Autistic Culture Presents...

Exact Sciences are things folks who consider themselves rational and logical assume can be trusted. And they would be, but scientists are only human, and some of them aren’t even autistic, gasp! I had the privilege of pursuing an academic career in Natural Sciences, and there I found hard-working, dedicated professors, who would base their calculations on values with dubious origins, and reject valid findings to scoop the author’s work and publish it as their own. In this scientific episode I will be joined by Dr. Mary Sims (pronouns: she/her), and together we will spill the tea about science shenanigans, and on the way, you might even learn some random details about atmospheric aerosols, vibrational spectroscopy and self-assambled monolayers. You can find Dr Mary Sims’ podcast, Clinical Misfits on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network here.You can support Aut2Aut on Betterplace and Gofundme, or buy our #ActuallyAutistic designs in our print-on-demand shop. This will help prepped.to go on providing a platform for autistic folks to share locations’ sensory info and service instructions.My cat Merlin has a message for you at the end of the episode.Mentioned in this episode:Dr. Mary Sims’ podcast, Clinical Misfits [APCN please insert link here]My paper about the refractive index of Elemental CarbonMy paper about using the Vibrational Stark effect to investigate Self-Assambled MonolayersFafarman et al. 2010 about the effect of hydrogen bonding on the Star tuning rate. Correction: the numbers I’m referring to are not in a table but a chart in their supplementary material section.Where physicists upload their papers without peer review: arXiv.orgAut2Aut, the nonprofit I founded, providing free platforms and content by and for autistic peopleprepped.to is the website I created where autistic folks can upload and consult sensory info and service instructions about places, so folks can prep and script before going thereHow to support my nonprofitTheme music composed and produced by Lir Lutau Shahar (pronouns: he/fae/sea): YouTube, Soundcloud. For collaborations: lutaoshzh@gmail.com Follow Dr. Gal Schkolnik on LinkedIn, Mastodon or Tumblr📢 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan and Simon explore one of the most challenging conversations in parenting: how do we support neurodivergent children without preventing them from becoming independent adults?Drawing on Jordan's experiences raising two now-successful neurodivergent adults, the conversation examines the importance of boundaries, natural consequences, resilience and preparing children for a world that isn't always accommodating. The discussion also looks at the difference between supporting a child and overprotecting them, why gentle parenting can sometimes miss the mark, and how parents can encourage confidence without removing every challenge.The episode also explores how undiagnosed neurodivergence shaped Jordan's own childhood, how parenting changed after understanding autism and ADHD, the role of synaptic pruning during adolescence, and why accountability, repair and healthy communication remain some of the most important parenting tools.As always, this episode reflects personal lived experience and is intended to encourage thoughtful discussion rather than provide one-size-fits-all parenting advice.Our Sponsors:🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring→ sophiejamesndmentoring.com🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience🎧 The Neurodivergent Experience is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

In the first episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein explore one of the most familiar experiences for neurodivergent people: being told you're simultaneously "too much" and "not enough."From being labelled "too sensitive," "too loud," or "too intense" to constantly hearing "try harder" or "calm down," Katie and Jenna reflect on the impossible expectations placed on neurodivergent people. Together they explore how these messages shape identity, relationships, parenting, and the ways we learn to mask ourselves just to fit in.🎙️ Subscribe now to hear future episodes.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

In Episode Three of Clinical Misfits, Dr Mary explains about how the autonomic nervous system and the immune system provide a protective net over the entire person. As with the endocrine system, discussed in the last episode, coordination of activity has to be very tight to pull this off. If either system is dysregulated, both are and the body is left vulnerable. Worse, the immune system may attack the nervous system causing serious, debilitating disease. Or, the nervous system may trigger exaggerated immune responses to any number of environmental stressors that are not true physical threats to the body. The symptoms are familiar to us Clinical Misfits.Also in this episode, Dr Mary discusses how masking autistic traits undermines the Clinical Misfit's immune system, contributing to the physical illnesses that present in late-stage burnout.🩺 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

In this episode of Regulation Station, Becca Engle is joined by neurodivergent business coach and former educator Megan Bonde to explore what happens when we stop trying to fit ourselves into systems that weren't designed for us.Together they discuss burnout, productivity, entrepreneurship, and the importance of understanding how your brain works. Megan shares her journey from special education leadership to building a business around her strengths, while Becca reflects on creating flexibility in both education and work. The conversation explores delegation, self-advocacy, and why success looks different for every neurodivergent person.In this episode:Recovering from burnout and survival modeBuilding a business around your strengthsWhy productivity isn't one-size-fits-allDelegation, support, and letting go of perfectionismCreating neuroinclusive workplaces and systemsStructure, flexibility, and autonomyEntrepreneurship for neurodivergent peopleRedefining success beyond money and outputGuest:Megan Bonde is a neurodivergent business coach, TEDx speaker, former speech-language pathologist, and founder of an intentional community focused on neuroinclusive living and learning.🚂 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

