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IN THIS EPISODE:
In this New Years episode, hosts Haley Moss and Dr. Lori Butts reflect on 2023, and what they hope 2024 has in store. Happy New Year from Spectrumly Speaking and Different Brains!
Spectrumly Speaking is the podcast dedicated to women on the autism spectrum, produced by Different Brains®. Every other week, join our hosts Haley Moss (an autism self-advocate, attorney, artist, and author) and Dr. Lori Butts (a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, and licensed attorney) as they discuss topics and news stories, share personal stories, and interview some of the most fascinating voices from the autism community.
For more about Haley, check out her website: haleymoss.net And look for her on Twitter: twitter.com/haleymossart For more about Dr. Butts, check out her website: cfiexperts.com
Have a question or story for us? E-mail us at SpectrumlySpeaking@gmail.com
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EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: Note: the following transcription was automatically generated. Some imperfections may exist.
HALEY MOSS (HM):
Hello, and welcome to Spectrumly speaking. I’m Hayley moss and author, Attorney artist and I’m also autistic. I’m joined here by v one and only…
DR LORI BUTTS (LB):
Hi, I am Dr. Lori Butts. I’m a psychologist and an attorney.
HM:
Well, I think the first thing I’m supposed to say on this episode is Happy New Year.
LB:
Happy New Year! Wow.
HM:
How is it 2024? Like what just happened? I don’t know. I blanked. I remember you and I just getting started here. And it was I think, 2019
HM:
minute, I was lucky 24.
LB:
Five years if I’m doing the math correctly, five years. Wow. Shocking.
HM:
It has been such an amazing time for five years. And then you realize things blurred together, things stand out. Things happen. We’ve had so much cool stuff happen here. But since the is the first episode of the new year, we do have a tradition. And our tradition here at Spectrumly. Speaking is discussing what we think were our best moments in the autism community from last year. Last year already 2023? You know, that joke that everyone makes like, “see you next year.” And it’s like December 29th. I feel like I’m doing that in reverse.
LB:
I know. I know.
HM:
And then the things that were hopeful that 124 has in store other than an upcoming Olympics.
LB:
Oh. Yeah, that’s a good one.
HM:
It is that spinning ball, our Earth doing what it does best.
LB:
The Olympics year, the Olympic spin.
HM:
Yes it is an Olympic year. I know we have an Olympic year every two years. But I know we had an Olympic year in 2021. then 2022. And here we are getting ready to celebrate what will eventually be the year of another summer Olympics, only three years after the last one.
LB:
Wow. Amazing.
HM:
It’s been quite a time. So we are indeed at 2024. And we are reflecting and looking backwards, you know, maybe a couple weeks, maybe a couple months, maybe a whole full year into what we think the best moments were from 2023 here in the autism community. And here at Spectrumly.
LB:
Yeah, what do you think?
HM:
Well, we did have some amazing guests join us. And I’m grateful for all of them.
LB:
So grateful.
HM:
As many of you know, the guests that we have, primarily are autistic, or neurodivergent in some way, and they’re majority women, and also gender non-conforming. I think it has been a very long time since we’ve had a cisgender man here on this podcast.
LB:
I agree.
HM:
I feel like that would be almost earth shattering for us, given the way that we have originally billed ourselves as a podcast, and for autistic women. But of course, we are much more gender expansive and not just about the run of the mill autistic woman people usually associate with who this being the audience of so I’m proud of us in the expansive nature of who we feature on our podcast. I know that when we first got the band together here almost five years ago, that you and I said when in something I know I said is I felt very committed to making sure that we amplified as many marginalized people as we can. Absolutely in the autism community who often don’t get the stage. Right. And I think we’ve continued to do a good job with that. I think it’s something that looking back, we can always do better with folks who I know over the years, not just last year, that I’ve personally learned a lot from and who I would love to see, come back.
LB:
I agree. I agree. And now that, it’s been five years and we can certainly we can have people back so I’m sure things have changed in their lives.
HM:
I mean, my life has changed drastically in five years.
LB:
It certainly has. We’re looking forward to your book in 2024. That’s my big thing for 2024.
HM:
I will absolutely let you know as soon as I have more information. I’m excited to and that’s gonna be something that we’re looking forward to seeing in 2024.
LB:
That’s my biggest excitement for 2024.
HM:
I’m excited to see where things go and not just even the community but I’m excited to see more — and this is something I don’t think we’ve discussed really here on the show. But I’m excited to see more. All autistic people in autism research, which I’ve been seeing a lot more of recently. And it’s been a really interesting charge to see even the funded research studies and researchers, as autistic people are really focusing more on quality of life stuff. Which if you’ve ever asked me a lot of my autism politics stances. I say I love research. And I’m always here for anything that improves quality of life, which means a lot of different things to different people. But quality of life can mean a lot of different things. I’m always happy to see it and seeing that trend continue, have more autistic people having access to academia more for socially based, and neurodiversity affirming being funded, like this stuff is exciting. It’s not something I am the most equipped person to talk about. I am by no means a scientist. But I find it very exciting. And it’s something I would like to see continue into 2024. And also making sure that these these projects are funded and supported. And that folks take them seriously outside of the community.
LB:
Right. And hopefully, we can get a guest or two on that can help us understand and see what’s going on, that would be really exciting.
