Adulting with Autism
Adulting with Autism is a podcast for neurodivergent adults, hosted by autistic occupational therapist April Ratchford. It covers practical topics like independence, relationships, college life, careers, emotional regulation, and executive-function challenges. Each episode offers tools, mental-health strategies, and real stories from autistic adults and experts. The show aims to help late-diagnosed autistic adults and ADHDers build lives that fit their needs.
Episodes
Healthy Living Your Way: Autism, Movement & Rest with Jimmy Clare
What if healthy living did not require following the latest trend, tolerating someone else's workout music, or pretending every day comes with the same amount of energy? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Jimmy Clare, an autistic keynote speaker, autism advocate, podcaster, livestream host, and founder of CrazyFitnessGuy. He created the platform to share healthy living through
Throwback Tuesday: Professor Sol Smith on Autism, Unmasking & Self-Discovery
Hey squad—it's Throwback Tuesday. Monday came, I was exhausted, and I decided not to force an episode when my brain had already clocked out. Instead, we're revisiting a conversation many of you will appreciate after Professor Sol Smith's recent return to the podcast: his very first interview on Adulting with Autism. In this original conversation, Sol discusses his journey to an autism diagnosis
Your Degree Wasn't a Waste: Career Pivots & Transferable Skills
The promotions were there. The pay was good. The team was successful. So why didn't it feel like success? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with executive coach and author Chad Betz about the moment he sat in a parking garage after work and realized that the life he had built no longer matched what success meant to him. We explore the difference between pursuing something you gen
Different Brains, Better Systems: Rethinking Normal with Nat Hawley
A company can celebrate neurodiversity, hire neurodivergent employees, and still create a workplace where those employees burn out trying to stay. So what does inclusion look like after the interview? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Nat Hawley, founder of Divergent Thinking, a UK-based workplace neuroinclusion consultancy. Nat combines lived experience of autism, dyslexia,
What Works for Your Brain? Personal Science with Gary Wolf
What if understanding your energy, attention, and daily struggles does not require another expensive wearable—or tracking every 15 minutes of your life? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with science writer Gary Wolf, co-founder of the Quantified Self movement and author of The Quantified Self: Learning to Observe. His work explores how people can use their own observations and dat
Finding Your Voice Through Writing: Late AuDHD Discovery with Abigail Yardimci
Regulate Yourself First: Parenting, Meltdowns & Boundaries with OT Colleen
What if one of the most effective ways to support a neurodivergent child is not starting with the child at all? What if it starts with the adult learning to regulate themselves first? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with fellow occupational therapist Colleen about self-regulation, co-regulation, sensory processing, meltdowns, shutdowns, boundaries, parent burnout, repair convers
Bright but Struggling: Late ADHD Discovery with Therapist Marvie Corbett
What if you spent years believing you were lazy, disorganized, not smart enough, too emotional, not trying hard enough, or "not living up to your potential"—only to discover that ADHD, executive-function differences, anxiety, and a learning disability were shaping your experience the entire time? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Marvie Corbett, clinical therapist, social work
Neurodivergent Women, Perimenopause & Burnout with Dr. Sarah
What if your ADHD, autism, executive dysfunction, sensory sensitivity, sleep issues, burnout, mood shifts, and inability to "keep masking" are not suddenly getting worse because you are failing? What if your hormones, nervous system, sleep, nutrient status, stress load, and neurodivergent brain are all interacting at the same time? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Dr. Sarah,
The Hidden Curriculum: Executive Function, Anxiety & Neurodivergent School Success
What if a student who appears to be "struggling" is not showing you their full potential because the environment, instruction style, expectations, or support system is not working for their brain? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Joie, Senior Director of Teaching and Learning at Fusion Academy. Joie has spent more than 15 years working in personalized education, including spe
