Mike and Chaya sit down with author J.D. Barker, known for his gripping suspense thrillers, who reveals how being on the autism spectrum has shaped his career. Discover how neurodiversity fuels creativity as he shares his journey from ghostwriter to NYT bestseller, his lifelong passion for storytelling, and how to find your own 'superpower'.We Also Cover:The Importance of Supportive RelationshipsLater In Life Autism DiagnosisHow Autistic Mirroring Aids in GhostwritingStepping Out of Comfort ZonesThe Influence of Neurodivergent Thinking on Plot CreationFinding Ways to Ground Yourself to Avoid HyperfocusNurturing Creative Outlets at an Early AgeHis Autism AdvocacyWhy AI Cannot Replicate the Human ExperienceQuotes:"The more often I did something, as uncomfortable as it might be, like putting myself in a social situation, the easier it got.""I realized that I could take something that some people would see as a negative and basically turn it into a positive.""It takes a lot to walk away from one path, to get on your own path. It takes a lot of guts to do that."About J.D. Barker:J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL, the wildly popular 4MK series, and frequently collaborates with James Patterson. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter, helping others fine tune their writing for publication. He would continue in this profession until 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken. Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt (of King’s Needful Things) in the novel. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.Connect with J.D.:https://jdbarker.com/https://www.facebook.com/therealjdbarkerhttps://www.instagram.com/jdbarker_author/https://x.com/jdbarkerhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jdbarker_authorhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B005FCUYU4https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8224327.J_D_Barkerhttps://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/featured Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Mindshttps://play.sparkade.app/Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive.Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time.Available soon on iOS and Android.  -  Play on any tablet or phone.Stay Connected:Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunchMike on Instagram: @followshisghostMike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- First Session Free:https://followyourghostcoach.com/As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.