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- 3 days ago1h 2m
Living in Survival Mode with Autoimmune Illness What Helped Annie Take Her Life Back
What Happens After a Life-Changing Diagnosis? Annie Toro Lopez Shares What Helped Her Find Hope AgainWhat do you do when your body stops feeling safe, and the people around you can’t fully see what you’re carrying? In this conversation, I sit down with Annie Toro Lopez to talk about diagnosis, grief, trauma, food, and the long road back to trusting your body.Annie shares what it was like to be diagnosed with lupus in her early 20s, how years of pain and medical fear shaped her life, and what shifted when she decided her diagnosis would not define her future. We also talk about the emotional weight of loss, the shock of a later celiac diagnosis, and why mindset, nutrition, and self-compassion mattered so much in her healing story.If you or someone you love is facing a new diagnosis, chronic illness, or the quiet exhaustion that comes with being misunderstood, this episode will give you something many people need most: hope without pressure. You’ll hear how Annie rebuilt connection, found her voice, and created support instead of waiting for it to appear.About the GuestAnnie Toro Lopez is a writer, speaker, cookbook author, and community builder who shares from lived experience with lupus, celiac disease, trauma recovery, and healing.Key Timestamps0:03 - I welcome Annie Toro Lopez and begin with her lupus diagnosis story8:56 - The hardest parts of living with autoimmune illness in the early years17:48 - How therapy and mindset changed the way she saw her body and life26:05 - The meaning behind reaching a negative ANA after years of illness31:23 - Grief, celiac diagnosis, and what that season took out of her42:22 - Why Annie wrote Simply Gluten-Free and who it helps53:38 - Her message for anyone facing a hard diagnosis right now57:25 - Where to find Annie’s book, website, and latest workIf this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs a little more understanding and a little less fear.#NeurodivergentConnection #ChronicIllness #LupusAwareness #CeliacDisease #HealingJourneyHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- 5 days ago51 min
When Your Brain Burns Out by Noon How Structure Can Help You Work With It
When Your Mind Works Differently: Trauma, Leadership, and Finding What FitsIf you’ve ever felt like your brain doesn’t follow the same map as everyone else’s, this conversation will likely hit close to home.In this episode, I sit down with Blaz Merlot to talk about what it means to move through the world feeling different, and how that can shape the way we lead, work, and understand ourselves. We get into the tension between structure and individuality, why some environments feel calming while others leave us drained, and how trauma can affect the way we think, react, and function day to day.What stood out to me most is how Blaz connects his path from a difficult childhood to West Point, then into business leadership and coaching. We also explore a question many people quietly carry: Is this just how my mind works, or is it connected to what I’ve lived through? That part of the conversation opens up a much bigger one about identity, resilience, burnout, and how to build a life that actually fits your brain.About the GuestBlaz Merlot is a former military officer and West Point graduate who now helps service-based founders build stronger systems, reduce overwhelm, and lead without chaos or burnout.Key Timestamps0:00 - I welcome Blaz and start with his early story3:33 - Why military structure felt meaningful to him5:38 - How West Point changed the way he thought10:48 - What the military taught him about leadership and trust16:31 - How he defines neurodivergence for himself19:39 - The strengths and challenges of a different-thinking brain24:37 - Trauma, brain development, and the questions he still carries36:04 - Why founders get stuck in chaos and burnout43:01 - What healthy leadership looks like now48:30 - What he wants neurodivergent listeners to rememberIf this episode speaks to your experience, listen all the way through and share it with someone who needs a reminder that they’re not broken—they may just work differently. #Neurodivergent #TraumaAndHealing #Leadership #MentalHealth #AutismAndADHDHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- 1 weeks ago53 min
The Curious Storyteller: Stuck Between Pop and Opera Sonya Shares How She Makes Both Worlds Fit
