Autistic Culture | Where Autism Meets Identity!

An episode that celebrates neurodivergent creativity in writing.In this episode, we dive into one of Angela's favorite topics – writing – and explore how to approach creative projects through a neurodivergent perspective. We break down the writing process from an autistic perspective, how book mapping can be a powerful tool and why having systems in place for writing a book is just as essential as the systems autistic people rely on for everyday life!Here’s what’s write around the corner: * In this episode, we dive into Angela's writing journey – from crafting stories at ten years old, to working for the government (and unintentionally developing a special interest in espionage), to founding Difference Press and reflecting on her journey to where she is today.* We chat about our exclusive virtual writing circle on the paid Substack – where we share weekly prompts and write not for cash, but because writing is cathartic and life-affirming (though we wouldn’t say no to a book deal). Sign up to join the fun – your creative soul (and inbox) will thank you!* We dive into how the writing process can be a game-changer for hyper-verbal autistic individuals, helping us find our thoughts, gain our footing, and communicate ideas more clearly – because sometimes putting pen to paper is the best way to organize that mental marathon.* Our hosts discuss how scripting is a core part of the neurodivergent experience and how it can be a powerful tool in shaping our writing process – because sometimes having a script is the key to making sense of the chaos.* We also dive into how hyper-focus can be a game-changer for the writing process (and how it’s the secret behind Stephen King's impressive book count). When we’re in the zone, there's no stopping us!* We discuss writing as a powerful form of creative expression for neurodivergent individuals, and how it can be incredibly cathartic to write about our special interests, no matter who’s reading. Sometimes, the writing’s for us, not the audience!* Our hosts also chat about "discovering your author mojo" – which, let’s be real, is just figuring out what conditions make your autistic meat body thrive while writing. Because when the setting’s right, the words flow!* We also tackle how PDA autism and demand avoidance can sometimes stall our writing projects (ugh), and share some clever workarounds to push past those barriers and get the words flowing again!* Want to dive deeper into creative writing as an autistic individual? Join our writer's circle by becoming a paid Substack member today!“If I could just plug a word processor into my brain, I would generate book upon book like Stephen King, but it’s the matter of using my inferior meat body to do this.” - Matt Lowry LPP“This happens with a lot of us - our special interests become a career. Which I think is good, but when it becomes a thing you’re making money on, it changes how you interact with it.”- Dr Angela Kingdon “If you want to write more, if you want to be more committed, the way you get better is by writing more. That’s the whole secret.” - Dr Angela Kingdon “First of all, there’s no such thing as a good writer. There is probably such a thing as a bad writer, but everybody has their own taste. But even if you genuinely suck and we would all agree you have a million problems with your writing, you’re barely literate. If you find it enjoyable and fulfilling, write anyway.” - Dr Angela Kingdon “My take on it is that, while we have a lot of thoughts inside our brain, they’re nebulous and not really defined. But when we are forced to go through with the act of translating it to communicate it to another person, that’s where we truly find our idea.” - Matt Lowry LPP“Fan fiction has to be 80% neurodivergent. There’s just no other way, so. ” - Dr Angela KingdonHave you felt the ups and downs of the creative process? In today’s episode, Matt and Angela dive into their neurodivergent approaches to writing, sharing the unexpected insights and challenges along the way! Thanks for tuning in! Share your thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow listeners. Which moments from their journey resonate with your own creative experiences?Resources:Join our virtual writing circle. Details here: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/do-you-have-a-neurodivergent-narrative*Related Episodes:George Lucas is AutisticEminem is Autistic Cassandra in Reverse Book Club (Paid Access)Ready for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serving up a slice of Autistic Thanksgiving traditions!Thanksgiving isn’t always the easiest time for autistic people, with our senses of justice triggered by the holiday’s problematic origins and the need to mask during family gatherings - in this episode, Matt and Angela talk about both navigating Thanksgiving as an autistic person and Mystery Science Theater 3000, a beloved autistic Thanksgiving tradition.Here’s what’s in store for this episode: * In this episode, we dive into the original Turkey Day marathons on Comedy Central that cemented MST3K as a Thanksgiving tradition, along with the show's turbulent journey across networks, Kickstarter campaigns, and different media platforms.