In episode 74, Alex and Karly welcome Elena Carroll to the pod!

"I was diagnosed with autism at age 25 after a lifetime of questioning my brain, my place in the world, and if I was ever going to be able to make it to 30. I was in therapy from the age of 6, and was only ever told it was anxiety from professionals. At 25 I was back in therapy, this time treating depression, and it was during these sessions that I learnt of my neurodivergence. Now having discovered how my brain works, I began sharing my struggles and experiences online on Instagram and Youtube. I'm also in the very near stages of finishing my first book about the late diagnosed autistic experience. Overall just trying to help heal the little girl inside who questioned her place in the world, and hoping my words and content can help ease other people's inner child's :)"

In this episode, Elena talks about her autism diagnosis journey, her queer journey, and how those journeys have lead her to connecting with community.

Thanks for tuning in!

-A+K

Connect with Elena:

Instagram: @elenacarr0ll

YouTube: @elenacarr0ll

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

Credit:

Music+ Audio:Peter Filippi

Shout out to our awesome team for all their support!

In episode 73, Alex and Karly welcome Patrick Casale onto the pod!

Patrick Casale, MA LCMHC

Owner of All Things Private Practice LLC & Resilient Mind Counseling PLLC

TEDx Speaker| Author| Therapist | Podcast Host x 2 | Business Coach | Group Practice Owner | Retreat Host

Patrick Casale is an AuDHD, 2e mental health therapist, Neurodivergent business coach, and prolific TEDx Speaker. He leads international retreats, summits, and coaching programs, helping entrepreneurs work through impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism, while embracing their authenticity. He has coined the phrase, Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway TM

He is the founder of All Things Private Practice LLC, and the host of the “All Things Private Practice Podcast, and the co-host of Divergent Conversations Podcast.” Patrick also owns a group therapy practice in Asheville, NC. 

With experience in both the clinical mental health world and the small business world, he has helped hundreds of thousands of mental health professionals around the world start and grow their businesses while staying aligned to their values and dreams.

Patrick lives in Asheville, NC with his wife Ariel and his two dogs, Hudson and Hazel. He loves to travel, Lord Of The Rings, Anthony Bourdain, Capybaras, great cold brew coffee, and craft beer.

Connect with Patrick:

Instagram: @patrick.casale

TikTok: @patrickcasale

YouTube: @AllThingsPrivatePractice

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.casale/?locale=en_GB

Website: https://www.allthingspractice.com/ Atppod.com 

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

Credit:

Music+ Audio:Peter Filippi

Shout out to our awesome team for all their support!

Welcome!

In episode 72, the pod welcomes on Hadley! Hadley (she/they) is an audhd spicy gremlin, who we have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past couple years through our community meetings!

"My name is Hadley, a 20-year-old neurodivergent artist and cosplayer. My journey began with a severe case of MSPI, which led to a central line, a staph infection, and blood transfusions. These early medical challenges resulted in physical and occupational therapy for delayed milestones. At age five, I was diagnosed with combined-type ADHD—an early diagnosis for a girl. Ten years later, at 15, I finally received my autism diagnosis. While initially overwhelming, it provided the answers I lacked while being bullied. Today, I’ve found healing and a supportive, diverse community through cosplay and my creative passions."

This episode was so fun getting to know more about Hadley, about her journey with her development and getting diagnosed with autism at 15, to her sharing about her love for cosplay. Hadley's joyful energy is infectious!

Hadley will be competing in her first cosplay contest on March 28, wearing a costume that she's sewn (her first one ever!!) and crocheted rats for in KC at Planet Comicon Kansas City 2026. Let's all wish her the best of luck!!

Thanks for tuning in.

A+K

Connect with Hadley:

Tiktok/Instagram: @soul_fiddler.cosplay20 @smile._.sekai

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

Credit:

Music:Peter Filippi

Shout out to our awesome team for all their support!

Olivia is back on the pod!

In episode 71, Alex and Karly are joined with Olivia Nied. Olivia is an autistic, queer and trans musician who believes in spreading radical joy through her music. In this episode, Olivia shares about her process with creating music, her experiences with performing, her relationship and presentation nights!!

Join us for this radiant and fun conversation.

