Changemakers in Autism

Episode 1: Athletes Creating a Platform for Change

Join Chantelle Walker and Jen Faust as they interview Anthony Fasano, former 12-year NFL tight end and founder of the Anthony Fasano Foundation, about his involvement in the autism community and how athletes are using their voices to influence change.

Episode 2: Cutting-Edge Inclusive Communities

The Kelsey’s co-founder and CEO Micaela Connery and Communications Analyst Isaac Haney-Owens sit down for an in-depth discussion about how they’re developing integrated, inclusive housing solutions that build more homes and increase opportunities for people in the autism community.

Episode 3: Breaking Barriers with Social Communications

In a time when social interaction is often difficult to practice, Vanessa Castañeda-Gill, autistic advocate and CEO of Social Cipher, talks about the importance of social-emotional learning skills and how she’s helping connect neurodivergent youth and their advocates (counselors, teachers, mental health professionals) in an immersive virtual world.

Episode 4:  Athletes, Allies, and Advocates  

Nick Savarese, executive director of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, one of the first autism foundations and resources, shares how his organization is “elevating the voice of the self-advocates,” putting people with autism at the forefront to make sure they’re accepted, included, and seen — and how other organizations can do the same.

Episode 5: Sex and Relationships on the Spectrum

Listen as Amy Gravino, M.A., an autism sexuality advocate and relationship coach in the Center for Adult Autism Services at Rutgers University, and Robin Baron, mother of an autistic adult and creator of Relationspot, join us for a frank discussion about navigating relationships when you’re on the spectrum.

Episode 6: Finding Meaningful Employment

In our sit-down with Ron Colavito, CEO of Access: Supports for Living, we discover how his Hudson Valley, New York-based agency is helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, building and food services, and more.

Episode 7: Taking a Lens to Autism

Award-Winning Producers and Filmmakers Caren Zucker and John Donvan delve into history’s portrayal of autism, the progress and pitfalls, and how their groundbreaking documentary, “In a Different Key,” shows that every community can be part of the solution for supporting people on the spectrum – including where they work, live, go to school, and beyond.

Episode 8: Athletes and Philanthropic Initiatives

MALKA Sports President and CEO Pat Capra talks about the intersection of athletes and philanthropy, and how he’s working with athletes to develop initiatives that align with their passions – and elevate the causes they support. As he explains, “What you do on the field gives you your fame, what you do off the field determines your legacy.”

Episode 9: Preparing for Employment and Training Community Providers

Chantelle Walker and David Wilson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Director of REED Intensive Behavior Services, are joined by Dorothea Lerman, Ph.D., BCBA-D, for an in-depth conversation about her research on teaching job-related skills to adults with autism and training police officers, medical professionals and others in the community on how to interact effectively with autistic people. Dr. Lerman is a Professor of Behavior Analysis at the University of Houston – Clear Lake, where she serves as the Director of the UHCL Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.

Episode 10: Supporting Individuals and Families Through Advocacy and Resources

Chantelle Walker and David Wilson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, sit down with Autism New Jersey’s Suzanne Buchanan, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Executive Director, and Eric Eberman, M.S.Ed, Former Public Policy Director, to find out how the state’s leading autism advocacy organization is supporting families and professionals and effecting change in the state to improve the lives of people with autism every day.

Episode 11: Fueling a New Wave of Inclusive Housing

Denise Resnick, Founder and President/CEO of First Place AZ, shares her perspective with Chantelle Walker on building more supportive and inclusive housing that fully integrates special populations into the fabric of our communities.

Raising the Bar For Accessibility and Diversity in Professional Sports Organizations

Chantelle Walker and Guest Host Pat Capra, President and CEO of MALKA Sports, speak with Kirsten Saraceni, M.S.,BCBA, Administrator of Scientific Programs and Inclusion Initiatives at the Eagles Autism Foundation, about how the foundation is leading the way for athletic organizations to become more inclusive of all fans, athletes, and employees.

Ep. 13: Changing the Lives of Autistic Adults Through Employment

David Aspinall, CEO of Auticon US, outlines his company’s efforts to address high unemployment rates among autistic adults. He shares how Auticon is helping improve the economic and social conditions of the autistic community with quality careers, and empowering organizations through actionable neurodiversity training and advisory services.

Ep. 14: Rising in the Ranks: Empowering Neurodivergent Individuals in the Workplace

Dr. Jason Todd Cohen joins our hosts to shed light on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workplace and share insights into his 8-step Neurodivergent Leadership System, which is aimed at enhancing competitive employment rates for this population.

Ep. 15: Creating Conversation Around Accommodations in the Workplace

Listen as Charlotte Dales, Co-Founder & CEO of Inclusively, discusses the growing need for workplace accommodations and flexibility, and how her company’s platform seamlessly integrates diverse candidates based on their skills, experience, and accommodation needs.

Ep. 16: Breaking Down Barriers to Employment

Discover how Anthony Pacillo, Neurodiversity Expert and VP of Neurodiverse Solutions at CAI, is assisting organizations in realizing the advantages of neurodiversity in the workplace and how he’s helping them uncover best practices in recruiting, onboarding, and more.

Ep. 17: Navigating an Adult Autism Diagnosis

Join our hosts as they sit down with Peter Mann, Founder and CEO of Oransi, to discuss his journey to receiving a late autism diagnosis. Peter has since become a passionate advocate for autistic people, working to remove barriers to employment and helping companies better understand the intrinsic value that people with varying skill sets can bring to their business.