An episode that dives deep into the neurodivergent narrative! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * We kick off this episode by discussing Lena Dunham's EDS diagnosis, a condition frequently co-occurring with autism. * The reason HBO's Girls resonates with us so deeply is simple—it’s an autistic show created by an autistic mind. * We start by discussing Lena Dunham's art school background and creative writing degree—writing is a special interest for many of us here at Autistica. * Lena D...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that tosses and turns ! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Autistic people struggle greatly with sleep, and while it’s not in the DSM, it definitely should be. * Many autistic traits overlap with factors that could contribute to sleep issues. * For example, sleep apnea is common in autistic individuals but often goes undiagnosed. Factors like muscle tone differences, sensory sensitivities, and co-occurring conditions may contribute, yet research on this connection remains l...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast A dash into Sonic’s appeal to autistic folks. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Our hosts kick off this episode by exploring Sonic's journey, from a Nintendo game to a Saturday morning cartoon to the epic blockbuster franchise we know today. * Next, we dive into the surprising connection between Sonic the Hedgehog and... Michael Jackson? * Michael Jackson was undoubtedly neurodivergent, and much of his persona can be attributed to heavy masking. * We discuss the personas that famous ...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that's breaking barriers in discussing neurodivergence and disability rights. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Today, Matt and Angela discuss the "Make America Healthy Again" executive orders, the concept of "wellness camps," and their harmful impact on the neurodivergent and disabled communities. * We then explore the history of neurodivergence during the Nazi era, the horrific treatment neurodivergent people endured, and how Hans Asperger used Asperger's syndrome to sep...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that’s Much Ado About Autism! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Today, Matt and Angela welcome special guest and Shakespeare expert Dr. Sonya Freeman Loftis to explore how the Bard’s works connect with autistic culture. * Sonya shares how she began studying Shakespeare through a disability lens and explores how some of his characters embody neurodivergent traits. * We discuss how the Globe Theatre is highly accommodating of disabilities and how Shakespeare’s works are ofte...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that checks all the vital signs. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Today, our hosts dive into part two, a follow-up to our previous episode on autistic medical needs . * Autistic people often experience comorbid conditions, many of which stem from the distressing effects of navigating a neurotypical world. These can include POTS, MCAS, PMDD, PCOS, PTSD, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, among others. On the bright side, we’re at a lower risk for cancer! * Living in a world desig...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that Anne '-swers all your questions! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * We kick off this episode by diving into autism misdiagnoses and the controversy surrounding Kanye West. * We explore how neurotypical stigmas surrounding autism contribute to misdiagnoses, leading to misunderstandings, overlooked diagnoses, and incorrect labels that impact autistic individuals' lives. * Autistic people are often the best at recognizing and diagnosing other autistic people—real recogniz...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that plays around with the rules! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Our hosts, Matt and Angela, kick off the episode by discussing the current state of the world, the chaos surrounding it, and how they navigate through it. * We discuss the importance of community and ongoing advocacy, emphasizing the need to stay strong and keep pushing forward for autistic children. * Our special guest, Meghan Ashley, LPC-S, is an autistic licensed professional counselor and the author of...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that’s packing its bags and info-dumping along the way. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Amidst the chaos in America, Matt and Angela, with special guest Abigoliah Schamaun, dive into why being an expat is inherently autistic. * Today's special guest, Abigoliah Schamaun, is a stand-up comedian who’s been all over the game show circuit—including Pointless , a wonderful little quiz show where the goal is simply to get the wrong answer. * Abigoliah moved from Ohio to the UK,...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that's processing all the right ideas! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In today’s advocacy episode, we tackle the beast that is internalized ableism. We all experience it—but how do we overcome it? * Due to the social model of disability, many autistic people say, "But I'm not disabled!"—when in reality, this is internalized ableism at work. * Our autistic meat bodies get exhausted just from processing stimuli and existing. The world is built for neurotypical survival—ye...