Finding Your Voice When the Path Doesn’t Make Sense YetWhat happens when your voice belongs to more than one world? In this conversation, I sit down with Sonia Sohn to talk about art, identity, and the strange in-between space where so many creative lives are built.Sonya is known for her viral performances with Julian the piano player, including the flash mobs that have caught millions of eyes across Europe. But in this episode, I go past the polished videos and into the real story behind the voice.We talk about what it means to feel called to something before you can explain it, why training can help and still get in your way, and how self-doubt can show up even when the talent is obvious. Sonia also shares what it was like growing up between musical worlds, studying opera in Germany, building a pop sound of her own, and learning to live with uncertainty instead of waiting for a perfect plan.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to be more than one thing, or how people keep creating when they still don’t have it all figured out, this episode will stay with you.About the GuestSonya aka Sone Sings is a singer and performer with roots in opera, pop, and live viral performance. She has appeared in widely shared musical collaborations across Europe and continues to create music that blends technical skill with personal expression.Key Timestamps0:02 - I welcome Sonia Sohn and introduce her viral music background0:35 - Sonia shares her early life, family influence, and first major performances6:21 - We talk about the emotional feeling of singing opera for the first time7:43 - Sonia explains the hard part of finding her own sound after formal training17:11 - We explore the tension between her trained voice and personal voice24:01 - Sonia reveals what people don’t see behind songwriting and recording32:37 - She reflects on health, growth, and what her younger self would think now41:07 - We revisit the flash mob videos and the moment everything changedIf this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and tell me what part stayed with you most. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, voice, storytelling, and the messy middle of becoming who you are.#SoneSings #TheCuriousStoryteller #MusicInterview #CreativeProcess #FindingYourVoiceHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago57 min
The Question That Changed How She Saw Her Whole Life
What a Late Autism Diagnosis Can Reveal About ADHD, School, and Self-UnderstandingI sat down with Carly Faye to talk about what happens when a late autism diagnosis suddenly puts years of questions into focus.In this conversation, I explore Carly’s path from educator to functional nutrition practitioner and coach, and how her ADHD and recent autism diagnosis changed the way she sees her past, her work, and herself. We talk about the students she felt drawn to, the school experiences that didn’t quite fit, and the quiet signs that made more sense only later.What stayed with me most is how often neurodivergent people are misunderstood, especially when they look “fine” from the outside. Carly shares what it meant to realize she had support needs all along, why certain advice never fit, and how that awareness is shaping the way she now helps others. There’s also a powerful part of this conversation about grief, relief, identity, and learning to stop treating difference like something that needs fixing.About the GuestCarly Faye is a former educator, functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, and coach. She supports clients through nutrition, emotional processing, and nervous system-aware care, with a strong understanding of neurodivergence and inclusion.Timestamps0:02 - I welcome Carly Faye and we begin with her background in education1:09 - What her classroom looked like for students who learned differently5:04 - Carly shares her ADHD diagnosis and recent autism diagnosis11:00 - Why tests, language, and “right answers” can feel so complicated20:17 - What led her to explore autism at 4124:16 - What the diagnosis process was really like26:14 - Relief, grief, and making sense of a late diagnosis39:15 - How understanding her neurodivergence changed the way she supports clients43:38 - What schools still miss about neurodivergent kids52:46 - What Carly wants teachers, coaches, and helpers to know if they’re quietly wondering about themselvesCarlys Links:https://www.instagram.com/carlyinfocushttps://www.carlyinfocus.com/If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure why certain things seem harder than they “should,” I think this episode will stay with you. Listen in, and see what clicks for you.#AutismDiagnosis #ADHD #Neurodivergent #LateDiagnosed #InclusionHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago1h 7m
From denied twice to approved what changed in our SSI case
