Autistic Culture | Where Autism Meets Identity!

Dive into the contrasting portrayals of autism in two iconic sitcoms. Discover how 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' embraces neurodivergent themes through characters like Charlie Kelly, who brings a relatable, chaotic energy. In contrast, the discussion critiques 'The Big Bang Theory' for its neurotypical framing and inaccuracies. Unpack the importance of authentic representation and how humor can resonate with autistic audiences. Overall, it’s a spirited examination of how TV shapes societal perceptions of neurodiversity.

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry LPP are joined by Jess Lewis — a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming functional medicine advocate — to explore the deeply intertwined connections between Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), autism, and POTS.This conversation blends science, systems thinking, and lived autistic experience to unpack how chronic stress, sensory overload, and a dysregulated nervous system can trigger and worsen MCAS symptoms — and what we can do about it.🎧 What You’ll LearnHow sensory overload, chronic masking, and autistic nervous system differences can contribute to MCAS.Why mold exposure and infections like COVID often trigger mast cell activation in neurodivergent bodies.The overlap between MCAS, autism, and POTS — and why these conditions often coexist.How to advocate for yourself in medical settings, even in the face of dismissal or gaslighting.Practical strategies for mast cell stabilization, including calming protocols and low-histamine diets.How functional medicine offers a holistic, neurodivergent-affirming approach to managing complex chronic illness.🎤 Featured Guest: Jess LewisJess Lewis (she/they) is a former Chief Technology Officer turned MCAS researcher, functional medicine advocate, and founder of the Mast Cell Support community. After reversing a severe case of MCAS triggered by mold exposure and COVID-19, Jess now supports others through an evidence-based, neurodivergent-affirming approach rooted in functional medicine and trauma-informed care.🔗 Follow Jess:Threads, Instagram, Substack → @jesslewis💻 Website → jesslewis.com🤝 Community → mastcellsupport.comResources:MCAS-Friendly Food Guide: Download Jess Lewis's curated list of low-histamine, mast-cell-friendly foods designed to support MCAS management with a neurodivergent-affirming lens.🔗 Food Guide Pharmacy – subscribepage.io/MCASfoodlist🌱 What Is Quercetin? Learn more about Quercetin, a plant flavonoid known for its natural antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing properties, often used as part of MCAS and allergy support.📚 Quercetin on WikipediaRelated Episodes:Autistic Medical Needs (Episode 14)Meat Body Maintenance (Episode 53)Autistic Medical Needs, Part 2 (Episode 108)🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistica, Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry LPP are joined by show producer Simon Scott — stepping in front of the mic to share his lifelong autistic special interest: My Chemical Romance (MCR).Together, they unpack how the band’s origin story, lyrics, and aesthetic reflect core autistic cultural traits like justice sensitivity, emotional intensity, and creative hyperfocus — and why MCR remains a safe haven for neurodivergent fans decades later.🎧 What You’ll LearnHow MCR’s themes of social rejection, masking, hyper-empathy, and sensory overload resonate deeply with autistic experiencesThe band’s origin story — born from Gerard Way’s intense emotional processing of 9/11 — as an example of autistic trauma response and urgencyHow recording their debut album in a week showcases autistic hyperfocus and creative intensityThe narrative arcs in MCR’s albums, exploring identity, grief, burnout, and transformationWhy “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” became an anthem for misunderstood neurodivergent teensHow bottom-up processing and the “autistic accent” influence MCR’s lyrical style, delivery, and authenticityThe neurodivergent-coded subculture that grew around MCR as a form of autistic community-building🎤 Featured Guest: Simon ScottSimon Scott is the producer of The Autistic Culture Podcast and co-host of The Neurodivergent Experience Podcast, a passionate advocate for autistic creative expression. His lifelong SPIN (special interest) in Music and My Chemical Romance has informed his work in storytelling, podcasting, and autistic community-building.Resources:My Chemical Romance on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Chemical_RomanceBlack Parade in Musical Order - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3C9lpecSL1wW8s2X8hRFue?si=467d34e55173494fNeurodivergent Experience - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ia5o6nDiR5mgGIXJNtyZ7?si=eecb525303994957Related Episodes:Chess is AutisticFreddie Mercury is Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry LPP take on two loaded concepts in the autism conversation: “giftedness” and “profound autism.”They unpack how both ideas are used to gatekeep advocacy, justify harmful interventions, and reinforce damaging hierarchies within autistic culture—while offering a more accurate, affirming lens rooted in lived experience.