NeuroLeevergence: From Autism to AI

Bald host and seasoned bloviator Mookie Spitz sits down with longtime friend and fellow dad Lee Kantz for an honest, humorous, and deeply human conversation about what it means to parent in the modern world — especially when your child is neurodivergent, your politics are exhausted, and your hairline packed up two decades ago.

Lee, a digital marketing pro by day and passionate advocate by heart, shares the story behind Quirkies — an evolving community app built to support neurodivergent individuals and their families. Designed as a one-stop resource hub powered by empathy and AI, Quirkies aims to connect parents and kids with the services, specialists, and support they actually need, without the frustration of navigating a broken system.

From early diagnoses and public school IEP meetings to raising a college-bound teen with autism, Lee opens up about the real-life challenges and quiet victories that come with parenting on the spectrum. Mookie, never one to shy away from a good rant, brings his own perspective — and wonders aloud whether we’re all just a little neurodivergent these days.

Together, they explore:

• The shifting definition of neurodivergence (and whether “everyone’s a little crazy” is a valid clinical take)
• How politics and public health collide with personal parenting journeys
• The rise of digital solutions like AI-powered resource matching
• Marriage, midlife, and the quiet transformation that comes after 60
• Why community, purpose, and a good sense of humor might just be the best tools for surviving the chaos

Part memoir, part manifesto, and part dad-powered TED Talk, this pod is for you — whether you're raising a neurodivergent child, navigating middle age, or just trying to keep your sense of self (and your wifi connection) intact.

The Guest

Lee Kantz has been working in digital since digital has been around—since website was two words—mostly in the creation and marketing of educational products and services. He is currently Director of Marketing for Boom Learning, a K-12 learning activities platform for educators and schools.

Lee is also the father of a college student on the autism spectrum and of two younger kids. As a passion project, he is leading marketing for a startup app called QRKIEZ, which connects neurodivergent individuals and their families with resources, therapists, and coaches to address all their life challenges. You can read more about Lee at www.leekantz.com and visit QRKIEZ at www.qrkiez.com