Autistic Culture Podcast Network

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela welcome special guest Meghan Ashley, LPC-S—an autistic licensed professional counsellor, speaker, and author of Blueprint to Behaviour—for a conversation about neurodivergent parenting, autistic self-understanding, and creating advocacy that starts at home.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why autism advocacy begins at home – Creating affirming environments, building accommodations plans, and dismantling internalized ableism in both kids and parents.
• Meghan Ashley’s mission – Why she’s determined that this generation of autistic children will be the last to grow up misunderstood, and her call to move beyond ABA.
• Inside Blueprint to Behaviour – Practical tools for reading nonverbal cues, supporting sensory needs, and meeting autistic children where they are.
• Parenting as an autistic person – Navigating late diagnosis, reparenting your younger self, and building layered support for your neurodivergent family.
• Cultural competence & Black autistic identity – The need for culturally responsive care and the unique dangers of ABA in Black communities.
• Living your best autistic life – Carrying sensory tools, sunglasses, and communication supports; understanding burnout, masking, and skill regression; and embracing your full autistic self unapologetically.

Featured Guest:

Meghan Ashley is a proudly autistic therapist, TED speaker, and lifelong learner licensed in Texas. She empowers clients to embrace their authenticity and specializes in supporting autistic adults, parents, and families with compassion and clarity.

Resources:

• Meghan’s TED Talk – Inspiring insights on neurodivergence and parenting. 🔗 Watch here
• Book – Blueprint to Behaviour – A compassionate, practical guide to understanding autistic children’s communication and behaviour. 🔗 Available on Amazon
• Autism Toolkits & Resources – Practical materials for adapting environments to autistic needs. 🔗 Visit adaptingtoautism.com

Related Episodes:

Bad Autism Diagnosis

Child-to-Parent Diagnostic Pipeline

Reframing DSM Autism Criteria

Sunglasses are Autistic

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🎧 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela are joined by stand-up comedian and podcast host Abigoliah Schamaun to explore why expat life might just be peak autistic behaviour. From cultural clashes to the comedy stage, Abigoliah’s journey offers insight, laughs, and plenty of neurodivergent real talk.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

1️⃣ Expat Life as a Neurodivergent Adventure

• Why Angela calls being an expat “autism with extra passport stamps.”
• Navigating national identity, cultural differences, and reinvention.
• The joys and challenges of moving between the US and UK.

2️⃣ Comedy, Creativity & Burnout

• Abigoliah’s rise from Ohio to NYC to the UK comedy scene.
• The overlap between neurodivergence and stand-up comedy.
• How burnout affects creative output and content creation.

3️⃣ Cross-Cultural Neurodivergence

• Differences in how autism and ADHD are perceived in the US vs. the UK.
• Healthcare, safety, and societal norms across the pond.
• How cultural context changes the way neurodivergence is experienced.

4️⃣ Post-Diagnosis Clarity & Self-Grace

• The relief and self-compassion that comes with an ADHD diagnosis.
• Strategies for navigating burnout without guilt.
• Why slowing down can be the key to long-term sustainability.

About Abigoliah Schamaun

Abigoliah Schamaun is a New York comedian, actor, and writer whose charisma and sharp comedic skill have taken her from Ohio to NYC to the UK stage. A finalist in the Funny Women Awards, she’s one of the top female headliners on the UK comedy scene. On TikTok, her stand-up and comedy cooking clips have amassed over 10 million views.

She co-hosts the Neurodivergent Moments Podcast with Joe Wells and is open about her life with ADHD, sharing honest and hilarious perspectives on neurodivergence.

