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In this heartfelt episode of Neurodivergent Mates, Will Wheeler chats with Sarah Hayden — accredited social worker, equine-assisted psychotherapist, and bestselling author of Parenting Different: How to Raise Your Neurodivergent Kids to Be Their Authentic, Awesome Selves.

Sarah shares her incredible journey as a neurodivergent mum of five, including world-renowned actor, author, and advocate Chloé Hayden. With warmth, humour, and honesty, she reflects on life as a parent, foster carer, and advocate — having supported more than 55 foster children, volunteered for refugees and disaster-affected communities, and worked tirelessly to promote inclusion and emotional wellbeing.

Together, Will and Sarah dive into the joys and challenges of parenting through a neurodivergent lens — from finding creative family rhythms and embracing imperfection to understanding strengths, struggles, and the unique spark that neurodivergent parents bring to family life.

It’s a moving and uplifting conversation that celebrates difference, compassion, and the beauty of parenting the neurodivergent way.


Questions asked during the podcast:

1. To start off — can you tell us a bit about yourself and what “Sparkling Minds” means to you?

2. What do you think are some of the biggest strengths that neurodivergent parents bring to their families?

3. Parenting can be unpredictable at the best of times — how do you navigate those moments when ADHD or other neurodivergent traits show up in daily family life?

4. How has being neurodivergent shaped the way you connect with your kids and understand their needs?
      
5. A lot of parents put pressure on themselves to “get it right.” What helps you let go of that pressure and just enjoy parenting your way?
      
6. What are some fun or creative routines, hacks, or “sparkling” moments that make your family life work?
      
7. Finally, what message would you share with other neurodivergent parents who might be struggling or feeling like they’re not doing enough?

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In this episode, Will sits down with his business partner and mate, Pratik Bhumkar, to dive deep into the story behind Neurodiversity Academy — how it started, why it matters, and what it really takes to build something that makes a difference.

Together, they open up about the highs and lows of creating a social impact organisation, from big wins to unexpected challenges, and why building for purpose often means taking the harder road.

This honest and down-to-earth conversation shines a light on the realities of growing a mission-driven business that’s working to create a more neuro-inclusive future — one partnership, one learner, and one organisation at a time.

Questions:

• Pratik, please share with the audience a bit about yourself.
  
  
• What inspired us to create Neurodiversity Academy, and what problem were we trying to solve in the education space?
  
  
• What were some of the biggest challenges in building the platform and turning our vision into something real?
  
  
• How would you describe the difference between building a social impact business versus a traditional startup focused purely on profit?
  
  
• What have been some of the biggest lessons or turning points for us as co-founders working in the neurodiversity and education space?
  
  
• Running a social impact organisation isn’t easy — what’s one challenge we faced that really tested our resilience, and how did we push through it?
  
  
• Let’s talk about the future — what does success look like for Neurodiversity Academy over the next few years?
  
  
• For anyone listening who wants to start their own purpose-driven business, what advice would we give them about building something that truly creates change?
  
  
• Where can people connect with you?

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In this episode of Neurodivergent Mates, I’m joined by Josh Michel, Programs and Pathways Manager at Co-Hive. With a career that spans from the kitchens of Sydney’s top restaurants to leadership roles in education, Josh brings a unique perspective on supporting both students and staff.

Josh has spent years developing strength-based strategies to help learners thrive, particularly those from diverse backgrounds including physical, neurological, and intellectual disabilities. He’s passionate about empowering staff to grow alongside their students, creating a ripple effect of support throughout the community.

Conversation Questions:

1. Josh, to kick things off, can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background and the work you do?

2. You mentioned you focus on playing to students’ strengths—what does that look like in practice?

3. Can you share an example of a strategy you’ve used that really helped a student thrive?

4. How do you go about embedding these strength-based approaches across different student groups or learning environments?

5. You’ve also talked about building up the skills of staff. What are some ways you empower staff to better support students?

6. Have you noticed a change in student outcomes when staff feel more confident and equipped in this area?

7. On a personal note, what motivates you to continue this work, and what have you learned from your own journey?

8. Finally, if our listeners want to connect with you or learn more about your work, where’s the best place for them to find you?


