Resilience Coaching Collective

Note: This episode was recorded in 2025, the language used during the session was Tag-Lish (a combination of “Tagalog, main language in the Philippines, and English”).

In this special Autism Awareness Month episode of Coaching for Change, we take a deep dive into the intersection of autism and mental health, and why it’s time to move beyond labels and focus on individual experiences, needs, and strengths.

We’ll explore the misconceptions, stigma, and systemic challenges that autistic individuals often face, especially when it comes to co-occurring mental health conditions. This epi...

This episode was a recap from November 02, 2025.

Explore BTS beyond the beats with Mina L. Sayson! From their 2013 Bulletproof Boy Scouts debut to the minimalist 2017 rebrand (“BTS is ARMY, ARMY is BTS”), learn about member origins (RM, the underground rap prodigy, Jungkook, the golden maknae, V, the idol of idols) and four epic album eras.

School Trilogy → teen rebellion (N.O.: chase your dreams)

HYYH → youth in limboLove Yourself → self-love vs. toxic romance (Idol: artist or sellout? Own it.)Map of the Soul → Jung’s persona, shado...

Please note: 

Before we jump in, we want to name our intention: this is a learning conversation grounded in lived experience. We’re not here to judge people or businesses—our goal is to identify what helps, what gets in the way, and how small changes can improve comfort, dignity, and inclusion across the community.

This episode was from a workshop organized by Behavioral Teaching Solutions (BTS) LLC on April 28, 2026, as part of the Autism Awareness Month celebration, with the support of the Patterson Foundation through Remake Learning Days and Art Avenu...

This podcast episode is a raw, heart-open unfiltered conversation that cuts through the noise, hosted by Maribel “Belle” Stikeleather, Certified Resilience Coach, behavior scientist (BCBA, QBA, LBA-NY), PhD candidate in Applied Behavior Analysis, and founder of Behavioral Teaching Solutions—joined by Dr. Todd Maugans, MD, retired pediatric neurosurgeon whose decades as professor, chief of pediatric neurosurgery, and compassionate clinician gave him a front-row seat to neurodiversity’s real lives.

With autistic and neurodivergent adult voices, we dive into the unvarnished truth: daily wins/struggles, non-“standard” communication styles, the power of detailed gui...

Fear, struggle, and acceptance—these are universal experiences that music can heal, transform, and even save us. In this episode, join our neurodivergent co-hosts and a seasoned resilience coach as they explore the powerful role music plays in building resilience and connection. It's not just noise—it's medicine for the soul, designed specifically for YOU.

Imagine discovering how legendary musicians—Mozart, Bowie, David Byrne—may have been neurodivergent, and how their unique minds shaped their art and well-being. Our co-hosts share personal insights on how music influences mood, relieves stress, and offers catharsis for those dealing with trauma o...

In this powerful webinar replay from Resilience Coaching Collective, join Belle Stikeleather (BCBA & resilience coach) and special guest Sarah, autistic, deaf, non-binary occupational therapist, educator, author, and disability advocate—for a heartfelt, identity-affirming conversation on neurodivergent relationships, intimacy, and building nourishing connections.

Sarah shares her journey as a queer, non-binary, autistic advocate (including her historic role as the first openly autistic and deaf person elected to government in the U.S.), while exploring:

What makes relationships truly nourishing: felt safety, consent, reciprocity, regulated communication, and explicit expectations.All relationship types are valid, no hierarchy: fr...

In this engaging conversation, retired General Gregg Martin joins a diverse group of individuals to discuss the complexities of neurodivergence, particularly focusing on autism and bipolar disorder. Each participant shares their personal experiences, highlighting the challenges and strengths associated with their diagnoses. Greg emphasizes the importance of understanding neurodivergence not just as a set of challenges but as a spectrum that includes unique strengths and abilities. The discussion also touches on the societal perceptions of mental health, the stigma surrounding it, and the importance of community support in navigating these experiences. The group reflects on the nuances of identity...

In this heartfelt webinar replay from Resilience Coaching Collective, host Belle Stikeleather (BCBA & resilience coach) welcomes Sunny & Johnny Tran from San Diego to share their inspiring story of raising their autistic daughter Kyla (now 15), alongside her two siblings.

