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In this inspiring episode, we speak with Robert James Gabriel, founder of the accessibility tool Helperbird, who shares his personal journey from struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a tech innovator. Robert opens up about the challenges he faced in school, where he was nearly taken out of mainstream education, and the life-changing moment he was finally diagnosed. Robert created a Chrome extension to help dyslexic users, which evolved into Helperbird—now used by over 1.8 million people globally. Robert discusses the growth of the platform, its customizable reading tools, and his mission to make digital content accessible for everyone. This episode is a powerful reminder of how timely support, inclusive tech, and determination can completely transform lives.

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In this episode, we speak with Kel Menton, a writer and debut author. Kel shares their journey as a non-binary, neurodivergent person growing up in Ireland, recently receiving an autism diagnosis after years of self-reflection and working in autistic support settings. We discuss the impact of early literary influences like Enid Blyton, Judy Blume, and Jacqueline Wilson, the value of seeing local spaces reflected in fiction, and how COVID lockdowns helped them unmask and better understand their needs. Kel opens up about their difficult school experiences, their academic path through UCC, and how literature and storytelling became powerful tools for connection and self-expression. The conversation also explores the shortcomings of traditional autism assessments and the need to shift toward a strengths-based, socially informed understanding of neurodiversity.

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In this episode, we hear from Padraig Drake, an occupational therapist who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia later in life. He shares his journey navigating academic challenges, leaving school early, and finding his way back to education and a meaningful career. Padraig discusses how his personal experiences have shaped his approach to supporting others, especially within the neurodivergent community. The conversation touches on the complexities of diagnosis, the importance of finding healthy coping strategies, and the impact that one supportive person can have on a life. This episode offers insight into resilience, self-discovery, and the value of understanding different ways of thinking and learning.