the podcast series
season 1—episodes 1–10
“The best way to learn is just from going out and doing something—talking to people, being a part of of an organization, or going to events. It’s not always going to be easy, but the only way to get better at anything is to keep doing it— and have experiences.”
—James
season 5—episodes 40–49
season 4—episodes 30–39
season 3—episodes 20–29
season 2—episodes 10–19
season 1—episodes 1–10
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 10:
Plan B was better
James T. had his heart set on attending an historically black college (HBCU). But the dorm set-up and social scene proved challenging. So for the second semester of his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He thrived there, socially and academically. He says he "found a home": had an easier time in the dorms with a single room, and participated in a selective internship program. James is now a senior, on track to graduate in the spring. But early on, he bypassed asking for some of the accommodations he was entitled to. James explains how being on the spectrum can make that complicated, and talks about how colleges are figuring it out.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 9:
“WHEN PROFESSORS ARE HELPFUL, IT REALLY HELPS.”
In this episode, Caroline talks with one of her professors at Cal State Fullerton, JudelMay Enriquez, about the ways they worked together. Caroline was struggling in a methods and research class. Even with accommodations, she found she got more support by visiting her professor during office hours to let her get to know her, and her learning style better. She also picked up strategies for keeping up in the course. They also discuss how professors can reach out to students on the spectrum who may benefit from academic support.
PODCAST EPISODE 8:
so far, so good
Tony Y. is three weeks into his freshman year at the University of Oregon, and so far he loves the vibe in Eugene, the great food in town, and his first-quarter classes: The Politics of Business, algebra, trumpet studio, and he's in the marching band. Hear more about how Tony is settling in, his unique living arrangement, and his advice on how to talk to professors. Another hack: Get a Safeway card, don't DoorDash every meal.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 7:
inclusive college opportunities
Many colleges and universities are opening up more offerings for students on the spectrum who are seeking a college experience without pursuing a degree. These certificate programs are often a good fit for students who are curious about a range of subjects, seek social settings, and want to gain independent living skills but may have intellectual disabilities or other challenges. In this episode, we hear from Charlie who is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Jessica Keefhaver who runs the Path to Independence project there.
PODCAST EPISODE 6:
choosing the right college
Choosing the right school can require lots of research, especially when you're on the Spectrum. It's not just finding a college with majors you are interested in, but also figuring out which schools have support services and programs that match your needs. Eric Endlich has created a huge database on his website that lays it all out. He also advises students privately in his college counseling business that he founded because he saw too many students on the spectrum going off to college and having a hard time. He thought he could help, and now he's switched his focus from psychotherapy to college admissions. Hear what he has to say about the range of options out there, and how to choose a college.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 5:
this is hard
Guillermo Guzman says he was never one of the most popular kids in high school, but he was one of the smartest. When he gets to UCRiverside, he feels like he's pretty average. He struggles socially and academically. Finding it hard to connect with classmates, he broke down and joined the anime club. And then there was an incident that changed everything.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 4:
slow and steady towards a 4-year degree
Caroline spent a little over 8 years at community college. She wanted to pass her classes without feeling overwhelmed, and, she did it. Then she transferred to Cal State Fullerton and earned her B.S. in Health Science after four more years. Finding the right major and career path was a process that might seem too slow to some students (and their parents) but Caroline was determined to make her own choices along the way, and she has no regrets. As a self-advocate, she joined the Cal State Fullerton Student Disability Advisory Committee to make sure all neurodiverse students are supported, and feel empowered to make college life choices.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 3:
facing challenges and studying abroad
Aniella Fields had the grades, but she was very hesitant about going to college. Her parents told her she had to give it a try. She was accepted to UC Riverside and moved into a dorm her first semester. Then she struggled a bit as a sophomore and decided to disclose her diagnosis. She also changed majors, got involved with TEDx and other extracurricular activities, and ultimately did well enough to graduate in three years. Plus, hear all about her time in Japan. She loved it.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 2:
college during covid
Jasmine Board is a junior at UC Riverside. She was on campus for a quarter when COVID hit, but she says it turns out online school is great for her. She doesn’t need a note taker now because she can listen to the posted lectures at any speed she wants, as many times as she wants. Jasmine also talks about wishing she hadn’t hesitated to transfer to a four year university, finding her passion in the environmental sciences, making friends, and more: being selected for a NASA internship, her job, her boyfriend, and mountain biking.
LISTEN
PODCAST EPISODE 1:
from community college to cal state long beach
Jonathan Martin recently graduated! He talks about his trek through college, shares why he started out at community college, how he picked the right university and describes his ups and downs with dorm life once he got there. Plus, why he's now learning to drive, where he's working now and how he plans to break into the animation business.
