Adulting with Autism

Empowering Autistic Movers: The Dance Studio Built for Neurodivergence

Hey there, friend! 💃 In today’s inspiring episode of Adulting with Autism, we step into a space where movement meets neurodivergent empowerment—the incredible Autistic Wings Dance Company, a nonprofit studio founded by mother-daughter duo Amanda and Leta in Colorado Springs.

Autistic Wings isn’t your average dance program—it’s a trauma-informed, sensory-aware space built by and for autistic dancers. From ballet to hip-hop, every class is designed with neurodivergent communication, learning styles, and sensory needs in mind—no masking, no pressure, just expression.

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🩰 What we talk about:

• Why traditional dance studios often fail autistic dancers

• How Autistic Wings created the first IEP-style adaptive dance curriculum

• The emotional impact of being seen—and not shoved to the side

• Why therapists are now recommending dance as an alternative form of expression

• Their mission to expand into a larger, sensory-safe space to serve even more dancers

Whether you're an autism parent, educator, or just someone who believes in inclusion with soul, this episode will move you—literally and emotionally.

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🌐 Support Autistic Wings Dance Company:
📍 autisticwingsdancecompany.org
🎁 Donate or sponsor a class to keep tuition affordable for ALL neurodivergent dancers
🎧 Listen to Amanda & Leta’s podcast: Leta's Tap Styles
📸 Follow on TikTok & IG: @AutisticWingsDance | @LetaTapStyles

☕ Love the show? Fuel us on Buy Me a Coffee
🎁 Join our Discord—1,000th member wins $100 + exclusive podcast merch
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💬 COMMENT: What kind of support would you have loved as a neurodivergent kid?
🔔 FOLLOW for more episodes featuring neurodivergent creators, change-makers, and trailblazers

#AutisticWings #NeurodivergentDance #AdaptiveDance #AutismInclusion #LetaTapStyles #InclusiveMovement #AutismParenting #SensoryFriendlyPrograms #AutismSupport #SponsorReadyPodcast #AdultingWithAutism #PodMatch

Transforming Trauma with Dr. Foojan Zeine: The Science Behind the Foojan App

Hey there, friend! 🌟 Ever feel stuck in cycles of rumination, avoidance, or emotional shutdown—and wonder why you can’t just “snap out of it”? In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, we sit down with Dr. Foojan Zeine—renowned psychotherapist, international speaker, and the creator of Awareness Integration Theory (AIT) and the Foojan App.

Whether you’re autistic, neurodivergent, or simply navigating your own healing, Dr. Foojan offers science-backed insights into how trauma, negative self-talk, and masking affect our minds—and what we can do to reclaim peace and clarity.

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🧠 In this episode, we explore:

• Why rumination and addiction are common coping mechanisms for autistic adults

• The real reason masking drains your mental health

• How AIT reduces anxiety and depression by up to 70%

• What happens when you turn your phone into your emotional regulation coach

• The power of journaling, reflection, and reframing—especially for neurodivergent brains

Dr. Foojan breaks down complex psychology into tools anyone can apply, making this episode a must-listen for therapists, caregivers, and anyone seeking emotional clarity and lasting transformation.

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📲 Try the Foojan App:
Available now on Apple App Store and Google Play
🧠 Includes 31 life modules, from trauma recovery to self-esteem
📘 FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: We may earn a small commission if you download using the links above—at no cost to you. Your support helps amplify neurodivergent voices!

📚 Learn more at www.foojan.com
🎧 Listen to Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan
💼 Book her for trainings, workshops, or therapy consultation

☕ Love this podcast? Support via Buy Me a Coffee
🎁 Join our Discord—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive merch
🎧 Stream on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Podbean

💬 COMMENT: What emotion are you ready to finally process and let go of?
🔔 FOLLOW for more episodes blending real-life neurodivergence with radical healing tools

#DrFoojanZeine #AwarenessIntegrationTheory #TraumaRecovery #AutismAndMentalHealth #EmotionalRegulationApp #NeurodivergentHealing #SelfDiscoveryTools #SponsorFriendlyPodcast #AdultingWithAutism #MentalHealthTech #PodMatch

Beyond Empty Nesting: Hannah Bankier on the Birdie Launch Life

Hey there, friend! 🦋 In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, we’re talking all things parenting, identity, and transitioning into adulthood—with a twist.

Meet Hannah Bankier, career transition coach, mama of two, and founder of Birdie Launcher™, a movement that’s redefining what it means to be an “empty nester.” Because the truth is—the nest isn’t empty… you’re still in it.

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💡 In this episode, we explore:

• Why “empty nesting” feels outdated and disempowering

• How to embrace the Birdie Launch™ phase with joy, not dread

• Tips for helping your autistic or neurodivergent young adult gain independence

• Reclaiming your own identity after full-time parenting

• The 3 stages of launching: Grief, Relief, and Joy—and why they’re all valid

Whether you’re preparing for your first launch or waving goodbye to your youngest, this conversation is full of warmth, wit, and wisdom to guide you through the next chapter.

