Staring Down the Storm: Autism Advocacy in America

What if the system isn’t broken—what if it’s working exactly as designed?

I sat down with Melinda Grisby to talk about decolonization as more than a buzzword. We unpack whiteness as ideology, privilege as proximity to power, and how nationalism and capitalism rely on keeping us divided. If we’re constantly reacting, exhausted, and fighting culture wars—who’s actually benefiting?

We challenge the myth of American democracy and the comfort of believing we’re “free.” Melinda argues most oppression is psychological. That racial hierarchies, forced assimilation, and cultural homogenization didn’t happen by accident. And that healing starts with active listening, patience, and rebuilding community—not just calling out injustice online.

We also talk representation—why moments of Latino pride matter, even inside systems we critique. Why genealogy can be resistance. Why children are the first battleground in conditioning. And why empathy isn’t optional.

If we’ve been conditioned to see division as normal, are we willing to unlearn it?

Here’s a summary of the safety tips Melinda shared in the episode:

Safety first: Before helping, make sure the scene is safe. Move the injured person out of immediate danger (crowds, active threats, unstable areas). Keep roadways clear so emergency crews can access the patient.

Control severe bleeding immediately: In trauma, stopping bleeding is the priority. Use clean cloth, clothing, or towels to pack the wound and apply firm, continuous pressure. Do not stop pressing.

Tourniquet use: Place it high above the wound (never on a joint). Tighten until bleeding stops. Do not remove it once applied. If possible, note the time it was placed.

Do not remove embedded objects: If something is stuck in the body, leave it in place and stabilize it with cloth to prevent movement. Removing it can cause severe bleeding.

Eye injuries: Cover both eyes, even if only one is injured. The eyes move together, so covering both helps prevent further damage.

Tear gas or pepper spray exposure: Protect yourself with goggles and a mask if possible. Flush eyes with distilled water or milk to help soothe irritation. Avoid contaminated water.

Hands-only CPR: If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, perform continuous chest compressions about 2 inches deep in the center of the chest until paramedics arrive. Mouth-to-mouth is not required.

Find more info on Brown Girl Pride here: 

Brown Girl Pride Facebook 

Brown Girl Pride TikTok

BrownGirlPride Instagram photos and videos

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

Last week, Sierra Martin and I opened the door. This week, we walk straight through it.

The baby is babbling in the background of this episode, and honestly, it’s the perfect soundtrack. Because this conversation is about who we claim to value—and who we actually take care of. Sierra was 18 when her body began shutting down—waking up day after day with a new joint that wouldn’t move. She was taking 22 pills a day at nineteen and wondering if this was a life she could endure. The eventual diagnosis? Psoriatic arthritis. The treatment? A $30,000 injection every three months.

In the richest country on earth.

But this isn’t just about chronic illness. It’s about the system that shrugs at it. It’s about giving birth in Indiana and walking away with a $30,000 bill. It’s about politicians who shout “pro-life” but vanish when families need healthcare, disability support, or basic dignity. It’s about extremist religion creeping into policy, mega churches that aren’t taxed, and leaders who seem far more accountable to corporate money than to constituents.

If faith is about serving the least of these, who exactly are we serving?

This episode focuses on pain—but it’s also about power and accountability. About civic courage. About refusing to normalize suffering as policy. If we say we value life, then we have to value it after the baby is born. We have to value it when bodies fail. We have to value it when it’s inconvenient.

Follow the money. Watch who shows up. Watch who doesn’t. And ask yourself whether we are building a government that protects people—or protects profit.

Are we awake enough to demand better?

Things discussed in this episode: 

Tom LoBianco - 24sight News

Abdul Hakim Shabazz - Indy Politics

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Chronic Illness: A Personal Journey

09:53 The Burden of Healthcare Costs

20:01 The Intersection of Health and Politics

30:01 Gender Roles and Parenting Dynamics

39:59 Religious Influence on Society and Politics

54:15 The True Nature of Faith and Power

58:45 The Role of Faith in Education

01:01:34 Connections and Accountability in Leadership

01:15:35 The Importance of Civic Engagement

01:40:32 The Call for Authentic Leadership

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

I sat down with Sierra Martin - a full-time student, mother, and someone done pretending power is accidental.