HM:
Absolutely. And I will keep our brains cooking. So we can come up with some ideas. And if you are a researcher, or someone who is geeky about research, please share with us so we can share with everybody else. I’m also just really excited because people I think are more accepting than ever before. I’ve noticed a lot more excitement, I’ve noticed a lot more people that are curious and wanting to learn, which I’m extremely grateful for. And I just hope people continue to stay curious and learn and lead with vulnerability.
LB:
That would be really nice.
HM:
I think too.
LB:
That’s a lovely sentiment.
HM:
And I hope that we get to be a part of that conversation. I think that’s something else I would like to see in 2024. Is Spectrumly continuing to do what we can to elevate folks to maybe push the envelope and get you curious about something new and exciting.
LB:
Yeah.
HM:
That we too can continue to be an active participant in the community.
LB:
Yeah. Wow.
HM:
That’s something I would like to see more of.
LB:
That’s a lofty goal there.
HM:
And also presuming our schedules align, because I know that you and I both are very busy people. And our schedules don’t always mesh well. So so that would be something I think would also be a good resolution is that we make sure that we purposely and intentionally make that time we find that time. And I think we’re very good at communicating with each other like, hey, life is lifing very much. So. I know in 2023 life has “lifed” for both of us a lot.
LB:
Life is “lifed”?
HM:
You know, like it does, like whatever it wants. But that’s the best thing. I could say anything but a lot of like “life is lifing” like, you know, it just does whatever it wants. at random.
LB:
Yes, it does. It does. That’s that’s the one guarantee you got absolutely.
HM:
It always happens when you least expect it. I’m hoping that we are able to do a couple of those things. And I think we seem to be on the same wavelength with that, which is pretty cool.
LB:
Yes, after five years, I mean, it’s pretty amazing. We’re still on the same wavelength. But I just enjoy spending time with you and learning so much from you, Haley, you have so much to offer. You’re just amazing.
HM:
You too, you are my podcast. bestie. I know we’ve picked it up. And I feel very kind of, you know, sentimental and warm, fuzzy saying it. And every time I know, we have those guestlist episodes, which we had a lot of last year, honestly. I love them. I enjoy them. They are like a warm balm on my soul, because you are so validating and such a great listener. And I always come away with something I hadn’t thought about before, which I’m extremely grateful for.
LB:
Oh, that’s awesome. That’s, that’s great.
HM:
You’re not the only one who gets the warm, fuzzy, happy feeling from these conversations.
LB:
Oh, good. That’s nice. You know, it’s hard to know what’s on the other side of the, of the pod in the cast.
HM:
It’s true, especially because we’re not a podcast that records with each other’s faces showing and we don’t do a YouTube version of this. So we don’t always get to see each other in lifetime while we have these conversations. And I think that makes it a little bit more low, low stakes, low pressure on us and our guests when we have them, but it does take away that: Oh, you don’t realize just how joyful this can be at times.
LB:
Right. Right. But I think we’re both pretty good about expressing it to each other.
HM:
You can hear it. I feel you can hear what I’m smiling.
LB:
Yes, I certainly can. Absolutely. Absolutely.
HM:
Exactly. Like we have a good we have a good rapport, I suppose.
LB:
Yep. And you’re so upbeat and positive. You bring so much sunshine into any any deep, you know, or difficult issue. You still bring a ray of positivity and sunshine and that’s just so lovely.
HM:
Thank you. I want our show to be a ray of sunshine for folks. I think that’s something else we should see into this year. That we are that ray of sunshine because I know there’s a lot of noise out in the world of information and resources and to start especially on autism. can be scary. It can be dark and stormy out there. But we hope to be a little bit of a ray of sunshine, introduce you to some cool people make you think about something or just enjoy the two of us. We surely enjoy each other. And we enjoy this and we hope to give a platform to folks who deserve it.
LB:
Yes, yes, yes. And again, I learned something every time we do one of these. So I hope other people are learning as well.
HM:
And I hope that if you are new here, you continue your learning, not just now in 2024. But beyond or if you were listening to us from the past, then please let us know how you’re listening to us from the past. But I’m excited to see where this year takes all of us. And to all of our listeners, I wish you a happy and healthy New Year filled with love and success and good health and all the things that I hope come true for you. Whatever your resolutions are, if you stick to them if you don’t stick to them, to what feels best for you. And I wish you all the best.
LB:
Oh, me too. Haley, could not have said it better. That’s so lovely.
HM:
So Happy New Year from your favorite podcast duo.
LB:
Happy 2024.
HM:
Be sure to check us out at differentbrains.org. And don’t forget to check out their Twitter and Instagram @DiffBrains. Where’s x now I’m so sorry. I know that we’re keeping up with the times but sometimes it’s a little difficult. So don’t forget to look for them on Facebook. If you are looking for me, you can say hello to me at Haleymoss.com. Or you can also reach out on all major social media including X, which is formerly known as Twitter.
LB:
I can be found at CFIexperts.com and please be sure to subscribe and rate us on Apple podcasts or your podcast app of choice. And don’t hesitate to send questions to Spectrumlyspeaking@gmail.com. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Spectrumly Speaking is the podcast dedicated to women on the autism spectrum, produced by Different Brains®. Every other week, join our hosts Haley Moss (an autism self-advocate, attorney, artist, and author) and Dr. Lori Butts (a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, and licensed attorney) as they discuss topics and news stories, share personal stories, and interview some of the most fascinating voices from the autism community.
