Unlocking 2e Potential: Helping Twice-Exceptional learners Thrive, with Dr. Matt Zakreski | EDB 350

Vocational rehabilitation counselor and neuroinclusion consultant Charles Kransberger discusses the rise of neuroinclusive workplaces, the business value of neurodistinct talent, and practical steps to build meaningful careers. Charles Kransberger is a credentialed vocational rehabilitation counselor and talent acquisition consultant dedicated to advancing neuroinclusion in the workplace. He has worked across trade schools, tech startups, government agencies, higher education, and nonprofits, with expertise in workplace accommodations and neurodiversity program implementation. He helps organizations understand the business value of recruiting and supporting neurodistinct professionals while empowering individuals in their careers. Connected to a global network of advocates, he champions a future where authentic, scalable neuroinclusion shapes workplace culture and strategy. For more about Charles’ work: https://www.nitw.org/ For more about host Bea Moise: https://beatricemoise.com/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD shares his experience and advice for helping twice-exceptional children excel. Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken nearly a thousand times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent clients, organizational wellness, and mental health. Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective, LLC, co-host of the podcast “Nerding out on Neurodiversity,” and the author of the Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World. For more about Dr. Matt’s work: https://linktr.ee/drmattzakreski https://www.drmattzakreski.com/ https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ For more about host Dr. Jennie Trocchio: https://www.drjennie.co/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Denise D. Resnik shares how First Place AZ has created a new paradigm for IDD independent living. Denise is the founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ (established in 2012), co-founder of Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC, established in 1997), and founder and CEO of DRA Collective, a marketing/communications firm (established in 1986) that serves clients in a variety of fields, including real estate, economic development, healthcare, education and hospitality. Denise serves as a member of Arizona State University Foundation Board and Watts College Dean’s Council, the Creighton University Presidential Health Sciences Phoenix Advisory Board and The Precisionists, Inc. Advisory Board. Former leadership positions include the Autism Society Marketing Task Force, Autism Speaks Housing Committee, Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism Leadership Council, National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism and the National Autism Transition Research Network Advisory Panel. She has also served as a federally appointed member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee of the National Institutes of Health. Denise has received numerous local and national honors for her civic contributions and business accomplishments. She graduated cum laude from ASU, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Her adult son Matt, who has autism, and others with disabilities inspire her work. For more about Denise’s work: https://firstplaceaz.org/ https://firstplaceglobal.org/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Comedian Darcy Michael discusses his diagnoses for ADHD and autism. For 20 years, Darcy Michael has been a powerhouse in comedy, with a voice unlike any other. Lauded by the Montreal Gazette as one of their favorites at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival, Darcy has graced its stages over ten times. His meteoric rise continued in 2021 when he launched a TikTok account, quickly garnering 4 million followers and over 150 million likes, proving his humor resonates across generations and platforms.In 2018, Darcy made history with Darcy Michael Goes to Church, Just for Laughs’ first-ever one-hour stand-up special, now streaming on Crave and available globally via YouTube and Facebook Watch. This partnership cemented Darcy's status as a leading voice in comedy. His latest stand-up album, Family Highs, debuted at #1, further showcasing his comedic brilliance. On screen, Darcy’s charisma has shone in roles opposite Dave Foley in CTV's Spun Out, as well as in hit shows like Legends of Tomorrow, Lucifer, The Twilight Zone, and the film Rapture-Palooza. A finalist in the national XM Top Comic Competition, Darcy toured with Russell Peters and was handpicked by NBC as a finalist for the Stand Up for Diversity showcase. In 2023/24, Darcy and his husband Jeremy took their hilarious and relatable banter on the road with their co-headlined tour NO REFUNDS. Their dynamic chemistry, candid humor, and infectious energy made the tour a smash hit. Adding to his achievements, their acclaimed comedy special, NO REFUNDS, and a behind-the-scenes documentary, HAPPILY EVER LAUGHTER, are now available on Crave and World of Wonder. Darcy recently announced his debut book, ATTENTION SEEKER: A Neurodivergent Comedian’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD, and has already hit the best seller list on Amazon for pre-orders. Up next, Darcy and Jer will be seen on their upcoming 2026 stand up tour, AVERAGE AT BEST, at theatres across North America. For more about Darcy’s work: https://www.darcyandjer.com/ For more about host Shawn Smith: https://ddmacs.ca/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