We talked about Arab history in Indiana, post-9/11 surveillance, how fear is manufactured to justify erasure.

We traced the throughline from stripped cultural education to Zionism as a political project, the parallels between Palestinian dispossession and Indigenous removal in the U.S.

We followed the money - through Congress, immigration policy, and environmental harm in rural communities - to the betrayal felt by people told they’re represented.

Things discussed in this episode:

Indiana University Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts Arabic & Islamic Studies Program (soon to be dismantled)

https://liberalarts.indianapolis.iu.edu/academics/degrees-programs/world-languages-cultures/arabic-islamic-studies/index.html

"Hi Jolly" (Hadji Ali), Ottoman-Syrian camel driver

2017 documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7413656/

American Muslims: A History Revealed 

https://www.pbs.org/show/american-muslims-a-history-revealed/

Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History 

https://www.pbs.org/show/arab-indianapolis-hidden-history/

Arab Indianapolis

https://arabindianapolis.com

The Art of Syrian Cookery by Helen Corey 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30178731-the-art-of-syrian-cookery

The U.S. and the Holocaust

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/us-and-the-holocaust/about-the-film

Learn about the Druze faith:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze

The Israel Lobby by John Hirschheimer & Stephen M. Walt 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224127.The_Israel_Lobby_and_U_S_Foreign_Policy

The Great Muslim American Roadtrip 

https://share.google/32JEDZLyZdmr1SDmR

CHAPTERS
00:00 Advocacy & Personal Roots
06:10 Arabs in Indiana: A Hidden History
11:57 Language, Schooling & Identity
23:50 Arab Americans After 9/11
29:57 Zionism in Historical Context
35:58 Indigenous Rights & Palestine
52:36 Political Conflicts of Interest
56:05 Deportations: Obama vs Trump
01:01:47 Thomas Paine’s Enduring Influence
01:05:56 Money’s Grip
01:10:44 When Politicians Lose the People
01:15:56 Environmental Crisis in Rural America
01:20:59 Special Interests vs Democracy

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

I’m deep in my own origin story right now, so this conversation with Jennifer David landed hard. Jennifer is a board-certified behavior analyst, an autistic woman, and an advocate who understands—intimately—the cost of being the one who speaks up. We talk genealogy, identity, and the uncomfortable truth that autism didn’t suddenly appear in the modern era. It’s always been here. We just didn’t have language for it—and we especially didn’t listen to women.

Jennifer shares a powerful family history that stretches from the Mayflower to the Mohawk Nation to the expansion of Mormonism, tracing how matriarchal strength, silence, adoption, and survival shaped generations of neurodivergent lives. What happens when women are expected to endure quietly? When caregiving becomes identity? When emotional labor is inherited instead of chosen?

We get blunt about politics. Autistic people are constantly talked about, studied, and debated—but rarely represented. How do we keep having national conversations about autism without autistic voices in the room? Jennifer breaks down why running for office, or even remaining in advocacy spaces, can be physically and emotionally draining for neurodivergent people—and why advice like “just open your heart” can be actively dangerous.

We also speak about a missing autistic child during this episode, Robert "RJ" Williams Jr. Since recording, we’ve learned that he was tragically found deceased. My heart is heavy for his family and for every family that knows this fear too well. I want to be clear that this conversation was recorded before those developments, and I share this with deep care and sorrow.

If anything, this loss makes the conversation even more urgent. Water safety education, early intervention, and effective emergency response protocols are not optional—they save lives. And this isn’t only an autism issue. Children in disadvantaged and marginalized communities face disproportionate risk when systems fail, resources are limited, and responses are delayed. Awareness, education, and community-based safety efforts matter—for all our kids.

So I’ll ask it plainly: who gets to speak for us, and why do we keep accepting anything less than our own voices?

Find more info on Jennifer David here:

Outward Bound Support Services

To read the official statement from Capt. William Carter about Robert "RJ" Williams Jr., click here

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

We say we value communication — but do we really? Or do we only value it when it looks, sounds, and feels the way we expect it to?

