Adulting with Autism
🎙️ Adulting with Autism — Over 2 MILLION Downloads and Counting!
A bold, unfiltered podcast created by April Ratchford, an autistic occupational therapist on a mission to help autistic adults thrive in every part of life—independence, relationships, careers, and emotional well-being.
💡 Featured Interviews with Trailblazing Leaders & Advocates:
🎙 Dr. Robert Melillo – Author of Disconnected Kids
🎙 Amanda Ralston – Founder of NonBinary Solutions
🎙 Thomas D’Eri – Co-founder of Rising Tide Car Wash
🎙 Shell Mendelson – Career coach for neurodivergent professionals
🎙 Sam Mitchell – Host of Autism Rocks and Rolls
🎙 Doug Blecher – Autism advocate and coach
🎙 Steve Gallegos – Disability empowerment speaker
🎙 McCracken Poston Jr. – Attorney in the Truman Show Delusion case
🎙 Dr. Matt Zakreski – Clinical psychologist on neurodiversity and mental health
🎙 Dr. Foojan Zeine – Emotional wellness expert and psychotherapist
🔊 New episodes every Wednesday & Saturday
🎧 Listen on Buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube
🔗 Explore all links + merch: https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
☕ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/adultingwithautism
📩 Want to be a guest or collaborate? Message April on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1708097947800879cbdd654ca
🧩 Autistic. Authentic. Unapologetic.
🔥 Join 2M+ listeners and change the narrative—one episode at a time.
Episodes
167 episodes
Control Your Career: Burnout, Pivots & Advocacy for Neurodivergent Pros w/ Julia Toothacre
Feeling stuck, burned out, or boxed in at work? Career strategist Julia Toothacre (Ride The Tide Collective) breaks down how neurodivergent professionals can own their careers—without masking or burning out. We cover smart pivot...
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44:25
Murphy Monroe on Thriving Authentically as a Neurodivergent Adult
n this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford sits down with Murphy Monroe to explore how neurodivergent adults can thrive without compromising their authenticity. From practical self-advocacy tools to navigating relatio...
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41:09
From Dreams to Legacy: Nathaniel Turner on Parenting with Purpose, Life Design, and Preparing Future Leaders
In this inspiring episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford chats with Nathaniel A. Turner—author, TEDx speaker, and creator of the powerful “Life Template.” Nathaniel shares how he reverse-engineered his futu...
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40:15
Building Community & Hope in the Special Needs World | Jamie Olson | Adulting With Autism Podcast
“Community is where hope lives.”In this inspiring episode of Adulting With Autism, we sit down with Jamie Olson, the creator of Uniquely You Magazine, a publication written by and for the special needs com...
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36:18
Unlocking Spiritual Healing: Beatty Carmichael on Root-Cause Wellness & Freedom from Chronic Pain
In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford welcomes Beatty Carmichael, a leading expert on the spiritual roots of mental health, chronic pain, and emotional struggles. With over 25 years of experience, Beatty reveals...
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59:02
From Autism Diagnosis to Washington D.C.: Carol & Andrew Waldman on Neurodiversity, Advocacy, and Adulting with Autism
In this inspiring episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with Carol Waldman, a lifelong political advocate and community leader, and her son Andrew Waldman, a 23-year-old recent graduate and neurodiversity advocate.Diagno...
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37:43
Sophia Warren on Radical Self-Trust and Neurodivergent Empowerment
Sophia Warren joins host April Ratchford to talk self-trust, inner alignment, and navigating life as a neurodivergent adult. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, we explore how radical authenticity can transform relationships, care...
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30:38
Kerie Logan on Autism, Trauma Bonds & Healing the Nervous System How masking, PDA, and self-doubt impact neurodivergent adults — and what real healing looks like
How do masking, trauma bonds, and PDA affect autistic adults — and what does true healing even look like?In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford talks with Kerie Logan, intuitive hypnotherapist, auth...
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43:35
Conflict, Culture, and Clarity with Alex Yaro How Executive Coaching Supports Autistic Adults in Relationships and Work
Born in Ukraine and raised in the U.S., Alex Yaro learned early how different cultures handle communication. Now, as a certified executive coach and mediator, he helps autistic adults reframe conflict, understand intent vs. impact, and c...
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30:58
Victorial Lenormand on Healing, Energy, and Empowerment —Unlocking Holistic Strength and Neurodivergent Power
Victorial Lenormand joins host April Ratchford to explore healing, energy work, and personal empowerment through a neurodivergent lens. This powerful conversation blends intuition with insight, offering practical and spiritual tools for thrivin...