From early red flags at age 2 (limited eye contact, pointing, and response to name) to diagnosis, intensive early intervention, and years of collaboration with Belle’s team, Sunny & Johnny reflect on:

Embracing neurodiversity: viewing autism as part of Kyla’s unique personality (“icing on the cake”) rather than something to “fix.”Practical strategies: visual cues, timers, choice board...

In this candid, hopeful open forum from Resilience Coaching Collective, host Belle Stikeleather (BCBA & resilience coach) welcomes Dr. David Bergmark (founder of Waypoints ABA) for a deep dive into systemic challenges and practical, strength-based strategies for neurodivergent individuals and families navigating parenting, transitions to adulthood, and inclusive employment. Joined by autistic co-hosts (Aaron, Pao, Alex) and inspiring parents (Becky, Tambria, Danny), the discussion covers:

Low employment rates (14% of autistic adults in the U.S. hold full-time jobs) and barriers like stigma, support gaps, rigid systems, and long waitlists for benefits.Real-life transition challenges (planning independence, Medicaid...

In this raw, heart-pounding during one of the Spectrum Speaks coaching sessions, facilitated by certified BCBA, resilience coach, and neurodiversity advocate Belle Stikeleather (Founder, Behavioral Teaching Solutions & Spectrum Speaks), autistic contributors Aaron, Mina, Alex, and the team dive deep into the emotions society fears: anger as a signal for injustice, sadness as grief from betrayal, and frustration from one-way communication breakdowns.

“If you get really angry, that’s often a sign… legitimate injustices.” – Aaron drops truth bombs on why suppressing emotions worsens everything. 

Mina wrestl...

Sarah Selvaggi Hernandez, the first openly autistic Deaf elected official, shares her 2017 win, 2024 lawsuit victory for disabled communication rights, and “Living Sensory.” Daily sensory strategies to sustain advocacy without burnout. Sensory needs are neurological necessities, not luxuries. With just $10 from her settlement, she fueled joy and resilience. Learn to build your sensory toolkit, prevent overload, and thrive while fighting injustice.

Key Takeaway: Honor your senses with $10 or $0 to live a regulated, joyful, and impactful life.

Click this link for more information about the lawsuit.

Connect: li...

Autism Awareness Month (April 2025): Launching of Spectrum Speaks (with Aaron, Pao, & Sarah)

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, this special episode of Coaching for Change dives into a powerful and often overlooked topic: masking - the act of camouflaging or suppressing one’s autistic traits to fit in with societal expectations.

Join our keynote speaker, one of our co-host,  Aaron Freed, a neurodivergent writer with Behavioral Teaching Solutions, as he shares his lived experiences and insights on the emotional toll, psychological impact, and social pressure that come with masking.

Whether you’re au...

In this episode of Coaching for Change, we explore the Constructional Approach, a powerful framework developed by Dr. Israel Goldiamond (1974, 2002) that shifts the focus from eliminating problems to building meaningful skills and behaviors. Instead of asking, “How do I stop this?”, we ask:

Where do you want to go?Where are you right now? How will you get there?How will your goals be maintained?

Additional Questions by Coach Bella:

What are the barriers?Why is this important to you?

We’ll discuss practic...

In this foundational episode (recorded 2025 as the intro to “Coaching for Change”), host Belle Stikeleather (BCBA, QBA, LBA-NY) opens up about her unexpected path to becoming a resilience coach and behavior scientist. From studying diplomacy and international relations to working aboard a luxury cruise ship, teaching in the UAE, discovering the Competent Learner Model (CLM) Program, earning her BCBA certification, and now pursuing a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with a focus on coaching and global dissemination, Belle shares the pivots, realizations, and values that shaped her mission.

This episode explores:

•  How cross-c...

Welcome to Resilience Coaching Collective!

Note: This episode was recorded in 2025 under the working title ‘Coaching for Change.’ The heart, mission, and content remain the same—now fully embodied as Resilience Coaching Collective.

 (Recorded in 2025 as the intro to “Coaching for Change” — this timeless episode shares the original vision that evolved into our current name and mission.)

In this heartfelt introduction, host Belle Stikeleather (BCBA & resilience coach) shares her journey and the podcast’s foundation: evidence-based, constructional approaches to lasting behavior change through coaching and behavioral science.

We explore buil...