Tim Goldstein and Sol Smith Have a Great Conversation Over Autism & Neurodiversity

Neurotypical is NOT a Neurotype, Neurodiversity from a Marketing Perspective

In this special episode, I present a deep dive generated by Google's NotebookLM based on my 4,500-word paper that redefines neurodiversity. This phenomenal presentation takes a critical look at the language we currently use, arguing that bedrock terms like "neurotypical" are functionally useless as a neurotype and that "neurodivergent" acts as a failed marketing campaign. Drawing on my  background in marketing and advertising, I argue that the current vocabulary inadvertently builds an unnecessary "us versus them" boundary, triggering immediate resistance and defensiveness in the workplace because the words are seen as clunky and inherently judgmental. You'll hear exactly how a "PhD-sized word" like neurodivergent subconsciously reinforces the idea of deviation or straying from a standard path, undermining the core goal of inclusion before the conversation can even begin. To fix this communication failure, I introduce a complete framework reboot anchored in the unifying concept of the Neurocloud. This model establishes that everyone is in the cloud and that human variation is defined purely by the intensity of universal human traits (like focus or sensory filtering) using an audio mixing board analogy. I replace the flawed binary with purely descriptive terms: Neurodistinct for the "spiky profile" (extreme highs and lows) and Neurouniform for the more balanced profile. Crucially, this allows us to redefine "neurotypical" not as fixed neurotype or neurotype grouping, but as a fluid social consensus, the set of unwritten interaction rules specific to a culture or company. One of the most amazing insights is understanding neurodiversity is key to optimizing interaction strategies between all forms of intelligence, under Dr Lutza Ireland's Neuroversal concept that including humans and AI, making it a core competency for 21st-century strategic operations, not just an HR focus. Tune in to learn how to use this new, non-confrontational language to advocate for mutual benefit and efficiency by focusing on leveraging strengths and reducing unnecessary cognitive load.

Tim Goldstein and Sol Smith Have a Great Conversation Over Autism & Neurodiversity

I think I am very lucky to have been connected to Sol Smith. He is a professor, author, neurodistinct self-advocate, neurodiversity consultant, with multiple advanced degrees. At the same time he is down to earth and a great conversationalist that is easy to talk with and listen to. His newest book is AUTISTIC'S GUIDE TO SELF-DISCOVERY [https://amzn.to/43tM8F3], sub-titled FLOURISHING AS A NEURODIVERGENT ADULT [https://amzn.to/43tM8F3] (Linked to Amazon) Sit back and enjoy our wandering conversation as two autistics circle around the topic of neurodiversity and being neurodistinct. Learn more about or contact Sol at https://www.professorsol.com/ [https://www.professorsol.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-smith-mfa-eds-ms-cas-7955364/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-smith-mfa-eds-ms-cas-7955364/]

Tim interviews Gena Sims, founder of Autism Theater

This podcast is major overdue. I did the interview with Gena Sims in June of 2023. It has been hiding in my podcast folder for me to edit and publish it. Gena had an internet connection that was unstable so there was a massive amount of editing as we would back up and redo from a good start point each time the connection froze. Between me trying to deal with being spread thin, what is turning out to be an issue with medications as my bodies processing of them slows down as I am getting older, and the seeming overwhelming editing job I had this episode on hold. Gena is fascinating to talk with and is doing amazing things to help the autism community. It all started with an autistic sister and getting out graduating with a degree in theater and music just before the pandemic hit. In Gena's always upbeat style she found a way to turn it all into an amazing effort to help the autistic community and many autistic individuals. Check out her efforts or even better give Autism Theater Project a donation at: https://autismtheaterproject.org/ [https://autismtheaterproject.org/] https://www.youtube.com/c/AutismTheaterProject [https://www.youtube.com/c/AutismTheaterProject] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gena-sims-701ba4186 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gena-sims-701ba4186] https://www.instagram.com/genasims19 [https://www.instagram.com/genasims19]

Tim Goldstein's Chapter from "Inclusion and Autism Neurodiverse Autistic First-Person Accounts"

Have my first academic book finally being released. Co-Edited & authored with Santoshi Halder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshi-halder-1b6135203/] of the University of Calcutta & Dave Caudel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-caudel-65284654/] of Vanderbilt University's Frist Center of Autism and Innovation. Been a long process that we started pre-COVID with the pandemic causing multiple delays.  The part of recruiting contributors and editing seemed straight forward but when I learned my chapter needed to be at least 8000 words it became daunting. But when it was all done my chapter came in just over 9000 words if I remember correctly. Thanks to Dr Dave Caudel for his insightful help in his feedback end editing comments for my chapter. And major kudos to Dr Halder for her persistence to see this project through from her initial concept to final publication. In this episode I took the text of my chapter and put it into Google's NotebookLM [https://notebooklm.google.com/] This product is amazing at condensing information and giving you different ways to review its variations. Built in is the ability to generate a briefing document, FAQ, test guide, and timeline. But the one I find most amazing is it can create a podcast dialogue audio with the simple push of a button. This episode is the 22 minute podcast NotebookLM created wrapped with my standard intro and outro as well as a brief explanation of the book and NotebookLM. Sit back and enjoy the amazing technology we have now to make information more approachable by those with various learning styles. Details on the book at: https://www.routledge.com/Inclusion-and-Autism-Neurodiverse-Autistic-First-Person-Accounts/Halder-Goldstein-Caudel/p/book/9781032906959 [https://www.routledge.com/Inclusion-and-Autism-Neurodiverse-Autistic-First-Person-Accounts/Halder-Goldstein-Caudel/p/book/9781032906959]

Listen in as Tim "lectures" his good friend Dr Rhonda More about communication

No, this is not another podcast that simply ends without getting any new episodes. But I have been dealing with some life complications and as is not unique most of it dealt with ever present drama of being employed. I could go on about the details but will simply say that the company culture I so loved at my job is simply a memory as they have made it clear that employees are just tools to get to the profits that are the only thing that matters. But enough about me for now. In this special and unique episode I recorded a what was supposed to be a conversation but turned out more like a lecture with my great friend Rhonda Moore PhD [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondamoore/] The conversation started out with Rhonda mentioning she would soon be giving a presentation on communication and she asked if I could point out any of my podcasts or videos that had some of my insight. Because there are a number of thoughts about communication I hadn't taken the time or had the chance to present or record I took this as an opportunity to finally capture them. So I turned on a recording mic I had sitting on my desk and recorded the audio of our Zoom meeting. Listening to it afterwards as I was preparing to send it to my Ai Tim Clone as additional training of the generative Ai clone I decided I liked it so much it would be a great episode to restart my podcast. So sit back with your favorite beverage and listen in to my ad lib dissertation on communication and a number of the far less obvious but simple reasons it often fails. A great quote I have posted in my office and like to think about when dealing with communication is from George Bernard Shaw "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place."