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Beyond the Mind
Beyond the Mind is where personal narratives meet neuroscience, legal systems meet lived experience, and stigma meets soul.
Each episode:
- Unpacks real journeys from survival to self-understanding
- Translates the language of the brain and body into something you can live with
- Dismantles the myths around “normal,” success, and capability
- Gives voice to people failed by systems, but not by their own potential
We’re not here to fix you. We’re here to help you see the whole picture — and finally feel seen inside it.
Beyond the Mind
Navigating Neurodivergence: Unmasking, Community, and Self-Discovery with Dr. Sam Crandall
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Welcome to Beyond the Mind Podcast, where we explore the stories, science, and systems that shape how we heal and grow.
In this episode, host SC welcomes Dr. Sam Crandall , an adult-diagnosed neurodivergent woman she met at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. Together, they dive deep into Sam’s personal journey of late diagnosis, the power of community for neurodivergent individuals, and the internalized challenges that arise in a neurotypical world.
Sam shares her experience with autistic burnout, communication differences, and the transformative role of community-based research in creating safer, more inclusive systems of support.
This touching discussion highlights both the shared struggles and the quiet triumphs within neurodivergent communities underscoring the need for self-validation, connection, and healing through understanding.
Subscribe to Beyond the Mind for more conversations on mental health, neurodiversity, and the ecosystems that help us thrive beyond the mind.
To connect with Dr. Sam Crandall, reach out to: samantha.crandall@phoenixcollege.edu
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Mind Podcast
00:38 Sam's Journey to Neurodivergence
02:11 Late Diagnosis and Personal Growth
02:42 Professional Life and Neurodivergence
05:32 Parenting and Neurodivergence
12:14 Challenges and Misunderstandings
22:50 Navigating Disclosure and Identity
27:26 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Acceptance
35:16 Understanding Neurodiverse Traits
36:33 Challenges of Neurodivergent Communication
37:09 Navigating Interruptions and Cultural Differences
40:07 The Importance of Community and Support
44:30 Directness and Honest Communication
54:01 Research on Neurodivergent Women in Higher Education
01:02:50 The Power of Community in Healing
01:10:26 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions
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