PODCAST EPISODE 10:
Plan B was better
Plan B was better
Plan B was better
James T. had his heart set on attending an historically black college (HBCU). But the dorm set-up and social scene proved challenging. So for the second semester of his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He thrived there, socially and academically. He says he "found a home": had an easier time in the dorms with a single room, and participated in a selective internship program. James is now a senior, on track to graduate in the spring. But early on, he bypassed asking for some of the accommodations he was entitled to. James explains how being on the spectrum can make that complicated, and talks about how colleges are figuring it out.
PODCAST EPISODE 9:
“WHEN PROFESSORS ARE HELPFUL, IT REALLY HELPS.”
“WHEN PROFESSORS ARE HELPFUL, IT REALLY HELPS.”
“WHEN PROFESSORS ARE HELPFUL, IT REALLY HELPS.”
Caroline talks with one of her professors at Cal State Fullerton, JudelMay Enriquez, about the ways they worked together. Caroline was struggling in a methods and research class. Even with accommodations, she found she got more support by visiting her professor during office hours to let her get to know her, and her learning style better. She also picked up strategies for keeping up in the course. They also discuss how professors can reach out to students on the spectrum who may benefit from academic support.
PODCAST EPISODE 8:
so far, so good
so far, so good
so far, so good
Tony Y. is three weeks into his freshman year at the University of Oregon, and so far he loves the vibe in Eugene, the great food in town, and his first-quarter classes: The Politics of Business, algebra, trumpet studio, and he's in the marching band.
Hear more about how Tony is settling in, his unique living arrangement, and his advice on how to talk to professors. Another hack: Get a Safeway card, don't DoorDash every meal.
PODCAST EPISODE 7:
Inclusive College Opportunities
Many colleges and universities are opening up more offerings for students on the spectrum who are seeking a college experience without pursuing a degree. These certificate programs are often a good fit for students who are curious about a range of subjects, seek social settings, and want to gain independent living skills but may have intellectual disabilities or other challenges. In this episode, we hear from Charlie who is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Jessica Keefhaver who runs the Path to Independence project there.
PODCAST EPISODE 6:
choosing the right college
Choosing the right school can require lots of research, especially when you're on the Spectrum. It's not just finding a college with majors you are interested in, but also figuring out which schools have support services and programs that match your needs. Eric Endlich has created a huge database on his website that lays it all out. He also advises students privately in his college counseling business that he founded because he saw too many students on the spectrum going off to college and having a hard time. He thought he could help, and now he's switched his focus from psychotherapy to college admissions. Hear what he has to say about the range of options out there, and how to choose a college.
PODCAST EPISODE 5:
this is hard
Guillermo Guzman says he was never one of the most popular kids in high school, but he was one of the smartest. When he gets to UCRiverside, he feels like he's pretty average. He struggles socially and academically. Finding it hard to connect with classmates, he broke down and joined the anime club. And then there was an incident that changed everything.
PODCAST EPISODE 4:
Slow and steady towards her 4-year degree
Caroline spent a little over 8 years at community college. She wanted to pass her classes without feeling overwhelmed, and, she did it. Then she transferred to Cal State Fullerton and earned her B.S. in Health Science after four more years. Finding the right major and career path was a process that might seem too slow to some students (and their parents) but Caroline was determined to make her own choices along the way, and she has no regrets. As a self-advocate, she joined the Cal State Fullerton Student Disability Advisory Committee to make sure all neurodiverse students are supported, and feel empowered to make college life choices.
PODCAST EPISODE 3:
facing challenges and studying abroad
facing challenges and studying abroad
facing challenges and studying abroad
Aniella Fields had the grades, but she was very hesitant about going to college. Her parents told her she had to give it a try. She was accepted to UC Riverside and moved into a dorm her first semester. Then she struggled a bit as a sophomore and decided to disclose her diagnosis. She also changed majors, got involved with TEDx and other extracurricular activities, and ultimately did well enough to graduate in three years. Plus, hear all about her time in Japan. She loved it.
PODCAST EPISODE 2:
college during covid
college during covid
college during covid
Jasmine Board is a junior at UC Riverside. She was on campus for a quarter when COVID hit, but she says it turns out online school is great for her.
PODCAST EPISODE 1:
From Community College to Cal State Long Beach
From Community College to Cal State Long Beach
From Community College to Cal State Long Beach
Jonathan Martin recently graduated! He talks about his trek through college, shares why he started out at community college, how he picked the right university and describes his ups and downs with dorm life once he got there. Plus, why he's now learning to drive, where he's working now and how he plans to break into the animation business.