Autistic Culture Podcast Network

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela welcome guest Kat Flora for a deep dive into ableism within academia, navigating neurotypical-dominated spaces, and the strategies autistic people use to create change from within while protecting their well-being.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Ableism in academia – How autistic students and professionals are pressured to conform to harmful narratives about autism just to pass.
• Burnout & self-care – Why driving change from within must be balanced with protecting your mental health.
• Addiction & alcoholism – Exploring why autistic people may be more predisposed to these challenges.
• The harm of behaviorism – The triggering reality of being required to study approaches that dehumanize autistic people.
• Overcoming academic gatekeepers – Strategies for entering the system, surviving it, and “fucking shit up” from the inside.
• Disability services – Why current university supports often fall short for autistic and disabled students.

Resources:

The Autistic Postgraduate Woman: Navigating the Neurotypical University by Sophie Phillips – 🔗 Amazon link

“Ableism in Academia” – 🔗 Frontiers in Psychology article

Rite of Ascension – 🔗 Memory Alpha entry

Kat Flora on Instagram – 🔗 @kat__flora

Related Shows:

Protecting Kentucky Kids

Productivity is Autistic

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🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop

🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela dive into the world of board games—a structured, sensory-rich hobby beloved in the autistic community. With research showing that 7% of autistic people enjoy board games (compared to just 1% of neurotypicals), it’s no wonder they hold such a special place in our culture.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why board games resonate with autistic players – The draw of clear rules, predictable structure, and logical systems.
• Social connection through play – How board games reduce pressure, foster comfort, and create a shared focus.
• Autism-affirming skill building – Turn-taking, collaboration, communication, and fairness through structured interaction.
• SPINs & monotropic focus – How games align with special interests to boost emotional regulation.
• Sensory joy – Why the tactile, “stim-tastic” aspects of board games can be soothing and engaging.
• Healthy focus vs. catastrophizing – How pattern recognition in games offers a positive outlet for autistic brains.

Resources:

• Autism and Board Games – 🔗 Game in Lab Presentation
• Board Gaming on the Spectrum – 🔗 Liam Cross Talk
• Psychology Today – 🔗 How Games Can Help Autistic Children
• PubMed – 🔗 Board Games and Autism Study

Related Shows:

Chess is Autistic

Careers are Autistic

Pokemon is Autistic

Parks and Rec 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 explore a fan-suggested topic: autism culture for teens and tweens. From the struggles of navigating neurotypical school systems to the importance of finding your people, they share advice, insights, and encouragement for autistic youth who feel out of place in the mainstream.

Hello, I am a listener of your podcast and an undiagnosed autistic. My 12 year old daughter is a diagnosed autistic who has had some traumatic experiences in the educational system since they use the medical model of autism. She is very likely twice exceptional (our school has no gifted program to offer her), but she thinks that her brain is broken because so many things are hard. She probably also has social anxiety. I am writing to ask if you and Angela would consider doing a short podcast episode aimed at teens and tweens about the wonderful ways their brains work, what autistic culture is, why it is so hard to fit into mainstream culture/school, how to make it a little better now, and how it can become SO much better later, especially once you find friends who you click with. She feels pretty hopeless at the moment, and does not have any friends to rely on yet. Thank you for reading.

- Autistic Culture Listener

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why school can feel like a nightmare for autistic kids – The clash between conformity-focused systems and individual needs.
• The truth about “broken brain” myths – Understanding your strengths, creativity, and hyper-connected mind.
• Social hierarchies decoded – How neurotypical group dynamics operate (and how to survive them).
• Masking as research – Using a Jane Goodall approach to navigate neurotypical culture without losing yourself.
• Gendered expectations – Why autistic girls are often pressured to blend in more than boys.
• Finding your weirdos – Building friendships with people who appreciate the real you.
• The long game – How adulthood often brings more autonomy, control, and the ability to shape your environment.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Galaxy High – 🔗 Watch on YouTube
• The Muppets (2011 film) – 🔗 Wikipedia Entry

Related Shows:

