I Must Be BUG'N

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to subscribe, SHARE and leave a reviewIn this episode, I reflect on the emotional aftermath of the recent elections in the United States. I acknowledge the real and healthy grief many of us are experiencing. I spoke off the cuff and without any notes or quotes or prepared thoughts, just my heart. I give the briefest glimpse into why this goes much deeper than whether "my team won". I also mention how it caused me to further reflect on the grief from deaths, divorce and more in the past year or so. I emphasize why and how we should process grief as a natural part of love and connection. Whether or not you listen to the episode, I urge you to seek community and not face this journey in isolation.Key Takeaways:Today has been tough for many, especially marginalized communities.The US political system is often inhumane and unjust.Grief is a natural response to love and loss.Processing grief is essential for mental health.Community support is crucial during difficult times.It's important to make peace with our attachments.Isolation can exacerbate feelings of grief and despair.Finding community can help in navigating grief and identity.Helpful Links:Support the podcast by buying "I Must Be BUG'N" merch!Community for Black Gifted Adults - Our Wild Minds - Use code "Sheldon"Dr. Mick - Licensed Therapist who shares knowledge while gamingUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGFollow Square Pegs Podcast on IGDon't forget to subscribe, SHARE and leave a reviewJoin me for my first guest/collaboriation episode where I was interviewed by Arash Zaghi of the "Square Pegs" podcast. This is one of my favorite episdoes because Arash's vision is very much aligned with mine.I share my journey as a neurodivergent person, reflecting on childhood experiences, educational challenges, and the importance of advocacy. I discuss how my unique learning needs were often misunderstood, highlighting the critical role of supportive environments and the value of diverse thinking in STEM fields. We also discuss the intersectionality of being Black, gifted, and neurodivergent, addressing systemic biases and the importance of community and self-acceptance. Our discussion emphasizes the need for educational reform to better accommodate non-traditional learners and calls for a holistic approach to learning that recognizes and nurtures diverse cognitive abilities. Square Pegs Podcast is a series of intimate conversations about navigating life and learning within the neurodiverse community, hosted by Dr. Arash Zaghi, Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering. In each episode, we talk to neurodiverse students and experts in the field of neurodiversity. Episode Highlights:00:42 Meet Sheldon Gay: host of "I Must Be BUG'N" podcast 02:18 Sheldon's early school experiences 05:37 Discovering a passion for math and science 07:53 Divergent thinking and early academic challenges 11:10 The impact of real-world applications in education 15:42 Challenges in traditional education systems 27:41 The evolution of cognitive skills 28:24 Embracing uniquely brilliant minds 29:43 Changing systems to fit diverse minds 30:27 Choosing an MBA over engineering 32:18 Innovative projects and missed opportunities 33:39 Starting the "I Must Be BUG’N" podcast 34:42 Challenges of being neurodivergent in marginalized communities 38:08 The importance of diagnosis and acceptance 47:07 Creating a supportive community 53:15 Advice to younger self Helpful Links:Wait, Could I Be Gifted? The "Quiz"Community for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacySubmit your Questions or Misunderstood Insights

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to subscribe, SHARE and leave a reviewWe're back with the conclusion of our latest episode where I talk with the amazing LaToya Hinton, PhD. She is a late-identified AuDHDer who's gifted. LaToya is a mixed methods researcher, data nerd, python programmer and advocate for neurodivergent women leaders. She had so much to share about her experience of seld-discovery, how her relationship with her parents may have impacted her neurodivergent journey and the need for understanding, acceptance, and support for neurodivergent individuals in leadership roles.Key Takeaways:Why self-discovery and self-acceptance are critical, especially for marginalized communitiesSocietal expectations can limit the authentic expression of people's humanityHow inclusive and accessible work environments are crucial for neurodivergent individualsThe intersectionality of neurodivergence and race should be considered in discussions of diversity and inclusionInformation Mentioned in this Episode:LaToya on LinkedInNeurodivergent Women Leaders: Creative Mentorship and SupportTecessibility WebsiteHelpful Links:Wait, Could I Be Gifted? The "Quiz"Community for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the alb

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to subscribe, SHARE and leave a reviewWe're back with a new episode where I talk with the amazing LaToya Hinton, PhD. She is a late-identified AuDHDer who's gifted. LaToya is a mixed methods researcher, data nerd, python programmer and advocate for neurodivergent women leaders. She had so much to share about her experience of seld-discovery, how her relationship with her parents may have impacted her neurodivergent journey and the need for understanding, acceptance, and support for neurodivergent individuals in leadership roles.Key Takeaways:Late diagnosis of neurodivergence can be challenging but also life-changing in a positive way.Being curious about lived-experience can completely change relationshipsCreating safe spaces and providing resources and support is crucial for neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the workplace.Information Mentioned in this Episode:LaToya on LinkedInNeurodivergent Women Leaders: Creative Mentorship and SupportTecessibility WebsiteHelpful Links:Wait, Could I Be Gifted? The "Quiz"Community for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the alb

