The Neurodivergant Connection / Stories

From Nightclubs to Food Justice: Shannon Dobbs on Neurodivergence, Disability, and Building Better Systems (Part 1)
What happens when a former nightclub owner rethinks food access, work, and learning through a neurodivergent lens?
In this conversation, I sit down with Shannon Dobbs—an Army vet turned nonprofit advocate—who shares how health scares, a late ADHD diagnosis, and hard-won lessons from the VA pushed him to redesign how communities get fed and how people learn. You’ll hear how he went from running a smoke-filled bar to installing a commercial kitchen that kept downtown Reno fed during COVID—and why that experience sparked a bigger mission.
We get into the real reasons food deserts persist, why some organizations resist root-cause solutions, and the unexpected tech that can turn “waste” into meals. Shannon also teases a new path for sensory-friendly, on-the-job learning using assistive hardware and small language models—built for those of us who learn best hands-on.

You’ll discover: - How Shannon reframed food insecurity with practical tools most people overlook - The pattern-seeing skill that helps him cut through red tape - A simple kitchen swap that changes meal prep for ADHD brains - Why vocational, self-directed learning could be a better fit than traditional classrooms

What would shift if grocery models fit the community—not the other way around? And how close are we to offline AI that coaches you through a task in real time?

About the Guest
Shannon Dobbs is a retired nightclub owner, Army veteran, and nonprofit founder focused on food systems, vocational pathways, and sensory-friendly tech. He works at the intersection of neurodivergence, disability, and community-led solutions.
Timestamps
0:03 – Meet Shannon: from nightclubs to nonprofit advocacy

1:48 – The wake-up call that changed his health—and his work

5:58 – The part of his story most people miss

7:25 – Late ADHD diagnosis, head injury, and what actually changed

10:27 – Building a bar community that won “Best Dance Club”

12:56 – The HEPA hack that made a smoking bar breathable

13:34 – Military life, creativity, and a sudden detour

20:46 – Real-life kitchen challenges with ADHD

22:17 – The one-pot tool that makes cooking simpler

35:09 – Why grocery stores don’t reach food deserts—and a different model

43:11 – “We rescued 5M meals”: what Vegas taught him about waste

55:24 – Sensory overwhelm and a new assistive hardware concept

63:30 – How on-device AI could guide real work, step by step

70:14 – Wrap-up: Part 2 coming soon

Call to action: If you’re neurodivergent, a parent, educator, or caregiver, this one’s for you. Listen now, share with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2.
#Neurodiversity #FoodInsecurity #ADHD #Disability #Veterans

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From Near-Fatal TBI to Helping Men Heal: Daniel’s Story of Grit, Care, and Possibility
A teenage car crash changed everything. In this episode, I sit with Daniel, an LCSW who turned his traumatic brain injury into a calling to support men facing trauma, PTSD, and TBI.

You’ll hear how he went from ICU and tinnitus-filled nights to guiding others through the fog—without losing himself in the process. I reveal the words that fueled his recovery, the quiet struggles most people never see, and why he chose to focus on men’s mental health. You’ll discover the core misunderstandings about men and trauma, what real nervous system regulation can look like, and the approaches Daniel uses that move healing from “talking about it” to actually feeling better in your body.

We also get personal: the sounds that soothe, routines that keep the darkness from following you home, and the one message he’d give his 18-year-old self. If you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or a man carrying a heavy load, this conversation opens a path forward—one you might not expect.
Want to know the modalities Daniel recommends, where he sends men to start, and why this accident may have put him exactly where he’s needed most? Press play.

Key Timestamps
0:02 – The crash that changed his life

4:06 – Hyper-sensitivity, tinnitus, and the early aftermath

6:56 – A doctor’s prediction—and the moment that lit a fire

8:30 – The hardest part of recovery no one talks about

9:41 – What he lost—and what he gained

14:33 – Why the helping professions called to him

16:23 – Why he works with men: one word that says it all

21:08 – What people get wrong about men and trauma

30:32 – How he doesn’t carry clients’ pain home

45:07 – Where men should start: the modalities that help

46:59 – How to connect with Daniel

About the Guest
Daniel is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in men’s trauma, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. Through his private practice, he supports clients with approaches that include body-based and trauma-focused care.

