Adulting with Autism

Feeling stuck in survival mode as an autistic or AuDHD adult—checking all the boxes on paper but still burned out, unfulfilled, or unsure what you actually want? This episode of Adulting With Autism explores self-love and life direction with Chandra Lynn, a certified transformation coach, former Apple/Mercedes marketing leader, and author of Root to Rise: How to Love Life When It's Messy, When It's Hard.​
Chandra breaks down her Root to Rise framework, which looks at key areas of life—like career, relationships, health, and creativity—and helps you line them up with core emotional needs such as security, variety, growth, connection, and contribution. She shares simple journaling prompts like "What do I want? Why? What am I willing to try?" to help you get out of autopilot and start making choices that actually fit you, not just what others expect.​
You will hear how her own path from high-pressure corporate roles into more aligned, heart-centered work unfolded in zigzags, not straight lines—and why that is normal, especially for neurodivergent adults. Chandra offers practical tools for exploring purpose through experiments and "try-ons," building authentic relationships, and practicing self-love in the middle of messy, imperfect life rather than waiting to "fix everything" first.​
This episode is especially helpful if you:
Feel like you are surviving but not really living

Are questioning your career, relationships, or direction as a late-diagnosed autistic or AuDHD adult

Want a grounded framework to check in with your needs and make kinder, more aligned choices

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.
Merch for your Root to Rise journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Root Your Rise"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.
Resources mentioned:
Root to Rise: How to Love Life When It's Messy, When It's Hard

Chandra's quiz, courses, and coaching at glowliving.com

Growing up with labels like "too emotional," "overreacting," or "ice queen," and now struggling to understand what you actually feel as an autistic or AuDHD adult? This episode of Adulting With Autism dives into emotion regulation for autistic adults with Jenn Veilleux, clinical psychologist, professor, and author of Open to Emotion, who blends her theater background with science to support authentic emotional expression.
Jenn shares her own journey from being called "too emotional" to seeing emotional intensity as a form of being a "super-taster" of feelings. She talks about the difference between awareness and attention—how you can notice emotions without getting completely swept away—and offers metaphors like watching emotions move through like wind instead of something you have to hold onto forever.
You will hear practical tools for:
Unmasking your emotions after years of pushing them down or performing what others expect

Using body signals (interoception) as early warning signs so you can regulate sooner

Sitting with emotions long enough to understand them without drowning in them

Challenging myths about ADHD and "overreacting" so you can embrace your full range

This episode is especially helpful if you:
Struggle to identify what you feel until you are already overwhelmed

Have been told your emotions are "too much" or "not enough" your whole life

Want language and tools to unmask emotionally at a pace that feels safe

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.
Merch for your emotional journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Emotional Range Journal"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.
Resources mentioned:
Open to Emotion by Jenn Veilleux

Workshops and more at jenncveilleux.com

Stuck in limiting beliefs as an autistic or AuDHD adult—thoughts like "I am not good enough because of autism" or feeling like different "parts" of you are constantly fighting each other? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, Tamara Andreas joins to talk about Core Transformation, a gentle inner-work process she co-developed that has been taught worldwide for over 30 years.​
Tamara explains the idea of "parts" in a grounded way: the part that wants to keep you safe, the part that is scared of change, the part that believes you have to mask. She walks through how to acknowledge these parts with respect, ask what they are trying to do for you, and then guide them toward deeper "core states" such as peace, love, or OK-ness—without forcing yourself to "think positive."​
You will hear a guided example of the process, how Core Transformation grew out of her and Connirae Andreas' work, and why this approach can be especially supportive for autistic and ADHD adults who have been shamed, gaslit, or told to "fix" themselves. We also talk about pacing, safety, and why it is okay to pause or come back to the process as needed.​
This episode is especially helpful if you:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Carry a lot of shame or harsh self-talk tied to autism or being "too sensitive"

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Feel fragmented, like different parts of you are pulling in opposite directions

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Want a structured, yet compassionate way to explore inner peace and self-acceptance

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.
Merch for your inner work journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Core Self Guide"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.
Resources mentioned:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Core Transformation® book and materials

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Free micro-book and videos at andreasnlp.com

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Trainings and more at coretransformation.org

Stuck in limiting beliefs as an autistic or AuDHD adult—thoughts like “I am not good enough because of autism” or feeling like different “parts” of you are constantly fighting each other? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, Tamara Andreas joins to talk about Core Transformation, a gentle inner-work process she co-developed that has been taught worldwide for over 30 years.​

Tamara explains the idea of “parts” in a grounded way: the part that wants to keep you safe, the part that is scared of change, the part that believes you have to mask. She walks through how to acknowledge these parts with respect, ask what they are trying to do for you, and then guide them toward deeper “core states” such as peace, love, or OK-ness—without forcing yourself to “think positive.”​

You will hear a guided example of the process, how Core Transformation grew out of her and Connirae Andreas’ work, and why this approach can be especially supportive for autistic and ADHD adults who have been shamed, gaslit, or told to “fix” themselves. We also talk about pacing, safety, and why it is okay to pause or come back to the process as needed.​

This episode is especially helpful if you:

Carry a lot of shame or harsh self-talk tied to autism or being “too sensitive”

Feel fragmented, like different parts of you are pulling in opposite directions

Want a structured, yet compassionate way to explore inner peace and self-acceptance

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on Podbean, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.

Merch for your inner work journey:
Get 20% off journals, tees, and “Core Self Guide”–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

Resources mentioned:

Core Transformation® book and materials

Free micro-book and videos at andreasnlp.com

Trainings and more at coretransformation.org

Struggling with routines, self-doubt, or turning your creative passions into a real career as a late-diagnosed autistic or AuDHD adult? This episode of Adulting With Autism features JD Barker, a New York Times bestselling thriller author with 19 books to his name, co-writing credits with James Patterson, and a late autism diagnosis at 22.​
JD shares his journey from finance to full-time writing in his 40s, including ghostwriting multiple NYT bestsellers before building his own career and imprint. He talks about realistic writing routines (like aiming for 2–3K words a day and then shutting down work at a set time), how he structures his days to protect his focus, and how he uses autistic strengths such as pattern-spotting and deep focus to build complex plots.​
You will hear practical details on co-writing (splitting strengths and tasks), creating believable characters (using sketches and “actor” benchmarks to make them feel real), and reframing feedback—seeing reviews and early drafts as part of finding your voice rather than proof you should quit. JD also offers encouragement for autistic and ADHD creatives who worry they are “too late” or “too inconsistent” to ever finish a project.​
This episode is especially helpful if you:
Are a late-diagnosed autistic or AuDHD creator trying to build a sustainable routine
Dream of writing novels or long-form work but feel stuck or overwhelmed
Want concrete examples of how an autistic author structures work, rest, and creativity
If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on Podbean, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it.
Merch for your writing journey: Get 20% off journals, notebooks, and “Storyteller’s Edge”–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.
Resources mentioned:
JD Barker’s books and updates at jdbarker.com