Shows
On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertInside NeuroWell: Safer, Happier Classrooms That Work with Lisa RiegelSend a textThe biggest problem in schools isn’t disengagement—it’s relevance. We sit down with education leader and author Lisa Riegel to unpack NeuroWell, a practical framework that aligns brain science with daily classroom life so students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn. From belonging cues to behavior de-escalation, Lisa shows why culture design is the hidden lever for academic gains and healthier staff.We explore how to build a true learning community: clear norms, student roles, shared rituals, and goal setting that give every learner purpose. Lisa explains emotional and intell...
2026-02-1837 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertWhen Love Sees The Person, Not The Label with Christopher CarazasSend us a textWhat if the story you were told about yourself was the wrong one—and the right words finally set you free? We sit down with Christopher Carrazas who was diagnosed autistic at 35, to unpack a life of masking, sensory overload, and the everyday math of trying to pass as “fine.” The moment his assessment named what he’d carried for decades, the static quieted. Relief wasn’t a cure; it was a compass.Chris talks candidly about stigma inside his marriage, how repeated contempt can program shame that ultimately led him to believe...
2026-02-0543 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertFrom Diagnosis To Dialogue: Autism, Mindset, And A Family’s Playbook For Progress with Neil RogersSend us a textA confusing label, years without sleep, and a son who couldn’t speak—then a letter board changed everything. We sit down with creative entrepreneur and advocate Neil Rogers to explore how a family built a sustainable framework—inspired by Positive ActivityTM (developed by Neil and his wife Lori set to help people professionally and personally) in order stay clear, resilient, and inventive while raising an adult son with profound autism. From gratitude journaling and exercise to practical diet changes and sensory integration, Neil shares the specific choices that improved sleep, reduced frustration, and ope...
2026-01-2341 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertAunt, Artist, Advocate: Building Communication And Dignity For Profound Autism with Jennifer McGeeSend us a textThe story begins with a hard reality many families face: a beloved child who may never speak. Jennifer McGee joins us to share Isaiah’s path through profound autism—years of isolation in a classroom with low expectations, a legal fight to enforce IDEA and FAPE, and the life-changing shift that came with the right ABA team. What unfolds is a blueprint for hope built on practical tools, persistent advocacy, and a refusal to accept “can’t learn” as a verdict.We walk through the early signs and missed milestones, the shock of s...
2026-01-1738 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertFrom Sensory Overload To Strengths-Based Parenting with Sara HartleySend us a textBig feelings don’t have to mean big blowups. We sit down with author and mom Sarah Hartley to unpack the real-world signals of ADHD and sensory processing disorder, why two siblings can present in opposite ways, and how small environmental tweaks can turn daily battles—showers, transitions, loud crowds—into manageable routines. Sarah takes us inside her home during the pandemic, when early intervention paused and anxiety surged. The fix wasn’t perfection. It was creativity: a DIY sensory gym with crash pads and a climbing wall, plus structured games that paired movement...
2026-01-0746 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertHow Schools Build Safety, Trust, And Belonging with Kevin Dahill-FuschelSend us a textWhat if the behavior you see as “disrespect” is actually distress asking for a safer way in? We sit down with Kevin Dahill-Fuschel of Counseling in Schools to unpack the practical heart of trauma-informed education: how to read behavior as information, build trust without lowering academic standards, and create classrooms where belonging fuels effort.Kevin takes us inside decades of school-based counseling across New York City, from the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy to the long tail of COVID. He shares how teachers can shift daily interactions—simple compliments, noticing prosocial acts, r...
2025-12-0952 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertBuilding Human Connection With AI Through Family Memories with Jeremy HorneSend us a textWhat if your grandparents’ best stories didn’t fade with time—but could talk back when you needed them most? We sit down with founder Jeremy Horne to unpack how a childhood of mailing cassette tapes to his Nana Winny became the blueprint for Winny an app that nudges better questions, records family memories, and helps people build a living archive of their lives. Then we go deeper into Forever You, a conversational avatar that only says what you actually said—anchored by real video and audio proof.Jeremy shares how leaving...
2025-12-0236 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertRethinking Bipolar Disorder with Sean BlackwellSend us a textDisclaimer: This is not to be taken as a therapy directive, but rather this is for learning and entertainment purposes only! Please consult with your physician and/or mental health care team to decide whether this approach is appropriate for you. Sensitive topics such as trauma and SA are discussed in this episode.What if the loudest story about bipolar disorder—the chemical imbalance—misses the point? We sit down with author and facilitator Sean Blackwell to peel back that narrative and explore bipolar through a wider lens: trauma held...
2025-11-1841 min
A Boy and His DreamA Boy and His Dream Episode 42: Part 2Sunny continues with Sonia Chand about her book, Dropped in a Maze, as well as her life on the Autism spectrum.
