Episodes

  • Introducing All Abilities, No Filter: Honest Conversations from the Front Lines of Autism Care

    Introducing All Abilities, No Filter: Honest Conversations from the Front Lines of Autism Care
    Jul 23 2025
    In this special Converge Autism feature, we’re proud to introduce All Abilities, No Filter—a bold new podcast hosted by a team of educators, clinicians, and advocates who are reshaping how we talk about autism, disability, and behavioral health. Join Jake Edgar, Lily Howard, Hannah Jernigan, and Dr. Brandon Clark as they share raw, unfiltered insights from their work inside classrooms, clinics, and family systems. With equal parts expertise and empathy, these hosts explore everything from IEP challenges and professional burnout to personal stories of neurodivergence and advocacy in action. This isn’t just another autism podcast—it’s a space where honesty leads, stigma unravels, and real voices are heard. Tune in and experience why All Abilities, No Filter is changing the conversation.

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    57 mins
  • Assessing Benefits, Debunking Myths & Elevating ABA Practice

    Assessing Benefits, Debunking Myths & Elevating ABA Practice
    Jul 16 2025
    Join Dr. Stephanie on Converge Autism Radio with special guest Courtney Lasky, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA and PhD candidate, as they unpack the real-world impact of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in autism. Courtney shares insights from her 10+ years leading compassionate, trauma-informed clinical teams at ABS Kids, explores common myths, highlights crucial components of effective ABA care, and reveals how leadership strategies can foster psychological safety in therapy settings. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers fresh perspectives and practical guidance to support autistic individuals and their families with dignity and expertise.

    About the speaker: Courtney Lasky, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
    Courtney Lasky is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) amd PhD candidate with over a decade of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As the Director of Clinical Operations for ABS Kids, she leads clinical teams in providing high-quality, compassionate care to children and families.

    Recognized as a subject matter expert, Courtney has been featured on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and the Dr. Drew Podcast, where she shares her insights on behavior analysis and its broader applications. She is passionate about leadership, staff training, and fostering psychological safety within clinical teams.
    Beyond her professional work, Courtney is a dedicated wife and mother of six, living in Irmo, South Carolina. Balancing a thriving career with a full and adventurous family life, she brings both expertise and heart to everything she does.
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    33 mins
  • Healing the Inflamed Brain: Stem Cells, Autism, and the Future of Regenerative Medicine

    Healing the Inflamed Brain: Stem Cells, Autism, and the Future of Regenerative Medicine
    Jul 14 2025
    In this powerful episode of Converge Autism Radio, Dr. Stephanie Holmes speaks with Dr. Eric Weiss—surgeon, stem cell pioneer, and father to a son on the spectrum. Driven by personal experience, Dr. Weiss shares the emotional and scientific journey that led him to explore stem cell therapy for autism. From groundbreaking brain inflammation research to real-world results with his son, this conversation unpacks the potential of regenerative medicine to improve quality of life for autistic individuals. Listeners will learn about:
    • The link between brain inflammation and autism symptoms
    • How umbilical cord stem cells are being used safely and effectively
    • Why stem cell therapy may open new doors for older autistic individuals
    • The personal breakthroughs that changed Dr. Weiss’s career path
    • How diet, gut health, and stem cells can support a holistic healing journey
    Whether you're a parent, professional, or curious soul, this episode brings fresh insight and real hope.

    Dr. Eric Weiss is a board‑certified plastic surgeon and former U.S. Navy Commander who pivoted his career to regenerative medicine after his son Marston was diagnosed with autism and showed remarkable gains following umbilical cord stem cell therapy. Now serving as Medical Director of the Autism Program at Miami Stem Cell and founder of North Florida Stem Cells, he has treated over 400 children with data-driven protocols—reporting developmental improvements in about 65–70% of them—using MSCs, exosomes, MRI/EEG monitoring, and rigorous safety standards. He’s also co‑author of Educating Marston and a frequent podcast guest, sharing both personal experience and emerging science in autism care.

    https://northfloridastemcells.com/
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    44 mins
  • NeuroDivergent Psychiatrist, What I learned after Med School

    NeuroDivergent Psychiatrist, What I learned after Med School
    Jul 7 2025
    Dr. Holmes talks with neurodivergent psychiatrist, Dr. Stacy Greeter.

    Topics discussed:

    • Dr. Greeter's diagnosis journey at the age of 40 as a practicing psychiatrist.
    • Growing understanding of Autism
    • Myths about Autism
    • Different presentations of girls/women in Autism
    • Gender Fluidity & Autism
    • Medications and How to be a psychiatric patient and advocate for yourself as an autistic patient
    Dr. Stacy Greeter is board certified in both child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. She collaborates with children, adults, and their families to design a comprehensive individualized treatment plan.Dr. Greeter graduated summa cum laude from Duke University where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill under the Morehead Medical Scholarship. During her undergraduate and medical training, Dr. Greeter conducted extensive clinical research funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute on autism and on OCD. She completed both her adult studies and her child and adolescent subspecialty training at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she trained with nationally and internationally renowned psychiatrists. She is also certified in Internal Family Systems Therapy.

    https://stacygreetermd.com/
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    46 mins
  • Creating Space for All Voices of Talent

    Creating Space for All Voices of Talent
    Jun 29 2025
    Today, Dr. Holmes talks to Heidi and Robin about AVA: Autistic Voiceover Artists.
    What if there was a place- a program- a community for autistic adults who want to use their voice talents in the voiceover industry? THERE IS!

