Shows
On the Human Spectrum"This Made Me Think of You" (& The Valley of Doubt)For today's episode I got to speak with the wonderful Brenna Maag, an absolutely delightful person and artist, about her Camera Illumina: an invitation to notice, an invitation to connect, and about the Valley of Doubt that artists visit when creating and sharing their art. I know I'm going to be coming back to listen to her words frequently for excellent company. You can find out more about Brenna at https://www.brennamaag.ca/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brennamaagcalendar/this-made-me-think-of-youFor the On the Human Spectrum MiniZine we talk about, th...
2025-10-2145 minOn the Human SpectrumLeaving the US for France, a (totally unexpected) adventureMy husband and I talk about why we left the US. I thought that we would focus on the more fun or positive aspects of the move, but of course the feelings of loss and the less fun parts showed up too. That's part of any adventure, isn't it? Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2025-09-0737 minOn the Human SpectrumInternational student'ing from Ecuador to Strasbourg, France with Maria EduardaFor today's episode I got to ask a smart and thoughtful international student Maria Eduarda all about moving from Ecuador to France for college. (I've recently moved from the US to France myself and wonder about how other people make these sorts of decisions.) I start off curious about the role of encouragement in her decision making, and realize that I was stuck on the role of specific people rather than communities. I was glad to have my view expanded. I really enjoyed our conversation and hope you do too.Send a comment/question t...
2025-07-3155 minOn the Human SpectrumThe Snail's Guide to Wandering w/Raheli Harper:)My guest today is RAHELI HARPER. Raheli is an artist, with a focus on fiber arts, and writer who lives in upstate New York, where she homesteads and homeschools. She’s the creator of The Snail’s Guide to Wandering, an awesome workshop on creativity. You can find her on Instagram: @raheliharper https://www.instagram.com/raheliharper/ and athttps://raheli.com/about/ I got to talk to her about homesteading, homeschooling, or rather unschooling, and how the creative process interrelates. Plus, the thrill of gear and delighting in your own b...
2025-07-231h 04On the Human SpectrumWork From Bed Friday's Amy Hoffman, former Burlesque Clown(!)For today's episode I got to talk to Amy Hoffman about her new podcast with her husband- Work From Bed Friday, where they explore- well, I can't say it better than they do! Here's their description:) "A committed couple of 30+ years, Amy and Tommy get ready to launch their first podcast! Funny, spicy, and insightful, they discuss marriage, sex, and connection through the lens of contemporary books and media. Every Friday. From bed. Their two-person way-better-than-a-bookclub discussion starts by analyzing Miranda July's All Fours. They dissect one chapter per episode, using it as a jumping off...
2025-05-1136 minOn the Human SpectrumThe 100 Day Project x The Lightmaker's Manifesto = SiDEWAYS Encouragement :)For today's episode, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about the 100 DAY PROJECT and THE LIGHTMAKER'S MANIFESTO by Karen Walrond. And how both can be a source of support, and yes- encouragement - for when you're feeling overwhelmed. SiDEWAYS "100 days of encouragement" on SubStack (I try to avoid IG/FB)https://onthehumanspectrum.substack.com/ (or see my website link below)The 100 DAY [art] PROJECT https://www.the100dayproject.org/&The LIGHTMAKER'S MANIFESTO How to work for change without losing...
2025-03-0408 minOn the Human SpectrumLGBTQIA+ chat w/ my trans teenagerIn today's episode, I chat with my nonbinary teenager about the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. (This episode was originally recorded/posted in Sept 2023. I wanted to remove a phrase given recent events and when re-published, it time-stamped as today's. Update: my teenager is still doing very well!)Questions and/or comments? Please email me at OntheHumanSpectrum@gmail.comConsider sharing this episode with family/friends if you found it thought-provoking, helpful in some way, or simply interesting:)Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.or...
2025-02-0851 minOn the Human SpectrumAutistic Doctors International's Stacy Greeter, MD Hope & HealingFor today's episode, I got to talk to Stacy Greeter, a physician I met through Autistic Doctors International. She's a psychiatrist who realized she was autistic only AFTER her medical training. We talk about how that came about, why not sooner, and her work as an advocate for other autistic clinicians. Plus, I got to ask her about her Little Mermaid presentation at Dragon Con:) On a secondary note, I was surprised to notice how much discomfort came up for me when thinking of sharing this conversation with non-autistics, especially clinicians. Basically reliving shame and feeling like a...
2025-02-031h 04On the Human SpectrumAutistic Parenting: What would we tell our younger selves?For today's episode, my husband and I talk about autistic parenting, from early fears to having a lot more fun these days, and what we would want to tell our younger selves. and holy moly- a big Thank you to Margaret(a), Quitiana and Palola as the kids called Paola, for getting us through the early years. And oops, a small correction - I said Gabriel Garcia Marquez, when I meant the poet Federico Garcia Lorca. oh well. and yes, he figured prominently for me. https://www.goodinside.com/podcast/
2025-01-011h 29On the Human SpectrumFOLLOW YOUR BLISS? Goats & flowers w/Eileen:)For today's episode, I got to talk again with one of my favorite people, Eileen:) We've previously spoken about synesthesia and facial blindness, and about how her time in graduate school felt like an island getaway. Today we talk about Following your bliss. Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2024-12-0150 minOn the Human SpectrumChat w/fab sister Stacey: Dyslexia, Autism and a Favorite Word:)My guest today is my fabulous sister, Stacey. I got to ask her about her experience with dyslexia as a child and now as an adult, (across three different continents – wait, four different continents, wow.) We also talk autism, labels and identity. She’s a therapist and her reflections are thoughtful and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do too. Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2024-10-211h 04On the Human SpectrumDoofy Bird Travel Series & Book Project w/Dana WheelesIt was a delight to talk with Dana Wheeles again about her fabulous Doofy Birds. We talk about her upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand for her Doofy Bird Travel Series and her Doofy Birds Book Project. I hope you enjoy hearing about how her plans are coming to fruition, or - ahem, are taking flight! (teehee.) https://www.deerhawkhealing.com/ Link to woodpecker card! and other fabulous Doofy Bird art & cards...https://www.deerhawkhealing.com/doofy-birds-artSend a comment/question to On...
2024-07-3153 minOn the Human SpectrumLet your GEEK FLAG FLY! w/Rachel:)My guest today is my wonderful friend Rachel. We had such a great time talking about ALL THINGS GEEK and letting our joyous GEEK FLAG FLY high. Starting with Rose City Comic Con and of course including a spirited discussion of Star Wars and Star Trek. Plus how to translate to non-Geek folks in your life- everyone welcome;)We had a great time and I hope you do too!(And we might have gotten carried away trash-talking some Star Wars movies- but we're still BIG fans! Or maybe that's even a sign of being super fans?!; )
2024-05-1249 minOn the Human SpectrumSpring Creek Blooms: Fresh Flowers, Creative Writing & Sleeping Bumble bees w/Susanna:)My guest this week is Susanna from Spring Creek Blooms. I got to ask her about her flower farm and her creative writing. Such a delight! You can find her online at https://www.springcreekblooms.com/https://www.instagram.com/springcreekblooms?igsh=MTEzOXFoNHlkMWR1NQ==Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2024-04-201h 12On the Human SpectrumFlirting with Failure & Nourishing Movement w/ Susan McCulleyFor today's episode, I got to talk with the wonderful Susan McCulley about her work, including her Nourishing Movement classes and Age of Becoming group. And about Flirting with Failure- yes, please! Website: Classes, Balance course, Books & Art & Bloghttps://www.susanmcculley.com/Age of Becoming: Embodied Practices Empowering Women Over 50 Private Facebook Grouphttps://www.susanmcculley.com/ Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/susanjmcculley/ YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/c/SusanMcCulley Aging Research by Becca Levyhttps://becca-levy.com/the-book/...
2024-04-011h 00On the Human SpectrumNASA, control & Surrender w/ Diane and twin Loulou:)My twin Loulou and I got to ask Diane about her work at NASA and her word of the year- Surrender. Super fun and I hope you enjoy as well:) Plus a little happy tangent about ads(!)Here's more information about the OSAM 1 project, and NASA in general:)https://www.nasa.gov/https://etd.gsfc.nasa.gov/our-work/in-space-servicing/osam/(and an update on OSAM 1: extended until Sept 2024 and then TBD)We also mention Stasia Savasuk's Word of the Year/ Wear Our Word (WOW) and RYT community and Style School. About cl...