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that’s out of this world! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In this episode, Matt and Angela explore the autistic coding in the sci-fi series The Orville and the role its showrunner, Seth MacFarlane, plays in shaping this representation. * Seth MacFarlane may be one of us —his intense special interests and strong sense of justice are hallmark autistic traits. * As MacFarlane's popularity in Hollywood grew, so did his willingness to speak out. He called out Kevin Spacey’s c...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that advocates for social change! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Today, Matt and Angela are joined by Halina Brooke, MS, LPC, to discuss autism-affirming social skills. * Halina is an LPC from Arizona whose practice is entirely focused on supporting misfits, oddballs, highly sensitive individuals, and creatives. * We discuss challenges in the clinical autism world, including the discomfort neurotypicals often feel when autistic voices with lived experience challenge the...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that commands your attention (pun intended). Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In today's episode, Matt and Angela explore the show Creature Commandos and discuss why sympathetic monsters can resonate with autistic individuals. * We delve into the history of the DC Cinematic Universe and examine the autistic coding in James Gunn's other projects, most notably Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad . * Creature Commandos , the first project of the DCU, follows a blac...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that keeps it 100. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * It’s our 100th episode! A huge thank you to our incredible supporters for joining us on this journey and uplifting our conversations about autistic culture and advocacy. * Our hosts kick off this episode by revisiting the topics they brainstormed when the podcast first began—like Lewis Carroll, James Joyce, and Steve Jobs—and reflecting on whether they've covered them all or if there's still more autistic culture to expl...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode with all the right ingredients! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In today’s episode, Matt and Angela, joined by special guest Melanie Deziel, delve into the legendary Martha Stewart and the fascinating autistic-coded traits that set her apart. * After watching the recent Martha Stewart Netflix documentary, Melanie noticed countless traits in Martha that could suggest neurodivergence. * We explore the ethics of speculating whether public figures are autistic and how reluct...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that defies the norms. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Today, hosts Matt and Angela explore the intriguing and often debated world of Pathological Demand Avoidance with special guest Richard Woods. * Pathological Demand Avoidance, also known in more affirming circles as Persistent Drive for Autonomy, describes a strong need to question and resist demands, often co-occurring with autism. This trait can manifest as an intense drive for control, leading individuals to navig...
Jan 17, 2025•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that dives deep! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Recently, SpongeBob's voice actor, Tom Kenny, confirmed that SpongeBob is explicitly an autistic character—surprising absolutely no one! * Our hosts kick off the episode by exploring the autistic life and childhood of the show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, who developed SPINs (special interests) in marine life and Jacques Cousteau as early as age six. * During Hillenburg's time at the Orange County Marine Institute, he cr...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that schools you! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Today, our hosts tackle a complex subject: ableism and its manifestation within the world of academia. * Our special guest, Kat Flora, joins our hosts to share her firsthand experiences with ableism in academia and how it shaped her journey. * Matt and Kat delve into their experiences of navigating difficult interactions with neurotypicals in academia, as well as managing the challenges of burnout. * The conversation tran...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that rolls the dice on a favorite autistic pastime! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In this episode, Matt and Angela dive into the world of board games—a beloved pastime within the autistic community. * Did you know that, according to research, only 1% of neurotypicals enjoy board games, compared to 7% of autistic individuals? This fascinating statistic highlights how board games resonate as a unique and cherished hobby within the autistic community. * Autistic individua...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that schools you. Hello, I am a listener of your podcast and an undiagnosed autistic. My 12 year old daughter is a diagnosed autistic who has had some traumatic experiences in the educational system since they use the medical model of autism. She is very likely twice exceptional (our school has no gifted program to offer her), but she thinks that her brain is broken because so many things are hard. She probably also has social anxiety. I am writing to ask if you and Angela would consi...