Send us a text Autistic self-acceptance struggles? Martin Slyngstad (certified behavior specialist, Spire Autism founder, Chatterbox: My Life with Autism author) shares: Diagnosed at 5 amid bullying/misunderstandings, he channeled resilience into advocacy—training teachers/first responders (quiet rooms/stimming support after mistreatment news), global speaking (Dubai speech unlocked nonverbal kid's song), & Special Olympics/DJ passions. From writer's block to self-publishing (mother-son p...
Send us a text Autistic mobility challenges? Dan Metcalfe (Total Balance Company creator, 70K+ transformations) shares recovery hacks: From stage paralysis (Andrew Lloyd Webber show) & 2018 brain death to full healing, his 7 pillars (oxygen/breathing, hydration, sleep, nourish nutrition, fun exercise, believe mindset, big challenges) build brain-body neuroplasticity—safe play over gym fear for conditions like Parkinson's/stroke/TBI/MS. For autistic/ND adults wobbly in transitions, parents...
Send us a text Autistic self-love struggles? Jackie Elliott (certified life/relationship/spiritual coach, author A Silent Bully: A Journey From Abusive Brain Chatter to Self-Love) shares her pivot from overworked single mom & binge eating to thriving entrepreneur. From "abusive brain chatter" (shame spirals from trauma/core beliefs) to ABC tools (aware, believe, challenge), raw insights on boundaries (bowling-lane metaphor: Stay in your lane!), intuition vs. anxiety (body dialogues, dear ...
Send us a text Autistic adulting identity crisis? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with power duo Dr. Jessie & Omar Ferreira (A Soul’s Quest founders) on flipping "everything right, feels wrong" to authentic quests—career/identity loss, anxiety loops, people-pleasing masks. Psychotherapist (Jessie) + youth dev leader (Omar) turned podcasters/authors (A Soul’s Quest: A Transformational Approach to Life), they're blending modern psych (CBT journalin...
Send us a text Autistic adulting job hunt hell? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with social enterprise leader Brendon Eglinton (Australian Spatial Analytics/ASA) on flipping 34% autistic unemployment—80% neurodivergent team (75% under 30, 100+ clients, 10k hours/month) tackling geospatial/digital engineering gaps. L&D expert (20+ years banking/health/aged care), Brendon's model: On-the-job training (no rigid inductions—buddy support, project pass...
Send us a text Autistic adulting labeled "narcissist"? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with narcissism expert Dr. Sterlin Mosley on busting buzzword BS—empathy deficits (not flat affect—autistic circuits differ; narcissists fake/manipulate), 27 subtypes (grandiose/nice/intellectual/dark empath), and masking overlaps (vulnerability armor vs. blending survival). OU professor (Ph.D. intercultural comm, masters human relations), Empathy Architects founde...
Send us a text Autistic adulting in a pit? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with redemption powerhouse Ken Miller on rising from Ivy League frat haze to 20 years homeless/addicted/incarcerated—then $28 prison release to 5 companies/$120k+ net/year entrepreneur. National Merit Scholar turned crack dealer (3 felonies, $10 sale = 6-year bid), Ken's turning point: Jail bunk "God chat" (lean on faith, embrace pain as gift—life's suffering, but grace gets y...
Send us a text Autistic adulting masking dyslexia shame? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with VP Sabrina Fandell (International Dyslexia Association Dallas) on flipping "less than" to superpower—undiagnosed tears (Hooked on Phonics frustration, "slow reader" isolation), breakthrough via blind teacher's verbal tests (aced 'em!), and her son's dyslexia/ADHD eval ($3k private—scores too high for school help?). Business dev exec turned advocate, Sabrina'...
Send us a text Autistic adulting with ADHD chaos? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with ADHD expert Dr. Shirley Hershko on turning neurodivergent challenges into gifts—myths busted (not childhood-only, not laziness, not just attention deficit), diagnosis deep-dive (comprehensive interviews, DSM-5 scales, advanced computer tests for meds impact), and low-friction systems (visual schedules, microtasks, external cues like timers/body-doubles). Lecturer/r...
Send us a text Autistic adulting feeling lost? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with war survivor and CEO John Brink on resilience, ADHD as superpower, and starting over—despite PTSD from Nazi-occupied Holland's Hunger Winter (foraging as a kid, Dad missing in action). Emigrated to Canada 1965 with $25.47, founded Brink Forest Products (North America's top value-added wood manufacturer), now 84 leading 10+ companies. Philanthropist ($1M to College of ...
