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The Late Discovered Club is a social impact podcast and community that gives late discovered autistic women and marginalised groups a voice.
Hosted by autistic Psychotherapist & Author Catherine Asta and edited by her daughter, Caty Ava.
In each episode we bring you real and empowering stories of late discovered autistic women and people, from all walks of life - through an intersectional lens - helping to deconstruct stereotypes, and give visibility to the next generation.
*We are a gender non-conforming inclusive space*
Hosted by autistic Psychotherapist & Author Catherine Asta and edited by her daughter, Caty Ava.
In each episode we bring you real and empowering stories of late discovered autistic women and people, from all walks of life - through an intersectional lens - helping to deconstruct stereotypes, and give visibility to the next generation.
*We are a gender non-conforming inclusive space*
63 Episodes
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In this episode, Catherine is joined by Wendy Minhinnett - a lived experience leader who co-created the Rollercoaster Parent Carer Support Project. Her work has been recognised with a Positive Practice in Mental Health Award and a *BEM in 2022 for services to parents of children with mental health needs.After over a decade of heart-led lived experience work, Wendy experienced a complete burnout that coincided with menopause and a difficult workplace experience. It was during this midlife unraveling that she was diagnosed as autistic, ADHD, and dyspraxic at 51 - a discovery that changed everything.Wendy shares her powerful story of late diagnosis, identity loss, and post-burnout rediscovery. She speaks openly about masking, boundaries, autistic burnout, and the creative healing process that included therapy, community, and even body painting. Now in a new chapter, she’s building inclusive spaces on her terms - including TRUE, a support group for late discovered women - and finding pride in who she is.This episode is a deeply moving conversation about starting over, honouring your neurodivergence, and finally feeling seen.*A British Empire Medal is an honour awarded by the UK government to recognise meritorious civil or military service, often at a local or community level. People who receive a BEM have typically made a significant difference in their communities, often through volunteering, charity work, public service, or lived experience leadership like Wendy’s.Connect with Wendy:LinkedInInstagramHead to Wendy's website TRUEInterested in Wendy’s TRUE group? Email: wendy.truespaces@gmail.com for all the info. Connect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink MindThrive CoachingAbout the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
In this episode, Catherine is joined by Vicky Chapman, a gay autistic TV editor from Southampton, who had her late discovery at 26.Vicky shares how her journey began during the first lockdown, when her partner, who works in early years autism, first suggested she might be autistic. At the time, Vicky dismissed the idea, saying, “I can’t be autistic… I’m not Sheldon Cooper.” But a run-in with a blender (you’ll hear all about it) sparked a deeper reflection, and after ticking nearly every box, she pursued a formal diagnosis.We talk about the fast-paced world of TV, and how Vicky is still learning every day what will help her thrive as an autistic person in the industry. We talk about self-disclosure at work, an act that felt terrifying at first, but led to the creation of a “Vicky Guide” that helped her colleagues understand how best to support her.Now, Vicky is having more open and honest conversations across her industry and recently became a neurodiversity champion in her workplace. She says:“It was important to me to share my story, not only to help inform, educate and raise awareness for neurodiversity in the TV industry for non autistic people, but also to provide a safe environment and relatable voice for other neurodivergent people, so they don’t feel the need to fear judgment or suppress their support needs.”This conversation is a powerful reminder of why representation matters, and how one voice can help change the culture from within.Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn Connect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink MindThrive CoachingAbout the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
“Creativity has always been my life force. Even when I didn’t know I was autistic, it was how I survived.”From being sent out of chemistry class for caricaturing her teacher, to being piled on by hundreds of angry Nicola Sturgeon fans online, Lorna Miller has sharpened her pencil and become one of the UK’s most successful editorial cartoonists - known for her satirical, political, and deeply personal work.The first woman to have a cartoonist role created for her in Private Eye, Lorna has also had her work featured in The Guardian and The Observer. Her 30-year career has continuously pushed boundaries in both art and advocacy.In this intimate and wide ranging conversation, Lorna shares how a late autism diagnosis at age 51 helped her reframe a lifetime of creative drive, chronic health challenges, and profound sensitivity - and how discovering Reiki became a powerful tool for healing.We explore:- The emotional impact of delayed autism diagnosis.- Creativity as a life force and a form of self soothing.- The stigma of invisible disability and chronic illness.- Why unmasking can feel both liberating and exposing.- Building a life and business that honours your sensitivity.Lorna’s story is one of creativity and deep self-reclamation. A must listen for neurodivergent creatives, artists, and anyone on a journey of rediscovery.Follow Lorna on instagram https://www.instagram.com/mistressoflineFollow Lorna’s Reiki Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/18vCYkBjgR/?mibextid=wwXIfr Connect on Ko-fihttps://ko-fi.com/lornamiller2025 ::::::Connect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
