Adulting with Autism

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• Why “empty nesting” feels outdated and disempowering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

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💬 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. 💛

Rewiring the Brain: How to Break Free from Negative Self-Talk

Hey friend! Ever spiral into negative self-talk and wonder why your brain just won’t chill? You're not alone—and you’re definitely not broken. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with award-winning psychologist Dr. Betsy Holmberg, author of the upcoming book The Unkind Mind (releasing June 1 from New Harbinger Publications).

But this isn’t your typical therapy chat. Betsy’s story starts with her own depression after divorce—and a turning point that didn’t come from traditional talk therapy, but from neuroscience. 🔬

What she discovered changed everything: that our harsh inner critic isn’t us—it’s our Default Mode Network (DMN). And when we learn how to work with our brain instead of against it? That’s where healing really begins.

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🧠 In this episode, we unpack:

• What the DMN is and how it drives self-criticism, anxiety & overthinking

• Why affirmations don’t work (unless your Central Executive Network is activated)

• How passions, community, and purpose rewire our mental state

• Why social media + burnout jobs = peak inner critic activation

• Tools to manage your brain’s background noise & feel at peace again

Whether you’re dealing with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or just burnout from life, this episode will help you understand your brain—and take back your power.

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📚 Grab Betsy’s Book – The Unkind Mind (out June 1):
🔗 Pre-order on Amazon(affiliate link – helps support the show at no cost to you)
🌐 More from Betsy: https://www.betsyholmberg.com
📸 Follow her on Instagram: @betsyholmberg

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☕ Like what you hear? Support the show: Buy me a coffee
🎧 Listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube
🎁 Join our Discord community—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa + podcast merch!

💬 COMMENT: What’s your DMN’s favorite lie—and how are you rewriting it?
👍 LIKE and SHARE with someone who needs to stop believing their inner critic
🔔 FOLLOW for more real, science-backed convos on identity, healing, and neurodivergent growth

Until next time, keep unmasking, keep growing, and keep adulting. 💛

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College and Autism: What Readiness Really Looks Like

Hey guys hey! Welcome back to Adulting with Autism—your go-to space for navigating life with neurodivergence, one real conversation at a time.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of college readiness for autistic students. Whether you’re a young adult on the spectrum or a parent helping your teen prepare for higher education, you’re going to love this one.

Our guest is Mindy Thornton, Director of Campus-Based Services at Marshall University, where she leads one of the most comprehensive autism support programs in the country. From academics to independent living to emotional and social development—her team’s approach is holistic, inclusive, and neurodivergent-affirming.

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💡 What We Cover in This Episode:

• ✅ What “college-ready” really means for autistic students

• 📝 How to apply to Marshall’s College Program for Students with Autism

• 🧠 Supporting executive functioning and mental wellness in higher ed

• 🗺️ Tuition benefits for out-of-state students in Lexington, KY and Columbus, OH

• 🛠️ Marshall’s 5 Pillars of Student Support: academic, emotional, social, independent living & career readiness

• 🏫 The CREATE Program – a 3-week summer “test run” for incoming students

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📚 Mentioned Resources + Affiliates:
🎓 Learn more about Marshall University’s College Program: https://www.marshall.edu/collegeprogram
🧠 Download our free College Readiness Checklist for Neurodivergent Students 
☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/adultingwithautism

💬 Some links may be affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund content that supports families like yours. 💛

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🎁 Giveaway Alert!
Join our Discord community—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive Adulting with Autism merch
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💬 COMMENT: What does college readiness mean in your home?
👍 LIKE this episode if you learned something new
🔔 FOLLOW the show so you don’t miss upcoming conversations on independence, mental health, and building neurodivergent-friendly futures

Until next time—keep growing, keep asking questions, and keep adulting. 💛