In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri interviews Rebecca Engel, a neurodivergent educator, author, and advocate who has turned her early life challenges into a global platform for change.

Rebecca shares her extraordinary journey from silence to self-expression, having been non-verbal until the age of four. She discusses overcoming early predictions from doctors and defying limitations to achieve her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education. Her mission is to use her voice to promote empathy, mental health, and true inclusion for all.

We dive deep into how creativity, self-expression, and academic rigor intersect with the disability and media landscape:

• Dismantling Harmful Education Practices: Rebecca details her efforts to expose and replace outdated practices in special education, including a critique of systems based on operant conditioning and the Skinner’s box theory.
• The Power of Empathy and Voice: We explore her children's book, Step into My Shoes, which aims to help kids with disabilities see themselves represented as whole capable people. The book’s core message is that inclusion isn't pity; it's power.
• Creativity as Regulation: Learn about her creative platform, Stitches and Stanzas (which blends writing, poetry, and fiber art).
• Media Representation: Rebecca provides an expert analysis of common misconceptions about autism.

This episode is a profound reminder that creativity and empathy can be such powerful tools for connection and understanding.If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to be notified of future episodes. You can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow us on Instagram @letstalkmediava.