The Autistic Culture Podcast Network Launch Party [Recording Enclosed]
Meet the creator-led shows launching as part of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network and learn how you can take advantage of 75% off regular podcast network membership cost for the next 24 hours.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the launch of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.
We wanted to send a personal thank you to every single person who showed up live at our launch party! 🙏 We really treasured the 75 minutes we had with you and appreciated your comments and support SO MUCH! 🙏
Those who attended live got a few exclusive gifts which you will hear about in the recording, but we are making one gift available to everyone and that’s 75% off our Autistic Culture Plus membership where you can listen EARLY and AD-FREE to every episode. Our shows are always free and released weekly or bi-weekly but if you want to binge listen, listen without interruptions, or get bonus episode content, this is the deal for you but it’s only available for 24 hours!
Ad-Free Subscription Launch Sale
Dr. Angela announced a 24-hour launch sale offering 75% off the ad-free subscription service, reducing the monthly price from £5 to just over £1 per month.
Now, for all of you who didn’t have time to join due to… timezones, appointments running late, the insane HEAT, not enough spoons, time blindness, or any other reasons which we 100% understand…
….the recording is up!
We have created a bit of ACPN lore, however, because our video recording failed so you will have to image how beautiful and captivating the video it was (nothing like staring at a bunch of faces in Brady Bunch squares). For those of you who do better reading text then listening to recordings, I’ve tried to keep the following recap as detailed and scannable as possible so you can see everything we covered.
AI-Summary Highlights
The Autistic Culture Podcast Network (ACPN) officially launched nine new shows during this virtual launch party event, co-hosted by Angela Kingdon and Simon Scott. The network is positioned as a global, Autistic-led media platform dedicated to documenting and celebrating autistic culture through lived-experience storytelling — explicitly framed as “nothing about us without us.” Attendees were walked through the mission, the 10 Autistic Culture Pillars, the network’s structural model, and all nine debut show trailers. Practical guidance on subscribing, rating, and reviewing shows was provided, along with a 24-hour discounted paid subscription offer.
Main network feed: “Autistic Culture Podcast Network Presents” — a single feed aggregating all shows; available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts
Weekly digest: Every Sunday, “This Week on ACPN” highlights what’s airing across the network’s 10–15 weekly shows
Newsletter: Subscribers also receive a written version of the weekly digest via Substack
Launch sale: Ad-free subscription normally £5/month or £50/year is 75% off for 24 hours from the event — approximately £1/month (~$2 USD)
Founding Vision & Philosophy
Autistic Culture as a Framework
Most autism media focuses on diagnosis, symptoms, interventions, and support needs, creating a narrow public narrative that autistic people are “patients, cases, problems to solve”
Top-performing autism podcasts (e.g., The Telepathy Tapes, cited as a breakout hit of 2025) are hosted and produced by non-autistic people, profiting from autistic stories without autistic authorship
The network’s core principle: “Nothing about us without us” — autistic culture must be defined and told by autistic people
The Deaf Culture Parallel
Co-founder Angela drew a direct analogy to the Gallaudet University protests of 1989, where deaf students rejected hearing leadership and ultimately installed I. King Jordan — a far more qualified deaf candidate — as president
Just as Deaf culture was defined through storytelling after that turning point, ACPN aims to define autistic culture through podcasting
The term “autistic culture” was first used in written form by Kim Duff at an Autreat event in 1999 but has never been formally codified — ACPN is an effort to do so
The 10 Autistic Culture Pillars
Angela outlined the pillars underpinning all network shows (full academic treatment available on Autistic Culture 101 podcast):
Bottom-up processing
Rhythmic communicating
Norm challenging
World-building
Pattern-matching
Game-changing innovation
Boldly creating
Predictably comforting
Justice-seeking
Passionate superfanning
For more check out the Autistic Culture 101 series on the network
Analogy used: ACPN is to autistic people what BET (Black Entertainment Television) is to Black audiences — content made by and for the community, on its own terms, open to all.
