Autistic Culture Podcast Network

Part of our 12-Week Writing Series for autistic creatives and late-diagnosed adults.

In this episode of Writing Unmasked, Dr. Angela Kingdon is joined by poet, nonfiction writer, and fiber artist Christina Socorro Yovovich for a conversation that redefines what “success” means for autistic creatives.

Together, they explore how writing can be both a healing modality and a radical act of self-definition—especially for neurodivergent people navigating ableist ideas of productivity. From fiber arts to memoir, Christina shares how sensory-soothing practices support creativity, and how success isn’t always publication—it’s peace, expression, and connection.

We also announce the winners of our Week 8 writing prompt contest!

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why “write every day” advice often clashes with neurodivergent energy rhythms
• How knitting, journaling, and pets provide sensory grounding for creativity
• The difference between external success (money, recognition) and internal success (healing, self-trust)
• Why spoon theory matters in sustaining creative energy
• How autistic writers benefit from concrete audiences and predictably comforting environments
• The impact of internalized ableism on creative self-worth

🏆 Week 8 Winners

🥇 First Place:

“Goldilocks – Girl Misunderstood”

by Bragitta Ozhga

🥈 Runner-Up:

“Konstantin Levin”

by Louise Lomas

Congratulations to our featured writers, and thank you to everyone who submitted! Want to see their full entries? Read their stories here.

👤 About Christina Socorro Yovovich

Christina is a poet and nonfiction writer whose work has been featured in River Styx, Blue Mesa Review, MUTHA Magazine, and more. She writes with emotional honesty and sensory depth, often exploring mental health, motherhood, and the autistic lived experience.

• 📸 Instagram: @cyovovich
• 📚 Published Works
• 🎧 Therapeutic Knitting Podcast – “Discovering a Grounded Joy”
• 🧶 Ply Magazine Article – “The Woolly Animal of Dawn”
• 📺 YouTube: Knit & Chat Series
• 🕊️ Guest Sermon at UU Church

Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Who Can It Be Now?’ Contest

Tap into the mystery genre or let your imagination run wild—just keep it under 500 words.

🖊️ Open to: Everyone

🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, July 9 at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK

💷 Prize: £10 per winner

📘 Publication: Winners featured on Substack and in the Neurodivergent Narratives anthology

🔗 Submit your entry here →

✅ Submission Rules

• No plagiarism, hate speech, or graphic content
• Multiple submissions welcome
• No subscription required to participate
• All decisions final

📢 Use hashtag #WhoCanItBeNow on social media

Related Episodes:

The Art of Unmasking (Episode 142) - Writing Prompt #32

Autistic Head Cannon (Episode 144) - Writing Prompt #33

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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

In this episode of Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon explores Pillar 7: Boldly Creating with special guest Nina Danon—composer, sound artist, and doctoral researcher whose work focuses on the rich intersections between autism, music, sensory experience, and creativity.

This episode is about making art that’s true, not palatable. It’s for every autistic person who has ever created from a place of emotional intensity, sensory immersion, or special interest—and wondered if it “counts.”

Together, Nina and Angela discuss how stimming, repetition, texture, and rhythm form the basis of autistic artistic practice, and how creative expression becomes a radical act of self-regulation, connection, and authenticity.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why autistic creativity often rejects genre, structure, and perfectionism
• How bottom-up processing fuels invention and form-breaking in autistic art
• How stimming, fandom, and fiber arts like knitting function as bold creative acts
• Nina’s upcoming publication on Musical Neuroqueering and her Stimming Wheel toolkit
• How autistics create to regulate, connect, and process the world through sensory-emotional fusion
• The power of embracing creative process—not just polished outcomes

Featured Guest: Nina Danon

Nina’s work centers autistic creativity as embodied, non-linear, and radically expressive. Her Musical Neuroqueering research will be published in Neuroqueer Theory and Practice (2026, edited by Dr. Nick Walker).