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🌐 Connect with Hannah Bankier:
📍 birdylauncher.com
🎁 Free Download: “From Empty Nest to Empowered Next” Starter Guide
📸 IG: @birdylauncher | LinkedIn: Hannah Bankier

☕ Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee
🎁 Join our Discord—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa + exclusive merch
🎧 Listen on Podbean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

💬 COMMENT: What does your version of “Birdie Launching” look like?
🔔 FOLLOW for more conversations that support neurodivergent families, empowered parenting, and midlife reinvention

#BirdieLauncher #HannahBankier #EmptyNestReimagined #ParentingNeurodivergentTeens #MidlifeReinvention #LaunchingYoungAdults #AdultingWithAutismPodcast #ParentingTransitions #SponsorFriendlyPodcast #EmpoweredMotherhood #PodMatch

Unmasking Autism: Sol Smith on Identity, Healing & Finding Your Voice

Hey there, lovely listener! 😊 In today’s episode of Adulting with Autism, we’re joined by Sol Smith—autistic author, former college professor, viral TikTok educator, and the voice behind the much-anticipated book, The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery (launching April 22, 2025!).

Sol shares his late-in-life autism diagnosis, the burnout spiral that followed, and the powerful road to healing, community-building, and radical self-acceptance. Whether you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical, Sol’s insights on unmasking, coaching, and creating identity after diagnosis are honest, practical, and deeply empowering.

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🧠 In this episode, we explore:

• What happens after the autism diagnosis

• How to shut down negative self-talk and rumination

• Coaching autistic adults through shame and imposter syndrome

• Finding your purpose, passions, and peace in a world that’s not built for your brain

• Creating safe communities, one story at a time

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📘 Grab Sol’s book:
🛒 The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery on Amazon (affiliate)
📢 FTC Disclosure: As an affiliate, we may earn a small commission if you purchase through the link—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting neurodivergent voices!

🌐 Connect with Sol:
📍 www.ProfessorSol.com
🎵 TikTok: @ProfessorSol
📸 Instagram: @TheProfessorSol
📘 Join his coaching community and get tools for unmasking and thriving

☕ Love this show? Support us via Buy Me a Coffee
🎁 Join our Discord—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive podcast merch!
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Podbean

💬 COMMENT: What part of Sol’s story resonated most with your own journey?
🔔 FOLLOW for more real-life convos with autistic authors, therapists, and community-builders

#SolSmith #AutisticSelfDiscovery #AutismDiagnosisAdult #NeurodivergentTikTok #LateDiagnosisAutism #AutismBurnoutRecovery #ProfessorSol #AutismBook2025 #AdultingWithAutismPodcast #UnmaskingAutism #NeurodivergentHealing #SponsorReadyPodcast #PodMatch

Designing for the Neurodivergent Mind: Creating Inclusive Spaces That Heal

Hey friends! ✨ In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I’m joined by Stephanie Lee Jackson, founder of Practical Sanctuary and creator of the groundbreaking field of sensory interior design.

Stephanie is on a mission to make every space—homes, offices, classrooms, and even public buildings—neuro-inclusive, emotionally supportive, and sensory-safe. And guess what? You don’t need a big budget or an HGTV crew to create a calming space tailored to your unique brain.

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🎨 What we cover in this episode:

• How clutter, light, sound & smell can trigger overwhelm

• The hidden toll of inaccessible spaces for neurodivergent folks

• How to create a sensory sanctuary without blowing your budget

• Why your nervous system deserves a home that feels safe

• Her journey from artist and massage therapist to trauma-informed designer

If you’ve ever felt drained by your own space—or never felt at home in the world around you—this episode will open your eyes to the possibility of healing through environment.

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🪑 Work with Stephanie:
🌐 practicalsanctuary.com
💌 Free resource: Download Stephanie’s starter guide to building your own sensory-friendly space
📸 IG: @practicalsanctuary
📘 Coming soon: The Eccentric Genius Habitat Intervention: Interior Design for Highly Sensitive People – 2025

☕ Support this podcast via Buy Me a Coffee
🎁 Join our Discord—1,000th member wins $100 + exclusive merch
🎧 Listen on Podbean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

💬 COMMENT: What’s one change in your space that helped your brain feel calmer?
🔔 FOLLOW for more empowering convos around neurodivergence, self-design, and adulting your own way.

#SensoryInteriorDesign #StephanieLeeJackson #NeurodivergentSpaces #AdultingWithAutism #InclusiveDesign #SensoryAccessibility #NeurodivergentHome #HealingEnvironments #SponsorReadyContent #MentalWellnessDesign #NeurodivergentSupport #PodMatch

Neurodivergent Voices: Thomas R. Wilson on Advocacy, Healing & Storytelling

Hey guys hey! Welcome back to Adulting with Autism, where we dig deep into real experiences, big emotions, and life through a neurodivergent lens.