* Matt and Angela explore the origins of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and how interactive TV serves as a beacon for autistic people with the concept of found family being a theme that resonates deeply with autistic folks.* Matt and Angela also discuss how MST3K’s bottom-up processing style of comedy makes it especially appealing to autistic folks.“For 24 hours, you watch really bad movies, you eat some stuffing, they had some new interstitials in there, and you get together with your friends and watch bad movies. Or, if you’re alone, you get together with your friends on TV and watch some bad movies. So you still have some community. You are like Joel, keeping your sanity with the help of your robot friends. And to this day, this is the only Thanksgiving tradition I have.” - Matt Lowry LPP“They just need more funding because, again, they don’t have studio backing. They’re doing it all completely independently. Just like we do it. We are often forced to be independent. We are often traumatically independent because we don’t have that support system around us.” - Matt Lowry LPP“I would rather do something small and funded myself than be beholden to explaining my creative ideas to these people that will never get it. It’s not a problem to explain it. It’s explaining it to people who are gonna drive you crazy.” - Dr Angela Kingdon Did you catch the whirlwind of emotions that come with the holidays? In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into Matt and Angela’s autistic take on Thanksgiving and how Mystery Science Theater 3000 offers a perfect comfort break during it all! Thanks for tuning in! Share your thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow listeners on social media. Which moments or insights resonate with your own Thanksgiving traditions?Related Episodes:Community is AutisticDinosaur is AutisticPoetry is AutisticResources:https://www.gizmoplex.com/browsehttps://shoutfactory.com/collections/mystery-science-theater-3000 https://www.twitch.tv/mst3kReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An episode that unpacks moving and takes on the heavy lifting.In this episode, we tackle the autistic hell that is moving — diving into the time-consuming yet worthwhile systems autistic individuals often need to implement to stay comfortable and regulated in their own homes.Here’s what’s packed into this episode: * Our hosts discuss Matt's recent move and explore all the intricate details, overwhelming processes, and sharing strategies for coping through it all.* Matt and Angela unpack the art of emotional regulation and why it's such a foundational task for autistic folks. * Plus why incorporating emotional regulation strategies into the moving process as much as possible is a game-changer!* We discuss the importance of having our own Autistic Survival Packs in each room of the house and how crucial they are for regulation. Angela shares some of her essential items, including eye drops, nail files, phone chargers, and blankets for temperature regulation—a common issue for many autistic individuals.* We also clear up how autistic folks often have a predisposition toward hoarding and emotional attachments to their belongings, and explore ways to break this generational curse.“As you know, we [autistic people] process 42% more information at rest than neurotypical people. Because of that, our brains are always churning through the data and always looking at the variables. Our brains are much more variable-focused. We’re much more detail-oriented than neurotypical people. Neurotypical people are big-picture people. We are the minutiae. And when it comes to moving, it’s all about the minutiae. ” - Matt Lowry LPP“There’s a lot of stuff that we [autistic folks] don’t have opinions on - but when we do have opinions, we have fucking strong opinions. And when we find something that just clicks with us, we need it. You need your mattress.” - Matt Lowry LPP“Emotional regulation is our biggest job as autistic people. It’s a full-time job, it’s our number one job. There are going to be times you’re dysregulated. You’re gonna have to go to court, you’re gonna have to go to the DMV, a cop is going to pull you over. You are going to be dysregulated some of the time. And so every single second you can possibly control being emotionally regulated, that’s your job to put first in order.” - Dr Angela Kindgon“Well, so this is the thing about the ‘tism, right? Because again, the neurotypicals only know us by our deficits, but