This week's episode has been in the works since early 2020! In March of that same year, Chris and I started watching Love on the Spectrum, a Netflix series that follows young adults on the autism spectrum, who explore the unpredictable world of dating and its unique challenges. I quickly recognized how beautifully crafted the series was and how much we can learn from it. So, I invited Jodi Rodgers, the show's sexologist and therapist, to share all of her dating wisdom with us!

Jodi Rodgers is a qualified sexologist, counselor, and special education teacher. She has worked within the education and community sectors in Australia and all over the world. She has extensive experience working with neurodiverse people of all ages.

She created her private practice, Birds and Bees, after 25 years of working in education, disability, and sexuality fields. Birds and Bees specializes in delivering counseling services and workshops for people with a disability, with a focus on sexuality, sexual health, and relationships, as well as training for parents, carers, and professionals to raise the community's capacity in this sometimes tricky area.

Hot-takes from this episode:

• Communication in the dating world today is complex
• Knowing how to exit a date is just as important as knowing how to enter a date
• Why it is important to find ways to communicate our differences
• What neurotypical people should know about dating
• The most integral part of being human is our ability to connect with other people
• We ALL struggle with dating and everybody needs support

Links and resources:

• Date Brazen on Instagram
• Jodi Rodgers on Instagram
• Love on the Spectrum
• Jodi Rodgers on Mr. A-+ Podcast