Simon’s Creative Philosophy
Simon framed the network’s production approach as “don’t tell them, show them” — borrowed from theater practice — meaning autistic culture is demonstrated through the form and feel of the shows, not just their subject matter
Key production decision: retain the “waffle,” breaths, and pauses that are typically edited out of podcasts, because these are expressions of rhythmic communicating in autistic culture
The ACPN jingle was intentionally designed to potentially become a stim or echolalia trigger — confirmed when Simon’s partner began walking around the house repeating “ACPN”
Network Trailer — Key Highlights
The ACPN network trailer was played in full, featuring voices from multiple creators. Notable elements:
Positioned the network against the dominant narrative of autistic people as “patients, cases, problems to solve”
Highlighted the global reach of the network with a comedic, self-aware sequence where Simon corrected “Lapland” to acknowledge the Sami people’s ancestral homeland, then pivoted to “Louisiana” (Angela later noted Louisiana is ceded Choctaw land. Discussion in the chat about whether this was accurate. Your own research is encouraged.)
Ended with farewell phrases in multiple languages, reflecting the network’s international creator base
The fact-check sequence occurred spontaneously during recording and was kept in as an authentic example of autistic culture in action
How to Support the Shows
Subscribing
Apple Podcasts: Search show name → Follow → Leave star rating + written review
Spotify: Follow the show → Listen to a portion of an episode (required before reviewing) → Three dots → Rate Show → 5 stars; leave comments on individual episodes
Both actions boost algorithmic discoverability for all shows in the network, not just the one rated
Launched Shows — Nine Debut Titles
1. Collecting Fish — James Hepworth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_ct9d5SxQmcTPyl6Q1ykYiDo
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912642
A short series on the hobby of fishkeeping; designed to be accessible even to those with no prior interest
Simon noted that after editing the series, he felt confident enough to purchase a freshwater fish tank — described as “a brilliant how-to guide”
Pillar connection: World-building
2. The NeuroComplex Creative — Vicki Peterson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_ctYi7WJUz91UJs6m0713dV5
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912833
For neurodivergent artists, writers, and makers navigating chronic conditions, burnout, and creative blocks alongside their practice
Vicki received a late autism and ADHD diagnosis, which reframed her understanding of her creative history
Described as “regulating and affirming,” particularly valuable for reframing burnout-related negative self-perception
Simon highlighted it as especially useful for perfectionists who struggle to restart after burnout
3. Clinical Misfits — Dr. Mary Sims
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_cvIP-37hM6YbxhWWgqlZirZ
Spotify:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912750
Hosted by a neurodivergent neurologist; targets both healthcare professionals who feel out of step with the system and patients who have felt medically misunderstood 29
Blends clinical experience, lived experience, published research, and emerging/debated interpretations of observed patterns
Goal: help clinicians care more wisely and help patients enter appointments with better language and questions
Angela named Dr. Sims the “Surgeon General of the ACPN”
4. Autistic Rant Hour — Dr. Gal Shkolnik (they/them)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_csSir8BGmfecFP0Da4kz20-
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912644
An infodump and rant format show covering “the aggravating, the inexplicable, the unjust, and the infuriating” across all areas of life
The trailer itself is a rant about podcast trailers — demonstrating the show’s format immediately
Upcoming crossover episode features another ACPN host
5. Hyperfocus FC — Simon Scott, James Hepworth & Jack Hoban
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_cseWCDgi3dgxRXq6S10ycsz
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912786
A football/soccer show covering five iconic FIFA World Cups, co-hosted by three autistic friends
Timed with the 2025 FIFA World Cup; described as “highly intelligent football conversations discussed by idiots”
Covers the cultural experience around tournaments: sticker albums, kits, controversies, and personal memories tied to specific matches
6. Regulation Station — Becca Engel
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_cvwNX8ehYGcPXgJGgJuZLgU
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912775
A practical guide for parents navigating evaluations, IEPs, accommodations, and the education system for neurodivergent children
Interview-format show; Becca was simultaneously speaking at four separate events on launch day
Actively recruiting interviewees for next season — listeners interested in appearing can contact Angela
Simon voiced the trailer in Becca’s absence
7. Drinking to Mask and Unmask — Chelsea Flood
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_csFryVm_XzaCmfxCbrfHhjL
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912649
Chelsea is a writer, lecturer, and late-diagnosed AuDHD person exploring the relationship between alcohol use, masking, and neurodivergence
Interviews include experts (e.g., Dr. Felicity Sedgwick), former drinking companions, and strangers met online