The ADHDer's Guide to Self-Discovery: Dopamine, Shame & Unmasking with Sol Smith
What if the problem is not that ADHDers are lazy, irresponsible, unmotivated, disorganized, or "not trying hard enough"? What if the problem is that modern school, work, productivity, and social systems were built around a different type of brain? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Sol Smith returns to talk about his new book, The ADHDer's Guide to Self-Discovery. Sol is an autistic and A
The Art of Pacing: Burnout, Energy & Sustainable Ambition with Elizabeth Svoboda
What if pacing yourself does not mean doing less, lowering your ambition, quiet quitting, or giving up on the things you care about? What if it means learning how to keep going without destroying yourself in the process? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with science writer Elizabeth Svoboda, author of The Art of Pacing. Elizabeth explores why so many of us get stuck in a cycle of
Autistic Flexibility: How to Recover When the Routine Falls Apart
This episode was supposed to come out Monday. It is not Monday. Why? Because a cat grooming appointment turned into 90 minutes of furious cat screaming in my car, followed by rehab week at work—meaning unexpected music, decorations, people, activities, changing treatment spaces, and an autistic nervous system quietly asking, "What the fuck are we doing?" So naturally, we are talking about flex
Autistic Employment: Stop Building a Career You Have to Survive
Welcome to Episode 350 of Adulting with Autism. This episode was supposed to come out Saturday. It is Sunday. I know how calendars work. Life happened, work happened, exhaustion happened, and I decided I would rather give you an episode where I could form complete sentences than force myself to publish something just because it was technically on time. And honestly? Grace is part of adulting to
Adulting With Autism: Nobody Gave Us the Syllabus
Nobody actually teaches you how to become an adult. We spend 18 years telling kids to go to school, pass their classes, graduate, maybe go to college, maybe get a job—and then suddenly everybody says, "Fly little birdie." Except adulthood is not a single task. It is one giant group project with invisible rules, unclear expectations, healthcare paperwork, money decisions, grocery lists, transpor
Neurodivergent Talent Is the Future of Work with Dr. Bonnee Price-Linden
What if neurodivergent talent is not a workplace problem to accommodate—but one of the most underused sources of creativity, innovation, and future-ready thinking? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Dr. Bonnee Price-Linden, a pediatric neuropsychologist, neurodiversity consultant, and founder of Burch Price & Associates. Dr. Linden has spent more than 30 years supporting childr
Late Autism Discovery, Trauma & Forgiveness with Juan Colon
What happens when you spend your childhood being called a brat, a problem, or "bad"—and only later realize that you were an autistic child trying to survive without the language, support, safety, or understanding you needed? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Juan Colon, author of The Untold Story of an Autistic Orphan: The Awakening. Juan shares his journey through abandonment
Beyond 25: Autism, Adulthood & Building a Future with Tammy Michelle
What happens when autistic children grow up—and the supports, services, funding, and public attention begin to disappear? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Tammy Michelle, co-founder of the Chaka Khan Foundation, founder of Artistology, artist advocate, entertainment executive, and mother of two autistic adult sons. Tammy shares her family's advocacy journey, beginning with her
ADHD Is Not Bad Behavior: Parenting, Shame & Family Systems with Judy Richardson-Mahre
What if your child is not being defiant, lazy, careless, or disrespectful—but struggling with a brain function they cannot simply force into place? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Judy Richardson-Mahre, founder of Kaleidoscope Coaching and Counseling, ADHD specialist, therapist, educator, wife to an ADHD partner, and mother of four neurodivergent children.kcccares+1 Judy sh
Brilliant Starters, Consistent Finishers: ADHD, Execution & Entrepreneurship with Rob Nickester
What if you are not lazy, unfocused, or incapable—you simply need an execution system that matches your actual brain, energy, attention, and capacity? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Rob Nickester: entrepreneur, investor, former 35-year IT professional, late-diagnosed ADHD adult, and founder of Inspire X. Rob helps entrepreneurs, executives, and high-capacity adults become m