ICF certified coach Gillian Forth discusses how to make a workplace neuroinclusive. Gill is a 35 year old white settler, cisgender, neuro queer woman who is married, childfree, and living in the suburbs of Ontario, Canada. Their coaching practice is neuro affirming and inclusive of LGBTQQIP2SA plus communities and people of all gender identities. Gill has spent a decade in the nonprofit sector with a focus on client experience and engagement, group facilitation, DEI, and operations. They hold a certificate in Adult Education and are an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and have coached hundreds of neurodivergent people as they move into new roles and workplaces, and supported both employees and managers through a wide range of workplace challenges. Gill also has extensive experience advising teams and organizations on creating more inclusive and accessible environments, particularly for neurodivergent and disabled professionals.   For more about Gill’s’ work: https://www.thelowachiever.com/ For more about host Bea Moise: https://beatricemoise.com/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Comedian James Mullinger discusses ADHD’s effect on his life and performances. James Mullinger was one of the UK’s top comedians and Comedy Editor for GQ magazine when he moved to Canada in February 2014. Since his arrival, he has taken the country by storm. Sold out shows across the country, appearances on CBC’s The Debaters, CTV’s The Social and The Good Stuff With Mary Berg. Movies, TV shows, festivals, awards, podcasts, stand-up specials... he’s done it all! An award-winning writer, comedian and filmmaker, he spent 15 years in a senior position at British GQ, interviewing everyone from Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Rudd to Rachel Weisz and Scarlett Johansson and launching the magazine’s digital division. In April 2016 and 2018, James sold out TD Station Arena with his uniquely hilarious stand- up shows, outselling Jerry Seinfeld, Snoop Dogg and Guns N’ Roses when they played the same venue. An award-winning CBC documentary about the show titled City On Fire was aired nationally to rave reviews. His stand-up special, Almost Canadian, shot straight to #1 on the iTunes charts and was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Taped Live Performance. A film that he co-wrote about his early years in comedy was released in cinemas across the UK and premiered at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal in 2016. It stars actors from Downton Abbey, Twilight, and Game of Thrones. In June 2017 he launched Atlantic Canada’s first-ever international magazine, [EDIT] — an award- winning premium media brand devoted to celebrating business leaders and creatives doing the unexpected while expanding Canada’s global reach. James is also the host of the hit #1 TV series Atlantic Edition, that sees him interviewing icons on the East Coast including Alan Doyle, Chef Michael Smith, Lucinda Flemer, Maestro Fresh Wes, Joel Plaskett and Maesha Brueggergosman. His podcast Mullinger Meets Canadians reached the Top 30 podcast charts and his memoir Brit Happens - Living The Canadian Dream was published by Goose Lane Editions in May 2022 to rave reviews, a Best Non-Fiction Book award and became a national bestseller. James has also raised more than half a million dollars for charities internationally. He is a much sought-after, corporate clean comedian and keynote speaker internationally on the subjects of the power of positive thinking, embracing change, personal presentation skills, time management, marketing and media and how celebrating where we live can improve how you work, live and play. For more about James’ work: https://www.jamesmullinger.com/ For more about host Shawn Smith: https://ddmacs.ca/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

CONTENT WARNING: discussion of pregnancy loss Cartoonist Chari Pere discusses how she used art to share her experiences with pregnancy loss. Cartoonist Chari Pere is on a mission to create art that is heartfelt, funny, and relatable–and has most recently done so with her award-winning "Unspoken" Cartoonmentary series, shedding light on miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and other taboo topics. She has previously worked with Red Bull, Mad Magazine, Gretchen Rubin, Comedy Central, Mayim Bialik, Bud Light, and Purina. During the pandemic, her “Corona Mama” comic series and coloring books brought humor to the challenge of parenting in lockdown. In 2024, she was named Artist of the Year by JewCE (the Jewish Comics Experience). Chari lives in Teaneck, NJ with her husband and three kids. For more about Chari’s work: https://www.charipere.com/ For more about host Bea Moise: https://beatricemoise.com/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Author, attorney, and self-advocate Haley Moss explains autistic joy, and how to be supportive of it. Haley Moss was diagnosed with autism at age 3. She graduated with her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2018, and graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 with Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Criminology. She is a renowned visual pop artist and the author of Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About and A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About. She also was the illustrator and a contributor for the Autism Women’s Network anthology What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew. Her writing has been featured in HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Elite Daily, The Mighty, and other websites and publications. For more about Haley’s work: https://haleymoss.com/ For Haley’s show Spectrumly Speaking: https://differentbrains.org/spectrumly-speaking-page/ Here is an example of the emotion wheel Haley mentions: https://feelingswheel.com/ For more about host Dr. Jennie Trocchio: https://www.drjennie.co/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Clinical psychologist, autism self-advocate, and educational consultant Dr. Eric Endlich shares tips for students transition from high school to college. About our guest: Eric Endlich, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and founder of Top College Consultants®, manages a diverse, nationwide team of college admissions professionals helping neurodivergent students transition to higher education. He co-teaches the UC Irvine continuing education course for educational consultants, Working with Students with Learning Differences, and co-manages a 27,000-member Facebook group for parents of college-bound neurodivergent students. Dr. Endlich has served on the board and the Learning Differences/Neurodiversity Committee of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and was honored with IECA’s “Making a Difference” award for contributions such as a database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges. A keynote speaker, researcher and professional writer, he is also on the board of the College Autism Network and helped found the Neurodiverse Couples Institute for the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity. Dr. Endlich is regularly interviewed by various media including Forbes, Money magazine, and U.S. News & World Report. Finally, he is a neurodivergent parent and adult himself. For more about Eric’s work, visit: https://www.topcollegeconsultants.com For more about host Bea Moise, visit: beatricemoise.com Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Host Bea Moise continues her chat with author and accessibility expert Alex Norman. Alex Norman is the founder and CEO of Access Built, a leading agency helping organizations reimagine environments to be more inclusive. As the author of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living, Alex blends powerful life stories with actionable design strategies. A former global advertising and innovation leader, Alex now helps organizations uncover and remove the “friction points” in the built world. His work, rooted in personal experience and collaboration with design leaders, challenges audiences to see accessibility not as compliance but as a catalyst for innovation, inclusion, and human potential. For more about Alex’s work, visit: accessbuilt.com For more about host Bea Moise, visit: beatricemoise.com Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/