Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)

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What does it take to make a business ADA accessible? Why is it almost always easier than people think? In this episode, Amanda and Leta welcome Daniel Hodges, JD, President and Co-Founder of Peaces of Me Foundation, in the first of a multi-part series.

Daniel lives with blindness and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and brings both his personal experience and professional expertise to help organizations move from good intentions to genuine inclusion. From parking lots to fluorescent lighting to building codes, Daniel and Amanda break down the real, practical side of accessibility — and why the disability community's lived experience is the missing piece most businesses need.

Plus, Leta chimes in throughout (as only Leta can), and Daniel teases what's coming in Part 2: why disability-led, disability-run organizations are so critical.

Connect with Daniel: Peaces of Me Foundation: https://www.peacesofme.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hodges-jd/

Support Autistic Wings Dance Company — Learn more about the nonprofit dance studio Leta founded where autistic dancers are free to be themselves, and donate today: https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

More about the podcast and Leta’s personal projects: https://www.letatapstyles.com

Want to be a guest? Connect with Amanda on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

Part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network. Daniel found us through PodMatch!

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Host Amanda Trisdale and teenage co-host Leta welcome Gazit Chaya Nkosi — autistic adult, former speech therapist, and nervous system coach — fresh off receiving her official autism diagnosis. Gazit shares what it's like to spend a lifetime being told you're "too sensitive" or "too difficult," only to discover you were autistic all along. Together they explore the harm of ABA therapy, why AAC devices must never be taken away, the physical health realities of autism that most parents don't know about, and how dance became a lifeline for so many neurodivergent people. 

Find Gazit at https://anexperiencer.com 

IG: @gazitchayankosi 

Support the nonprofit dance company Leta founded. This April Autistic Wings Dance Company is running an Adopt a Dancer fundraiser. Adopt a dancer and learn more at https://autisticwingsdancecompany.org 

Want to be a guest? Message Amanda on PodMatch: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguestapp

Leta's Tap Styles And My Autistic Life is part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.

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Amanda and Leta tackle a topic close to home: the growing pressure on young kids to be perfect athletes and performers before they've even learned to love the game. From dance competitions costing families $45,000 a year to college scouts showing up at peewee football games, something has gone seriously wrong. This episode is a candid, funny, and passionate conversation about burnout, bad parenting incentives, and why fun should always come first — in dance, sports, and life.

Follow Leta on Instagram: @letatapstyles

Learn more about the nonprofit dance studio for autistic dancers Leta founded, Autistic Wings Dance Company: https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest Leta's Tap Styles is a proud member of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.

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This week on Tap Tuesday, Amanda and Leta announce the Golden Chrysalis — a first-of-its-kind pre-professional dance company that is autistic-founded, autistic-run, and autistic-led. They discuss what it takes to build this program, why they need full-time staff, and how the community can help through their April fundraising drive. Plus, Leta keeps it real about choreography changes, imposter syndrome, and the realities of life at the studio.

All Golden Chrysalis dancers are on full-ride scholarships, and the program costs about $3,400/month to run. Every donation helps keep it going.

Learn more and support:

• Our website: https://www.letatapstyles.com
• Autistic Wings / The Golden Chrysalis: https://mtyc.co/2kbqaf

Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

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Kenneth Mims, founder of NERC (Neurodiversity Education Research Center) and author of "The Mother's Guide to Autism," joins Amanda and Leta to talk about what's broken in autism education — and what love, science, and smaller learning environments can fix. From his journey as a physics teacher discovering autism through a strength-based lens, to founding a private STEM school for neurodivergent students in Phoenix, Ken shares why parents are the real experts, why IEPs often fail families, and how research can drive real change. Plus, Leta weighs in on therapists, geologists, and why scientists have no survival instincts.

Links:

• Kenneth Mims: https://kennethmimsii.wixsite.com/mysite
• Leta Tap Styles Podcast: https://www.letatapstyles.com
• Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

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Researchers keep pointing to iPads and AI as the reason IQ scores are declining — but the timeline doesn't add up. Amanda and Leta ask the uncomfortable questions: Why were scores already dropping before iPads existed? What role do IEPs, overscheduling, and the disappearance of recess play? And are early IQ tests creating self-fulfilling prophecies for neurodivergent kids? More questions than answers — but that might be the point.

Follow Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life) on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Check out our website.

Interested in being a guest on Leta's Tap Styles? Send Amanda a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

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What if the traits labeled as "disabilities" in school are actually superpowers in disguise? In this episode, Amanda and Leta sit down with John Osha, Australian author of "Neuro Spicy," to explore what it really means to live with ADHD and dyslexia.

John describes his neurodivergent mind as "a V8 engine with no brakes"—powerful, fast, and always running at full throttle. From struggling to read aloud in school to becoming a successful entrepreneur, world traveler, and author, John's journey proves that thinking differently isn't a deficit—it's an advantage.

You can connect with John by visiting his website https://neurospicy.life/ and learn more about the following

• John's book "Neuro Spicy" available at neurospicylife.com
• Use code ABC25 for 15% off
• Share your neurodivergent story on the website for potential inclusion in John's next book

Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest 

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Join Amanda and Leta as they chat about Amanda attempting to use LinkedIn and Indeed to find dance teachers for Autistic Wings Dance Company. This episode has both humor and annoyance at what AI thinks an autistic dance studio's hiring needs are.

Plus, Amanda and Leta add a few updates on Autistic Wings Dance Company, which circles back to the hiring process and trying to find new staff for a workplace dominated by autistic people.

Learn More About Autistic Wings by visiting https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

Help Autistic Wings set up their new studio home, and buy some items off the teen interns and teen dancers' wishlist by visiting the Autistic Wings Amazon Wishlist https://a.co/0eUxi6yH

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Craig Murphy was diagnosed with autism at 36, but it wasn't a shock. As the director of Alt Agency, a million-pound web design firm in Birmingham, UK, Craig shares how his autistic traits have shaped both his strengths in coding and his challenges with people management. In this candid conversation, we discuss late diagnosis, catastrophizing, the importance of building a supportive team, and why numbers and code just make sense to neurodivergent brains. A must-listen for parents, autistic adults, and anyone interested in neurodiversity in the workplace.

Connect with Craig Murphy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmurphyalt/

Alt Agency: https://45fusion.com/

Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

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It’s been a month since our last Autistic Wings Dance Company update. And a lot has happened. Join us as Amanda and Leta discuss what has gone on in the last month, and the challenges of running a nonprofit dance studio for autistic dancers in Colorado Springs. They share insights into the studio's mission, fundraising efforts, and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for dancers of all abilities.

Keywords:

Autistic Wings, dance, nonprofit, fundraising, inclusion

Takeaways:

• Autistic Wings Dance Company provides a supportive environment for autistic dancers.
• The studio is fundraising for a new space and equipment.
• Community support is crucial for the studio's success.
• The Amazon Wishlist includes essential items for the studio.
• Autistic Wings aims to expand its programs and facilities.
• The studio values mental health and well-being of its dancers.
• Autistic Wings is part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.
• The studio offers both recreational and professional dance programs.
• Autistic Wings is committed to inclusivity and accessibility.
• The studio is looking for sponsors for its upcoming events.

Links:

• Donate to Autistic Wing's moving fund: OneCause Event Site
• Purchase items from the Amazon Wishlist: Amazon Wishlist
• Become a monthly donor: Network for Good
• Watch Leta's #thewingchallenge: YouTube Link

Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: PodMatch Link. This show is part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.