Resources: Learn more at RevitalizeMentalHealth.com
If this episode helped, subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps our neurodivergent community feel seen, informed, and connected.
#Neurodiversity #MensMentalHealth #TraumaHealing #TBI #PTSD

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ADHD, Fear, and Finding Recovery: A Real Conversation with Chase Thayer
If school felt like quicksand and calm never lasted, this episode will feel like a breath you didn’t know you needed.
I sit down with Chase Thayer to talk about ADHD, fear, grief, and recovery—without sugarcoating. You’ll hear how early shame shaped his choices, why baseball became a lifeline, and the moment he realized substances weren’t the core issue. We get into trauma, inner child work, and what actually helps in the first year of sobriety. I also ask him why healing the whole family matters and what most parents miss when they push for college before stability.
In this episode, I reveal the questions I wish more educators and parents asked kids who struggle to “care,” and you’ll discover the simple shift that can make school and work more humane for ADHD brains. Chase shares the framework he uses with families today—and the misconception that keeps so many stuck.

By the end, you’ll see recovery with clearer eyes, and you might rethink what support looks like at home, in the classroom, and in the workplace.
About the Guest

Chase Thayer is a healthcare professional with nearly 20 years in substance use and mental health. He’s in long-term recovery, has ADHD, and founded Austin Integration Coaching to guide individuals and families through treatment planning, transition, and sustained change. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his partner and three kids.

Key Timestamps
0:02 – Why this conversation matters now

3:06 – Growing up in fear and the cost of “keeping the peace”

6:40 – ADHD and school: when effort looks like apathy

11:31 – The “dumb jock” shield: what it hid and what it stole

15:30 – Baseball as identity and confidence

18:33 – Alcohol as “freedom” and a false self

19:39 – Painkillers and the slide no one saw coming

21:05 – Losing his brother and the grief that fueled risk

26:31 – Realizing substances weren’t the main problem

29:54 – Addiction, trauma, and inner child work

31:44 – The first year: what most people get wrong

33:21 – Why family healing can’t be optional

37:48 – Austin Integration Coaching: filling the gap

39:58 – The biggest rehab misconception

41:40 – A message for anyone feeling stuck

44:03 – Reclaiming life in everyday moments

44:44 – Where to find Chase

If this helped you, share it with someone who needs a steady voice today. Subscribe for more real, accessible conversations on neurodiversity, mental health, and community. Connect with Chase at austinintegrationcoaching.com.
#ADHD #TraumaInformed #Recovery #Neurodiversity #FamilySystems

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Robert’s story starts with a simple question that changed everything: why can’t people talk to someone right at the point of purchase online? Back in the late ‘90s, he was building websites and saw firsthand how disconnected people felt behind their screens. That spark led him to invent web chat, a tool now woven into the fabric of daily life, and eventually build a multibillion-dollar company centered around making human connections through technology. But after years of leading in the world of AI and customer service, his perspective shifted dramatically when he watched his own kids interact with technology. Instead of seeing creativity and community, he saw harm and addiction. Those personal, raw moments as a parent fueled a new mission—one focused on building tech experiences that empower kids to create and connect safely. Robert’s journey isn’t just about inventing cool tech; it’s about finding ways for technology to actually serve families, spark imagination, and build healthier communities.,Robert’s journey with technology began out of curiosity and a desire to solve problems he saw in everyday life. He invented web chat because he believed people deserved real, meaningful conversations—even online. As his company grew and shaped the future of AI, his focus gradually shifted from business success to something more personal. Becoming a dad opened his eyes to how technology affects kids, especially when he saw his own children drawn into unhealthy patterns with screens and apps. Those real-life experiences hit hard and inspired him to rethink everything he knew about tech. Now, Robert is passionate about creating tools that give kids a safe space to express themselves and explore their creativity. His story is a reminder that sometimes, it takes seeing the impact up close to realize what really matters and to use innovation for good.

