The Late Discovered Club
Catherine Asta
The Late Discovered Club is a social impact podcast and community that gives late discovered autistic women and marginalised groups a voice.
Hosted by autistic Psychotherapist & Author Catherine Asta and edited by her daughter, Caty Ava.
In each episode we bring you real and empowering stories of late discovered autistic women and people, from all walks of life - through an intersectional lens - helping to deconstruct stereotypes, and give visibility to the next generation.
*We are a gender non-conforming inclusive space*
Hosted by autistic Psychotherapist & Author Catherine Asta and edited by her daughter, Caty Ava.
In each episode we bring you real and empowering stories of late discovered autistic women and people, from all walks of life - through an intersectional lens - helping to deconstruct stereotypes, and give visibility to the next generation.
*We are a gender non-conforming inclusive space*
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2023 • 1h 23min
Episode 14 - Neurodivergent Affirming & Inclusive Workplaces
Our guest on Episode 14 is Ed Jenneson - a leading UK Employment Lawyer and Partner at GunnerCooke. The focus in this episode is a theme that has come up repeatedly in season one, and in our group support circles and in our community, and that is the need for neurodivergent affirming and inclusive workplaces.Workplaces that feel safe places in which to self-disclose and request adjustments. Because without psychologically safe workplaces, we mask, and masking leads to burnout, and burnout massively affects our mental health. We chose Ed to come on because he is a leader in the field of employment law, has a particular interest in the Equality Act, specifically hidden disabilities and neurodivergent cases, and works for one of the fastest growing Law firms in the UK.Ed is also late discovered, diagnosed 3 years ago with ADHD and two years ago with dyslexia, and he speaks publicly about his experience, as well as talking about the legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Ed acts for employers and employees and is therefore used to using the Equality Act as both a sword or a shield, depending on his client.The first half of this interview features Ed his own late discovery story, and in the second half we ask Ed the questions that our community members asked us to ask Ed, we talk everything from reasonable adjustments, self-advocacy, self-disclosure in the workplace, bullying, tribunals, the role of HR, and what neurodiversity affirming looks like and who is getting it right, with Ed drawing extensively on his insights and experiences in the cases he has led.This episode is a must listen for anyone who is neurodivergent, and for employers, and HR professionals to learn from, and feel empowered to create inclusive cultures and to lead the change needed to ensure more neurodivergent affirming workplaces where we can thrive. Contact Ed JennesonConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Need Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Mar 23, 2023 • 54min
Episode 13 - A Handpicked Life
Our guest on Episode 13 is Kate Laine-Toner - an autistic trainer, speaker and author, she is also mother to an amazing neurodivergent child. In 2012, Kate founded the parent support charity Bristol Autism Support when she struggled to find support for her own daughter, and over the following 10 years helped to guide over 3,000 parents and carers on their autism journey, as well as navigating her own autistic self-discovery during that time. We talk on the podcast about her journey over the last 10 years to self-acceptance and rediscovery, and what finding acceptance at 50 as an autistic woman looks and feels like. In 2022 she was given a British Citizen Award for her services to the autism parenting community, and recently received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of the charity. She left the charity last year and now delivers training on a wide range of autism topics for parents and carers and also provides training on autism and neurodiversity for corporate, charity, medical and public attraction settings. Her book ‘Autism… Where Do I Start? A guide to managing the emotional aspects of autism parenting’ published by JKP will be out in September 2023.Get in touch with KateConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Mar 9, 2023 • 42min
Episode 11 - Too Many Doors
Our guest on Episode 11 is Krystle McGilveryKrystle McGilvery is the award-winning Founder of Mind Over Money, a finance training and education consultancy, a Behavioural Finance specialist, Podcaster, Mentor and Coach. She combines finance and psychology to improve financial decision-making, confidence, and wellbeing. Krystle has worked with the likes of Equifax, Moonpig, and AllBright, appeared on ITV, featured in several papers such as the Telegraph, on Refinery29, and on BBC Radio. Krystle is also the Board Director of several charities, a Chartered Accountant, and Mental Health First Aider.She joins Catherine to courageously shine a light on what is very much the beginning of her autistic late discovery.Get in touch with KrystleGo to Mind Over MoneyFollow Krystle on InstagramConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Mar 3, 2023 • 51min
Episode 10 - Healing By Helping Others