SSI Pitfalls: What No One Tells You About Disability Benefits (with Former SSA Attorney Spencer)Fighting for SSI isn’t simple. I’m exposing the hidden hurdles—and how to avoid costly mistakes that put benefits at risk.I’ve battled Social Security myself, and I know how confusing and exhausting it can feel—especially with autism, ADHD, or other invisible disabilities. In this episode, I sit down with Spencer, a former Social Security attorney who spent 11 years inside the system writing and reviewing disability decisions. Together, we pull back the curtain on why mental health and neurodivergent claims get denied so often, what the law actually weighs, and how to prepare without getting tripped up by technicalities.You’ll discover what really drives denials, the role of vocational experts (and why their “jobs list” isn’t about you), and the key moments in an appeal that can change your outcome. I also ask Spencer the questions I wish I had answers to when I first applied—like what “partial wins” mean, when back pay gets reduced, and why waiting can quietly cost you your case.About the GuestSpencer is a former Social Security attorney who spent 11 years at the agency—seven writing disability decisions and four reviewing appeals. He’s the author of Social Security Disability Revealed and runs https://www.bishinspublishing.com/ where he educates claimants and professionals on the SSDI/SSI process.Timestamps0:02 – Why I call SSI a trap (and my own case)1:33 – Meet Spencer: 11 years writing and reviewing SSA decisions6:57 – The mental health gap: why neurodivergent claims face extra scrutiny10:34 – “It’s not over after approval”: ongoing reviews and common cutoffs13:13 – The $2,000 asset rule and easy mistakes that end benefits25:48 – Denied? Your 60-day appeal window and what most people miss32:53 – Full vs. partial awards and what really affects back pay42:19 – How disability lawyers get paid (and why you still lead your case)53:54 – If you’re just starting: the one thing I want you to know58:32 – When you feel overwhelmed: what to hold onto nextKeywords: Social Security Disability, SSI, SSDI, disability appeal, vocational expert, back pay, autism, ADHD, neurodiversity, mental health, benefits reviewCall to action: If this episode helps, share it with a parent, educator, or friend who’s in the thick of it. Subscribe for more accessible conversations around neurodiversity and practical support. Explore Spencer’sresources at bishenspublishing.com, or request his book at your local library.#Neurodiversity #SSI #DisabilityBenefits #Autism #ADHDHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago1h 1m
You’re not broken and here’s how we live like it
Late Diagnosis, Grief, and Growth with AuDHD Coach Jenny LucasLate diagnosis can feel like a relief and a gut punch. In this episode, I sit with Jenny Lucas to name both—then move forward.I talk with Jenny about what the world saw versus what was really happening inside, the moment she heard “autistic” and “ADHD,” and the very real grief that followed. You’ll hear how she began unmasking in small, practical ways, what shifted in her marriage and parenting, and why she chose to become the support she couldn’t find. We also explore how AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot help with tone, clarity, and day-to-day overwhelm.I reveal the questions I ask guests about burnout, people-pleasing, and work boundaries—plus the simple experiments Jenny used to figure out what she actually needed. You’ll discover how she reframed self-worth, how she talks to her AuDHD daughters after school, and the one message she wants every late-diagnosed person to hear tonight.By the end, you’ll be thinking: What can I let go of? Where am I masking without realizing it? And how could small supports change my day this week?About the GuestJenny Lucas is a late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer, mom to two AuDHD daughters, former high school music teacher, and creator of resources for neurodivergent women. She’s the author of “Your No-Guide to Life After Late Diagnosis” and shares accessible support across Instagram, TikTok, Substack, and more.Key Timestamps0:02 – Welcome and Jenny’s story: teacher, burnout, and late diagnosis7:11 – “Why does this feel harder for me?” and the cost of people-pleasing11:14 – The ADHD and autism diagnoses: shock, numbness, validation20:12 – The grief no one warns you about—and why capacity dips22:07 – Mourning old coping skills and rethinking energy24:40 – When the diagnosis started to feel empowering27:12 – Using AI for tone, clarity, and daily support31:22 – Becoming the person she needed when support wasn’t there39:17 – What unmasking actually looked like day to day41:39 – How relationships changed at home and at work43:54 – Parenting two AuDHD daughters with more compassion46:25 – “You’re not broken”: inside Jenny’s book52:03 – What clients say in the first conversation55:45 – A message for anyone late diagnosed or questioning56:37 – Where to find Jenny onlineIf this helped, share it with a parent, educator, or friend who needs real-talk support. Subscribe for more conversations on autism, ADHD, and life after diagnosis.#Neurodiversity #Autism #ADHD #AuDHD #LateDiagnosisHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago1h 12m
Choosing to show up a father’s playbook for Autism at home
