Adulting with Autism

• Dating, Boundaries & Burnout: Therapist Nicole Penrod on Mixed-Neurotype Love, Creative Healing & Autistic Adulting

  Send us a textToday I’m sitting down with Nicole Penrod, MFT—a therapist and writer who works with neurodivergent adults, creatives, and mixed-neurotype couples. We dig into the real-world stuff: how to spot autistic burnout before it flattens you, unmask without losing your identity, set boundaries that actually stick, and navigate dating, breakups, and repair when ADHD and autism meet. Nicole also shares low-overwhelm tools (structured journaling, decision frameworks, nervous-system check-ins) you can start using today.You’ll learn:Burnout vs. depression vs. “I’m just done”—how to tell the differenceUnmasking with safety: scripts for work, friends, and partnersMixed-neurotype conflict: reduce shame, raise clarity, repair fasterDating while autistic/ADHD: green flags, hard passes, and pacingCreativity as regulation: using story to process big feelingsWhat therapists wish ND clients knew about progress and relapseAbout Nicole: Nicole Penrod is a Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in creatives, the entertainment industry, neurodivergent adults, and mixed-neurotype relationships. She blends clinical tools with practical, compassionate coaching to help you heal, grow, and move forward.— Events & Summits • Social Connections Summit (Patterns of Possibility): https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/scs2025 • Thrive / NeuroThrive Autism Workshop (my link): https://autismsupport.live/july-aprilratchfordSupport & Affiliates 🛒 Support the podcast & merch: linktr.ee/adultingwithautism ⚡ Tools for neurodivergent success: MFISH 4-in-1 Charger https://mfish.shop/discount/mfishAdultingwithAutismPodcast • Show Merch: https://adulting-with-autism-shop.fourthwall.com/Connect with Nicole • Website: NicolePenrodMFT.com • Instagram: @activate_resilienceConnect with the Show • IG: @adulting_autism • TikTok: @adultingautismbts • YouTube: Adulting With AutismKeep fierce. Keep focused. Keep Adulting With Autism.The Social Connections Summit is a virtual two-day event for professionals committed to building more inclusive, compassionate, and connected workplaces.This year, we’re centering the voices of late-identified Autistic, AuDHD, and ADHD professionals especially those who struggle to get accommodations, feel misunderstood, or find it hard to connect at work.Come as you are. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.mfish: Organize. Simplify. WinEco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and lifeNeuroThriveEmpowering autism families with expert workshops, live Q&A, and global support.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show@[email protected]

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• Daniel Durany on Real-World Adulting: Jobs, Dating, Driving, Budgeting & Self-Advocacy (Autism)

  Send us a textAutism advocate, author, and year-round sports official Daniel Durany joins me to get practical about adulting: keeping a job (not just getting one), dating without panic, building independence behind the wheel, and budgeting so freedom lasts. Daniel’s spoken across the country (Texas State Autism Conference, Oklahoma State Autism Conference ’14 & ’24, Virginia Tech keynote 2023, Joining Forces 2025) and served on the Texas Council on Autism & PDD—so this is real talk with receipts.What you’ll learnWork that sticks: mentors, social savvy, and asking for reasonable accommodationsSelf-advocacy 101 → 401: IEP/504 tips that translate to adult life and HRDating on purpose: pace, boundaries, and reading signals without spiralingDriving independence: step-by-step progression (lot → neighborhood → roads → highway)Money basics that actually work: simple tracking, guardrails, and weekly reviewsDopamine management: gaming vs. outdoor reps—how to rebalance, not “quit”Rural resources: how to build the group you wish existedAbout DanielAutism speaker, writer, consultant, mentor; founded an Asperger’s support group with FEAT-NTMember, Texas Council on Autism & PDDYear-round sports official (softball, basketball, volleyball) and sports analyst/writerLinks & resources🎟️ NeuroThrive Autism Workshop (Dr. Ana Villalaz) — 10+ hrs of expert sessions + replays https://autismsupport.live/ntsalespage-july-step?am_id=aprilratchford🤝 Social Connections Summit — tools for authentic relationships & community https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/scs2025🛍️ Show Merch (support the pod) https://adulting-with-autism-shop.fourthwall.com/🛒 Support the podcast & merch: linktr.ee/adultingwithautism ⚡ Tools for neurodivergent success: MFISH 4-in-1 Charger https://mfish.shop/discount/mfishAdultingwithAutismPodcastConnectDaniel Durany — LinkedIn | Facebook | X (search “Daniel Durany”) Adulting With Autism — IG / FB / LinkedIn / TikTok / YouTube (tag us with your takeaways)If this episode helped, follow the show, drop ★★★★★, and share it with one parent or young adult who needs the boost.Keep fierce. Keep focused. Keep Adulting with Autism.The Social Connections Summit is a virtual two-day event for professionals committed to building more inclusive, compassionate, and connected workplaces.This year, we’re centering the voices of late-identified Autistic, AuDHD, and ADHD professionals especially those who struggle to get accommodations, feel misunderstood, or find it hard to connect at work.Come as you are. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.mfish: Organize. Simplify. WinEco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and lifeNeuroThriveEmpowering autism families with expert workshops, live Q&A, and global support.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show@[email protected]

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• Z's First Week at Marshall University: Independence, Growth & Real Talk | Adulting with Autism

  Send us a textIn this deeply personal episode of Adulting with Autism, host April shares the raw, real, and remarkable reflections on her autistic son Ahzerei's first week of college at Marshall University. From roommate tension to navigating Vocational Rehabilitation, this is the story of a young man choosing to stay, stand strong, and hold his own — and the mama bear cheering him on from a distance.Plus — we're officially moving to a Monday/Wednesday/Saturday episode schedule starting September to bring you even more content, stories, and advocacy from the neurodivergent adulting journey.If you're an autistic young adult, a parent, or a professional supporting this transition to independence, you need this episode. This is about resilience, real-world advocacy, and the power of choosing your own path.🔗 Subscribe now and follow our journey — because independence doesn't happen overnight, but the decision to rise up starts with one powerful week.Support the show@[email protected]

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• From Adult Autism Dx to 500K Views: Kyle Wright’s Rubik’s Cube Art & “You Are Loved” Movement

  Send us a textIn July 2024, Kyle Wright was diagnosed autistic as an adult—and everything shifted. He left gaming streams, picked up 100 mini Rubik’s Cubes, and started creating mosaic art that exploded on YouTube. In 60 days, Kyle doubled his subs; by December, one month pulled ~500K views and +2K subs. Now “Kyle Cubes” is a daily practice in creativity, routine, and faith—with a message at the center: Know That You Are Loved.In this episodeAdult diagnosis & identity: turning shutdown into structureWhy cubes? Sensory satisfaction, predictability, and creative flowDaily Shorts strategy: consistency, simple hooks, tight pacingFrom burnout to purpose: building art and a movementPartnering in life & art: how Cammy supports and co-createsThe heart of it all: spreading love, hope, and belonging—one cube at a timeConnect with KyleYouTube: Kyle Cubes ([add link])Instagram/TikTok: @KyleCubes ([add handles if different])“Know That You Are Loved” Movement: ([add link])Summits & resources🎟 Social Connections Summit (2025): https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/scs2025?utm_source=Patterns+of+Possibility&utm_campaign=6411a19898-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_06_14_08_12&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c0da2db4f0-6411a19898-1449717693🌍 NeuroThrive / Autism Support Live (July): https://autismsupport.live/july-aprilratchfordSupport & affiliates🛒 Support the podcast & merch: https://adulting-with-autism-shop.fourthwall.com/ ⚡ Tools for neurodivergent success: MFISH 4-in-1 Charger https://mfish.shop/discount/mfishAdultingwithAutismPodcastRate ★★★★★, share with a friend, and help more neurodivergent adults find tools that actually work.Keep fierce. Keep focused. Keep Adulting with Autism.The Social Connections Summit is a virtual two-day event for professionals committed to building more inclusive, compassionate, and connected workplaces.This year, we’re centering the voices of late-identified Autistic, AuDHD, and ADHD professionals especially those who struggle to get accommodations, feel misunderstood, or find it hard to connect at work.Come as you are. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.mfish: Organize. Simplify. WinEco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and lifeNeuroThriveEmpowering autism families with expert workshops, live Q&A, and global support.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show@[email protected]

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• Control Your Career: Burnout, Pivots & Advocacy for Neurodivergent Pros w/ Julia Toothacre

  Send us a textFeeling stuck, burned out, or boxed in at work? Career strategist Julia Toothacre (Ride The Tide Collective) breaks down how neurodivergent professionals can own their careers—without masking or burning out. We cover smart pivots (without “starting over”), asking for accommodations that actually help, navigating toxic managers, handling feedback without spiraling, and building influence in ways that fit your brain.In this episodeHow to spot misfit roles vs. misfit cultures—and what to do nextPractical accommodations (agendas, debriefs, flexible hours) that boost performanceManager conflict: scripts, documentation, and when to loop in HRCareer pivots that don’t send you back to entry-levelAdvocacy without oversharing: lead with strengths like pattern recognitionBurnout cues, recovery, and sustainable advancementAbout JuliaJulia Toothacre is a strategic career consultant, coach, and host of the Control Your Career podcast. She’s guided thousands of high-achieving professionals with a 5-phase framework to clarify goals, build influence, and move up—minus the burnout.Links & resources🧠 Julia’s site & podcast: RideTheTideCollective.com 🎙️ Control Your Career (podcast): search “Control Your Career – Ride The Tide Collective”Events & Summits✨ NeuroThrive Autism Workshop (July 31): https://autismsupport.live/july-aprilratchford 🤝 Social Connections Summit 2025: https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/scs2025Support & affiliates🛒 Support the podcast & merch: linktr.ee/adultingwithautism ⚡ Tools for neurodivergent success: MFISH 4-in-1 Charger https://mfish.shop/discount/mfishAdultingwithAutismPodcast(Direct shop) https://adulting-with-autism-shop.fourthwall.com/ (NeuroThrive alt link) https://autismsupport.live/ntsalespage-july-step?am_id=aprilratchfordConnect with JuliaWebsite: RideTheTideCollective.com LinkedIn: search “Julia Toothacre” Podcast: Control Your CareerConnect with Adulting With AutismInstagram | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn: linktr.ee/adultingwithautism Email: [email protected]— keep fierce. keep focused. keep adulting with autism.The Social Connections Summit is a virtual two-day event for professionals committed to building more inclusive, compassionate, and connected workplaces.This year, we’re centering the voices of late-identified Autistic, AuDHD, and ADHD professionals especially those who struggle to get accommodations, feel misunderstood, or find it hard to connect at work.Come as you are. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.mfish: Organize. Simplify. WinEco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and lifeNeuroThriveEmpowering autism families with expert workshops, live Q&A, and global support.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show@[email protected]

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