Covers compensation strategies, what they cost, and what people are trying instead
A companion book is forthcoming from Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Simon personally connected with this show, having used alcohol to mask and socialise
8. Creative Becoming — Elizabeth Moffett & Helen Shaddock
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_ctTzdb2Q92sPy0IlMFgdXhv
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912438
A co-hosted show on identity, creativity, storytelling, and artistic culture — notable for being co-hosted by one autistic (Helen, late-diagnosed) and one neurotypical (Elizabeth) host 44
Provides practical tools for embedding creativity into daily routines; accessible to both autistic and non-autistic listeners 44
Helen uses graphic art diaries as a sense-making practice; Elizabeth approaches creativity as a self-discovery tool 44
9. Theatrically Authentic — Sarah Atherton Knight & Simon Scott
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDSrVhGj_ctM1djyZIdq4zMlOr7XmZNo
Spotify:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896912437
A behind-the-scenes theater podcast by neurodivergent theater makers, exploring why theater attracts neurodivergent minds 43
Topics include: musical theater as a system of comfort and obsession, autistic-coded characters, lyrical patterns in Hamilton, moral complexity of Dear Evan Hansen, backstage culture, and the grief of closing night 43
Sarah Atherton Knight also created the ACPN jingle and is the voice of the network; Simon credits Sarah with helping him realise he was neurodivergent 44
Described as having “very Gremlin theater kid energy” 44
Additional Shows — Coming Soon (by October 1st)
Two Mics, No Masking - Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein
Autism Help - Heather McKay
Info Dump — Hannah Brockaway
Autistic Standpoint Theory — Isha Snow
Reading the Neurodivergent Gaze — Kelda Sholdace
The Dialogues — Oswin Latimer
Still Growing Up Film Club — Cece Fanning
Please Subscribe and Spread the Word
Subscribing to one ACPN show increases the likelihood Spotify/Apple will recommend other ACPN shows to that listener
Approximately 60% of podcast discovery happens via direct personal recommendation (text message, WhatsApp)
Word of mouth described as “worth a thousand paid subscriptions”
As promised, here is the audio recording of our launch party.
Thank you for joining us for for the launch of The Autistic Culture Podcast Network. We will launching about one new show a week starting in July. Subscribe to our podcast newsletter “This Week on The Autistic Culture Podcast Network" on the primary “Autistic Culture Presents…” channel and you will hear about every new show before it launches!
Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcasts here
Have a Show Idea?
The Autistic Culture Podcast Network is always looking for new voices and new perspectives.
If you have an idea for a podcast grounded in Autistic lived experience, culture, identity, advocacy, creativity, or special interests, we’d love to hear from you.
📻 {RECAP} New Shows Launched This Week 📻
Click any artwork below to learn more and listen.
Drinking to Mask and Unmask
Hosted by Chelsey Flood, this series explores the relationship between autism, masking, alcohol, addiction, and survival through lived experience and compassionate conversations.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Clinical Misfits
Dr Mary Sims combines medical expertise and lived experience to examine neurodivergent health, burnout, and the systems that shape our wellbeing.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Autistic Rant Hour
Dr Gal Schkolnik offers sharp, funny, deeply informed discussions about bureaucracy, healthcare, accessibility, and all the systems that make Autistic people ask, “Who designed this?”
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
The Neurocomplex Creative
Vicky Peterson explores creativity, burnout, chronic illness, and what it means to keep creating in a world that often demands too much from neurodivergent people.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Creative Becoming
Helen Shaddock and Elizabeth Moffett reflect on identity, creativity, self-understanding, and building a life that fits who you actually are.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Hyperfocus FC
Simon Scott, James Hepworth, and Jack Hoban revisit iconic World Cups and the culture surrounding football’s biggest stage through an unmistakably neurodivergent lens.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Collecting Fish
Hosted by James Hepworth, this joyful celebration of fishkeeping proves that special interests are contagious—in the very best way.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Theatrically Authentic
Sarah Atherton-Knight and Simon Scott explore theatre, neurodivergence, creativity, and the realities of building a life in the performing arts.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Regulation Station
Becca Engle provides practical, neuroaffirming guidance for families, educators, advocates, and anyone supporting neurodivergent young people.
Subscribe on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts here
Listen Ad-Free with Autistic Culture Plus
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Join Autistic Culture Plus to support autistic creators and help us commission even more shows from our community.
It's a really exciting undertaking. I'm happy for all of you. It was great to be there yesterday. I'm sure this will be a success.