• 📧 Contact Nina: [email protected]
• 🩵 Nina on BlueSky: @ninadanon.bsky.social
• 🎵 “Volcano” – A Neurodivergent Sonic Experience (with Francesco Cassino)
• 🎤 “Composing Neurodivergence” – King’s College Talk (Feb 2025)

Further Reading Recommendations from Nina:

📘 Designing an Autistic Space for Research – Bertilsdotter Rosqvist et al., Neurodiversity Studies (Routledge, 2020)

🎭 Look, I Made a Hat – Stephen Sondheim (Knopf, 2011)

Related Episodes:

Eminem (Ep19) - Bold lyrical precision & emotional vulnerability

Questlove (Ep29) - Rhythmic innovation through sensory hyperfocus

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at 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.

Part of our 12-Week Writing Series for autistic creatives and late-diagnosed adults.

In this episode of Neurodivergent Narratives, Dr. Angela Kingdon is joined by writer and editor Jo Case to explore the hidden neurodivergent depths of beloved book characters. Together, they dive into the emotional power of autistic-coded characters, the experience of late autism discovery, and how fiction helps autistic readers find identity, resonance, and belonging.

From Anne of Green Gables to Harriet the Spy, this conversation celebrates the moment we finally saw someone like us—on the page.

We also announce the winners of our Week 7 writing contest on that very theme!

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How Jo Case's late diagnosis reshaped her relationship with literature and self
• The emotional significance of autistic-coded characters in identity development
• How fiction becomes a lifeline for autistic readers navigating masking and self-doubt
• Actionable advice for autistic writers ready to move from journaling to publishing
• A live reading of the winning entry from our Someone Like Me writing contest
• How to name and honor your childhood book “mirror”—that character who saw you

🏆 Week 7 Winners

🥇 First Place:

“The Armadillo and the Cactus”

by Genya Vasilov

🥈 Runner-Up:

“The Runt and the Kitten”

by Fiona Baker

👏 Congratulations to our featured writers, and thank you to everyone who submitted! Want to see their full entries? 👉 Read their stories here.

👤 About Jo Case

Jo is the editor of Someone Like Me, an upcoming anthology of creative non-fiction by Autistic, gender-diverse, and women writers. She’s also deputy books and ideas editor at The Conversation and author of the memoir Boomer and Me, which explores autistic motherhood and late identification.

• 📘 Boomer and Me – Published by Hardie Grant
• 📚 Anthology Info: Someone Like Me (2025)

Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Someone Like Me’ Contest

Prompt: Write about a childhood book character you now read as Autistic.

🖊️ Open to: Everyone

🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, July 2 at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK

💷 Prize: £10 per winner

📘 Publication: Winning entries featured on Substack and in the Neurodivergent Narratives anthology

🔗 Submit your entry here →

✅ Submission Rules

• No plagiarism, hate speech, or explicit content
• Multiple entries allowed
• No subscription required
• All decisions are final

📢 Share with #SomeoneLikeMe on social media

Related Episodes:

Neurodivergent Creative Cycles with Sol Smith (Episode 140) - Writing Prompt #31

The Art of Unmasking (Episode 142) - Writing Prompt #32

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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

In this episode of Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon explores Pillar 6: Game-Changing Innovation—the autistic drive to question assumptions, reimagine systems, and create from sensory truth and moral clarity.

Autistic innovation isn’t about chasing trends or applause. It’s about paradigm shifts. From Isaac Newton’s invention of calculus to Richard Branson’s rebellious business model to Angela’s father building his own Hot Rod kit cars—this episode shows how autistic game changers build entirely new systems when old ones fail.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why autistic thinkers often notice problems no one else sees
• How emotional intensity, deep focus, and sensory perception drive innovation
• The difference between trend-following disruption and authentic paradigm-building
• How masking stifles game-changing potential—and how to lean into your vision
• Stories of iconic game changers like Isaac Newton, Steve Jobs, Hannah Gadsby, and Martha Stewart

📚 Resources Mentioned

• 🎤 Angela’s TEDx Talk at TEDx Tamworth — on Newton as an autistic game changer
• 📘 Make ‘Em Beg to Work for You – Angela’s Hiring Book
• 📖 Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• 📺 Lessons in Chemistry (TV series featuring autistic-coded innovation)

Related Episodes:

Industrial Light & Magic

Lessons in Chemistry is Autistic

Freddie Mercury

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at 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.