In this episode, Catherine is joined by Julie, a Canadian based writer, artist, and creator of “The Autistic Mum” on Substack. Julie shares her powerful late discovery story, receiving an autism diagnosis at age 44 after a decade of questioning and reflection sparked by her son’s own diagnosis. Together, they explore the emotional terrain of late discovery, generational autism, sensory differences, and the impact of masking and burnout. Julie speaks candidly about the challenges of navigating healthcare and disclosure, and the liberating journey of radical self-acceptance. They also discuss her upcoming book, Motherness, her forthcoming memoir about "generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance" (publication date 23 September, 2025) which traces her experience of raising an autistic child while rediscovering herself.Julie M Green is a Canadian writer whose work has been featured in the Washington Post, Globe and Mail, Healthline, Parents, Chatelaine, Today's Parent, The Mighty, and more. She has appeared on CTV, BBC Radio, Sirius XM, and CBC Radio. In 2024, she was a finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize.Connect with JulieVisit Julie’s websiteFollow Julie on InstagramBluesky: @juliemgreen.bsky.socialSubstack: The Autistic MomConnect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Joining Catherine is Trudi Murray - an artist, illustrator, writer, and a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and proud granny. Diagnosed autistic at 47, Trudi now sees her lifelong creative work as a map of self-discovery, a visual language she was speaking long before she had the words to understand it.In this episode, Trudi reflects on how her art carried the essence of her autistic identity long before discovery and diagnosis. From paintings that unknowingly explored the concept of masking, to her deep love for telling the unsung stories of women in history, her creativity has always been a window into her inner world.Her late discovery was sparked by a move to a new city and the fresh reflections of new connections. With raw honesty and gentle wisdom, Trudi shares the grief and clarity that came with rediscovering herself and how that insight is helping her live more authentically, both in her creative work and in her part-time role coordinating social transformation projects.This is a conversation about identity, creativity, self-compassion, and the transformative power of being seen. Masking less, belonging more, and creating a kinder world for ourselves, and for the generations coming after us.Trudi’s websiteTrudi's SubstackInstagram Connect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Joining Catherine in S4 Episode 6 is Louise Fox is a former GBR Elite triathlete (representing GBR 5 times at World and European championships), self-employed web developer, environmentalist, and Nordic-obsessed adventurer. Louise shares her late autism discovery and her journey from competitive sports to motherhood, from quitting her job in her early 30’s to follow her Pro athlete dream, and the challenges of balancing personal identity with family, to how endurance—both in sport and life—has shaped her path. This is a powerful late discovered story about resilience, determination, loss, adventure, passion, motherhood, exercise as essential self-care and lessons learned along the way.Follow Louise on instagram Connect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Joining Catherine & Pete in S4 Ep4 is stand-up comedian, writer, radio host and podcaster - Pierre Novellie.Pierre is co-host of The Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio, and his television appearances include World’s Most Dangerous Roads (Dave), The Mash Report (BBC2), and Stand Up Central (Comedy Central). Pierre’s first book Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things?: A Comedian’s Guide to Autism was published by Bonnier in 2024.In audio, Pierre co-hosts the hit Budpod podcast alongside Phil Wang which has over 3.5million downloads, has performed on The Now Show and The News Quiz (Radio 4), and hosts the BBC Sounds podcast series Obsessed With… SAS: Rogue Heroes. As a writer, Pierre was a regular writer on the rebooted Spitting Image (ITV/Britbox) and has also written on shows including Mock the Week (BBC2), The News Quiz (Radio 4) and The Mash Report (BBC2).One of the UK’s most acclaimed live acts, Pierre‘s latest show Must We? saw a sold-out run at the Monkey Barrel at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and was his fourth show to have been placed in the top 20 best-reviewed comedy shows across the entire festival and will tour the UK in 2024. He has released two comedy specials, Quiet Ones and Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things? via US comedy label 800 Pound Gorilla Records which have amassed over half a million views online.Connect with Catherine & PeteVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Contact Catherine AstaPete's WebsiteFollow Pete on InstagramBuy UntypicalNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episode Thank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaS4 Guest Co-Host Pete WharmbyMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