Thanks for tuning in!<3

-A+K

“I think in more of just a general "call to action" so to speak, I would really like to encourage the support of queer and trans artists, particularly in these difficult times. We truly value your support so much, and you can directly support the livelihood of a queer or trans person by supporting their art! Queer and Trans people have always been here, and we add so much color, and life and light to the world around you. Please don't forget about us.” - Olivia Nied

Connect with Olivia:

Instagram: @olivianiedmusic_official 

TikTok: @olivia_is_artsy 

Olivia's music website: www.olivianied.com

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Music:Peter Filippi

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

In episode 70, Alex and Karly introduce the pod to Jaclyn!

Jaclyn Andersen is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD author who uses her work to articulate lived neurodivergent experiences with honesty and clarity. By sharing her own story, she advocates for the broader community and helps others find language for what they’ve lived but never been able to express. Through poetry, writing, and content creation, she brings visibility to the nuances of neurodivergent life. She is also a bodybuilder living with Crohn’s disease and has found a passion in inspiring others through openly sharing her struggles and her journey.

In this episode, Jaclyn shares honestly about her neurodivergent experiences, being an author and special interests!

Thanks for listening<3

-A+K

Connect with Jaclyn:

Tik tok: @nostaljacpoetry & @patnjacInstagram: @nostaljacpoetry & @jacnpat

“Poems of the neurodivergent experience” available on Amazon, online only at Barnes and nobles and on Ingram spark.https://a.co/d/06qKSkjkAnd newly released “Pat n Jac’s cookbook of plain recipes” available on Amazon only https://a.co/d/06E4lEX1

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Music:Peter Filippi

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

Welcome back to the pod space! In episode 69, we introduce the pod to Kaitlyn and Peter. They share about their relationship story, what it's like to be married and living together, while learning about their neurodivergent needs, and talk about how their special interests are often a way they connect. Oh to know someone, is to love someone!! This is such a sweet interview! Hope you enjoy!

This episode was recorded quite a while ago, but we would love for everyone to know that Kaitlyn and Peter have also been volunteering to help us with some podcast tasks. We have always wanted to collaborate with the community and it means so much to us that they see our vision and are helping us build community!

Welcome to the pod!

In episode 68, Alex and Karly introduce Michelle Ridsdale, tuning in all the way from Australia! Michelle shares her journey of discovering she was autistic later in life through her children's diagnoses, how that sparked her creation of the kaboose app, and her special interests- true crime + her dogs!

Thanks for listening<3

-A+K

Connect with Michelle + Kaboose to join others in neurodivergent connection and chat about special interests:

https://www.kaboose.app

IG: @kaboose_app

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Music:Peter Filippi

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

In episode 67, Karly introduces the pod to Peter! Peter is a late diagnosed autistic who has been learning how to navigate his newly found self. His special interests include hiking/backpacking, soccer, music and most importantly cats.

*This episode was recorded while Alex was on a break and was one of the first interviews Karly did on her own. Peter has been a big supporter and after this interview, him and his wife, Kaitlyn, helped take on some admin tasks, as well as created us our new fun little intro/outro jingle! You will be sure to hear more from him soon!

Thanks for listening<3

-A+K

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Music:Peter Filippi

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes biweekly

Hello! Thanks for tuning into episode 66. We are so excited to be back in this space with everyone. In this silly little welcome back episode, we have a very casual check in and chit chat- neurodivergent style, with lots of trailing off topic, show quotes, and special interest talks, of course. We are so excited to show you what's up our sleeves....

Thanks for listening<3

-A+K

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

To be a guest: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Music:Peter Filippi

Join our Patreon: All tiers get access to monthly zoom events ~ patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!

New episodes bi-weekly

We're back (for real this time! :D) Yaaaay!!!

Come hang out on April 17th @ 7PM EST on zoom (link will be posted on patreon, sign up to join!)

What do you think of our new theme song!? Made by our pod pal Peter Filippi!

Thanks for listening<3

-A+K

Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support-

Email: [email protected]

IG: @thespecialinterestpod

Join our Patreon (all tiers get access to monthly virtual meetups): patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast

Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

Need extra support? Contact us about 1:1 coaching!