Ben VanHook's guest appearances

Ben VanHook

Beyond 6 Seconds

Autism Stories

OwlTail

"I'm an autistic, Asian-American, Jewish adoptee. This is something that makes me unique, it makes me feel special that I'm part of a few different, select communities. But it can also be really overwhelming and exhausting, because I feel, especially in this day and age, I'm constantly fighting for my right to coexist peacefully as a human being. I feel like when one identity isn't attacked, another is. I kind of feel like a boxer that's constantly being beaten down. If one identity isn't punched down, another is, and having to just find the strength to get back up each day", says Ben Vanhook. Ben joins this episode to discuss the impact of intersectional identities on his autistic experience and how developing autistic community has positively impact his life. To learn more about Ben visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-vanhook-970041168/. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"I'm an autistic, Asian-American, Jewish adoptee. This is something that makes me unique, it makes me feel special that I'm part of a few different, select communities. But it can also be really overwhelming and exhausting, because I feel, especially in this day and age, I'm constantly fighting for my right to coexist peacefully as a human being. I feel like when one identity isn't attacked, another is. I kind of feel like a boxer that's constantly being beaten down. If one identity isn't punched down, another is, and having to just find the strength to get back up each day", says Ben Vanhook. Ben joins this episode to discuss the impact of intersectional identities on his autistic experience and how developing autistic community has positively impact his life. To learn more about Ben visit <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-vanhook-970041168/" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-vanhook-970041168/</a>. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit <a href="https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com</a>. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Autism Stories: Ben Vanhook

Ben VanHook is an autistic master’s degree student studying public policy at George Mason University, with the hopes of reforming employment and education policy to make them more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals. Ben's passion for creating a more inclusive world stems from his own experiences as an autistic Jewish Asian American adoptee and has led to him speaking and presenting to employers, professors, researchers and self-advocates in the United States and abroad. During this episode, you will hear Ben talk about:  How he learned he was autistic while he was in high school The challenges he faced coming from China to the United States as an adoptee His insights about the intersections of his identities as an autistic, Jewish, Asian American adoptee How posting on LinkedIn led him to become a neurodiversity advocate and public speaker on the intersections of autism, race and religion His role in a TV documentary about intersectionality between race and autism  His thoughts on supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace and in their careers What are the main goals for his advocacy   To learn more about Ben and his advocacy:  Follow him on LinkedIn  Watch the PBS documentary episode that featured him: “A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity - Neurodivergence and People of Color” See his United Nations presentation about Autistic perspectives on Policy and Advocacy for 2023 World Autism Awareness Day  Listener shout-outs! A big THANK YOU to Elaine A. and Dan G. for supporting this podcast on BuyMeACoffee.com!  Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode! Watch the video of this interview on YouTube! Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes! Read the episode transcript. *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.*

Ben VanHook is an autistic master’s degree student studying public policy at George Mason University, with the hopes of reforming employment and education policy to make them more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals. Ben's passion for creating a more inclusive world stems from his own experiences as an autistic Jewish Asian American adoptee and has led to him speaking and presenting to employers, professors, researchers and self-advocates in the United States and abroad. During this episode, you will hear Ben talk about: <ul> <li>How he learned he was autistic while he was in high school</li> <li>The challenges he faced coming from China to the United States as an adoptee</li> <li>His insights about the intersections of his identities as an autistic, Jewish, Asian American adoptee</li> <li>How posting on LinkedIn led him to become a neurodiversity advocate and public speaker on the intersections of autism, race and religion</li> <li>His role in a TV documentary about intersectionality between race and autism </li> <li>His thoughts on supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace and in their careers</li> <li>What are the main goals for his advocacy </li> </ul> To learn more about Ben and his advocacy: <ul> <li>Follow him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-vanhook-970041168/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </li> <li>Watch the PBS documentary episode that featured him: “<a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/neurodivergence-and-people-of-color-fzwbu4/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity - Neurodivergence and People of Color</a>”</li> <li>See his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Znivn_tcI&amp;t=1031s" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">United Nations presentation about Autistic perspectives on Policy and Advocacy</a> for 2023 World Autism Awareness Day</li> </ul> Listener shout-outs! A big THANK YOU to Elaine A. and Dan G. for supporting this podcast on <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beyond6seconds" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">BuyMeACoffee.com</a>!  Support this podcast at <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beyond6seconds" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds</a> and get a shout-out on a future episode! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTyofGfL64g" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!</a> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!</a> <a href="https://carolynkiel.com/podcast/intersections-autistic-asian-american-jewish-identities-ben-vanhook" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Read the episode transcript.</a> *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.*