The Adult Autism Service Cliff: Jobs, Independence & Quality of Life
What happens when we stop asking neurodivergent people to adapt to a world that was not designed for them—and start asking communities, schools, employers, and systems to change instead? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Jennifer Dantzler, founder and executive director of Inspire ND, a Houston-based nonprofit creating inclusive communities for autistic and neurodivergent indi
A Dad and Daughter Figure Out ADHD Out Loud
What happens when a dad and daughter discover, later in life, that many of the things they were criticized for were not character flaws—but ADHD? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Phil and Ellie, a father-daughter podcasting duo who were both diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Together, they are unpacking old stories about laziness, messiness, oversensitivity, missed deadlines
Complex Trauma, Neurodivergence & the Nervous System with Dr. Christopher Barker
What if you are not broken—you are responding exactly as a nervous system shaped by uncertainty, shame, attachment injury, or chronic stress learned to respond? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Dr. Christopher Barker, a psychologist and complex-trauma specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. Dr. Barker is the host of Holding Space with Dr. Barker and auth
Autism, Grief & Game Development: The Story Behind Master Lemon
What happens when grief becomes a creative mission? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Brazilian filmmaker, storyteller, and game developer Julio Santi, creator of Master Lemon: The Quest for Iceland. Julio shares how the death of his friend André "Lemon" Lima—a gifted polyglot who dreamed of learning Icelandic and living in Iceland—inspired him to teach himself game developmen
Neurodivergent Women in Leadership: Growth, Masking & Building a Business with Ammarah Ahmed
What if the reason business feels confusing is not that you are bad at it—but that you are trying to build, market, and lead without systems that fit how your brain actually works? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Ammarah Ahmed, founder and lead strategist at Precision Consulting. Ammarah is a behavioral-psychology-driven conversion-rate optimization and UX strategist who has
ADHD, OCD & the Brain That Won't Shut Off with Joseph M. Lenard
What does it feel like when your brain will not let you move on from a thought—and then ADHD suddenly pulls your attention into an entirely different spiral? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with author, podcaster, songwriter, and former IT professional Joseph M. Lenard about living with ADHD and OCD traits, intrusive thoughts, sleep struggles, online spirals, and the complicated
"I'm Not Lazy, I'm AuDHD": Ellie Capstick on Burnout, RSD & Self-Acceptance
What happens when the labels you carried your whole life—lazy, weird, dramatic, too much—are replaced with language that finally makes sense? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Ellie "AuDHD" Capstick, host of the AuDHD and Then Some podcast and creator of a growing neurodivergent community. Ellie shares her blunt, funny, deeply human journey through late discovery of autism and
Brain Dollars, Burnout & Masking: A Neuropsychologist's Guide for Autistic Adults
What if burnout is not a personal failure—but a brain-budget crisis? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Dr. Vanessa LaBode-Richman, clinical neuropsychologist, psychotherapist, public speaker, and creator of the FORWARD Method. Dr. Vanessa works with people across the lifespan, including neurodivergent individuals and people navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, mood conditions, a
"Start a Podcast" Is Not a Task: An Autistic Conversation About Overthinking, Coaching & Just Doing the Damn Thing
What happens when an autistic person becomes the kind of coach they wish they had in their twenties? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Sam, an autistic life coach based in Round Rock, Texas. Sam helps autistic adults and overthinkers separate facts from fears, assumptions from reality, and meaningful next steps from mental noise.We talk honestly about social batteries, meltdow
Lymph, Brain & Autism: Why Flow Matters for Mental Health with John "LymphMan" Ossipinsky
Most of us grow up knowing about blood vessels and the heart—but almost nothing about the lymphatic system, even though it quietly creates, cleans, and maintains every system in the body. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with John Ossipinsky, known as "LymphMan," a retired New York City firefighter turned lymphatic therapist and educator. He studied craniosacral therapy, visceral