In this episode of Theatrically Authentic, Sarah Atherton-Knight and Simon Scott explore what it actually means to be a neurodivergent performer — from auditions and rejection sensitivity to character building, hyperfocus, and the emotional intensity of stepping on stage.Simon reflects on his experiences as an autistic actor working across theatre, film, and television, discussing how performance became a structured means of processing emotion, identity, and self-expression. Together, Sarah and Simon unpack the realities of audition culture, masking in rehearsal rooms, and the exhausting balance between artistic authenticity and professional survival.Featuring discussions of performances in Oliver!, The Merchant of Venice, Masters of the Air, Romeo and Juliet, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, and immersive theatre experiences like Secret Cinema, this episode explores how neurodivergent minds approach storytelling differently, and why that perspective can create unforgettable performances. 📢 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

What if the difficult person, the repeated pattern, or the weight you keep carrying is not only a burden - but also a teacher?In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the phrase “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Buddha” - a playful twist on a familiar phrase that emerged from an ordinary pub conversation and opened up a deeper reflection on love, responsibility, meaning, boundaries and the hidden teachings inside life’s challenges..Drawing on the teachings of Ram Dass, the Buddhist story of the Two Monks at the river, nervous-system regulation, neurodivergent masking and the From Mask to Map framework, this episode asks:*Is this mine to carry, mine to support, or mine to witness?*Ashley explores why relationships and responsibilities can feel especially heavy for neurodivergent people - not only because of the person or situation itself, but because of the interpretive work involved: decoding unspoken expectations, monitoring tone and body language, absorbing emotional atmospheres, replaying conversations, masking while caring, and trying to work out what was meant rather than what was said.This episode also looks at how challenges can become information rather than evidence of failure. A meltdown, a trigger, a conflict, a repeated pattern or a moment of overwhelm may reveal a boundary, a sensory need, an old role, a place of exhaustion, or a part of ourselves asking for care.Without spiritualising harm or glorifying suffering, Ashley invites a more nuanced question:Where is the Buddha in this?The episode closes with The Path, the Pack and the Teacher, a guided practice for exploring what you are carrying, what may not be yours, and what wisdom might be ready to travel forward with you.Mindful Mondays is part of The Neurodivergent Experience on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Find Ashley’s longer meditations, Yoga Nidras and Bedtime Alchemy stories on Insight Timer by searching Ashley Dupuy.Ashley is also putting together the particulars of her From Mask to Map coaching cohort beginning in September. More details will be on her website soon, but for now, you can register your interest by emailing *[integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com)*.Our Sponsors:🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring→ sophiejamesndmentoring.com🔗 Stay Connected:Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience🎧 The Neurodivergent Experience is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

Welcome to This Week in Autistic Culture!This week marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network as our weekly roundup evolves into a Sunday magazine podcast and newsletter that explores the stories, conversations, and ideas shaping Autistic culture.This week we’re discussing the FIFA World Cup, Taylor Swift, SZA’s autism diagnosis, the latest developments in autism research, and, of course, bringing you another fantastic week of podcasts from across the network.🎧 Start Here: Autistic Culture Radio📻 On Air This Week:Monday 13th July:Theatrically Authentic – Episode 4: Committing to the BitSarah Atherton-Knight and Simon Scott explore what it actually means to be a neurodivergent performer and committing to the bit — from auditions and rejection sensitivity to character building, hyperfocus, and the emotional intensity of stepping on stage.Mindful Mondays with Ashley Dupuy:Ashley returns with another mindful reflection and guided meditation to help neurodivergent listeners begin the week with intention and regulation.Tuesday 14th July:Drinking to Mask and Unmask - Episode 3: Masking Is RealChelsey Flood speaks with researcher Dr Laura Hull about the science of masking, the experiences that masking describes, and why having language for these behaviours mattersRegulation Station – Episode 4: Work the Way You AreBecca Engle is joined by neurodivergent business coach and former educator Megan Bonde to explore what happens when we stop trying to fit ourselves into systems that weren’t designed for us.Wednesday 15th July:Clinical Misfits - Episode 3: Exaggerated Immune ResponsesDr Mary explains how the autonomic nervous system and the immune system provide a protective net over the entire person.NEW SHOW - Two Mics No Masking - Episode 1: You’re Too Much / You’re Not EnoughIn the first episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein explore one of the most familiar experiences for neurodivergent people: being told you’re simultaneously “too much” and “not enough.”Thursday 16th July:Autistic Rant Hour – Episode 5: Exact Sciences: Or Are They?Exact Sciences are things folks who consider themselves rational and logical assume can be trusted. And they would be, but scientists are only human, and some of them aren’t even autistic, gasp!The Neurodivergent Experience - Episode 119Jordan James and Simon Scott return for a conversation about the Neurodivergent Experience!Friday 17th July:Hot Topic Friday - A new discussion from The Neurodivergent Experience team, tackling a fresh topic from the world of neurodivergence.Collecting Fish – Episode 4: The Future of FishkeepingIn the final episode of this series of Collecting Fish, James Hepworth reflects on the current state of the aquarium hobby. From online education and captive breeding to social media, consumerism, and sustainability, this episode explores both the strengths and contradictions of modern fishkeeping.📚 From the Archive - Saturday 18th July:Autistic Culture Podcast Rewind – Apple is AutisticRewind with an Autistic Culture Podcast classic, as we re-run Apple is Autistic, exploring how Steve Jobs’ Autistic traits shaped Apple’s revolutionary successPlease rate, share and review our shows, as it helps them grow and reach more people! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