Oliver James is a California-based personal trainer, motivational speaker, literacy activist, and influencer. He has been featured by Today, NPR, the Jennifer Hudson Show, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Rachael Ray, and ABC News, among many others. Additionally, he received the Barbara Bush National Literacy Award in 2023.

Oliver is the author of "Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok." His book is about teaching himself to read starting at the age of 32, and his experience with childhood learning disabilities and educational neglect. In just 365 days, he went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu, to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year.

Oliver has become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he's documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way.

During this episode, you will hear Oliver talk about:

• Why he describes himself as being "functionally illiterate" and how his experience with literacy "started wrong"
• What inspired him to share his journey to learn how to read on social media, at the age of 32
• How reading has profoundly changed his perspective on life
• What it was like writing a book about his experience

Buy Oliver's book "Unread": hachettebookgroup.com/titles/oliver-james/unread/9781454959403/

Follow Oliver at oliverspeaks1 on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and YouTube.

Email Oliver at OliverSpeaks1 [at] gmail.com.

Learn more about the Nardagani app that has helped Oliver learn how to read: nardagani.com

Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=xWGXsqQaloQ

Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/oliver-james-unread

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Justin Valenti is an artist and disability advocate. He enjoys creating artwork in his home studio and at the VisAbility Art Lab at VisArts in Rockville, Maryland. He is also the business owner of Artistic Expressions by Justin K Valenti, and has exhibited his artwork in Maryland, Virginia and California.

Justin has been an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since childhood. He has been on the Board of Directors for the Arc Maryland since 2020.

During this episode, you will hear Justin talk about:

• What his life was like growing up with disabilities
• How he discovered his passion and talent for art
• How creating art helps his mental health
• His proudest achievements as an artist and disability advocate

Learn more about Justin and his work at JKValenti2014.com and VisArtsCenter.org or contact Justin directly at justin.k.valenti [at] gmail [dot] com.

Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=lbv80Y58CTU

Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/justin-valenti

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Amy Richards is a queer autistic podcaster and business owner from Cardiff in the UK. Amy became self-employed in 2015, after multiple burnouts culminated in a breakdown that ended her previous career as a high school English and Media teacher. With her business hat on, she offers business strategy sessions, builds websites and supports online business owners with their websites, email marketing and automation.

In 2020, Amy started a podcast called Squarepeg, where she chats with one autistic guest at a time about their autism discovery journey and what they've learned along the way. Amy is also a Nervous System Regulation practitioner, working with other autistic adults to help them become better regulated, less anxious and have more energy.

During this episode, you will hear Amy talk about:

• Her life before her autism diagnosis, including the first moment she strongly suspected she was autistic
• What inspired her to begin sharing her autistic experiences publicly and start her podcast, Squarepeg
• Her approach to selecting her guests and editing her podcast episodes
• The importance of including a diverse range of guests on our podcasts
• How a listener's email led Amy to make a major change to her podcast
• The most significant things she has learned while working on her podcast

Learn more about Amy and her podcast on the Squarepeg website at https://squarepeg.community or by email at hello [at] squarepeg.community .

Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=u1jx3u_ev0E

Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/sharing-autistic-stories

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*