Autistic Culture Podcast Network

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt Lowry, LPP, gifts his co-host, Dr. Angela Kingdon, with a special infodump about one of his idols: George Lucas. From his scrappy beginnings to becoming the myth-maker behind Star Wars, Matt explores why Lucas deserves a place in the Autistica Hall of Fame.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Lucas’s early life, including his complicated relationship with his “Vader” (father).
• The vital role that PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) played in the creation of his first film company—and how his autistic traits helped him think outside the box and ultimately change filmmaking forever.
• Casting actors and navigating Hollywood the autistic way—with minimal small talk and a focus on passions like cars, editing, mythology, and social justice.
• Lucas’s journey from a scrappy Rebel fighting the studio system to becoming a full-blown lord of his own Empire.

Resources:

• George Lucas' father issues unfold on film
• Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
• Book: Empire Building: The Remarkable Real Life Story of Star Wars by Gary Jenkins
• Video (45 min): Icons Unearthed: Star Wars Empire of Dreams
• Video (64 min): From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga
• Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth

Related Episodes:

Industrial Light & Magic is Autistic

Motion Pictures are Autistic

Elsa is Autistic

Taylor Swift 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr. Angela Kingdon shares the dazzling story of Freddie Mercury’s Autistic traits with her co-host, Matt Lowry, LPP. From his love of cats to his unmatched vocal brilliance, we explore how Mercury’s life and art reflect the beauty of the autistic experience.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How Freddie’s hypermobility and possible EDS contributed to his extraordinary vocal range.
• Mercury’s many special interests: from stamp collecting and cats to Japanese art.
• The vital role of echolalia, echopraxia, and advanced pattern-matching in shaping Queen’s signature sound.
• Mercury’s sexuality and gender expression, showing the spectrum of identity.
• Quotes and lyrics that mirror the autistic experience of masking and being misunderstood.
• His struggles with executive functioning differences and the creative hacks he used to navigate sensory sensitivity.

Resources:

Freddie Mercury & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

Multiple supernumerary teeth (MSNT) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS): a case report

The strangest, craziest, and most disgusting animated film is back with its own series.

Peter Freestone Talks... About Freddie & His Cats

The Development Of The ‘Epic’ Queen Sound

How Queen's I Want to Break Free Video Explores Queerness in Relation to Queer Theory

Freddie and the Rocky Horror Picture Show

Freddie Mercury "I'm Not The Leader Of The Band"

Related Episodes:

Cats are Autistic

Meat Body Maintenance

Autistic Medical Needs

🌟 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 Lowry, LPP, and Dr. Angela Kingdon dive into the wildly popular Australian cartoon Bluey—a show loved by kids and surprisingly profound for adults. What starts as a chat about a children’s program turns into a rollercoaster of autistic insights, research twists, and even a little psychic flair.

✨ What’s Inside This Episode:

• How Bluey’s short episodes and silly imaginary play make it accessible for kids while embedding deeper themes and storylines that adults (especially autistic adults) can’t help but connect with.
• The fascinating research Matt and Angela uncover about Bluey and autism—ending in, as Angela puts it, “a really interesting left turn!”
• Why Waldorf schools are appealing to some autistic folks while being absolutely unbearable to others—Angela shares her very strong take!
• Autistic pattern-matching superpowers that sometimes feel a little psychic.

Resources:

• The 7 Core Principles of Waldorf Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Bluey is Great, but…
• An Overview of Waldorf Schools
• Montessori vs. Waldorf schools
• ‘Bluey’ Creator Joe Brumm On Making A TV Juggernaut, Not Compromising His Vision & The Heeler Family’s Future

Related Episodes

Trains are Autistic

Dinosaur is Autistic

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.

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP sit down with belly dancer, entrepreneur, and neurodivergent advocate Arielle Juliette (he/him, she/her). From sensory accommodations in dance to the joy of group stimming, Arielle shares how embracing authenticity—both in business and in life—leads to deeper self-love and community.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Sensory sensitivities and creative accommodations that make dance accessible.
• Cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation—finding respect in movement traditions.
• Running a business on “glitter and non-denominational Jesus.”
• Echopraxia, hypermobility perks, and other autistic “superpowers.”
• The balance of “meat sack” and “brain sack” communication.
• Teaching dance through bottom-up processing rather than rigid counts.
• Angela and Arielle’s journeys of body liberation.
• Arielle’s autistic self-identification and realization of being trans.
• How internet trolls unexpectedly helped Arielle deepen self-acceptance.
• The joy of group stimming, body resonance, and how stimming sparks great art.

Featured Guest: Arielle Juliette

Arielle Juliette (he/him, she/her) is the owner of Dance Life, where he creates a joyful, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the autistic dance experience. A lifelong dancer since 2004, Arielle specializes in Egyptian dance, using silly songs and easy-to-grasp anecdotes to make movement accessible while leaving behind rigid allistic conformity. Beyond the studio, Arielle shares his unmasked autistic joy with thousands through viral social media, spreading the belief that all bodies and all neurotypes are worthy.