Resources:

🎧 Listen to Neurodivergent Moments Podcast shows.acast.com/neurodivergent-moments

💖 Support their Show on Patreon patreon.com/neurodivergentmomentspod

📱 Follow Abigoliah Everywhere @abigoliah on all social media platforms

Related Episodes:

Comedy is Autistic

🌟 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 Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela unpack internalized ableism—how it shows up, where it comes from, and how to actively dismantle it as autistic individuals.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Masking, burnout & skill regression – How the drive to "prove you're capable" often causes harm rather than growth.
• The social model of disability – Why saying “I’m not disabled” may reflect deep-rooted ableist messaging.
• Constant sensory load – How bottom-up processing and sensory overwhelm intersect with ableist assumptions.
• Burnout vs. laziness – How autistic distress cues are misinterpreted, and the grief of losing skills after major burnout.
• Fear of coming out – The hidden costs of staying in the “neurocloset” and the need for autistic pride.
• Community debates – Functioning labels, HSP rebranding, and the importance of AAC for non-speaking autistics.

Related Episodes:

Bad Autism Diagnosis

Reframing DSM Diagnosis

🌟 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela explore the autistic coding in the sci-fi series The Orville and the role its showrunner, Seth MacFarlane, plays in shaping this representation.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Seth MacFarlane’s autistic-coded traits – Intense special interests, justice sensitivity, and monotropic focus that shine through his creative work.
• Why The Orville may be the most autistic-coded show on TV – From characters like Isaac, Bortus, and Klyden to entire alien cultures reflecting neurodivergent experiences.
• Star Trek connections – How MacFarlane’s lifelong passion for Star Trek: The Next Generation informs The Orville’s tone, storytelling, and layered Easter eggs.
• Tackling big topics – How the show addresses gender identity, toxic masculinity, and social justice in ways that resonate deeply with autistic audiences.
• Season 3 expansions – From Isaac’s refusal to support genocide to deeper explorations of anti-fascism, cult behaviour, and autistic-coded narratives.
• Behind the scenes – MacFarlane’s early public condemnations of Hollywood abusers, his use of recurring cast members, and what Season 4 might hold.

Related Episodes:

Star Trek is Autistic

Transformers is Autistic

Dinosaur is Autistic

🌟 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 Advocacy, Matt and Angela welcome special guest Halina Brooke, a licensed professional counsellor and changemaker, to explore what truly autism-affirming social skills look like—beyond the harmful norm of “teaching autistic people to act neurotypical.”

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Autism-affirming social skills – How Halina’s non-ABA, neurodiversity-affirming groups for autistic adults over 25 help participants enjoy social experiences, connect with their nervous systems, and heal from trauma.
• Lived experience in therapy – Why autistic self-advocates must lead the conversation, and the tension that exists between neurotypical clinicians and autistic perspectives.
• Life after diagnosis – Navigating post-diagnosis grief, the demands of masking and code-switching, and burnout from constantly adapting to neurotypical expectations.
• “Neurotypical packing peanuts” – Understanding filler interactions and how tools like ChatGPT can help decode social dynamics.
• Changing the system – Ethical use of labels, rejecting harmful practices like ABA, and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for autistic people.

Featured Guest: Halina Brooke

Halina Brooke is a licensed professional counsellor based in Arizona with a practice dedicated to supporting misfits, creatives, highly sensitive individuals, and those who don’t quite fit the mould. Through Recourse Counselling, Halina blends therapeutic insight with lived experience to offer affirming, individualized care—especially for neurodivergent adults.

With expertise in ethics, policy, and community advocacy, Halina is also a passionate changemaker, working to shift mental health systems toward more compassionate, inclusive, and neurodiversity-affirming models. She leads innovative, non-ABA social skills groups for adults over 25 and empowers clients to connect with their nervous systems, heal from past harm, and thrive in their authenticity.

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🌐 Website: Recourse Counselling

📅 Book a Free Consultation: Schedule Here

📞 Call: 602-787-0600

Related Episodes:

Unpacking PDA

Academia and Ableism

🌟 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela dive into the new DCU series Creature Commandos and explore why sympathetic monsters often resonate so deeply with autistic audiences. From James Gunn’s intricate world-building to the outsider themes woven through his characters, this episode celebrates the beauty and power of misfits in media.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• The autistic coding in James Gunn’s work – How Creature Commandos, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Suicide Squad all explore neurodivergent-friendly themes of belonging, justice, and misunderstood outsiders.
• World-building as autistic culture – Why Gunn’s meticulous fictional universes mirror autistic special interests and the joy of immersive detail.
• Monsters as mirrors – How characters treated as “less than human” reflect autistic experiences of judgment, alienation, and resilience.
• Outsiders uniting – The ways Gunn’s storytelling celebrates difference and shows the unique value that misfit characters bring to the group.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creature_Commandos_(TV_series)

Related Episodes:

Taylor Swift is Autistic

Star Trek is Autistic

Transformers is Autistic

Dinosaur is Autistic

🌟 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.