This episode features the incredible Thomas R. Wilson—storyteller, community leader, and nationally recognized advocate for neurodivergent and mental health communities. From a childhood filled with bullying and being misunderstood to becoming a beacon of empowerment for others, Thomas’s journey is as inspiring as it is powerful.

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🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 💬 How rage can be communication—and not just behavior to “fix”

• 🧩 Why behavior is a language, especially for neurodivergent youth

• 🛠️ How storytelling and sensory-friendly spaces dismantle ableism

• 💡 The role of empathy in transforming education, parenting, and systems

• 🌍 What it means to truly build inclusive communities—beyond the buzzwords

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, support worker, or neurodivergent adult, this episode will challenge the way you think about emotional expression, support, and social norms.

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📲 Connect with Thomas R. Wilson:
🌐 https://rhcreativeadvocacyandstorytelling.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wilson-42762927b/
📬 Email: ndttrpg@gmail.com
📢 Follow Thomas on LinkedIn for updates on his advocacy work and events

☕ Love what you hear? Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Podbean | YouTube
🎁 Join our Discord – 1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + podcast merch!

💬 COMMENT: What’s one way you’ve learned to “listen” differently to behavior?
👍 LIKE if this episode helped reframe rage, advocacy, or communication
🔔 FOLLOW for more powerful conversations from the frontlines of neurodivergent life

#ThomasRWilson #NeurodivergentVoices #AdultingWithAutism #RageIsCommunication #BehaviorIsLanguage #SensoryInclusion #NeurodiversityAndEmpathy #DisabilityAdvocacy #SponsorFriendlyPodcast #TraumaInformedCare #InclusiveCommunities #PodMatch

Neurodivergent & Burned Out? Sue Day on Reclaiming Your Strengths

Hey friend! If you’ve ever felt burned out, overstimulated, or like your brain is doing the most when you need it to do the least—this episode is for you.

Today on Adulting with Autism, I’m joined by Sue Day—ADHD coach, neurodivergent advocate, and founder of Pathways Forward Coaching—who helps women and late-diagnosed adults reconnect with their strengths and redefine success on their terms.

Together, we talk about:

• 🔥 Neurodivergent burnout and why it doesn’t always look like exhaustion

• 🎭 The toll of masking and emotional dysregulation—especially for women

• 🧠 How ADHD and autism can overlap in ways most people don’t see

• 🧩 Why your goals might be failing you (and how to turn them into experiments)

• ❤️ Rediscovering your strengths—even if you feel like you’ve lost yourself

This isn’t a productivity pep talk—it’s a permission slip to slow down, reflect, and rebuild with compassion.

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✨ Connect with Sue Day:

📘 Website: https://www.pathwaysforwardcoaching.com
📸 Instagram: @pathwaysforwardcoaching
🧠 VIA Strengths Tool: viacharacter.org

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☕ Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee
🎧 Listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
🎁 Join our Discord for giveaways + support from our growing community

💬 COMMENT: What strength have you been hiding behind burnout?
👍 LIKE if you’ve ever felt like your brain was too much—and not enough at the same time
🔔 FOLLOW for more honest, empowering convos on neurodivergent life, healing, and unmasking

You’re not broken—you’re beautifully wired. And together, we’re redefining what thriving looks like. 💛

Thriving with Neurodivergence: Dr. Matt Zakreski on Unmasking, Burnout & Real-Life Success

Hey guys hey! If you've ever felt like you’re “too much,” “not enough,” or constantly code-switching just to survive—this one’s for you.

In this energizing and empowering episode of Adulting with Autism, I’m joined by psychologist, author, and nationally recognized speaker Dr. Matt Zakreski, aka Dr. Matt. Together, we pull back the curtain on what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent adult in a world built for neurotypicals.

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🧠 In this episode, we explore:

• 🔥 The hidden cost of masking and burnout for autistic and ADHD adults

• 🧩 Why gap years, trade schools, and flexible timelines are essential—not failures

• 🛠️ Practical life skills and how to actually teach them

• 🎓 How educators and parents can support real success—without pushing perfection

• 💡 The power of letting go of “the right way” and embracing your way

Whether you're autistic, ADHD, an overwhelmed parent, or an ally looking to support with intention—this episode is packed with clarity, science, and real talk.

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📚 Get Dr. Matt’s new book – The Neurodiversity Playbook
📘 Order here on Amazon (affiliate link – helps support the show at no cost to you)
🌐 Website: https://www.drmattzakreski.com
📲 Instagram: @drmattzakreski
🎧 Listen to Dr. Matt’s podcast: Nerding Out on Neurodiversity (available everywhere)

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☕ Like this content? You can now support Adulting with Autism via Buy Me a Coffee
🎧 Available on Podbean, Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
🎁 Join our Discord—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive merch!

💬 COMMENT: What’s one expectation you’re ready to unmask or release?
👍 LIKE if you’ve ever been told you’re “too much”
🔔 FOLLOW for more unfiltered convos about neurodivergence, growth, and real-life adulting

You’re not too much—you’re just right. And we’ve got you. 💛