Resources:

Madison Dance Life Facebook

Madison Dance Life Instagram

Madison Dance Life TikTok

www.madisondancelife.com

The differences between Egyptian and Turkish dance

A video of Arielle’s that includes all her favorite books, podcasts and resources for fighting fat oppression 

Master instructors who have online classes: 

* Zara Abdelrahman

* Mohamed Shahin

* Suhaila Salimpour

Related Episodes:

Wednesday is Autistic?

Questlove is Autistic

Taylor Swift 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt Lowry, LPP shares a deep-dive infodump on Rick and Morty with co-host Dr. Angela Kingdon, unpacking the origins of the show, its chaotic fanbase, and why its themes resonate so strongly with autistic culture.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• How getting fired from Community propelled autistic writer Dan Harmon to create Rick and Morty.
• The Back to the Future roots of the series and the messy brilliance of its fanbase.
• Processing childhood trauma through writing and storytelling.
• The complex (and often frustrating) relationship many autistics have with talk therapy.
• Why autistic culture is filled with meta references and layered meaning.
• The autistic journey of personal growth and self-acceptance.
• Why autistic people often rely on emotional-support humans—and why that’s not a weakness but a superpower.

Related Episodes:

Community is Autistic

Mythic Quest is Autistic

Taylor Swift is Autistic

Kink 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, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP sit down with Dr. Kade Sharp to explore how kink fits naturally into autistic culture—from sensory play and SPINs to spreadsheets for communication and consent.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• What kink actually is (spoiler: it’s not always sexual!), what common kinks look like, and whether kinksters are “dangerous” or “ill.”
• Why most research on autistic sexuality is deeply flawed.
• Common stereotypes and misunderstandings about the kink community.
• Autistic systems for communicating comfort and consent—including kinky spreadsheets!
• How kink honors sensory differences, builds structure and clarity, and embraces SPINs (special interests).
• Ways kink empowers neurodivergent folks, regardless of whether they identify as kinksters.
• Tips for exploring kink—solo, with partners, or with new kinky friends.

Featured Guest: Dr Kade Sharp

Dr. Kade Sharp (he/they) is an autistic transgender Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in Richland, Washington, at Spectrum Counselling, his private practice. He sees therapy clients, supervises clinicians working toward licensure, and provides case consultation for colleagues. Kade is also a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and a certified Child Mental Health Specialist.

Resources:

• A Kink in the Spectrum (Kade's dissertation)
• Dr. Erin Findley (dissertation chair)
• Dr. Amy Pearson (dissertation committee member)
• Dr. Nick Walker (dissertation committee member) 
• Neurokink (Kade's side project & mailing list)
• Mojoupgrade (digital kink checklist)
• Bex Talks Sex's Super Powered Yes/No/Maybe List (printable)
• Thrive (an annual virtual BDSM & Mental Health Conference)
• Dr. Faith G Harper's publications on sex, kink, & mental health
• Dr. Emily Nagoski's publication on sex
• Dr. Katie Munday's research and advocacy
• FetLife (kink social media)
• Hiki (autistic dating app)

Related episodes:

Sex is Autistic

Lessons in Chemistry is Autistic

Pregnancy 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP chat with Ashley Storrie—comedian, writer, autistic advocate, and the star of the new series Dinosaur (available now on Hulu in the U.S.). Ashley brings her full autistic self to the role of Nina, offering representation that’s not just authentic, but transformative.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• The unconventional way Ashley was invited to join the writing team—and why autistic writers are essential for shaping autistic characters.
• Ashley’s journey to discovering her autistic identity.
• Autistic linguistics, language play, and exploring the “shape” of words.
• On-set accommodations that supported Ashley and the whole cast and crew.
• How Ashley authentically portrayed autistic overwhelm without becoming dysregulated herself.
• Why casting autistic actors in autistic roles isn’t just good representation—it’s good business.
• A behind-the-scenes look at how the creative team decided on Nina’s sexual history.
• Food as stimming: samefoods, sensory-seeking flavors, crunchy vs. soft vs. wet vs. dry textures.
• Ashley’s complex (and hilarious) relationship with The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Featured Guest:

Ashley Storrie is a comedian, writer, and actress whose star has been rapidly rising. She can be heard live every Friday night hosting her own BBC Radio Scotland show and co-hosting the Midsomer Murders Podcast. Known for her viral Harry Potter parody #tanyapotter (with over 22 million views), Ashley has gone on to create digital hits for BBC Scotland including If The Handmaid’s Tale Was Scottish and If Game of Thrones Was Scottish.

Resources:

Follow Ashley Storrie on Instagram

Check out the official trailer

Watch Dinosaur on Hulu

Related Episodes:

Star Trek is Autistic

Wednesday is Autistic?