An episode that keeps it 100.

It’s our 100th episode! A huge thank you to our incredible supporters for joining us on this journey and uplifting our conversations about autistic culture and advocacy. Thank you all—we love you, and we’re so grateful that this podcast helps you feel seen! Here’s to many more episodes ahead. If you’ve enjoyed the journey so far, please consider leaving us a positive review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to help us keep spreading autistic joy and advocacy!

Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode:

* Dr Angela and Matt are revisiting the topics they brainstormed when the podcast first began—like Lewis Carroll, James Joyce, and Steve Jobs—and reflecting on whether they've covered them all or if there's still more autistic culture to explore!

* They discuss how episodes featuring autistic-coded people and characters with esoteric, autistic-coded lives often provide more content than those about openly autistic public figures because there’s more room for interpretation, deeper cultural analysis, and a richer exploration of autistic themes in storytelling.

* Matt and Angela also discuss Sir Isaac Newton and how, if he had masked his autism, we might not have groundbreaking innovations like bridges, gravity, or space travel.

* They discuss the problematic figure of Temple Grandin, examining how much of her controversial platform is rooted in her support for eugenics practices and her reliance on neurotypical name recognition.

* In addition, we explore neurotypical bias and how neurotypicals often react defensively to speculation that a public figure might be autistic, revealing their own inherent ableism and rigid, preconceived notions of autism.

* We also dive into Hans Christian Andersen—an autistic icon—and his story The Ugly Duckling, exploring its autistic coding and the deeper message that we are not "ugly ducklings" to be fixed but neurodiverse and beautiful swans.

* Matt and Angela then read heartfelt testimonials from listeners who have found comfort, validation, and a sense of belonging through the podcast. These messages highlight how the discussions on autistic culture, advocacy, and representation have resonated with the community, helping listeners feel seen, understood, and empowered in their own journeys.

“There’s a lot of gloom and doom out there [about autism] because it’s profitable. To say autism is this horrible, horrible condition that needs to be cured, instead of - it’s a way of life. It’s just how our people do things. It’s totally natural. It is just us. This is our way.” - Matt Lowry LPP

“Every once in a while, I meet somebody out in the real world who is a listener. And it always amazes me because I know that you [Angela] and Simon are here because I can see you and I’m talking to you directly, but I never really expect that other people out there hear anything that I say.” - Matt Lowry LPP

Did you catch all 100 layers of autistic culture in our milestone episode? In the comments, tell us which topics resonated with you the most, and use #AutisticCulture100 and #AutisticCultureCatch to share your thoughts on social media and connect with fellow listeners!

Show Notes:

How to Write a Review: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/promotion/how-to-write-podcast-reviews/

"We also want to remind you about two ways to get directly involved with the podcast.

BE A GUEST/ SUGGEST A SHOW: If you’d like to be a guest, fill out our Guest Form.

Help behind the scenes: Check out our Volunteer Form.

Related Shows:

Bad Autism Diagnosis

Reframing DSM Diagnosis

Ready for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!

Follow us on Instagram

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Learn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com

Our Autism-affirming merch shop

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

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela welcome special guest Melanie Deziel to explore the legendary Martha Stewart through an autistic cultural lens. From rigid routines to obsessive attention to detail, we examine the traits that set her apart—and the complex conversation around speculating on public figures’ neurodivergence.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Martha Stewart’s autistic-coded traits – Precision, pattern recognition, direct communication, and unwavering standards.
• Media bias & misogyny – How Martha was vilified for traits celebrated in men, and how the media shapes perceptions of powerful autistic-coded women.
• The ethics of public speculation – Why discussing possible autism in public figures can be both culturally important and ethically challenging.
• Passion as power – How Martha’s drive to share knowledge mirrors autistic info-dumping, and how her post-prison transformation revealed a more authentic self.
• Neurodivergence in the spotlight – Parallels between Martha Stewart, Taylor Swift, and other public figures whose traits clash with allistic norms.