1Catherine's much awaited and anticipated book 'Rediscovered' was published 21st February 2025. In this special episode, Catherine is interviewed by S4 guest (and friend) Dr Helen Lawal about the book.We talk everything from Mountains, Metaphors, Monotropism, Masking, Manifestos for Change - and so much more.*This recording is from the live online launch which took place on 24th February.The book is out now in paperback, audio and EbookThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Connect with Catherine & Dr HelenVisit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaVisit Dr Helen's website Follow Dr Helen on instagramNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty Ava S4 Guest Co-Host Pete WharmbyMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Joining Catherine and Pete in S4 Episode 3 in this powerful, and deeply moving episode is Tristan Kluibenschadl.Content Warning: In this episode we talk about sensitive content relating to mental health, suicide, trauma and grief.Tristan comes on the show to share his story of late autism discovery, which came at a time in his life when he was a working as a (former) Senior Police Officer where he spent 32 years working in strategic, operational, and tactical levels within the criminal justice system. A subject matter expert in Serious & Organised Crime, Homicide and Kidnap investigation for The Investigation Academy, he also served as the Kent Police lead for autism and as a regional representative for the National Police Autism Association, yet as we hear in the episode Tristan didn’t "feel safe to come out and disclose his late autism diagnosis because there was too much at risk.”Tristan also talks in this episode about his ‘beautiful, kind and funny' autistic son, Stefan who tragically died by suicide in March 2022 at just 15 years old, due to relentless bullying and compounded by failures from the very statutory services meant to protect him.On 14th February 2024, Stefans Acts of Kindness, STAK life was born, founded by Tristan and his wife Emma out of love to honour their son, which is dedicated to supporting neurodivergent young people & their parents and carers, & providing professionals training to help change the narrative for autistic people in our society. We are dedicating this episode today to Stefan, and these words that Tristan shares in this episode, for anyone who needs to hear them today:“You are enough just the way you are, and the world is a better place with you in it”Find out more about STAK LifeFollow STAK Life on InstagramLink to the book we were talking about that is dedicated to Stefan.Connect with Catherine & Pete Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered'Contact Catherine AstaPete's WebsiteFollow Pete on InstagramBuy UntypicalNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeRead about our 10 Year PlanThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Joining Catherine & Pete in this episode of our new season is Dominique Bowler-Brown.CW: We discuss sexual abuse and traumaShe is a thirty-five-year-old from South London, home-schooling mother of two and a half children (pregnant at time of recording).Dominique studied at BRIT performing arts college and then Goldsmiths University of London, and over the past several years she has worked in television commercials, acting and modelling and has written five novels (“Energy” and “Generation” by Miniq Brown, available on Amazon). Her work focuses on issues of trauma and family psychology and she has a passion for depicting under-represented voices; black, female, autistic in particular. She is currently writing a novel called “The Worthy” about how society dignifies and assigns value to people with physical and mental differences and disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and trisomy 21.Dominique was diagnosed autistic at thirty-one after trying to get a diagnosis for her daughter, which came as a relief but not a surprise. She had previously attributed many of her struggles in life to being black, female and outspoken. Her daughter was subsequently diagnosed and has been an inspiration to her to show her how to be a mentally healthy autistic woman and be for her what she wished she could have had in her own childhood.Dominique has recently moved to Canada with her husband Luke and two daughters.The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Connect with Catherine & Pete Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered'Contact Catherine AstaPete's WebsiteFollow Pete on InstagramBuy UntypicalNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Joining Catherine & Pete in the first episode of our new season - Nigerian born and Yorkshire bred, Dr Helen Lawal is Black African- White British, Medical Doctor, Nutritionist, Coach, TV Presenter and Mum of 2. She’s dedicated 20 years studying, training and working in the field of health care with degrees and qualifications in Sport & Exercise Science (Bsc), Medicine, Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, General Practitioner Specialist Training , Health Coaching and Nutrition. You might have also seen her on the tele on shows like Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped, Steph’s Packed Lunch and How to Lose Weight Well.Following her own late discovery as Autistic-ADHD she is now devoted to using all her expertise and experience to support other ADHD and Autistic people navigate their own health and nutrition challenges. In her own online Nutrition & Coaching Practice, she supports late discovered ADHD women to overcome the overwhelm and make healthy eating their new normal in her 12 week 1:1 signature program. And, in 2025 will be hosting Chats & Snacks - a virtual support group for late discovered ADHD and AuDHD women covering various health themes including Nutrition Hormones, Sleep and Emotional Health. Most recently she joined The National Autism Training Programme as a trainer alongside Pete and Catherine and this is the first time she has openly identified as being autistic. Visit Dr Helen's website Follow Dr Helen on instagramThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Connect with Catherine & Pete Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered'Contact Catherine AstaPete's WebsiteFollow Pete on InstagramBuy UntypicalNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Season 4 is almost here!!
