Meet My Autistic Brain

The Autistic Woman™

What is it like to find out late in life that you are autistic? The Autistic Woman talks about life experiences and how autistic traits affect her as an adult. You'll hear personal stories, opinions about research and the importance of autistic voices. Includes some fun stuff too and interviews of autistic guests! This podcast is primarily for adult autistics and their family and friends. It's one of the top 0.5% most popular shows globally as ranked by Listen Score with more than 1,000,000 downloads.

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234 episodes
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Yesterday · 16 min
Replay: The Key to Connection
There’s a key to connection that unlocks the door of isolation and loneliness. Truly connecting is not possible without it. What is it? The answer is in this episode. Remastered Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
July 27 · 48 min
Overcoming The Wall of Awful; Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway)
When you can’t respond to an email or phone call, when you don’t move forward on a project, when you feel stuck in any area of your life you’re facing a “Wall of Awful.” Brendan Mahan, author of Overcoming The Wall of Awful; Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway) has uncovered the reasons we face the wall. He offers solutions and tips that will get you going. He shares helpful insights and stories that you haven’t heard before. You’re not “lazy” and you don’t lack willpower. Find out what the wall is really about so you can finally do the things you want to do. What we talk about in this episode includes: Why everyday tasks can feel overwhelming How to recognize the Wall of Awful Why thinking you’re “lazy” is a dead end Why the ways people respond to the Wall of Awful don’t work How to reduce the barrier to getting started How to meet your brain's basic needs to create lasting change Preorder/buy the book (out September 1, 2026): Overcoming The Wall of Awful; Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway) Brendan Mahan’s website Twitter LinkedIn Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
July 21 · 35 min
Remarkable Replay: What Did I Do Wrong?
If you missed this one be sure to listen now. Or if you remember how great it was, how about another listen? In this episode you’ll hear author Jaime A. Heidel, The Articulate Autistic, talk about her book What Did I Do Wrong? An Accessible Guide to Preventing Traumatic Misunderstandings Between You and Your Autistic Loved One. Jamie has great insight into what it’s like to be autistic and how/why people misunderstand us. This episode has been remastered. Jaime’s website: thearticulateautistic.com Direct link to book on Amazon Jamie's Instagram Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
July 13 · 31 min
Professionally Neurospicy: Find Work That Fits Your Brain
This is probably not the first time you’re hearing that many autistic and ADHD adults struggle on the job and not just due to sensory issues, although that’s a factor for sure. The bigger problem may be something else entirely. Something that has a solution. In this episode David Raynor tells his own story about a career path of jobs frequently won then lost and how he tired of hearing he had “so much potential.” After getting lots of failed advice from people who meant well, David turned inward and found answers. And he knows you can, too and that you don’t have to do it alone. David talks about Professionally Neurospicy, a community for neurodivergents to get the support they need in their jobs and careers. You’ll hear David’s advice about the one thing we can do to get the satisfaction we want. In this episode you’ll also learn: Why many neurodivergent careers follow a cycle of success, burnout, and starting over How to make better career decisions Why workplaces benefit when neurodivergent employees are supported to thrive How accommodations are actually workplace upgrades Managing hyperfocus without relying on willpower A different way of thinking about imposter syndrome Building the confidence to advocate for yourself at work What you'll find inside the Professionally NeuroSpicy community, including its Discord events, practical resources, and peer support for neurodivergent professionals David’s website: Professionally Neurospicy Substack Discord LinkedIn Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
June 29 · 38 min
BREAKTHROUGH: A New Assessment Tool for Autistic Women Created From Their Real-Life Stories
We’ve waited for decades for an autism assessment tool that reflects the experiences of adult women. The older diagnostic tools based on research of autistic boys left many of us misdiagnosed, overlooked, or completely missed. Dr. Rebecca Evanko set out to change that. After her own diagnosis at age 47, she used her background in cognitive linguistics, clinical practice and research to create an autism screening instrument developed specifically for adult women. It’s based on women’s personal experiences. It’s called WRADIANCE© Instrument and Protocol and is going into Phase III Clinical Trial. In this episode Rebecca also explains why the words clinicians choose can dramatically change an assessment outcome, how autistic burnout is often mistaken for personality disorders, and why traits like heightened pattern recognition and focused persistence deserve recognition as autistic strengths rather than symptoms to be explained away. The conversation also turns to identity after diagnosis, the grief many late-diagnosed women experience, and why therapies that include the body—not just the intellect—can play an important role in healing. Rebecca shares how equine-assisted therapy can help autistic women connect thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in ways that traditional talk therapy often cannot. In this episode: The words a real psych evaluation used to describe an autistic woman and what they actually mean Why cognitive linguistics — the study of how thought and language shape each other — explains so much of why women get missed What existing autism assessments overlook about adult women How autistic pattern recognition can appear as "intuition" The women’s autistic strengths that deserve greater recognition What horses can reveal about emotional regulation that talk-therapy alone cannot And more that would make this list much too long Dr. Rebecca Evanko’s website Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