Bottom-Up Brain Work: Neurozone's Erin Badour on Sensory, Attention & Emotional Regulation
What if your "behavior," "attention," and "mental health" struggles were all just different ways the same brain was trying—and failing—to regulate itself? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Erin Badour, a speech pathologist turned neurotherapist who now runs Neurozone clinics in the Los Angeles area. She started in medical speech pathology (stroke, brain injury, brain cancer) a
Autism Superpowers, Open Mics, and Honest LA Stories with Ian Ira Russo
What does it really feel like to step into a neurotypical industry with an autistic brain and try to make a room full of strangers laugh? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with LA-based stand-up comedian Ian Ira Russo, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 12 and only started speaking openly about it in recent years. He shares how he moved from fronting punk bands
Burnout, Foggy Focus and the Truth About Sleep Myths | Dr. Melissa Milanak
What if your "bad sleep" isn't a personal failure—but a predictable clash between your brain, your schedule, and a few stubborn myths? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with licensed clinical psychologist and optimal performance consultant Dr. Melissa Milanak, who specializes in sleep, stress, anxiety, and workplace effectiveness. She travels globally teaching peop
Ghosting, Rejection & Burnout: Neurodivergent Job Search with Recruiter-Turned-Coach Jeanna Malines
What if your career is struggling not because you're broken—but because the job market was never designed for your brain? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Jeanna Malines, founder of Trajecta and a career transition coach / development strategist for neurodivergent professionals. With 25 years of recruiter experience and her own story of losing a "dream job" over communication
Overcoming the Wall of Awful: ADHD, Autism & Burnout with Brendan Mahan
What if the real problem isn't laziness—but an emotional wall between you and the thing you need to do? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with ADHD coach, consultant, and speaker Brendan Mahan, creator of the "Wall of Awful" model and host of ADHD Essentials. Brendan has been a teacher, mental health clinician, principal, and is a dad of identical twin sons with OCD, so he's lived
Shame-Free Intimacy, Loneliness & Neurodivergent Relationships | Dr. Diane Mueller
What if intimacy and loneliness are just as important to your health as water, sleep, and nutrition? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Dr. Diane Mueller—known as both "the libido doc" and "the Lyme doc"—about shame-free intimacy, neurodivergent adults, and how long-term relationships can stay connected instead of turning into roommate status. Dr. Diane works both in chronic il
Why Self-Help Doesn't Stick (And What Actually Changes Your Brain) | Josh Davis on NLP
Why does so much self-help sound good… and then disappear when life gets hard? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Josh Davis, PhD—neuroscientist, former Barnard College professor, and NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) trainer—about practical tools for real change in messy, everyday life. Josh has spent decades teaching neuroscience and psychology, and now focuses on bringing NL
Burnout Is a System Failure, Not a Personal Flaw | Human Cognitive Infrastructure with Michael Eskenasy
What if burnout isn't a personal failure—but a system failure? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with technologist Michael Eskenasy, creator of Human Cognitive Infrastructure, about why our current app-driven, fragmented world pushes humans to be the "integration layer" for everything—and how that crushes executive function, especially for neurodivergent people. We explore what ha
Why Neurodivergent Couples Struggle to Communicate (And How to Fix It) | Lisa Rabinowitz
Why do so many neurodivergent couples say, "We love each other—but we can't communicate"? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with couples therapist Lisa Rabinowitz, who specializes in ADHD and neurodiverse relationships, to break down why communication breaks down—and what actually works. We talk about the real-life patterns showing up in relationships: constant arguments over
Missed ADHD, Masking & Burnout: Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy with Psychotherapist Robert Rackley
