From the Spectrum: Finding Superpowers with Autism

Originally released in October 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive.In this episode, I speak with Nicole Rincon, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant at Rossignol Medical Center whose work focuses on pediatric special needs, integrative medicine, and functional medicine. Nicole brings both a clinical and deeply personal perspective to the conversation as the mother of children who experienced developmental regression and were diagnosed with autism.We discuss autism and regression through a biological and functional medicine lens, including mitochondria, metabolism, gastrointestinal health, inflammation, nutrition, environmental factors, and the potential role of medical comorbidities. Nicole also shares her family's experience and how it ultimately led her from nutritional and wellness medicine into working with autistic children and their families. Throughout the conversation, we explore both established research and emerging or debated areas of investigation in an effort to better understand the biology that may accompany autism beyond its behavioral presentation.Nicole Rincon https://www.nicolerincon.com/nicole-rinconRossignol Medical Center https://rossignolmedicalcenter.com/doctors/nicole-rincon/TACA Info: https://tacanow.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/F-H-2-Nicole-Rincon-Beginning-Biomed.pdfTACA Talks: https://www.nicolerincon.com/videosPublications https://rossignolmedicalcenter.com/articles-publications/#published-2024-2-articlesBE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!!Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.comMAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.comDaylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autismDaylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism00:00 Nicole Rincon02:07 From Mother & Clinician to Autism Medicine12:30 Autism Regression; Omegas, Mitochondria & Environmental Factors21:56 Functional Medicine & Rossignol Medical Center25:07 Folate, Folate Receptor Antibodies & Methylation30:36 Mito Dysfunction & Autism Comorbidities42:22 Challenges with the Medical Paradigm; Maternal Health 48:34 Looking Beyond Vaccines; Environment, Light & Human Biology53:26 The Functional Medicine Evaluation; Looking Upstream1:02:00 A Multifactorial Approach to Autism & the Future of Medicine

Originally released in October 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive.For today’s episode, New York Times and international bestselling author J.D. Barker joins me to discuss autism, creativity, imagination, and the way he experiences the world. Barker is the author of The Fourth Monkey and Forsaken, has collaborated with James Patterson, and was approached by Bram Stoker’s family to coauthor Dracul using previously unpublished material from Stoker.Barker shares how autism influences the way he recognizes patterns, constructs stories, visualizes characters, manages multiple projects, and navigates the social world. We discuss masking, intense interests, autistic burnout, and what can happen when autistic traits are understood and cultivated rather than simply treated as deficits. His story offers a fascinating look at the relationship between autism, creativity, structure, and a remarkably successful writing career.J.D. Barker https://jdbarker.com/books/heavy-are-the-stones/BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!!Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.comMAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.comDaylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autismDaylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism0:00 JD Barker2:49 Early Years of Creativity, Books, & Understanding Autism; Trying to Fit-In; Following Rules, Black and White thinking versus Gray11:43 Superpowers of Writing as a Reflection, Creativity, & Intelligence of the Inner World15:00 Superpowers of Autism by Creating Catalogs: Patterns, Visual & Thinking in Pictures, & Creating Characters20:42 Balancing Life with Autism23:51 The Writing Bout; the Importance of Managing Energy to avoid Burnout35:42 Focusing on the Process, not the Outcome39:35 Stephen King's Blessing & Approval of Forsaken; the journey to meet King41:44 James Patterson Collaborations43:25 Bram Stoker & the Prequel to Dracula, Dracul; Superpower of the Autistic Brain example46:11 Recognizing Autism in Children49:11 Future work

Originally released in December 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive.For today’s episode, Dr. Hanna Stevens joins me to discuss prenatal brain development and the complex relationship between the placenta, maternal environment, genetics, and the developing brain. Dr. Stevens received her MD and PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois and leads the Psychiatry and Early Neurobiological Development Lab at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where she is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and holder of the Ida P. Haller Chair.We discuss the placenta, prenatal stress, serotonin, cortisol, immune function, genetics, and autism, exploring how events before birth may influence brain development and later behavior. This conversation offers a fascinating look inside the womb and at an increasingly important question: when and how do differences in neurodevelopment begin?Dr. Hanna Stevens https://medicine.uiowa.edu/psychiatry/profile/hanna-stevensIowa Healthcare https://uihc.org/childrens/providers/hanna-e-stevensPsychiatry and Early Neurobiological Development Lab (PENDL) https://stevens.lab.uiowa.eduPublications https://stevens.lab.uiowa.edu/publicationsBE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!!Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.comMAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.comDaylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autismDaylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism0:00 Dr. Hanna Stevens2:00 Journey into Neuroscience and Psychiatry8:13 Prenatal Development of Autism14:02 The significance of NF-kB in Brain Development23:10 Serotonin; Leukocytes as a window into our Biology; Cortisol29:02 Steroid Hormones and Stress & Development34:12 Methylation40:00 Cell Proliferation & Migration in Fetal Development; Antioxidants45:56 Oxidative Stress; Mitochondria; Antioxidants48:30 Quantum Biology/Physics** Me shaking my head at minute 48:50 is not intended at Dr. Stevens, but at myself because I tell myself not to keep going to the electrons and light for a Cause of Autism to guests53:19 Future Research & Dorsal Striatum; Volume; Brain Development

Originally released in November 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive.For today's episode, Dr. Eric Weiss, MD, explains an exciting medical approach for Autism. Dr. Weiss, who holds board certification in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, is a notable figure in regenerative medicine. Dr. Weiss is a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. Dr. Weiss attended Duke University Medical School for his medical degree, completed his General Surgery Residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and did his Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Miami. He has a special interest in using regenerative therapies to address autism.Dr. Eric Weiss recounts his journey into innovative medical practices, moving away from conventional pharmaceutical treatments. As a father to Marston, his dedication to exploring treatments for autism stems from personal experience. Throughout his story, his enthusiasm for natural healing methods is evident. By the end of this episode, listeners should gain insight into a thoroughly researched medical intervention that's gaining traction in the autism community.Dr. Eric Weiss, MD: https://northfloridastemcells.comEducating Marston: https://www.educatingmarston.comDisclaimer: This is not Medical Advice.BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!!Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.comMAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.comDaylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autismDaylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism0:00 Dr. Eric Weiss, MD1:55 Dr. Weiss's Medical Journey5:01 Intersection of Autism and Stem Cell Research12:09 Personal Experience as a Parent with Autism15:58 Understanding Umbilical Cord Blood Treatment22:39 The Process of Umbilical Cord Blood Donation25:55 The Science behind Stem Cell Healing32:31 Future of Regenerative Medicine34:24 Natural Healing and Lifestyle, Not Big Pharma36:56 Mitochondrial Function & Energy Production39:09 The Impact of Light on Health41:07 Understanding Inflammation & Modern Disease44:30 Stem Cell Therapy: Mechanisms & Effects48:41 The Future of Medicine: Beyond Pharmaceuticals54:14 Professional Transition into Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapy58:05 Exploring Cytokines & Interleukins; Patterns of Disease; Dr. Weiss's Contact Info

Originally released in August 2025, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive.My guest today is Dr. Nirosha Murugan, a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Biophysics and Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Murugan explores how physics shapes biological processes, including pioneering research into biophotons, the ultraweak photon emissions produced by living systems.We discuss biophotons, mitochondria, cellular communication, regeneration, neurodevelopment, and the emerging field of quantum biology, including what these ideas might mean for autism and the future of medicine. The conversation explores what we know, what remains speculative, and what the physical foundations of life might reveal about how living systems communicate, develop, and change.The Murugan Lab https://themuruganlab.comPublications https://themuruganlab.com/publications/BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!!Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.comMAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.comDaylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autismDaylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism0:00 Dr. Nirosha Murugan2:16 ads9:45 Path into Quantum Biology & Biophysics role on organisms; Bioelectricity13:13 Opsins versus Chromophores; Proteins; Photoreceptors & Light17:37 The Body Glows & Emits Light; Photomultipliers & Measuring Biophotons20:37 The Role of Light & Development21:04 Seed Germination & Human Development (neurodevelopment) Analogy23:54 Environmental Light & Impact on Health25:34 Mother's of the original Autistic kids from Leo Kanner26:46 Light type exposure & Autism29:50 Mitochondria, Light, & Energy31:28 Neurocognitive (Dementias) rates & Aging; Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Electrons35:35 Microtubules & Cell Function; Reverse Engineer Oxidative Phosphorylation- ATPase, Electron Transport Chain & TCA Cycle37:14 Cytochrome C Oxidase, Water, Energy, Four Red Light Chromophores- Heme a, a3, CuA, & CuB, vitamin D receptors42:11 Tryptophan, Tublin, Microtubules46:49 The Role of Water & Energy in Cells48:59 Nature's Impact on Health; Get Outside (!), Oxygen51:46 Midbrain (mesencephalon), Dopamine, Norepinephrine; Serotonin and Raphe53:36 Serotonin & Development (remember the sensory map !)55:11 Biophotons & Seasonal changes; Depression, Pale Autistics58:02 Cancer & Biophoton Signals59:50 Biophotons & Coherence, Energy, & Molecular Signals01:01:53 Psychedelics, Depression, Anxiety, Consciousness01:05:20 Mitochondria, Memory & Information: What is Information?01:12:27 Future Direction in Quantum Biology and Medicine; Silos01:13:36 Ryan's journey into Quantum Biology & Practices, Reversing Autoimmune Diseases