    About our Guests:
    Heidi S. Hackney MS, PCC, Co-FounderCertified Autism Coach, ICF Accredited Life Coach, Masters in Human Development
    Robin Brooke SAG-AFTRA, AEA, Co-FounderProfessional Voiceover Talent of 20+ Years. Established VO Instructor and Coach. AVA Program Director.



    How to contact:
    https://autisticvoiceoverartists.org/
    About the Program
    Autism-Friendly CoursesUnlock Your Voiceover Artist Within



    At AVA, we are dedicated to empowering autistic adults in the world of voiceover. Our programs are designed to identify and nurture your unique voice talents, providing you with the skills and confidence to succeed.We celebrate the vivid imaginations, the unmatched attention to detail, and the deep emotional connections that enrich every voice.As you navigate the challenges that arise, AVA stands as a beacon of support and understanding.We embrace differences and turn obstacles into steppingstones. Every hurdle is a chance to grow, to be inspired, to succeed.
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    48 mins
  • My Journey with Autism and ADHD: The Aspie World

    My Journey with Autism and ADHD: The Aspie World
    Jun 20 2025
    Today, Dr. Stephanie talks to Dan of the Aspie World! Are we still allowed to say Aspie? Dan talks us through his autism identification and how that led him to build one of the first platforms on social media about adult autism.

    Hello friends,

    I want to share something deeply personal—something that completely shifted the trajectory of my life.

    At 26, I received a formal diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (now Autism Spectrum Disorder), along with ADHD, OCD, and Dyslexia. That moment wasn't about becoming someone new; it was about finally understanding who I always was.

    For years, I silently battled confusion, overwhelm, and social exhaustion. Masking my discomfort to "fit in" affected my mental and emotional health deeply.

    A Diagnosis Isn’t a Label—It's a Lens.It provided clarity, showing me that I'm not broken; I'm wired differently. Discovering neurodiversity helped me celebrate my differences and recognize my strengths—creativity, hyperfocus, analytical thinking—as true assets.

    This revelation inspired me to start The Aspie World, supporting thousands globally in navigating neurodivergent journeys. Our differences drive innovation, empathy, and inclusion, making humanity richer.

    Remember, your diagnosis is just the beginning of a beautiful, empowered chapter. You are capable, valuable, and not alone.

    Thank you for joining this journey.

    With gratitude,

    Daniel M. Jones Founder of The Aspie World

    Dan can be found at:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOKKRcJey93Ms-dL630UNIQ
    Dan's Book:
    https://www.amazon.com/Autism-Adults-author/dp/1837822336
    About when I discovered Dan on YT
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDwXqGjohGg
    Dan defends the term Asperger's
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB-cH9Os_J8
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    32 mins
  • Interoception: Your 8th Sense

    Interoception: Your 8th Sense
    Jun 18 2025
    Today, Dr. Holmes talks with Occupational Therapist, Kelly Mahler. The topic is interoception! Every neurotype can struggle with it but we find neurodivergent folks can have a few more challenges with interoception.

    Defined by Kelly's website: Many people notice these feelings in their body with the help of an important sense… a sense called (drum roll please)… interoception.
    Don’t let the name fool you. The word interoception might not sound very sexy or important. But this sense is a really big deal. Interoception has a huge influence on many areas of our lives like self-regulation, mental health and social connection.

    About our Guest:
    Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L, earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. She has been an occupational therapist for 20 years, serving school-aged children and adults. Kelly is the winner of multiple awards, including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award & a Mom’s Choice Gold Medal. She is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA as well as at Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. Kelly is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma & autism.

    www.kelly-mahler.com
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    52 mins
  • Assessing Benefits, Debunking Myths and Exploring Treatment Components for Autism

    Assessing Benefits, Debunking Myths and Exploring Treatment Components for Autism
    Jun 9 2025
    Dr. Stephanie discusses ABA and Autism with Converge Autism Summit speaker Courtney Lasky, PHD candidate.

    About the speaker: Courtney Lasky, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
    Courtney Lasky is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) amd PhD candidate with over a decade of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As the Director of Clinical Operations for ABS Kids, she leads clinical teams in providing high-quality, compassionate care to children and families.

    Recognized as a subject matter expert, Courtney has been featured on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and the Dr. Drew Podcast, where she shares her insights on behavior analysis and its broader applications. She is passionate about leadership, staff training, and fostering psychological safety within clinical teams.

    Beyond her professional work, Courtney is a dedicated wife and mother of six, living in Irmo, South Carolina. Balancing a thriving career with a full and adventurous family life, she brings both expertise and heart to everything she does.
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    33 mins