What if years of "anxiety and laziness" were really undiagnosed ADHD and autism—and therapy kept missing it? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Robert Rackley, an Irish psychotherapist who practices in a sensory-based, neurodivergent-only clinic and specializes in autism and ADHD in adults. Robert first trained in traditional psychotherapy, then shifted his
Hair Pulling, Shame & Nervous System Coping: Living with Trichotillomania with Jessie Hannah
What if the "worst thing you do" isn't a moral failure—but a nervous system trying desperately to self-soothe? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Jessie Hannah, the creator of Bare Becoming, who has lived with trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) since she was seven. Jessie describes trichotillomania as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB)—an irr
Distinct, Not Deficient: Neuroinclusive Workplaces & Maximizing Manhood with Grant Harris
What if your workplace has been misreading your quiet, focused, neurodivergent brain as a liability—when it's actually one of its greatest assets? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Grant Harris, a dad, husband, Hall of Fame athlete, three-time author, keynote speaker, and human-centered performance strategist. Grant works with HR, L&D, ERGs, and people lea
Lottery Money, Addiction & Choosing Recovery: Neurodivergent Resilience with Peter John Mather
What if your family won the lottery—and instead of solving everything, your life spiraled into addiction, suicide attempts, and near-death experiences? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Peter John Mather, an entrepreneur, professional skydiver, health and life coach, Tony Robbins volunteer, and recent immigrant to the United States. Peter shares the story
ADHD Scattershot, Late Autism & Escaping the Corporate Box: Reinventing Life with Ghostwriter Richard Lowe
What if you spent decades in high-level IT, only got your autism and ADHD diagnoses in your mid-60s—and then realized your "too much" brain is actually your superpower? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Richard Lowe, a former Director of IT at Trader Joe's and VP in multiple tech and consulting companies who walked away from a six-figure corporate career t
"I Am Not Dumb, I Am Dyslexic": Late Diagnosis, the 3Ds & Smarter Than School Says with Jess Arce
What if the real problem was never your intelligence—but the way you were taught? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Jess Arce, founder of 3D Learning Experts and author of I Am Not Dumb, I Am Dyslexic. Jess calls herself "America's Dyslexia Expert" for a reason: she's dyslexic, three of her four children are dyslexic, her husband is dyslexic, and she's bee
Late-Identified Autism, Rejection Sensitivity & Burnout in Helping Professions | Becca, LCSW
What happens when you spend your life caring for everyone else, perform at a "super high" level in mental health or healthcare—and only later realize you're autistic and ADHD? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Becca, a licensed clinical social worker who has done "a little bit of everything" in mental health over the last 15+ years: hospital liaison work,
Mismatch Desire, Sensory Needs & "Good Sex" for Neurodivergent Brains | Lori Davis, NP
What if your sexuality has only ever been talked about in diagnosis codes, labels, or shame—and no one ever helped you figure out what actually feels good and safe for you? In this intimate episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with nurse practitioner and sexologist Lori Davis, who works at the intersection of medicine, somatics, and relationships to help people in long-te
Executive Function, Masking & "All the A's": Thriving with Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety with Dr. Norrine Russell
What if your brain is bright and capable—but your life feels like a mess of missed deadlines, chaotic rooms, and constant overwhelm? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Dr. Norrine Russell, a "quirky mom" of two neurodivergent kids (autism, ADHD, anxiety—"all the A's") and founder of the largest student coaching practice in the U.S. for neurodiverse learners
Designing Your "Third Act": Handstands at 72, Cabaret, and Reinventing Yourself with Norman Calvo
What if your 70s were more adventurous than your 30s? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Norman Calvo, a longtime mortgage banker who decided "standard success" wasn't enough—and reinvented himself in his 60s and 70s. Norman went from overworked, out of breath on New York subway stairs to running half-marathons, completing the New York City Marathon, perfec
What the Fuck Do You Mean Rejection Is Redirection?
