Elizabeth Mahusay is passionate about thought transformation. Through her writing, speaking, and accountability groups, she helps individuals and organizations identify the foundational thoughts that form the basis of their beliefs, reject those that have a negative impact, and replace them with thoughts that lead to personal as well as organizational change.
All content for Thinking That Matters with Elizabeth Mahusay is the property of Elizabeth Mahusay and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Elizabeth Mahusay is passionate about thought transformation. Through her writing, speaking, and accountability groups, she helps individuals and organizations identify the foundational thoughts that form the basis of their beliefs, reject those that have a negative impact, and replace them with thoughts that lead to personal as well as organizational change.
#132 Navigating Neurodiversity- Shifting the Way We See Autism with Samar Waqar
Thinking That Matters with Elizabeth Mahusay
30 minutes 25 seconds
3 months ago
#132 Navigating Neurodiversity- Shifting the Way We See Autism with Samar Waqar
What if the real transformation doesn't begin with action, but with how we think? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Samar Waqar—founder of Kind Theory—to unpack how one autism diagnosis changed everything. But not in the way you might expect. Samar shares her deeply personal story: from navigating multiple career shifts across continents, to the moment she realized her son’s diagnosis wasn’t a tragedy—but a clue to a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. With clarity and conviction, she challenges the default narratives around autism, inclusion, and competence, offering a refreshingly empowering framework that every parent, educator, and leader needs to hear. What You’ll Learn: How shifting your thinking from “diagnosis” to “neurotype” changes everything Why true inclusion goes beyond therapy—and starts with redesigning the environment A real-world example of what “building the ramp” for neurodivergent individuals looks like How imposter syndrome shows up in marginalized identities—and how to dismantle it The science-backed reason your thinking patterns shape your life results Why presuming competence should be the new default in every interaction Samar’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and radical perspective shifts—and the ripple effect it’s creating through Kind Theory is just the beginning. About Samar Waqar: Samar Waqar is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and the founder of Kind Theory, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. Originally from Pakistan and now based in Texas, Samar brings a global perspective shaped by her diverse career in education, business, and social impact. Her personal journey as a mother and a neurodivergent individual fuels her mission to shift the narrative from sympathy to strength and from diagnosis to understanding. About Kind Theory: Kind Theory is a nonprofit organization focused on making the world more accessible for neurodivergent individuals. Through education, advocacy, and customized support, Kind Theory helps communities move beyond therapy-based solutions and toward systemic inclusion. Their work empowers families, educators, and organizations to build environments where everyone can thrive. Connect with Samar: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samar.waqar Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarwaqar/ Learn More About Kind Theory: Website: https://www.facebook.com/kindtheoryorg Email: talktous@kindtheory.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindtheoryorg 💡 Join the Women Growth Group for live, in-person training that empowers your potential and connects you with a vibrant community of growth-minded women! https://linktr.ee/gowithelizabeth Meet Elizabeth Mahusay: Elizabeth Mahusay is a coach, speaker, and author passionate about helping people transform their thinking and live with purpose. A former chemistry educator turned leadership coach, she has trained thousands to overcome limiting beliefs and grow personally and professionally. Elizabeth is a certified keynote speaker with Southwestern Consulting and author of Pick Your Path. She lives in Allen, Texas, with her husband of 28 years, Fred, and they have two adult sons. Stay connected with Elizabeth on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbmahusay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebmahusay/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethMahusay Website: https://elizabethmahusay.com/
Thinking That Matters with Elizabeth Mahusay
Elizabeth Mahusay is passionate about thought transformation. Through her writing, speaking, and accountability groups, she helps individuals and organizations identify the foundational thoughts that form the basis of their beliefs, reject those that have a negative impact, and replace them with thoughts that lead to personal as well as organizational change.