In this episode, I sit down with Erin Geddes to explore the emotional and often overlooked experience of growing up neurodivergent without a diagnosis. She shares what it feels like to move through childhood and adulthood believing you’re “not trying hard enough,” when the real issue is that the world isn’t built to recognize or support different ways of thinking. And I have to ask—how many kids are still silently living that reality today?

For Erin, writing her book wasn’t just a creative outlet—it was a process of self-understanding. She has lived her life navigating two different worlds: the neurotypical systems she was expected to fit into, and the neurodivergent identity that finally makes sense of her challenges and strengths. That dual perspective allows her to translate between experiences in a way most people can’t. And it raises an uncomfortable question: why do we keep asking individuals to adapt while our systems stay exactly the same?

When we turn to education, the urgency becomes impossible to ignore. Teachers are overworked and under-supported. Parents are left to advocate alone. Kids are evaluated against standards that ignore the full spectrum of ability, learning styles, and human development. And we still pretend the problem is effort or discipline. Where is the baseline everyone should be guaranteed—food, safety, education, dignity?

Erin argues that neurodivergent voices reveal weaknesses in our systems early and clearly. When we listen, we improve. When we don’t, everyone loses. Inclusion isn’t a favor—it’s how society evolves.

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Find more info on Erin Geddes here:

Get In Touch/School Speaker Requests: [email protected]

Instagram: and_thats_okay_book

Facebook: ⁠ And That's OKAY

YouTube: And That's Okay

Where to buy And That’s Okay: I’m Wired Differently: 

Direct from the publisher Redemption Press AmazonWalmart

I reference a video about Martin Luther King discussing the Civil Rights Movement. You can watch that here:

Eloquent Civil Rights Leaders Dialogue 1963

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Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

We continue our conversation with TK & KT of Allies for Humanity, focusing on the importance of advocacy for autism and the need for community engagement to create meaningful change.

We explore the impact of foster care on children, particularly those with autism, and emphasize the collective responsibility of humanity to support vulnerable populations.

We also look at the role of music and community in healing and fostering hope, as well as the challenges posed by political systems in effecting change, especially in this day and age. We know that we can't rely on the status quo and powers that be to do much. But what kind of revolution will it take?

Ultimately, TK, KT and I call for a shift in narrative and a commitment to action in order to create a better future for all.

Allies For Humanity stands for:

Dignified Housing - "Every person deserves a place to feel safe, supported, and free to be who they are. We co-create sustainable, empowering solutions with our neighbors—honoring housing as a fundamental human right and a foundation for healing." 

• Holistic Well-Being - "True sovereignty begins with well-being. We cultivate mind, body, and spirit by empowering individuals to trust their own wisdom, walk their own path, and receive support through community and holistic healing practices." 
• Radical Transparency - "Trust is built on openness. We practice full transparency in finances, decisions, and impact - ensuring clarity and accountability in all we do." 
• Sacred Reciprocity - "We believe in the power of mutual support. Every act - whether offering skills, time, resources, or presence - plays a vital role in strengthening our community and creating lasting impact."

You can learn more about Allies For Humanity here:

Website: ⁠alliesforhumanity.org⁠

Share your story: ⁠https://www.alliesforhumanity.org/way-to-engage/share-your-story⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@allies-for-humanity⁠

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

In the first of a two-part episode, I am so pleased to welcome my friends TK and KT to the podcast. They are the co-founders of Allies For Humanity in Indianapolis, an organization dedicated not just to housing those in need but to building strong, healthy communities.

In part one, we explore the themes of autism advocacy, humanity, and the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals, particularly those who are unhoused. We discuss the significance of sovereignty, how small acts of kindness can have a significant impact, and how community support is essential for unhoused individuals.

Small acts of kindness can make such a difference in this world, even when at the same time we fight for the necessity of systemic change to address homelessness and mental health issues. Everyone has the power to contribute to positive change.

Allies For Humanity stands for:

Dignified Housing - "Every person deserves a place to feel safe, supported, and free to be who they are. We co-create sustainable, empowering solutions with our neighbors—honoring housing as a fundamental human right and a foundation for healing." 

• Holistic Well-Being - "True sovereignty begins with well-being. We cultivate mind, body, and spirit by empowering individuals to trust their own wisdom, walk their own path, and receive support through community and holistic healing practices." 
• Radical Transparency - "Trust is built on openness. We practice full transparency in finances, decisions, and impact - ensuring clarity and accountability in all we do." 
• Sacred Reciprocity - "We believe in the power of mutual support. Every act - whether offering skills, time, resources, or presence - plays a vital role in strengthening our community and creating lasting impact."

You can learn more about Allies For Humanity here:

Website: alliesforhumanity.org

Share your story: https://www.alliesforhumanity.org/way-to-engage/share-your-story

Facebook: ⁠@allies-for-humanity

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

Kari Sheward of the Tangram organization in Indianapolis joins me today to talk about their coaching and support work for people with disabilities, but also her perspective on advocacy and choosing the battles that are necessary.

We get pulled in many directions, but this is what brings us back to the collective responsibility to defend rights and advocate for those less able to do so themselves.

We talk about how advocacy requires courage and a willingness to take risks, and how people are watching our actions and responses. Speaking out reduces fear and encourages others, it is collective action that creates that ripple effect.

Community engagement can lead to positive societal change, whether in micro-actions or as an organizer or leader. Everyone's contribution is valued.

This podcast is an effort to encourage that action, no matter where you live, and to bring people and ideas together. In this time of crisis and threat, it is so important to remember that you, I, we: We Are Not Alone.

You can learn more about Kari and Tangram here:

Website: thetangramway.org

Instagram: ⁠@thetangramway

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tangram-business-resourcing

Facebook: @thetangramway

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

In this week's episode, I travel to Oklahoma to meet N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas, candidate for US Senate, who shares her journey as an autism mom, nurse, and military spouse.

Jasmine and I discuss the importance of indigenous rights, environmental stewardship, and the role of matriarchy in her culture. She also opens up about her personal experiences with motherhood, navigating healthcare systems, and the challenges of being a single mother.

Jasmine's advocacy for autism awareness and the need for resources highlights the struggles faced by families in similar situations.

This was such a wide-ranging discussion, and I'm thankful to Jasmine for her time. I think in turn she was appreciative of having the opportunity and the platform to dive deeper into these topics, to go past the sound bite and short clip. We explore the challenges faced by millennials and younger generations, including the impact of capitalism on mental health, the importance of empathy and community responsibility, and the role of young leaders in politics.

We talk about the need for a more equitable society, the influence of money on social dynamics, and the complexities of racial identity.

Ultimately, this conversation is a message about the importance of working together to build a better America for future generations. We need to be thinking not just 12 months or 2 years ahead, but what kind of society do we want to build, or dare I say: rebuild?

You can learn more about Jasmine and her campaign here:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jasmineforok.com

Instagram: @nkiylaforoklahoma

TikTok: @jasmineforok

Facebook: N’Kiyla 'Jasmine' Thomas: U.S. Senate 2026

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

Jennifer Wiese joins me to talk about the importance of including people with disabilities in the workforce, addressing the stigma and barriers that still exist.

Jen is well placed to have a keen perspective on this, as she is the owner with her husband of BeeFree, producers of gluten-free snacks and a true Indiana success story.

Through their non-profit arm, BeeFree Bakes, they provide jobs and resources for adults with autism and other disabilities, empowering them to thrive in a supportive environment. Their oldest son was diagnosed with autism when he was 8 years old, and in their search for resources and support they ultimately took their own initiative to provide these things to others in similar situations.

Jen expresses hope for a future where employers recognize the value of diverse abilities, and see individuals with disabilities as valuable contributors to the workforce. Visibility and representation of people with disabilities is crucial, and we explore how the stigmas surrounding disabilities can be dismantled through awareness.

Find Jen and BeeFree's info here:

Website: ⁠http://beefreegf.com/

https://www.beefreebakes.org/

Instagram: @beefreeglutenfree⁠

TikTok: @beefreeglutenfree, @hifromjen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeeFreegf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wiese-7b98392a

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

My friend Phoenyx Powell joins me to share her journey as an advocate for accessible travel, discussing her personal experiences with chronic illness, neurodivergence, and the impact of a traumatic brain injury.

