The Special Interest Pod

In episode 76, Alex and Karly introduce Clark aka thesickestpersonyouknow aka chronically the sickest podcast!!! to the pod!! *Cheers* "I am an autistic content creator and podcaster who likes crows, iced coffee and the color pink. " In this episode, Clark talks about being late diagnosed autistic and living with chronic illnesses, functional burnout, and dopamine dressing. Thanks for tu...

*Trigger Warning: Mention of being an SA survivor In episode 75, Alex and Karly introduce Nic Flores to the pod! "I am Nic Flores, owner of Hi-Fi Friends, Father of a neurodivergent child, Husband, and inclusion advocate. I have learned to turn my painful experience as a sexual abuse survivor into a purposeful driven mission of diversity, equity and inclusion. I spend my free time at Disneyla...

In episode 74, Alex and Karly welcome Elena Carroll to the pod! "I was diagnosed with autism at age 25 after a lifetime of questioning my brain, my place in the world, and if I was ever going to be able to make it to 30. I was in therapy from the age of 6, and was only ever told it was anxiety from professionals. At 25 I was back in therapy, this time treating depression, and it was during th...

In episode 73, Alex and Karly welcome Patrick Casale onto the pod! Patrick Casale, MA LCMHC Owner of All Things Private Practice LLC & Resilient Mind Counseling PLLC TEDx Speaker| Author| Therapist | Podcast Host x 2 | Business Coach | Group Practice Owner | Retreat Host Patrick Casale is an AuDHD, 2e mental health therapist, Neurodivergent business coach, and prolific TEDx Speaker. He leads i...

Welcome! In episode 72, the pod welcomes on Hadley! Hadley (she/they) is an audhd spicy gremlin, who we have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past couple years through our community meetings! "My name is Hadley, a 20-year-old neurodivergent artist and cosplayer. My journey began with a severe case of MSPI, which led to a central line, a staph infection, and blood transfusions. The...

Olivia is back on the pod! In episode 71, Alex and Karly are joined with Olivia Nied. Olivia is an autistic, queer and trans musician who believes in spreading radical joy through her music. In this episode, Olivia shares about her process with creating music, her experiences with performing, her relationship and presentation nights!! Join us for this radiant and fun conversation. Thanks for tunin...

In episode 70, Alex and Karly introduce the pod to Jaclyn! Jaclyn Andersen is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD author who uses her work to articulate lived neurodivergent experiences with honesty and clarity. By sharing her own story, she advocates for the broader community and helps others find language for what they’ve lived but never been able to express. Through poetry, writing, and content...

Welcome back to the pod space! In episode 69, we introduce the pod to Kaitlyn and Peter. They share about their relationship story, what it's like to be married and living together, while learning about their neurodivergent needs, and talk about how their special interests are often a way they connect. Oh to know someone, is to love someone!! This is such a sweet interview! Hope you enjoy! Thi...

Welcome to the pod! In episode 68, Alex and Karly introduce Michelle Ridsdale, tuning in all the way from Australia! Michelle shares her journey of discovering she was autistic later in life through her children's diagnoses, how that sparked her creation of the kaboose app, and her special interests- true crime + her dogs! Thanks for listening<3 -A+K Connect with Michelle + Kaboose to join...

In episode 67, Karly introduces the pod to Peter! Peter is a late diagnosed autistic who has been learning how to navigate his newly found self. His special interests include hiking/backpacking, soccer, music and most importantly cats. *This episode was recorded while Alex was on a break and was one of the first interviews Karly did on her own. Peter has been a big supporter and after this intervi...

Hello! Thanks for tuning into episode 66. We are so excited to be back in this space with everyone. In this silly little welcome back episode, we have a very casual check in and chit chat- neurodivergent style, with lots of trailing off topic, show quotes, and special interest talks, of course. We are so excited to show you what's up our sleeves.... Thanks for listening<3 -A+K Connect with us t...

We're back (for real this time! :D) Yaaaay!!! Come hang out on April 17th @ 7PM EST on zoom (link will be posted on patreon, sign up to join!) What do you think of our new theme song!? Made by our pod pal Peter Filippi! Thanks for listening<3 -A+K Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support- Email: pod.thespecialinterest@gmail.com IG: @thespe...

