Heart Centered Connections: Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive

Heart Centered Connections: Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive

From Spotlight on the Community by Cloudcast

May 8, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

Dr. Niki Elliot and Reverend Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun discuss building neuro-inclusive communities for marginalized children.

Dr. Niki Elliot, Director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity (CEEN) at USD, and Reverend Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, Co-Pastor of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, discuss Heart Centered Connections and building neuro-inclusive communities. They explore how to reduce school and foster placement breakdowns, and how the community can champion neurodiversity. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years. "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local. For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. About Mission Fed Credit Union A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community , helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations. For more information on the many…

People in this episode

Host: Drew Schlosberg

Guests: Dr. Niki Elliot, Reverend Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun

Topics covered

  • neurodiversity
  • community building
  • education
  • inclusivity
  • support for marginalized children

Keywords

  • neurodiversity
  • community support
  • education breakdowns
  • inclusivity
  • marginalized children

Sponsors

Mission Fed Credit Union

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Spotlight On The Community, Cloudcast Media

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