In this episode, I sit down with Andy Fitzenrider, a passionate advocate for people who stutter, to talk about what happens when society decides there’s only one “acceptable” way to speak.

Andy shares his lived experience of growing up with a stutter in a world that treated it like a defect to be fixed instead of a reality to be understood. Years of speech therapy focused on correcting him, not asking him how he felt.

The message was clear: be fluent, or be silent. And for a long time, silence felt safer — especially on the phone, where misunderstanding and cruelty came just often enough to leave scars.

We dig into why speech disorders are still treated as punchlines, why hidden disabilities are so easily dismissed, and why measuring success purely by “fluency” misses the point entirely. What if the real question isn’t “How do we eliminate this?” but “How does this impact someone’s life — and how can we reduce harm?”

This conversation is about dignity, independence, and advocacy. It’s about technology that empowers instead of erases. And it’s about standing up for yourself — even when it’s terrifying — because no one else is coming to do it for you.

So I’ll ask you this: Are we actually creating inclusive communities, or just demanding conformity? And what would change if we truly listened?

Find more info on topics discussed during the episode here:

Relay Indiana 

http://www.relayindiana.com

T-mobile Access

http://www.tmobileaccess.com

The Stuttering Foundation of America

https://www.stutteringhelp.org/

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:58 Andy's Background and Advocacy Work

01:58 Understanding Stuttering: Personal Experiences

10:06 The Challenges of Public Speaking and Communication

19:57 The Role of Technology in Empowering Communication

30:01 Advocacy and the Importance of Visibility

40:12 The Impact of Stuttering on Daily Life

49:46 Creating a Culture of Understanding and Acceptance

01:00:11 Your Call to Action

When Mary Pat Torbeck first heard the word autism, the statistic she was given was one in thirty thousand. That was 1989.

What happens when you raise children with autism before there were services, language, or even a willingness to say the word out loud?

And what happens when, decades later, we start hearing whispers about bringing institutionalization back?

This conversation is about memory, perspective, and truth. Mary Pat shares what it was like to fight for early diagnosis long before it was common, to navigate systems that barely existed, and to rely on community when there was little else to lean on. Her story is a reminder that progress didn’t happen by accident — it happened because families refused to disappear.

We talk honestly about how raising children with disabilities reshapes entire families: marriages, siblings, mental health, faith, and identity.

We talk about joy found in unexpected places, the lessons our kids teach us when we slow down enough to see the world through their eyes, and why independence is a myth we should probably stop worshiping.

And we confront something uncomfortable: why are we, in 2026, even entertaining conversations about re-institutionalization? Who benefits from that, and who pays the price?

Every soul has something to give. The real question is whether we’re willing to build a society that makes room for it.

Find more info on the organizations Mary Pat recommends below:

Damar Services: Homepage - Damar Services, Inc

Damar Village: Damar Village - Damar Services, Inc

Village of Merici: https://villageofmerici.org/

ILLAD: https://iladdinc.org/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Autism Advocacy

02:51 Mary Pat's Journey with Autism

05:46 Early Diagnosis and Access to Services

09:00 Navigating Family Dynamics and Support

11:58 Community Connections and Resources

14:46 The Importance of Family Support

17:49 Reflections on Institutionalization and Mental Health

21:05 Finding Joy in Challenges

24:13 The Role of Faith in Parenting

26:58 Community Building and Inclusivity

29:58 The Impact of Autism on Family Life

33:04 Advocacy and Awareness

36:13 The Power of Love and Connection

42:04 Navigating Mental Health and Community Support

45:53 The Emotional Toll of Caregiving

52:57 The Impact on Families and Siblings

56:20 Changing Perspectives on Disabilities

01:01:05 The Importance of Community Engagement

01:10:27 Innovative Solutions and Community Building

01:19:08 The Legacy of Love and Support

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

Did you know that Tabitha, our dear host and guide, grew up in rural Indiana, attended both University of Southern Indiana and Indiana State, learned French, considered the military, and then stumbled into the field she would end up working in for 17 years: a flight attendant in the airline industry?