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38:09
Neurodiversity Is Your Superpower: Dr. Micah Perez on AuDHD, Executive Function, and Affirming OT
Dr. Micah Perez is a Filipino-Australian occupational therapist, educator, and entrepreneur who proudly identifies as an AuDHDer. She joins Adulting with Autism to share how neurodiversity-affirming OT, executive func...
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34:26
Shea Belsky on Leading While Autistic: Tech, Advocacy & Startup Wisdom
Tech leader and autistic advocate Shea Belsky joins April Ratchford to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace, self-advocacy in college, and building inclusive startups. Shea opens up about his journey from Cornell to HubSpot, co-foundi...
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36:16
Mastering Neurodivergence With Dr. Ute Liersch: Autism, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence
Join host April on Adulting with Autism for a powerful conversation with Dr. Ute Liersch — no-nonsense psychologist, BPS conference speaker, and advocate for neurodivergent leadership. Together they unpack adulting with autism, leaders...
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39:34
Rewrite Your Story: Aaron Gambel on Healing, Fatherhood, and Mental Health Transformation
✨ In this inspiring episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with Aaron Gambel — transformational life coach, father, and speaker — to explore how we can break free from the stories that ...
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25:39
Alain Salas: Break Limiting Beliefs Grow Your Business Heal From Within
Join Adulting with Autism host April Ratchford as she welcomes Dr. Alain Salas — chiropractic physician, #1 Amazon best-selling author, and creator of the Goal & Success Clearing System. Discover how to break limiting beliefs, unlo...
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52:18
Acting Tools for Emotional Literacy with James Rojas Taylor, U.S. Marine, Actor, and Author of All Your Best Selves
James Rojas Taylor is a U.S. Marine veteran, actor, and author of All Your Best Selves who believes emotional and mental literacy can be taught—using the tools of the actor. In this episode, we talk about his journey from trauma to tra...
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31:58
Love, Red Flags & CEO Dating Energy – Evan Marc Katz
Evan Marc Katz is the world’s first dating coach for smart, strong, successful women—and today, he joins Adulting with Autism to talk dating, love, and what actually makes a healthy relationship work.Since 2003, Evan has coached...
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37:45
Reframe Your Past, Reclaim Your Power: CBT Tips with Judith Belmont
What if your past didn’t define you—but refined you? 💬 In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, psychotherapist, author, and speaker Judith Belmont, MS shares practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies to b...
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35:03
Reclaiming Joy After Loss: Stacie Shifflett on Life Transitions, Boundaries & Modern Consciousness
Certified high-performance coach Stacie Shifflett joins April Ratchford to talk grief, reinvention, and emotional resilience. From losing her son to rebuilding life after divorce, Stacie shares real tools for navigating trauma, redefining succe...
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38:08
Rewire Your Mindset: Madelaine Weiss on Success, Sanity & Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs
In this empowering episode of Adulting with Autism, we're joined by Madelaine Weiss—Harvard-trained psychotherapist, mindset master, and author of Getting to G.R.E.A.T.. With decades of experience helping high performers recla...
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32:24
Break Free from Limiting Beliefs: Habit Freedom with Coach Anna Shilina
Are your beliefs holding you back? In this transformative episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford sits down with international coach, speaker, and human behavior expert Anna Shilina—author of Habit Freedom...
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30:47
Overcoming Self-Sabotage: How Performers Can Reclaim Their Power with Dr. Albert Bramante
What if you could stop self-sabotaging and start thriving—on stage and off?In this transformative episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford sits down with Dr. Albert Bramante, a powerhouse talent agent with over 20 y...
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33:57
Trauma, Truth, and the Path to Healing: Susan Snow on Navigating PTSD
🎉 Birthday shoutout to my sister Heather and OT school BFF Ashley—thank you for cheering me on every step of the way!In this deeply moving episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with Susan Snow—a...
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Season 2
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Episode 143
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39:05
Rewriting the Autism Narrative: Clain Udy’s Path to Independent Futures
In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, I’m joined by Clain Udy—corporate leader, autism dad, speaker, and author of Rebranding Autism. Clain shares how a strengths-based approach transformed his own son’s path ...
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39:05
Autism, Anxiety & the Nervous System: A Somatic Approach with Ellen Slater
Feeling stuck in your head? It might be time to listen to your body. In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, we’re joined by Ellen Slater, somatic therapist, author, and founder of the
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Season 2
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Episode 142
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32:46