Shows
On 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 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 us 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...
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 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 us 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...
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 us 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...
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 us 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.
2025-07-0130 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 us 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 t...
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 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertBeyond the Diagnosis: Financial Planning for Special Needs FamiliesSend us a textMichael Pereira, an insurance specialist and father of a son with autism, shares critical financial planning strategies for families with special needs children. He offers insight into comprehensive insurance planning that protects dependents with special needs if something happens to their caregivers.• Michael's strong passion is helping special needs families after his son's autism diagnosis• Three key areas of focus: income protection, funding special needs trusts, and long-term care planning• Financial planning gets more expensive and difficult to qualify for as you age• Special needs trusts protect government benefits...
2025-03-1724 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertHallmark, Healing, and Heartache: The Real Story Behind the MovieSend us a textWhat happens when a devastating diagnosis becomes a pivotal turning point in someone's life? In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Heather Krueger, who transformed adversity into her calling. Diagnosed with stage four liver disease just before her 25th birthday, Heather's strong faith and determination led her down a path where she was able to receive a living donation of a liver. However, Heather's story didn't end there. Her living donation ended up turning into a love story; a story that was picked up by Hallmark. Heather Krueger's story was behind...
2025-03-061h 03On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertStories of Hope: Changing Lives One Book at a TimeSend us a textWhat happens when the magic of books become a lifeline for children in need? We welcome the extraordinary Seena Jacob, founder and CEO of Bookwallah, a nonprofit that is dedicated to setting up libraries for underprivileged children who survived traumatic events but didn't have kind of resources available for support. Seena Jacob knows well about how the power of reading stories has the ability to impact someone's life. Seena herself turned to book reading as a young child as a way to cope with her own traumas. Stories like Cinderella, Chronicles of Narnia...
2025-02-2454 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertEmbracing Your Unique Path with Molly BookerSend us a textTrigger Warning: Past Suicidal Ideations DiscussedAfter experiencing the crushing weight of societal expectations, Molly Booker found her path to self-acceptance through embracing her individuality and passions. On this episode of "On the Spectrum with Sonia," Molly, the author of "Magic in the Mess," takes us on her inspiring journey of breaking free from the chains of conformity Her story highlights the difficulties that present when one feels that they don't fit in like everybody else, and the difficulties with learning to embrace one's own uniqueness.Throughout the episode, Mo...
2025-02-161h 01On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertGetting UP with Brian P. SwiftSend us a textJust imagine you are living your life and going about your day to only have the course of your whole life change in a flash. This is what happened to Brian P. Swift back on December 26, 1979. Brian was just a gregarious 17 year old off school on winter break. He just finished celebrating Christmas with his family, and he was looking forward to spending the rest of the winter break relaxing and having some fun. He called his buddies to go play some football, and there was a group of guys who got together...
2025-02-021h 02On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertExploring the Intersection of Policing and Mental Health with Tom SmithSend us a textTom Smith, a retired NYPD officer and current host of the Gold Shield Show, joins me on "On the Spectrum with Sonia" to discuss the often unseen intersection of law enforcement and mental health. Inspired to follow his father's footsteps and seeing the strong camaraderie and "family" formed within the community, Tom aimed to recreate that for his own life and found just that. The conversation takes a deeper look at the intricacies of mental health in policing, emphasizing the vital role of mental health support within the justice system. We di...
2025-01-2545 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertVisionaries and the Art of Authentic Self-ExpressionSend us a textGet ready to unlock the secrets of visionary thinking with Justin Breen, a best-selling author and innovator with a unique talent for connecting patterns across various fields. Join us as we journey through Justin's transition from journalism to entrepreneurship, revealing how neurodivergence, such as ADHD and autism, can often lead to groundbreaking ideas. Learn more about how Justin used his talents and gifts to not only help others realize their potential, but he also was able to tap into his own talents and creativity. One of the most remarkable talents Justin has is...
2025-01-1149 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertDeborah's Courageous Journey: From Emotional Abuse to Empowerment and AdvocacySend us a textWhat if awakening in a psychiatric ward could be the catalyst for a transformative life change? Join us as Deborah Griffiths courageously shares her journey from a toxic marriage to becoming an empowered single mother and advocate. Her story is a testament to the strength and resilience required to break free from an abusive environment and rebuild a life filled with purpose and hope. Alongside Deborah, we explore the deeply complex layers of emotional abuse, highlighting the critical importance of recognizing the subtler signs of control and manipulation.As we navigate...
2024-12-1553 minOn the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health ExpertBrittney's Journey to Becoming a Successful Creative Entrepreneur Alongside Navigating Trauma and a Bipolar DiagnosisSend us a text Join us as we sit down with Brittney Benavides-Smith, a devoted music teacher from Georgetown, Texas. Britteny bravely shares her inspirational story of navigating the complexities of living with bipolar disorder, being faced with traumatic loss at a young age of both of her parents, overcoming a toxic first marriage, and tackling binge eating. Brittney today is a thriving individual who uses her passion for music to become a successful creative entrepreneur and talented player for piano, guitar, and ukulele. Brittney also uses music as her way to release emotions continue with...
2024-12-0852 min