Some of the greatest thinkers and innovators in history have been diagnosed with autism. With more employers encouraging, and even mandating, neurodiverse workplaces, children with autism will have even more opportunities to become the innovators of tomorrow. Even so, facing an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming. We do know that early intervention improves outcomes for autistic children, especially as it relates to their social and emotional skills.

This Talk explores the signs and symptoms of autism and the benefits of neurodiversity; strategies for the autistic child's success; how the family and siblings can best support an autistic child; and local resources, promising innovations, apps, programs such as Early Support Program for Autism, and assistive technologies for kids with autism. Originally published in January of 2018. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/UnderstandingAutism to watch the video.

Restaurant founder and CEO Pinky Cole visits Google to discuss her signature 100% vegan comfort food cookbook "Eat Plants: 91 Vegan Recipes That Will Blow Your Meat-Loving Mind." Featuring 91 easy vegan recipes, it includes breakfast creations, dinner items like Jamaican dishes from Pinky’s childhood, and southern favorites, plus a selection of tips and tricks for vegan cooking, plant-based substitutes and complementary dips, jams, jellies and gravy. Reinventing vegan food culture, her restaurants’ crave-worthy, indulgent menus and joyful customer interactions draw locals and visitors to eagerly wait in now-famous lines down the block for vegan burgers, sandwiches and more. Pinky Cole’s restaurant empire includes locations in Atlanta and New York City, plus The Pinky Cole Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower generations of color to win financially in life and in the pursuit of their entrepreneurial dreams. Pinky has been recognized by prestigious organizations across the U.S., including being named to Restaurant Hospitality’s 2021 Power List, Forbes’ Next 1000, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Powerful Women in Business List and LA Wire’s Influential Women of 2020. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/EatPlants to watch the video.

Vinod Khosla provides an insightful look at renewable energy - where we are today and where we need to be tomorrow, as well as the key criteria necessary to differentiate real solutions from niche opportunities. His focus is on solutions for China and India - how to identify them, the importance of cost, scaling, and carbon trajectory, and the policy prescriptions that can help drive innovation.  Vinod Khosla was a co-founder of Daisy Systems and founding Chief Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems. In 2004, driven by the need for flexibility and a desire to take on both "for profit" and for "social impact" ventures, he formed Khosla Ventures. Khosla Ventures focuses on both traditional venture capital technology investments and clean technology ventures. Originally published in May of 2009. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/ImpactfulRenewableEnergy to watch the video.

Anupam Kher visits Google to discuss his journey, his career, and how he continues to give back. Best known for his prolific career in Indian and International cinema, Anupam Kher has appeared in over 500 films and 100 plays. He is a recipient of the IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema, was nominated for the prestigious British Academy Film Awards, and received a record breaking eight consecutive Filmfare Awards. In 2004, Anupam was bestowed the Padma Shri Award, followed by the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India for his distinguished service of higher order in art. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/KherLessons to watch the video.

David Moser is a man of many talents. Not only is he a linguist and sinologist, an author and commentator for BBC and CCTV, and the Associate Dean of Peking University, but he has also been active in the Beijing music scene for more than 20 years and performs in various groups such as “Rhythm Dogs,” “the Du Yinjiao Quarters”, “Zang Tianshuo’s Group” and “Ah-Q Jazz Group”. In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, press play on this week’s Talks at Google podcast to hear more about David's amazing stories around the evolution of jazz in China and how music can help bridge cultures. Originally published in September of 2019. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/JazzinChina to watch the video.

Dr. Temple Grandin visits Google to discuss her book "Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions" - this landmark book reveals, celebrates, and advocates for the special minds and contributions of visual thinkers. A quarter of a century after her memoir, "Thinking in Pictures", forever changed how the world understood autism, Temple Grandin transforms our awareness of the different ways our brains are wired. Do you have a keen sense of direction, a love of puzzles, or the ability to assemble furniture without crying? You are likely a visual thinker. With her genius for demystifying science, Dr. Grandin draws on cutting-edge research to take us inside visual thinking. Visual thinkers constitute a far greater proportion of the population than previously believed, and a more varied one, from the photo-realistic object visualizers like Grandin herself, to the abstract, mathematically inclined “visual spatial” thinkers who excel in pattern recognition and systemic thinking. She also makes us understand how a world increasingly geared to the verbal tends to sideline visual thinkers, screening them out at school and passing them over in the workplace. Rather than continuing to waste their singular gifts, driving a collective loss in productivity and innovation, Dr. Grandin proposes new approaches to educating, parenting, employing, and collaborating with visual thinkers. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/VisualThinking to watch the video.

It may "take a village to raise a child," but most American families are struggling to do the job on their own. While parents work longer hours for less money and the costs of childcare, healthcare, and college skyrocket, the share of the U.S. budget spent on kids has fallen 22 percent since 1960. More and more children may well not make it to a healthy, productive adulthood. That's terrible for them--and for us as well. But it doesn't have to be this way. In this book, renowned expert David Kirp clarifies the importance of investing wisely in children. He outlines a visionary "Kids First" policy agenda that's guided by a "golden rule" principle: Every child deserves what's good enough for a child you love. And he offers lively and inspiring, on-the-ground accounts of five big cradle-to-college initiatives that can change the arc of all children's lives: strong support for parents; high-quality early education; linking schools and communities to improve what both offer children; giving all youngsters access to a caring and stable adult mentor; and providing kids a nest egg to help pay for college or kick-start a career. Originally published in November of 2011, here is David Kirp - Five Big Ideas for Transforming Children’s Lives. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/KidsFirst to watch the video.

Renowned astrophysicist and professor Vinod Krishan visits Google to discuss the phenomenal diversity of plasmas in the cosmos and in our day-to-day lives. Describing multi-level techniques used to study plasma configuration and stability, with emphasis on its relevance to the global challenges we face today like clean energy, Professor Krishan takes us on a journey to better understand plasma, the most prevalent state of matter in the universe. Dr. Krishan received her Ph.D. in 1971 in Solid State Physics from the University of Tennessee. She joined the department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Science in 1973, and after 4 years she joined the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, from where she retired as senior Professor and Dean of Sciences in 2008. Krishan has published over 150 research papers on Space and Astrophysical Plasmas in peer reviewed journals and has published 3 books: "Astrophysical Plasmas and Fluids", "Plasma: The First State of Matter", and "Physics of Partially Ionized Plasmas". Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/ThePlasmaUniverse to watch the video.

Maureen Chiquet visits Google to discuss her book "Beyond the Label: Women, Leadership & Success in Our Own Terms". The book charts her unlikely path from literature major to global chief executive, guiding readers to move beyond the confines of staid expectations and discover their own true paths, strengths, and leadership values. Driven. Shy. Leader. Wife. Mother. We live in a world of categories — labels designed to tell the world, and ourselves, who we are and ought to be. Some we may covet, others we may fear or disdain; but creating a life that’s truly your own, means learning to define yourself on your own terms. Through vivid storytelling and provocative insights, Maureen’s book guides readers to consider the pressing questions and inherent paradoxes of creating a successful, fulfilling life in today’s increasingly complex and competitive world. Originally published in August of 2017. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/BeyondTheLabel to watch the video.

American Paralympic medalist Colleen Young visits Google to discuss her career journey as a Paralympian and World Champion, and how she is driving awareness for the visually impaired community. Colleen Young is a three-time Paralympic medalist, two-time bronze medalist in the 100m breaststroke, and a silver medalist in the 200m Individual Medley for Team USA. Having been born legally blind and with albinism, Colleen began swimming in 2005 at age seven after realizing she could focus on herself instead of a ball, unlike when she played soccer and softball. In 2012, she became the youngest member to compete in the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team in London at age 14. For more information on Colleen, please visit www.colleenroseyoung.com. Visit http://g.co/TalksAtGoogle/MakingHerMark to watch the video.