Just Another Autism Podcast

Hosts, Eileen Lamb and Andrew Komarow speak with famous Hollywood composer, John Frizzell, about his autism diagnosis.HMMA Award-winning composer John Frizzell, born in New York City, began his music career early, singing in the chorus of the Paris Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Company. As a teenager, he played guitar in rock bands and later became focused on jazz - a passion that led him to pursue a formal musical education at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music as well as the Manhattan School of Music. It was during his college years that Frizzell met his mentor, guitar legend Joe Pass. Through Pass, Frizzell discovered his calling as a composer.Early in John Frizzell’s career, he collaborated with renowned composers as an orchestrator or co-composer including Ryuichi Sakamoto (Wild Palms), and James Newton Howard (Dante’s Peak). His composing career would flourish, and he would score for leading filmmakers on iconic films including Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Alien: Resurrection), Joel Silver (Thirt13en Ghosts and Ghost Ship), Danny Cannon(I Still Know What You Did Last Summer), and Mark Rydell (James Dean and Crime of the Century). However, Frizzell would begin a collaboration that would last for decades when he sent in a demo to Mike Judge for a film the director was shooting. The demo included musical suites sporadic dialogue of Beavis and Butt-head saying, “this sucks.” As a result, John Frizzell became the composer of the first full-length Beavis & Butt-Head film, Beavis and Butt-Head Do America, followed by Office Space and numerous projects including, King of the Hill, Tales from the Tour Bus, and the new film, Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe which received the 2022 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Score - Streamed Animated Film (Streamed).In addition to scoring films, John Frizzell’s television credits include King of The Hill, The Following, Tell Me a Story, and Season 2 of the Neftlix Original Series, Space Force.A proponent for film music and film music issues, Frizzell has served on the Executive Board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, lectured to graduate students at USC Thornton School of Music and the Sundance Film Music Lab. He has also served as the Honorary President of the International Film Music Conference in Ubeda, Spain.John Frizzell is autistic. He was diagnosed as an adult and revealed this in 2023 on the podcast ‘Adulting on The Spectrum’.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Josh Edwards.Josh is originally from Stilwell in Kansas. He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at 13. He pursued education, earning an Associate's Degree at Johnson County Community College and a bachelor's degree in social work from Pittsburg State University. After a transformative summer in Florida, Josh found his calling at an elementary school, working with a supportive team and mentor.

Trenton Lundgren is a 31-year-old man, living with his girlfriend, in Texas. He's currently maintaining five jobs. Trent is very passionate about Broadway and movies.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Billy Mayfair. Billy Mayfair is one of the top professional golfers in the United States and has been a regular on the PGA Tour since 1989. He boasts five PGA Tour victories and is the only player to ever beat Tigers Woods in a PGA Tour playoff. He is currently playing on the PGA Tour Champions. Mayfair’s five PGA Tour victories include the Nissan Open (1998), Buick Open (1998), Motorola Western Open (1995), Tour Championship (1995), and Greater Milwaukee Open (1993). His two amateur victories include the U.S. Amateur (1987) and U.S. Public Links (1986). In the PGA Tour Champions, Mayfair ranks 49 in the Charles Schwab Cup Points, five in the PGA Tour Points List, and 34 in the All-Time Money List with more than $22 million in career earnings. Mayfair has been in the Official World Golf Rankings top 50 list, reaching as high as 26. He was the medalist at the 2010 PGA Tour’s Qualifying School and at the age of 15 was on the cover of Boys’ Life magazine as "golf’s junior hotshot." After dealing with Asperger-related symptoms for most of his life Mayfair was diagnosed in 2019 with autism spectrum disorder, a developmental condition that causes challenges with a person’s communication, social interactions, sleep habits, moods, and attention span, among other things. Previously, during the 2006 season, Mayfair was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery, returning to the tour two weeks later. Along with his family, Mayfair began a nonprofit foundation tasked with providing support to both amateur and professional athletes and their families who struggle with spectrum-related disorders.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Alex Astrella. Alex is a special educator and filmmaker from Dana Point, CA. Through his work in both fields, he is passionate about giving back to the community that helped him become the individual he is today. Outside of his work, Alex enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is always striving to learn and grow each and every day.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Adin. From his classical piano, choir, opera, and music theory beginnings in suburban south Orange County to his massive solo and full-band indie rock performances after COVID quarantine and college, Adin Boyer is no stranger to living a life fully devoted to music, and discovering himself entirely through music. His sound draws influences from uplifting arena alternative rock outfits such as Coldplay, Kensington, and Keane, and the glorious ambiances of groups like Hammock and Bear’s Den. Adin first gained widespread international notoriety as a music performance and composition major at CalArts, after his musical comedy videos racked up millions of views on TikTok in 2020.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Russell. Russell Lehmann is an award-winning and internationally recognized thought leader, speaker, poet, and advocate contextualizing autism, mental health, disabilities, and the overall human condition.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Daniel. Daniel is an umpire, referee, drummer, and bass guitarist. He has been officiating for 8 years in multiple sports(Baseball, soccer, softball, flag football, and bowling). He also has been coaching bowling for 12 years.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Ogi Ogas. Ogi is an autistic mathematical neuroscientist and author. He writes books about the mind. He describes himself as the “Rip Van Winkle of autism.” Ogi learned he was autistic in the 1990s, but then turned his back on the clinical/medical community so he could figure out how autism worked on his own. Obi just started learning about the autism community again last month.

Hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, speak with Austin Varco Austin is a 23-year-old racecar driver from San Diego, CA. When he was diagnosed with level 1 autism at age 20, his purpose realigned to learning and understanding himself and acting as a bridge for others' understanding of autism. He's using his racing career as a platform to educate and advocate for those who may not have a voice but have things to say. Austin loves snowboarding, surfing, and being one with nature.