic ADHD Teacher" - Author Jeff Brown.

Guest: Dr. Emily Levy, founder of EBL Coaching, to unpack practical, research-based strategies that help neurodiverse students thrive. From time management and organization to reading, writing, and math, Dr. Levy shares powerful tools rooted in executive functioning and multisensory instruction. You’ll learn how techniques such as ET vs. AT time-tracking, the three-tiered organization system, visual brainstorming webs, and Orton-Gillingham reading instruction transform learning for students with ADHD and dyslexia. Dr. Levy also offers guidance for parents, quick wins students can use immediately, and a moving success story that proves early struggles do not define long-term potential. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or neurodivergent learner yourself, this conversation is packed with actionable insights that foster confidence, independence, and meaningful academic growth. Learn More About Dr. Levy & EBL Coaching Visit EBLCoaching.com for: Articles Resources Program details Additional podcasts and interviews Follow EBL Coaching on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebl_coaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EBLCoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilylevy/

Guest: Nathan Stafford-King. Paul sits down with Nathan, a storyteller, photographer, and theatre director whose life has unfolded across the UK, Germany, Denmark, India, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, and now Canada. Together, they explore how ADHD can be misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and masked, especially when moving through different systems and cultures. Nathan opens up about early signs in childhood, the impact of a later misdiagnosis, and the moment he finally sought an ADHD assessment after realizing that even “doing everything right” (sleep, routines, food, exercise) couldn’t reliably stabilize focus. He describes the daily push-and-pull of time, unfinished projects, distraction, and the constant practice of patience and flexibility. The conversation also highlights the gifts: deep hyperfocus (including marathon video-editing sessions), creative spark, humour, and the ability to turn chaos into story. Nathan shares a wildly unforgettable travel moment from a night bus in India — a perfect example of how impulsivity and problem-solving collide in real life. They close with a powerful message for listeners who feel scattered or “too multi-passionate,” including a recommendation for the book Range and a reminder that accumulated experiences can add up in meaningful ways — even when the path looks non-linear. Memorable Moments / Quotes (pull quotes) “Some days I did everything right… and I still couldn’t focus. It felt unfair.” “Task initiation is sometimes really hard… but with video editing, I could just go.” “Identity is the one thing about us that isn’t ours — it’s given by others.” “If you can step into someone else’s perspective, you double your knowledge.” Where to find Nathan Instagram: @NathSK Link to his play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8CJ1yXZMBY Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (Book recommendation) Amazon US/International Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3MBrtcj Amazon Canada Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3XTKdWT

Guest: Dr. Shani Challenor. In this episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, host Paul Cruz is joined by educator, advocate, and “Neurodiva” Dr. Shani Challenor for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about neurodivergence, education, faith, and what becomes possible when people are truly seen.

In this deeply honest and expansive conversation, Paul and Tegan sit down with musician and advocate Jon Hart to explore identity, late diagnosis, burnout, creative processing, and what it means to unmask in an industry that often rewards performance over wellbeing. Jon shares his journey from building and losing a music business to experiencing a mental health crisis that ultimately led to discovering his ADHD and autism. What followed wasn’t just recovery — it was what he calls a five-year metamorphosis. Together, we explore: The crash that forced a reinvention ADHD, autism, and late diagnosis in adulthood Music as nervous system regulation Why “sex, drugs & rock and roll” hides unhealthy coping Processing through creativity as an “external hard drive.” The power of sitting in the mud with someone instead of fixing them Why neurodivergence isn’t a deficit — it’s creative wiring What the music industry must confront about inclusion Building community for neurodivergent musicians Jon also shares practical strategies he uses to regulate and protect his well-being online and build sustainable systems as a neurodivergent entrepreneur. If there’s one takeaway from this episode: Process what you’re going through in a way that feels natural to you — your creativity can become your clarity. Connect with Jon Hart: https://jonhartmusic.com/ndm Music about page: https://jonhartmusic.com/about Facebook: facebook.com/jonhartmusic Instagram: instagram.com/jonhartmusic Youtube: youtube.com/jonhartmusic TikTok: tiktok.com/@jonhartmusic Listen, follow, and share with someone who needs to feel less alone in their journey.

What happens when a late diagnosis doesn’t just explain your past — it reshapes how you move through the present? In this episode, Paul Cruz talks with Erica about late-identified autism and ADHD (combined type), alexithymia, and the layered experience of unmasking while parenting a neurodivergent child. Erica shares the validation and clarity that came with diagnosis — alongside the grief for the younger self who navigated without support. We also explore how creative practice can become a lifeline: why poetry offered a “nonlinear” container for truth-telling, how nature and animals provide kinship and unconditional grace, and how activism can evolve into something sustainable through words, art, and care. Erica explains how tarot and spiritual frameworks can function as tools for self-understanding (and why “one-size-fits-all” approaches can harm neurodivergent people), and introduces her forthcoming book, The Autistic Arcana — a neurodivergent approach to tarot, magic, and the Major Arcana. If you’ve ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or simply misunderstood — this conversation offers both language and permission.

Guest: Lisa Shanken, Executive Functioning Coach & Founder of Social Bloom Executive functioning isn’t just about staying organized — it’s about emotional regulation, follow-through, cognitive flexibility, and how we move through the world. In this episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, Paul Cruz sits down with Lisa Shanken, executive functioning coach and founder of Social Bloom, to explore why implementation is harder than planning, how accountability changes outcomes, and why structured community may be the missing piece for neurodivergent adults navigating loneliness. Lisa shares practical strategies for breaking patterns of dysregulation, explains the gut-brain connection in real-life terms, and discusses how Social Bloom and Love Bloom are creating structured, supportive spaces for authentic in-person connection. This conversation is grounded, hopeful, and deeply practical. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why executive functioning is more than organization Why planning is easy — and implementation is hard The role of accountability in follow-through Breaking the pattern during moments of anxiety or dysregulation The gut-brain connection and emotional regulation Why traditional meetups often fail neurodivergent adults How structured 13-week cohorts build real friendship Rebuilding in-person connection in a screen-heavy world Key Takeaway People aren’t broken. They need systems that work for their brains. Connect with Lisa Shanken Website: https://lisashanken.com Schedule a free consultation directly through her site.

In this reflective conversation, Paul Cruz sits down with Zack Yarde, neurodiversity researcher, systems thinker, and longtime leader in human services. Together they explore a question many neurodivergent people quietly carry: What happens when you realize the problem might not be you — but the system you're trying to exist inside? Zack shares insights from his work on workplace inclusion, leadership, and community spaces, including tabletop gaming environments that intentionally foster psychological safety. Rather than offering quick fixes, this episode invites listeners into a deeper conversation about curiosity, systems thinking, and the ways neurodivergent people are often asked to carry the burden of change alone. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “too much,” “not enough,” or built differently than the systems around you, this episode is for you. Memorable Moments “We might get a good idea that helps one group — but when we apply it to everyone, we can accidentally exclude even more people.” “Stop blaming yourself for being your own manifestation of neurodivergence.” “True independence actually requires community.” About the Guest Zack Yarde is a neurodiversity researcher, leadership practitioner, and systems thinker focused on building more inclusive workplaces and communities. His work explores how organizational systems, leadership practices, and culture shape accessibility, psychological safety, and employee agency. Alongside his professional work, Zach is also involved in tabletop role-playing communities, where he facilitates collaborative storytelling spaces that support creativity and belonging. Connect With Zack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackyarde/