Episode Schedule 2026
Season 6 Theme
Autistics Thriving, Not Just Surviving!
Autistics Thrive by having hard conversations about collaboration and community building. Autistics thrive by finding joy through their special interests. Autistics thrive through their work for social justice with our intersectional communities.
January 2026
Autistics Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Guest: Mati L. Boulakia-Bortnick
January 11th, 2026
The first episode of the 6th Season of Today's Autistic Moment is an introduction to the theme for the year. Mati and Philip will emphasize that Autistics thrive through self-acceptance, self-knowledge, and creating environments that work for Autistic individuals. Autistic individuals thrive through collaboration, community building, and finding joy in their unique interests
Autistics Thriving Through Crises
Guest: Zoë Korengold
January 25th, 2026
Zoë and Philip will discuss the unique challenges and experiences of Autistic individuals, including sensory and social crises, and the importance of understanding different communication patterns. They will emphasize the role of support systems, such as the Autism Society of Minnesota, in providing resources and support. We will also highlight the significance of restorative processes and the need for time and space to address conflicts. The discussion will underscore the value of community and shared experiences in helping Autistic individuals thrive through crises.
February 2026
Black History Month
Today's Autistic Moment recognizes the importance of acknowledging Autistic black individuals. Autistic black people face the stigmas of racism and ableism. The Autistic and Disability communities use the words "Nothing About Us Without Us." Neurodiversity needs to mean that we acknowledge and work with the intersectional identities as we thrive and not just survive.
Black Autistics Thriving in Urban Settings
Guest: Charlotte Bachelor
February 8th, 2026
Charlotte Bachelor will be my guest to talk about Black Autistics Thriving in Urban Settings. Charlotte is going to share her story about growing up in Detroit, MI with the intersecting identities of being Black and Autistic. Charlotte has faced the challenges of finding support and understandings from peers due to her intersecting identities. Charlotte will also talk about the importance of community, allyship and the need for safe spaces that impact discussions about racism and the urgent need for bystander intervention.
Black Autistics: Stop the Whitewashing
Guest: Precious Lesley
February 22nd, 2026
After the wonderful recent conversation with Charlotte Bachelor, it feels only fitting to revisit my first discussion with Precious Lesley from the 2023 Episode: Black Autistics: Stop the White Washing.
This renewed episode includes updated segments, current advertisements, and the latest bulletin board, but the heart of it--the powerful conversation--remains the same. If you are hearing its for the first time, prepare to be empowered. If you're listening again, it's a reminder of why authenticity must remain at the core of the Neurodiversity movement.
March 2026
Autistic Women Thriving
Guest: Carolyn Kiel
March 8th, 2026
Carolyn Kiel, a late-diagnosed Autistic Woman, shares her journey in instructional design. Carolyn will also talk about her podcast, Beyond Six Seconds, which highlights diverse, Autistic experiences. Carolyn will mention the Autistic women she has interviewed and how they come into their own joy, set their goals and thrive throughout their lives.
Autistic Women Thriving in Healthcare Equities
Guest: LaToya Hinton
March 22nd, 2026
LaToya has been working with Umbrella ND to hold panels with Autistic people from all backgrounds to talk about healthcare equities. LaToya and Philip will talk about Autistic Women are not getting healthcare equities because of a system that is not making those equities available. LaToya will share why it helps to know your own needs, especially for Autistic women who may not have access to getting a diagnosis. LaToya will talk about how masking delays a diagnosis and how it affects mental health as Autistic women age to receive community supports such as mentors and occupational therapy, to get pictures and visuals to show good ways to succeed.
April 2026
Autistic Advocacy Month
Today's Autistic Moment & Autistic Advocates United: An Autistic & Allies Grassroots Movement will begin saying goodbye to Autism Acceptance and hello Autistic Advocacy.
For too long, April has been about "acceptance" --asking the world to simply tolerate Autistic people. While acceptance is an important first step, it's not enough anymore.