Part of our 12-Week Writing Series for autistic creatives and late-diagnosed adults.

In this episode of Neurodivergent Narratives, Dr. Angela Kingdon explores how writing supports unmasking and identity integration after late autism discovery. From poetic processing to oral storytelling traditions, Angela dives into how expressive language can unlock joy, agency, and self-trust for neurodivergent writers.

Plus, she announces this week’s new writing prompt — a call to craft fables rooted in autistic truths — and reveals the winners of our sixth writing contest!

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How writing can help process the identity shock of late diagnosis
• The emotional cost of masking and the creative joy of unmasking
• What makes a fable powerful—and how autistic storytelling reclaims the oral tradition
• Updates on Angela’s upcoming book, Am I Actually Autistic?, and the Neurodivergent Voices Live event in June 2026
• Reflections from our latest haiku-based writing contest
• A live reading of the winning entries

🏆 Week 6 Winners

🥇 First Place:

Lindsee Garlock-Thornton

– “Sparkly Brain”

– “Knowledge Thirst Trap”

– “Sensational Senses”

– “Visual Disturbance Rumination”

– “Call Me Sal”

– “Welp, Found My People”

📸 Follow Lindsee on Instagram: @haikuwouldntyou

🥈 Runner-Up:

Allyson Hogan

– “Comfort Episode”

– “Spin Reemerging”

– “Play the Song Again”

👏 Congratulations to our featured writers, and thank you to everyone who submitted! Want to see their full entries? 👉 Read their stories here.

Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Moral of the Story’ Contest

Prompt: If you were to write a fable in the style of Aesop’s fables about friendship, what would the moral be?

🖊️ Open to: Everyone

🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, June 25 at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK

💷 Prize: £10 per winner

📘 Publication: Winners featured on Substack and in the Neurodivergent Narratives anthology

🔗 Submit your entry here →

✅ Submission Rules

• Max 500 words
• No plagiarism, hate speech, or explicit content
• Submit as many entries as you like
• No subscription required

📢 Share with hashtag #MoralOfTheStory

Resources:

🎙️ Matt shares the Wind and the Sun parable at 10:43 on the Neurodiversity Podcast

📖 BBC on Aesop’s Fables

📘 Full List of Aesop’s Morals

📗 Angela’s Book: Am I Actually Autistic? (Substack)

📕 Buy the Print Edition

Related Episodes:

Writing Memoir with Alethea Shapiro (Episode 138) - Writing Prompt #30

Neurodivergent Creative Cycles with Sol Smith (Episode 140) - Writing Prompt #31

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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

In this episode of Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon is joined by Jodi Britcha-Coyne, author, life coach, and systems-thinker, to explore Pillar 5: Pattern Matching—the cultural superpower at the heart of autistic insight, organization, and perception.

Autistic pattern matching isn’t robotic—it’s deep, human, creative, and emotionally charged. From recognizing micro-patterns in conversation to creating vast knowledge maps across disciplines, autistic people don’t generalize—we observe. We track anomalies. We notice what others miss. And in a world built on noise and guesswork, this precision is transformative.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why autistic people are data-hungry, detail-oriented, and insight-driven
• How monotropic focus and repetition build meaning and emotional grounding
• Why pattern matching isn’t about cold logic—it’s about finding order, comfort, and connection
• Examples of real-world pattern thinking: board games, Kinsey’s research, Wikipedia editing, Magic the Gathering, and more
• How to embrace your “pattern brain” in a world that often mislabels it as “too much”

👤 Featured Guest: Jodi Britcha-Coyne

Jodi is a Certified Life Coach, Strategic Interventionist, and author of Are You Still There God? It’s Me, Jodi—a witty, honest look at midlife, motherhood, and systems-thinking.