we only have the deficits when we’re dysregulated. We only have the deficits when we are out of our element, when we are desperately trying to accommodate everyone else and everything else. We have to do that for us first. And in order to be a functional human being, you need to have that regulation.” - Matt Lowry LPP“Is one of your techniques [for phone calls] is as soon as the phone picks up, I just start screaming ‘agent, agent, agent, fuck you, agent, let me talk to a person, fuck you. Do you do that? Is that your technique? It doesn’t work, but it is my approach.” - Dr Angela Kingdon Did you catch the whirlwind of emotions that come with moving? In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into Matt's recent move and all the unexpected hurdles along the way! Thanks for tuning in! Share your thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow listeners on social media. Which moments or insights from Matt's story resonate with your own moving experiences?Resources:*The* Viral Tiktok Shower Head - Ziffit - Sell Your Books Matt’s Favorite Disney Coffee Related Episodes:Autistic Medical NeedsAutism Affirming Social SkillsReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An episode with flavor!On today’s episode, Matt and Angela welcome neurodivergent podcaster and Anthony Bourdain aficionado Patrick Casale (he/his) from the Divergent Conversations podcast to share how Anthony Bourdain’s journey—and watching the posthumous film Roadrunner—inspired him to pursue his own autism diagnosis.Here’s what’s to come in today’s episode: * Licensed therapist and neurodivergent podcaster Patrick Casale shares Anthony Bourdain’s journey and why so many kitchen staff are likely AuDHD.* We explore how restaurant work allows them to unmask, embrace the comfort of parallel play, and thrive in the structured, fast-paced environment that kitchens often demand.* What traits made Anthony Bourdain resonate so strongly with the autistic community? —We talk his monotropic focus, heightened sensory sensitivity, and his unique approach to building community through travel in deeply non-traditional ways.* Did you know Anthony Bourdain had special interests?—his deep fascination with true crime, writing and reading graphic novels and his passion for exploring the cultures and cuisines of the world.* His staff and crew have even shared that he had just four or five key talking points he’d circle back to time and time again—a classic autistic-coded trait!“What hit me really hard in this movie especially - and just reading all of his books and watching all the shows and everything that we will probably talk about is like - this deep, painful, lonely existence where he was surrounded by people who really cared about him all the time, but he could not access it. And he talks openly about that experience and how painful it was, how often he wanted to be on the go, experiencing new things while simultaneously feeling like ‘I really need to be in my home. My safe space, with my safe people.’ It was just like this push-pull, constantly.” - Patrick Casale“I think a lot of kitchen staff and restaurant staff and restaurant staff are definitely ADHD/autistic to some degree/in some capacity, and the kitchen staff specifically tend to be a lot of autistic people. A lot of people feel like they don’t fit in, they feel like misfits, they feel like this is the only place I can really be my true self and really like unmask in a way where everyone around me is experiencing the same thing. And I found that to be so profoundly powerful.” - Patrick Casale“Listen, I was in Iceland two weeks ago. We absolutely did not eat [fermented shark meat]. It was offered and I said ‘No, thank you’. I didn’t even eat the fish jerky. I do not believe fish is meant to be jerky.” - Dr Angela Kingdon“I like the idea of adventure. I want to read about adventure, but when it comes to actually leaving the house, I’d rather be underground eating really good food. But, you know, when a wizard comes along and drags me kicking and screaming on an adventure to fight a dragon, I’m there. It’s one of those things.” - Matt Lowry LPPDid you ever notice how Anthony Bourdain captures the spirit of exploration and authenticity? In today’s episode, we dive deep into his legacy and why his unique perspective resonates so strongly with the autistic community. Thanks for tuning in! Share your thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow listeners on social media. Which moments or insights made you see Bourdain in a new light?Resources:instagram.com/patrick.casaleallthingspractice.comdivergentpod.comempoweredescapes.com/retreatRelated Episodes:McEnroe Is AutisticTaylor Swift is AutisticQuestlove is AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rick Bryson, an art director and graphic designer, co-authored "Movies with Balls: The Greatest Sports Films of All Time, Analyzed and Illustrated." He shares insights about blending film and sports memorabilia, revealing how his fantasy ticket designs celebrate nostalgic moments. The discussion highlights the artistic process behind capturing iconic films like 'Karate Kid' and personal connections to sports cinema. Notably, Rick emphasizes how attention to detail resonates with autistic experiences, enriching the appreciation of classic films.