Apple is Autistic

George Lucas is Autistic

Alternative Schooling Options

🌟 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, Special guest Hunter Hammersen joins Matt and Angela to share how knitting blends a stim, a special interest, and a sensory joy all in one. From the textures of yarn to the meditative repetition of stitches, Hunter explains why knitting is a perfect autistic pastime—both deeply personal and socially connective.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How knitting offers a socially acceptable way to stim while connecting with like-minded enthusiasts.
• The wonderfully literal magic of turning yarn and two sticks into something tangible.
• Why autistic bottom-up processing enhances the joy of noticing yarn textures and quality.
• The sensory benefits of knitting and how it can regulate and soothe the mind.
• How yarn can hold emotional meaning and become part of your personal story.
• Choosing the perfect yarn to suit your sensory needs.
• The intersection of knitting, community, and social justice.
• How to create autism-friendly systems for organizing projects and completing patterns.

Featured Guest: Hunter Hammersen

Hunter is a self-described weirdo who left grad school (ABD in the history of science and medicine) to create her own knitting patterns. In the past fifteen years, she has published a dozen books, written hundreds of patterns, and built a thriving community of knitters. Now, she shares her creativity, sensory joy, and curiosity on Patreon—often from the comfort of her pajamas.

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned

• 🌐 Hunter’s Website
• 📷 Hunter on Instagram
• 💌 Hunter on Patreon

Show Notes:

Website: https://tinynonsense.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HunterHammersen

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tinynonsense

Related Shows:

Questlove is Autistic

Roller Derby 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 take on the autistic hell that is moving—and the month-long executive functioning crash that can follow. They explore why chaos drains our capacity, how personalized systems can keep us regulated, and why organization is an essential investment in health, spoons, and sanity.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• How autism as a dynamic disability means our executive functioning fluctuates with stress, regulation, and environment.
• Why a structured, organized space is key for avoiding emotional dysregulation.
• The sensory and emotional joy of the perfect organizational tool (hello, Command hooks).
• Why IKEA is autistic heaven… even if assembling the furniture tests your patience.
• How bottom-up processing changes the way we sort, store, and categorize items.
• Why losing things can send autistic brains into survival mode.
• The emotional weight of long-term storage and why shows like Storage Wars can feel traumatic.
• Autistic-specific organization hacks to preserve energy and protect your health.

Related Shows:

Sunglasses Are Autistic

Moving is An Autistic Hell

🌟 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 shadowy counterpart to Santa Claus, diving into Krampus’s roots in folklore, his autistic-coded traits, and why embracing the darker side of the holidays can be affirming for many autistic people. From ghost stories and horror-comedy films to Saturnalia and The Muppet Christmas Carol, they find the beauty and balance in both the light and dark of the season.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why Krampus can be seen as an autistic icon, sharing a dislike for loud noises, disrupted routines, surprises, and sudden changes.
• How the dark side of Christmas traditions provides balance and depth to the season.
• The story and themes of Krampus (2015), Michael Dougherty’s horror-comedy holiday film.
• Other autistic-coded holiday icons, including the Grinch and Charlie Brown.
• Holiday films that aren’t “technically” Christmas movies—like Die Hard, Home Alone, Gremlins, and Violent Night.
• The origins of Christmas in Saturnalia and the tradition of ghost stories.
• Why The Muppet Christmas Carol is the best Dickens adaptation (and why Dickens himself doesn’t get a pass).

Resources:

Krampus (2015 Film)

Krampus – Folklore

Trick ’r Treat

Related Shows:

Christmas is Autistic

Holiday Expectations and Neurodivergence

Fairy Tales are 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 explore how to create a joyful, neurodivergent Christmas by letting go of societal expectations, prioritizing sensory needs, and embracing personalized traditions. They unpack the pressures of picture-perfect Hallmark holidays, the disruptions to autistic routines, and the importance of setting boundaries—while also sharing strategies for reducing overstimulation and making the season truly your own.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why Hallmark-style Christmas ideals can create unrealistic and unhelpful expectations for autistic people.
• How holiday routine disruptions can cause dysregulation and what to do about it.
• Navigating family gatherings when other autistic relatives are undiagnosed or in denial.
• Practical meltdown management tools, from sensory supports to safe people.
• How to advocate for accommodations like reduced noise, dimmed lights, or skipping certain traditions.
• Setting healthy boundaries around physical touch and interactions with relatives.
• The importance of a “holiday comfort kit” for sensory regulation.
• Matt’s Christmas Dragon tradition and the joy of making your own autistic-friendly holiday customs.
• Autistic gift-giving strengths and why they shine during the holidays.
• Food rules and safe food strategies for surviving family meals.
• Self-care ideas to carry you through the gauntlet of Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day.