• 📘 Buy Jodi’s Book

Resources Mentioned:

• 🧠 “The Predictive Coding Account of Psychosis and Autism” – Frontiers in Psychiatry
• 📖 “The Prehistory of Autism” – Rounded Globe
• 📘 “Understanding Autism” – IntechOpen Chapter
• 🎓 Monotropism Slides – Dr. Damian Milton
• 🌐 Monotropism.org – Wellbeing & Focus

Related Episodes:

Sex/Alfred Kinsey

Board Games

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at 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.

Part of our 12-Week Writing Series for autistic creatives and late-diagnosed adults.

In this episode of Neurodivergent Narratives, Dr. Angela Kingdon sits down with Sol Smith—author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery and founder of the NeuroSpicy Community—to explore what creativity really looks like for autistic writers. Together, they dismantle the myth of the “perfect process” and make space for cyclical, sensory, and self-directed ways of writing.

Sol shares his journey through authorship, ADHD, autistic inertia, and perfectionism, offering practical encouragement for neurodivergent creatives navigating their own pace. Plus, we announce the winners of our Week 5 writing contest!

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why perfectionism and creative ruts are not signs of failure—they’re part of the cycle
• How Sol’s writing journey led to creating the world’s largest online neurodivergent community
• What it looks like to write from your SPIN, not against your energy
• How haiku and short-form poetry can unlock powerful emotional clarity
• Practical tips for neurodivergent writers who feel “behind” or out of sync with productivity culture

🏆 Week 5 Winners

🥇 First Place:

“Kidnapped (Based on a True Story)”

by Laura Pearson

🥈 Runner-Up:

“And Then I Realized…”

by Genya Vasilov

👏 Congratulations to our winning writers! 👉 Read their full stories here.

👤 About Sol Smith

Sol is a certified autism specialist, author, and creator of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery. He leads the NeuroSpicy Community, a global support network for ADHDers and autistics, and is a sought-after speaker in corporate, academic, and online spaces.

• 🌐 www.ProfessorSol.com
• 📱 TikTok: @bettersol
• 📸 Instagram: @theprofessorsol
• 📘 Facebook: Sol Smith
• 🎥 YouTube: Professor Sol
• 💼 LinkedIn: Sol Smith

Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Your Autistic Birthright’ Contest

Prompt: Write a haiku inspired by your Autistic Birthright. Interpret the theme in any way that resonates with you—literally or metaphorically!

🖊️ Haiku Format:

• Line 1: 5 syllables
• Line 2: 7 syllables
• Line 3: 5 syllables

✨ Tips:

• Haiku often captures a vivid moment or personal truth
• No need to follow traditional nature themes—identity, stimming, and emotion are welcome

🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, June 18 at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK

💷 Prize: £10 per winner

📘 Publication: Winners will appear on Substack + in our anthology

🔗 Submit your entry here →

📢 Share with hashtag #HaikuYou

📚 Resources:

• 📖 The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery – Sol Smith
• 🌐 NeuroSpicy Community

Related Episodes:

Local Color with Tim Clare (Episode 136) - Writing Prompt #29

Writing Memoir with Alethea Shapiro (Episode 138) - Writing Prompt #30

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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

In this episode of Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon welcomes Dr. Scott Frasard, autistic author and advocate, as they dive into Pillar 4 of Autistic Culture: World-Building—the powerful autistic drive to construct immersive systems, structures, and stories, both real and imagined.

In his essay “The World We Built: A Future Where Autistic People Are Respected, Not Repaired”, Dr. Frasard envisions a future (set in 2075) where diagnosis has given way to identity co-creation, and neurodivergence is celebrated—not pathologized. This episode explores how autistic people don’t just survive systems—we reimagine them.

