From the Spectrum: Finding Superpowers with Autism

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► Tell us about you and your podcast

Autistic since the early 80s, but Dx'd much later in life. I am a current student in a PsyD program. My podcast intends to teach the lay public and professionals about what Autism is. I believe people do not have a full understanding of Autism. In addition, I want people to understand Autism ought to be considered a phenomena, and we have Superpowers. My podcasts bring real-life experiences to the crude symptoms of the condition. I intend to have listeners of all backgrounds- autistics, parents, professionals, and more. I will review traits and biology.
 

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I started the podcast because it has come to my attention that people are unaware of what Autism is. People are hitched on their previous learning and beliefs of Autism. Humans do not do a good job at expanding their capacity to apply critical thinking. We get to a point where something makes sense to us and we think that must be it, or that is it. Then, we stop asking questions. Every form of learning begins with underlying feelings of frustration and we don't like those feelings. This prevents people from expanding.

My podcast is new(er), beginning in late March. So far I have been able to release an episode every 8 days on average. I am working on if a certain day of the week gives me more downloads. I am Autistic, so I don't market and persuade well, and this brings challenges. My goal is to continue releasing episodes so the information is available. The best podcasts about Autism are the ones from people with Autism.
 

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

I am Autistic- so I love fixated interests. However, I HATE the language used in the DSM and by others- parents/guardians, educators, professionals, et cetera. It is NOT "abnormal" in intensity or focus- it IS a gift, A SUPERPOWER. It is just, society and others do not know how to take it when people are different from them, or different from their beliefs. (see above).

I am a Full Time Doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, a single parent of two teenagers, and work part-time, if we want to do something, we will do it. Plus, I am Autistic, so I don't have other social obligations or desires.
 

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

Maybe it supplements connections and relationships, or maybe it allows me to speak my mind to others. Whatever those underlying gains, it does not matter, the primary goal is teaching people- What is Autism? Currently, I am seven weeks into Podcasting and I have an RAS of 22. In April, I received around 300 downloads. The analytics will come with the work I put in and information I convey.
 

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

I use GarageBand and a microphone I saw from a DIY podcasting website. Apparently, it is the same one Tim Ferriss uses. He is a decent podcaster to follow. So, I just research the topic of that episode using top scientific journals- Nature, Cell, et cetera, top researchers in Autism- Lord, Grandin, Deisseroth, Baron-Cohen, and many more, and my life experiences. That provides me with good data and I take notes on the episode and record.
 

► How do you market your show?

So far I only post on my Facebook (which does not have many people or so-called "friends" and on X). Marketing is HARD. I receive data from RSS on my analytics. Listen Notes claims I am in the top 10%.
 

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

Do it. Humans love to over-think, but bias yourself into action. I heard this on a podcast- "mood follows action" and that's true.
 

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

https://www.evansville.edu/aces-of-ue/ryan-sumner.cfm
https://media.rss.com/fromthespectrum/feed.xml
https://twitter.com/rps47586