Resources:

Jade Farrington’s Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas

Related Episodes:

Krampus is Autistic

Christmas 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela dive headfirst into the mosh pit where punk ethos and neurodivergence collide, exploring how both embrace nonconformity, reject societal expectations, and create spaces for misfits to thrive. From Courtney Love’s candid acknowledgment of her autism to the rebellious language and aesthetics of punk, they unpack how punk culture and the autistic experience share a deep commitment to authenticity without apology.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How punk’s rejection of rigid hierarchies aligns with autistic resistance to conformity.
• Why punk spaces often serve as safe havens for neurodivergent individuals.
• The ableist roots of many public perceptions about Courtney Love and her autism.
• How loud music, body modifications, and anti-aesthetic ideals connect punk to autistic sensory experiences.
• The parallels between punk’s celebration of imperfections and autism’s challenge to societal notions of “perfection.”
• Why punk and autism both refuse to be defined by neurotypical lenses or labels.
• The role of subculture in helping autistic people embrace their most authentic selves.

Resources:

Rolling Stone – Courtney Love on Life Without Kurt

Autisticasfxxk – Autistic Punk Blog

Oxford Handbook of Music and Disability Studies – Punk Rock and Disability

Queer Autistic Punk Playlist

Related Episodes:

Chess Is Autistic

Questlove 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 take on audience requests to break down the problematic and often misleading language of the DSM-5. They unpack how the manual pathologizes autism, overlooks key realities like proprioceptive challenges and co-occurring conditions, and frames autistic traits through a strictly neurotypical viewpoint. From dismantling ableist IQ testing to reframing so-called "deficits" as differences, this episode invites listeners to see autism for what it truly is—a rich, diverse neurotype, not a disorder to be “fixed.”

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• How the DSM-5 pathologizes autism and centres neurotypical perspectives.
• Why IQ tests are ableist and shouldn’t define diagnosis or worth.
• The truth about autistic “social deficits” and why they’re actually social differences.
• Why the DSM’s claim that autistic people “lack imagination” is deeply flawed.
• How SPINs (Special Interests) bring joy, fulfilment, and expertise—and why the DSM mislabels them.
• Why routines and stimming are powerful tools for autistic regulation.
• The overlooked sensory and proprioceptive realities of autistic life.
• How autism’s hereditary nature and medical overlaps (like POTS, PMDD, and endometriosis) are often ignored in clinical descriptions.

Resources:

https://www.mattlowrylpp.com/blog/reframing-dsm-autism-criteria

https://www.mattlowrylpp.com/meme-gallery

Related Episodes:

Bad Autism 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 break down one of Angela’s ultimate comfort shows, the FX series You’re the Worst, uncovering the autistic-coded brilliance behind its cast of flawed, chaotic, and deeply relatable characters. From the exaggerated neurotypical stereotypes of Becca and Vernon to Jimmy’s trauma-shaped scripting and relationship struggles, the show captures the feeling of being misunderstood in ways that resonate powerfully with autistic viewers.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How You’re the Worst’s characters embody autistic-coded traits like PTSD, sleep apnoea, and rejection of gender norms.
• Why Becca and Vernon feel like cartoonish caricatures of neurotypical behaviour.
• The deep autistic coding in Jimmy’s reliance on scripting and difficulty navigating relationships.
• How Jimmy and Gretchen’s partnership works by adapting to each other’s trauma, not trying to “fix” it.
• The parallels between autistic interpersonal dynamics and the show’s portrayal of connection amid chaos.
• Why sometimes “being the worst” can actually mean being your most authentic self.

Related Episodes:

Community 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.