Disappointment is part of life. Unfortunately, nobody teaches autistic people how to deal with it. Instead, we're handed vague inspirational quotes like "Everything happens for a reason," "Rejection is redirection," and "There's a silver lining." But what happens when the thing you wanted most disappears? What happens when a carefully planned future suddenly falls apart? In this solo episode, Apri
Money, Debt & Neurodivergent Brains: Autistic-Friendly Finance with Al Zdenek (Cake Club App)
Money isn't just numbers—it's shame, anxiety, and chaos for a lot of autistic and ADHD adults. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L sits down with financial expert and author Al Zdenek, executive chair of CakeClub Inc. and creator of the CakeClub personal finance app, to talk about practical money skills for real people—not just the rich. Al shares how he went from near
🎙️ Autistic Burnout Doesn't Show Up All at Once
In this solo episode of Adulting with Autism, April shares her personal experience with autistic burnout and the warning signs she missed along the way. From suddenly losing interest in music and favorite hobbies to driving in silence, chronic exhaustion, nightmares, irritability, and physical pain, burnout didn't arrive with a dramatic announcement. It crept in quietly until her body demanded att
Dating While Autistic: 10 Red Flags I Learned the Hard Way
Dating can be confusing for anyone, but when you're autistic, ADHD, or both, it can be even harder to know what's a red flag and what's just awkward first-date behavior. In this solo episode, April shares ten dating rules she wishes someone had taught her years ago. From dating apps and first dates to excessive texting, alcohol, scammers, love bombing, and why "the representative" is not the real
Autistic Burnout, Sleep Debt & Nervous System Recovery with Tim Thomas | Adulting with Autism
For many autistic and neurodivergent adults, burnout doesn't start with one bad day—it builds slowly through sleep deprivation, chronic stress, anxiety, and nervous system overload. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I welcome back Tim Thomas, veteran recovery specialist and founder of Breathwork in Bed, to discuss why so many autistic adults feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in surviva
"When You Have No More Fucks to Give": Autistic Burnout, Disappointment, and Getting Back Up Again
What do you do when you're autistic, exhausted, and completely out of emotional bandwidth—with zero fucks left to give? In this raw solo episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L gets honest about the days when life keeps "life-ing": guests reschedule, kids melt down over school bureaucracy, work drains you, and everything feels like too much at once. She breaks down the lie that li
Autistic & Getting Your First Job: Boundaries, Burnout, and Bullshit You Don't Have to Put Up With
Summer means a lot of my autistic squad is starting (or escaping) jobs—first jobs after high school, college, or that soul-sucking gig you can't stand anymore. In this solo episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L breaks down the stuff no one told us about autistic employment: why choosing a job just for the money backfires, how sensory needs and social energy should shape your wor
Late-Diagnosed at 53: Autism, Entrepreneurs & Finding Your Genius | Jonathan Domsky
What if you went most of your life thinking you were just "quirky"… and then discovered at 53 that you're autistic? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with business and life coach Jonathan Domsky of Untangled Coaching, who works with "nerd diverse" entrepreneurs—people whose brains don't run on default settings and were never meant for the standard playbook. Jonathan shares how supp
When Autistic Kids Grow Up: The Shocking Gap in Adult Autism Research (Releases June 4) | Brady Huggett
What happens when autistic kids grow up—and no one is studying their lives? In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with science journalist Brady Huggett from The Transmitter to discuss his new podcast series When Autistic Kids Grow Up (releasing Thursday, June 4). Together, we uncover a massive and often overlooked gap in autism research: the lack of funding and support for
Avoid the Chaos: Executive-Function Friendly Health & Care Planning with Raymond Lavine
Raymond Lavine joins Adulting With Autism to talk about a topic most people avoid until it becomes a crisis: caregiving and long-term care planning—and why "I'm too young to think about that" is exactly how chaos happens later. Raymond grew up in Hollywood, California, and spent most of his career in financial services (commercial banking, mortgage banking, insurance). For the past 15+ years, his
Define Your Success: Resilience, Creativity, and Advocacy Tools with Nicholas Kelly (RD)
Nicholas Kelly, MS, RD, LD joins Adulting With Autism for a powerful, practical conversation about chronic illness, resilience, executive function, and redefining success one day at a time. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at just three months old, Nicholas brings a rare dual perspective to this episode: he's both a registered dietitian and a lifelong patient. He shares what it's really like to bui
