Living with anxiety spikes, focus fog, or constant sensory overload as an autistic, AuDHD, or ADHD adult—and wondering if music could actually help your brain calm down? This episode of Adulting With Autism explores music therapy for autistic adults with Dr. Barb Minton, a psychologist and neuroscientist who started as a pipe organ major and went on to create the Calm the Storm album with guitarist Peppino D'Agostino.​

Dr. Barb explains how music can entrain brain waves—how tempo, rhythm, and sound textures can gently guide the nervous system toward calmer or more focused states. She shares how specific choices (like slower tempos around 60–80 beats per minute for calm, or slightly faster tempos around 110–120 for focus) may support sleep, pain management, migraines, and attention, and why the body "hears" vibration through mechanoreceptors as well as through your ears.​

You will hear stories of how music has been used to support neurodivergent adults, including those with autism and ADHD, and how to experiment safely: choosing tracks that feel regulating rather than overwhelming, adjusting volume, and noticing your own responses instead of following rigid rules. Dr. Barb also talks about why music is still underused in mainstream care despite promising research and real-world results.​

This episode is especially helpful if you:

• Feel overstimulated or shut down and want non-medication tools to try

• Are curious whether specific music choices could help with anxiety, focus, or sleep

• Want a more science-informed understanding of why certain music "works" for your brain

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on Podbean, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.

Merch for your calm and focus journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Brainwave Harmony"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop ( Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

Resources mentioned:

• Calm the Storm and more music at musicandhealing.net

• Dr. Barb's work and workshops at drbminton.com

• Caught in "not enough" or "too much" loops as an autistic or AuDHD adult—stuck in old patterns, feeling like your needs are a burden, or burning out trying to keep everyone else okay? This episode of Adulting With Autism dives into self-love for autistic adults with Christina Ketchen, a certified life and relationship coach trained in HeartMath®, Gottman, and the Hoffman Process, who brings both neuroscience and hard-won personal wisdom to healing.​

  Christina talks about trauma loops—those familiar patterns and relationship dynamics that feel terrible but somehow also "normal"—and how they can quietly drain self-worth over time. She shares compassionate tools like heart-focused breathing to support the nervous system, "kind no's" that protect your energy ("This doesn't work for me—thank you"), and gentle self-talk that shifts you from "I am broken" to "I am human and learning."​

  You will hear how patterns often started as protection, how faith/meaning can reframe pain without dismissing it, and why embracing your "messy" humanity is part of building real self-love, not a sign of failure. Christina also offers guidance for neurodivergent adults who feel guilty setting boundaries or fear that saying no will make people leave.​

  This episode is especially helpful if you:

  • Keep ending up in the same painful situations or relationships
  • Struggle to hold boundaries without intense shame, fear, or backlash inside your own mind
  • Are learning what self-love looks like for you as an autistic or AuDHD adult, beyond clichés and quick fixes

  If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.

  Merch for your self-love journey:
  Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Self-Love Alchemist"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop ( Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

  Resources mentioned:

  • Coaching and masterclasses with Christina at christinaketchen.com
  • Her podcast The Self Love Shift

Feeling stuck in survival mode as an autistic or AuDHD adult—checking all the boxes on paper but still burned out, unfulfilled, or unsure what you actually want? This episode of Adulting With Autism explores self-love and life direction with Chandra Lynn, a certified transformation coach, former Apple/Mercedes marketing leader, and author of Root to Rise: How to Love Life When It's Messy, When It's Hard.​

Chandra breaks down her Root to Rise framework, which looks at key areas of life—like career, relationships, health, and creativity—and helps you line them up with core emotional needs such as security, variety, growth, connection, and contribution. She shares simple journaling prompts like "What do I want? Why? What am I willing to try?" to help you get out of autopilot and start making choices that actually fit you, not just what others expect.​

You will hear how her own path from high-pressure corporate roles into more aligned, heart-centered work unfolded in zigzags, not straight lines—and why that is normal, especially for neurodivergent adults. Chandra offers practical tools for exploring purpose through experiments and "try-ons," building authentic relationships, and practicing self-love in the middle of messy, imperfect life rather than waiting to "fix everything" first.​

This episode is especially helpful if you:

• Feel like you are surviving but not really living

• Are questioning your career, relationships, or direction as a late-diagnosed autistic or AuDHD adult

• Want a grounded framework to check in with your needs and make kinder, more aligned choices

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.

Merch for your Root to Rise journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Root Your Rise"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

Resources mentioned:

• Root to Rise: How to Love Life When It's Messy, When It's Hard

• Chandra's quiz, courses, and coaching at glowliving.com

Growing up with labels like "too emotional," "overreacting," or "ice queen," and now struggling to understand what you actually feel as an autistic or AuDHD adult? This episode of Adulting With Autism dives into emotion regulation for autistic adults with Jenn Veilleux, clinical psychologist, professor, and author of Open to Emotion, who blends her theater background with science to support authentic emotional expression.

Jenn shares her own journey from being called "too emotional" to seeing emotional intensity as a form of being a "super-taster" of feelings. She talks about the difference between awareness and attention—how you can notice emotions without getting completely swept away—and offers metaphors like watching emotions move through like wind instead of something you have to hold onto forever.

You will hear practical tools for:

• Unmasking your emotions after years of pushing them down or performing what others expect

• Using body signals (interoception) as early warning signs so you can regulate sooner

• Sitting with emotions long enough to understand them without drowning in them

• Challenging myths about ADHD and "overreacting" so you can embrace your full range

This episode is especially helpful if you:

• Struggle to identify what you feel until you are already overwhelmed

• Have been told your emotions are "too much" or "not enough" your whole life

• Want language and tools to unmask emotionally at a pace that feels safe

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.

