Can nature and adventure help struggling young adults reset, heal, and find direction? On this episode of The Uniquely Wired Podcast, Andrew Taylor—founder of Pure Life Adventure and Octagon Mentoring—joins Dr. Rubin and Dr. Kellen to discuss how outdoor immersion, digital detox, and real-life challenge can accelerate confidence and emotional growth. Andrew shares key differences between wilderness therapy and transitional independent living models, a powerful story from the surf program in Costa Rica, and why young people often make dramatic progress within weeks. They also explore the role of AI—its benefits, its risks, and a new accessibility initiative Andrew is developing to support mental health.

• LAUNCH by Andrew Taylor
• Pure Life Adventure
• Octagon Mentoring
• Email Andrew: [email protected] 
• Andrew Taylor on Instagram
• 3rd Annual Autism Research & Training Symposium
• New Directions for Young Adults
• The International Society for Autism
• Learn more about the Uniquely Wired Podcast
• Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

Hashtags:

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrDrewRubin #DrMichaelKellen #AndrewTaylor #OctagonMentoring #PureLifeAdventure #NDFYA #NewDirectionsForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #YoungAdult #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo

AI is transforming healthcare, but it can’t replace human expertise. Dr. Marco Rossi, an AI scientist with 20+ years of experience, joins Dr. Rubin and Dr. Kellen to discuss how AI can aid diagnosis and treatment—while warning against over-reliance. They highlight the need for human responsibility, the risk of losing essential skills, and why, as Dr. Kellen notes, “the human component is so important to sift through and diagnose correctly.”

 
3rd Annual Autism Research & Training Symposium: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/events/arts-2026/
New Directions for Young Adults: https://ndfya.com/
The International Society for Autism: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/
Learn more about the Uniquely Wired Podcast: http://uniquelywired.info/
Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrDrewRubin #DrMichaelKellen #DrMarcoRossi #AI #Technology #NDFYA #NewDirectionsForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #YoungAdult #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo

“As they get older, you have to learn to take steps back so that they can have that independence.” — Savannah Paponetti
In this episode of the Uniquely Wired Podcast, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Kellen sit down with Savannah Paponetti, a licensed counselor and Assistant Clinical Director at NDFYA, to talk about how parents can best support their young adult children. They explore the balance between support and enabling, the shift from managing to mentoring, and why setting realistic expectations and boundaries is essential. Savannah also shares the value of involving therapists and parent coaches in creating healthier family dynamics.

New Directions for Young Adults: https://ndfya.com/
The International Society for Autism: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/
Learn more about the Uniquely Wired Podcast: http://uniquelywired.info/
Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

Hashtags:

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrDrewRubin #DrMichaelKellen #SavannahPaponetti #NDFYA #NewDirectionsForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #YoungAdult #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo

In this insightful episode of the Uniquely Wired Podcast, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Kellen sit down with Dr. Greg Chasson—clinical psychologist, University of Chicago professor, and expert in OCD and related disorders—to explore the misunderstood world of hoarding, anxiety, and perfectionism. Dr. Chasson dispels common myths, noting that hoarding isn’t about laziness or messiness but often rooted in deep anxiety and fear. They also discuss how hoarding connects to OCD and autism in young adults, the importance of healthy motivation, and why aiming for zero anxiety misses the mark: “You want that sweet spot—that Goldilocks zone.”

 
Dr. Greg Chasson: https://www.gregchasson.com/
Flawed by Dr. Chasson: https://flawedbook.com/

Dr. Chasson's course—Find Your Performance-Wellness Balance: https://www.drchasson.com/course

New Directions for Young Adults: https://ndfya.com/
The International Society for Autism: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/
Learn more about the Uniquely Wired Podcast: http://uniquelywired.info/
Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

Hashtags:

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrDrewRubin #DrMichaelKellen #DrGregChasson #NDFYA #NewDirectionForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo

Dr. Rubin and Dr. Kellen sit down with Josh Doyle, M.Ed.—a seasoned educational and therapeutic consultant—to discuss how the landscape of therapeutic programs and boarding schools has evolved over the last few decades. From rising mental health challenges in youth to the critical role of residential care and wilderness therapy, Josh shares insight from over 25 years of experience helping families find hope and healing. He reflects on how today’s young people are increasingly struggling with isolation, depression, and limited access to effective treatment. The conversation also explores the growing impact of program closures and what that means for families navigating a mental health crisis.

Josh Doyle Educational & Therapeutic Consulting: https://www.joshdoyleconsulting.com/
New Directions for Young Adults: https://ndfya.com/
The International Society for Autism: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/
Learn more about the Uniquely Wired Podcast: http://uniquelywired.info/
Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrDrewRubin #JoshDoyle #DrMichaelKellen #NDFYA #NewDirectionForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo

Dr. Drew Rubin is joined by Greg Hitchcock, Scott Hess, and Dr. Michael Kellen to explore the healing impact of wilderness therapy. With decades of experience in behavioral health and psychology, they discuss how stepping away from screens and comfort can lead to self-discovery and emotional growth. In this insightful episode, Greg Hitchcock explains how nature fosters leadership and self-reliance, while Scott Hess highlights how simplicity helps people connect with who they really are. Whether for teens, adults, or families, this episode shows how nature creates space for real connection and lasting change.

New Directions for Young Adults: https://ndfya.com/
The International Society for Autism: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/
Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

Hashtags:

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrDrewRubin #GregHitchcock #ScottHess #DrMichaelKellen #WildernessPrograms #WildernessTherapy #NDFYA #NewDirectionForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Uniquely Wired Podcast! In this premiere episode, Dr. Drew Rubin introduces two key team members from New Directions for Young Adults—pioneers in autism research, diagnosis, and treatment. With him are Dr. Michael Kellen and Bobby Jividen, offering their expertise in a compelling conversation about the challenges young adults on the autism spectrum face when transitioning out of the home and into independent life. The discussion also explores how family dynamics play a critical role in this process, including the emotional impact on parents as their young adult children take this important step toward independence.

Links:
New Directions for Young Adults: https://ndfya.com/
The International Society for Autism: https://internationalsocietyforautism.org/
Email Dr. Rubin: [email protected] 

Hashtags:

#UniquelyWiredPodcast #DrRubin #NDFYA #NewDirectionForYoungAdults #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismSpectrum #AutismSupport #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #Podcasting #PFCAudioVideo