🎧 To listen to more episodes of Neurodivergent Mates, visit the link below 👇

https://neurodiversityacademy.com/neurodivergentmates

#NeurodivergentMates #StrengthBasedLearning #NeurodiversityInEducation

#StudentAndStaffSupport #InclusiveEducation

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In this episode of Neurodivergent Mates, Will chats with South Australian author Alina Bellchambers, whose fantasy duo-logy The Order of Masks and The Weight of Crowns (Pan Macmillan) is being called a “feminist Game of Thrones.”

Diagnosed as autistic at 29 and living with aphantasia, Alina shares how she writes epic worlds without mental imagery, her journey from struggling student to breakout author and actor, and how embracing her neurodivergence has shaped her creativity and success.

Questions

1. Alina, to kick things off, could you introduce yourself and share a little about your journey into writing?
2. You grew up surrounded by stories in your family’s Adelaide bookshop — how did that environment shape your love for storytelling?
3. You’ve spoken about writing being a retreat for you during difficult times growing up. Can you tell us what role writing played in your life back then?
4. You were diagnosed as autistic at 29, after years of searching for answers. How did finally receiving that diagnosis change things for you?
5. You also live with aphantasia, which means you can’t visualise images in your mind. How does that affect the way you create such vivid and epic fantasy worlds?
6. Your duology The Order of Masks and The Weight of Crowns has been described as a “feminist Game of Thrones.” What inspired these stories and the strong female protagonists at the heart of them?
7. On top of being an author, you’re also an actor, recently appearing in Bring Her Back. How do writing and acting complement each other for you?
8. Finally, where can our listeners find your books, follow your work, and connect with you online?

🎧 To check out more episodes, visit Neurodivergent Mates

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In this very special episode of Neurodivergent Mates, I’m joined by my mum, Marilyn Wheeler, to have an open and honest conversation about what it was like raising neurodivergent children.

From the early challenges of navigating school systems and limited support, to the strategies that helped (and the ones that didn’t), Marilyn shares her experiences across different stages of parenting — from childhood to teenage years and into adulthood. Together, we explore what has changed, what still needs to change, and the advice she would give to parents who are just beginning their journey.

This episode is a heartfelt reflection on resilience, family, and the power of understanding.

Podcast Questions

1. To kick things off, can you share a little bit about yourself and our family?
2. Thinking back to when I was little, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a parent of neurodivergent children?
3. When you first realised I was neurodivergent, what kind of support — or maybe lack of support — did you get from schools, professionals, or even the community?
4. Over the years, what approaches or strategies did you find the most helpful in supporting me and [siblings, if relevant] as we grew up?
5. Were there things you tried along the way that didn’t really work, or things you wish you’d done differently?
6. How did things shift as I grew into a teenager and then an adult? What new challenges or opportunities came up during those stages?
7. From your perspective, what do you think still needs to change in schools, communities, or workplaces to better support both neurodivergent kids and their families?
8. And finally, what advice would you give to parents today who are just beginning their journey raising a neurodivergent child?

👉 To check out more episodes, visit neurodiversityacademy.com/neurodivergentmates

#NeurodivergentParenting #NeurodiversityJourney #ParentingNeurodivergentKids #NeurodiversityMatters #FamilyAndNeurodiversity

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🎙️ Neurodivergent Mates — Episode Title: Rethinking ADHD Support in Tertiary Education - Dr Natasha Arthars
Guest: Dr Natasha Arthars, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, QUT

In this episode, we’re joined by the insightful Dr Natasha Arthars — an award-winning researcher, educator, and systems thinker with a passion for creating meaningful, student-centred learning experiences. With a deep background in VET, educational research, and a personal drive to tackle “wicked problems” in learning design, Natasha brings a powerful lens to a conversation that matters.

Together, we explore:
🧠 How ADHD impacts executive functioning — and what this means for learning, focus, planning, and emotional regulation.
🎓 The hidden challenges ADHD students face when transitioning to tertiary education, like TAFE or university.
⏳ Why "extra time" isn't the golden solution — and what research says about its limited impact.
✅ What actually works — evidence-based accommodations and inclusive practices that help ADHD students thrive.
🧩 How educators can redesign learning environments that don’t just tick boxes but create real engagement.

