Unpacking Neuroqueerness

In this episode my co-host Xenia and I discuss the history behind the "vaccinations cause Autism" myth and the many issues associated with this long debunked claim that has recently begun to resurface.RESOURCES:Support Groups for Autistic Adultshttps://www.meetup.com/audhd-peer-support-group/https://ashralouisa.com/Filicide study: Coorg R, Tournay A. Filicide-Suicide Involving Children With Disabilities. Journal of Child Neurology. 2012;28(6):745-751. doi:10.1177/0883073812451777Researcher Behind Debunked Autism-Vaccine Study Stood To Make Millions https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/01/12/wakefield-make-millions/11910/ How the case against the MMR vaccine was fixedbmj.comThe R.F.K. Jr. Era of Childhood Vaccines The R.F.K. Jr. Era of Childhood Vaccinesnytimes.com

In this episode Xenia and I continue our discussion about the ups and downs of our relationship with food as neurodivergent people, focusing in on gut sensitivities and the science behind them.-------------------------------------------------*Resources mentioned in the episodeArticles:- Why should you eat 30 plants a week: https://zoe.com/learn/30-plants-per-week?srsltid=AfmBOoojW6l2qegJ6EeiQKyuh4cNDwzNk4Sl9l5tFKvmo14KL-4Bl2aBBooks: - Mayer, Emeran A. The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health. New York, NY: Harper Wave, 2016. - Mayer, Emeran A., and Charles Constant. The Gut-immune Connection: How Understanding the Connection between Food and Immunity Can Help Us Regain Our Health. Unabridged. HarperCollins, 2021. Video Resources:- The Gut-Brain Axis’ Playlist from Dr.DiNezza (@gutmicrobiomequeen): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG78DHTUBEFrTFrCrAzP-_MyiI25zQziZ Tips & Tricks: - Anti-Inflammatory Spices and Herbs: https://www.thepaincenter.com/blog/anti-inflammatory-herbs-and-spices/- Seeds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/seedsWhat is simethicone? https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/simeticone/about-simeticone/

In this episode, Xenia and I open up our discussion of a very big topic for many neurodivergent people, food and everything that comes with it!*List of helpful phrases mentioned in the episode- I’m not a friend of the (insert food item here) - Love the story, wish I could eat the story, but I can’t. - What do you like about (insert food item here)? - I just never seemed to like (insert food item here); do you have anything you feel like that about? - I have a texture thing about (insert food item here).- Do you remember the first time you tried (insert food item here)?

In this episode my friend Ashra and I discuss our experiences with Autistiphobia (Ableism towards Autistic people)_________________________________________________Check out Ashra's podcast "Autistic After Hours" https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUKYuftbxbODofOzwmg3hCheck out Ashra's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ashralouisa/

In this episode, my co-host Xenia and I discuss the process of collaborating on the production of our latest documentary film, "Neurodivergent Stories". We talk about how the idea came about, as well as how we approached casting, production and post-production.*LINK TO OUR FILM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpL99JqMYaE

In this episodes I give a couple quick episodes on life and the podcast. I also share a funny story related to my experience with autistic hyperempathy as a young child.

*Trigger Warning: Mentions of violenceIn this episode, we discuss the infamous "autistic shooter" trope that is often portrayed in media and society and why it's so harmful. I tell a story of when this trope was suggested to me by a long time acting classmate and we dive in to the history of this trope, disproving whack theories, reminding everyone that violence isn't an inherent symptom of neurodivergence and exploring the reasons that lead a very small percentage of neurodivergent people to commit such heinous acts.*This is also the first official episode for X and I as co-hosts of this podcast. Enjoy :)RESOURCESThe Myth of the Autistic Shooter – Opinion (published 2015) https://www.reddit.com/r/autism/comments/zh718k/opinion_the_myth_of_the_autistic_shooter/ Video Games and Aggression https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/jul/22/playing-video-games-doesnt-lead-to-violent-behaviour-study-shows Mass Shootings by Country https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country Far From The Tree, Andrew Solomonhttps://andrewsolomon.com/books/far-from-the-tree/

*Apologies in advance for random keyboard tapping sounds (was feeling very stimmy while recording this)In this episode I give an insight to what's been going on in my life, recent reflections involving dating as an autistic person and the upcoming plans for this podcastEnjoy :)

In this episode I talk with Matt Lowry from "The Autistic Culture" podcast. We discuss his personal Matt's personal autism journey, his work as a practicioner working with autistic kids and teens, as well as his work with advocacy and podcasting

In this episode I talk about the experience of having paralyzing bouts of anxiety as an autistic person and projecting very negative thoughts on to situations that turn out to not be as severe as they can feel like

In this episode I give an in depth explanation of some common terms such as "Neurodiversity" and "Neurodivergent", in order to clear up some of the confusion I see out there, even amongst fellow neurokin

In this episode, I give an update on why I have been absent lately and some ideas I have been having regarding the future of this podcast.

In this episode, my friend X and I discuss sleep and the inherent difficulties many neurodivergent people face when trying to establish a routine that works for them. Attached below are resources and links mentioned throughout the episode: - The Neuroscience of Sleep and its Disorders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-AFJDcoeZA&list=PL_Sk6QhBQ1okzwlQaT10uRHQbiAq5kC5K- The Overlooked Connection Between ADHD and Sleep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Eb-0VYN0k8&t=7s- Sleepwalk With Me: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Eawhb5HaFqFAARajud7hu- Sleep Problems & ADHD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuHLAzCc5_M- Lavender sleep spray: https://www.thisworks.com/products/deep-sleep-pillow-spray-75ml?srsltid=AfmBOoqmC3MvfeL5hvx8_jQ0jUGMctWtmcO_gNPpa9JG0W2UEK1Su-AX- Eucalyptus sheets: https://ethicalbedding.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-63BhC9ARIsAMMTLXQ9vPxW0mOeCNK1IQXw2fdyjh2g18dSGzT-FkKxMxMby9hVT7bW_qcaAlYMEALw_wcB

In this episode I talk with Joanne Seymon about the story behind "Kaiko Fidgets", a fidget tool company that Joanne and her son Kai founded together. Joanne and I also talk about how fidget tools can be essential for hyperactive kids and adults who may struggle with self harm or simply need self stimulation in order to focus or regulate sensory input*Check out the Kaiko Fidgets website through the link below :)https://kaikofidgets.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopbP36vHFtzRiA0OeqBESq3tSOw-RBa6y2cJM68xDWgzhMn_t6m

In this episode, my friend and Autism Career Pathways founder Maisie Soetantyo joins me for a conversation about Autism representation in TV and films. We talk about representations we've liked, things we haven't liked and what we feel can be done better in the future.

In this episode I talk about some exciting upcoming projects I'm working on and a quick reminder on the history of the neurodiversity movement.*We must always remember everyone's experience with neurodiversity is different, some people are more disabled by their neurotype and require more support than others

In this episode I talk about the autistic experience of smiling when feeling overwhelmed or anxious regarding certain situations, particularly when it comes to interactions with other people.

In this episode I discuss why autistics can develop different styles of masking depending on the specific people or groups of people they are interacting with

In this episode I talk to my friend Fatima about what getting a late Autism diagnosis has been like for her and how she has been navigating her journey of self acceptance as an autistic personThis episode was recorded remotely over Zoom

In this episode I dig in to why I don't believe autistic people should be forced to make eye contact and explain why being forced to do this can be not only uncomfortable but also distracting for autistic individuals like myself.

In this episode I dive deeper in to the nuances of masking and how at the same time as it can be very detrimental to our mental health, it can also be a survival tool that keeps many autistic people safe in certain situations.

In this episode I talk about why having boundaries and a comfort zone is really important when you have been constantly told you're doing things wrong and conditioned to put other peoples desires ahead of your own needs.

In this episode I explain why many people might seem to have less ability to do certain things after a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD, when in reality they just have a better understanding of how their brain works and more confidence in setting boundaries with others based on discovering they do in fact have a disability.

In this episode, I talk with my friend Andrew Forster, whom I met at a Square Pegs meetup group for autistic adults up in Seattle a few weeks ago. Andrew and I talk about weather, TV shows, feeling misunderstood, food and more.

In this episode I discuss the deeply ableist, irresponsible, problematic and offensive narrative around Autism propagated by Netflix's new documentary and the response from the autistic community and organizations such as the UK National Autistic Society.*Also check out my brand new website: https://www.georgemunizgund.com/

In this episode I talk about some of the difficulties many autistics like me experience when it comes to navigating friendships, such as being able too tell who is a friend or not, as well as understanding non-verbal communication, which can be very challenging for autistic people to read and understand because it is not how we typically communicate.

In this episode I explain how even simple tasks can be very exhausting for neurodivergent people, even if they are physically able to complete the task.

In this episode I give a refresher on emotional empathy vs cognitive empathy and explain how sensory overload and mental shutdowns can play a role in autistics being perceived as not having empathy. This is largely due to the medical community refusing to learn from listening to the internal experiences of autistic people.

In this episode I discuss the main differences in between autistic and non-autistic communication styles, as well as the main reasons autistics are often misunderstood.

For this episode, as we approach Autism Acceptance Month, I give a brief history "Autism awareness month" and explain why many autistics (including myself) prefer to say "Awareness and Acceptance" and how non-autistic people can be good allies and help make the world more accommodating to autistic folks, instead of pushing "cures" and "treatments", which are rooted in the old ableist eugenics narrative of Hans Asperger and the hate group "Autism Speaks" (tune in to Episode 14 of this podcast if you'd like to learn more about why you shouldn't support this organization and who to support instead).

In this episode I host my acting teacher Jim Jarrett. Jim is Sanford Meisner's last teaching protégé and founder and director of The Meisner Technique Studio in San Francisco (where I completed my acting training just over two years ago). I firmly believe that studying with Jim played a huge role in my unmasking journey and in starting this podcast. Jim talks about the craft of not trying to "be good" and not giving in to what people think. We also discuss developing strategies to get things done, and how many high masking people end up becoming actors or even artists in general.

In this episode I host fellow queer autistic ADHD senior Jeff Fried. I ask Jeff about his experiences with Autism and ADHD throughout life, what masking looked like for him, and how the narrative around Autism has been slowly changing over the past few decades.

In this episode my friend Ashra and I talk about the HBO show "Girls", by Leena Dunham. We discuss the unfair perceptions towards the main character, Hannah, and the possibility of some characters being neurodivergent coded.

In this episode my friend X talks about their experiences with Ehlers Danlos syndrome and how it affects them in conjunction with ADHD. Shared below are resources recommended by X during the episode:Ehlers Danlos Support UK https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/Neurodivergence and EDS https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27377649/EDS UK Webinar (2022) https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/information/webinar-hypermobility-and-neurodiversity/

In this episode I host Livia Sara from the "Liv Label Free" podcast to talk about her experiences battling a severe eating disorder and the strong link in between autism and eating disorders that doesn't get enough recognition. Livia also talks about how typical ED recovery strategies can be unhelpful for many autistic people and a lot of times different approaches are needed.Check out Livia's podcast "Liv Label Free": https://open.spotify.com/show/1eGGdf4UB8K22mBxzrohukCheck out Livia's books, "Nourishing Neurodiversity" and "Rainbow Girl": https://livlabelfreebooks.com/

In this episode I passionately break down a recent article published by the SF Chronicle which highlights a study by UCSF which pushes the ableist narrative of trying to "fix" or "treat" autistic folks instead of listening to their experiences and making society more accommodating. I give specific examples on certain accommodations that can be made in terms of autistic experiences such as sensory sensitivities and social communication differences, rather than spending so much money and effort on "treatments".(Link to the mentioned article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/autism-ucsf-ai-study-18520353.php)

In this episode I talk about how ableism is still strongly tied in to immigration laws and give examples of two countries in particular, including a case involving a Korean family with an autistic child in Australia.

In this episode I talk a little bit about auditory processing delays in autistic individuals and a recent study from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Toronto that revealed that autistic brains process substantially higher amounts of information at rest compared to neurotypical brains.I also talk about why listening to and considering the lived experiences of autistic people is so crucial for everyone to have a better understanding of autism and neurodiversity.

In this episode I talk about the division I have been noticing amongst the autistic community and why we shouldn't assume someone's support needs if we don't know them personally and have no idea of what they have been through in life. High maskers are really good at hiding their struggles and support needs can also fluctuate many times throughout a single week or in some cases even throughout a single day.

In this episode I bring my friend Ashra (also known as @autisticthrifter on Instagram) back on the podcast to talk about her experiences studying psychology as an autistic student, working as a TA at Harvard, and filling a huge gap in the neurodistinct community by hosting support groups for autistic adults.Check out Ashra's website for more information regarding support groups: https://autisticthrifter.org/*Feel free to check out my first episode with Ashra (Episode 127) as well if you'd like

In this episode my friend X and I talk about our perspectives on the holidays and mention a few tips for navigating them as neurodivergent folks.

In this episode I talk with Manisha Snoyer, host of the "Teach your Kids" podcast and founder of MasteryHour and Cottage Class.Manisha has been a homeschooling expert and advocate for many years and has built unique curriculum planners for 200 different archetypes of studentsManisha talks about the benefits of a homeschooling environment, particularly when it comes to accommodating kids that are neurodivergent or have learning disabilitiesLearn more here about the nine learning profiles for kids with learning disabilities and differences: https://teachyourkids.substack.com/p/cognitive-diversity-and-homeschooling

In this episode I thank everyone for reaching 10,000 downloads, recognize countries with the highest amount of streams and reflect on the original goals of this podcast, which still stand strong today.

In this episode I talk a little about differences in between autistic and neurotypical communication styles and the reasoning behind these differences.

In this episode I have my friend Melissa from "Oh, that's just my autism" back on the podcast to share our thoughts on "The Big Bang Theory". We discuss good things, relatable things and also issues and stereotypes perpetuated by the show.

In this episode my friend X and I review the new "Barbie" film together. We discuss general thoughts on the film, the representation of patriarchy and moments that may have been influenced by the lens of neurodiversity.

In this episode I talk with Iris Warchall (she/they), an autistic physical therapist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Iris talks about their journey as a late identified autistic person, what led them to pursue a career as a physical therapist and some main things that need to change in order for the medical field to become more neurodiversity affirming.Check out Iris' website: https://iriswarchall.com/

In this episode I give a brief overview of attachment insecurity and my experiences with it.

In this episode I give a brief summary of what sleep paralysis is and my personal experiences with it.

In this special episode, marking one year of the "Unpacking Neuroquerness" podcast, my friend Emma and I talk about her experiences with OCD and mental health. I also talk a little bit about my advocacy journey and how it all unfolded.