Phoenyx emphasizes the importance of pacing oneself while traveling, the need for disability awareness, and the significance of educating children about acceptance and differences. Through her story, Phoenix highlights the challenges but also the triumphs of living with a disability, the role of humor in coping, and the importance of open-mindedness in parenting.

We both feel that there is a responsibility of the current generation to produce good in a complex world, and that travel and cultural immersion go a long way in fostering understanding and connection.

This is a conversation about resilience and joy in navigating life's challenges, and paying it forward through advocacy.

Find Phoenyx's info here:

Website: https://phoenyxtravels.com/

YouTube: @phoenyxtravels

Instagram: @phoenyxtravels

Facebook: @phoenyxtravels

TikTok: @phoenyxtravels⁠

Pinterest: @phoenyxtravels

LinkedIn: @phoenyxpowell

New article: "Phoenyx Powell of Greenville, NC on Life, Lessons & Legacy" (Oct. 15, 2025)

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

I have a bonus episode for you this week (in addition to my upcoming conversation with my friend Phoenyx), which features my friend Moulay Hicham Aamalki and his wife Kenia, who lead wellness retreats to Morocco.

In fact, they have an upcoming trip that runs from October 26-31 and there is one spot left! If you think you can jump on it, visit the site here and let them know! https://easehealingretreats.com/

Our chat today not just goes over their trip and back story running retreats, but why they want to make these trips available to the community, because they have a daughter with ADHD.

Moulay Hicham and Kenia share their personal experiences with grief and healing, the importance of mindfulness, and the cultural richness of Morocco as a backdrop for their retreats. We talk about the significance of community, accessibility of healing practices like hammams, and the importance of family travel, cultural exposure for children, and the challenges of parenting, especially for those with children with disabilities.

Healing is a journey that involves multiple stages, and retreats can provide healing and self-reflection opportunities. So whether it's right now, or in the future, consider looking after yourself, which helps empower you to look after the others in your life.

Find more info on Ease Healing Retreats here:

Website: easehealingretreats.com

Instagram: ⁠@easehealingretreats

Facebook: ⁠Ease Healing Retreats

email: hello at easehealingretreats.com

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

With the unfortunate and completely unnecessary "announcements" over the past couple weeks, trying to link Tylenol with autism, scaring mothers and pregnant women, and perhaps worst of all, dragging the stigma of shame and doubt back into families with autism - we need to talk.

And that's what this podcast is for, to be able to respond and react to these kinds of events, and encourage our community to speak out. You are not alone, we do not each live in an island unto ourselves.

I invited Sarah McCorkle (Episodes 6, 7 & 8) to join me again, so we could share our reactions and perspectives on how to respond to the so-called "directives."

Our health care is far, far too politicized - is there anything these days that isn't? And it's having real, distressing impact on our every day lives. Again, something just completely unnecessary.

Why are we so quick to abandon science and reason for some supposed short-term political gain?

We need to emphasize critical thinking, community involvement, and the value of lived experiences in advocacy.

Do you ever feel that these politicians are just treating all this as a game? Do they not understand the real impacts of their actions? Do they just not care?

We can have a better society, one of compassion and humanity, and I know that authentic conversations are a big step to building one.

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

My friend Christina McGairk joins me to share her the multifaceted journey of autism advocacy, and we focus focusing on our personal experiences as single mothers of autistic children.

As always, there's so much to think about, things that people often forget, and the scale of it is immense. Hair care, dietary preferences, potty training, communication devices, educational experiences and school dynamics, navigating the challenges of autism and bullying, and that just scratches the surface.

But we're here to highlight the significance of community support, mentorship, and advocacy in navigating the complexities of raising autistic children.

Christina also shares insights from her journey of writing a devotional aimed at supporting single mothers of children with exceptional needs, and the need for awareness and action in the autism community.

Further links and research related to this episode:

Strength for the Weary Heart: A Devotional for Single Moms of Children With Exceptional Needs

Warm Edits Editing, email Christina at christina.mcgairk at gmail.com

Christina on LinkedIn

on Facebook

on Instagram (@lobolita78)

Christina's column, "Single Mamas Seen"

Uniquely You, Special Needs Monthly Magazine

Brittany Allen, Hair Stylist in Fishers!

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]