MindShift Power Podcast

Why Do I Hate Hugs? - And Other Signs You Might Be Autistic (Episode 120)

Ever feel like everyone else got a social manual you never received? Christopher Carazas joins us to talk about discovering he’s autistic at 35, after years of “passing” through school, work, and life across multiple continents. What starts as a story about diagnosis becomes a deeper look at masking, self-worth, and how seeing your wiring clearly can change everything. We trace his childhood through Latin America and West Africa, where forgiving international schools made quirks easier to hide but didn’t solve the puzzle of sensory overwhelm, blunt honesty, or last-minute plan changes that knocked him off balance. Christopher explains how praise for the “polished” student was often applause for the mask, not the person. He also shares the flip side: fast pattern recognition, languages that unlocked global work, and the empathy that felt big inside but didn’t always translate into words. Together we break down the moments that finally made autism make sense, why ADHD alone didn’t explain the full picture, and how a name can turn shame into strategy. We get practical for listeners who suspect they—or someone they love—might be on the spectrum. From accessible online screening tools and school counselors to toolkits from Autism Speaks, we outline first steps that can lead to better support. Christopher offers grounded advice for teens and adults in places where awareness is still low: accept yourself first, then build simple systems for routines, sensory boundaries, and clear communication. We zoom out to show the broader value of neurodivergence—out-of-the-box thinking that powers engineering, social impact, media, and public service—and spotlight his book, Now That I’m Still Here, which chronicles late diagnosis, surviving abuse, and rebuilding with purpose. The heart of the conversation is a challenge and an invitation: blending in can hold you back when your edge is the way you think. If you’re tired of spending your energy on masking, this is a path toward clarity, language, and leverage. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what mask are you ready to drop? 🔗 Connect with Christopher Carazas: http://chriscarazas.com/ [http://chriscarazas.com/] http://substack.com/@ccarazas [http://substack.com/@ccarazas] Send us an anonymous text message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2217223/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-support] Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive! Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search] Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com [https://www.FatimaBey.com] I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog! Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog [https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog] Join the MindShift Universe [https://www.fatimabey.com/communities#bn-forum-1-1-1186447641/0]—where real conversations spark transformation! Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492 [https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492] Thank you for listening!

PACE Yourself: A 13-Year-Old's Method for Not Losing Your Sh*t (Episode 119)

What if the difference between chaos and clarity is just one breath? We sit down with 13-year-old TEDx speaker Vihan Reddy, whose calm response during a terrifying accident—a car running over his foot—reveals how a simple method can reshape choices under pressure. Vihan walks us through PACE: Pause, Assess, Choose, Engage. It’s a clean, four-step framework that turns raw emotion into practical action, whether you’re melting down during practice, stuck on a test question, or trying to repair a friendship after a heated argument. Together, we unpack how the pause creates space to think, and why assessment is more about noticing the one fix that matters than overanalyzing. Vihan shares how a single coaching cue—maxing the wrist on a forehand—transformed his tennis form, and how that same lens works outside sports. We talk about the hidden cost of lashing out, how panic multiplies pain, and the surprisingly powerful skill of letting wisdom in without swallowing everything you hear. You’ll hear clear examples of PACE at work: taking a breath instead of smashing a racket, filtering distractions while studying, and choosing a steady response when emotions surge. The conversation turns practical fast: how to practice PACE before the moment, build a reliable mental filter, and set boundaries with friends while staying kind. If you’ve ever wished you could hit reset when you feel yourself tipping over the edge, this is your playbook—short, memorable, and grounded in real life from a voice wise beyond his years. Listen now, try PACE this week, and tell us where it changed your outcome. If the story resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Connect with Vihaan Reddy:  reddygvihaan@gmail.com  Watch his TEDx Talk: https://www.fatimabey.com/119 [https://www.fatimabey.com/119] Send us an anonymous text message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2217223/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-support] Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive! Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search] Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com [https://www.FatimaBey.com] I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog! Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog [https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog] Join the MindShift Universe [https://www.fatimabey.com/communities#bn-forum-1-1-1186447641/0]—where real conversations spark transformation! Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492 [https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492] Thank you for listening!

Why Teens Belong in Business (Episode 118)

What if a child’s “hobby” could earn real money, build real confidence, and spark real change in a community? We sit down with Leah K. Ellis—author and founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs—to explore how kids as young as six can learn entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy by selling real products to real customers and keeping the revenue. Leah shares the powerful story of a shy ten-year-old pin-maker who found her voice, landed consignment in local shops, and joined a junior board after discovering the mission behind her work: a pin can be a quiet way to say who you are. Leah’s own journey starts with a flooded home, a pandemic shutdown, and a four-year-old who watched business trainings and asked to start a company. That moment reframed what’s possible when we put meaningful material in front of kids. We unpack why media diets shape ambition, why the first non-family sale is a pivotal milestone, and how practical skills—pricing, marketing, customer conversations—become a training ground for resilience and identity. Leah outlines her expanding ecosystem: Astra and Zeke, a story-led book that will grow into a 36-part, school-year curriculum, and Sochi Circle, a new online platform for global camaraderie, mentorship, and friendly competition among young founders. You’ll also hear clear guidance for schools, homeschool co-ops, and community leaders: listen first, avoid cookie-cutter programs, and let youth define the problems they want to solve. For teens, Leah makes a bold appeal to resist apathy and speak up where your voice will be heard. For adults, the invitation is simple—support with time, talent, and treasure, and help put tools in the hands of kids who are ready to build. If this conversation inspires you, share it with a parent, teacher, or teen who needs a nudge to start. Subscribe for more mind-shifting stories, leave a review to help others find us, and tell us: what problem would you solve if you started today? 🔗 Connect with Leah K. Ellis https://leahkellis.com/ [https://leahkellis.com/] https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/ [https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/] https://www.skool.com/socecircle  [https://www.skool.com/socecircle] Send us an anonymous text message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2217223/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-support] Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive! Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search] Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com [https://www.FatimaBey.com] I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog! Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog [https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog] Join the MindShift Universe [https://www.fatimabey.com/communities#bn-forum-1-1-1186447641/0]—where real conversations spark transformation! Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492 [https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492] Thank you for listening!

What Do Gaming, Sleeping, Getting High, & Drinking All Have in Common? (Episode 117)

Imagine not needing an escape hatch from your own life. That’s the heart of our conversation as we speak directly to teens and young adults about the pull of gaming marathons, sleeping the day away, getting high, and drinking—not with judgment, but with real empathy for why these choices make sense when pain feels louder than hope. We break down how escapism offers control and quiet in the moment, yet builds a loop of temporary relief, crash, and shame that leaves you feeling stuck. Together, we name the deeper roots many carry in silence: loneliness while surrounded by people, pressure to be perfect, fear of disappointing family, and trauma that’s too heavy to say out loud. You’ll hear a clear distinction between identity and behavior—coping is not who you are—and practical ways to spot triggers, reduce avoidance, and create micro-habits that bring steady relief. This episode also leans into connection. We talk about finding someone who listens first—counselors, coaches, relatives, neighbors, or peers—and why speaking even one honest sentence can loosen pain’s grip. We explore how to cap screen time without shame, swap numbing for nervous-system resets, and imagine the kind of day you wouldn’t want to run from. The tone is human, direct, and hopeful, offering a path to change that starts with one choice and grows with support. If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who needs a voice that sees them. Subscribe for more grounded mental health talks, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what’s one small step you’ll take today toward a life you don’t need to escape? Send us an anonymous text message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2217223/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-support] Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive! Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search] Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com [https://www.FatimaBey.com] I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog! Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog [https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog] Join the MindShift Universe [https://www.fatimabey.com/communities#bn-forum-1-1-1186447641/0]—where real conversations spark transformation! Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492 [https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492] Thank you for listening!

Change the System—Don’t Just Complain About It (Episode 116)

What if “within policy” still feels wrong to the people you serve? We sit down with retired LAPD lieutenant Jeff Weninger to unpack the uncomfortable gap between legal justification and moral legitimacy—and how that space erodes community trust. Jeff brings a rare mix of multiracial upbringing, street experience, and command-level reform to show why mindset shapes outcomes more than any statute or slogan. We trace the path from Graham v. Connor’s narrow focus on the moment of force to a broader totality-of-circumstances view, and why that legal shift still isn’t enough without cultural change. Jeff pulls the curtain back on dehumanization, the “us versus them” mentality, and the startling share of shootings involving people in mental health crisis. He argues for tactics that buy time, gather family insights, and deploy mental health expertise, instead of relying on volume, posture, and hardware to force compliance. The proof point: departments that slow down see fewer injuries and better resolutions. Jeff lays out a candid reform blueprint: civilianize key command roles like media strategy, academy design, and consent decree oversight; align policy with behavior through early post-incident debriefs; and train assessment into firearms qualifications to blunt contagious fire. We challenge the militarized look that broadcasts domination and explore what the UK gets right about patience and layered responses, even when guns aren’t part of the equation. For young people torn between activism and service, Jeff makes a hard-won case for changing the system from the inside, backed by a career of actionable solutions. If you care about public safety, police accountability, mental health response, and building trust that lasts beyond a headline, this conversation offers a clear, practical path forward. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s wrestling with these questions, and leave a review with the one mindset shift you want to see next. 🔗 Connect with Jeff Wenninger 🌐 Website:  https://lawenforcementconsultants.com/ [https://lawenforcementconsultants.com/] Book: http://onthinicebook.com/ [http://onthinicebook.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wenninger-4247a854 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wenninger-4247a854] Send us an anonymous text message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2217223/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-support] Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive! Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search [https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search] Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com [https://www.FatimaBey.com] I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog! Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog [https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog] Join the MindShift Universe [https://www.fatimabey.com/communities#bn-forum-1-1-1186447641/0]—where real conversations spark transformation! Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492 [https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492] Thank you for listening!