June 22 · 23 min
Rerun: Mindfulness That Actually Works for Autistics
In this episode you’ll hear from Tanya Roberts about Mindfulness Done Differently. For those of us who find meditation and mindfulness difficult Tanya has a solution. She teaches a method that works for autistic people by taking sensory needs into account. She also created a supportive community of other autistics who are learning and practicing these skills. Next, Tanya answers four unique questions about being an autistic woman. She shares deeply personal insights about her life now and before knowing she is autistic. Website: Mindfulness Done Differently Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
June 16 · 38 min
We Deserve More: Why Reproductive Healthcare is Broken--And What You Can Do About It
The medical system wasn't built for women who ask too many questions, need more time, or leave an exam still wanting answers. As a result many women have learned not to trust their bodies and their needs. Nikki Vinckier, a Physician’s Assistant, spent a decade working in medical care before she decided to write the manual it didn’t come with. This conversation is not just about what's broken, but about what you can actually do about it before your next appointment. In this episode you’ll hear: How the history of reproductive healthcare still shows up in exam rooms today What medical gaslighting is and why autistic women are especially vulnerable Why a clinician can’t address your health issues during your annual exam How to communicate symptoms when the one-to-ten scale makes no sense for your brain The approach that gets you care in an autistic-friendly environment What trauma-informed care looks like in practice Why you don't have to disclose that you're autistic, and what to say instead Grounding techniques for exam rooms and waiting rooms Nikki's book: We Deserve More: Why Health Care is Broken and What You Can Do About It The We Deserve More Workbook: A Companion for Navigating Your Reproductive Healthcare Take Back Trust: Nikki's platform for visit prep, reproductive health information, and combating medical misinformation. Find Nikki: All social media platforms at @NikkiVinck Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
June 8 · 40 min
The Path from Coping to Flourishing
Allie Memery never imagined that a late autism diagnosis at age 57 could be the launching pad for a whole new, satisfying life. In this episode she talks about the thing that became her special interest, the path to self-regulation and the social life that she couldn’t have expected. She did it all while handling menopause, taking care of her aging mother and facing her own personal challenges. Alllie talks candidly about: How menopause amplified her sensory sensitivities long before she had any framework to understand why The physical toll of years of unaccommodated autistic needs — and how the body keeps score What it took to actually slow down when you've masked for decades The unexpected source of regulation and community she discovered after her diagnosis How her life was changed by a nature-inspired special interest The peer support she now offers other late-diagnosed adults, and why she built it the way she did This one is practical, honest, and genuinely warm — exactly what you want from someone who's a few steps ahead on a path you might just be starting. Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
May 25 · 42 min
A Model for Thriving as an Autistic Adult
What does thriving actually look like for a late-diagnosed autistic adult? Alexis Kruel gives a pretty specific answer from a life of contradictions. Alexis is a commercial model and actor who was diagnosed autistic at 53 and ADHD shortly after. But this isn't really a diagnosis story. It's a story about what happens when your whole life suddenly plays back differently, and every awkward moment, every friendship that went cold, every dinner party you wanted to escape, finally makes sense. She's built a life that genuinely fits her brain. In this conversation she talks about how she did it — and what she'd tell anyone who's still figuring that out. In this episode: The video that stopped her cold and started everything Sensory life in the 70s — polyester, crinolines, a doomed trip to Stride Rite Why she was simultaneously popular yet seen as “different” How the fear of being seen inspired her to become a model How two autistic people built a marriage that works — and why she thinks that's not an accident Her advice for finding your comfort after late diagnosis Find Alexis: Instagram & TikTok: @alexiskruel_official YouTube & Facebook: Alexis Kruel Alexis Kruel website Resources mentioned: @whileyouwonderau theartofautism.com Prosper Health — telehealth autism assessments for adults Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
May 18 · 16 min
Hear again: Sound Sensitivity