ADHD, Execution & "Starting Ugly": How to Stop Stalling and Finally Follow Through | Adam Tilove
Why do so many people with ADHD (and other neurodivergent traits) struggle to follow through—even when they have great ideas? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with executive coach and author Adam Tilove, creator of Neurodiscipline and the book Split Second: Stop Stalling and Start Doing. Adam shares powerful, real-world strategies to close the gap between ideas and execution—w
Adulting with AuDHD in Medicine: Systems, Energy, and Scaling | Dr. Amanda Wilson
Dr. Amanda Wilson, DDS, MDS joins Adulting With Autism as a newly diagnosed AuDHD orthodontist, educator, and founder of StraightSmile Solutions®—and she's here to make orthodontics, leadership, and neurodivergence actually interesting. Amanda isn't a "traditional" orthodontist. After 10 years in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, she built a consulting and education company that sup
Steven Martini on Major Payne, Neurodivergence, and Creative Identity | Adulting With Autism
Actor, writer, and independent filmmaker Steven Martini joins Adulting With Autism for an honest conversation about identity, creativity, neurodivergence, and staying grounded in an industry that doesn't always respect limits. Many listeners first recognize Steven as Cadet Alex Stone from the 90s cult-classic comedy Major Payne—and in this episode, he shares what it's like to have that role take
Episode 300 Special: Self-Care That Actually Works (Sleep, Sunlight, Movement, Connection) | Matt Campbell
Adulting With Autism — Episode 300 (Milestone Special!) We made it to Episode 300 of Adulting With Autism. That's 300 episodes of conversations for the people who feel like they missed the manual—especially autistic and ADHD young adults trying to build a life that actually works with their brain. Thank you for listening, sharing, and growing with this show. This milestone episode is a celebratio
Is It Your Personality or Dysregulation? How to Tell the Difference + Track Patterns | Jess Vanrose
If you've been "functioning" but you feel flat, numb, exhausted, or disconnected, this episode of Adulting With Autism is a grounded conversation about what that can mean—especially through the lens of trauma, survival mode, and nervous system regulation. April sits down with Jess Vanrose, host of the Life After Trauma podcast. Jess is coaching-certified and trauma-informed certified, but she's c
Autism/ADHD Masking Through a Trauma Lens + Nervous System Tools | Maggie McCane, LCSW
If you've done the books, the podcasts, the "talk therapy," and you still feel stuck—this episode of Adulting With Autism digs into why that can happen and what to try next. April sits down with Maggie McCane, LCSW, a trauma psychotherapist and owner of Rehoboth Therapy and Wellness in Tucson, Arizona. Maggie shares why she built a practice outside the limitations of insurance-driven care, and wh
ADHD Creatives: How to Build Structure Without Killing Your Creativity (Sarah DeGrave)
If you're an ADHD (or neurodivergent) creative with a zillion ideas and not enough follow-through, this episode of Adulting With Autism puts language and tools to what's really happening—without shaming you for it. April welcomes Sarah DeGrave, a certified ADHD coach who works one-on-one with clients on everything from daily task follow-through to big "what am I doing with my life?" questions. Sa
"Adulthood Is a Falsehood": Building a Life That Works for Your AuDHD Brain (Nicole Farrell)
What if "adulting" isn't a checklist—house, job title, perfect routine—but simply learning how you work and building a life that supports it? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, April talks with Nicole Farrell, a nonprofit funding & development consultant who runs Rubber City Development Consulting. Nicole shares how receiving a dual diagnosis of ADHD + autism at 25 helped her finally unders
What "Adulting" Really Means When Your Brain Is Spicy and Life Is Messy (Tina Estrella)
Adulting when your brain is "spicy" and life is messy isn't about having the house, the car, or the perfect routine—it's about learning how to work with your nervous system, not against it. In this episode of Adulting With Autism, April sits down with Tina Estrella (also introduced as Tina Strayer), a certified EK (Existential Kink) coach and "flow state management" coach whose work is closely re
If You Can Name It, You Own It: Emotional Growth for Autistic & ADHD Adults (Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst)
Change is hard—especially when you're autistic, ADHD, burned out, or late-diagnosed and trying to "adult" with a nervous system that did not get the memo. In this episode of Adulting With Autism, I'm joined by Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.—a Licensed Telehealth Psychologist serving Maryland and Washington, DC with over 30 years of clinical experience. Dr. Vanderhorst works with adults, couples, a
