Hosted by Julia Mirer, MD, this podcast shares the perspectives of clinicians, researchers, advocates, parents, and autistic individuals who are questioning the stories we’ve inherited and exploring more humane, inclusive ways of understanding and supporting difference — not just for autistic people, but for all of us.
Episode 16 - Karla Pretorius, PhD - Recognizing and Navigating AuDHD
What does it feel like to live at the intersection of autism and ADHD, when two seemingly opposing needs exist within the same person? In this episode, psychotherapist, psychologist, and PhD researcher Karla Pretorius joins us to discuss the more subtle and internalized presentations of ADHD and autism, particularly in women. We explore masking, anxiety, imposter syndrome, AuDHD, and why someone can appear to be functioning well while expending enormous energy just to keep up. Karla shares bo...
Psychedelic experiences can amplify everything from sound and light to emotion and memory, so how can we adapt them for neurodivergent individuals who may already experience the world in an amplified way? Dr. WaiFung Tsang, MSc, DClinPsy is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and co-founder of Onaya Science, joins us to explore what Western psychedelic medicine can learn from Indigenous Amazonian traditions and how these lessons may be particularly important for neurodivergent individuals. W...
What happens when the way you experience and communicate what is happening in your body doesn’t match what healthcare providers have been trained to recognize? Claire Sehinson, MSc, IFMCP is a late-diagnosed autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic researcher, functional medicine-trained practitioner, and educator, who joins us to explore the intersection of neurodivergence and chronic illness. We discuss how differences in interoception can affect the way autistic and other neurodivergent individuals ex...
6 Aug 2026
Episode 13 - Lucina Uddin, PhD - Autism, Bilingualism, and the Flexible Brain
How does the brain adapt to change, and what can cognitive flexibility teach us about autism? Neuroscientist Lucina Uddin, PhD joins us to explore the brain networks that support cognitive flexibility and why difficulties with adapting to change are common in autism. We discuss how neuroscience is shifting away from searching for a single "autism brain region" toward understanding dynamic brain networks, and what emerging research suggests about bilingualism, executive function, and perspecti...
13 Jul 2026
Episode 12 - Honey Rincella - Root Cause Medicine, A Paradigm Shift in Autism Care
Parents are often told they need to advocate for their autistic children. But who is making sure the healthcare system is equipped to support them when they do? In this episode, Honey Rinicella joins us to discuss one of the greatest unmet needs many families face: access to providers who are trained to look beyond a diagnosis and investigate the underlying factors contributing to a child's health. Honey shares her 20-year journey as a parent advocate, and why she came to realize that w...
What becomes possible when a mother decides to ignore what the experts said about her son’s future? In this episode, Cindy Rucker Trost joins us to share the twists and turns of her parenting journey with Hunter, highlighting the importance of choosing to believe that your child is capable of more. Cindy discusses the early years where the future was unknown and the present had no instructions, how her family navigated social and educational hurdles, and how patience and perseverance resulted...
What becomes possible when an autistic child grows up with a mother who always believed he was capable? In this episode, Hunter Trost joins us to share his perspectives on common myths about autism, the importance of support systems, and the impact of a mother who never gave up. Hunter makes it clear that every autistic individual has their own story, but also offers incredible insights about what might actually be happening when you see someone shut down and avoid socializing. He share...
25 May 2026
Ep 10 - Andrew Taylor - Failure To Launch And How To Get Unstuck
Why are so many young adults feeling stuck - and what actually helps them move forward? In this episode, Andrew Taylor joins us to explore the hidden forces shaping this generation and how parents and young adults can work together to rebuild momentum, resilience, and a sense of direction. We discuss the impact of technology on adolescent development, how overprotective parenting may unintentionally leave young adults underprepared for the real world, and why developing a clear pr...
18 May 2026
Episode 9 - Allison Kleinman & Alex LoPinto - Supporting Families After "The Cliff"
Where can families of neurodivergent children turn to when the structure and support of school systems fall away after graduation? Allison Kleinman, LCSW, and Alex LoPinto, LCSW of Future Centered Care join us to unpack the critical gaps families face when supporting adults with developmental disabilities—especially during major life transitions like “the cliff” after school. We explore the emotional and practical challenges parents encounter as their child develops greater autonomy, and how ...