Merch for your emotional journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Emotional Range Journal"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

Resources mentioned:

• Open to Emotion by Jenn Veilleux

• Workshops and more at jenncveilleux.com

Stuck in limiting beliefs as an autistic or AuDHD adult—thoughts like "I am not good enough because of autism" or feeling like different "parts" of you are constantly fighting each other? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, Tamara Andreas joins to talk about Core Transformation, a gentle inner-work process she co-developed that has been taught worldwide for over 30 years.​

Tamara explains the idea of "parts" in a grounded way: the part that wants to keep you safe, the part that is scared of change, the part that believes you have to mask. She walks through how to acknowledge these parts with respect, ask what they are trying to do for you, and then guide them toward deeper "core states" such as peace, love, or OK-ness—without forcing yourself to "think positive."​

You will hear a guided example of the process, how Core Transformation grew out of her and Connirae Andreas' work, and why this approach can be especially supportive for autistic and ADHD adults who have been shamed, gaslit, or told to "fix" themselves. We also talk about pacing, safety, and why it is okay to pause or come back to the process as needed.​

This episode is especially helpful if you:

• Carry a lot of shame or harsh self-talk tied to autism or being "too sensitive"

• Feel fragmented, like different parts of you are pulling in opposite directions

• Want a structured, yet compassionate way to explore inner peace and self-acceptance

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.

Merch for your inner work journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Core Self Guide"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

Resources mentioned:

• Core Transformation® book and materials

• Free micro-book and videos at andreasnlp.com

• Trainings and more at coretransformation.org

Send us a text

Struggling with autistic adulting literacy blocks? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April (autistic OT) chats with educator Lois Letchford on busting myths and hacks for struggling readers. Lois, a 20+ year literacy specialist (Master's from SUNY Albany, Australian PE teacher turned specialist), shares her son's journey from first-grade failure (learning disability echoing dyslexia/autism) to Oxford PhD—using poetry, story acting, and cultural rewrites over failed programs.

Discover why labels blame kids (not systems), how engagement trumps phonics fire-hoses, and practical tips like rewriting stories in the child's words for confident adulting. For autistic young adults, parents, or creators with reading/executive function hurdles, this is your 'hooked, that's it' roadmap—no more trauma, just empowered learning.

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Lois's Background 2:30 - Son's Failure Story & Myths Busted 8:45 - Poetry & Engagement Hacks 15:20 - Rewriting for Culture Fit 22:10 - Global Advice for Parents 30:00 - Hope & Future Goals 40:00 - Outro

Sub on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for unmasked tips—reviews fuel the fire! Linktree for full eps, Lois's memoir Reversed (Amazon), website (LoisLetchford.com—connect for support), and Adulting with Autism merch: 'Dynamite' tees for literacy breakthroughs or 'Magic Shop' hoodies for squad resilience. Your biggest reading myth? Comment! Follow @adultingautismbts on TikTok for clips.

#AutisticAdultingTips #LiteracyAutism #UnmaskedLearning #NeurodivergentEducation #TeachingStrugglingReaders #AdultingWithAutism #BTSNeurodivergent #DyslexiaHacks #OTTips #ReversedMemoir

https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adulting-with-autism/id1726252789 | https://open.spotify.com/show/3x5XAhD6vUr9vyxwo7PUrn | https://www.loisletchford.com/| https://amzn.to/4pSN5zW

Autistic adulting chaos? My MFish Dragon Charger slays—sleek, bold design with soul (no Apple boredom!), powers phone/laptop through BTS sessions. Daily obsession for my neurodivergent brain—ordering more! Quick pre-roll from Adulting with Autism. Affiliate link below (I earn from purchases—thanks!)

Get fierce for fall with the Empowerment Collection and Power in the Frequency! Bold colors, ultimate comfort, and designs made for neurodivergent pride. Shop now to support the show and join the Alliance—find your new favorite at the link in show notes.

Support the show

@adulting_autism adultingwithautism.podcast@outlook.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a text

On this lively episode of Adulting With Autism, international entrepreneur and author Bart Merrell (aka the Side Hustle Samurai) shares how anyone—yes, even those starting from scratch—can create financial freedom by monetizing what they already know. With wild stories (bungee jumping in Japan, entrepreneur since age 15, adaptive dog training) and a practical memory-jogger for side hustle inspiration, Bart proves that mindset and action beat luck every time.

Discover simple frameworks to turn your hobbies, skills, or day-to-day routines into side hustles that actually work. Whether you’re a student, job-seeker, working adult, or neurodivergent entrepreneur, this episode offers inspiration, step-by-step lists, and honest talk on risk, mentorship, and breaking out of planning paralysis. Learn how to spot the right hustle, avoid common pitfalls, and leverage support for your first leap.

Don’t miss Bart’s free “25 Side Hustle Ideas for 2025.” Tune in and connect with Bart on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and now TikTok. Tag #AdultingWithAutism and #MonetizeYourMindset for side hustle shoutouts! Subscribe for more real-world financial strategies from leaders who get it.

Autistic adulting chaos? My MFish Dragon Charger slays—sleek, bold design with soul (no Apple boredom!), powers phone/laptop through BTS sessions. Daily obsession for my neurodivergent brain—ordering more! Quick pre-roll from Adulting with Autism. Affiliate link below (I earn from purchases—thanks!)

Get fierce for fall with the Empowerment Collection and Power in the Frequency! Bold colors, ultimate comfort, and designs made for neurodivergent pride. Shop now to support the show and join the Alliance—find your new favorite at the link in show notes.

Support the show

@adulting_autism adultingwithautism.podcast@outlook.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.