Today we present an "episode swap" - where a conversation appears on two podcasts: The MultiPod, which explores the lives and experiences of multipotentialites, and here, on Staring Down the Storm, Autism Advocacy in America.

Why? Well, we often don't realize that as people come across our work, be it a podcast, newsletter, blog, YouTube channel or otherwise, there are parts of our story that may be obvious to us, but are completely unknown to our audience. And that journey typically forms the basis for our values, activities and the work we put out there into the world.

And so get to know Tabitha a bit more: her interests, family, identity and distinct journey into motherhood. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, this meant going down the path of sperm donation and artificial insemination.

This may be where you can then pick up the story, the part where she ends up with three kids, the youngest being twins, all less than two years apart, and all three diagnosed with autism. Which in turn led to Tabitha herself learning she was autistic. And in the face of all the inherent challenges therein, compounded by the current political atmosphere, Tabitha found herself with a new calling: advocacy.

Tabitha and I produced a miniseries documentary in late 2024 that expands on her story as a single parent of three young kids, all with autism, and her journey into advocacy: "My Caregiving Journey: Raising Three Children With Autism"

Since then, we've launched her podcast, raising awareness and fostering connections within the autism advocacy space, highlighting the significance of community support, inclusivity, and the power of personal storytelling in driving change.

Tabitha is here to connect with you, the listener, and to help build a powerful, determined community, both in Indiana and further abroad. So don't hesitate to reach out, send a message, introduce yourself, say hello, and make that connection!

It's an honour to be a part of her podcast, and to present to you my friend Tabitha.

- Ted Cragg, producer

How to Contact Tabitha:

Website: tabithazeigler.com
Podcast: staringdownthestorm.com
Contact: tabitha.zeigler [at] gmail.com
Instagram:@tabitha.zeigler
Facebook: @tabitha.zeigler.52
LinkedIn: @tabitha-zeigler-33825246

The word gratitude gets thrown around a lot. But gratitude without action is just a performance. In this episode, I sat down with KT White and Brenda Killeen of Allies for Humanity to have an honest, necessary conversation about what real service actually looks like — especially when it comes to our unhoused neighbors. This isn’t a feel-good discussion. It’s a reality check.

We talk about trust, trauma, and the exhausting truth of showing up every day while watching institutions offer words instead of solutions. Why are grassroots organizations doing the deepest work constantly in crisis mode, while larger systems continue to get funded for surface-level efforts? Why do we keep criminalizing homelessness instead of confronting the systems that create and maintain it? And why is faith so often preached instead of practiced?

KT and Brenda challenge the idea that help should come with conditions — sermons for sandwiches, compliance for compassion. That isn’t love. That’s control. We get into trauma-informed care, indigenous wisdom, and the necessity of boundaries in service work. You don’t need a title, a building, or institutional approval to show up with dignity and integrity. You just need the willingness to do the work.

This episode is both a call-out and a check-in. Because homelessness isn’t unsolvable — we’re just avoiding responsibility. So I’ll ask you the same question I had to ask myself: if everyone has something to give, why aren’t we giving it? And what does gratitude really mean if it never turns into action?

Find more info on Allies For Humanity here:

www.Alliesforhumanity.org

Facebook

Instagram

To learn more about the Empowerment Plan, click here.

Chapters

00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections and Community Support

02:55 Pivoting for Community Needs

05:46 Building Trust with the Unhoused

08:35 Addressing Naysayers and Community Challenges

11:31 Volunteer Opportunities and Community Engagement

18:33 Personal Stories of Service

20:30 The Reality of Service Work

23:24 Grassroots Action vs. Surface-Level Work

26:05 Innovative Solutions for the Unhoused

29:09 Crisis Mode in Nonprofits

38:05 Empathy and Compassion in Advocacy

40:56 The Role of Media in Social Issues

43:41 Indigenous Wisdom and Community

46:59 Spiritual Warfare and Human Connection

56:30 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

01:00:25 The Complexity of Healing and Support

01:07:53 The Role of Faith and Community in Service

01:15:07 Navigating Boundaries in Nonprofit Work

01:21:49 Call to Action: Community Support and Involvement

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

I grew up on a homestead, so I’ve always understood the value of growing your own food — not as a trend, but as a way of life. That’s why this conversation with Tad Streepey of Gypsy Rain Organics hit such a nerve for me. At its core, this episode isn’t just about organic farming. It’s about power, control, and who gets to decide what’s “safe” enough for our families.