Acceptance is passive. Advocacy is active.
Acceptance says "put up with us." Advocacy says "listen to us, include us, and change the systems that harm us."
Acceptance asks for tolerance. Advocacy demands justice.
As Autistic people, we know what we need better than anyone else. We've been advocating for ourselves and our community for decades. It's time our month reflects that power and expertise.
Today's Autistic Moments Shows during April will focus on Our Boundaries. Our Responsibility & Our Boundaries and the Responsibility of Others
Check back often as I schedule guests and more details for these shows.
Autistic Advocacy Month:
Our Boundaries, Our Responsibility
Guest: Becca Lory Hector
Date: April 12th, 2026
What are boundaries? Do Autistics know what our boundaries are? How do Autistics communicate with others as to what their boundaries are? How do our caregivers who may not be Autistic communicate their boundaries to us?
Becca Lory Hector will join Philip to answer these questions and many others about our boundaries, and our responsibilities for our boundaries.
We are asking other Autistics to participate in this discussion by answering a questionnaire to help Becca and Philip discuss this topic.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Autistic Advocacy Month Questionnaire.
Listen to this episode to hear about the responses.
The questionnaire is now completed and is not accepting responses.
Autistic Advocacy Month
Our Boundaries and The Responsibility of Others
Guest: Coach Lee Hopkins
Date: April 26th, 2026
Knowing our boundaries, communicating with others about our boundaries especially, but not limited to another Autistic and/or Neurodivergent person, and their responsibilities require trust and a sense of what to do should our boundaries get crossed. Using the answers to the questonnaire, our guest speaker and Philip will how we communicate our boundaries to others to provide a sense of safety with the relationships we have with them.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Autistic Advocacy Month Questionnaire.
Listen to this episode to hear about the responses.
The questionnaire is now completed and is not accepting responses.
May 2026
Autistics Thriving Through Community Building & Strong Friendships
Guest: Gaby San Miguel
Date: May 10th, 2026
Gaby is a graduate from Minnesota Independence College & Community. Gaby will talk with Philip about how she found authentic community and friendships during her college experience. Gaby will talk about participating in excursions and how the Ambassador's Class prepared her to be a guest on Today's Autistic Moment. Many of Gaby's friendships were formed with the intersectional communities that makes up the MICC family.
Autistics Thriving by Finding Themselves After Managing Grief
Guest: Lisa Morgan
Date: May 24th, 2026
Grief and loss changes a person's life. Following the initial stage of sadness after the loss of a loved one through death or the ending of a close relationship; begins the process of finding one's self again. As Autistics we have our strengths for doing that, but might need the right supports to use the strengths of Autism to find our way forward. Lisa Morgan returns to Today's Autistic Moment to talk about how Autistics can find themselves after a significant loss.
June 2026
Autistic & LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
Autistic & Queer Individuals Thriving Through Our Identities
Coach Lee Hopkins
Date: June 14th, 2026
Autistics & Queer people are engaged in maintaining the dignity of our identities while defending our right to exist. The negativity in the government, media and special interest groups; Autistic Queer people must find ways to thrive through our identities. Coach Lee Hopkins is a Black Autistic Transgender life coach who will talk about how he is thriving by maintaining his dignity in who he is.
Maintaining Safe Autistic Queer Spaces
Guests: Staff of Queermunity
June 28th, 2026
Everyone on staff at Queermunity are AuDHD. These Neurodivergent people have created a cafe in Uptown Minneapolis that offers a safe space for Neurodivergent Queer people. Queermunity isn't just a cafe, they have provided soundproofing to keep the noise level down, with tables, chairs, some lounge areas, a game area, and quiet rooms. The staff at Queermunity will talk with Today's Autistic Moment of why and how they created the space, what they offer, and how they maintain the business to be accessible for disabled people. Get ready to be absolutely amazed.