Autism Episodes

April 15, 2024

Autistic burnout and career change – with Shayonee Dasgupta

Content note: This episode mentions thoughts about suicide and self harm. Shayonee Dasgupta is a Mumbai-based freelance writer and editor who initially pursued a career in law, working with corporate law firms in India. She found out she's autistic and …

Episode page
April 1, 2024

Art, neurodivergence and self-discovery – with Nick Heaney

Nick Heaney is a resident artist and co-founder of Artnova Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts. Nick has always found art to be his most authentic way of connecting with the world around him. He was diagnosed with dyslexia during elementary school. …

Episode page
March 4, 2024

Neurodiversity affirming community – with Katie York

Katie York (aka The Distracted Autistic) is a late-diagnosed Autistic who also has ADHD. They are currently program coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. Katie is also an advocate and community organizer. In...

Episode page
Jan. 8, 2024

Swarit Gopalan – Nonspeaking autistic writer and poet

Swarit Gopalan is a 12-year old autistic nonspeaker who uses a letterboard to spell and a keyboard to type to communicate. He lives with his family in Florida and goes to Invictus Academy for school. Swarit is a talented writer …

Episode page
Nov. 27, 2023

Neurodivergent stories from India - with Aditi Gangrade

Aditi Gangrade is a film director and writer based in India. She is autistic and has ADHD and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). She is the co-founder of Much Much Spectrum, an inclusive storytelling content and insights wing of Much Much …

Episode page
Oct. 30, 2023

Neurodivergence and gender identity – with Charlie Ocean

Charlie Ocean is an award-winning LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, and consultant who is neuroqueer and nonbinary. They have a background in social work and over 15 years of experience with LGBTQ+ community organizing. To date, they've trained thousands of...

Episode page
Oct. 16, 2023

Creating an inclusive world through dance – with Marisa Hamamoto

Marisa Hamamoto is the first professional dancer to be named as one of People Magazine’s "Women Changing the World." Her award-winning nonprofit and professional dance company, Infinite Flow, employs disabled and nondisabled artists with a mission to foster inclusion. Marisa …

Episode page
Sept. 18, 2023

Autistic and dyspraxic actor Ross K. Foad

Ross K. Foad is a professional actor and voice artist in the United Kingdom. A second generation actor, he was just 18 months old when he made his acting debut, but would get his proper start in acting on the …

Episode page
Aug. 21, 2023

Trans and autistic inclusion at work – with Nate Shalev

Nate Shalev is a leading expert and advisor on inclusivity helping to create workplace cultures where both businesses and people thrive. They were named a LinkedIn Top Voice and have been highlighted in the Harvard Business Review, the New York …

Episode page
Aug. 7, 2023

Autistic music therapist and singer Swara Swami

As a young autistic girl, Swara Swami could sing before she could speak. Now Swara is a music therapist and singer who advocates for mental health and autism awareness on her social media. Swara has her Bachelors in Music Therapy …

Episode page
July 24, 2023

The Autism-Friendly Cookbook - with Lydia Wilkins

Lydia Wilkins is a freelance journalist and author based in the UK who covers disability and social issues. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Metro, The Independent, Refinery 29, The Daily Mail and PosAbility Magazine. She writes …

Episode page
June 26, 2023

Autism in Black – with Maria Davis-Pierre

Maria Davis-Pierre is a licensed mental health counselor, autism awareness advocate and founder of the organization Autism in Black. As the parent of two autistic children, and being autistic herself, she uses her professional expertise to connect...

Episode page
May 29, 2023

Life as a Black Deaf Autistic musician, AAC user and student -- with …

Kaishawna is a 21 year old Deaf Black Autistic woman, clarinet player and college student who is studying to become an educator for neurodivergent and disabled students. She communicates using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)...

Episode page
April 24, 2023

Autism, community and the DataFam – with Adam Mico

Adam Mico found supportive community, authentic connection and career growth as an autistic professional within the Tableau DataFam (data family).

Episode page
April 17, 2023

Supporting mental health in Black autistic & disabled communities – w…

Janelle Johnson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), is a wife, mother, and Founder of Bridges Family Life Center, a Systemic Therapy and Consulting group practice near Raleigh, North Carolina. An award-winning educator and innovative...

Episode page