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review NOWOk, the self-awareness episode is HERE....finally. This is something I've been chewing on for MONTHS but I finally found time and space to start breaking down my thoughts. This first episode covers a lot of ground but is really just about the basics. I attempt to share my thoughts on:Why should want to look in the mirrorWhat self-reflection isHow we know we need to look in the mirrorWhy it even matters andWhat the drawbacks areI share a few visual examples so you can either watch this on YouTube or use the links below. This is a really important discussion that we'll be having throughout this Season. I hope you enjoy. Let me know in the comments and please SHARE!Links Reference in the episode:Self-Awareness PresentationDifferent Perspectives VideoA Guide to Shadow WorkCold Doesn't ExistJerry Colonna Speaking about Radical Self-InquiryMooji - Observing Ego vs Ultimate ObservingHelpful Links:Community for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review NOWIn this episode I spoke with Shea Belsky who is the Chief Technology Officer for Mentra, a hiring platform for neurodivergent job seekers. We talked about the impact of more people receiving a diagnosis or even self-identifying as neurodivergent. Shea shares his experience as someone who was diagnosed with autism early in life and how it colors his career and even his recent marriage. He tells us about the work they're doing at Mentra to empower neurodivergent job-seekers to advocate for themselves in ways they may not have felt comfortable or been aware of. They also work to challenge companies on how they're creating neuro-inclusive environments that not only will hire but retain people of diverse neurotypes. We have an encouraging conversation around the future of hiring. Check out the latest episode and let us know what you learned!Connect with Shea Belsky:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheabelskyhttps://www.instagram.com/sheabelskyhello@sheabelsky.comHelpful Links:Mentra - A Neurodiversity Employment NetworkCommunity for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review NOWWelcome to Season 2! In this episode we start out STRONG. I had the honor of having a discussion with Angela Davis aka the Kitchenista. She allowed me to create a safe space to discuss her journey of neurodivergent discovery. She shares her thoughts on going from being misdiagnosed when she was younger (all too common for Black women) while feeling it wasn't a perfect fit and ultimately finding clarity through ADHD and autism identification. Angela has built a very successful brand online showcasing her amazing recipes and cooking skills. She's a self-taught culinary virtuoso on a mission to empower home cooks. Listen as she reflects on her experiences growing up and how those insights inform her self-awareness and healing as an adult. We discuss how difficult it can be feeling no one else understands your experience while also having a very public an established persona. Now that she's making meaningful shifts in her life and feeling more empowered to communicate with and choose HER people, we talk a bit about what that looks like. Ultimately, this episode is an emotional exploration of the early-stages of neurodivergent discovery and acceptance. I'm just SO glad that allowed me to create a container for her to vulnerably and accessibly share her story.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Angela Davis, the Kitchenista09:51 Discovering Neurodivergence and Embracing Creativity25:56 Navigating Burnout and Mental Health46:04 Recognizing and Understanding Neurodivergence53:46 The Power of Community01:01:35 Awareness and Ableism01:09:39 Navigating Communication and Participation01:17:48 Finding Supportive FriendsConnect with Angela Davis - The Kitchenista:https://patreon.com/kitchenista @thekitchenista on InstagramHelpful Links:SuperNova Momma Discusses Culturally Relevant StimmingCommunity for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review NOWIn the final episode of my first Season, I interview Kaitlin Smith, MSW, Founder of Our Wild Minds. We talk about her work creating an amazing community for gifted BIPOC adults. Kaitlin shares her story, including the challenges of facing racism, sexism and mysogyny that created a significant misalignment with colleagues within her preparations to become a psychotherapist. She talks about how these factors influenced her decision to move away from psychotherapy and into the work she's currently pursuing that has even further implications for communities she cares about.This is an in-depth conversation that covers many areas, including how acorns can help us fight systems of oppession and bring us closer to Octavia Butler. We also talk about topics like the power of recognizing our place within the ecosystem as more than "apex predator". In this conversation, we challenge stereotypes and shift perspectives, discuss discovering a connection to nature, investigate the power of possibility and wonder, as well as the importance of building capacity for giftedness and other neurodivergent experiences.Key Topics:The impact of racism, sexism and misogyny in the field of psychotherapyAddressing internalized racism and assumptions is crucial for creating inclusive spaces for gifted individuals and the broader societyThe benefits of connecting with nature, including access to holistic and affordable food and medicineHow embracing possibility and wonder can lead to personal growth and the pursuit of ambitious goals, but it may also present challenges in a world that often values conformity.Connect with Kaitlin Smith:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourwildminds/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/our.wildminds/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaitlinsm1thLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlinnoelsmith/Helpful Links:Community for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBrilliant Article "Acorns and Octavia" by Kaitlin Smith"What the Robin Knows" book by Jon YoungBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore