Autism Resource Podcast

Career, Determination and Animation with Jorge Gutierrez

Employment and Social Security Benefits with Judi Uttal

Judi is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.

Utilizing Self-Direction with Molly Morris

As a leader in self-directed services policy and implementation, Molly brings over a decade of experience working with states, participants, and provider organizations to enhance and expand self-direction programs nationwide. Through her work, she has shaped policy initiatives, developed critical resources, and built partnerships that advance self-determination for individuals with disabilities and serious mental illness. Molly is a co-founder at The Self-Direction Center.

Optimizing Your Brain Potential with Dr. Ali Lankerani (Dr. L)

Dr. L is a Family Advocate, a consultant to the United Nations, a clinical neuroscientist, and a children's performance optimizer. He is the creator of Role Model Maker, founder of the Amazing Parents' Network, and director of Foundation for Optimal Beginnings.

Supporting Siblings of People with Disabilities with Emily Holl

Emily Holl is the Director of The Sibling Support Project at Kindering, the first national program dedicated to supporting siblings of people with developmental and health concerns. As a social worker and a sibling herself, Emily has published her research and written in blogs, magazines and books. She co-edited “The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Adult Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities.”

Special Needs Trusts with Michelle Wolf

Michelle Wolf is a parent disability advocate and non-profit social services innovator. She is the Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Los Angeles Special Needs Trust, the first pooled nonprofit trust based in LA County for persons with a range of disabilities. Her professional career has been devoted to ensuring that people with chronic health conditions and disabilities are able to access government benefits and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Making Marriage Work with John Graham

John Graham, who identifies as autistic, shipped out on a freighter when he was 16, hitchhiked through the Algerian Revolution at 19 and was on the team that made the first ascent of Denali’s North Wall at 20, a climb so dangerous it’s never been repeated. He hitchhiked around the world at 22, working as a correspondent in every war he came across and was a US Foreign Service Officer for 15 years. He has supported initiatives for peace and justice in Asia, Africa and Cuba, including engineering ...

Creating Success with Steve Winshel

Steve Winshel holds a PhD in experimental cognitive psychology but has spent his career as a serial startup founder and coach, mentor and teacher to many communities. He helps entrepreneurs start their own businesses and coaches people who are at inflection points in their lives - career and personal. He works specifically with neurodivergent clients to help them develop executive functions, move forward to successful careers, or start their own businesses.

The Business of Voice Overs with Cathy McAuley

With a career spanning over three decades, Cathy has established herself as a versatile and comedic powerhouse in the entertainment industry seamlessly navigating various mediums, and earning a variety of accolades and awards. Cathy's passion for the arts extends to mentoring young adults on the autism spectrum through Spectrum Laboratory, with her commitment to diversity and inclusion shining through in every project.

We Are Brave Together with Jessica Patay

Jessica Patay is the founder and executive director of We Are Brave Together, a nonprofit organization that supports caregiving moms with children of all types of disabilities and neuro-diverse diagnoses. In addition, she is a sought-out speaker, podcast guest, writer and retreat coordinator, fundraiser, mother of three, social influencer, and a champion of self-care practices and their positive effect on motherhood.

ABA Therapy and Your Child with Jeff Skibitsky

Jeff is founder and president of ABS Kids which has become a leading provider of services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The company has locations in California, Utah, and North Carolina and works with a team of more than 800 treatment providers. Jeff has been active in the autism community for almost two decades, holding numerous positions on various committees and boards. He is an advocate and a nationally recognized expert in treatments for children with ASD.

Being KIND with Kari Baker

Kari is a former financial services executive and business owner turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is the founder of KIND Families, a community of people who love Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences and is the host of The KIND Families Podcast. Kari became a KIND mom in 2014 when her son Brady was diagnosed with autism at age three. She started KIND Families to encourage, support, and inspire others to find purpose and promise in their individual journeys.

Emergency Preparedness with Judy Mark of DVU

Judy Mark is President of Disability Voices United, an organization directed by and for people with disabilities and their families. DVU advocates for choice and control over our lives, meaningful outcomes that matter, and systems that are equitable and accountable. Judy has led efforts in California to enact several disability rights laws, spoken widely before diverse audiences and appeared extensively in the media about disability issues including on NBC News, the LA Times, and NPR. Judy also ...

The Value of Music with Valery Goldes

Valery Goldes is a recording artist, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer and a producer who grew up in Israel. A child prodigy in classical piano, he has played with orchestras across Europe & Israel, including under the baton of Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic when he was only 13. As a piano coach, Valery's passion has always been to share his music knowledge and experience with his students. He believes in being not only an instructor but a mentor to each of his students, many of...

Unlocking Autism with Taiba Bajar

Taiba Bajar is on a mission to help parents of autistic children achieve their developmental milestones. She accomplishes this through her award-winning 7-Step Autism Action Plan, which is designed to help autistic children reach their milestones within 12 months. Also an award-winning researcher, Taiba was the recipient of the Clinical Research Prize from the University of Bristol, where she graduated with two degrees in Dentistry and Bioethics

Supporting Siblings with Jessica Siegel

Jessica is the founder of The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities and the author of Billy’s Sister: Life when your sibling has a disability --a picture book based on her experiences growing up with her brother, Billy, who has autism. She has also spent over a decade working in nonprofit marketing and communications and is the owner of Sing Creative Group.

