In Episode 5 of MiND Stim, Jacques sits down with Arber Ismaili, a 20-year-old autistic advocate and soon-to-be degree apprentice at HSBC, to explore what it means to embrace difference, lead with positivity, and build real community online and off.

Part lived experience, part playbook, this conversation gets specific: stimming without shame, masking and why suppression backfires, inclusive hiring that brings out strengths, and practical advice for social platforms. Arber shares how consistency and authenticity build trust, how to handle trolls, and why small, sensory-aware events can be more inclusive than large, noisy rooms.

They also dig into the less-talked-about pieces: the social rules that trip people up, turn-taking and time limits on the mic, the feeling of isolation at school, and how choice and clarity lower stress and reveal strength.

Arber reflects on early speech and language therapy, finding his voice on LinkedIn, and the role of support from Radical in preparing for interviews. His message to hiring teams is simple and actionable: “Treat them like they’re people, not numbers.”

Arber’s story runs from shy school years to an HSBC offer in private banking, with a steady thread of self-acceptance, community, and courage. It closes with the spirit that defines him: “Never forget what cosmic, shining, gleaming stars you are.”

🎧 Tune in for grounded advice, myth-busting, and immediately usable steps for leaders, teams, event hosts, and neurodivergent professionals alike.