

Autism Stories
Autism Personal Coach/Doug Blecher
Autistic people are the true experts of the autistic experience. Autism Stories will help you to live your best autistic life by interviewing autistic people and others in the autism community who share their experiences, stories, and advice with you.
Learn how coaching can help you then book a free call with Autism Personal Coach https://autismpersonalcoach.com
Learn how coaching can help you then book a free call with Autism Personal Coach https://autismpersonalcoach.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 6, 2025 • 15min
Autism Stories: Charlotte Bachelor
"I think the first thing people need to remember is that their experiences aren't one size fits all. The autistic community is incredibly diverse. So just because someone's experience is different than yours doesn't make it good, bad or less than", says Charlotte Bachelor. Charlotte joins this episode to discuss the impact of storytelling and how comic con has been a healing experience. to learn more about Charlotte visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-bachelor/.
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Dec 30, 2024 • 21min
Autism Stories: Amy Scurria
"I co-wrote the opera with my partner Zane, who wrote the words. And it was very important to both of us that we both capture my experience as an autistic adult [...], but also to create an opera that embraces this idea that no matter who we are [...], exactly who we are, is enough," says Amy Scurria . Amy joins this episode to discuss being an opera singer and how music has helped her to communicate and develop community. To learn more about Amy visit https://www.amyscurria.com.
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Dec 23, 2024 • 38min
Autism Stories: Rachel Caton
"Within the drag community I just see [people] struggling to be themselves and they're too worried about what everyone else thinks of them, which is why I create spaces so people can know that they are loved and can just let go and be themselves on stage and perform", says Rachel Caton. Rachel joins this episode to discuss being a drag show performer and organizer. We also discuss Rachels experience as a licensed cosmetologist and artist. To learn more about Rachel visit https://rachelcatonsalon.glossgenius.com and https://www.instagram.com/sunreiireii/.
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Dec 21, 2024 • 12min
Autism Stories: Mykie Mubarak
"Tone tags have taught me the importance of advocating for my needs, while also accepting that not everyone will understand or accommodate them. When people do respect that request though, it makes communication so much easier and less anxiety inducing for me," says Mykie Mubarak. Mykie joins this episode to discuss how being Arab impacts their autistic experience, competitive gaming, and tone tags. To learn more about Mykie visit https://www.instagram.com/autistic.mykie/ .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Dec 9, 2024 • 31min
Autism Stories: David Gunter
"Maybe I could say I'm autistic out loud at a meeting at work. So I'm finding that as I stand up and talk about autism a lot of people at work are reaching out to me discreetly saying, hey I don't want anybody to know this, but you know what should I do here, so just being visible as simple as that sounds can be big," says David Gunter. David joins this episode to discuss disclosing his autism in the workplace and what he is doing to support other autistic people. To learn more about David visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgunterllc/ .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Dec 2, 2024 • 34min
Autism Stories: Bridgette Hamstead
"I used to encounter burnout a lot when I was undiagnosed because I was a bit of a perfectionist. Everything had to be perfect all the time. And I had to, you know, you hear that people tell you, give 100%. Well, for me, 100% was 150%," says Bridgette Hamstead. Bridgette joins this episode to discuss supporting and empowering autistic women and how she supports organizations to develop neuro-inclusive environments. To learn more about Bridgette visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgette-hamstead/ .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Nov 25, 2024 • 55min
Autism Stories: Dr. Miyabe Shields
"There's a lot of neurodivergent scientists that are [...] becoming more confident in calling ourselves neurodivergent scientists. We are, you know, leaving academia. We are operating outside of the system that doesn't want to support us," says Dr. Miyabe Shields. Miyabe joins this episode to discuss her research of Cannabis use for neurodivergent people and the impact of the endoendocannabinoid system on the body. To learn more about Miyabe and their visit https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Nov 18, 2024 • 34min
Autism Stories: Katie Rose Guest Pryal
"I'm going to make the claim. We want to be creative. We want to have agency over our lives. [...] But if you're in a workplace or a home life or whatever kind of environment where those options aren't open to you because of punishment or whatever, then that's going to make you miserable. And so that is what [this] book's about," says Katie Rose Guest Pryal. Katie joins this episode to discuss creativity and mental health and how AI is impacting creative writing. To learn more about Katie visit https://katieroseguestpryal.com .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Nov 11, 2024 • 16min
Autism Stories: Michael Klein
""You know, I think [NASCAR is] doing a pretty good job right now when it comes to sensory needs, because you go to the tracks and you'll see earbuds for children. I've seen some tracks that have full sensory sets," says Michael Klein. Michael joins this episode to discuss being a race car driver and voice actor. To learn more about Michael visit https://www.facebook.com/michaelkleinracing/.
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Nov 4, 2024 • 20min
Autism Stories: Neisha Hirsch
"One of the biggest parts of how I move through my life is when I deal with stress or overwhelm, is to have some sort of practice to channel that energy forward instead of letting it spin into anxiety. And I think tarot is one of those things [for me]", says Neisha Hirsch. Neisha returns to Autism Stories to discuss being a coach at Autism Personal Coach and how her experience as a tarot reader makes her a better coach. To learn more about Neisha visit https://www.youtube.com/@TreyaTarot .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.