Tad is doing everything right — growing nutrient-dense food, using careful processes, serving his community — and still found himself shut down by vague, inconsistently enforced new health “guidelines.” Not laws. Guidelines. Meanwhile, massive commercial farms ship produce across the country, outbreaks and all, and somehow that’s acceptable. Why is the burden of proof always on small farmers doing the work responsibly?

We also talk about food insecurity in a farming state — let that sink in — and how corporate consolidation, lobbying, and bureaucratic overreach are stripping communities of food choice, autonomy, and resilience. This isn’t theoretical. These policies affect school lunches, families with limited resources, and kids — including autistic kids — who benefit deeply from fresh, whole foods and hands-on learning environments like farms.

So I’ll ask the uncomfortable question: when did convenience and profit become more important than health, nutrition, and community wellbeing? And why are we letting unelected systems quietly decide what we’re allowed to feed our families?

Food freedom isn’t radical. It’s fundamental.

Find more info on Gypsy Rain Organics here:

Website: Gypsy Rain Organics 

Instagram: Gypsy Rain Organics 

Facebook: Gypsy Rain Organics 

YouTube: Gypsy Rain Organics 

To Learn More about Harrison County’s Community Services, click here

Meet Herbalist Karen Burr - Materia Medica 

Are PFAS forever chemicals in your water? Learn more here...

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Organic Farming and Advocacy

01:20 The Journey of Gypsy Rain Organics

05:15 Challenges with Health Regulations

12:52 The Importance of Fermentation and Food Safety

16:46 Nutritional Value and Local Farming Benefits

28:24 Engaging the Autistic Community with Farming

32:55 Political Advocacy for Small Farms

36:56 Community Support and Food Insecurity

42:57 The Impact of Corporate Farming

49:24 Future of Small Farms and Food Freedom

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]

Growing up in a neurodivergent family doesn’t come with a manual — it comes with chaos, humor, grief, resilience, and a crash course in empathy. In this conversation, Charlie Biluck and I get honest about what it really means to live inside a “neurospicy” family system, where love is fierce, advocacy is non-negotiable, and emotional regulation is a daily practice, not a buzzword.

We talk about why society is so quick to romanticize autism while refusing to sit with the hard parts. What happens when disability isn’t visible? Why are parents judged instead of supported? And why do we still design public spaces that quietly exclude entire families? Charlie and I challenge the idea that inclusion means perfection — sometimes access looks like assisted vans, messy grocery trips, or simply being allowed to exist without apology.

Charlie also shares his deeply personal journey of self-discovery — navigating ADHD, emotional regulation, gender identity, and what it means to live an aligned life. We dig into masking, burnout, late diagnoses, and how stepping away from noise can finally help you hear yourself. Why do we push people to conform instead of teaching them how to regulate, adapt, and thrive?

And then we go further — into ancestry, genealogy, and heritage travel. Because knowing where you come from matters. Because history is complicated. Because truth is powerful. And because understanding our past might be one of the most radical tools we have for building our future - one of empathy, community and genuine connection.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advocacy (and Punk Rock)

05:58 Childhood Experiences and Family Dynamics

12:04 Navigating Public Spaces with Neurodivergent Kids

17:59 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Families

25:18 Navigating Parental Advocacy and Community Support

30:26 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity

35:46 The Impact of Family Health History

40:46 Genealogy and Its Connection to Identity

51:14 Heritage Travel and Ancestral Connections

01:01:30 The Intersection of Genealogy and Personal History

01:07:47 RootsTech and the Future of Genealogy

01:17:14 Getting Started with Genealogy Research

Find more info on Ancestral Wanderlust here:

Website: Ancestral Wanderlust

email: [email protected]

Genealogy Resources 

Click here to purchase your tickets to RootsTech 2026

Family Search

The Formidable Genealogist 

Contact Tabitha:

[email protected]