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that really pulls at the threads! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In today’s episode, we’re joined by special guest Hunter Hammersen, a self-proclaimed weirdo who traded grad school for the cozy world of knitting patterns! * Hunter realized, in true autistic style, that following others' instructions wasn’t for her. So, she began creating her own designs and writing patterns—a perfect fit for the world of knitting! * Our special guest kicks things off by sharing how knit...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that sorts it all out. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * First, our hosts talk about executive functioning, how its inherent lack can negatively impact autistic individuals, and why implementing personalized organizational systems is essential to keeping your executive function manageable. * Autism is a dynamic disability influenced by many variables—our perception of things, how regulated we are, how much we have on our plate, and more. The more chaos we face, the less ex...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast An Episode That Unwraps the Dark, Autistic Charm of Krampus Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Our hosts, Matt and Angela, kick off this episode by looking back on the tumultuous year of 2024—highlighting challenges like health emergencies, unexpected relocations, and the transitions that accompanied them. * Next, we delve into the origins of Krampus—the shadowy counterpart to Santa Claus—who intriguingly exhibits some distinctly autistic traits. * Krampus can be seen as something of ...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that reshapes holiday traditions. Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In today's episode, we explore how to have a joyful neurodivergent Christmas by prioritizing your needs and letting go of expectations. * We discuss how autistics rely on routines, and how the holidays can disrupt them, leading to dysregulation and chaos. * Matt and Angela dive into how Hallmark movies portray the stereotypical, picture-perfect version of Christmas—a version that often feels far removed fr...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that breaks the mold! Here’s what’s to come in this episode: * We kick off this episode by discussing Courtney Love and her candid acknowledgment of her autism in a 1994 Rolling Stone interview. While she’s open about her experiences, some of her language is problematic—for instance, referring to non-speaking autism as "introverted." * However, we delve into how many of the judgments and perceptions surrounding Courtney Love may be rooted in ableism, influenced by her autism diagnosis...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that redefines the perspective. Here’s what’s to come in this episode: * In this episode, our hosts address audience requests to explore the often problematic and ambiguous terminology of the DSM-5. * The DSM-5, often considered the Bible of psychology, tends to pathologize autism and reflect only a neurotypical perspective. * We discuss the issues with IQ tests, highlighting their ableist nature and why they shouldn’t determine autism diagnoses. We also explore how the DSM’s descript...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that's the best at being The Worst ! Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * In this episode, Matt and Angela delve into one of Angela's comfort shows, the FX series You're the Worst , exploring the aspects that make it inherently autistic. * You're the Worst , as Matt describes it, is about a group of individuals navigating life and doing the best they can despite enduring significant trauma (all while exuding strong autistic vibes). * Matt and Angela dive deep into character a...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Unraveling the origins—this episode speaks volumes! Here’s what’s to come in today’s episode: * In this episode, our hosts delve into the Takiwātanga meme—a popular social media trend often showcasing stunning Polynesian women and claiming that Takiwātanga is the Māori word for autism, meaning "in their own time and space." * Our hosts trace the origins of this meme, revealing that while the term’s creator is neurotypical, his intentions were genuinely positive. Kari O’Pai, a Māori linguist, dev...
Dec 06, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that steals the spotlight Here’s what’s to come in this episode: * We kick off this episode by raising the curtain on Angela's theater kid lore and spotlighting how neurodiversity and theater make a show-stopping duo. * Our hosts dive into how being "dramatic" and "attention-seeking"—classic theater kid traits—are often just the shining stars of neurodivergence. * Other overlaps between theater and neurodivergence include being perceived as pretentious or aloof, unapologetically blunt...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast An episode that celebrates neurodivergent creativity in writing. Here’s what’s write around the corner: * In this episode, we dive into one of Angela's favorite topics – writing – and explore how to approach creative projects through a neurodivergent perspective. * Matt and Angela break down the writing process from an autistic perspective, discussing how book mapping can be a powerful tool and why having systems in place for writing a book is just as essential as the systems and contingency pla...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