Our guest on Episode 10 is Charlotte Bergslien, AKA 'The Spectrum Girl'.Trigger Warning: This episode discusses self-harm, suicide, abuse, and traumaAfter hitting a massive autistic (and ADHD) burnout at the age of 36, Charlotte started sharing about her experiences leading up to her burnout and of her current life since being diagnosed at 38.Charlotte always felt different from those around her, and remembers always being very confused about how she could fit in among her peers. She remembers feeling bewildered all the time and wondering if there was something wrong with her because of how people would react to whatever she would say or do. She could tell she was different and thought differently from the rest, but couldn't figure out why. She taught herself to mask by observing others, in order to get by socially, and she did it so well that she almost erased her own true identity.In the end, suppressing herself led to her becoming so burned out that she wanted to give up on life. She quit working, started intensive therapy during sick leave and started the process towards diagnosis and burnout recovery. Today at the age of 40 she is healing through connecting from her home in Oslo, Norway with people around the world who can relate to her story.Now she wants to contribute to the autism community by breaking down the stereotypical image of autistic people that the media has built, and by reaching one person at a time maybe help others who were in a similar situation that she was in up until her burnout.Get in touch with CharlotteConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Feb 23, 2023 • 55min
Episode 9 - A Work In Progress
Our guest on Episode 9 is Laura Kerbey, Co-Founder of NESTLaura received a diagnosis of ADHD in her forties, and comes on the podcast to talk about her autism self-discovery - this being the first time she has spoken publicly about what she’s slowly discovering about herself.She describes herself as a “work in progress” of identifying herself and the realization that her neurodivergence includes autism as well.Laura has been working with autistic children and young people for over 21 years, and her teaching career began as a lecturer in the Supported Learning Department of a large Mainstream College, and then as a Life Skills Co-ordinator at a residential college for young people with severe physical disabilities.Laura specialised in Autism in 2002 when she became the Autism Champion for the Surrey College Network, she then became Assistant Head Teacher, then Head Teacher at an independent special school for autistic children.In August 2016 Laura set up Healthy Happy Me, to support children and teens who are struggling with anxiety and other emotions, and in October 2018 Laura launched KITE Therapeutic Learning Services provoding bespoke therapeutic learning programmes for children who are unable to access school due to high anxiety or other needs.In March 2020 Laura spoke at the first ever conference on PDA in the United States and is now an advisor for PDA North America, and she is the author of “The Educator’s Experience of PDA” which will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishing in 2023.Follow NEST on InstagramFollow Laura on TwitterConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Feb 16, 2023 • 55min
Episode 8 - You Are Only Just Beginning
Our guest in Episode 8 is Morgan Harper Nichols, an acclaimed artist, poet and Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly best-selling author. With nearly 2 million followers on Instagram, Morgan uses her art, her platform, and her experiences to connect with her community.Morgan joins our host Catherine Asta to talk about her late autism discovery, the barriers to accessing an assessment, and her perseverance to finally getting a diagnosis at 31.We talk about what Morgan describes as the process of illumination, as part of that self- discovery process, having to now share and self-disclose the parts of herself (very publicly) that she’s had a lifetime of having to hide.The realization that she is only just getting started unpacking her whole life and how that self-realization has felt discouraging at times, and challenged her on many levels - especially when it comes to relationships and having to rethink so many of them.Unpacking the concept of wearing a mask, and the social media mask as a creator and an artist, the pressure and limitations that social media presents, and exploring joy outside of the internet without expectations, storytelling, special interests, and the importance of self-advocacy, and strength nurturing.And how that process of illumination led Morgan to writing her new book, which was released 14th February called ‘You Are Only Just Beginning’ which focuses on new chapters in life.The lessons within the pages inspired by, and created with those who may share a similar sense of fear for what’s ahead.This book is for you.This really was a beautiful interview where we get to compassionately shine a light on the storyteller herself.Connect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Feb 14, 2023 • 51min
Episode 7 - Too Autistic For Black
Tee Cee joins our host Catherine Asta for a compassionate conversation to shine a light on her Late Discovered Autism. A presenter, writer, and filmmaker - Tee Cee is known for her colourful style, youthful nature and passion for Caribbean heritage. Diagnosed autistic aged 27, Tee Cee publicly revealed her diagnosis for the first time in her most recent documentary ‘Too Autistic for Black’. Commissioned by Warner Bros. Discovery as part of their Black British Unspoken series for Discovery Plus, the documentary explores what it’s like to be Black, British, and marginalised in the autism discourse. In 2022, Tee Cee hosted at the Birmingham 2022 Festival as part of Commonwealth Games, presenting the daily cultural programme. The festival saw over 750,000 visitors from all over the UK, the largest cultural programme to have accompanied a Commonwealth Games. Skilled on and off screen, Tee Cee was nominated for the Royal Television Society’s Breakthrough Off-Screen Award for her stellar TV and digital concepts, including a 45-episode short-form series ‘No Offence But’ which was published weekly on BBC Three’s socials and the 6-part iPlayer dating intervention series ‘My Mate’s A Bad Date’. Outside of her TV career, Tee Cee can be found inspiring the next generation through professional speaking and digital content creation. She champions personal and professional development through her platform 'Not Your Average Girl', which supports young women in the TV and digital sector, and her passion for inclusive storytelling continues in her written work. Aged 16, she wrote and published her debut children’s book ‘Snow Black, the Seven Rastas and Other Short Stories’, which was re-released in 2019. Read more about Tee Cee on her website Follow Tee Cee on Instagram Connect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Need Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Feb 9, 2023 • 51min
