Autistic Culture Podcast Network

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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Bit

Sarah 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 Real

Chelsey Flood speaks with researcher Dr Laura Hull about the science of masking, the experiences that masking describes, and why having language for these behaviours matters

Regulation Station – Episode 4: Work the Way You Are

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.

Wednesday 15th July:

Clinical Misfits - Episode 3: Exaggerated Immune Responses

Dr 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 Enough

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.”

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 119

Jordan 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 Fishkeeping

In 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 Autistic

Rewind with an Autistic Culture Podcast classic, as we re-run Apple is Autistic, exploring how Steve Jobs’ Autistic traits shaped Apple’s revolutionary success

Please rate, share and review our shows, as it helps them grow and reach more people! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this rewind episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP uncover the Autistic traits and cultural legacy of 18th-century poet Emily Dickinson.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How Dickinson’s obsessive love of reading and writing reflects classic Autistic special interests.
• Why her refusal to conform to gender norms and social expectations marks her as a cultural rebel.
• The significance of publishing only 10 poems in her lifetime while leaving behind a vast body of work that transformed literature.
• How her credo, “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant,” resonates with Autistic communication styles and honesty.
• Dickinson’s legacy of authenticity, healthy boundaries, and creative rule-breaking as a model for Autistic pride.
• Why her poetry continues to speak to Autistic readers navigating difference, resilience, and expression.

Resources:

• Her Own Society: A new reading of Emily Dickinson
• Patrick Jasper Lee on Literary Autism
• Emily’s White Dresses

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Collecting Fish, James Hepworth explores the beauty, complexity, and controversy surrounding marine aquariums — from clownfish and coral reefs to the realities of recreating an ocean ecosystem at home. 

James examines:

• Reef tanks and fish-only marine systems
• Water chemistry and salinity
• Marine filtration and live rock
• Sustainable fishkeeping
• Beginner mistakes
• The emotional pull of recreating an ocean ecosystem at home.

Alongside practical advice for first-time marine hobbyists, James reflects on the ethical tensions within saltwater fishkeeping, including wild-caught fish, coral collection, environmental damage, and species unsuitable for most home aquariums.

Blending practical guidance with personal reflection, this episode explores why marine fishkeeping continues to captivate hobbyists — despite the responsibility, expense, and uncertainty that comes with it.

🐠 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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss new research exploring how autistic people feel about genetic research—and why many support the science itself while remaining deeply concerned about how those discoveries could be used in the future.

The conversation explores fears around genetic screening, prenatal testing, and the possibility that autism research could shift from understanding and supporting autistic people towards preventing autistic people from existing in the first place. Jordan and Simon reflect on why trust has been damaged within the autistic community and why transparency, ethics, and meaningful involvement of autistic people are essential in shaping future research. 

A passionate and thought-provoking conversation about genetics, ethics, trust, and the future of autism research.

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring

• → sophiejamesndmentoring.com

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott begin by chatting about football, late-night World Cup matches, and the challenge of following a special interest that's happening in a completely different time zone. But the conversation quickly evolves into something much bigger: our relationship with our phones.

From doom scrolling and revenge bedtime procrastination to fear of missing out (FOMO), they explore why neurodivergent brains can find it so difficult to switch off.

A funny, reflective, and surprisingly relatable episode about FOMO, special interests, sleep, and learning to be present in a world that's constantly demanding our attention.

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring

• → sophiejamesndmentoring.com

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: mentions of self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders and medical gaslighting

What happens when you go to a mental health professional who has zero information about what it means when you, their patient, may be autistic? 

For this episode I was joined by Rey Rissanen (pronouns: they/them). Together we will rant and tell you about the horrors of needing help with our mental health, and instead of getting it, getting misdiagnosed, gaslighted and harmed by misinformed mental health professionals, and how great it is to finally realize you’re autistic and to learn to self-advocate in the mental health setting.

Rey is an artist who creates beautiful crochet designs, including crochet stim toys and houseplants, and they’re also the one who came up with the idea for prepped.to, a platform for autistic folks to share locations’ sensory info and service instructions, and you can see their beautiful illustrations of their story on our blog. 

You can support Aut2Aut and its platform prepped.to on Betterplace and Gofundme, or buy our #ActuallyAutistic designs in our print-on-demand shop. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Rey’s crochet designs: @rainbowrey.crafts and their art on Instagram
• Aut2Aut, the nonprofit I founded, providing free platforms and content by and for autistic people
• prepped.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 there
• How to support my nonprofit
• Theme music composed and produced by Lir Lutau Shahar (pronouns: he/fae/sea): YouTube, Soundcloud. For collaborations: [email protected] 
• 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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Vicki sits down with her aunt Sabrina — PhD in Theatre, lifelong arts educator, and the person who first showed her that big feelings weren't a problem to be managed but a gift to be expressed.

Sabrina spent her career creating safe containers for young people's big feelings through theater — including a production called SECRETS that addressed the AIDS crisis for teenagers in the 1980s when almost nobody else was willing to. This conversation is about what that work looked like, why it mattered, and what the arts do for people who feel everything.

It's also about what it means to have one person in your life who has known you for 45 years and never once told you that you were too much.

ABOUT SABRINA

Sabrina holds a PhD in Theatre from UC Berkeley and spent her career as an arts educator and theater director in the San Francisco Bay Area. She created educational theater productions for Kaiser Permanente including SECRETS and Nightmare on Puberty Street — work that used the stage to address the things nobody else was saying to young people. She is Vicki's chosen family.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it.

Hat on a Hat on a Hat (Substack): https://ahatonahatonahat.substack.com/

Donations are gratefully accepted and help keep this show going at whatever pace is sustainable.

Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/vickipeterson

✍️ 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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of their World Cup retrospective series, Simon Scott is joined by James Hepworth and Jack Hoban to look back on the two most recent FIFA World Cups: Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. 

The trio revisit England's unforgettable run to the semi-finals in Russia, Croatia's remarkable journey to the final, France's emergence as the dominant force of a new generation, and the arrival of stars such as Kylian Mbappé on football's biggest stage. They also discuss Germany's shock group-stage exits, iconic matches including Spain vs Portugal and France vs Argentina, and the atmosphere surrounding the last traditional summer World Cup. 

The conversation then turns to the unique winter World Cup in Qatar, reflecting on the tournament's unusual feel, Argentina's dramatic path to glory, Saudi Arabia's stunning upset over the eventual champions, and the fiery quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands. The episode culminates with a discussion of the extraordinary 2022 World Cup Final between Argentina and France, Lionel Messi's crowning achievement, Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick heroics, and where the tournament ranks among the greatest football spectacles ever seen. The series concludes with predictions for the future and anticipation for the next chapter in World Cup history.

⚽ 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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever struggled with procrastination, burnout, or simply need a little nudge to get started on a project, Helen and Elizabeth are here to help. In this episode, they explore how consistency, structure, and experimentation can transform creative energy into a sustainable practice, and how to stay engaged when you're feeling uninspired or overwhelmed.

Together they discuss productivity techniques, creative routines, narrative writing, and the ways art can help us process emotions and communicate experiences. They also share practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism and reconnecting with creativity when motivation is low.

In this episode:

• Using the Pomodoro Technique to tackle daunting projects
• Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect and unfinished tasks
• Narrative writing and emotional processing
• Comics and graphic storytelling as communication tools
• Moving from academic understanding to personal experience
• Creative exercises to quiet your inner critic

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode
• The Pomodoro Technique: https://www.pomodorotechnique.com/

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨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

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.