Comedy is Autistic

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

🎙️ 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, hosts Matt Lowry, LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon take on one of the most iconic fandoms of all time: X-Men—and what it can teach us about autism, social justice, and being our authentic selves.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Which came first: the autistic or the neurotypical? Are Autism and ADHD the same thing? Do neurotypicals actually have a disorder of pruning?
• How X-Men tackles discrimination and offers representation for marginalized groups.
• Meet the two canonically autistic X-Men—and the autistic-coded ones too! Plus, how allistic writers sometimes get autistic characters wrong.
• Spiky profiles, code-switching, and the privilege (and exhaustion) of masking.
• Matt’s unfiltered take on ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis).
• Hans Asperger’s legacy and the chilling history of mandatory autism registrations in at least eight U.S. states.

Related Episodes:

The Trouble with Temple

Superheroes are Autistic

Doctor Who is Autistic

Wikipedia 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, Autistic hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP are joined by autistic author Becca Lory Hector for a powerful conversation on late-identified autism, the comfort of chicken nuggets, and building a joyful autistic life.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Becca’s midlife autism diagnosis—and why the idea of autism being “over-diagnosed” misses the mark.
• Why identification matters at any age (and the neuro-affirming ways to process, unpack, and grieve after diagnosis).
• What’s in an “autistic preppers bag”—and why we all need one.
• The ultimate “hobbity” hideaway: where to go if you just want to disappear into the woods.
• Navigating relationships post-diagnosis, including the challenges (and gifts) of mixed-disability relationships.
• Masking: the who, what, when, where, and why.
• And an ode to McDonald’s chicken nuggets—the crispy, golden sensory joy that pairs perfectly with fries and ritual comfort.

👤 Guest Bio:

Becca Lory Hector is an autistic self-advocate, consultant, speaker, and author who was diagnosed on the spectrum as an adult. Through her work, she focuses on helping autistic individuals create fulfilling, self-defined lives at every age. She is the creator of Self-Defined Living: A Path to a Quality Autistic Life, a course designed to empower autistic people to embrace authenticity and build meaningful support systems. Becca is also passionate about autism education, workplace inclusion, and sharing the everyday joys of life—including her love of McDonald’s chicken nuggets.

Resources:

Course: Self-Defined Living - A path to a quality autistic life

Becca’s website, Facebook, and Instagram

Related Episodes:

Dino Nuggets are Autistic

Chess is Autistic

Autistic Centered Therapy - AuCT

Wikipedia is Autistic

Elsa 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 The Autistic Culture Podcast:

*TW: This episode was recorded prior to the allegations against Neil Gaiman breaking. TACP stands with victims of assault and wish the Autistic community comfort and healing as we grapple with our feelings, both individually and collectively Please, listen with care. For more support and resources, please read our guest blog “When Your Special Interest Turns Out to be Problematic.”

Podcast hosts, Matt Lowry, LPP and Dr. Angela Lauria, discuss Neil Gaiman and his recent post identifying himself as autistic. Topics include:

* Interception difficulties, etymology fun, and how left-handedness relates to autism.

* Gaiman’s prolific writing including: “Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion,” “Good Omens,” “Constantine,” “Coraline,” “Doom Patrol,” “Stardust,” and “Babylon 5.”

* Sandman: one of the first graphic novels to reach the NYT Best Seller’s List. Plus, how Neil Gaiman welcomed a whole new demographic (women) to comic books.

* Amanda Palmer: Gaiman’s chaotic, quirky, punk, ex-wife who might just be a high masking autistic woman.

* Bonus: Neil Gaiman’s surprising best friend!

Episode Quotes:

“He brought a newfound legitimacy to comics.” —Matt

“It became very, very ethereal and created this grand mythology that was beyond what other comic writers were doing at the time and created a giant template that brought in a whole new audience.” —Matt

“This issue was the first and only comic to ever win the World Fantasy Award for short fiction in 1991, before they changed the rules to make sure comics could never win it again. He broke the system to where they had to patch the hole, because he’s so good.” —Matt

“If you are autistic—especially as a woman—and you have been masking and scrounging to survive, often there is trauma associated with it.” —Angela

“But, I think a lot of it is a trauma response of not knowing how to love her neurodivergent brain.” —Angela

Are you “Team Gaiman” or “Team Palmer”? Tell us in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!

Show notes and resources:

Neil Gaiman’s Tumblr

ONTD Original: A timeline of Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer's relationship

Other episodes to check out if you liked this one:

Episode 19: Eminem is Autistic

Episode 28: Superheroes are Autistic

Episode 41: Tim Burton is Autistic

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

Our links:

* Instagram

* Apple podcasts and Spotify

* Matt Lowry, LPP

* Autistic Connections Facebook Group

* AngelaLauria.com and Difference Press

* Twitter and TikTok

* TACP’s merch shop