Designing a Neurodiverse Ecosystem with Grayson Ponti

By the time he was an adult, he had visited 150 different zoos and aquariums. He wasn’t a rugged outdoorsy kid camping in the woods; he was a child fascinated by the glass walls that allowed him to see into other worlds. For Grayson Ponti, nature wasn’t just a place to visit—it was a puzzle to understand, both biologically and socially.Today, Grayson is using that lifelong passion to challenge how conservation organizations welcome the public. As the founder of ZANE (Zoos and Aquariums for a Neurodiverse Ecosystem), he argues that true inclusivity goes beyond putting a "sensory friendly" sticker on the door. He joins Kevin to discuss how his background in English—not biology—helped him build a movement that celebrates neurodivergent strengths in the workplace and the wild.Tune in to hear:-- Why the "Golden Rule" is actually a bad framework for inclusivity.-- The concept of "Safe but Uncomfortable" and why it matters in field work.-- Why we should stop saying "Human-Wildlife Conflict" and start saying "Interaction."https://www.zanezoo.org/