Send us a text Autistic adulting health mystery? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with environmental consultant Brian Karr on mold exposure impacting neurodivergents—symptoms like neurological fog, skin issues, gut chaos from hidden home triggers. Co-founder of We Inspect and The Dust Test, Brian's helped 3,000+ hypersensitive folks (personal story: Leak led to forgetfulness/eczema, saved by expertise). Certified Microbial Investigator (CMI), he decod...
Send us a text Autistic adulting lost in chaos? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with executive coach Maria Cristini on inside-out leadership for neurodivergent wins. With 25 years helping leaders (college grads to CEOs) navigate uncertainty, Maria shares values-driven hacks from her book TWO FEET IN: Finding Clarity, Purpose, and Passion in Your Life and Career—core values alignment, CliftonStrengths for natural strengths, growth edge over imposter s...
Send us a text Autistic adulting workplace drama? In this raw ramble on Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with psychologist John O'Brien, Ph.D., on beating rudeness, microaggressions, and burnout for neurodivergent wins. From "Bowling Alone" fragmentation (social media, politics, pandemic) to employer policies that actually work, John shares why incivility costs billions ($2B/day!) and how to bridge neurotypical-neurodivergent gaps without coddling. Transcript gems: Microag...
Send us a text Stuck in autistic adulting transitions? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) interviews therapeutic consultant Joanna Lilley, M.A., NCC, on supporting neurodivergent young adults (18-29) through post-high school, college, or mid-20s hurdles. With 10+ years in adolescent mental health, wilderness therapy, and higher ed coaching, Joanna matches families with resources for independence—focusing on skill-building, parent boundaries, and real-world launc...
Send us a text Struggling with autistic adulting literacy blocks? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with educator Lois Letchford on busting myths and hacks for struggling readers. Lois, a 20+ year literacy specialist (Master's from SUNY Albany, Australian PE teacher turned specialist), shares her son's journey from first-grade failure (learning disability echoing dyslexia/autism) to Oxford PhD—using poetry, story acting, and cultural rewrites over failed ...
Send us a text Struggling with autistic adulting burnout or emotional blocks? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) interviews holistic mentor Edit B Kiss on chakra healing for neurodivergent life. Edit, a #1 bestselling author and Reiki Master, shares her shift from 15 years in petroleum engineering to global trauma release coaching—empowering clients (traders, influencers, artists) to clear chakras, release ancestral pains, and reprogram the subconscious in 30 da...
Send us a text On this groundbreaking episode of Adulting With Autism, speech-language pathologist, executive coach, and late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD entrepreneur Elissa Renee Mandel shares how her unique journey—from Gallaudet to creating Speech Works by Elissa—reshaped what’s possible for non-speaking, autistic, and neurodivergent adults. With over 30 years of experience, Elissa breaks down why traditional speech, work, and learning systems fail so many—and how progressive, unmasking, and m...
Send us a text On this candid episode of Adulting With Autism, Cody Johnston—“The Weird Canadian”—unpacks what it means to build accessible, Fortune 500-grade solutions for small businesses and neurodivergent founders. Cody draws on a decade in government and global finance tech to explain why real innovation happens outside of endless corporate meetings, and how autistic minds are uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of digital transformation. Discover why authenticity, owning your “wei...
Send us a text On this raw, heartfelt episode of Adulting With Autism, Alabama journalist and multi-podcast host Noah May (Lethal Venom) shares his journey from self-doubt and severe depression to outspoken mental health advocate and voice for Gen Z resilience. Noah opens up about what it’s really like to battle anxiety and stigma in the South, why “once a fighter, always a fighter” is his daily mantra, and how podcasting became both his therapeutic outlet and his way to support others fighti...
Send us a text On this empowering episode of Adulting With Autism, Brianne Rush—founder of The Independence Lab and career strategist featured in Forbes and Worklife—shares the real workplace lessons every Gen Z professional, recent grad, or job seeker needs. Brianne breaks down the hidden rules no one tells new employees, explains how to advocate for yourself without being labeled “entitled,” and offers a step-by-step framework to move from overlooked to promoted. Learn why “hard work” is ju...