Have you ever felt like the world's volume is turned all the way up — and no one else seems to notice? For autistic people, sound sensitivity isn't just a quirk or an overreaction. It's a daily, exhausting reality. In this episode, you’ll hear what it actually feels like when everyday sounds become unbearable — and learn the science behind why it happens. In this episode: Why between 50–70% of autistic people experience sound sensitivity at some point in their lives The elements of sound that can push an autistic brain into overdrive: frequency, duration, quantity, repetition, and volume What's happening in your brain when a disturbing noise sends your nervous system into fight-or-flight Why the common advice to "just get used to it" can actually make things worse for autistic people Practical tools and strategies that can help — from noise-canceling headphones to acoustic wall panels to earplug alternatives Meet My Autistic Brain is a podcast for late-discovered autistics and anyone who wants to understand what life on the spectrum really looks like — no filters, no sugarcoating. Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this one. Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
May 11 · 36 min
Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive and Thrive as an Adult with Autism and ADHD
Did you know that AuDHD is its own unique experience, not just autism plus ADHD co-existing? In this episode Megan Griffith, author of Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive and Thrive as an Adult with Autism and ADHD, gives us the inside look at AuDHD from her lived experience. Some of the things Megan talks about: Why AuDHD is its own unique experience, not just autism plus ADHD stacked on top of each other How autism and ADHD can mask each other, leading to late or missed diagnoses Practical advice on employment, salary negotiation, and finding work that fuels rather than drains you Why autism and ADHD are often misunderstood as behavioral issues instead of neurodevelopmental disabilities Misdiagnosis and what to look for in an autism/ADHD assessment Learning to make accommodations instead of trying to “fix” yourself Why many autistic and ADHD people struggle with self-trust There’s so much more! The book: Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive and Thrive as an Adult with Autism and ADHD The Neurocuriousity Club Megan Griffith website Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
May 4 · 28 min
Special Episode: The Autistic Woman
Something a little different this week! Natalie Diggins, former guest and author of the Autistic Adults Toolbox, reached out with a guest suggestion for the show — and that guest was me. So we turned the tables, and Natalie took over the hosting chair. In this episode, Natalie pulls back the curtain and asks the questions I usually ask everyone else. We talk about how and why I started this podcast as a sitting judge — anonymously, and with a lot of hope — and what it was like to finally have an explanation for a lifetime of feeling different. We also dig into the moment that changed everything for me, how my understanding of autism has shifted over the years, and what I've learned from the incredible guests and listeners who have been part of this journey. We also get into: What it's like to keep your autistic identity private when your whole life requires masking Why I don't think we can "learn our way out of" autism — and why that's actually okay The episodes and topics that have resonated most with listeners Navigating jury duty as an autistic person What's coming up next for the show Support the show: Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts Comment or ask a question on Spotify Support on [Patreon / Ko-Fi / PayPal] Share this episode with someone who will benefit Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
April 27 · 47 min
Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults
Let’s be honest. You’re tired of friendships not working out and convinced they never will. Maybe you don’t try anymore and who could blame you? But don’t give up before you hear this episode with Caroline Maguire, author of the just-released book, Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. This is not the same old advice we hear. These are step-by-step details about how to make it happen. From walking into a room full of strangers to keeping a friendship going Caroline tells us how to leverage our neurodivergent traits. Ready to learn how to be a good friend? Listen now. Caroline's website The book: Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults Caroline's YouTube Channel Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
April 20 · 41 min
Healing Autistic Burnout
In this episode therapist, author and autistic woman Sharon O'Connor shares her deeply personal journey to a late autism diagnosis and the burnout that changed everything. Sharon shares what it was like to begin recognizing herself in her young son's autism evaluation, how two dramatically different diagnostic assessments shaped her understanding and how she has healed from autistic burnout. Topics covered in this episode include: What it's like to receive an autism diagnosis as an adult, and why the diagnostic experience matters as much as the outcome The relationship between masking and autistic burnout — and why burnout is never a personal failure Early warning signs that burnout may be approaching Why energy is the foundation of autistic life, and how sensitivity to others' emotions is often a form of self-protection How burnout affects our sense of identity Practical suggestions for managing burnout when leaving a demanding job simply isn't an option Why connection with other autistic people can be transformative What life can look like on the other side of burnout Website: SharonKOConnor.com Book: Healing Autistic Burnout — available in print, e-book, and audiobook https://a.co/d/028qGW4a Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
April 13 · 33 min
Special Episode: What Could the AI Boom Mean for Neurodivergent People?
