There is Purpose in your pain and Hope in your Journey from trauma to healing.

Ann Kagarise
and Real Talk with Tina and Ann

A mental health, autism podcast/speaker on becoming your best self

Named one of the most inspiring stories with Autism

Welcome to Annkagarise's Motivational Speaking page

Invite Ann to Speak at Your Event
Ann is an Autism and Neurodivergent Advocate who brings both expertise and lived experience to the stage. As a mom raising kids on the spectrum and with FASD, she knows firsthand what it means to fight for services, navigate complex school systems, and challenge “the way it’s always been done” to make sure every child gets what they need to thrive.

Whether she’s speaking to parents, educators, or professionals, Ann inspires audiences to see beyond labels, break barriers, and believe that every child deserves a chance to succeed—no exceptions.

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Inspiring Change with Annkagarise

Unlock Your Full Potential with Annkagarise's Motivational Speaking

Ann’s story is built on grit, heart, and determination. She was adopted as a child and lost her adoptive father at the age of eleven. From a young age, she knew that if she wanted to make it, she would have to figure it out on her own.

When her parents were told in kindergarten that she would never graduate through a traditional route, Ann proved everyone wrong by earning a master’s degree. She taught herself how to learn and refused to let limits define her.

She was told she would never hit a ball because her eyes do not converge and she has no depth perception, yet she hit home runs. Riding a bike was difficult, so she practiced until she could ride a unicycle in parades. Every “you can’t” became something she would prove she could do.

Today, Ann is the co-host of Real Talk with Tina and Ann, a podcast that has reached over five million listeners and continues to grow. She and Tina have real, honest conversations about mental health, trauma, overcoming challenges, and living with neurodivergence.

Invite Ann to speak on your podcast or event for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, strength, and the power of never giving up. She loves connecting with others and sharing her story to inspire hope and courage in anyone facing hard things.

Podcast every Wednesday

Real Talk with Tina and Ann isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. Broadcasting weekly on radio and TV across Atlanta, Colorado, the Bronx (NY), New Mexico, San Antonio (TX), San Francisco (CA), Fairfax/DC, Florida WZQR, and streaming on every major podcast platform, we bring powerful conversations straight to you, wherever you are.

Every episode, hosts Tina and Ann open the door to raw, honest dialogue on the issues that matter most—trauma, grief, abuse, autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, caregiving, and mental health. Our guests include bestselling authors, fierce advocates, and change-makers who share their stories of struggle, resilience, and triumph.

What sets us apart? We don’t just talk about survival—we talk about thriving. We spotlight the voices that need to be heard, shining light on the journeys that remind us we are never alone.

The story of Real Talk began in an unexpected place: a courtroom. Tina and Ann first met while covering a murder trial as hard news journalists. Neither of them knew then that their paths would lead to building a platform that now reaches thousands each week, offering hope, healing, and a reminder that no matter what life throws at us—we can make it.

You can listen to all their episodes on any podcast platform

Real Talk with Tina and Ann. and you please join their page at

Real Talk with Tina and Ann | Facebook

Latest episode

About Annkagarise

My Background

Ann is a passionate mental health advocate, podcaster, and author who turns personal adversity into powerful storytelling that uplifts, educates, and heals. As a neurodivergent mother of five, three with autism, she champions resilience, purpose, and authenticity through her podcast Real Talk with Tina and Ann and her upcoming memoir Love Differently.

Ann has an undergrad in Counseling. She also has a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in counseling. Ann spent most of her working years in the helping profession. She worked at a group home for abused kids, worked as a Director of a Battered Woman's Shelter/Rape Crisis facility and oversaw over 100 volunteers. She helped to train them and also helped with the crisis hotline. She has also worked with women in the jail system and just loved them dearly. She also worked as an Assistant Director at a school for kids with autism.

Ann has gone through quite a bit herself, living with multiple disabilities. She is autistic, has ADHD, dyslexia, and also struggles with executive functioning and working memory. She was told she would not graduate high school, but she proved them wrong by teaching herself how to learn. To her, the word “no” simply means finding a different direction.

Perseverance has always defined Ann’s life. She was adopted at a young age and lost her father when she was only eleven. Her childhood and young adult years were marked by feeling lost, disconnected, and unsure how to navigate life’s most basic needs. Alcohol became a way to cope, but eventually she entered treatment and began the path of healing.

Her story is one worth hearing. Ann adopted all five of her children, three of whom are autistic. She has learned how to connect with each of them differently and individually, understanding that no two people with autism or ADHD are the same. Her belief is that we must always meet them with love first. She spends her days caring for her children, advocating for their needs, homeschooling one of them, and using her podcasting platform to make a difference in the world. Together, her family loves traveling the United States and embracing life’s experiences. She also loves her five grandkids very much!

Ann is also an accomplished journalist, having written hard news, feature stories, and her own column. She has won numerous journalism awards.

She has an upcoming book: Loving Differently

Speaking Topics

Motivational Speaker Ann Kagarise adds hope to any event.

Speaking Topics

Stuck on Success

Believe in yourself

Training THE Neurotypical World

Adopting Special Needs Kids

Self-Advocacy

The Sinful Woman: Ann's book

Making it with Autism

Trauma and Autism

Autism in the schools: What I would have told my teacher

What families with disabilities need

Parenting a child with disabilities

What we want teachers to know

Let me know what you would like me to speak about. Expertise in mental health, autism and disabilities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Podcast every Wednesday ...Real Talk with Tina and Ann

on mental health, mental health and disabilities, autism and more

Testimonials

Regarding Tina and Ann's Podcast:

Outstanding podcast! Good content, good interaction between Ann and Tina, good pace and tone. Even the digressions weren't really-they were relevant to your points.

Keith Davis (Chicago)

These are a godsend to me. I very, very much want to thank you for your work.

Annie

Love listening every week! Great conversation and topics discussed. Feels very calming to listen to and it seems like I am sitting in the room with Tina and Ann.

Erica

Testimonials regarding speaking:

Ann breathed life into the room and reminded people why they went into that field.

Kerri

"I took a ton of notes. This was so good. I was reminded that my job is more than just the tangible."

A county DD worker

"Ann moved me to my core."

DODD worker

autism support mental health and disabilities

Ask Ann to come to your event and speak.

Author and recognitions

Author

The Sinful Woman: Written by Ann Kagarise

The Sinful Woman is a story of hope and deep insight. The Sinful Woman: Kagarise, Ann: 9781597811408: Amazon.com: Books mental health and disabilities

Named one of the inspiring persons with Autism

Ann Kagarise: podcaster, motivational speaker, writer, photographer. author

Ann was named an Inspiring person with Autism that you need to know from cbs news.

Inspiring stories of people on the autism spectrum (cbsnews.com)

Awards

Journalist/columnist

Awards:

-Helen Waterhouse Award,

-Ohio Professional Writers: Specialty Articles Business,

-Lake Township Chamber of Congress: Recognition of Community Service,

-Ohio State Congress Award for making a difference in my community through writing, -Ohio Professional Writers: Specialty Articles Social Issues,

-Biltmore Who's Who

Journalist/columnist

Ann was a hard news journalist for eight years. She was known for her features and her column Against All Odds. She is no longer doing this, but many of her articles are online. She has written for magazines, as well. Thank you so much for reading. Many lives were changed and can be changed because of one article. Write with purpose.