Mike and Chaya sit down with Jay Goth, CEO of Burble Creativity Inc., to explore how his company is using immersive storytelling to spark imagination, reduce overstimulation, and create calming environments for neurodivergent children. Drawing from ancient storytelling traditions, Jay explains how Burble’s innovative storytelling tents combine sound, lighting, and creativity to encourage kids to connect and express themselves while feeling safe.

Jay also discusses his vision for making these tools accessible to families worldwide through crowdfunding and community-building efforts.

We Also Cover:

• How storytelling can promote self-expression among children on the autism spectrum.
• The role of sensory tools like sound and lighting in reducing anxiety and overstimulation.
• The concept of "minimally defined storytelling" and how it inspires creativity.
• Success stories from families who have used the storytelling tents.
• Jay’s advice for educators and caregivers working with neurodivergent children.
• How Burble Creativity plans to partner with schools and therapy centers.
• Crowdfunding strategies for launching innovative tools for autism support.
• The importance of balancing technology-free experiences with creative learning spaces.

Quotes:

• "You don't tell a complete story, you tell parts of a story, and you leave out pieces so that people can fill them in with their imagination."
• "In one case, a child went through the storytelling experience, went home, and slept through the night for the first time in his life."
• "For neurodivergent kids, their imagination can be so active, and it can be their primary way of communicating."

Jay Goth is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in energy, hospitality, and finance, having invested in and consulted with numerous startups. He is now dedicated to launching Burble, a mission-driven company focused on "Minimally Defined Immersive Storytelling" to provide an alternative to screen-driven entertainment for children and foster their imaginations. Goth has experienced both significant success, including taking a startup to nearly $500 million in revenue, and the challenges of failed ventures. He believes Burble has the potential to surpass his past accomplishments and positively impact millions of children, leading him to prioritize it above all other activities. Outside of his business endeavors, Goth enjoys skiing, golf, and watching his wife compete in performance horse jumping.

Connect with Jay:

• Burble Creativity: https://www.burblecreativity.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaygoth/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• All listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
• Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost

Mike and Chaya kick off Season 2 by welcoming Shane Currin, a mental health advocate, writer, and podcast host of Diamonds in the Rough. Shane shares his powerful story of overcoming addiction, navigating bipolar disorder, and finding purpose through vulnerability and service. Together, they unpack the challenges and gifts of being neurodivergent, offering insights for parents, individuals, and anyone seeking growth in the face of adversity.

We Also Cover:

• Shane’s journey to building self-awareness.
• The connection between bipolar traits and untapped genius.
• Practical advice for parents raising neurodivergent kids.
• Breaking the stigma around addiction and mental health.
• The power of embracing imperfections in a judgmental world.

Quotes:

• "I got into this weird state of introspection and had this epiphany that I was designed this way to help others. I visit the dark often, so I know the way out and I can show other people that way."
• “For any neurodivergent listening to this, I would say, discover yourself—discover the things that calm you down, discover the people that will be there for you.”
• "I have a great brain, but as good as it is, it has the potential to be very detrimental. It's like if Superman was powered by kryptonite"

Shane Currin is a passionate mental health advocate and wayfinder of neurodiversity. He is a suicide survivor and has been in addiction recovery for ten years. As a neurodivergent individual himself, Shane's personal journey informs his advocacy work, allowing him to connect deeply with the experiences of others. His commitment to ending mental health stigma drives his efforts to create a welcoming community for open discussions about mental health.

Connect with Shane:

• https://www.soulegria.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-currin-4977a4a6/

Further Reading:

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dont-call-me-troubled-livedlabeled-experience-before-during-currin-fyq7c
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/silent-night-unseen-fright-emotional-weight-holidays-shane-currin-i7dxc/
• https://lionsgaterehab.com/2020/08/07/recovery-from-substance-abuse-requires-a-healthy-support-system/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• All listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
• Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost

Mike and Chaya conclude Spark Launch's first season by sitting down with Dr. Jeff Karp, a biomedical engineer, Harvard Medical School and MIT professor, and passionate neurodiversity advocate. Dr. Karp shares how he went from struggling student to noted innovator with over 175 published papers and 100 patents, calling attention to the ways traditional educational systems fail to support ADHD children and how families can counteract it.

We Also Cover:

• Importance of daily rituals for mental wellness
• The vitalness of parental support for neurodivergent children
• Importance of personalized education
• AI tools for neurodiverse students
• The "Pendulum Lifestyle" for personal growth
• How to best nurture areas of interest in children
• Dr. Karp's "LIT: Life Ignition Tools" book and framework
• The significance of self-reflection practices
• Finding mental rejuvenation with ADHD
• Embracing the power of pausing

Quotes:

• "I feel like I was the kid who always had to work, like, two or three times harder than everybody else."
• "Someone asked me, 'Oh, what do you want to be when you grow up?' And I said, 'A doctor.' And they said, 'Oh, you better set your sights lower.'"
• "Once you can connect with what you naturally hyperfocus on what naturally excites you and what you don't have to force, that's where the magic starts to happen."

About Jeff Karp:

Dr. Jeff Karp is a professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto. His life experiences with learning differences, particularly ADHD, have deeply influenced his work and advocacy. He focuses on developing innovative solutions to medical challenges, applying nature-inspired strategies and fostering neurodiversity awareness in education.

Connect with Jeff:

• https://jeffkarp.com/
• Purchase "Life Ignition Tools": https://www.harpercollins.com/products/lit-life-ignition-tools-jeff-karpteresa-barker
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkarpboston/
• https://www.karplab.net/
• https://x.com/MrJeffKarp
• https://www.instagram.com/mrjeffkarp/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• All listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
• Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost