The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

From bullied kid to Aspie clinician and comic finding his voice

Comedy, Genetics, and Autism: A Real-World Guide with Dr. Sam ShayCan stand-up comedy help autistic adults feel seen—and can genetics make life simpler?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sam Shay, an autistic functional medicine practitioner and stand-up comic. We talk about sound sensitivity that feels like a “kidney stone in the skull,” why testing beats guessing when you’re exhausted, and how humor can build shared reality when life has felt isolating.You’ll discover how Dr. Shay uses functional genetics to help autistic adults increase resilience and capacity, what burnout can look like when you still have to “perform,” and the simple way he explains functional medicine to someone already overwhelmed. We also get into masking, blunt honesty, and why learning social “software” from sitcoms actually works.I reveal the questions I ask to spot early overload, and you’ll hear the unexpected reason comedy helped Dr. Shay stop looping on trauma. Plus, there’s a moment about the word “Aspie” you won’t see coming.About the GuestDr. Sam Shay is a functional medicine and genetics educator, clinician, and stand-up comic. He created the YouTube special Neurospicy: Love, Life & Comedy on the Spectrum to bridge understanding between autistic and non-autistic folks.Timestamps0:02 – Welcome and Dr. Shay’s late diagnosis and comedy mission16:08 – How being autistic shaped his clinical lens23:31 – Superpowers, kryptonites, and the “Neuroharmony” model25:57 – Functional medicine in one clear sentence29:37 – Testing vs. guessing: saving time, money, and energy31:49 – Resilience vs. capacity for autistic adults32:45 – Burnout when you still have to show up36:31 – Early signs your system is overloaded56:43 – When humor became a bridge—not a barrier64:09 – What he wants exhausted autistic adults to know71:09 – Where to watch “Neurospicy” and what he hopes you feelWatch the full conversation, then share this with a parent, teacher, or clinician who needs a clearer picture of autistic life. Subscribe for more real talk on autism, ADHD, and building supportive communities. And check the show notes for Dr. Shay’s Neurospicy special on YouTube.#Neurodiversity #Autism #FunctionalMedicine #Genetics #StandUpComedyHosted 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.

It wasn’t laziness it was ADHD and a new way to work

Late-Diagnosed ADHD, Masking at Work, and Real Self-Advocacy with Samantha KellyIf you’ve ever asked “Is it me or my brain?” this one’s for you. I sit down with Samantha Kelly to make sense of late diagnosis, masking, and what true accessibility at work can feel like.In this episode, you’ll hear how Samantha went from a panic attack at the office to becoming a sought-after neurodivergent speaker and coach. We talk about the quiet cost of masking, the myths we carry without knowing, and a simple way to ask for what you need at work without feeling “difficult.” You’ll discover what actually helps (and what accidentally harms) when managers try to be supportive, plus the one change that could reduce burnout more than most policies on paper.I also ask the questions many of us hesitate to say out loud: How do I balance safety with being honest? What if my workplace won’t get it? And how do I practice self-advocacy when I’m already tired?By the end, you’ll see a clearer path to feeling seen—and a few small moves that can create big wins.About the GuestSamantha Kelly is an ADHD entrepreneur, coach, and trainer who helps organizations build neuroinclusive workplaces. She speaks widely on accessibility, accommodations, and practical support for neurodivergent employees. Learn more at beyondnd.com or connect on LinkedIn.Key Timestamps0:16 – Why Samantha speaks up about neurodiversity and who gets missed2:29 – The “human version” of late diagnosis (and what people don’t see)8:34 – When the identity of “neurodivergent coach” clicked10:34 – A moment in a talk that changed everything13:59 – Therapy, stigma, and the comment that led to answers19:03 – The workplace panic attack that became a turning point30:41 – The biggest misunderstanding about neurodivergent employees38:57 – One change that could make accommodations feel humane44:57 – A low-pressure way to start self-advocacy52:58 – Asking for reduced hours: scary ask, real payoff69:08 – What employers miss—and what actually helps72:20 – How embracing difference changed Samantha’s self-viewCall to action: If this episode helped you feel seen, share it with a manager or a friend who needs it. Subscribe for more supportive, practical conversations on ADHD, autism, and accessibility in real life.Keywords: ADHD, autism, neurodivergent, late diagnosis, masking, workplace accessibility, accommodations, therapy, burnout, self-advocacy, inclusive leadership#Neurodiversity #ADHD #AutismAcceptance #InclusiveWorkplaces #SelfAdvocacyHosted 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.

