In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Brennan, a 32-year-old adult on the autism spectrum and a registered behavior technician. Brennan shares his journey from early diagnosis and intervention to living independently, working in the ABA field, and mentoring others. With honesty and humor, Brennan reflects on the challenges he faced in school, the supports that helped him succeed, and why early intervention and lifelong learning matter. He also opens up about misconceptions around autism and ABA, the importance of independence, and what he wishes the world truly understood about people on the spectrum. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or simply someone who wants to better understand autism, Brennan’s insights will leave you inspired and encouraged to keep building inclusive communities.
In this powerful episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with three remarkable women—Kate Swenson (Finding Cooper’s Voice), Carrie Cariello (What Color Is Monday?), and Adrienne Wood (Tales of an Educated Debutante)—the authors of the New York Times Best Seller, Autism Out Loud. Together, these moms share raw, unfiltered stories from their journeys parenting children with autism—stories of resilience, joy, heartbreak, and growth. From pushing their kids gently toward independence, to navigating crisis moments, tackling anxiety and medication stigma, and balancing the needs of siblings, their voices shed light on the realities often left unspoken.
In this inspiring episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with Brianna Tenbrink, Leadership Training Program Manager at the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. As the eldest sibling to two sisters on the autism spectrum, Brianna shares how her personal experiences laid the foundation for a professional life devoted to advocacy, equity, and systems change. From navigating family dynamics to leading statewide leadership programs like Texas Partners in Policymaking, Brianna reflects on the intersection of identity, passion, and purpose—and how her lived experience drives everything she does. This is more than a story about policy—it’s a heartfelt look at what happens when advocacy is rooted in love, strategy, and lived experience. Texas Medicaid Waiver List: https://inspirend.org/community-resources/
In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Matthew Hannah — a thoughtful self-advocate, public speaker, and virtual reality game master — to talk about life on the autism spectrum from a perspective not often heard. Diagnosed with autism in the early 2000s, Matthew shares how early interventions and strong family support helped shape his journey — but he also opens up about the challenges of being "high-functioning" in a world that still struggles with understanding what that really means. This is not just a story about autism — it’s a story about identity, navigating the workplace, redefining success, and learning when and how to show up authentically.
In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Dantzler, BCBA, LBA, M.S. Ed., sits down with Jenna Muscat — board-certified behavior analyst, sibling to a young man with autism, and daughter of Elgene Muscat, our guest from Episode 2: A Mother’s Reflection on Her Child’s Growth. Jenna shares what it was like growing up as the sister of Brennan, how her family navigated the challenges of autism, and what ultimately led her to pursue a career in the field — not just because of her personal experience, but because she recognized that her brother was one of the lucky ones. He had access to services, support, and opportunities that many others do not. Jenna speaks candidly about the underrepresented population of individuals with profound autism — and how her passion lies in being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. She and Jennifer discuss the realities of the sibling experience, the limitations of current systems, and the importance of planning for the future with compassion and clarity. Whether you’re a parent, provider, or sibling, this episode will speak to your heart — and your hope for a more inclusive future.
In this moving episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler is joined by Lynn, a mother who shares the raw, honest, and uplifting story of raising her son, Bill, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child. From navigating an overwhelming diagnosis in the 1990's to fighting for early intervention and educational placement, Lynn opens up about the challenges, hard-earned victories, and moments of transformation. Through compassion, consistency, and community, Bill went from hundreds of aggressive episodes a day to living a vibrant, engaged adult life filled with activities, friendships, and joy.
In this deeply personal episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Emily, a 21-year-old young adult on the autism spectrum, and her father Greg, to share their family’s remarkable journey. From early diagnosis and challenges with fitting in, to Emily’s triumphs in theater, education, and personal growth, this episode offers a raw and inspiring look at what it truly means to support and believe in a neurodiverse child. You’ll hear Emily reflect on the moment she discovered her autism diagnosis, how she found confidence in her differences, and her passion for acting and inspiring others. Greg opens up about the early fears, the importance of parenting through partnership, and the powerful moment he realized how much he was learning from his daughter.
In this heartfelt episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, Sarah opens up about her son Ben’s journey from a non-verbal toddler to a thriving 20-year-old college student living independently. Diagnosed with autism between the ages of two and three, Ben’s early years were filled with questions, therapies, and determination. Sarah reflects on the tough decisions, the power of a "mommy gut," and how interventions like ABA and speech therapy transformed not only Ben’s life but their entire family dynamic. Whether you're a parent, educator, or advocate, this episode will leave you encouraged and reminded that the path may be tough—but it’s absolutely possible.
The CDC has released updated data: are now identified as autistic. But what does this really mean? Our Executive Director, Jennifer Dantzler, was in the studio first thing this morning to record this powerful episode. In this special podcast she shares her perspective on why these numbers are just the beginning of the conversation. It’s not just about statistics—it’s about understanding, inclusion, and action. Tune in to hear why it's time to look beyond the numbers and focus on building inclusive communities. Listen now!
In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with local Chick-fil-A owner, Duane Johnston, who is not only serving up great food—but also creating inclusive work environments. Hear how this business leader has embraced inclusion by employing neurodiverse young adults, sought training for his team to promote understanding, and partnered with a local nonprofit to offer an in-house vocational opportunity. From hiring practices to workplace culture, we explore what it really takes to build a supportive, inclusive environment—and why it’s good for business and the community. Whether you're a business owner, advocate, or simply curious about how to make the workplace more inclusive, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas.
In this heartfelt episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with a dedicated mother who shares her journey raising a neurodiverse child. From the early days of navigating ABA therapy to witnessing her child’s incredible progress, she reflects on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Join us as we explore the impact of support, advocacy, and the full-circle moments that make the journey worthwhile.
In this mini-episode, host Jennifer Dantzler shares the heart and purpose behind Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism. Discover why this podcast was created, the mission to amplify neurodiverse voices, and what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes. Whether you're a parent, educator, self-advocate, or ally, this episode sets the stage for meaningful conversations, insights, and inspiration.
In this powerful two-part conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Amy Wood, a respected local and statewide speaker who advocates for families and children with autism. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey, Dr. Wood shares about her son, James, who is on the profound end of the autism spectrum. With honesty and heart, she reflects on 22 years of navigating life, school, and services—offering candid stories of building the right supports, advocating in the classroom and community, and finding joy and purpose along the way. Across these two episodes, her insights bring hope, practical strategies, and a reminder that with the right tools, every individual can thrive.
In the conclusion of our conversation with Dr. Amy Wood offers wisdom on vocational opportunities, inclusion in the community, and the crucial role of parent involvement in treatment. She also reflects on safety, independence, and planning for adulthood long before it arrives. Her “dotted line” approach to goal-setting and her passion for meaningful inclusion will leave you inspired, empowered, and equipped with ideas to better support individuals across the spectrum.
In this powerful episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with Armando Bernal—a board-certified behavior analyst, father, and founder of the only autistic-owned ABA company in Houston. Diagnosed with autism at age three and told he would likely never speak, Armando’s story is one of unwavering determination, family support, and challenging expectations. He opens up about the obstacles he faced growing up, the social struggles he still navigates, and the purpose behind launching Autism International Consulting to reshape what compassionate, effective ABA can look like. Armando also shares personal reflections on becoming a new parent, navigating marriage, and using his lived experience to lead a team of neurodiverse professionals making a real impact. This is more than a story of success — it’s a conversation about advocacy, authenticity, and the power of never giving up. Listen now and be inspired.