Beyond DSM Labels: Dr. Meher Chahal on Autism, ADHD, Trauma, and Real Healing
What if the DSM isn't the "final word" on your brain—just a system that got used for billing and scaled into a cultural identity machine? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, April sits down with Dr. Meher Chahal—a physician trained in Western medicine and psychiatry who no longer practices in the traditional system and now works as a Systemic & Family Constellations facilitator/therapist, Ju
Autistic Burnout vs Burnout: Dr. Megan Neff on Sensory Needs, Masking, and Energy (Spoon Theory)
"What do you do?" can be a hard question for autistic people—especially when your whole life finally starts making sense after you find the right language. In this episode of Adulting With Autism, Dr. Megan Anna Neff (clinical psychologist, educator, and creator of Neurodivergent Insights) shares her path into autism advocacy: near the end of her clinical psychology doctorate, one of her children
Autism, ADHD & Intimacy: Somatic Sex Specialist Dr. Laura Jurgens on Desire, Consent, and the "Desire Gap"
What does intimacy look like when you're autistic and/or ADHD—especially with sensory overwhelm, fast thoughts, rejection sensitivity, or trouble "reading the room"? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, April sits down with Dr. Laura Jurgens (somatic sex and attachment specialist) to talk about body-based approaches to desire, arousal, consent, and connection—in a way that's practical, shame-
Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn Explained: Alena Candova on Stress States, Safety Signals, and What "Regulated" Feels Like
Alena Candova is a nervous system and subconscious reprogramming practitioner and the author of Grace Over Grit. In this episode, Alena explains why so many of us get stuck trying to "think" or "discipline" our way into change—and why the deeper lever is learning how your nervous system drives thoughts, emotions, and behavior. We break down what "regulation" actually feels like (clarity, possibili
Decision Fatigue Explained: Katharine Chestnut on "I'm Done Deciding Today" and How to Recover Your Bandwidth
Katharine Chestnut is a former corporate professional (30 years in corporate America) turned business owner and mindfulness teacher. In this episode, she shares a grounded, no-perfectionism approach to mindfulness—built around real life and real nervous systems, not unrealistic routines. Katharine talks about how mindfulness and meditation became essential tools during her recovery from an emotion
Queer Joy in Fantasy: Sair Kaufman on Writing Non-Binary Characters Without Trauma-as-the-Plot
Sair Kaufman (they/she) is an autistic, non-binary musical theatre writer and performer living in New York City—and the creator behind "The Reality Shaper," a D&D-inspired fantasy musical podcast built for accessibility, community, and queer joy. In this episode, Sair shares what it was like growing up undiagnosed, being high-masking (especially as an AFAB autistic person), and carrying years of s
Adulting with Autism: Confidence, Boundaries & Unmasking (Lawrence C. Harris)
What does "adulting with autism" look like when you stop performing for everyone else? In this episode, I'm joined by Lawrence C. Harris—a public speaker who helps teens and young adults build confidence, self-belief, and decision-making skills for school and life after graduation. Lawrence opens up about growing up with hyperverbal autism, having a nonverbal autistic sibling, and how experiences
Career Counseling for Non-Linear Paths: Prototyping, Burnout & Meaning (Carli Fink)
Today's guest is Carli Fink, a Certified Career Development Practitioner in Canada and the founder of Foreseeable Futures Career Consultancy (Toronto & online). Carli's all about the radical idea that your life can hold many possibilities—no matter your age, identity, or professional background—and she's here to challenge the "one straight path" career story. In this conversation, we get into wha
Grief Isn't Just Death: Katie Brzozowski on Hidden Grief, Caregiver Burnout & Resilience (ACT Therapy)
Grief is not just about death—and that misunderstanding keeps a lot of people stuck, ashamed, and confused about what they're feeling. In this episode of Adulting With Autism, Kathryn "Katie" Brzozowski, a clinical social worker (DSW) and owner of a group private practice, breaks down what grief can look like in everyday life—especially for neurodivergent people and overwhelmed caregivers. Katie d
"I Will Not Abandon You": Lulu Essey on Self-Love, Micro-Moments of Safety, and Real Healing
Self-love isn't manicures, martinis, or "treat yourself" energy. And it's not a vibe. It's a practice. In this episode of Adulting With Autism, Lulu Essey—speaker, mindset advisor, and executive creative director—breaks down what self-love actually means in real life: the refusal to abandon yourself. Lulu shares from lived experience, not theory: she's navigated severe bipolar disorder for over 30
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