Autism Resource Podcast

Animation, Creativity, and Love on the Spectrum with Dani Bowman

Dani is a young and talented animator, artist, and entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum who is dedicated to inclusion and diversity, and passionate about using her skills to help others. Despite being diagnosed with autism at age 3 and being nonverbal until the age of 6, Dani has overcome these challenges to become accomplished in her field and an inspiring speaker. She founded her own company, DaniMation, when she was just 14 years old, and later DaniMation UK in 2019.  Dani has taught animation to over 3000 students with autism and premiered 14 short films at San Diego Comic-Con. As a national speaker and cast member of Love on the Spectrum, Dani uses her platform to inspire and mentor others.

Executive Function Coaching with Michelle Raz

Michelle Raz is an author and Board-Certified Coach specializing in ADHD and executive functioning, and is the founder of Raz-Coaching Academics, Thrive Beyond Therapy, and Sprout Coach. She has been empowering neurodivergent students since 2010 through her online academic coaching platform, which uses neuroscience-backed strategies to help middle school, high school, and college students develop executive function skills for academics and career development. She is also a founding member of the Octopus Movement, a global think tank for promoting the gifts of non-linear thinkers.

Living and Learning with Rachelle Vartanian

Rachelle Vartanian is the Founder and President of Living and Learning Enrichment Center, a nonprofit organization providing a broad range of resources and support services to individuals with disabilities and their families across 12 southeast Michigan counties. Since 2015, the agency has partnered with more than a hundred businesses and organizations to provide access to inclusive employment skill-building opportunities and meaningful job placement support. Rachelle is an active member of dozens of regional business and service organizations bringing with her a mission of empathy, education, and advocacy. Rachelle is also the parent of an adult son with autism and is committed to forging pathways to a higher quality of life for Michigan residents with autism and other disabilities. =

Path-Now and Finding the Right Provider with Wendy Forkas

Wendy is the CEO of Adjoin, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism across California, and eventually other states as well. With over 30 years in the disabilities field and two decades of executive leadership, she is a passionate advocate, with a commitment to build inclusive, transformative opportunities for the community she serves. Wendy was the visionary for Path-Now, a unique online app that custom matches individuals with disabilities and autism to tailored service connections.

Finding Your Authentic Self w/Dr. Norma Hollis

Dr. Norma Hollis is a transformational strategist who writes, develops and implements programs for human development. She is an international speaker and coach specializing in transforming the lives of people who want to live the authentic life they were born for. She is a leading authority on authenticity and is affectionately known as the Godmother of Authenticity.

Racers for Autism with Jordan Modiano

Jordan is a race car driver, business owner, motivational speaker, and proud Autism Super Dad. He is the founder of Racers 4 Autism, a nonprofit using motorsports to drive awareness, inclusion, and acceptance for individuals on the spectrum. He also leads two Express Employment Professionals offices in Upstate NY, where he brings his passion for leadership and purpose-driven work to life. He speaks across the country about resilience, leadership, and the lessons learned from raising a daughter with autism, running a business, and racing full throttle—both on the track and in life.

Critical Adjustments for Employment Opportunities with Ricki Macken-Chilvers

Ricki's education in marriage and family therapy, and her 25 years of experience working in mental health services with children and disability services for adults, has influenced her vision to run an agency that meets the needs of the clients served by, as well as the employees who work at, Pleasantview Industries. With significant nonprofit and social services experience, Ricki is now learning about the world of business with the hope of helping businesses see the opportunities they have in connecting with one of the least accessed workforce resources across the nation - individuals with disabilities. 

Toastmasters, Public Speaking and Making Connections with Judi Uttal and Dr. Sasha Zeedyk

Judi Uttal is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.

Dr. Sasha Zeedyk is an Associate Professor at California State University in Fullerton. Her research is mainly focused on the social and behavior skills of youth with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities across the course of development. She is interested in understanding how behavior problems and social skills relate to social, mental health, and academic outcomes for these youth, as well as how these skills impact their parents’ psychological well-being. Recently, she has begun to study postsecondary outcomes for youth with ASD who attend college. 

Career, Determination and Animation with Jorge Gutierrez

Emmy and Annie Award-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. He was the Director & Co-Writer of the Guillermo del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series Maya and the Three for Netflix which won 2 Annie Awards, and 4 Emmys. Gutierrez is currently writing and directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias.

Employment and Social Security Benefits with Judi Uttal

Judi is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.