Keivan Stassun is the Director of the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University. He joins this week's Allyship in Action Podcast epidsode to unpack how to get the full ROI when appropriately practicing neuroinclusion.

Key Takeaways

• Neurodiversity drives innovation and strengthens teams: Keivan's experience in astrophysics, particularly the groundbreaking discovery made by his neurodiverse team, powerfully illustrates how embracing different cognitive styles leads to novel problem-solving and enhanced outcomes. Clear communication, beneficial for everyone, becomes essential in neurodiverse teams, ultimately making the entire team more effective.
• Support for autistic individuals needs to extend into adulthood: While significant progress has been made in early intervention for autism, there's a critical need for increased focus and investment in supporting autistic adults in higher education and the workforce. This includes providing appropriate accommodations, fostering inclusive environments, and recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of this community.
• Creating inclusive opportunities benefits both individuals and organizations: Models like The Precisionists Inc. (TPI) demonstrate that tailored support and understanding of neurodivergent needs can lead to high-quality work, increased employee loyalty, and reduced errors. By shifting perspectives and implementing practical accommodations, businesses can tap into a valuable talent pool and achieve tangible benefits.

Key Quotes

• "I'm absolutely convinced that new discoveries and innovations happen because the team invited and included and supported the full diversity of thought."

• "There has been so much less investment has been autistic people who are over 18 years old where people spend the majority of their lives in adulthood."

Actionable Allyship Takeaway:

Recognize and actively leverage the unique strengths and talents of neurodiverse individuals while also providing necessary support and accommodations. Keivan emphasizes that focusing on both the support needs and the strengths of autistic individuals is crucial. He provides examples of how companies can benefit from the talents of neurodiverse employees (e.g., employee loyalty, attention to detail) while also highlighting the importance of providing appropriate accommodations to ensure their success.

Find Keivan at https://my.vanderbilt.edu/kstassun/ and find Julie at https://www.nextpivotpoint.com/

Emily Kasriel is the author of Deep Listening: Transform your relationships with family, friends and foes. She joins the Allyship in Action Podcast this week to share insightful perspectives and practical tips on deep listening.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

• Deep listening goes beyond active listening. It's not just about repeating or paraphrasing, but about being truly present, understanding the emotions and underlying messages, and reflecting those back with humility.
• Self-awareness is crucial. Recognizing our own biases and "shadows" allows us to listen more openly to others.
• Silence is a powerful tool. Creating space in conversations allows for deeper reflection, creativity, and can shift power dynamics.
• Curiosity is key. Approaching conversations with a genuine desire to learn and understand, rather than to debate or convince, fosters connection. Asking about the origins of someone's beliefs can be particularly helpful.
• Listening doesn't equal agreement. It's important to remember that understanding someone's perspective doesn't mean you endorse it.
• Connecting with those who hold different views can be transformative. It can combat loneliness and foster social cohesion by recognizing our shared humanity.

Actionable Allyship Takeaway:

Cultivate curiosity and seek to understand the origins of others' beliefs, especially those different from your own. Emily emphasizes the importance of asking "what in your life experience has led you to feel what you do?" when engaging with someone who holds differing views. She explains that this approach can foster connection and understanding, even in the face of disagreement, by humanizing the other person's perspective and providing context.

For those interested in learning more, Emily's book, "Deep Listening: Transform your relationships with family, friends and foes," is available for preorder and will be released in the US on June 24th. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn and explore her website, https://www.emilykasriel.com/ , for more information on her work. Find Julie at https://www.nextpivotpoint.com/

Chéla Gage returns to talk about her new non-profit 1,000,000 Fosters. She shares her journey and the impact she hopes to create in this week's episode.

1. Chéla's journey to launching her nonprofit to support adults who have experienced foster care as youth. This initiative aims to provide transformative life and career coaching, foster personal growth and independence, and build a strong community for former foster youth. Chéla's personal experience growing up in foster care fuels her passion for this work, and she envisions the organization as a supportive network, similar to a fraternity or sorority, connecting individuals with resources and opportunities.
   
   

2. The goal of 1,000,000 Fosters is to empower former foster youth by leveraging their inherent resilience and providing mentorship and guidance. Chéla emphasizes the unique strengths developed through the foster care experience, such as independence, resilience, and adaptability. She plans to create masterclasses led by her network of professionals to offer support in areas like resume writing, storytelling, and navigating adulthood. Ultimately, she hopes to connect this talent pool with corporate sponsors, recognizing the valuable skills and perspectives these individuals bring to the workforce.
   
   

3. Chéla was inspired to start 1,000,000 Fosters by her desire to make a significant impact and by the powerful stories of connection and empowerment within the foster care community. A pivotal moment was an early podcast interview where a guest expressed the profound impact of sharing his story. This reinforced her belief in the importance of providing a platform for these voices and creating a sense of belonging. Despite the challenges of starting a nonprofit, including navigating the 501(c)(3) process, her determination and the encouragement from her advisors propelled her forward to create this much-needed support system.

Actionable Allyship Takeaway: Actively seek out and support the talent within underserved communities. Chéla envisions creating a talent database to connect employers with individuals who have experienced foster care, highlighting the unique strengths and resilience of this group. Chéla puts out a call to action for businesses and organizations to become allies by tapping into the potential of often-overlooked populations.

You can find Chéla and learn more about 1 Million Fosters online here: https://www.1millionfosters.com/ and you can find Julie Kratz at https://www.nextpivotpoint.com/