Happy Friday the 13th homies!!!!! In episode sixty-four, Rachel Ambrose of Porch Light Coaching, rejoins Karly in the pod space to talk about their spiritual journeys, the importance of learning how to tune into your intuition and all the paths that may lead you... Thank you for listening. Check out episode 28, to hear the first time Rachel was on. https://open.spotify.com/show/7bDVnVjFnWEwXalSWhI...

Let go + Love. Thank you for listening! <3 -Karly Jude Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support- Email: pod.thespecialinterest@gmail.com IG: @thespecialinterestpod / rewildtoreroot Join our Patreon (all tiers get access to monthly virtual meetups): patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT

A space to tune in with our autistic needs, wants and desires. All of you, are welcome here. Thank you for coming as you are. Thank you for listening! <3 -Karly Jude Connect with us to share your stories, to join the community, or are in need of peer support- Email: pod.thespecialinterest@gmail.com IG: @thespecialinterestpod / rewildtoreroot / @karlyjude_ Join our Patreon (all tiers get access...

In episode sixty-one, Alex and Karly introduce the pod to Lauren Melissa! Lauren Melissa Ellzey (she/her), known across social media as @Autienelle, is an autistic self-advocate, author, educator, and activist. Her young adult novels,  Boy at the Window ,  Gimmicks and Glamour , and  StreamLine,  emphasize the importance of belonging for queer, neurodivergent youth of color. Her work has crossed p...

It's been a while...how are you doing?

(TW:Talk about substances + suicide) In episode fifty-nine, Alex and Karly introduce the pod to Vas. From Vas: I am from Stockton CA. I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020. I had a couple-year long career in case management, harm reduction, therapy, and social work, which was rewarding but drove me into the ground and didn’t give me the time to properly care for myself. I was suffering from autisti...

In episode fifty-eight, Alex and Karly arrive burnt out af. They tirelessly go on about tv shows and the importance of comfort tv while feeling burnt out. They share a listeners story and give shout outs to all their amazing Patreon members! Thank you for listening! <3 -A+K Next Monthly Meeting: April 25 @ 7PM EST Reach out to us- Email: pod.thespecialinterest@gmail.com IG: @thespecialinterestp...

In episode fifty-seven, Alex and Karly introduce the pod to Pete Wharmby. Pete was diagnosed with autism at 34 and then went on to writing two books, at the same time! In this episode, Pete shares about his journey as a late diagnosed autistic author, the importance of special interests, and advice for those who have learned they are autistic later in life. Thank you for listening! <3 -A+K Conn...

In episode fifty-six, Alex and Karly reminisce on emo music, blockbuster, and birthdays. They then go into talking about what this autism month means to them and their journeys. Thank you for listening! <3 -A+K Reach out to us- Email: pod.thespecialinterest@gmail.com IG: @thespecialinterestpod Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheSpecialInterestPodcast Discord: https://discord.gg/vn6RGPdqrT Coachin...

In episode fifty-five, Alex and Karly introduce the pod to Abby Lastowski. Abby is the author and illustrator of the Actually Owltistic web comic series, illustrator of "Slipper the Penguin: A Story About Embracing Neurodivergence", and mother of two daughters. After being diagnosed with autism and ADHD at 28 years old, Abby used her creativity and journey to help others feel more unders...

In episode fifty-four, Alex and Karly meet Robert Smythe. Robert Smythe is an award-winning theater artist who learned he was autistic when he was 50 years old. He was 59 when he had his first conversation with another autistic person, and that experience made everything in his life finally click into place. As a result of that revelation, he started and produces A Team, a podcast about the thrill...

In episode fifty-three, Alex and Karly meet Greta! Greta is a late-diagnosed autistic, former NYC runway model, former Utah ski instructor, aspiring performer, loves making people laugh, and finding her true path. She shares her story of her experiences growing up and blossoming into the swan she is today. Thank you for listening! <3 -A+K Connect with Greta: IG: @g_du_nord Books mentioned: -The...

In episode fifty-two, Alex and Karly introduce you to Matt Nelson! Matt Nelson is the owner of Nelson Voices LLC, which specializes in voiceover services, including commercials, narration, eLearning, IVR (Interactive Voice Recording), promos and live event announcing. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 and is AuDHD. He's also a diehard NASCAR fan. In this episode, Matt talks about hi...