2024-03-211h 21On the Human SpectrumYeiou Paper Objects's Abigail, Owner and Chief Paper FolderMy guest today is Abigail, Owner and Chief Paper Folder at Yeiou™. I got to ask Abigail how she started her cool business, Yeiou Paper Objects, which offers intricate detailed house portraits, elegant silhouettes, and neat maps. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you will too. From Abigail's website, for a taste of how delightful she is(!) "Why yeiou? Because vowels are important! Because making things up is fun. Because sillyness is underrated. Because the domain name was available. Because it rhymes with “Hi, you!” and I am all about enthusiastic greetings. Becaus...
2024-03-1254 minOn the Human SpectrumUh-oh, do I know you? Face blindness & synesthesiaEileen is one of my favorite people and we chatted about her time in graduate school in chemistry and how she got there, figuratively and literally, and then also talked about face blindness and synesthesia. I divided our conversation into two episodes: the longer one is about graduate school (posted separately) and this one is about face blindness and synesthesia. We had a good laugh about it, even if it causes us trouble! Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2024-02-2918 minOn the Human SpectrumMy island was graduate school in ChemistryFor today’s episode I got to talk to one of my favorite people about her time as a graduate student in Chemistry in the 1970s, and her route there, (literally and figuratively) including the wonderful story of how Eileen met her husband in Mesa Verde National Park when she drove cross country with a friend in October of 1960, camping outdoors along the way. Eileen is an absolute delight. (We also spoke about face blindness and synesthesia and had a good laugh- and I’m posting that in a separate episode.)I talked with Carolyn McGra...
2024-02-2958 minOn the Human SpectrumGo forth and Goblin? (~Fabulous book, Goblin Mode:)Today's episode is about the book Goblin Mode: How to get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck by McKayla Coyle (illustrations by Marian Churchland.) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720150/goblin-mode-by-mckayla-coyle/Apparently- "Goblin Mode" was Oxford's "Word of the Year" 2022 (I guess I was Goblining and missed that announcement!) thank you, Google.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goblin_mode#:~:text=Goblin%20mode%20is%20a%20neologism,Goblin%20illustration%20by%20John%20D.and I enjoyed this take from the Cleveland Clinic about Goblin Mode https://health.clevelandclinic.org/goblin-mode-and-your-health
2024-02-0113 minOn the Human SpectrumFrom (Back Swamp) dream to reality: The Yellow Mug Coffee Shop w/ Miss ValleyFor today's episode, I got to talk to the delightful Miss Valley about how she turned her dreams of owning a coffee shop into a reality:) You can find The Yellow Mug in Crozet, VA and online at...https://www.facebook.com/theyellowmugcrozet/https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/101353539632783/the-yellow-mug/Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2024-01-1149 minOn the Human SpectrumViolin v Guitar: (sneaky) Life lessons with hubby, JohnIn this episode I talk with my husband, John, about playing the guitar: my way of sneaking up on the bigger questions: failure, success, happiness. Life lesson relearned: I'm not good at being sneaky. Or grammar: i love the colon and semi-colon far too much.Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2023-12-2745 minOn the Human SpectrumWhat kind of plant are you? Crozet Plant Social w/Courtney O'ConnellMy guest today is the wonderful Courtney O'Connell, owner of Crozet Plant Social. I got to hear how Courtney started (grew?) her fabulous new business and talk all things plants. And I might have gotten carried away with plant metaphors.You can find her in Crozet, Virginia at The Nest (below Bluebird & Company) and online https://www.instagram.com/crozetplantsocialRepotting Your Life book mentioned, by Frances Edmundshttps://www.google.com/books/edition/Repotting_Your_Life/CZ5BEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
2023-12-1159 minOn the Human SpectrumTwo Faces of the Moon: A Small Island Memoir [set in Bobs Lake, Ontario] w/ author Carolyn McGrathI got to talk with author Carolyn McGrath about her beautiful new memoir. https://www.carolynmcgrath.net/two-faces-of-the-moonSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2023-11-2146 minOn the Human SpectrumWant to feel (even) better? Yes please! :) Holistic healing & Forest bathing w/ Nastasia:) You can find Nastasia on the web at: https://www.saplusbelleharmonie.fr/Harvard Gazette article on Forest Bathing:)https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/walk-woods-may-boost-mental-health?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Gazette%2020230905%20(1)https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-forest-therapy-enhance-health-and-well-being-2020052919948Fabulous Quarantine Questions by Brooke Anderson in Greater Good Berkeley https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_daily_questions_to_ask_yourself_in_quarantineSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2023-10-3121 minOn the Human SpectrumAn invitation to a Bain de Foret/Forest Bath with Nastasia :)A guided walk in the woods (Bain de Foret/ Forest Bathing) with Nastasia https://www.saplusbelleharmonie.fr/For my conversation with Nastasia about becoming a Holistic healer after her time as an International relief/aid worker, please see that episode:)Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2023-10-3111 minOn the Human SpectrumQ & A... Questions? Eek. Me too:)In this episode, I answer real and imagined questions about this podcast (and about me.) Eek. Thank you to my guests who have answered my questions on previous episodes! And I'm looking forward to getting back to just asking the questions (not answering them;)Questions I take a stab at include... my definition of "neuro-interesting"?my answer to "success?" Why no men interviewed (yet)? Joyful struggles of podcasting tech?! -with helpful links:) Here's what I have used- not paid/affiliated/endorsing- just sharing what I've en...