We have a brand new season coming Friday 17th January 2025 with a new co-host joining Catherine, author Pete Wharmby.
About Pete
After being diagnosed as autistic at the age of 34 in 2017, Pete has immersed himself in working to improve autistic awareness, acceptance and making the world a more suitable place for the neurodivergent community.
He has spoken at a wide range of events and conferences since 2020 in the UK and in Europe and North America, both in person and remotely, sharing his insight and experience of being autistic and ADHD with businesses, governments, educational establishments and more.
Pete is active on LinkedIn, Instagram and on YouTube, where his channel is at over 4000 subscribers.
He is a bestselling author: his first book, What I Want to Talk About, was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in September 2022, and his second book, Untypical, was published by HarperCollins in March 2023, with the paperback released in March 2024.
Pete has also written a number of articles, interviews and book chapters, and appeared on BBC Radio 2. He is a former secondary English teacher and a father-of-one.
Connect with Catherine & Pete
Visit Catherine's website
Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered' is coming 21st February Pre-order here
Book a ticket for the Book Launch event
Leeds - 21st February
Online - 24th February
London - 26th February
Contact Catherine Asta
Pete's Website
Follow Pete on Instagram
Buy Untypical
Need Post Discovery Support?
Join our next 6 week post discovery support circle
Join our next 6 week relational space circle
Join Catherine's Frequency Circle 1.5 hour Masterclass
Join our Late Discovered Club Community
Explore The Asta Community of Professionals
Support our work
3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...
Become a member or partner and join our growing community.
Buy us a coffee.
Rate & review the show or an episode
Read about our 10 Year Plan
Thank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.
Nordens
Deborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting
A Tidy Mind
The Growth Pod
Hormones On The Blink
About the Podcast
www.thelatediscoveredclub.com
Founder & Host Catherine Asta
Podcast Editor Caty Ava
S4 Guest Co-Host Pete Wharmby
Music by Allora
Follow us on Instagram
In our final episode of Season 3 Catherine talks (unscripted!) to Andrea Anderson about 'Rediscovered Realities' because the reality is that accepting you are autistic is just the very beginning. Catherine & Andrea talk about:- Getting caught up in the 'should's'- Painful lessons when it comes to living in the shadows of burnout.- Somatic Self-Compassion.- Doing it our way.- And the importance of safety and belonging.S4 is coming in January 2025 with a new co-host joining Catherine, author Pete Wharmby.Join Andrea on SubstackBuy Andrea's Book Connect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Sue is 69 and was diagnosed autistic less than a year ago at the age of 68. Ironically, her working life was spent with autistic children and young adults; coincidence? Probably not. Born in 1955, an only child to parents who had been wounded and traumatised by their experiences in WW2. Sue was loved, but she was not the child they imagined or hoped for, with her anger, meltdowns and over-sensitivities, her school anxieties and loneliness, but autism wasn’t even a thing then. In 2018, when Sue’s own children were in their mid and late twenties, they suggested to her that she might be autistic - after both realising that they were autistic. Before they could explore this further together, lockdown came and in 2020 Sue’s beautiful, talented son died of an accidental overdose. She has no doubt his use of drugs were very much a coping strategy which went very very wrong, and wonders how many undiagnosed autistic people don’t show up on the statistics for early deaths or other misadventures. Sue finds herself now coming to terms with her own diagnosis, against a background of guilt and shame and grief at not having recognised it before - particularly in her own children; particularly for her son.Looking forward, Sue is concerned for her future as she knows that recognition of autism in women of her age is still very low, and that there must be so many undiagnosed and unrecognised autistic people already in care homes and hospitals. Hopefully well before she needs it, Sue is going to write a Self Portrait, explaining those things which will make all the difference to her own well-being. Sue's relationship with the natural world has been a constant and deeply regulating relationship throughout her entire life. And she knows she will not thrive without time in the natural world. She will not thrive if she’s forced to sit in a communal lounge with daytime tv blaring. Sue will need