Advertise on podcast: Late To The Party - a podcast on Autism, AuDHD and Neurodivergence

In this episode, I’m joined by Jodie Herbert, a neurodiversity mentor, lifelong carer, disability advocate, and the founder of Ability Pathways. Jodie has one of those rare brains that can take chaos, complexity, and bureaucratic nonsense and turn it into actual support, actual progress, and actual hope. She’s spent decades navigating disability from every angle: as a parent, a partner, a carer, and now as someone helping adults and the invisible labour neurodivergent people carry every day. And because I can’t help myself… I also dive into my own past. While digging through old family documents for Ancestry, I found my high‑school report cards, those 80's classics where teachers wrote things so blunt they could strip paint. I read out some of the worst ones on the show. If you’ve ever been called lazy, unfocused, or “destined for ruin,” this episode is for you. If you enjoy the podcast and want to help me keep it going, please consider supporting me on Patreon. It’s literally the price of a cuppa a month, and it means the world, helping me cover hosting, equipment, and the time it takes to make these conversations happen. Ability Pathways Australia (official site) https://abilitypathways.au #Neurodiversity #ActuallyAutistic #LateDiagnosedAutistic #AutismAcceptance #Neurospicy #ADHDAwareness #InvisibleDisability #WorkplaceInclusion #ExecutiveFunction #NDInTheWorkplace #AccessibilityMatters #SupportThatWorks #NDIS #NDISAustralia #LateToThePartyPodcast #AutismPodcast #NDStories #RealTalkND #PodcastLife #AustralianPodcasts #80sSchoolSurvivor #ReportCardRoast #TheyWereWrong #NeurodivergentKidsGrowUp #MisunderstoodAndThriving #SupportIndependentPodcasts #PriceOfACuppa #PatreonCreator

In this episode of Late to the Party, Dan speaks with MJ Warfield about what it’s really like to work in a job that looks completely incompatible with an AuDHD brain. Loud, chaotic, high‑pressure, the kind of environment most of us would run from. But MJ shows how building a career around your special interests can flip the script entirely. She shares the quiet superpower that helps her thrive in a loud job, and why it works. Later, Dan sits down with his friend of forty years, Martin Ryan, for a conversation about late diagnosis, self‑knowledge, and the strange clarity that arrives when you finally get the right lens for understanding your own life. It’s thoughtful, funny, and grounded in the kind of honesty only long friendships allow. If you enjoy the show and if you’d happily meet Dan once a month and buy him a coffee, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon. Your support keeps the show independent, covers production costs, and ensures Dan can keep making the kind of episodes no sponsor would ever approve… especially the song he wrote for Martin at the end of this one. Links: The Round: https://theround.com.auMartin on Insta @martin_t_ryanSupport the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/LateToThePartyAutismPodcast Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com #LateToThePartyPodcast #AutismPodcast #AuDHD #NeurodivergentVoices #LateDiagnosis #IndependentPodcast #MJWarfield #MartinRyan #MelbournePodcasts #Neurospicy

This week on Late To The Party, I chat with author and engineer Travis Alexander about his memoir, life as a late-diagnosed autistic adult, and the many unexpected twists that led him to where he is today. We talk about relationships, communication, travel disasters, fatherhood, breakdancing, engineering, and the challenge of making sense of a world that often feels a little confusing. Honest, funny and deeply relatable, this is a conversation about self-discovery, resilience and finding your place in the world. Find Travis Alexander 📖 Stairway to the Spectrum https://www.travisalexander.com.au/book 🌐 Website https://www.travisalexander.com.au/ 🎧 Audiobook available on Spotify and Audible. Paperback and eBook available through Amazon. Instagram: @travisalexanderbooks Facebook: @TravisAlexander TikTok: @travisalexanderbooks #LateToThePartyPodcast #TravisAlexander #Autism #AutisticAdults #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic #AutismAwareness #LateDiagnosis #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #Parenting #Relationships #AuthorInterview #Memoir #PodcastAustralia #MelbournePodcast #DisabilityInclusion #Breakdancing #Engineering #SelfDiscovery #PodcastLife #NeurodivergentVoices #BooksAndAuthors #AustralianAuthor #LifeStories #AUDHD #ADHD #DanKerr #StairwayToTheSpectrum