2023-09-2114 minOn the Human SpectrumDivorce Party... Checking Assumptions & Flying JetsFor today’s episode, I got to talk with a thoughtful friend about her Divorce Party.I loved hearing about how she was questioning her assumptions and we both laughed at the need for feeling your darn feelings- so hard sometimes. Plus we talked learning stick shift and flying jets. I had a great time and hope you enjoy as well. Mentioned in today's conversation:Dr. Becky & the Good Inside Podcast- a great resource for parents of any aged kids and for 'reparenting' yourself! (Even if you don't have kids, it's worth a...
2023-09-111h 02On the Human SpectrumAutistic (doctor/writer) friends compare contrast and giggleMy guest today is a wonderful friend who shares her experience as an adult realizing that she’s on the autistic spectrum. I refer to her as aka-K because she feels uncomfortable with her actual name being out there.Aka K is a physician, turned writer, parent of an autistic nonbinary trans child, and married to a physician-scientist. And funnily enough- that describes my background as well. In this episode, we compare notes about how we feel about autism in our lives. And aka- K surprised me with some of her answers. ...
2023-08-3140 minOn the Human SpectrumChat w/ my twin Loulou ~ autism, the Uncanny Valley and other detoursToday my guest is my wonderful twin, known as Loulou to family and friends. We talk autism, the uncanny valley, finding your people and standard deviations, among other detours. And giggle – a lot. For more info and the right originator of "uncanny valley"- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valleyand for questions, concerns, or comments, you can email me atonthehumanspectrum@gmail.comSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2023-08-2148 minOn the Human SpectrumALL BODIES TRAVEL w/ founder & poet Rhed MorganMy guest today is RHED MORGAN. She’s an absolute delight. She’s an American poet and the founder of a new company called ALL BODIES TRAVEL. You can find her at allbodiestravel.com.We talk poetry, starting a new business, travel & chicken masks.I hope you enjoy her as much as I do! https://www.allbodiestravel.com/https://onthehumanspectrum.org/I met Rhed through Stasia Savasuk's fabulous class and amazing online community, for more information (including her great TedTalk) visit her at...
2023-07-3142 minOn the Human SpectrumTangerine Meg, delightful Australian artistMy guest today is TANGERINE MEG. MARGIE is an artist in Adelaide, Australia, and like her artwork – she’s delightful. You can find her online at Tangerine Meg:https://www.tangerinemeg.com/It was such a joy to get to talk to her about her art (and the size of spiders in Australia:)I met Margie in one of Stasia Savasuk's classes and through her fabulous online community. You can find out more about Stasia (including links to her Ted talk) at:https://www.stasiasavasuk.com/
2023-07-3141 minOn the Human SpectrumDana Wheeles of Deerhawk Healing & Art Studio in VirginiaMy guest today is DANA WHEELESDana is an artist, author of Doofy Birds, a life coach, and energy healer.It was a joy to talk to her about her art, life coaching, radio show/ music, and her future plans for her fabulous Doofy Birds.You can find her at https://www.deerhawkhealing.com/and on WTJU, a University of Virginia-associated radio station in Charlottesville Virginia, as one of the hosts of "Carry the Zero," https://www.wtju.net/ Se...
2023-07-3138 minOn the Human SpectrumEpisode 0 TrailerSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/
2023-04-1100 min