Interview Questions — Neurodivergent Mates with Dr Natasha Arthars
1. To start us off, can you share a bit about yourself and your background?

2. How does brain development in young people with ADHD—particularly in the prefrontal cortex—affect executive functioning?

3. What are some of the key challenges students with ADHD face when transitioning into tertiary education, like TAFE or university?

4. What supports and accommodations are typically made available to students with ADHD in tertiary settings?

5. There’s research suggesting that additional time on exams and assignments—while common—might not always be effective. What does the evidence say about this approach?

6. What evidence-based strategies should institutions consider offering instead of—or in addition to—extra time?

7. In terms of learning access, what are some ways educators can make lectures or classes more ADHD-friendly?

8. Finally, where can people connect with you if they’d like to learn more about your work or research?

Whether you're an educator looking to better support your students or someone navigating ADHD firsthand, this episode offers practical insights and important takeaways for building more inclusive tertiary education systems.

Please check out the research paper Dr Natasha Arthars mentioned in the podcast - Exploring the Perspectives of Australian Neurodivergent University Students.

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In this episode of Neurodivergent Mates, we explore the intersection of neurodiversity and retail with inclusion advocate and strategist Natalie Phillips-Mason. Natalie shares her personal journey and what led her to champion neuro-inclusion in one of the most fast-paced and sensory-rich industries—retail.

We unpack the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face, whether they're behind the counter or browsing the aisles. From staff training and workplace adjustments to customer experience and inclusive design, Natalie offers practical strategies for creating more accessible and welcoming spaces for all minds.

Questions

- Can you share a bit about your background and what drew you to the intersection of neurodiversity and retail?

- From your experience, what are some of the biggest challenges neurodivergent individuals face when working in or shopping at retail stores?

- How can retail environments become more inclusive and welcoming for neurodivergent customers?

- What strategies or adjustments can retailers use to better support neurodivergent employees on the shop floor?

- Do you think staff training on neurodiversity should be a priority for retailers? If so, what should that training include?

- Have you seen any great examples of retail businesses doing neuro-inclusive practices really well? What stood out to you?

- If you could give one piece of advice to retail leaders who want to make their stores more neuro-inclusive, what would it be?

- Where can people connect with your work? I need to write a podcast blurb from this information for Neurodivergent mates

Whether you're in retail leadership or simply curious about how businesses can be more inclusive—this episode is packed with insight, empathy, and actionable ideas.

🎙️ Tune in now and discover how retail can evolve beyond the shopfront.

👉 For anyone interested in listening to more of our podcast, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/g83Tw9wi

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From teaching across Sweden, Thailand, and Australia to working in human rights and foreign policy, Grant Sciberras brings a global perspective on education, equity, and innovation.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
✅ How student choice and passions can shape meaningful curriculum
✅ The hidden barriers in policy and practice that hold learners back
✅ Real-world strategies for designing inclusive, student-led learning
✅ Why neurodivergent students must be central to curriculum reform
✅ And the one change Grant wants to see in the future of education

Questions that will be asked during the episode
Podcast Questions

1. To start us off, can you tell us a bit about your journey into curriculum design and what drew you to focus on student choice, passions, and goals?

2. You’ve explored both the constraints and the enablers in education systems. What are some of the most common ways policies or stakeholders unintentionally limit student-driven learning?

3. On the flip side, what policies or approaches have you seen that actually enable inclusive, student-centered learning?

4. How do you approach designing curriculum that gives students real freedom to pursue their interests while still meeting learning outcomes or accreditation standards?

5. Can you share an example where giving students more autonomy led to unexpected or transformative learning outcomes?

6. What are some ways educators and curriculum designers can advocate for more inclusive, student-led practices — even when the system feels rigid?

7. How can we ensure that neurodivergent students, or those with less traditional learning profiles, truly benefit from a more flexible curriculum model?

8. Looking ahead, what’s one change you’d love to see in how we design learning — and what can people listening do to help make it happen?

💡 Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or passionate about inclusive learning, this one’s packed with insight and action.

#NeurodivergentMates #InclusiveEducation #CurriculumDesign #Neurodiversity #StudentVoice #EducationReform #GrantSciberras #UDL #EquityInEducation #Podcast #NeurodivergentVoices

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