What does real allyship for neurodivergent people actually look like?

It starts long before a crisis, and Jennifer Kaufman makes the case for why schools, families, and first responders need to change now - not after something goes wrong.

Jennifer is a New Jersey school principal, author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk, and the creator of First Response Autism, where she trains police officers and emergency personnel to respond more safely to autistic individuals.

In this conversation with Sai Marie Johnson and Beverly L. Anderson, she shares how becoming an autistic grandparent transformed the way she leads, listens, and advocates.

You’ll discover:

• Why awareness without action changes nothing for the child who needs help today
• How crisis responses designed for neurotypical people can escalate an autistic person’s distress
• What first responders should do differently when voices, touch, and rapid-fire commands make things worse
• Why grandparents are often a missing support system in autism families, and why they need resources too
• How empathy becomes protection at scale when it shapes school policy, not just good intentions

Sai and Bev press Jennifer on the difference between performative allyship and the kind that shows up in policy, training, and follow-through. Jennifer also shares the deeply personal side of her work, from advocating for her own grandson to helping educators and officers build safer, more humane systems for neurodivergent people.

Pick up Jennifer Kaufman's book, Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey From Both Sides of the Desk , or visit her website, First Response Autism.

In this episode of Around the Table with the AOTR, Bev and Sai sit down for a special, heartfelt tribute celebrating the extraordinary lives, legacies, and advocacy of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry.

Together, they honor two generational icons who reshaped culture—reflecting on Dolly’s fierce generosity and global literacy work, Tim’s legendary artistry and unwavering resilience, and the unforgettable joy both brought to the world.

Tune in tonight as they celebrate their boundary-pushing impact, celebrate the light they gave us, and share meaningful ways to carry their spirit forward!

📚 Honor their memory & support their causes:

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (Inspiring childhood literacy): imaginationlibrary.com

• Entertainment Community Fund (Supporting performing arts professionals): entertainmentcommunity.org

• American Stroke Association (Advancing stroke research & survivor support): stroke.org

• The Stroke Association UK (Supporting stroke rehabilitation & prevention): stroke.org.uk

In this episode of Around the Table with the AOTR, Bev and Sai sit down with author Wren Valentino for a deeply moving session on reclaiming your story and standing firm in your truth.

Wren brings an uncompromising voice to the table, challenging writers and truth-tellers alike to strip away surface-level performance and embrace the heavy, transformative weight of their words.

Tune in tonight for a fearless, inspiring discussion, and get ready to dive into Wren’s unyielding literary work!

📚 Explore & grab your copies of Wren’s books here: ⁠wrenvalentino.com

In this episode of Around the Table with the AOTR, Bev and Sai sit down with Savannah Hauk—LGBTQIA+ author, speaker, and advocate—for an open, insightful conversation exploring the real nuances of gender-dualing, crossdressing, and transgender identity.

Savannah isn’t just a guest; she’s a visionary whose honest storytelling offers a fresh, necessary perspective on self-acceptance, identity, and personal truth.

Through her work, she strips away surface-level stereotypes to uncover the hard-won insights that help people understand both themselves and the spectrum of gender expression.

Tune in tonight for an authentic, eye-opening dialogue, and explore Savannah’s transformative books—including Living with Crossdressing and Gender 101!

📚 Explore & grab your copies of Savannah’s books here: livingwithcrossdressing.com

Happy July and Disability Pride Month!

In this episode of Around the Table with the AOTR, Bev and Sai sit down with Glenn Beechy, an inspiring thinker and leader, as he explores the complexities of purpose, community, and what it truly means to drive meaningful impact in today's world.

Glenn is not just a guest; he's a visionary whose unique journey offers a fresh perspective on how we connect.

Glenn's thoughtful approach to leadership enables him to convey profound truths through honest storytelling, emphasizing that true success is built on shared values and intentional living.

In this interview, Bev and Sai strip away the surface level to uncover the hard-won insights and core principles that guide Glenn's path.

By focusing on the strength of community and individual purpose, Glenn seeks to inspire a shift toward more conscious, value-driven leadership.

Tune in tonight for an episode packed with authentic dialogue, sharp perspectives, and inspiration for anyone looking to live and lead with intention.

Happy July and Disability Pride Month!

In this episode, Bev and Sai sit down with Joseph M. Lenard, a number-one bestseller and political philosopher, as he explores the complexities of being human and the intersection of faith and law in politics.

Joseph M. Lenard is not just an author; he's a multifaceted thinker whose works span topics ranging from terrorism to extraterrestrial life. His unique approach to writing, where dreams inspire narratives, allows him to convey profound truths through storytelling. He emphasizes that his books, despite their varied themes, share a common thread: the exploration of life and living.

One of Lenard's notable contributions is the term "Christitutionalist." He explains that this concept bridges the gap between ancient faith and constitutional law, focusing on empowering the people rather than the government.

By promoting individual freedoms and a biblical foundation, Lenard seeks to heal the political divide, encouraging discussions that prioritize character over party affiliation.

In today’s literary landscape, navigating the realms of storytelling can often feel daunting, especially when we grapple with personal experiences and societal expectations. In this episode of ATTAOTR, Bev & Sai delve into the insights shared by prolific writer J.S. Nathaniel, whose work invites readers into spaces that are both familiar and entirely new.

J.S. Nathaniel's writing is deeply rooted in his early childhood fascinations and lived experiences. He emphasizes that his characters choose him rather than the other way around. This character-driven approach allows his stories to flow naturally, reflecting genuine human emotions and struggles.

Nathaniel’s philosophy is clear: "I don’t really choose the characters. The characters choose me."

Tune in to hear his reflections on craft, storytelling, Gothic literature, and art.

When unexpected scheduling conflicts shift the plan, the conversation doesn't stop—it deepens. In this special solo episode of Around the Table with the AOTR, host Sai Marie Johnson steps up to the mic for an honest, unfiltered look at the high-stakes reality of modern advocacy.

We map out the intersectionality of extreme public pressure and internal movement dynamics, examining the macro-level legal battles surrounding figures like Jake Lang and the intense daily realities on the ground for Dave the Viking. Sai correlates these high-pressure environments with the recent wave of burnout hitting dedicated advocates like Jolly and Echo, breaking down exactly why so many are choosing to step back.

This episode is a critical look at the dysfunctional mechanics that can tear grassroots spaces apart from the inside out, and a necessary reminder of why drawing hard, uncompromising boundaries around your time, labor, and peace isn't a betrayal of the cause—it’s the only way to survive it.

Tune in for a raw, grounded discussion on self-preservation in the trenches.

URGENT MUTUAL AID CALL

Our community needs help.

Sai is still fighting the legal battle from injuries sustained at the MDC. If you feel inclined to donate toward her aid -

You can donate directly to Sai:

Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/u/SAI_MARIE⁠⁠⁠⁠

CashApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cash.app/$SAIMARIEJOHNSON⁠⁠⁠⁠

BuyMeACoffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/saimarie⁠⁠⁠⁠

BEV’S HEALING JOURNEY

Bev is recovering from surgery and needs our high-vibe support.

• Follow Bev's Teal Journey Updates: 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Day 1: Beginning a Journey I Never Wanted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Support Bev's Recovery: Help ease the burden of medical costs via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bev's Cancer Journey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.