An episode that’s more than meets the eye!In this episode, Matt gears up for a major info dump, breaking down the origins of the Transformers franchise—turns out, it’s a bot-tastic blend of autism and lore!Here’s what’s in store for this episode:* We uncover that there are two canonically autistic Transformers characters—Transmutate and Geomotus. Not only are they explicitly identified as neurodivergent in the franchise, but they also embody classic autistic traits like sensory sensitivity, heightened empathy, naivety, bluntness, and difficulty with conventional social cues.* Matt and Angela also dive into the work of autistic voice actor Corey Burton, who voiced Shockwave (and also brings the Disneyland monorail and buses to life)! They explore how Shockwave’s character carries autistic coding as well.* Our two hosts transform the conversation as they explore how the franchise navigates the intersection of gender, sexuality, gender fluidity, and carving out a place in a society that can often feel a bit ableist.“Shockwave is ultra-logical. Canonically, he has had his emotions removed so he can be more logical. He doesn’t have a face, he just has a light-up eye because you can’t read his facial expressions. Because he has a very flat face, a very flat affect, completely logical. So he is autistic coded from the start, voiced by an autistic actor [Cory Burton]. ” - Matt“Geomotus is one of Cybertron’s most proficient geologists. A dedicated scientist, he’s happiest when he’s outdoors exploring the vast and ever-changing vistas of his home world, whether that’s spelunking into the sonic canyons or surveying the Rust Sea with the assistance of his onboard radar systems, rather than fighting the Decepticons. Unlike most Cybertronians, Geomotus is neurodivergent. In practice, this means that he’s blunt, occasionally withdrawn, and sometimes struggles with social cues.” - MattDid you notice how the Transformers franchise shifts gears to connect with the autistic experience? Roll out your thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow fans! Which traits revved up your engines in this episode?Resources:https://autistic-characters-of-the-day.tumblr.com/post/162050689439/netbug009-autistic-characters-of-the-day/amphttps://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transmutate_(BW)https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Perceptor_(G1)https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Geomotushttps://tfwiki.net/wiki/Lost_LightRelated Episodes:Beauty and the Beast is AutisticAnimation is AutisticDisney is AutisticCats are AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking care of business, the autistic way!In this episode, Angela and Matt chat with Arielle Juliette (he/him, she/her), owner of Dance Life Studio and Fitness in Madison, Wisconsin, on building burnout-proof businesses and breaking the mold for autistic entrepreneurs. Here’s what to expect in this episode: * Arielle Juliette has created an inclusive space that celebrates neurodivergence and champions autistic advocacy—where setting boundaries and office hours are all part of the rhythm to avoid "dancing on the edge" of exhaustion!* They discuss Arielle’s unexpected success on social media, the surprises of going viral, and the value of a comment moderator. She also shares how supportive comments with mixed intentions can sometimes sting even more than direct hate.* A key topic in this episode is the intersection of capitalism and neurodiversity, highlighting how neurodivergent individuals in the workplace deserve to have their needs met without having to work harder than others to gain support and recognition.“When our energy is gone, we are good to no one. So I must take my time to protect and replenish my energy in order to be of service to the fine folks who have not yet received emails from me. ” - Arielle Juliette“Well, that’s the thing about being autistic itself, because, for a lot of people, you’re not autistic unless an outside observer determines your autism. So we’re not busy unless an outside observer determines whether or not we’re busy, even though mentally we are cycling through the next week or putting things in order or, you know, just to have it going through the autistic inertia of ‘I need to do this, but before I do this, I need to do this. And I need to put this in order in order to be able to do that.’ You’re doing the mental chess necessary. ” - Matt Lowry LPP“Like, I wanna tell all my stories and then I’m like, why do people have to comment? And if you did comment, why didn’t you comment the way I want you to? Now you’re ruining my life.” - Dr Angela Kingdon“We’re worthy of being comfortable [in our business] and being paid for our things. And we don’t need to work harder than everybody else. And we deserve to have our needs met in order to give to people, because you asked like, what do we owe?” - Arielle Arielle Juliette's BioArielle Juliette (he/him, she/her) is the owner and operator of Dance Life Studio and Fitness in Madison, Wisconsin, where she has cultivated a space that celebrates neurodivergence and champions autistic advocacy. With a deep love for dance that began in 2004, he specializes in Egyptian dance and focuses on making movement accessible for all bodies and neurotypes, breaking free from the rigid norms of allistic standards.As an autistic entrepreneur, Arielle has reimagined what it means to run a business by prioritizing emotional regulation and setting boundaries that support her well-being. He has structured his business to align with his neurotype, including establishing office hours that help prevent burnout, proving that working with who you are can lead to a thriving career. In addition to leading Dance Life Studio, Arielle is also a viral social media creator, where she shares her unmasked, joyful autistic self and promotes the idea that all bodies and minds are worthy.Through her work, Arielle is a strong advocate for embracing authenticity in both business and life, encouraging others to honor their neurodivergent selves.Did you notice how Arielle’s approach to business embodies the balance between authenticity and advocacy? Dancing to the beat of her own drum and breaking the mold for autistic entrepreneurs, Arielle is proving that success comes when you honor your neurotype. Thanks for joining us! Share your thoughts in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow listeners. What traits from Arielle’s journey resonated with you this season?Resources:Wikipedia Entry for Belly Dancehttps://www.madisondancelife.com/ariellehttps://www.instagram.com/madisondancelife/?hl=enRelated Episodes:Belly Dancing is AutisticCareers are AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Episode of Rare Enchantment Indeed!In this episode, Matt and Angela dive into why Renaissance Faires feel innately autistic and explore how the art of LARPing offers a unique twist on masking—where choosing your own character and setting clear expectations can actually work for autistic folks.Here’s what’s to come in this episode: * Ren Faires and concerts—though they might seem like sensory overload for autistic folks—can actually be a sensory delight, offering the freedom to "choose your own adventure" and control the level of sensory input.* Renaissance Faires and historical re-enactments tap into the concept of stimming by recreating the same rituals and experiences in a consistent, familiar way over and over again.* Renaissance Fests offer autistic folks a safe space to unmask, stim, embrace echolalia or non-speaking communication (whatever feels right!), set their own structure and rules, build careers around their special interests, and truly let their authentic selves shine.“If you are unhappy in your job and you have a special interest, I promise you there is some way to make that into a career. God knows what way, but there is a way.” - Dr Angela Kingdon“It’s the difference between being in the shower and being hit by a water gun. Because the water gun might be even less water than you’re getting in the shower, but you choose the time, you choose the place, you choose the intensity, you choose the temperature. ” - Matt Lowry LPP“Before the word ‘autism’ was ever uttered, you knew what kind of person would go out to the Gettysburg battlefield and dress up and have prop replicas and all these genuine replicas and have these, you know, historically accurate costumes they made themselves.” - Dr Angela KingdonDid you notice the connection between Renaissance Faires and the autistic experience? Huzzah for joining us! Share your noble thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow fairgoers on social media! Which parts of the fest truly made your spirits (and tankards) rise?Resources:Julia Clarke Website: https://authorjulieclark.com/aspergers-spd-and-more/the-carolina-renaissance-festival-a-feast-for-the-sensoryhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/psychology-meets-neurodiversity/202306/its-just-stimminghttps://renfair.com/bristol/Angela’s Medieval Wedding: Related Episodes:Vampires Are AutisticFairy Tales Are AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Episode With Bite! In this episode, Matt and Angela sit down with Jessica Brothers—a true jack-of-all-trades. She's a metalhead, a former volunteer firefighter, an ex-ABA practitioner, and, oh yeah… an autistic vampire!Here’s a taste of what’s lurking in the shadows: * Jessica shares her journey as a vampire within one of New Orleans' elusive houses, along with her unexpected stint as an ABA practitioner—a path that ultimately led her to recognize her own autism.