Adulting with Autism

Transforming Trauma into Gold: Healing, Growth, and Empowerment with Sylvia Moore Myers

Hey there, friends! 💛 Welcome back to Adulting with Autism! Today, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Sylvia Moore Myers—the powerful voice behind GoldScars.com and author of Gold Scars.

After enduring unimaginable trauma, including the heartbreaking loss of her teenage son, Sylvia embarked on an 18-year healing journey that’s nothing short of inspiring. Her mission? To show us that healing isn’t about “getting over” pain—it’s about growing through it and transforming our scars into pure gold. 🌟

🎧 In this powerful episode, we dive into:

• How trauma physically imprints itself on the body and mind

• How grief intersects with neurodivergence

• Why owning, naming, and mending your scars is the ultimate act of self-love

• How young adults can heal without repeating painful patterns

Whether you’re navigating grief, trauma, autism, or just working on your own healing, Sylvia’s message is a reminder that brokenness isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of becoming something even stronger.

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✨ Resources & Affiliates: 📚 Get your copy of Gold Scars here → [Affiliate Link]
🌐 Learn more about Sylvia’s work at GoldScars.com

🎁 Join our Discord Giveaway! 🎉 Be the 1,000th member and win a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive merch → linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
☕ Feeling inspired? Support the show at BuyMeACoffee

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🗓️ Reminder: We’re back to our regular schedule—new episodes every Wednesday and Saturday starting May 3rd!

If this episode touched your heart, follow the show, leave a review, and share with someone who needs a little reminder that their story isn’t over—it's just getting golden.

Until next time...
Keep adulting. Keep growing. And keep turning your scars into gold. 💛✨

Breaking Free from Toxic Workplaces: Kelsey Neff on Building Inclusive Cultures by Design

Hey friend! Ever worked in a place that felt more like survival than success? You’re not alone—and today’s guest, Kelsey Neff, is here to flip the script.

Kelsey is the founder of By Design Consulting, author of 52 Weeks of Impact, and a former nonprofit professional who left the burnout hamster wheel to help leaders actually lead. After years of navigating toxic workplaces filled with favoritism, gaslighting, and burnout, Kelsey realized something big: she didn’t need to play the game—she could create a better one.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

• The red flags of toxic work culture (and what to do about them)

• How neurodivergent employees are often the first to feel the cracks in poor leadership

• The power of conscious leadership and trauma-informed teams

• Why most companies confuse “policy” with “culture”

• How to quit with integrity and never lose your values

Whether you're an emerging leader, neurodivergent worker, or just ready to reclaim your energy, this conversation is full of validation, insight, and practical steps to build better workplaces.

📘 Grab Kelsey’s book 52 Weeks of Impact here → https://amzn.to/3YbT2fl
🌐 Learn more: https://bydesignconsulting.space
📱 Follow Kelsey on IG @bydesignconsulting_bdc
📩 Book a consult or leadership training → drm@bydesignconsulting.space

Support the podcast with BuyMeACoffee

🛒 Use affiliate code ADULTING10 for 10% off her digital resources!

✨ Don't forget to hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating their own leadership (or leaving) journey.

🗓️ New episodes every Wednesday + Saturday.
Until next time... keep adulting—and keep building better. 💼🧠

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
📲 Subscribe on Spotify | Apple | YouTube | Podbean

💬 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