My Autism Superpower with JD Barker

J.D. Barker is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 22, and considers it one of the main reasons he is so successful.

The Importance of Self-Care with Liz Gabor

Liz is a certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher, a certified Transformation Coach and Trainer and a Wellness Retreat Leader. Her teachings include providing accessible tools to regulate the nervous system, tune into one’s inner guidance, expand awareness, and go beyond perceived limits. Her work is deeply rooted in helping to cultivate self-care rituals and practices that create resilience and foster a kinder and gentler way of being with oneself, and in turn, with others.

The Autism Narrative with Heidi Rome

Heidi Rome, is a speaker, author, coach, facilitator, advocate, mentor, perspective re-framer, solace-bringer, and mother of two sons, one with severe autism. Author of You Just Have to Love Me and creator of the Win/When Skillsets, she understands how to overcome overwhelm through loving kindness toward oneself and others. As founder of Moms Spectrum Oasis, Heidi is spreading the word that it's time to change the narrative around autism if we are to live the ideals of true inclusion and belongi...

Employment and Inclusion with James Emmett

James is Founder/CEO of James Emmett & Company also known as JEC. It is one of the most recognizable brands in the field of disability inclusion and is a global leader in the implementation of disability inclusion initiatives with essential businesses. James has worked with companies like Advance Auto Parts, Walgreens, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Office Depot to help plan & execute initiatives that have resulted in over 100,000 jobs for people with disabilities and has received numerous awards...

Parenting Tips with Kelley Coleman

Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of experience as a parent caregiver, and gives parents the tools to spend less time with paperwork and more time loving their kids exactly as they are.

Writing Skills with Emily Levy and Sophie Gutter

Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, a specialized tutoring program that offers individualized one-on-one home, virtual, and on-site instruction using research-based, multi-sensory techniques. She is the co-creator of the Writing Mastery software program that helps students develop stronger writing skills using a systematic approach to instruction and direct feedback. Sophie Gutter is a ninth-grade student who is incredibly passionate about helping neurodivergent students ...

Love on the Spectrum with Cian O'Clery

Cian is an award-winning director, showrunner and executive producer. He is the co-creator, showrunner and director of the Emmy-winning Love on the Spectrum series, and has just finished filming a 3rd US season. In addition to creating and directing other series and documentaries, Cian was the series director of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Employable Me , a series featuring people with disabilities looking for employment, and Changing Minds: The Inside Story , an observational doc...

Filmmaking, Internships and Employment with Diane Strand

Diane Strand is an author, an award-winning Executive Producer, an owner at JDS Video & Media Productions and Actors Studio, and the founder of the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy. Her programs provide Hands-On training and paid supported internship opportunities, and are designed to break down barriers to gainful employment in video production, post production and acting for neurodivergent and disabled individuals.

Filmmaking and Inclusion with Alex Astrella

Alex Astrella is a visual artist based out of Orange County, California. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 2, Alex was told that he’d never be able to hold a job as an adult. 25 years later, Alex has won numerous awards and has garnered nationwide praise for his documentary films and screenplays.

Animation & Cyber Security Training with Jimmy Lifton

Jimmy is an award-winning Film and Television Producer, Educator, and Supervising Sound Editor. He is credited on more than 500 productions and has won 2 Emmys and 5 Golden Reel awards. Jimmy is the founder of award-winning training operations for Autistic adults and disabled Veterans.

Natural Supports for Autism with Steve McConnell

Steve McConnell has a background in biology and is a practicing lipidimiologist. His research and advice are sought out by physicians in many areas including cardiology, kidney disease and, most recently, various neurodiverse conditions. He joins us today to discuss managing challenges often presented for those navigating the autism spectrum and more.

Your True Self Is Enough with Susanna Peace Lovell

On her journey of navigating through the worry and heartbreak of raising a special needs child Susanna Peace Lovell found her true life calling: to help other parents find and realize joy and passion in their own lives. She provides one-on-one coaching, workshops, and support groups for special needs families. Her book Your True Self Is Enough: Lessons Learned on My Journey Parenting a Child with Autism was released in January 2024.

Parenting and Mindfulness with Celia Landman

Celia Landman is a mindfulness educator offering support to teens and adults. She draws from experiences working with those impacted by trauma, addiction, and anxiety, and creates customized meditation, visualizations, and trainings to reconnect them to what she refers to as their wholeness and show parents how to find balance while navigating seemingly impossible parenting situations.

Finding Hope with Jeff Pearson

Jeff Pearson is a speaker, author, business owner and TV host. When Jeff was two weeks old, it was confirmed that he had hydrocephalus and he underwent his first brain and abdominal surgery. Despite those challenges, he traveled the world, got married, raised three children, and is now the owner of Hydro with Hope, and the host of the TV show “Invisible Condition” on e360tv. It’s a show that brings awareness to all the medical conditions millions of people deal with that aren’t visible from the ...