* Jessica, Angela, and Matt sink their teeth into the nonlinear hierarchy of New Orleans' vampire houses, uncovering eerie parallels between vampires and autistic individuals (a theme hinted at in our last episode, Vampires Are Autistic).* Our resident vampire dives into how music serves as regulation, why tattoos are inherently autistic, the role of guardian to the ruthless Aurantian arachnid, and so much more in this fang-tastic new episode!“In the fourth grade, I had to write a 500-word paper: ‘I will sit like a lady’. This is what my paper was - I described what I thought being biologically female meant at the time, and then I described sitting. The next section was about sitting- and then I was like: ‘Because I am biologically female, and because ‘lady’ is a synonym, and because I am sitting, I *am* sitting like a lady, no matter how I sit, because I am a lady who is sitting.” - Dr Angela Kingdon“Communication is one of the most bizarre things ever - because you have this nebulous thought in your head, with electrical signals bouncing between neurons. Those electrical signals are translated to a floppy piece of meat in your mouth that wiggles, and when it wiggles, it causes air to wiggle, and that wiggling air causes earbones to wiggle, and when those earbones wiggle, it causes electrical signals to be sent to the auditory processing center of your brain, which decodes the wiggle-siggles, and then sends more electrical signals to someone else’s neurons. So, the fact that we communicate at all is astounding. ” - Matt Lowry LPP“I’m still experiencing what it’s like to be this... piecing together different parts of myself and realizing, oh sh*t!” - Jessica Brothers (on autism diagnosis and vampiredom)Did you notice how Jess embodies the connection between vampires and the autistic experience? Fangs for joining us! Share your chilling thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with other listeners on social media! Which traits sent a shiver down your spine this spooky season?Resources:Wikipedia entry for Argiope aurantia: A species of SpiderRelated Episodes:Vampires Are Autistic Fairy Tales Are AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wait, Are Vampires Really Autistic? In this episode, Matt and Angela discuss everyone’s favorite mythical creature - the vampire. Throughout this episode, we discover some uncanny similarities between the autistic community and our fang-tastic fictional friends!Here's a bite of what’s to come: * The parallels between autistic individuals and vampires begin with our health comorbidities, like POTS and hemophilia, before diving into the more supernatural realms. * Notably, the art of shapeshifting mirrors the phenomenon of autistic masking & while vampires boast the gift of immortality, autistics have their own secret: we seem to defy the aging process as if time has a different rulebook for us!* Matt and Angela dive into the world of vampires and eerie icons in pop culture—from The Addams Family and What We Do in the Shadows to even Sesame Street—unpacking why these characters resonate as autistic-coded. * We explore traits like monotropic focus, infodumping, and behaviors often mistaken for manipulation, revealing a deeper, neurodiverse connection in the spooky figures we know and love.* And we uncover the truly autistic reason why garlic keeps vampires at bay—but you’ll have to tune in to get the scoop!“The folklore of the vampires is like the neighborhood autistic person - because they’re weird, they must be from another planet! ” - Dr Angela Kingdon“Vampires apparently can hear you coming from a mile away and disappear into the shadows, because again, if you’re at home and you hear somebody knock at your door, you’re going to disappear into the shadows, because This is The Way. I haven’t answered my door to anyone that I wasn’t expecting in years, because you can’t make me.” - Matt Lowry LPP“If you’re one of the vampire people of New Orleans, I get you now.” - Dr Angela KingdonDid you spot all the ways vampires embody the autistic experience? Share your spooky insights in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with other creatures of the night—er, listeners—on social media! Which traits gave you chills this Halloween season?Resources:A Deep dive into Vampires we used for research: Encyclopedia Britannica’s entry about vampiresPage referenced in the episode: https://www.instagram.com/date_dave_phillyRelated Episodes:Ponies are AutisticBeauty & the Beast is AutisticKink is AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.