When a Dad Chooses to Show Up: Autism, Ego, and the Moment That Changed EverythingWe often hear autism stories from moms—today, I sit with a dad who faced denial, checked his ego, and chose to show up for his child.In this conversation, I open a door many families don’t talk about: what it takes for a father to move from “I’m fine” to “I’m here.” You’ll hear how one moment—unexpected and ordinary—shifted everything. I ask what cracked the armor, how he rebuilt trust at home, and the simple changes that helped him support his child with less friction and more care.You’ll discover the mindset shift that made behaviors easier to read, the quiet routine that steadied their evenings, and the approach he now brings to meetings with teachers and therapists. I also share the questions I use with dads who feel stuck so you can try them at home or in the classroom. Want to know what finally moved him from silence to advocacy—and what he wishes he’d said on day one? That’s in here.If you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver navigating an autism diagnosis, this one will feel honest and practical. Come for real talk, leave with clarity—and a few next steps you can use right away.About the GuestMy guest is a father to an autistic child who has shifted from quiet uncertainty to active support at home and at school. He speaks candidly about identity, partnership, and learning to lead with curiosity.If this helped, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and join our community for more conversations on autism, ADHD, and neurodiversity.#AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #DadLife #SpecialNeedsParenting #IEPHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
- Apr 17, 20261h 26m
Build self trust the ADHD friendly way one promise at a time
ADHD at Work and at Home: Motivation, Masking, and Real Support with Dr. Saara HaapanenWhat happens when an Olympic-level athlete-turned-psychologist maps ADHD from the inside—and shows us what actually helps?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Saara Haapanen to explore ADHD beyond stereotypes. You’ll hear how almost making the Olympics, years of elite sport, and a late ADHD diagnosis shaped her work helping individuals and organizations create environments where neurodivergent people can truly perform. I reveal the key questions I ask to shift shame into self-trust, while Sara shares a simple motivation model you can remember and use today.You’ll discover why “just focus” backfires, what looks like laziness but isn’t, and the one feedback change workplaces can make that instantly eases RSD. We also get into perimenopause, parenting through a child’s assessment, and the very real emotional load adults carry—plus the small language tweaks that lower demand and raise follow-through.By the end, you’ll be asking: Which part of motivation do I boost first? How do I request support at work without feeling exposed? And what would change if I spoke to myself like my own best friend?About the GuestDr. Saara Haapanen is a sports and exercise psychology PhD, former elite diver ranked 30th in the world, and founder of Performance Is Haapanen. Since 2013, she’s coached high performers and advised schools, healthcare systems, and companies on neurodiversity, motivation, and well-being.Key Timestamps0:02 – Meet Dr. Saara Haapanen and her path from elite sport to health and performance4:40 – Finland, near-Olympic selection, and the spark that led to sports psychology11:26 – “I know what to do—why am I not doing it?” Motivation without a map16:14 – From her own diagnosis to helping others thrive24:09 – The most common misunderstanding about adult ADHD27:46 – Inside the ADHD brain: floodlight vs. flashlight focus33:35 – What looks like laziness but isn’t35:41 – ADHD in a workplace not built for it: where things break down44:10 – One feedback shift that reduces RSD on the spot48:03 – The FUN.COM motivation model you’ll actually remember53:42 – Do companies get it yet?75:46 – A client story that changed a whole family’s trajectory80:51 – “Nothing’s wrong with you”—what I want you to hear82:27 – What I’d tell my younger self84:38 – Where to find Dr. SaaraIf this helped, share it with a parent, educator, or manager who needs it. Subscribe for more supportive conversations on neurodiversity, and tell me in the comments: Which part of FUN.COM do you need most this week?Keywords: ADHD, neurodivergent, workplace inclusion, motivation, executive function, rejection sensitivity, perimenopause, body doubling, movement, positive psychology#ADHD #Neurodiversity #WorkplaceInclusion #ParentingADHD #ExecutiveFunctionHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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About The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller
Reid Miles PodcastsTwo shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter.Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations.The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance.The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard.Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished
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