👉 Read the full essay here → here.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why world-building is more than fantasy—it’s how autistic minds make meaning
• How mental mapping, systems thinking, and SPINs shape autistic culture
• Why tools like timelines, frameworks, and rituals are forms of self-preservation, not inflexibility
• How world-building starts in childhood and evolves into leadership, creativity, and advocacy
• What it looks like to lean in to your vision instead of hiding it to blend in

👤 Featured Guest: Scott Frasard

Dr. Scott Frasard is an outspoken critic of behaviourist interventions in autism treatment and a fierce advocate for strengths-based, identity-first approaches. He’s a published author and long-time learning strategist.

• 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn
• 📖 The World We Built – Buy the book on Amazon

Related Episodes:

George Lucas

Ren Fests

Disney

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at 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 Neurodivergent Narratives, Dr. Angela Kingdon speaks with Alethea Shapiro, author and memoirist currently writing from the UK. Together, they unpack the emotional and technical rigor of writing memoir—especially when you’re not a public figure, and your words must carry everything.

Also in this episode: we announce the winners of our fourth Neurodivergent Narratives contest!

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

Why Memoir is Demanding (Especially Without Fame)

• It requires emotional honesty, narrative structure, and literary quality—without the boost of name recognition.
• You’re not just recounting events—you’re crafting a story with meaning.
• Readers expect polish and insight, not just truth.

Why Genre Fiction Can Feel More Accessible

• Genre offers known story arcs (romance, mystery, fantasy), which ease creative decisions.
• Writers can improve by practicing within clear boundaries.
• There's a built-in audience expectation for the familiar, not innovation.

Memoir vs. Genre: Pick Your Path

Option 1: Write for Joy + Self-Publish

✨ Great for exploration, voice-building, and learning by doing.

✨ May include blogging, newsletters, or community sharing.

✨ Success is defined by expression, not external validation.

Option 2: Commit to the Literary Path

🎯 You aim for excellence, craft, and possible publication.

🎯 You seek mentorship, workshops, and feedback.

🎯 Your focus is mastery, not mass output.

Both paths are valid. But clarity helps. Choose with intention—not shame.

🏆 Week 4 Winners

🥇 First Place:

"She Wants Her Floodplains Back"

by Hedda Asklund

🥈 Runner-Up:

"Home Is Where The Heart Is”

by Ryan Gillis

👏 Congratulations to our winning writers! 👉 Read their full stories here.

📚 About Alethea Shapiro

Alethea is a memoirist currently working on a book that blends personal experience with cultural insight. Her work centres around identity, neurodivergence, and transformation.

🔎 Follow her writing and journey here →

Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: The “Family Secret” Contest

Prompt: Write about a secret—real or imagined—that upends a family.

🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, June 11 at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK

💷 Prize: £10 per winner

📘 Publication: Winners will appear on Substack + in our anthology

📍 Submit Your Entry →

📢 Use hashtag #familysecret to share your story

Related Episodes:

Recovering from Burnout (Episode 134) - Writing Prompt #28

Local Color with Tim Clare (Episode 136) - Writing Prompt #29

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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

In this episode of Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture as we move onto Pillar 3 — Norm Challenging.

This episode explores truth-telling, gender defiance, sensory preferences, and Emily Dickinson’s poetic rebellion that made her a quintessential norm challenger—and an early voice of neurodivergent power.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why Emily Dickinson’s life was an act of radical autistic norm defiance.
• How literal thinking, moral clarity, and pattern recognition challenged the social structures around her.
• The connection between rejection sensitivity and creative brilliance.
• How “masking” created safety—but didn’t stop her from telling the truth.
• What we can reclaim from being called “too intense” or “too much.”

Related Episodes:

Emily Dickinson

Courtney Love (Referenced)

Being an Expat

🌟 Connect With Us

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at 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.