Episode 6 - Out of the Dark
Becky Davies joins our host Catherine Asta to shine a light on her late autism discovery at 38.As a Detective Inspector, Becky has the privilege of looking after the people who deliver a public protection service to some of the most vulnerable members of our society.Also a single mum with two beautiful children, it was her experience of #postnataldepression that ignited her passion for improving the mental health landscape for others.It was these co-occuring experiences of anxiety and depression that made up part of her own neurodivergent jigsaw puzzle.Adverse experiences as an undiagnosed neurodivergent woman throughout her life led her to become an advocate for others and she became a police federation workplace representative in 2018, representing mostly neurodivergent women who seek her out for help.Due to Becky’s neurodivergent abilities to analyse, spot patterns and gaps in service delivery, she has taken on strategic and national work to improve the policing response to both victims and offenders, and some of this work has been published by the College of Policing as national best practice.These achievements have been possible partly due to a small number of fantastic supporters, but mainly her own grit and determination to overcome cognitive and communication differences and the challenges this creates.Becky describes her neurodivergent journey as still being in its early stages - slowly understanding what it means for her, and getting others to try and understand too.After 38 years in the dark, it will take a little time.Contact Becky on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Feb 4, 2023 • 45min
Episode 5 - With Compassion
Victoria Matthews-Patel talks to our host Catherine Asta about her experience of years of mental and physical ill health, which all culminated in a breakdown in 2018, and how, with professional help she uncovered layers of hidden trauma, followed by her late discovered autism and ADHD aged 51.Why her 25 years of work in the education and charity sectors as an early years teacher and a literacy and dyslexia specialist, working with people who were struggling and had low self-worth, along with being a trauma survivor and thriver, then led to her train as a ‘With Compassion’ coach championing women who grew up in emotionally dysfunctional families.Victoria published her first book in January 2023 ‘It’s Not Just You – Making Sense of Life and Thriving After Growing Up in an Emotionally Dysfunctional Family’ where she writes about her trauma healing and the things she learned along the way.Contact VictoriaBook LinkConnect with CatherineOrder Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP The SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club Community & our FREE monthly Community Connection Circle.Explore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on Instagram
Jan 29, 2023 • 48min
Episode 4 - This is who I am
Andrea Anderson talks to our host Catherine Asta about her late discovered autism aged 45, just as the world was turning on a pandemic axis - what followed were two years of her carefully constructed world unravelling.How her many bouts of burnout during her 10 + years working in fast growing, dynamic fashion and digital businesses saw her leave her career at ASOS severely burnt out, and devoid of any belief in herself at all.And how a lifelong curiosity about identity and understanding how humans ‘work’ coupled with discovering her autism made her mission – to create environments in which humans can thrive – finally fall into place.Andrea is in the final stages of writing a book ‘This is who I am; A guide to thriving with late life autism discovery’ which will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers later on in 2023.Contact AndreaConnect with CatherineThe SENSE Retreat 10-14th October 2025, Yorkshire, UKCome and join Catherine and team at the first of its kind retreat at the beautiful Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, designed for people who experience the world in a deeply sensitive and profound way. Booking and information. Use code CA10OFF for a 10% discount.Visit Catherine's website Order Catherine's NEW Book 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP Contact Catherine AstaNeed Post Discovery Support?Join our next 6 week post discovery support circleJoin our Late Discovered Club CommunityExplore The Asta Community of Professionals Support our work3 ways you can support the podcast and the work we do...Become a member or partner and join our growing community.Buy us a coffee.Rate & review the show or an episodeThank you to our Community Partners who are supporting the work that we are doing.NordensDeborah Bulcock Coaching & Consulting A Tidy MindThe Growth PodHormones On The Blink About the Podcastwww.thelatediscoveredclub.comFounder & Host Catherine AstaPodcast Editor Caty AvaMusic by AlloraFollow us on InstagramRead more about our impact over the last 2 years here
