Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Bridget Hampstead shares her journey from discovering her own neurodivergence to founding Fish in a Tree, a virtual community center supporting neurodivergent adults. Her work combines community building, political advocacy, and neuroaffirming practices to create spaces where late-diagnosed autistic individuals can find acceptance and belonging. • Founded Fish in a...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text John Puls, a psychotherapist specializing in forensic work, shares critical insights on navigating the intersection of autism, mental health, and the criminal justice system. He draws on his extensive experience working with individuals in crisis to offer practical guidance for families and caregivers. • Working as a psychotherapist with both autistic individuals an...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Trish Ieraci, founder of Teaching Individuals About Autism (TIA), takes us deep into the critical gap between law enforcement training and successful interactions with the autism community. With powerful clarity, she dismantles the narrow stereotype that autism only affects severely impaired children, explaining how this misconception creates dangerous situations wh...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Tony Mantor hosts a special remote podcast from Nashville Palace supporting "An Acoustic Evening for Autism." Country music artists Daryl Worley and Dillon Massengale share their personal connections to autism awareness and how music has become a platform for making a difference. • Daryl Worley explains how friends with an autistic child inspired his commi...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Joan Lipinski shares her deeply personal journey fighting for her daughter with Asperger's syndrome who received a 63-month federal prison sentence after being manipulated into bringing contraband into a facility where she worked. Through multiple prison transfers, denied medical care following back surgery, and judicial misunderstanding of autism, Joan has bec...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Doug Passon shares his journey as a criminal defense lawyer and filmmaker advocating for autistic individuals in the legal system, drawing from both his professional experience and personal connection as a parent of an autistic son. • Criminal defense lawyer who uses documentary filmmaking to humanize clients at sentencing • Pioneered the use of video in sentencing...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Brian Kelmar shares his inspiring journey of creating Decriminalize Developmental Disabilities (D3), an organization helping families whose autistic loved ones become entangled in the criminal justice system. His personal experience with his teenage son's case revealed a shocking truth: many states fail to recognize developmental disabilities in criminal procee...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Stephen Waddell takes us on a powerful journey of self-discovery as he shares how he uncovered his autism in adulthood after building a successful modeling career. Despite being naturally introverted and struggling with social interactions, Stephen found himself thrust into a profession that demanded social fluency – forcing him to systematically develop scripts and...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Mark Mahoney reveals his groundbreaking work as possibly the only attorney in North America exclusively dedicated to defending individuals with autism spectrum disorder who face criminal charges. Through years of specialized practice, he shares crucial insights about how the criminal justice system fundamentally misunderstands autism. • Autism directly affects socia...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text When autism intersects with law enforcement, the results can be harmful or even catastrophic without proper training and understanding. Retired law enforcement commander Bart Barta shares his journey of creating specialized training for first responders after his son's autism diagnosis. • Started Autism Safety 101 after 31 years in law enforcement and his son&a...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Country music and autism awareness come together at Nashville Palace for "An Acoustic Evening for Autism," where artists use their platform to support families affected by autism through the newly formed Country Music Autism Awareness Foundation. • Doug Mathis explains how his song about an autistic boy named Jack led to creating an annual benefit concert...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Dennis Debbaudt shares his 30-year journey addressing autism-related police interactions and developing training programs for law enforcement nationwide. His pioneering work bridges the gap between public safety professionals and the autistic community through educational materials, videos, and hands-on training that helps prevent tragic misunderstandings. • Former...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Criminal defense attorney Elizabeth Kelley shares her expertise on representing individuals with autism spectrum disorder and mental health conditions in the justice system, revealing how these clients are often misunderstood and how proper legal representation can change outcomes. • Started career representing a client with intellectual disability who was manipulat...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Jerry Turning shares his journey from veteran police officer to autism advocate after his son's diagnosis, creating Blue Bridge Autism Training to educate first responders about autism. His unique perspective bridges the gap between law enforcement and the autism community, helping prevent dangerous misunderstandings during crisis situations. • Turning spent 22...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Dr. Theresa Haskins shares her journey from a mother seeking answers for her autistic son to becoming an educator and researcher dedicated to creating more inclusive systems for neurodivergent individuals. Her experiences navigating medical dismissals, educational barriers, and workplace challenges illuminate how society needs to fundamentally shift its approach to...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Judge Sonny Bailey shares how she created the nation's only court dedicated to helping autistic youth stay out of the criminal justice system. What began in 2018 as a quieter courtroom for one overwhelmed teen has evolved into an innovative program with a 90% success rate, recently recognized through Nevada legislation as the country's first official neuro...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text What if discovering your true self could transform your entire life journey? Join me, Tony Mantor, as I sit down with the insightful Gabriella Russo for a powerful discussion on self-discovery and acceptance within the autistic community. Gabriella shares her personal narrative, revealing how her godchild's involvement with an autism support group prompted her...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Imagine a world where the rules don't bend. Where justice feels like a maze with no exit. For autistic people navigating the legal system, this is not imagination. It's reality. Picture your autistic son or daughter tangled in the legal system or an officer at your door because a meltdown was misunderstood. Imagine a loved one wal...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Jess Tuff shares her emotional journey as a mother advocating for her autistic daughter while navigating the education system and societal stigma. Her story emphasizes the importance of understanding, acceptance, and the changes needed in how we approach autism, advocating for empathy and resources for families still facing challenges. • Jess’s experience in special...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Lady Miranda shares her journey as an autistic artist navigating the music industry while managing sensory overload and performance challenges. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity in society. • Being an autistic artist comes with unique challenges • Travel can induce sensory overload and anxiety •...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text What happens when a corporate professional turns a personal health crisis into a transformative journey of healing and understanding? Join us as we explore Emma Textra's remarkable story, where her corporate acumen meets her passion for holistic health to better support her autistic son. Emma's shift from conventional medicine to embracing dietary changes,...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Dr. Tina J Ramsey shares her profound journey of navigating autism with her son, emphasizing the essential role of empathy, advocacy, and communication. Her insights encourage parents to support their children with understanding, while providing valuable resources for navigating adulthood. • Discusses personal experiences and emotions surrounding autism diagnosis •...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text What if your curiosity led you to an unexpected career path that changes lives every day? Lisa Kuntz, the inspiring director of the Pierce Autism Center at Touro University, shares her remarkable journey into autism support and education with us. Starting with a chance role at the university, Lisa's commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by aut...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Imagine meeting a neurologist who changes not only your perspective but the entire trajectory of your family's journey. That's precisely what happened to Mike Ghesser, co-founder of CleanLogic, when his daughter Rosie was diagnosed with a neurodiverse condition at just three months old. In this heartfelt episode, we explore how that pivotal moment led Mike...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text What if theater could unlock new dimensions of communication for individuals with autism? Join us as we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Blythe Corbett, a trailblazer from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who has seamlessly intertwined her love for performance with her cutting-edge research in autism. Through the pioneering work of Sense Theater, a nonprofit sh...