Robert Locasico has seen the digital world from just about every angle, starting as the inventor of web chat in 1997 and then leading LivePerson to the top of the conversational AI industry. But what really sets Robert apart is his drive to rethink how kids interact with technology, a passion sparked by watching his own three children navigate today’s digital landscape. He’s not just an industry veteran—he’s a parent who understands the challenges families face with screens, apps, and AI. Now, Robert is channeling his decades of experience into building tech that’s not only safe, but also genuinely sparks creativity and connection for all kids, including those who are neurodivergent. His down-to-earth style and focus on ethical AI make him a thoughtful voice in the often overwhelming world of kids’ technology.

Visit Kidco.AI to learn more about the Kid device and company.

Purchase the Kid device directly from Kidco.AI (available for sale now).

Join the Kidco.AI Facebook group for parents to share experiences and support each other.

Connect directly with the Kidco.AI team after joining to provide feedback and engage with the community.

Explore COPPA certification standards for digital properties to understand the safety measures implemented for children.

Contact Me:
https://www.youtube.com/@AspergersStudio

https://aspergersstudio.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidmiles/

https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheAspergersStudio

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Support the show via my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AspergersStudio

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Neurodiverse Intimacy: Rethinking Sex, Consent, and Connection with Cheri
Intimacy isn’t “broken” when you’re neurodivergent—it just plays by different rules. In this episode, I sit down with Cheri, a couple sex therapist and relationship coach, to reframe sex, consent, and communication for neurodiverse couples.

You’ll hear how sensory sensitivities, masking, burnout, and mixed communication styles can shape closeness—and why that doesn’t mean you’re a mismatch. Cheri shares how her new workbook helps partners feel safe, seen, and equipped to build connection that fits their brains and bodies. We talk about practical ways to communicate (that aren’t awkward), how to handle mismatched desire without blame, and what repair looks like when things go sideways.

I reveal where I’ve struggled to find the right support, and you’ll discover why a small shift in language can change the whole experience in the bedroom. Curious how texting can be a strength? Why kissing can be a bigger sensory hurdle than handholding? And what to offer instead of a flat “no”? It’s all here—without shame, and without guesswork.

Timestamps
0:02 – Welcome and why finding the right support matters

0:53 – Why Cheri created a sex workbook for neurodiverse couples

3:19 – How intimacy shows up differently (and what “different” really means)

5:29 – Sensory realities: kissing vs. handholding

6:10 – Building a workbook that feels safe, not clinical

7:07 – Communication that works: beyond talking it out

11:16 – Reframing “something’s wrong with us”

12:52 – Desire, arousal, and capacity: what changes and why

15:23 – Talking about sex without shutdowns or defensiveness

20:06 – Moving from unspoken rules to clear consent

21:36 – Consent in long-term relationships when energy fluctuates

22:55 – What makes this a workbook (and how to use it together)

24:16 – The exercise that surprised Cheri most

30:21 – Balancing structure with flexibility

31:13 – Shame, trauma, and gentle repair

32:50 – Handling mismatched desire without judgment

33:56 – In-the-moment repair when things go sideways

36:53 – The “we’re not broken” shift

39:22 – Beyond sex: building a lasting sense of connection

40:07 – Where to start if you’re nervous

About the Guest
Cheri is a couple sex therapist and relationship coach with 20+ years of experience. Her dissertation focused on neurodiverse couples, and she specializes in practical tools that honor difference without shame. Learn more at couplescounselingcenter.online.
If this episode helps, share it with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. Subscribe for more accessible conversations on Autism, ADHD, relationships, and real-world support.
#Neurodiversity #Autism #ADHD #Relationships #SexEducation

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