🎧 What You’ll LearnWhy “profound autism” is not a clinical diagnosis, but a profit-driven label used by the ABA industry to secure funding and silence autistic voicesHow functioning labels and “autism levels” serve capitalism by rewarding masking and punishing authenticityThe connection between giftedness, autism, and vulnerability to addiction, burnout, and mental health strugglesHow “Highly Sensitive Person” and “indigo child” language often masks undiagnosed autism, especially in women and AFAB individualsThe harm caused by Autism Speaks, ABA therapy, and helicopter parenting in controlling autistic children rather than supporting autonomyWhy autistic pattern recognition is both a powerful strength and a contributor to burnout and sensory overwhelmReal-life example: Dan Harmon’s experience with burnout, substance use, and creative pressure as an autistic showrunnerHow to replace outdated functioning labels with a framework based on masking levels and lived support needsResources:Harmontown Movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIJICzhe0T4&ab_channel=FREEMOVIESRelated Episodes:Sherlock is AutisticCommunity is Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistica, Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry LPP celebrate the legendary alt-rock band They Might Be Giants—a group whose quirky, clever, and community-driven music has been unintentionally (or very intentionally) autistic-coded since the early 1980s.From masking anthems to special-interest deep dives, TMBG has built a decades-long career on lyrical loops, info-dumping, and unapologetic weirdness—making them a perfect example of Pillar 2: Rhythmic Communicating and Pillar 10: Passionate Superfanning.🎧 What You’ll LearnHow They Might Be Giants began in 1982 with their cult-classic Dial-A-Song hotline and a fiercely independent, fan-supported modelWhy an estimated 90% of their fan base identifies as unapologetically autisticJohn Linnell’s open identification as autistic and the band’s neurodivergent creative processAutistic themes in TMBG lyrics:“Upside Down Frown” → masking and emotional labour“Dr. Worm” → special interest anthemRejection sensitivity, burnout, and pattern recognition woven into storytellingHow songs like Istanbul (Not Constantinople) showcase autistic hyperfocus, educational infodumps, and joyful pattern playWhy their fan club structure fosters authentic autistic community and belongingThe sensory and lyrical precision that makes TMBG an autistic cultural touchstoneResourcesAngela’s “TMBG is Autistic” Companion PlaylistMusical References of TMBGStuff is the WayFavourite TMBG Lyrics – 🔗 Read the discussion on RedditBest They Might Be Giants Songs – 🔗 Check out the list on BuzzFeedBonus Artist: Moon Hooch – Looking for more neurodivergent-friendly music? Check out Moon Hooch🔗 Visit moonhooch.com🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into the intricacies of executive functioning as it evolves with age. Discover the pressures on autistic individuals, from navigating daily tasks to tackling modern technology demands. Explore the inadequacy of typical advice and the concept of autistic inertia. Hear personal journeys of unmasking in the workplace and the challenges of maintaining authenticity. The discussion touches on comorbid health conditions and the impact of trauma on autistic lives, stressing the need for understanding and self-advocacy in the face of societal expectations.

In this episode of Autistica, Matt Lowry LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon are joined by Tiffany Hammond—autistic mother, writer, and the voice behind @FidgetsAndFries —to talk Monster High, intersectional advocacy, and authentic representation in media.From the creation of Twyla Boogeyman, the first canonically autistic Monster High character, to the lived realities of Black autistic motherhood, this conversation blends pop culture joy with systemic justice work.🎧 What You’ll LearnWhy autistic people often identify with “monsters” and outcasts, and how Monster High embraces that identityHow Tiffany consulted with Mattel to bring Twyla Boogeyman to life with authentic autistic traits and sensory supportsThe importance of body language, stimming, and sensory tools in media portrayals of autistic charactersWhat intersectional autism advocacy looks like in practiceThe realities of police interactions with multiply marginalized autistic peopleHow Tiffany reframes the “autism mom” narrative toward empowerment and justiceWhy accurate, affirming representation can be life-changing for autistic viewersFeatured Guest: Tiffany HammondTiffany Hammond is the voice behind the platform Fidgets And Fries. She is an autistic mother, writer, and disability justice advocate raising two autistic sons. With a Master’s in Developmental Psychology, Tiffany blends professional expertise with lived experience to challenge deficit-based narratives and spark dialogue about race, neurodiversity, and authentic representation.