This Week in Autistic Culture #7 | Safe Swimming, Sign Language and Special Interests.
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.
Angela returns to the studio after a week away, just in time for a packed programme!
We begin with an important discussion about water safety, as rising summer temperatures bring renewed attention to the disproportionately high risk of drowning faced by Autistic people. We also explore an inspiring new project from a former Disney animator, whose free sign language app is helping make communication more accessible for everyone.
Then we look ahead to another busy week across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network, including the launch of our brand-new series InfoDump, where every episode celebrates the joy of hearing someone share their special interest. Alongside it are new conversations on creativity, regulation, invisible disability, neurodivergent identity, theatre, Pokémon, baseball, and much more.
Whether you’re discovering a new favourite podcast, catching up with the Autistic community, or simply spending your Sunday immersed in Autistic Culture, we’re delighted you’ve joined us.
🎧 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:
NEW SHOW - Info Dump – Episode 1: Doctor Who
In the very first episode of Info Dump, host Hannah Brockway sits down with lifelong Whovian Megan for a joyful deep dive into one of television’s most enduring science fiction series.
Together they discuss favourite Doctors, companions and writers, the creativity behind the show’s famously low-budget production, and why great storytelling has always mattered more than special effects. Megan also reflects on how Doctor Who has shaped her hobbies, travels and creative life, and why sharing a special interest with someone who genuinely wants to listen is such a rewarding experience.
Monday 3rd August
Theatrically Authentic – Episode 7: Waving Through a Window — Dear Evan Hansen
Sarah Atherton-Knight and Simon Scott dive into the emotional complexity of Dear Evan Hansen — a show about anxiety, isolation, social performance, and the dangerous power of finally being noticed.
Together, they explore why the musical resonates so strongly with neurodivergent audiences, unpacking themes of masking, maladaptive daydreaming, rejection sensitivity, and the desperate need to belong.
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 4th August
Creative Becoming – Episode 5: Authenticity and Honesty
In the second half of their exploration of disruption, Helen and Elizabeth dive into the tricky world of social friction, authenticity, and the ethics of sharing creative work.
Helen reflects on her commitment to honesty in her graphic diaries and the responsibilities that come with featuring real people in personal storytelling.
Regulation Station – Episode 7: They Said I Couldn’t. So I Did
In this week's episode of Regulation Station, Becca Engle is joined by writer, speaker, photographer, and paraeducator Michelle Steiner to discuss invisible disabilities, self-advocacy, and challenging the limits other people place on us.
Together, Becca and Michelle explore disability stigma, accommodations, education, and the importance of believing in yourself when others doubt your potential.
Wednesday 5th August
The Neurocomplex Creative - Episode 4: The Neurocomplex Creative
In the final episode of the series of Neurocomplex Creative, Vicki sits down with Marissa Mosunich — neuro complex career coach, founder of Operate Well Consulting and Brave Zebra Work Coaching, and someone who is living the same questions on a slightly different timeline.
Two Mics No Masking - Episode 4: When the Labels Don’t Fit - Queerness, Neurodivergence, and the Freedom to Be
On Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein are joined by Megara Bell, Director of Partners in Sex Education, to explore the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence, and what happens when the labels we're given don't reflect who we really are.
Thursday 6th August
Autism Help– Episode 2: Incontinence and Autism
In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay explores the often-overlooked connection between autism and incontinence, and the challenges many autistic people face in accessing understanding and appropriate support.
The Neurodivergent Experience - Episode 122
Jordan James and Simon Scott return for a conversation about the Neurodivergent Experience!
Friday 7th August
Hot Topic Friday
A new discussion from The Neurodivergent Experience team, tackling a fresh topic from the world of neurodivergence.
Under The Lights - Episode 3: Top 10 World Series Games
Turrell Burgess counts down the greatest World Series games he's ever watched. Growing up in a baseball-loving family, these are the unforgettable nights that defined October baseball - from dramatic comebacks and extra-inning thrillers to legendary performances on the sport's biggest stage.
📚 From the Archive - Saturday 8th August
Autistic Culture Podcast Rewind – Pokémon is Autistic
Rewind with an Autistic Culture Podcast classic, as we explore why Pokémon resonates so deeply with the Autistic community.
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📌 Community Noticeboard
The Community Noticeboard is your space to share what’s happening across autistic culture. Whether you’re launching a book, hosting an event, releasing a podcast, starting a creative project, celebrating a milestone, or simply have something you’d like the community to know about, we’d love to hear from you.
Send your announcements, links and updates to autisticculturepodcast@gmail.com, and we’ll feature as many as we can in a future edition of This Week in Autistic Culture.
This Week’s Topics
Books & research
Events
Creator updates
Cavendish Card - ways of shaping the space around real needs instead of asking people to hide them.
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Have a Show Idea?
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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.