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
152 episodes
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
Unlocking Your Inner Power: David Alan Brown on Identity, Healing & Self-Mastery
Hey guys, hey—happy Wednesday! Welcome back to Adulting with Autism, the podcast where we say goodbye to “normal” and hello to neurodivergent brilliance. This week, we’re diving deep into the power of self-talk—not the scary, spiraling...
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38:46
Burnout to Breakthrough: Jamie Gantt’s Journey from Corporate Hustle to Soulful Living
🔥 Ever dreamt of quitting the 9-to-5 grind and radically rewriting your life? Meet Jamie Gantt — former corporate climber turned world-traveling coach, speaker, and soon-to-be author of Becoming Myself. In this soul-stirring episode of Adulting...
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Season 2
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Episode 140
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34:20
Declutter Your Mind: How Trauma, Neurodivergence, and Emotions Fuel Clutter – with Helen Sanderson
Hey guys, hey! It’s April—your favorite autistic OT and host of Adulting with Autism, the podcast that believes life skills are sexy and your home should feel like peace, not pressure.In today’s heart-expanding episode, we’re joined by H...
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Season 2
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Episode 139
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37:02
Unmasking Authenticity: Healing, Identity & Faith with Rev. Jocelyn Jones | Autism, Trauma & Emotional Wellness
Hey there, beautiful soul! 🌟 Ready for a raw and powerful conversation that will inspire you to show up as your authentic self?In this episode of Adulting with Autism, we sit down with Reverend Jocelyn Jones—author, speaker, ordained min...
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Season 2
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Episode 138
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35:39
Living With Hyperthymesia: Frank Healy on Healing, Memory, and Mental Health
Hey guys, hey – happy Wednesday! I’m April, your favorite autistic OT and host of Adulting with Autism – the podcast where life skills are sexy, healing is real, and neurodivergent voices finally get the mic. Whether you're a parent guiding...
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Season 2
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Episode 137
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29:31
Breaking Free from Fear: Eric Simpson’s Journey from Corporate Life to Bold Living
Feeling stuck in fear? You're not alone — and this episode with life coach Eric Simpson will help you break free. After leaving a high-powered corporate job in the U.S., Eric took a leap of faith (literally — he skydives!) and rebuilt his l...
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Season 2
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Episode 136
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34:44
The Science of Healing: Dr. Robert Melillo on Autism, Brain Balance & Neurodevelopment Breakthroughs
Hey guys, hey! 💛 It’s the final day of our 30 Days of Content celebrating Autism Awareness and OT Month, and we’re closing things out with a true pioneer in the field: Dr. Robert Melillo.Dr. Melillo is the author of Disconnected Kids, co...
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Season 2
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Episode 133
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29:53
Revolutionizing Autism Support Through Tech: Amanda Ralston’s Mission
Hey friend! 🌟 Ready to see how technology is transforming autism support from the inside out? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, we’re joined by Amanda Ralston—award-winning behavior analyst, international speaker, and founder of NonBinar...
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Season 2
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Episode 131
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31:54
Unlocking Independence: Ed Roe on Autism, College, and Life Skills for Young Adults
Hey there, friends! 💛 Pull up a chair and get comfy, because today’s episode of Adulting with Autism is packed with inspiration and real-world advice!We’re thrilled to welcome Ed Roe, Program Director at CIP Bloomington. With over two de...
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Season 2
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Episode 135
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39:55
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 134
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36:55
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 132
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41:52
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 Amand...
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Season 2
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Episode 130
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34:59
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 psychoth...
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Season 2
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Episode 129
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37:41
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 128
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39:40
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-D...
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Season 2
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Episode 127
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49:07