📖 Author of:A Day With No Words – Available on Amazon📲 Follow Tiffany OnlineInstagram: Fidgets and FriesBlueSky: fidgetsandfries.bsky.socialResources:SPELLRBOARD APP:Created by listener Julie Kazaks’ son for his non-speaking autistic brother, SPELLRBOARD is a digital letterboard app designed for people who communicate nonverbally.🌐 Learn more and watch the demo at spellrboard.comBecause everyone deserves a voice.Related Episodes:Beauty and the Beast is AutisticX-Men are Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt Lowry LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon celebrate one of the most joyful and identity-defining aspects of autistic life—special interests (SPINS).From Frankenstein to Bob Geldof, Crowded House to the early internet, this episode dives into how SPINS offer comfort, connection, and career possibilities—and why they’re an essential part of autistic culture, not a “reward” to be earned.🎧 What You’ll LearnHow SPINS provide escape, identity, and emotional regulation—especially during challenging childhoodsThe hosts’ personal SPINS and how they’ve evolved over timeWhy autistic people thrive on deep media dives, director’s cuts, and IMDb explorationsThe role the early internet played as a haven for autistic connection and fandom cultureHow ABA’s approach to “earning” special interests is harmful and rooted in deficit thinkingWays to build a fulfilling career around your SPINSHow mutual info-dumping creates powerful, lasting autistic relationshipsResources:🧠 Angela’s SPIN Study – Exploring Autistic Special Interests in Intimacy🔗 bit.ly/spinstudyRelated Episodes:The Orville is AutisticBoard games are Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistica, Matt Lowry LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon sit down with Susan—aka The Autistic Woman—a retired judge, late-diagnosed autistic adult, and host of Meet My Autistic Brain. Together, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities autistic people encounter in the legal field.From the appeal of clear rules and logical systems to the harsh realities of burnout and systemic injustice, this conversation examines how autistic minds navigate the courtroom, the office, and the grey areas in between.🎧 What You’ll LearnWhy autistic people are often drawn to law and justice-related workHow masking in law school and legal careers can lead to severe burnoutThe benefits and drawbacks of black-and-white thinking in a profession full of nuanceHow legal hierarchies and courtroom culture can clash with autistic communication stylesWhy research, strategy, and structured problem-solving are natural autistic strengthsHow disillusionment hits harder when the system doesn’t reflect our sense of fairnessRepresentation in media—how autistic-coded lawyers reflect real experiencesResources:🎙️ The Neurodivergent Experience – Hosted by our producer, Simon🎧 Meet My Autistic Brain – Hosted by Susan, The Autistic Woman → Visit theautisticwoman.com📱 Follow The Autistic Woman: Instagram @anautisticwoman | Twitter/X @anautisticwomanRelated EpisodesStar Trek is AutisticApple is Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt Lowry LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon are joined by Kate McNulty—autistic sex and relationship therapist—to explore intimacy, dating, and emotional connection from a neurodivergent perspective.From sensory overwhelm to SPIN-sharing love languages, they unpack how autistic adults can build relationships that are joyful, authentic, and sustainable—without masking away their true selves.🎧 What You’ll LearnUnique challenges of dating while autistic: sensory issues, communication differences, and masking in relationshipsHow masking in romance can lead to emotional burnout and disconnectionThe role of special interests (SPINs) as an autistic love languageWhy autistic voices have been excluded from conversations about intimacy, and how to change thatHow couples therapy can be adapted for autistic or mixed-neurotype relationshipsAutism and asexuality—plus the diversity of intimacy experiences in the LGBTQ+ autistic communityPractical strategies for making intimacy sensory-friendly and emotionally safeWhy many autistic people are open to non-traditional relationship structures despite valuing routineCelebrating autistic joy in relationships through authenticity and shared passionFeatured Guest: Kate McNultyKate McNulty is a proudly autistic licensed clinical social worker specializing in autism-affirming therapy, sex and relationship counselling, and neurodivergent support. She is certified by the Gottman Institute in relationship therapy and by AASECT as a sex therapist. Kate is passionate about helping autistic individuals and couples build meaningful, joyful, and authentic connections.🔗 Therapy Practice – portland-counseling.com🔗 Sex Therapy & Education – sexpositivetherapist.com🔗 Autism-Specific Services – autistictherapist.com📅 Schedule a sessionResources:🧠 Angela’s SPIN Study → bit.ly/spinstudy🖤 Find a Kink Munch – A neurodivergent-friendly way to meet like-minded people → Find a Munch📚 Exhibitionism for the Shy by Carol Queen → Available on Amazon📺 I Love You, Don’t Touch Me: Sex and Sensory Processing – Pink Therapy on YouTube → Watch hereRelated Episodes:Kink is Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.