AutCasts Recommends: Neurodivergent Podcasts #2
Winding down the year with a round-up of my some of my new favourite neurodivergent podcasts to keep you going over the holidays!
Abigoliah Schuman, comedian and co-host of one of my favourite podcasts, Neurodivergent Moments, mentioned in one of their recent episodes how she uses podcasts to drown out her incessant inner monologue. And since discovering podcasts, relatively recently, I have to say I’ve found the same relief. Whether I’m cooking or cleaning or driving, it’s nice to have a brief respite from my internal monologue by listening to someone else nattering on about their passions, obsessions and special interests!
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My discovery of podcasts coincided (and was partly responsible for) my autism diagnosis and ADHD self-identification, and since discovering my neurodivergence podcasts have been an incomparable source of learning about neurodivergence and connection with the experiences of other (mostly late-diagnosed/identified) neurodivergent people. But, I soon discovered that not all podcasts are created equally and that many podcasts filed under the ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘autism’ genres, intentionally or not, reproduce ableist, stigmatising and ‘functional’ discourse. Since I’ve been filtering out the chaff, I thought I’d share some of my favourites with you.
This selection includes podcasts that are neuro-affirming, are made by and for neurodivergent people and focus on adult experiences, rather than childhood. I aimed to capture a mix of interview versus scripted podcasts, podcasts which blend responsible research or clinical expertise with lived experience, podcasts which centre conversations between two hosts and others which feature a new guest each week. I also decided to only include podcasts that continue to publish new episodes with regularity, either weekly, bi-monthly, or seasonal, as unfortunately there are all too many which have petered out after a few episodes. This is, after all, a notoriously time consuming and poorly remunerated enterprise!
Unfortunately the neurodivergent podcast space remains very white, and while the guests on many of these podcasts come from diverse backgrounds, it was hard to find podcasts hosted by people of colour, that are still putting out new content. If readers have recommendations for ones I might have missed please drop them below!
Autistic Culture Podcast
With its home right here on Substack, the
podcast feels like a sister to this newsletter. Whereas I specifically discuss movies through a neurodivergent lens, and talk about many, many cultural phenomena that resonate with the autistic experience in some way, from Ghostbusters and Taylor Swift, to Peanuts and Kink. They develop the idea that autistic people have a shared culture of our own, something they have termed Autistica, and discuss how, in many cases, autistic people have shaped popular culture. Some of the best episodes are when Angela and Matt indulge their own special interests or discuss the trials and tribulations of ordinary life, such as a recent episode on moving house and executive function. They encourage us to think differently not only about autism, but about popular culture and fandom too. Now into their third season, The Autistic Culture podcast promises more discussion, more guests and more community.
Divergent Conversations
Hosted by two AuDHD pyschotherapists and researchers, Dr. Megan Anna Neff and Patrick Casale, Divergent Conversations is my podcast discovery of 2024! Blending their clinical and research expertise with their personal experience, Megan and Patrick tackle a wide range of topics from diverse aspects of ADHD and autism, to OCD, eating disorders and gender. The hosts speak with candour and are not afraid to share their vulnerabilities and their own struggles with work, or in their social/family lives. One of the things I have most appreciated about listening to Divergent Conversations is how they model their self-care and boundary setting in their work as podcasters. I particularly recommend their extended series on the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and autism. They go through the DSM-5 step-by-step, breaking down the possible interpretations of each criteria, challenging “common sense” or overly-prescriptive interpretations of these criteria and make the case for expanding our understanding of how typical traits may present. With a new episode every week, there is always more to learn from Divergent Conversations.
The Late Discovered Club
For many late diagnosed autistics, like me, the need for community and sharing experiences is very real and immediate. For many of us, this happens mostly online or through podcasts like The Late Discovered Club. Hosted by Catherine Asta, a late-diagnosed autistic woman, who amazingly kept this podcast going through an even more recent cancer diagnosis. The podcast features a different guest every week to discuss issues of life, love, career, education, mental health and what it means to have discovered your autistic identity later in life. Kudos to Catherine for seeking out an incredibly diverse range of guests in terms of race, gender, age, life experience and career, that always makes for a stimulating and thought provoking conversation!
Even more exciting is the news that Pete Wharmby, author of Untypical, will be joining Catherine as co-host for season 4, beginning this January!
Skip the Small Talk
I’m excited to share that
, founder and author of UNMASKED: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence has recently dipped her toe into broadcasting with ‘Skip the Small Talk’ the hottest new podcast to drop in the neurodivergent space. So far, Ellie has covered topics which are particularly close to this neurodivergent’s heart including rejection sensitive dysphoria, being seen as too independent and too direct. With an episode released every week I’m looking forward to listening to much more from Ellie!Beyond 6 Seconds
Last, but certainly not least, is the award-winning Beyond 6 Seconds, hosted by
, which covers the widest array of neurodivergncies of all the podcasts featured here. Recent episodes focus on epilepsy, schizophrenia and Down Syndrome, with an incredible range of guests from self-advocates to support workers and health-care providers. As a sometimes educator and educational researcher (yes, I do many things - thanks ADHD!) I particularly enjoyed the podcast’s extended series on inclusive education, where Carolyn speaks to a diversity of practitioners in the field. Beyond 6 Seconds is always an education.But wait, there’s more! If, after all these recommendations, you still want more, why not check out part-one of my podcast recommendations below? I’m delighted to say that Neurodivergent Moments, 21 and Sensory, You are Good and Square Peg are still alive and kicking:
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That’s a wrap for today but I’ll be back next time with a special mission to spread some neurodivergent Christmas cheer with an oversized and overstimulated Will Ferrel!
Thanks Aisling, I've followed some and look forward to checking them out... :)
Great list Aisling! I even found some new ones there along shared favourites. Interesting how us ND folks are all "different" in tolerances and sensitivities. I do love podcasts and have enjoyed learning from some these ones, and keep going back to them. For whole stretches of time upto months often I've just can't listen to podcasts or even audio books as my language processing is at its limits. During these times it's mostly ambient and instrumental music as lyrics can even be too much. I do look forward getting back to podcasts again gradually. They are such a rich resource.