Amy Newmark: Bettering the World One Story at a Time

Beautifully audacious Amy Newmark is publisher and editor-in-chief of the Chicken Soup for the Soul organization which is huge with well over 100 million books sold to date in the U.S. and Canada alone, more than 250 titles, and translations into more than 40 languages. Amy and her husband co-own Chicken Soup for the Soul and have grown the company far beyond the bookstore with super premium pet foods, podcasts, and television shows like Hidden Heroes and Project Dad all revolving around true stories. They are "changing the world one story at a time." Amy joins us to discuss "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum" (which we enthusiastically recommend), and another book which Amy authored which is, in our opinion, one of the best self-help books ever: "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Simply Happy - a Crash Course in Chicken Soup for the Soul Advice and Wisdom." Tune in to this fun show for empowering parenting tips as well as life hacks building on presumed competence as Amy encourages us to expect greatness of yourself and others.

Community of Unity founder, Eric Komoroff is an internationally recognized education and non-profit leader and expert in the fields of urban education, social emotional learning, mindfulness, growth mindset, and student empowerment through relationship building. The practical and beautiful mission of Community of Unity is to help students achieve success and fulfillment by awakening and understanding their unique purpose and potential – one good choice at a time. Eric has a passion for working with students with Autism and has a decade of experience working in special education so what he brings to the educational table in terms of the benefits of neurodiversity is profound. Barb closes the show with her take on our urgent and critical need for truth.

Marketing guru, best selling author, entrepreneur, skydiver, corporate keynote speaker and creator of the “Faster than Normal” podcast which helps us all unlock the gifts of the ADHD and ADD brain, Peter Shankman is our featured guest. Peter is a spectacular example of the benefits of Neurodiversity. The music for today's show is written and performed by another neurodiverse strong man, James Burrows. And Barb' invites Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum co-author, Nancy Burrows, to share excerpts. Join us as we drop the shame and pathology and learn how to drive our different brains. 

Xian Horn shares her advocacy work as a biracial woman with Cerebral palsy. Her positivity and flexible thinking focuses uplift teens to celebrate their differences, "Disability was easy, insecurity was a challenge." Horn discusses her work at: the Standing Tall school for non-verbal students, NYU's program for women with disabilities, and Change Blazers an organization whose mission is to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Then in the Barb Asks segment, UCONN's Chris Wenz talks about literacy education and the benefits of #neurodiversity.

INSPIRATIONAL & FUN! A must hear for young scientists especially those with "disabilities." Howard Bloom LIVES Barb's recommendation to "Sculpt yourself with intention" as he overcame 5 years of not being able to speak, 15 years of being bed ridden, chronic depression, social isolation, and being teased throughout childhood as "The Sickly Scientist." Learn how Howard channeled his beautiful neurodivergent mind and attention to become a prolific multidisciplinary ("Omniology") scholar, author, podcaster, 1000 push-ups a day guy, and creator of one of the most astoundingly successful Public Relations firms in the history of the Music industry. As Howard says, "my disadvantage became my advantage." Tune in for fascinating, uplifting personal accounts with superstars like Galileo, Prince, Joan Jet, and Michael Jackson. Discover "what dances you" and punch through the boundaries of the status quo by expanding the benefits of Neurodiversity.

Sandi Klein host of the Outstanding podcast "Conversations with Creative Women" highlights accomplished, passionate committed women whose names you may not know but who are doing fabulous, uplifting things in art, science, education, psychology, advocacy, and entertainment. Learn how these "Inspirational Powerhouses" with strong senses of self got to where they are to better know and believe in yourself. And in the Barb Asks section, Jess Wilson from "Diary of a Mom" fame shares her thoughts on the benefits of neurodiversity.

Gail Saltz, MD discusses her new podcast and book titled, "The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius." Her work highlights the connection between neurodiversity and highly successful people. Dr. Saltz joins us in promoting the uplifting theory of neurodiversity and resource rich neurodivergent outliers in human history. The psychobiography of Vincent Van Gogh is reviewed. Tips on how to deal with the uncertainty of parenting, best supports for mild/moderate/severe depression, and how to adapt more respectful and less pathology based language to minimize suffering and maximize potential are also discussed. The BARB ASKS section highlights Dr. Temple Grandin's thoughts on the benefits of neurodiversity and invites you to share yours.

The global benefits of neurological, cultural, and political differences are discussed with song writer and community leader, Reverend John Tirro. The truth that emotions are catching is processed with regard to how we may each be the best we can with what we have been given. The team brainstorms on the suffering of isolation and divisiveness then extrapolates on healing terrorism. And in the ASK BARB segment, a physician gives feedback on "presumed competence" as best practice and Barb gives an uplifting message to children with Autism labels.