If you’ve been curious about how AI might actually help neurodivergent people—not just in theory, but in real, everyday life—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. This special episode is from a podcast I’m genuinely excited to share with you called Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson. Rae brings in experts—scientists, doctors, and researchers—and together they go beyond the headlines to explore what’s really true about how neurodivergent brains work. In this featured episode, “What Could the AI Boom Mean For Neurodivergent People?”, the conversation is especially relevant. It looks at how AI can be used in meaningful, practical ways—particularly in the workplace—and how it can function as powerful assistive technology for neurodivergent people and those with disabilities. This is one of those episodes where you come away with both insight and possibility—real ideas you can think about, and maybe even try. There’s so much more in the conversation, and I’m really glad I get to share it with you. Take a listen and see what stands out for you. Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
March 30 · 36 min
Become Who You Are - Worth Another Listen
Meet Ryan Bush author of Become Who You Are and Designing the Mind. Hear how learning he’s autistic led him to a better understanding of himself and how we can all become who we truly are. Become Who You Are is for everyone. It’s a must-read for late-diagnosed autistics who’ve spent a lifetime wanting to know. Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Become-Who-You-Are-Self-Esteem/dp/1737846241/ref=monarch_sidesheet?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theautistic05-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=5da2b9245809a6ac087a2b51b6712b9f&camp=1789&creative=9325 Learn more about the book Ryan Bush website Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
March 23 · 58 min
Best of 2025: Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum
Step into the complex world of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum with author Sarah Hendrickx. She talks about why autism is often missed in women and girls and how traits can differ. You’ll hear her own personal story of late diagnosis and how it has impacted her life. Sarah's website Sarah's book Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
March 16 · 27 min
Publishers Rejected This Autistic Detective. Readers Loved Him.
Can being autistic make a person a great detective? According to writer Tim Sullivan the answer is yes. He’s created a main character, Detective Sergeant George Cross, whose sense of justice, attention to detail and systematic approach to crime-solving gives him a distinct advantage. In an authentic portrayal of an autistic character Tim reveals why he writes about George and tells how George has become an endearing character in his books. This Cambridge-educated, screenwriter-turned-novelist demonstrates the importance of acceptance and the qualities that make autistics shine. Tim Sullivan's Websites: US UK Tim's books Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
March 9 · 7 min
Replay: An Unmasking Story
Have you thought about unmasking, i.e. telling people you’re autistic, by advocating for diversity? Here’s one story about how unmasking played out, including: The blank looks, the self-doubt, and the mental replay afterward Whether advocacy is worth the emotional cost The tension between staying safe behind the mask… or speaking plainly If you’ve ever left a room and replayed every word, wondering if you revealed too much — this conversation is for you! Link to the story about Justice Kevin Dougherty of Pennsylvania who advocates for training judges about autism: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-supreme-court-justice-eyes-reforms-to-serve-those-on-autism-spectrum.html Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website
March 2 · 23 min
An Autism Diagnosis Rewrites the Story
In this conversation, author, screenwriter and teacher Claire McGowan shares what it’s been like to receive an autism diagnosis at 43 — and how that discovery is reshaping her understanding of her life, identity, and creative work. In this episode, we discuss: Claire’s late autism diagnosis and the path that led to it The mix of grief, anger, relief, and curiosity that followed Growing up in Northern Ireland in the 80s and why autism wasn’t on the radar Sensory overwhelm — from public transport to event spaces Hyperfocus, productivity, and writing 28 books in 14 years What Claire hopes will change in how society supports autistic adults Claire also shares about the importance of talking about neurodiversity. Claire McGowan website https://www.clairemcgowan.co.uk/ Claire’s book The Other Couple https://www.clairemcgowan.co.uk/books Claire on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/clairemcgowanwriter Support the show RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website