Featured Guest: Melanie Deziel

Melanie Deziel is a keynote speaker and award-winning branded content creator who helps individuals, teams, and organizations unlock and organize their creative potential. She is the Co-Founder of The Creator Kitchen mastermind for creatives and the author of The Content Fuel Framework: How to Generate Unlimited Story Ideas and Prove It: Exactly How Modern Marketers Earn Trust.

Resources:

• 📺 Netflix Documentary – Martha Stewart 🔗 Watch here
• Melanie Deziel – Mini Masterclasses | Advocacy Work
• Melanie’s Books – The Content Fuel Framework & Prove It

Related Shows:

Trivia is Autistic

Taylor Swift is Autistic

Lessons in Chemistry is Autistic

🌟 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 Advocacy, Matt and Angela welcome special guest Richard Woods—leading authority on Demand Avoidance Phenomena and author—for a conversation about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), also known in affirming circles as Persistent Drive for Autonomy, and its complex relationship with autism and other forms of neurodivergence.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• What PDA really is – Understanding the intense need for autonomy, how it manifests, and why it’s different from intentional defiance.
• Beyond childhood – How PDA presents in adults and why it often goes unrecognized.
• PDA vs. ODD – Why the two are frequently confused, and how a need for autonomy—not opposition—drives the behavior.
• Theory of Mind and labels – The problems with pathologizing demand avoidance and how labels affect self-advocacy.
• Lived experience – Why PDA traits don’t “fade” with age but instead evolve into self-accommodation and clearer boundaries.
• Post-autistic identity – Richard’s perspective on moving beyond psychiatric categories.
• The sensory and systemic challenge – How an inaccessible, chaotic world exacerbates PDA traits.

Resources:

• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Its Four Schools of Thought – 🔗 Read on ResearchGate
• Richard Woods’ ORCiD – 🔗 View profile
• PDA Society – 🔗 Identifying Features of PDA
• Monotropism.org – 🔗 Dinah’s work

Related Shows:

Reframing DSM Diagnosis

🌟 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela explore the autistic-coded traits of SpongeBob SquarePants, diving into the autistic life and childhood of the show’s creator Stephen Hillenburg, the legendary career of Tom Kenny—SpongeBob’s iconic voice actor—and how characters like SpongeBob and Patrick provide meaningful representation that resonates deeply with many autistic and neurodivergent viewers.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• SpongeBob’s confirmed autism – Tom Kenny has explicitly stated SpongeBob is autistic, and his traits read like a walking DSM-5 checklist.
• Everyday autistic traits – From social cue struggles to meltdowns, literal thinking, and passionate dedication to his fry cook job.
• Special interests & joy in work – Why SpongeBob’s love of Krabby Patties is the ultimate autistic SPIN (special interest).
• Stephen Hillenburg’s early life – How his childhood fascinations with marine life and Jacques Cousteau shaped SpongeBob’s world.
• The show’s meteoric rise – From its 1999 debut to becoming one of Nickelodeon’s biggest successes, outpacing even Pokémon.
• Tom Kenny’s iconic voice work – How his own autistic-coded traits helped shape SpongeBob’s humour, mannerisms, and heart.
• Cultural impact – Why SpongeBob’s enduring popularity continues to bring comfort, joy, and representation to autistic viewers.

Resources:

• The Intertidal Zone – Stephen Hillenburg’s original book concept for SpongeBob. 🔗 Read more
• Tom Kenny reveals SpongeBob is autistic – 🔗 E! Online article
• Stephen Hillenburg – 🔗 Wikipedia
• Tom Kenny – 🔗 Wikipedia
• ALS and autism research – 🔗 JAMA Neurology study

Related Shows:

Animation is Autistic

🌟 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.