In this episode, Eileen Lamb speaks with Santa Wade, a longtime Cherry Hill Programs Santa who is specially trained to support and engage autistic children during their holiday photo experience. Autism Speaks partners with Cherry Hill to help prepare Santas and staff to create calm, welcoming, sensory-aware environments so every child can enjoy a moment with Santa in their own way. Join us as we explore what an inclusive Santa visit really looks like, the small adjustments that make a big difference, and the joy of creating meaningful holiday memories for families of children with autism.

The Cherry Hill Programs Santa Cares program provides a sensory-safe environment for autistic individuals to get their one-on-one time with Santa!

Reserve your spot: https://santacares.whereissanta.com/

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Eileen Lamb talks with Manish Arora, co-founder of LinusBio, the company behind ClearStrand-ASD — a new test that uses hair samples to help detect autism risk earlier in life. Together, they discuss the science behind early detection, recent advances in research, and what the future could look like for early autism screening.

In this new episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, guest host Kadin McElwain sits down with Hispanic guitarist Ashton Almengor Fontanez. Diagnosed with autism at two, Ashton has used music to change people’s perceptions on what autistic individuals are capable of and as a way to express himself. We sat down to discuss what Hispanic Heritage Month means to him, his story, and Autism Speaks’ Hispanic resources.

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, two-time Emmy-nominated journalist, mother, and autism advocate Sofia Lachapelle joins guest host Tony Hernandez Pumarejo for an inspiring conversation about the Hispanic community. From her career in journalism to advocating for the autism community at the United Nations, Sofia has become a voice for many Hispanic and Spanish-speaking families with

Born in the Dominican Republic, Sofía Lachapelle earned

In 2002, she returned to the Dominican Republic, where

Sofia has played a key role in advocating for and drafting legal projects in Austin and across Latin America and the Caribbean. She has been recognized multiple times for her journalism work, including twice as a National Emmy winner. Finally, Sofia served as a Board Member for Autism Speaks Miami Chapter and for Best Buddies International. 

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Tyler White from Love on the Spectrum joins Eileen Lamb for an inspiring and lighthearted conversation about love, music, and life on the spectrum. Tyler shares what it was really like filming the show, how he found his perfect match in Madison. From his journey as a self-taught musician to performing at the Grand Ole Opry and launching his own DJ business, Tyler’s story is full of energy, heart, and unforgettable moments.

Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Tyler White has turned his passions into a platform to inspire. Raised in Shirley, Arkansas, he found joy in music, fishing, and NASCAR—and taught himself to play drums by ear.

In 2017, Tyler launched DJ TyWy, his wedding and event DJ business. Since then, he’s emceed Autism Speaks events, introduced stars like Reba McEntire and The Beach Boys, and even performed at the Grand Ole Opry and for the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 2024, Tyler found love with Madison on Love on the Spectrum. Now based in Plant City, FL, he continues to pursue country music and host his podcast, while collaborating with brands like Publix, Cracker Barrel, and Coca-Cola.

Tyler’s motto: Never give up. Use your autism to inspire.

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Eileen Lamb sits down with Chris Redding, father, musician, and autism advocate, and his wife Serena to talk about their journey raising Christian, their son who is autistic and nonverbal. Chris and Serena open up about the daily realities of parenting a child with high support needs, from elopement and self-injury to the quiet moments of connection that make it all worth it. They share how their relationship has been tested and strengthened, and how Chris uses music and social media to tell stories that often go unheard. It’s an honest, moving conversation about love, advocacy, and showing up even on the hardest days.

Chris Redding is a GRAMMY-nominated artist and producer whose fusion of hip-hop, chant, and R&B amplifies voices often unheard. Inspired by his nonverbal autistic son, Christian, Chris creates music that fosters connection and inclusion, 

especially for those with autism, ADHD, and synesthesia.

A mental health and neurodiversity advocate, Chris has received the University of Florida’s Music Meets Medicine Impact Award and was honored by the National Congress of Argentina. His work helped secure a proclamation recognizing April as Autism Acceptance Month in Florida.

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Amy Tiffany from Love Is Blind joins Eileen Lamb for a down-to-earth conversation about life in the pods, the reality behind reality TV, and what the experience taught her about connection and vulnerability. Amy also opens up about her relationship with her autistic brother, sharing how growing up alongside him shaped her outlook on communication, empathy, and love. It's an honest, relatable chat full of heart, humor, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Amy Tiffany is a travel content creator, entrepreneur, and former Love is Blind cast member, where she met her husband and shared her family’s story with millions. Amy has been a vocal advocate for autism awareness due to her close relationship with her brother who is on the spectrum. She also serves on the board of directors for Aventura Consciente, a new Charlotte local bilingual autism organization dedicated to inclusive education and support. Amy is proud to join the Team of 20 for Autism Speaks, using her platform to champion inclusivity, compassion, and greater understanding of the autism community.

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Eileen Lamb sits down with the team behind The Plight — Matthew Boda (director), Ronald Sandoval (writer), and Jacob Waltuck (autistic actor). They talk about the personal stories that inspired the film, what it was like collaborating on such an emotionally intense project, and why authentic representation in media matters now more than ever.

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Eileen Lamb chats with Landon Ashworth, an autistic filmmaker, actor, and creative powerhouse. Landon talks about how being autistic influences the way he tells stories, what it’s like working in entertainment, and why real representation matters. He also shares the inspiration behind his new movie, which was made in honor of his young autistic cousin and dives into themes like grief, healing, and finding hope. From aviation to filmmaking, Landon's path has been anything but boring.

Landon Ashworth is an 2E gifted autistic filmmaker, test pilot, and social media content creator who spent his entire adult life studying to becoming an astronaut, and his entire childhood in the theater. Landon won over a dozen filmmaking awards including best short at Oscar qualifying film festivals, best pilot script at Atlanta Film Fest and Raindance, and just competed directing and producing his first feature in honor of his autistic cousin who died by suicide last year.

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Eileen Lamb chats with golf legend Billy Mayfair. Billy recently joined Autism Speaks’ Team 20. In this episode, he opens up about getting diagnosed with autism later in life and how it helped him make sense of so many things, on and off the course. They talk about his journey through pro golf, and how his perspective on life and the game has shifted since his diagnosis. It’s an honest, down-to-earth conversation about identity, pressure, and learning to understand yourself.

Billy Mayfair is one of the top professional golfers in the U.S., with five PGA Tour wins and the distinction of being the only player to ever beat Tiger Woods in a PGA Tour playoff. A regular on the PGA Tour since 1989, he now competes on the PGA Tour Champions.

His career wins include the Nissan Open, Buick Open, Motorola Western Open, Tour Championship, and Greater Milwaukee Open. As an amateur, he won the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links. He’s earned over $22 million in career prize money and has ranked as high as 26th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Mayfair was diagnosed with autism in 2019 after experiencing Autism-like symptoms throughout his life.