Ever feel like everyone else got a social manual you never received? Christopher Carazas joins us to talk about discovering he’s autistic at 35, after years of “passing” through school, work, and life across multiple continents. What starts as a story about diagnosis becomes a deeper look at masking, self-worth, and how seeing your wiring clearly can change everything.

We trace his childhood through Latin America and West Africa, where forgiving international schools made quirks easier to hide but didn’t solve the puzzle of sensory overwhelm, blunt honesty, or last-minute plan changes that knocked him off balance. Christopher explains how praise for the “polished” student was often applause for the mask, not the person. He also shares the flip side: fast pattern recognition, languages that unlocked global work, and the empathy that felt big inside but didn’t always translate into words. Together we break down the moments that finally made autism make sense, why ADHD alone didn’t explain the full picture, and how a name can turn shame into strategy.

We get practical for listeners who suspect they—or someone they love—might be on the spectrum. From accessible online screening tools and school counselors to toolkits from Autism Speaks, we outline first steps that can lead to better support. Christopher offers grounded advice for teens and adults in places where awareness is still low: accept yourself first, then build simple systems for routines, sensory boundaries, and clear communication. We zoom out to show the broader value of neurodivergence—out-of-the-box thinking that powers engineering, social impact, media, and public service—and spotlight his book, Now That I’m Still Here, which chronicles late diagnosis, surviving abuse, and rebuilding with purpose.

The heart of the conversation is a challenge and an invitation: blending in can hold you back when your edge is the way you think. If you’re tired of spending your energy on masking, this is a path toward clarity, language, and leverage. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what mask are you ready to drop?

🔗 Connect with Christopher Carazas:

http://chriscarazas.com/

http://substack.com/@ccarazas

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Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive!

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Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com

I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog!
Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog

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What if the difference between chaos and clarity is just one breath? We sit down with 13-year-old TEDx speaker Vihan Reddy, whose calm response during a terrifying accident—a car running over his foot—reveals how a simple method can reshape choices under pressure. Vihan walks us through PACE: Pause, Assess, Choose, Engage. It’s a clean, four-step framework that turns raw emotion into practical action, whether you’re melting down during practice, stuck on a test question, or trying to repair a friendship after a heated argument.

Together, we unpack how the pause creates space to think, and why assessment is more about noticing the one fix that matters than overanalyzing. Vihan shares how a single coaching cue—maxing the wrist on a forehand—transformed his tennis form, and how that same lens works outside sports. We talk about the hidden cost of lashing out, how panic multiplies pain, and the surprisingly powerful skill of letting wisdom in without swallowing everything you hear. You’ll hear clear examples of PACE at work: taking a breath instead of smashing a racket, filtering distractions while studying, and choosing a steady response when emotions surge.

The conversation turns practical fast: how to practice PACE before the moment, build a reliable mental filter, and set boundaries with friends while staying kind. If you’ve ever wished you could hit reset when you feel yourself tipping over the edge, this is your playbook—short, memorable, and grounded in real life from a voice wise beyond his years.

Listen now, try PACE this week, and tell us where it changed your outcome. If the story resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Connect with Vihaan Reddy:

reddygvihaan@gmail.com

Watch his TEDx Talk:

https://www.fatimabey.com/119

Send us an anonymous text message

Support the show

Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive!

Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search

Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com

I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog!
Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog

Join the MindShift Universe—where real conversations spark transformation!

Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492

Thank you for listening!

What if a child’s “hobby” could earn real money, build real confidence, and spark real change in a community? We sit down with Leah K. Ellis—author and founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs—to explore how kids as young as six can learn entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy by selling real products to real customers and keeping the revenue. Leah shares the powerful story of a shy ten-year-old pin-maker who found her voice, landed consignment in local shops, and joined a junior board after discovering the mission behind her work: a pin can be a quiet way to say who you are.

Leah’s own journey starts with a flooded home, a pandemic shutdown, and a four-year-old who watched business trainings and asked to start a company. That moment reframed what’s possible when we put meaningful material in front of kids. We unpack why media diets shape ambition, why the first non-family sale is a pivotal milestone, and how practical skills—pricing, marketing, customer conversations—become a training ground for resilience and identity. Leah outlines her expanding ecosystem: Astra and Zeke, a story-led book that will grow into a 36-part, school-year curriculum, and Sochi Circle, a new online platform for global camaraderie, mentorship, and friendly competition among young founders.

You’ll also hear clear guidance for schools, homeschool co-ops, and community leaders: listen first, avoid cookie-cutter programs, and let youth define the problems they want to solve. For teens, Leah makes a bold appeal to resist apathy and speak up where your voice will be heard. For adults, the invitation is simple—support with time, talent, and treasure, and help put tools in the hands of kids who are ready to build.

If this conversation inspires you, share it with a parent, teacher, or teen who needs a nudge to start. Subscribe for more mind-shifting stories, leave a review to help others find us, and tell us: what problem would you solve if you started today?

🔗 Connect with Leah K. Ellis

https://leahkellis.com/

https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/

https://www.skool.com/socecircle

Send us an anonymous text message

Support the show

Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive!

Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search

Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com

I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog!
Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog

Join the MindShift Universe—where real conversations spark transformation!

Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492

Thank you for listening!