Mary HK Choi returns to the pod to discuss her extremely popular NY Mag essay about her adult autism diagnosis. We also discuss social anxiety, self-forgiveness in the aftermath of both our father’s deaths, and Mary’s practice of using a post-it note to remind her to “go say hello” to other people in social situations and not to isolate. 

Some of this conversation is an update to Mary's last time on the show. If you like this, check out S1 E15 "Suffer the Adult Children".

Find more of us at thesmallbow.com/podcast.

In this Episode:

00:00:00 Top of Show

The Essay

00:02:50 Mary’s essay, public response

00:06:29 Perceptions of autism, personal and professional challenges

00:15:27 What didn’t make the article, self-diagnosis and resources, https://embrace-autism.com/ 

In Relationships

00:27:07 Self-compassion, communicating needs, growing into things

00:34:18 Relationship to eating, food, autistically feeling your body

00:37:30 No Surprises Club, Julianne hello’s A.J.

Parents and Parenting

00:42:27 Addressing the past, Ozzy vs Dr. Drew

00:50:07 Father-child relationships, Hungry Girls Forever, breaking cycles

00:55:10 Unsubscribe from your 11yo, Looking back without anger, old-boy dads

00:59:12 Reevaluating memories, choosing to have a relationship, saying goodbye

01:02:59 Asking what was my part? Being in our heads, “Don’t be like me”

01:13:49 A.J. geeks

01:15:00 Closing thoughts, our next super famous guest