
Neurodivergence and gender identity – with Charlie Ocean
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
10/30/23
•52m
About
Comments
Featured In
Charlie Ocean is an award-winning LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, and consultant who is neuroqueer and nonbinary. They have a background in social work and over 15 years of experience with LGBTQ+ community organizing. To date, they've trained thousands of youth and adults on various LGBTQ+ topics in various settings. Charlie is also the host of Allyship is a Verb, a Sonic Bloom Awards and Ambie-nominated podcast.
During this episode, Charlie talks about:
- What led them to start their LGBTQ+ advocacy in high school
- How they realized that they were nonbinary and neurodivergent – and what being neuroqueer means to them
- How their personal experiences in the workplace led them to start their consulting practice
- Addressing allies' common fears and making space for messy (but necessary) conversations about allyship
You can find Charlie's work at the following links:
Instagram LinkedIn Website Allyship is a Verb podcast
Listener shout-out! A big THANK YOU to Will, a Beyond 6 Seconds listener, for supporting this podcast on Buy Me A Coffee! Check out BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds if you'd like to help support or sponsor a future episode!
Beyond 6 Seconds is a winner at the 2023 Signal Awards! My September episode about Dissociative Identity Disorder with Amber Louise Ainsworth won a Gold Award from the judging panel and a Listener's Choice Award in the Best Conversation Starter award category. See the official listing on the Signal Awards website.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Previous Episode

Creating an inclusive world through dance – with Marisa Hamamoto
October 16, 2023
•58m
Content note: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault, describes a stroke and recovery, and has occasional swearing.
Marisa Hamamoto is the first professional dancer to be named as one of People Magazine's "Women Changing the World." Her award-winning nonprofit and professional dance company, Infinite Flow, employs disabled and nondisabled artists with a mission to foster inclusion. Marisa is also a stroke survivor who is autistic and has PTSD.
During this episode, you will hear Marisa talk about:
- Her lifelong passion for dancing, despite facing bias and exclusion within the dance world
- How a heartbreaking rejection by her dance school classmates inspired her to make a boldly inclusive decision, and showed her how small actions can lead to big change
- The life-changing stroke that paralyzed her for months, and the long process of healing from the physical and mental trauma that followed
- How a salsa dance performance in Japan rekindled her passion and confidence as a dancer
- Her dancing partnership with a disabled athlete that inspired her to found Infinite Flow
- How she was diagnosed with PTSD and autism as an adult – and reflecting on her life, now knowing that she's autistic
You can also find out more about Marisa on her website MarisaHamamoto.com and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Watch Infinite Flow Dance performances at InfiniteFlowDance.org/portfolio.
Sign up for Marisa's newsletter and the Infinite Flow newsletter.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Next Episode

Neurodivergent personal trainer & weightlifting champion Bayley Garnham
November 13, 2023
•31m
Bayley Garnham is a personal trainer from Auckland, New Zealand. As a teenager, Bayley spent 7 years competing in Olympic Weightlifting at a national level. He has a Bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation, with a major in Sport and Exercise Science. Bayley was diagnosed with dyspraxia and dysgraphia at the age of 12, and he's passionate about promoting the benefits that physical activity brings for neurodivergent people.
During this episode, you will hear Bayley talk about:
- Discovering that he had dyspraxia and dysgraphia at the age of 12
- How he developed his passion for personal training and weightlifting, after struggling with team sports as a child
- His approach to successfully training his clients – especially teenagers (and neurodivergent teenagers)
- The life benefits he has seen from going to the gym
- His experience competing in Olympic Weightlifting
To hear more about Bayley and his work, you can read his feature article in Dystinct Magazine or email him at bayleygarnham at gmail.com.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted




