Autistic Adulthood: Work and Beyond (Remix)

Autistic Adulthood: Work and Beyond (Remix)

Author: ksqd.org September 2, 2026 Duration: 58:00
Episode 94: What does it mean to navigate adulthood as an autistic person in a world that isn’t always designed with neurodivergent people in mind? In this remixed and re-edited episode, we revisit an important conversation about autistic adulthood—challenging outdated stereotypes and exploring the real-life experiences, strengths, and challenges of people with autism as they navigate relationships, work, identity, and support. We’re joined by psychotherapists, self-advocates, and autism experts Lou Ursa and Jasmeen Miah, who share professional insight and personal perspective. Together, we explore how greater understanding of neurodiversity can broaden the way we think about difference, disability, belonging, and what it means to live authentically. This remix also features a new In Your Voice story from Paul Bondonno, an autistic adult who shares his experience facing challenges in the workplace. Paul talks about how he eventually resolved those difficulties—and reflects on why he wishes he had reached out for help sooner. Paul, Lou, and Jasmeen remind us that there is no single experience of autistic adulthood—and that listening to autistic people is an important place to start. Broadcasts: 9/6/26 & 9/14/26 Producer & Host: Debra Sloss LMFT Guests: Lou Ursa, LMFT & Jasmeen Miah, LMFT Contributor: Paul Bondonno 🎧  LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Never miss an episode! Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Amazon Music  / YouTube Podcasts / Pandora  / TuneIn Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review to help others discover us. 📚 ACCESSIBILITY             Transcription. Read the full English transcript of this episode here:             English Transcription – Episode 94: Autistic Adulthood: Work and Beyond (Remix)             Closed Captions. Prefer to watch with captions?             View/Listen on YouTube and turn on the closed captioning feature in the settings. 🤝 ENGAGE WITH US Join Our Email List Want to know our topic each month? Sign up here. Suggest a Topic or Share a Story Do you have a story or topic idea? Email: debra.stateofmind@ksqd.org Follow Us Facebook & Instagram: @stateofmind.radioandpodcast 🎙️ SHARE YOUR STORY Record your 1–3 minute message about a personal mental health experience or recovery resource for an “In Your Voice” segment. Call: 831-824-4324, Or record on your phone and email to debra.stateofmind@ksqd.org. ❤️SUPPORT OR UNDERWRITE Love State of Mind and KSQD? Become a supporter or underwrite the show to reach a thoughtful audience. Learn more at KSQD. 🧠ABOUT STATE OF MIND State of Mind is an all-volunteer produced mental health and wellness podcast and radio show hosted by psychotherapist Debra Sloss. Through intimate, story-rich conversations with guests and experts, we explore the complexity of being human and how to live well. Learn more at stateofmindmedia.org. Produced with support from KSQD Community Radio. 🙏 SPECIAL THANKS Audio Production: Austin Gautreau Community Coordination: Evelyn Campbell Story Coaching: Patrice Vecchione Research: Sara Isenberg Transcriptions:  Niharika Naik & Leah Bilstad Graphic Design: Joanne Quan & Grishma Jain Marketing: Esmeralda Montero Content Distribution: Loan Tran Theme Music: Adrian Legg & Favored Nations Entertainment   RESOURCES * Indicates a Monterey Bay Area Resource  Books & Reading Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity  by Dr. Devon Price (2022) – An exploration into the spectrum of autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked autism, giving individuals tools to uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity. An insightful deep-dive with expansive views into the autistic experience by an autistic author. What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic: Unpuzzling Life on the Autism Spectrum by Annie Kotowicz – Written by an autistic author this book provides a good look into what being autistic is like. While this book is written to help explain this to non-autistic

Tune into the vibrant, unfiltered voice of California's Central Coast with KSQD 90.7 FM Santa Cruz. This community-powered podcast brings the eclectic spirit of local radio directly to your ears, featuring a rich tapestry of conversations and stories you won't find anywhere else. Each episode reflects the unique character of the region, diving into pressing local news, insightful cultural commentary, and thoughtful explorations of society and the arts. You'll hear from educators, artists, activists, and everyday neighbors, all contributing to a dynamic and authentic dialogue. Produced by ksqd.org, the audio captures the essence of community engagement, offering a platform where diverse perspectives on education, culture, and current events are not just heard but celebrated. Listening feels like dropping in on a smart, passionate, and sometimes delightfully quirky town hall meeting, where the topics shift from environmental issues to artistic breakthroughs with genuine curiosity. This podcast is your direct line to the heartbeat of Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas, perfect for anyone who believes media should be rooted in place and people. It’s more than a broadcast; it’s an ongoing, collective conversation that invites you to listen, learn, and connect with the Central Coast community, wherever you are.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

KSQD 90.7 FM Santa Cruz
Podcast Episodes
Caution: Quail X-ing on The Sunday Dinner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Local band Quail X-ing keeps DJ Dupsie’s 2nd Annual Summer Music Series going into September! Listen to their story and their music; become the next Quail X-ing fan! IG: @quailxingmusic YouTube: @QuailXingSC
Kristin Key, The Lesbian Army and Queer Story Telling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Hear the coming out story and rise to fame of Kristin Key, a nationally touring queer musical comedian who performed to a sold out crowd at Santa Cruz Shakespeare on September 21. She is known for her high-energy perform…
Practical Magic 2: Film Gang Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
In this recent wave of lackluster sequels to films from the late ’90s and early 2000s—The Devil Wears Prada 2, Freakier Friday, and Zootopia 2, to name a few—I really wasn’t expecting much from Practical Magic 2. But I w…
Who Killed the American Dream with Thom Hartmann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Who Killed the American Dream? “Be Bold America!” Airs September 18, 2026 at 5:00pm (PT) In 1886, a corrupt court reporter inserted a single fraudulent sentence into the official record of a Supreme Court case. The Court…
Don’t Say Good Luck: Film Gang Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Don’t Say Good Luck, from director Julia Hart, delivers a tender and emotional coming-of-age story centering a teenager grappling with typical high school woes and her mother’s illness. This film weaves the various chall…
Was America Wired for Authoritarianism from the Start? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Was America Wired for Authoritarianism from the Start? Be Bold America! September 4, 2026 @ 5:00pm (PT) Since Donald Trump ascended to the presidency, Americans are increasingly concerned about authoritarianism and creep…
Coyote vs. Acme: Film Gang Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Coyote vs. Acme, directed by David Green and written by Sammy Burch, offers a modern twist on the Looney Tunes classic cartoon series. This family-friendly movie will appeal to kids for the anticipated chase and slapstic…