Send us Fan Mail Episode 72 of Late To The Party is live, and today we’re going full neuro‑nerd with the incredible Sadie Dingfelder.   Sadie is a science reporter who discovered she has face blindness, aphantasia, and a handful of other brain quirks and then turned that whole journey into a hilarious, insightful book called Do I Know You? We talk perception, identity, weird brain settings, and what it’s like to realise your mind has been running a completely different operating system this whole time. It’s chaotic, curious, and very, very us. You can find Sadie here - Website  Book Publisher page Twitter  Instagram  Washington Post Author Page Goodreads Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at The Round on March 19th, Neurospicy 2026: Accessibility in the Arts, is a special live podcast diving into what genuine inclusion looks like for neurodivergent artists, audiences, and creative communities. I was joined by pianist and composer Nat Bartsch, whose reflections on sensory experience, performance, and neurodivergent creativity brought depth and warmth to the room. We also spoke to Arty Owens, creative director at Arts Access Victoria, whose leadership continues to shape a more accessible and equitable arts sector. Hosted at The Round, a venue committed to creating welcoming, accessible environments, this conversation blends music, lived experience, humour, and honest discussion about what needs to change and what’s already working. This was a candid and fun conversation for anyone invested in neurodivergent creativity and the evolution of accessible arts spaces. Support the show via Patreon Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This week’s plans derailed in a very on‑brand way. Mostly because I’m knee‑deep in getting everything ready for Neurospicy 2026 on March 19th, so I’m handing the mic to another podcast whose episode on long‑term ADHD research genuinely deserves your ears.  I'm sharing an episode of the Hyperfocus podcast with Rae Jacobson, which features in-depth conversations challenging conventional views on neurodivergence. On each episode, Rae discusses key questions and headlines with experts, scientists, doctors, and researchers, exploring both the barriers and the beauty of neurodivergence. You can find all episodes of Hyperfocus here. Call to Action: Help support the podcast via Patreon.  Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Support the show via Patreon Welcome to season 5! In this fun chat with Mark Brown, we immediately get sidetracked with Star Trek, a topic we have been discussing for over 30 years. We explore the podcasts we hosted long before it was cool. Mark speaks about peer support and how it plays a crucial role in mental health recovery. And most important, we tackle the ethics of AI and imagine what the future might look like with AI in our lives. My discussions with Mark have always been deep and complex. I hope you enjoy.  Mark Brown is a Senior Research Fellow at Summer Foundation Ltd and member of PauseAI Australia. Here is the video we referenced Bobby Flynn from Australian Idol interviewed on Idol Sparks Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Three years after her first appearance, Jessica is back on the podcast for an honest catch‑up about life six‑plus years post‑diagnosis. We talk about what’s shifted, what hasn’t, and how understanding our neurodivergence continues to shape our mental health, identity, and day‑to‑day lives. We touch on ADHD, dyscalculia, reframing autism and ADHD away from deficit language, and the ongoing work of making sense of our past and present through a more compassionate lens. It’s a grounded, reflective conversation between two late‑identified neurodivergent adults comparing notes on what it actually means to grow into this understanding over time. If this podcast supports you or helps you feel seen, you can help sustain the work by joining the community on Patreon. Even small contributions make a real difference in keeping these conversations independent and accessible. Visit https://www.patreon.com/latetothepartyautismpodcast Books mentioned: Right Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous ThinkingBy Tyson Yunkaporta Come As You AreBy Emily Nagoski Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Late to the Party, I speak with acclaimed author Kay Kerr to explore the intricate connections between writing, memory, and identity. Kay shares her journey as an autistic writer, from her celebrated young adult novels Please Don’t Hug Me and Social Queue to her latest works, including Might Cry Later and contributions to Someone Like Me (for Australia, for International) We dive deep into topics like: How sensory details shape memory and storytellingThe impact of aphantasia and alexithymia on creativity and self perceptionThe intricacies of being part of social groupsMovement, stimming,  and the search for authenticityThe act of making generational changeThis conversation is a thoughtful look at neurodivergence, acceptance, and the ways we create meaning in our lives. Find Kay on Instagram and on her website. Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this follow-up conversation with Joanne Seymon, co-founder of Kaiko Fidgets, we go far beyond product design and neurodiversity. This episode dives deep into the human experience—touching on love, pain, parenting, grief, death, trauma, and the messy beauty of work that matters. Jo brings her signature warmth and wisdom as we explore what it means to hold space for others while navigating our own healing. From the raw edges of loss to the joy of shared laughter, this chat is a testament to resilience, connection, and the power of showing up—especially when it’s hard. Whether you're a parent, a practitioner, or simply someone trying to make sense of it all, this episode offers comfort, insight, and a few good chuckles along the way. Call to Action: Please consider helping me cover the significant costs making the podcast via Patreon.  Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Joanne Seymon, co-founder of Kaiko Fidgets—a trailblazing Australian business born from lived experience and a deep understanding of neurodiversity. Joanne, an occupational therapist and mother to Kai, shares the inspiring journey of how a simple idea blossomed into a thriving enterprise that’s changing lives. From designing elegant sensory tools to empowering young neurodivergent individuals through meaningful employment, Kaiko Fidgets is more than a business—it’s a movement. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about creativity, compassion, and the power of purposeful design. Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Call to Action: Help support the podcast via Patreon.  Dan sits down with his daughter Eloise for a wide-ranging, heartfelt, and occasionally chaotic conversation that spans pop culture, music, neurodivergence, and the state of the world. Dan calls Different Journeys CEO Mel Spencer with some really special news. Dan and Eloise take a deep dive into the social media phenomenon The Basement Yard, unpacking why it’s so addictive and what it says about humor. Dan even writes his own slam poetry! Eloise shares updates on her friend’s band — which Dan is recording — and we reflect on the joy of making original music, even when the band talks a lot between takes. Then we spiral into our shared hyper fixation: the TV show House. From Hugh Laurie’s brilliance to the show’s messy ethics, we explore why it still grips us years later. Dan opens up about his lifelong love of Brian Wilson, whose recent passing has left a deep mark. He shares a personal musical tribute piece at the end of the episode — a moment of reflection, gratitude, and musical reverence. We also get fired up about the complacency we see in today’s world. Where’s the rage? Where’s the accountability? We talk about the need for education, awareness, and action, especially around social justice and neurodivergence. And finally, we share some listener-submitted Autistic Moments — those beautifully honest, funny, and insightful snapshots of neurodivergent life that remind us why this podcast exists. Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Trigger Warning This episode discusses topics related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening. In this important episode, Dan sits down with Christine Brooks, Director at NOFASD Australia, to shed light on the often misunderstood and under-recognized condition of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Christine shares her insights into: Why FASD remains largely unknown in both the general community and among therapists.The challenges families and individuals face in getting a diagnosis and appropriate support.The new Australian Guidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis of FASD, released on May 13, 2025, and how they aim to:Improve diagnostic services across the lifespan.Support practitioners in identifying and diagnosing FASD more effectively.Visit NOFASD Australia for information, resources, and support services.If you or someone you know is affected by FASD, seek support in your local area or contact NOFASD’s helpline.Call to Action: Help support the podcast via Patreon.  Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Call to Action: Help support the podcast via Patreon. In this episode, I sit down with Lucy, a brilliant autistic young adult with a deep love of history, for a conversation that flows effortlessly—because when neurodivergent minds connect, there’s no shortage of things to talk about. We dive into storytelling and its impact on learning, how we perceive communication, and the power of diversifying your skills. Along the way, we explore evolution and the undeniable presence of autistic people throughout history. This episode is packed with thoughtful insights, personal perspectives, and plenty of moments that remind us why these conversations matter. Tune in and join the chat—you won’t want to miss it! Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Call to Action: Help support the podcast via Patreon. And if you are in Melbourne get your tickets for the live podcast event.  Join hosts Dan Kerr and Tismo Terrasson, a social justice advocate and Disability Consultant as they dive into the world of neurodiversity, sharing personal stories, expert insights, and candid conversations. In this episode, Dan and Tismo discuss their late diagnoses of autism and ADHD, the challenges of navigating a neurotypical world, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces. From humorous anecdotes about family life to deep dives into the science of neurodivergence, this podcast offers a unique and engaging perspective on what it means to be neurodivergent.  Whether you're neurodivergent yourself or just curious to learn more, Neurodivergent Narratives is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and celebrating neurodiversity. Please come join us on our socials where we are very much present.  We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion. Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcast Private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726 Email us at [email protected] Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/ Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.com Support the show