Send us a text

A blog that almost stalled. A book that took shape anyway. And a voice that keeps getting louder. We sit down with Michael, an autistic author from Ontario, to trace how “Michaelism: My POV on Life with Autism” went from idea to self-published reality—and why persistence beat perfection at every turn.

Michael opens up about the early days when the word autism felt abstract, while picture-based learning made the world click. That contrast sets the tone for an honest look at communication, school, and the moments that defy low expectations—like a cherished trip to Ottawa and friendships that still carry into his weekly routine. We unpack the power of special interests, from J-pop and K-pop to EDM and dance, and reframe them not as obsessions but as engines for joy, structure, and community. If you’re searching for real stories about autism acceptance, sensory choices, and everyday advocacy, this conversation meets you where you are.

We also dive into the nuts and bolts of self-publishing with IngramSpark, why Michael chose that path, and how book signings and autism conferences in Toronto helped him connect with readers. He walks through key themes from his book—anxiety, emotions, making friends, money and math, communication, volunteering—and shows how each chapter anchors practical skills in lived experience. Through family support, grief, and growth, Michael models what it looks like to claim identity, wear it proudly, and keep moving forward with compassion.

Hit play to meet a writer who leads with heart and clarity. If his mantra—stay strong, never give up—resonates with you, share this episode with someone who needs it. Subscribe for more stories from autistic advocates, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: which special interest has shaped your life?

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com

Send us a text

What if the very traits that once set your career on fire could be turned into a repeatable system that saves companies and jobs—without burning you out? That’s the tension we explore with turnaround executive Todd Hagopian, whose fifteen years of undiagnosed bipolar disorder powered massive wins and painful self-sabotage before a diagnosis forced a new path. The meds worked, the edge seemed to vanish, and then he did something rare: he bottled the useful parts of hypomania into practical tools anyone can learn.

We walk through the playbook behind multiple successful turnarounds: set audacious goals people can believe in, build calendars that don’t lie, measure profit per minute to protect jobs, and run 52 small projects in 52 weeks so momentum compounds without frying your best people. Todd’s favorite lever—orthodoxy smashing—shows how to find hidden money in “boring” industries by challenging one stale rule at a time. It’s fast, disciplined, and surprisingly humane.

We also get personal about mental health at work. Gen Z is open about neurodivergence; Gen X is still running promotions while staying quiet. That gap breeds fear and missed talent. We offer a different approach: normalize how your brain works before you need accommodations, show the strengths it creates, and design pedal-on, pedal-off rhythms that keep performance high and people whole. At home, we talk sensory overload, communication scaffolding for autistic kids, and the courage it takes to replace secrecy with clarity.

If you lead teams, crave a smarter way to execute, or want language to advocate for neurodivergent strengths, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a manager who needs a better playbook, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com

Send us a text

What if social apps actually met neurodivergent needs? That question drives a warm, candid conversation with educator-turned-founder Brittany Moser as we dig into Synchrony, a new social and dating app for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent adults. Brittany traces the journey from a rural Queensland classroom to a Manhattan charter school, where practical inclusion strategies showed that supports designed for autistic students often help everyone. Those lessons—visuals, social stories, structured coaching—evolved into a product built to solve a quiet but urgent problem: the moment when a promising connection stalls because the right words or clarity just won’t come.

Synchrony’s heart is Jesse, an AI social coach named for Brittany’s cofounder’s autistic son. Jesse appears inside a live chat with three clear options: help me express myself, help me understand what’s happening, and protect my comfort. Instead of generic advice, Jesse looks at the actual conversation, offers concise interpretations, and suggests language that users can personalize. The goal is not to script people into neurotypical patterns; it’s to support authentic expression, reduce masking, and make room for different goals—whether that’s platonic friendship, romance, or simply a safe way to practice. Independence matters too: users can explore questions privately without leaning on parents or therapists for every step.

Safety and community design are built into the app. Synchrony uses government ID verification plus a vouching step from a trusted person to keep bad actors out and the culture strong. Available soon on iOS and Android, the team is focused on growing the waitlist so early members find real matches and conversations right away. We talk visibility, representation, and why autistic adults are not antisocial; they’re often underserved by tools that ignore their communication styles. Brittany also shares hopes for supported in-person events and partnerships to bridge app-based gains into daily life.

Want to help build an inclusive, responsive community from day one? Join the waitlist at joinsynchrony.com, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so more listeners can discover these conversations. Your support helps turn better design into better

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com