there to be quiet spaces and low lighting and books and ´my’ food and no labels in her clothing and so much more. Sue thinks we could all be writing our own self portraits, now, before we need them, otherwise we’re at the mercy of others to decide what would be ´good’ for us - just as we were at school.Sue has been deeply moved, reassured and inspired by the stories on the podcast and having the opportunity to speak and share her story - our 50th episode! - with what feels like her own authentic voice, for the first time in her life, she says has been an ‘extraordinary’ experience.Follow Sue on InstagramConnect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'RediscoveredContact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Dr. Dionna Williams is an Autistic and first-generation academic and martial artist. Dionna received their MSc and PhD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. Dionna has received many prestigious academic fellowships and awards for her research accomplishments and commitment to diversifying academic medicine. She is currently an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at Emory University where their research interests center on the intersection of HIV and substance use, focusing on identifying immunologic and pharmacologic means to increase the neurologic health of people living with HIV. While Dionna amassed academic and professional accomplishments they struggled with what she once considered to be a collection of seemingly unrelated quirks and social discomfort. While Dionna was always aware of these differences, they became less of a hindrance to interacting with people as she learned to suppress the things that made her most different from others. However, these strategies eventually became less effective and at the most stressful time of their life Dionna began therapy. It was through this experience that they received an autism diagnosis at the age of 35, which has been life changing. Since this realization one and a half years ago, Dionna realized all the ways in which she lived an inauthentic life and they are now committed to living a life of their own accord, unmasked, and open about the joys and challenges faced as a neurodivergent scientist from a low-income background raising the most amazing 3-year old. Connect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
In this special bonus episode Catherine's daughter Kristina, who is 7 and autistic takes over as host to interview her autistic idol, The Geek Girl AKA Holly Smale on all things autism and everything geek girl.About HollyHolly's debut children's novel, GEEK GIRL, became the No.1 Young Adult title in the UK and won the Waterstones YA Book Prize, selling 3.4 million books in 30 languages. She is the co-creator, writer and exec producer of the GEEK GIRL TV show, which launched on Netflix worldwide (and StackTV in Canada) on the 30th of May 2024.At the age of 39, Holly was diagnosed as both autistic and dyspraxic. She writes and speaks passionately about neurodiversity and a lot of random topics she's not really qualified to talk about yet does anyway.Her debut adult novel, THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX (UK)/ CASSANDRA IN REVERSE (US) is out now, and is a Reese's Book Club Pick, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick and the Aardvark Book Club pick. She lives in Hove, England, and Holly also appeared on the podcast in Season 2. You can listen here Connect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Christine. A. Jenkins joins Catherine in this episode to talk about her autistic self-discovery in 2008 and life since her eventual diagnosis in 2009.Christine has been an Autistic advocate for many years, most recently around issues related to late-in-life diagnosis, gender bias, and autistic ageing. She contributed a chapter to the anthology Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism (2018), and has presented solo and on panels in Canada and the UK.Christine has been a peer reviewer and now co-author for the journal Autism in Adulthood, and edits other books and articles as a consultant. Her aim is to "include Autistic voices at every stage in true co-production of research.”As an independent Autistic researcher Christine has her own business, Christine Jenkins AUsome Consulting.:::Connect with Christine:Twitter/X @AutisticMattersLinkedIn: Christine A Jenkins tinyurl.com/cjAUsomehttps://linktr.ee/christineajenkins www.autisticmenopause.comBreast cancer articleFirst paper from Bridging the Silos (2 more under review)Christine's heroes list:Michelle Dawson, Bev Leroux, Estee Klar, Diane J Wright (Canada)Julie Roberts, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective (US)Yenn Purkis, Donna Williams (Aus)Rose J Matthews, Clare Sainsbury, Ann Memmott (UK)Honorable mention: Chris Bonnello, ANWConnect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
