This Week in Autistic Culture #6 | Collecting Fish, Spain Win the World Cup & Understanding ARFID
Listen to this weeks offering of podcasts, news and culture from the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.
Welcome to This Week in Autistic Culture
Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine that brings together the stories, conversations, and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.
As Angela is away this week, James Hepworth, host of Collecting Fish and Hyperfocus FC, joins Simon as a guest co-host.
We begin with a look back at Collecting Fish, reflecting on the first season and sharing an update on how James’ marine tank is developing.
James’ New Marine Tank
Then we turn to the FIFA World Cup Final, where Spain lifted the trophy while Argentina’s tournament ended in controversy, before looking back at the competition as a whole and what made this year’s tournament so memorable.
As always, we’ll also take you through everything coming up this week across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network, with new episodes exploring Hamilton, masking and burnout, therapy, genetics, humour, ARFID, basketball, and much more. Whether you’re here to discover a new favourite podcast, catch up with the community, or simply to spend your Sunday immersed in Autistic culture, we’re delighted you’ve joined us.
Let’s dive in.
🎧 Start Here: Autistic Culture Radio
Looking for a different way to experience ACPN? Autistic Culture Radio is our curated Spotify listening experience, blending music with every programme released across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.
Updated daily, each episode is paired with carefully chosen songs inspired by its themes, creating a continuous soundtrack to Autistic culture. Save the playlist to your Spotify library and dip in whenever you want to discover new conversations, music and voices from across the network.
📻 On Air This Week:
Monday 27th July
Theatrically Authentic – Episode 6: Built like A System - Hamilton
Sarah Atherton-Knight and Simon Scott dive deep into Hamilton — the cultural phenomenon that transformed modern musical theatre and became a hyperfixation for an entire generation of neurodivergent fans.
From lyrical density and internal rhyme to reprises, motifs, and layered historical storytelling, they explore why Hamilton feels less like a musical… and more like a system built to be decoded.
Mindful Mondays with Ashley Dupuy
Ashley returns with another mindful reflection and guided meditation to help neurodivergent listeners begin the week with intention and regulation.
Tuesday 28th July
Drinking to Mask and Unmask - Episode 4: When the Mask Stops Masking
What happens when the strategies that once helped you survive stop working?
Ebony Nash joins Chelsey Flood on Drinking to Mask and Unmask for a conversation about alcohol, neurodivergence, burnout, and identity.
Together they explore the limits of coping strategies, the impact of masking over time, and what it means to build a life that no longer depends on survival mechanisms.
Regulation Station – Episode 6: Navigating Life as an AuDHD Therapist
In this week's episode of Regulation Station, Becca Engle is joined by psychotherapist and Clinically Awkward host Alyssa Zimmerman for a conversation about therapy, neurodivergence, relationships, and what it means to build a life that works with your brain rather than against it.
Wednesday 29th July
Clinical Misfits - Episode 4: Collagen Changes Everything
In the final episode of Clinical Misfits, Dr Mary discusses some genetic conditions that account for a lot of the physical, mental, psychological and behavioural characteristics present in varying degrees in the majority of neurodivergent people. These are largely due to defects in collagen!
Two Mics No Masking - Episode 3: Humour as Kryptonite to Hierarchy
Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein explore the power of humour as more than entertainment. For many neurodivergent people, laughter can challenge assumptions, expose contradictions, and create connection in ways that words alone often can't.
Thursday 30th July
NEW SHOW - Autism Help– Episode 1: ARFID and Autism
Heather McKay talks about ARFID in autistic people, and how the current treatments for ARFID actually make our ARFID worse, and cause us to drop safe foods.
The Neurodivergent Experience - Episode 121
Jordan James and Simon Scott return for a conversation about the Neurodivergent Experience!
Friday 31st July
Hot Topic Friday
A new discussion from The Neurodivergent Experience team, tackling a fresh topic from the world of neurodivergence.
Under The Lights - Episode 2: Top 10 NBA Playoff Series
Turrell Burgess counts down the greatest NBA Playoff series from a lifetime of watching basketball. From fierce rivalries and dramatic Game 7s to unforgettable performances and championship-defining battles, these are the series that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
📚 From the Archive - Saturday 1st August
Autistic Culture Podcast Rewind – Sherlock is Autistic
Rewind with an Autistic Culture Podcast classic, as we investigate Sherlock Holmes as an Autistic-coded cultural icon.
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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.