Neurodivergence and gender identity – with Charlie Ocean

Neurodivergence and gender identity – with Charlie Ocean

Author: Carolyn Kiel October 30, 2023 Duration: 52:02

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.

Read the episode transcript.

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.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Podcast Episodes
An autistic Christian experience – with Miya Sae [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:33
Miya Sae is an autistic Christian, blogger, and aspiring author. Through her writing, she strives to help bridge the neglected gap between autism and Christianity, while bringing hope and encouragement to other misunders…
Auditory processing disorder – with Hamish Hallett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:51
Hamish Hallett is a podcast host and journalist who creates online content about auditory processing disorder (APD). He wants to help those with learning difficulties not to feel limited and to embrace what they have, ra…
Music, theater and autistic communities – with Madge Woollard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:26
Madge Woollard has run her own business teaching piano and keyboard since 1994. Madge was diagnosed autistic in 2016 at the age of 44. She lives in Sheffield UK with her wife who is also late-diagnosed autistic. A gradua…
Becoming a young autistic advocate – with Quincy Hansen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:42
Quincy Hansen is a young autistic activist, writer, public speaker and college student from Colorado. He is the author of the new book "Shake It Up! How to be Young, Autistic, and Make an Impact" and writes a blog at Spe…
Writing autistic and ADHD characters -- with Brianne Leeson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:40
Brianne Leeson is a writer, artist, and voice actor from Dallas, Texas. She is the creator of the queer supernatural comedy audio drama, "Today's Lucky Winner." Brianne was diagnosed as autistic and with ADHD at age 30,…
Neurodiversity and inclusion in tech – with Jennifer Opal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
Jennifer Opal is a DevOps Engineer with the HelloSign Team at Dropbox, a multi-award winning neurodiversity & inclusion advocate, blogger & keynote speaker. She also has dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. Jennifer has worked…
My Autism Diagnosis Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
On this special solo episode for Autistic Pride Day, I talk about how I got my autism diagnosis as an adult. Please note that this is not meant to be medical or professional advice of any kind. It's just my own personal…