Sophie Cartledge joins Catherine in this episode to talk about her autism discovery via an ADHD diagnosis in perimenopause at the age of 44. After researching why so many women were being diagnosed ADHD in perimenopause, for her work and simultaneously really starting to struggle with a number of things in her own life, she put two and two together and sought a diagnosis.Looking back now, she can see how the years of not knowing, have taken their toll both mentally and physically, leading her to a place of extreme burnout and feeling broken that have made perimenopause and her early 40’s such a rough ride. She can also see how perimenopause wasn’t just about her hormones changing, they were the catalyst for the ‘unmasking’ process. Discovering she is AUDHD has made so much sense of her life. Sophie always knew she was different somehow, often described as quirky, creative, sensitive and caring too much. And with this, she had always carried this feeling that something was ‘off’, she just couldn't place what. She had put a lot of it down to trauma, yet despite therapy, much of these feelings remained. Sophie is really passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge to raise more awareness of the intersection that exists between Autism, ADHD & perimenopause in the hope that it might help others make sense of their combined hormone and neurodivergent journey’s too. ::::Sophie is a Menopause and Hormone health educator & founder of Hormones on the blink. Delivering CPD accredited menopause and hormone health training to workplaces and support to communities. Recipient of the Inspirational women of Portsmouth award, for the Emerging Business category in 2022. Follow Sophie on InstagramConnect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
This is a memorial episode, to honor the life and legacy of Mary’s 90 year old (very) late discovered autistic mum who sadly passed away in April 2023.Mary wanted to record an episode about how the 'mystery' that was the spikeyness of her profile gave Mary the motivation to turn detective on why they were both so misunderstood and misrepresented. Mary was eventually formally diagnosed autistic (age 51 in 2017). Already in the most humongous burnout and unable to continue working, Mary became a carer for her mum late in 2019 and she was sure that her mum had hit an autistic burnout crisis too.In 2022 Mary did manage to get their GP to accept self identification for her mum, after a few years of banging her head against the brick wall of expecting he could understand that she was too infirm to access diagnosis (never mind that she would probably have died before getting to the top of the waiting list). Sadly however, this did not open up any possibilities of finding autism informed elder care or autism informed support for Mary and her mum. Struggling so badly that she couldn't keep her safe from falls and several resulting hospitalisations which were disgracefully inadequate, Mary believes that her mum might have survived if there had been some proper understanding of her needs in her final days.Their GP de-listed both Mary and her mum just before she died because she wrote a letter asking him to do more for her mum. Mary’s mum died without a doctor.Mary had asked numerous times for a diagnosis of EDS/connective tissue condition because there were clear connections with both their symptoms. Mary wanted to say this about how accommodations have enabled her to record this episode:“Your understanding and lived experience is in itself all the accommodation I require. You have given me all the support I need to prepare in advance and your intentions are transparent. You are supporting my reality rather than challenging my motivation. Such adjustments as your support have not been there for me in other environments, especially at work which was damaging my health to the point of being unable to continue working. Thank you for accommodating me”Email: marycam66@googlemail.comMastodon: @autoperipatetikos@neurodifferent.meTwitter: @MaryStarbuck3Connect with CatherineVisit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered'Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeRead about our 10 Year PlanThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
In this S3 Bonus Episode S1 guest Laura Kerbey joins Catherine to talk about her new book ‘The Teens Guide to PDA’ - which published 21st June 2024 with JKP and is illustrated by Sunday Times Best Selling author Eliza Fricker.Buy the Book Connect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
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excellent episode. Laura certainly changed our understanding of our children. you are such an inspiration