2025-11-1338 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertFrom Burnout To Balance: Supporting Caregivers Of Neurodivergent Loved Ones with Eleonora MagriSend us a textWe explore why caring for caregivers of neurodivergent people must come first and how small, consistent habits can reverse burnout. Eleonora Magri shares practical sensory strategies, community resources, and a mindset shift that prioritizes human needs over rigid protocols.• expanding caregiving beyond elder care• why caregiver wellbeing is the first treatment step• meeting parents where they are and pacing for readiness• naming early burnout signs and reframing urgency• sensory self-care that calms the nervous system• low-cost strategies that fit short windows of time• building a support villag...
2025-11-1141 minA Boy and His DreamA Boys and His Dream Episode 42 : Part 1Sunny speaks with Sonia Chand about her book, Dropped in a Maze, as well as her life on the Autism spectrum.
2025-10-2924 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertHow Systematic Reading Instruction Transforms Dyslexia And Dysgraphia with Daniela FeldhausenSend a textStruggle with reading doesn’t mean a child can’t learn; it means they haven’t been taught in a way their brain can use. We sit down with Daniela Feldhausen—who left a 25-year law career to build Kids Up Reading Tutors—to unpack how precise screening and science-backed instruction turn confusion into clarity for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. No buzzwords, just a workable roadmap: phonological awareness to hear sounds, phonics patterns that match English’s quirks, and morphology to decode and spell longer words with confidence.We walk through the intake p...
2025-10-2846 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertSilent Battle, Shared HopeSend us a textTrigger Warning: SuicideThe hardest part isn’t finding the perfect words—it’s showing up without judgment. We sit down with Helping Heroes founder Tony DeMaio to share a clear, compassionate playbook for preventing suicide among veterans, first responders, and anyone you love who might be slipping into isolation. From the earliest warning signs to practical safety steps, this conversation is built to help you notice sooner and act with confidence.Tony traces his journey from coaching and cycling events with hundreds of veterans to launch...
2025-10-2145 min
Bent Not Broken: Starting Over After Divorce | Post Divorce LifeHow to Heal & Rebuild Confidence After Divorce with Sonia Krishna Chand, LPCIn this powerful episode of Bent Not Broken, host Deborah Griffiths sits down with licensed professional counselor, podcast host, and author Sonia Krishna Chand. Together, they dive into the emotional challenges of divorce, the journey of rebuilding self-esteem, and the practical steps you can take to reclaim your sense of identity and self-worth.Sonia shares insights from her counseling work and her own journey—reminding us that while divorce can feel like the end, it’s also an opportunity to rise, heal, and redefine your future.What You’ll Learn...
2025-10-1634 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertWe Put Wheels on Inclusion (And Yes, They’re at Target) with Drew Ann LongSend us a textA store manager said, “There’s no such thing as a special needs shopping cart.” That moment lit the fuse for Drew Ann Long, who turned a napkin sketch into Caroline’s Cart—now standard in Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, and a symbol of what happens when families refuse to accept exclusion as normal. We walk through the emotional and practical beats: Caroline’s Rett syndrome diagnosis, the day-to-day realities of caregiving, and the exact problem that made shopping unsafe and exhausting once novelty carts were outgrown.From there, we trace the h...
2025-10-0620 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertUncovering the Real You: Life Beyond the Bottle with Joshua CaseSend us a textWhat happens when the executive with the corner office is hiding a devastating secret? Joshua Case, former VP at a Fortune 500 company, pulls back the curtain on his double life—corporate success by day, battling alcohol addiction by night.Joshua's raw conversation reveals how childhood trauma, including sexual abuse and a complicated relationship with his father, created patterns of codependency that followed him into adulthood. Despite his success in career, he found himself trapped in a cycle of using alcohol to escape painful memories and uncomfortable emotions.Rock bottom ma...
2025-09-2454 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertThe Publisher Behind the Scenes with Dominick DomaskySend a textDominick Domasky's story reads like a masterclass in resilience. From losing half a million dollars in a failed restaurant venture in his twenties to founding a publishing company that's helped hundreds of authors worldwide, his journey embodies the power of perseverance and reinvention."I went bankrupt. I was broke. I was in my early 20s, couldn't even pay for a spaghetti dinner," Dominic recalls. During those darkest moments, he discovered writing as both therapy and purpose. What began as simple stories in a notebook evolved into a mission to help others share...
2025-09-0841 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertWhen Everything Changed: From Speaker to Award-Winning SongwriterSend us a textWho believes one story has the power to change someone's life? I know I certainly do, and you know who else does? No other than the Wendy Babcock, Founder of WHEN stories. As we all are well aware, 2020 changed the world. Many of our work schedules changed, as we had to make that transition from going to a workplace to having to use our home as our office. Wendy Babcock's work was no different in that her public speaking opportunities during that time dwindled. However, she coached speakers on ge...
2025-08-271h 00On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertEscaping Toxic Love with Lindsay AbernathySend us a textLindsay Abernathy shares her powerful journey through domestic abuse and offers practical guidance for survivors trying to rebuild their lives after toxic relationships.• Abuse can hide behind the appearance of a perfect life with fancy houses and cars• Many victims don't identify their situation as abuse because it doesn't match stereotypical portrayals• Abusers collect vulnerabilities early in relationships to weaponize them later• Warning signs include love bombing followed by devaluation, criticism, and control• Financial abuse keeps many victims trapped with no access to money or resources• Trauma creat...
2025-08-051h 15On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertWhy Gen Z's Struggle Isn't Just About Social MediaSend a textTrigger Warning: Suicide and SA was discussed.What if everything we think we know about the Gen Z mental health crisis is incomplete? In this eye-opening conversation, suicide survivor, author, and mental health advocate Aly Vredenberg challenges conventional wisdom by revealing four interconnected factors driving declining mental health among young people: economics, isolation, environment, and meaning.Aly shares her deeply personal journey, beginning with a suicide attempt at age 14 following sexual assault and severe bullying. After surviving this darkest moment, she dedicated herself to understanding mental health, only...
2025-07-101h 03On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertRewiring the Brain: The Power of NeurofeedbackSend a textBy now, everybody has heard of traditional going to therapy and taking medications, if necessary. However, what role does neurofeedback play in treating mental health? Meet Meg Stuppy, founder of the Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center and co-founder of Clarity Direct Neurofeedback, who joins us to illuminate how neurofeedback technology is transforming mental health treatment by helping rebalance the brain's natural rhythms. With 13 years of experience in the field, Meg explains in accessible terms how this brain-based approach works and why it's gaining recognition as a powerful complement to traditional therapies.A...
2025-07-0130 min
My Childhood SuitcaseThe Truth about Social Media*Note: previously recorded on January 29, 2025, Lunar New Year.This episode explores the intricacies and complications of having a social media profile, particularly Facebook and Instagram. Cindy provides insights on what it really means to have a social media. Shout out to Dr. Sonia Chand, please check out her Instagram @chand_sonia!
2025-06-2018 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertFrom Masking to Leading: Navigating the World as a Neurodivergent WomanSend a textWhat if neurodivergence isn't just something to be accommodated, but a powerful gift that can transform leadership? Rita Ramakrishnan, a person with Autism Spectrum and ADHD, found strengths behind her diagnosis, and she used it to excel in executive leadership. Amongst the strengths Rita found was her remarkable hunger for knowledge that stemmed with her voracious appetite of curiosity. Rita, unlike others who would make assumptions based off what they feel other people are thinking or feeling through social cues, doesn't make such assumptions and is not shy about asking others the q...
2025-06-1734 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertYou're Not a Body with a Soul, You're a Soul with a Body with Aaron AshSend us a textAs many may know, May is mental health awareness month. However, what still needs more conversation about mental health is the fact that men too have mental health challenges. Men too deserve to share their stories and be heard. Men too deserve to be vulnerable without being told to "man up" or "suck it up." Aaron Ash bravely shares his challenges of having undergone complex trauma through incidents with his family. As a lot of people tend to do, Aaron tried to find solace in chasing extrinsic things versus turning the m...
2025-05-3041 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertWhen Your Inner Child Drives Your Success Bus with Andrea AndreeSend us a textAndrea Andree takes us on a transformative journey from being a corporate Engineer to becoming a leadership and embodiment coach for high-achieving women who want to get out of their heads and into their bodies.• Former project manager with two engineering degrees who felt unfulfilled despite checking all the boxes of success• High achievement often stems from childhood wounds and patterns of seeking validation or attention• Achievement becomes an identity and unconscious driver when it's how we learned to receive love• 90% of our behaviors are driven by unconscious patterns...
2025-05-1651 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertBreaking Autism Stereotypes with Sam MitchellSend us a textSam Mitchell shares his journey of being diagnosed with autism at age four and transforming his experiences into a platform for advocacy through podcasting and motivational speaking. Sam turned his pain into purpose by giving back and helping others.• Diagnosed with classic autism symptoms including repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory sensitivities• Found understanding at age six through a book that explained his autism, helping him make sense of social exclusion• Struggled with peer relationships throughout school, experiencing exclusion rather than direct bullying• Made breakthrough at sixteen when he stopp...
2025-04-2226 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertPigs Are For Eating, Not For Dating: Lessons on Self-Worth and AcceptanceSend us a text"Pigs are for eating, not for dating." This powerful metaphor emerged from my journey through unhelpful therapy, where I was repeatedly told to lose weight because "thin girls get away with more." During this special Autism Acceptance Month episode, I'm sharing raw, personal chapters from my book "Dropped in a Maze" to illuminate the unique challenges faced by those of us on the spectrum.My story takes you through therapy sessions with Dr. Grey, who despite his expertise in autism, focused more on changing my appearance than addressing my emotional needs...
2025-04-0739 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertEndoDNA....Using Genetic Testing to Guide your HealthSend us a textWhat if your DNA could guide you on how to better handle your health? What if genetic testing could guide you on how certain medications would work? Len May, founder and CEO of EndoDNA, does just that: helps people navigate their health through genetic testing. The road to lead Len May to where he is today has been anything but easy. Len May was kicked out of his home when he was in his later teens for recreational use of cannabis. Len's parents strongly frowned upon his use of cannabis.Le...
2025-03-3050 min