In this episode, I sat down with the incredible April Ratchford, host of Adulting with Autism, to dive deep into her inspiring journey as both an autistic occupational therapist and a mom. April opened up about why she started her podcast—out of frustration with the lack of support for autistic young adults transitioning out of high school—and how she's built a vibrant community, racking up millions of downloads and a thriving YouTube channel. We talked practical strategies for growth, monetization, and navigating the tech tools that make podcasting doable, even with a busy life. Most of all, I hope you walk away remembering that meaningful, mission-driven content truly matters and that persistence pays off in both impact and growth. Whether you're a podcaster or part of the neurodiverse community, April’s story is proof you can create change—and maybe even a little income—one episode at a time.

Connect with April Ratchford

If you enjoyed hearing from April Ratchford and want to connect further, be sure to check out all the valuable resources she offers. Listeners can follow April on her Linktree at “Adulting with Autism,” where she shares her latest podcast episodes, YouTube videos, and connects her audience to her vibrant online communities on Discord and Twitch, run by her son and his friend.

Website: https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-ratchford

If My Podcast Story speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.

There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the My Podcast Story newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.

Sign up here: https://mypodcaststory.com/join

If the stories you hear on My Podcast Story bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq

Want to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & April’s Podcast Origin Story

00:03 Transition Challenges for Autistic Young Adults

00:05 Podcast Format: Audio, Video, and Content Strategy

00:09 April’s April Content Challenge: Daily Guest Interviews

00:14 Production Workflow & Tools (Riverside, Podmatch, AI)

00:19 Monetization Journey & Growing the Podcast

00:24 Visibility, Search, and Online Presence

00:39 Podbean Monetization Details & Future Plans

00:48 Community, Platforms, and Closing Thoughts