There are countless books on parenting - but what happens when you’re raising a child who experiences the world differently and is often underestimated? Deborah Winking, PhD joins us to share insights from her book Raising Capable Kids, which walks parents through 12 habits - using story, science and prompts for self reflection - that allow parents to understand and apply these habits in their day to day lives. We explore topics like learned helplessness at the hands of well-intentioned...
27 Mar 2026
Episode 7 - James Williams - Self-Advocate Perspectives on School, Policy, and Social Connection
Are educators preparing autistic students for life, or just helping them survive school? James Williams joins us to share his perspectives on school, work, and social connection as an autistic individual. An autistic self-advocate since age 11, James brings a rare wide-angle view shaped not only by speaking and advocacy, but by ongoing exposure to the full range of lived experiences of autistic people beyond the speaker stage. His perspective bridges divides within today’s autism conver...
13 Mar 2026
Episode 6 - Elizabeth Horn - AI, Autism, and the Future of Personalized Medicine
What if the emergence of agentic AI can help answer the question of what causes autism? Elizabeth Horn joins us to share perspectives from a 30 year journey with her daughter Sophia, and how her experience inspired her to build new systems of support for autistic children at every step of the way. We discuss how behavioral interventions fail to address the underlying biological challenges which are different for each child and evolve over time. Elizabeth has had a front row seat to the ...
18 Feb 2026
Episode 5 - Greg Chasson PhD - The Perils of Perfectionism And How To Overcome It
Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly that you ended up not doing it at all? Dr. Greg Chasson is a leading authority on transforming compulsive and impulsive behaviors and the author of "Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management.” While it is true that many characteristics of perfectionism are often present in autistic populations, Dr. Chasson joins us to share more broadly the ways that perfectionism shows up to some degree in all of us, and how families, soci...
10 Feb 2026
Episode 4 - Dena Gassner, PhD - Advocacy, Inclusion and Internalized Autism
As the conversation around autism gets mainstreamed, some people become more understanding when they recognize stereotypical behaviors in public, but what happens when autism is not as noticeable from the outside? Dr. Dena Gassner shares what many families experience, simultaneously navigating school systems for her autistic child (who presented in a more classic way and diagnosed early) while also integrating her own diagnosis (which came much later due to the internalizing nature of ...
10 Feb 2026
Episode 2 - Clain Udy - Rebranding Autism - A Father's Quest To Uncover His Son's Potential
Your child just received a diagnosis of autism, now what? Much of the information out there continues to be focused on fixing deficits, but ignores something more important that might actually unlock hidden potential: their strengths. Clain Udy joins us to share his journey with his son Christian, which begins as many parents’ journeys do and transforms into a period of exploration that became the inspiration for his book Rebranding Autism. He talks about a pivotal and heart breaking mo...
10 Feb 2026
Episode 3 - Angela Kingdon, PhD - Late Diagnosis, Autism Wars, and the Importance of Autistic Culture
We often hear how a diagnosis of autism can be a relief, especially for those diagnosed later in life, but what happens when the treatment plan that follows the diagnosis actually makes you worse? Dr. Angela Kingdon shares with us the winding journey following her diagnosis at age 39, including how traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy created new challenges, her experience with autistic burnout, and what finally helped her regain control of her life. Angela provides incredible insig...
10 Feb 2026
Episode 1 - Sarah Wayland, PhD - Is This Autism? When Science Doesn't Capture Lived Experience
There is an outdated belief that autism is only a diagnosis of childhood, so what happens when the diagnostic systems that providers depend on cannot capture the reality of lived experience? Dr. Sarah Wayland joins us to share her experience, both personally and professionally, as to how autism may present differently than expected and lead to misdiagnosis and delayed care. She shares her experiences while co-authoring “Is This Autism?“ highlighting the importance of asking autistic ind...
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