College felt out of reach until self advocacy changed the map

From “Not College Material” to Advocate: Katie Shelby on Voice, Belonging, and Real InclusionTold she wasn’t “college material,” Katie Shelby went anyway—and what she learned can change how we support students.In this episode of The Neurodiversion Connection, I sit down with Katie Shelby, a paraprofessional from St. Louis living with a language impairment and learning disabilities. She went from being nonverbal in preschool to earning her degree and supporting students with Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. You’ll hear how one conversation in high school shifted everything, why expectations matter more than we think, and the quiet practices that help students build independence and confidence.I reveal the questions I wish more educators and parents asked, Katie shares what she uses today that she never had growing up (and why it matters), and together we push back on systems that still underestimate people. You’ll discover what real inclusion looks like day to day, how to approach self-advocacy without burning out, and a simple way to know you belong in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.By the end, you’ll be thinking about IEP meetings, AAC, and “college material” in a very different way. What shifted for Katie junior year? How did she turn no into a degree? And what does independence actually look like beyond test scores?About the GuestKatie Shelby is a paraprofessional supporting students across disabilities in St. Louis, MO. She’s written for The Mighty, is working on a book for people with learning disabilities and language impairments, and is known to many as Barney and Fred’s human (two very photogenic dachshunds).Key Timestamps0:00 – Welcome and Katie’s story beyond labels1:58 – “Don’t go to college”: the moment that lit a fire10:18 – The turning point: learning to self-advocate12:51 – Failing forward in math and the worksheet bonfire18:06 – “I belong here”: finding the right program and supports19:51 – From student to para: communication, visuals, and AAC24:00 – What real inclusion looks like in class24:48 – Writing for The Mighty and sharing openly28:08 – The book: who it’s for and why it’s needed29:43 – Where to connect with Katie onlineKeywords: neurodiversity, self-advocacy, special education, inclusion, learning disabilities, language impairment, AAC, Autism, college accessibility, paraprofessionalIf this conversation helped you, share it with a parent, educator, or student who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more real, relatable stories and practical support.Follow Katie on Instagram • Connect on Facebook#Neurodiversity #SelfAdvocacy #SpecialEducation #LearningDisabilities #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.

It Was Never About the Questions

Something has changed.What started as conversations…has become something deeper.Both shows have shifted from asking questions…to exploring the stories behind them.Because the most powerful moments aren’t scripted.They’re lived.These are stories about:who we arehow we thinkwhat we struggle withand what we’re still trying to understandFrom neurodivergent experiences to curiosity-driven conversations about life, science, and everything in between…This isn’t about having all the answers.It’s about slowing down…listening…and discovering what connects us.Because when you really listen to someone’s story,you start to see yourself in it.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happened when a child spoke without speaking

Intuitive Communication with Nonverbal Individuals: A 30-Year ExplorationCan intuitive communication help us better support nonverbal people? I sit down with a guest who’s spent 30+ years exploring it.In this episode, I share the moment that set her work in motion: a horseback therapy session where she says she heard a child who didn’t use spoken language communicate with her. From there, we open up a thoughtful, respectful conversation about what this kind of communication might look like, how she approaches consent and ethics, and where it can sit alongside tools like AAC.You’ll hear how she navigates skepticism, the boundaries she keeps to avoid overstepping, and the patterns she’s seen with families, educators, and care teams. I also ask questions you might be wondering: What signals does she pay attention to? How does she know she isn’t projecting? And what practical steps can supporters take without making assumptions?Whether you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or neurodivergent yourself, this conversation invites curiosity and care—without making big promises or skipping nuance.About the GuestMy guest is an author and educator who has devoted more than three decades to intuitive communication with nonverbal individuals. Her work began in an equine-assisted setting and led to a book and ongoing support for families and professionals.If this episode sparks a thought or question, I’d love to hear it. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and join our community for resources and support.#Neurodiversity #NonverbalCommunication #AutismAcceptance #CaregiverSupport #EquineTherapyHosted 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.