Empower Autism

Episode 9: Becoming an Adult

Empower Autism Admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:40:56 +0000

University, community and finding your own path

Episode 9: Becoming an Adult

Episode 3: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 3rd September 2026

Kaiya (they/she) and Miah (any pronouns) return to share stories from their own experiences navigating the world as Autistic young adults – entering university, seeking diagnosis, and supporting one another.

Check out this handy taste-tester list of just some of the community groups in and around Brisbane:

Empower Autism peer groups: https://empowerautism.org.au/peergroups/

Autism support directory: https://autismsupportdirectory.com.au/

Brisbane City Council library events and programs: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-and-facilities/libraries/library-events-and-programs

DnD Groups in Brisbane: https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/1rjiz03/dnd_groups_in_brisbane/

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Episode 8: LGBTQ Autistic Identity

Empower Autism Admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:14:34 +0000

LGBTQ Allyship in the Autistic Community

Episode 8: LGBTQ Autistic Identity

Episode 8: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 11th June 2026

In this Pride Month edition of Skipping the Small Talk, Riley (he/him) and Forrest (he/him) discuss LGBT+ experiences within the Autistic community, and address some common confusions from Cis-Het people, to help us build an inclusive Autistic community for all.

For more in-depth LGBT+ support and education, we recommend checking out Open Doors Youth Services, with locations in Fortitude Valley and Logan: https://www.opendoors.net.au/

We recommend learning more about First Nations gender identities from Trans mob directly. TransHub has a great introductory resource here: https://www.transhub.org.au/social/trans-mob/

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Episode 7: Wellbeing, Masking and Compassion

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:30:28 +0000

Wellbeing, Masking and Compassion

Episode 7: Wellbeing, Masking and Compassion

Episode 7: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 29th May 2026

Riley (he/him) and Maddy (she/her) return to discuss neurodivergent wellbeing, Autistic masking and the importance of self-compassion and community. Even when the world feels so scary, there are people here to support you.

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Episode 6: The Autistic Employment Experience

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:22:43 +0000

The Autistic Employment Experience

Episode 6: The Autistic Employment Experience

Episode 6: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 8th May 2026

Workplace acceptance and accessibility is one of the most common challenges reported by our Autistic community. In this episode, Michael Coles discusses his experience navigating employment over the last 30 years, and how we can move forward with creating more neuroinclusive workplaces, without the constant pressures of masking and burnout.

About Michael Coles:

Michael Coles knows what it’s like to spend decades in a world that wasn’t designed for the way his mind works. Diagnosed with autism at age three, then again with Asperger’s Syndrome at 35, and rediagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2017, his journey to understanding himself — and being understood — has been anything but linear. He also lives with ADHD and expressive/receptive language disorders, giving him a perspective that is both deeply personal and hard-won.

That journey is exactly what makes him such a compelling voice in conversations about neurodiversity, inclusion, and the gap between awareness and genuine understanding.

Check out Michael’s other work here:

The Deep Dive Podcast – http://www.deepdiveau.net

Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia 2026– https://www.ndaffirmingtherapyaus.org/

Neurodivergent Wellbeing Conference 2026– https://anzmh.asn.au/nwc
Neurodivergent Minds Conference 2026- https://neurodivergentmindsconference.com.au/

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Episode 5: Motivation Around the Home

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:57:59 +0000

Motivation Around the Home

Episode 5: Motivation Around the Home

Episode 5: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 20th April 2026

As much as many of us wish it wasn’t true, keeping up with chores is a necessary part of all of our lives. So we might as well make it fun!

Riley (he/him) and Maddy (she/her) share stories from their own experiences keeping their spaces organised as neurodivergent people- managing executive function and sensory challenges through tips and tricks inspired by the Motivation Around the Home module of our Life Skills program.

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Episode 4: First Nations Perspectives and Intersectional Identity

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:51:10 +0000

First Nations Perspectives and Intersectional Identity

Episode 4: First Nations Perspectives and Intersectional Identity

Episode 4: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 30th March 2026

Our Autistic community is for all Autistic people, but due to historical biases, continues to favour some Autistic people’s voices more than others. In this episode, we welcome Miah (any pronouns) and Kaiya (she/they) to discuss their experience as Autistic people and Indigenous Australians (Mingin/Koko bera mobs). Together, they share how their intersectional identities impacted their individual journeys, and provide insight into how others view and treat them- along with a message for non-Indigenous Autistic people, to help make our community welcoming for everyone.

Thank you Miah and Kaiya for sharing your stories and joining us on this episode.

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Episode 3: I’m Autistic! What now?

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:29:34 +0000

I'm Autistic! What now?

Episode 3: I’m Autistic! What now?

Episode 3: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 17th March 2026

Casey Archbald (he/him) is a proud Autistic person with a wealth of experience in Autistic advocacy is Australia. In this episode, he shares his own personal journey; from discovering his Autistic identity, to connecting with other Autistic people and uncovering the power of being unapologetically yourself- “awkward and proud,” as he says. Thank you Casey for joining us on this episode!

A bit about Casey:

As a proud Autistic individual, Casey provides strategic advice to both state and federal governments on issues relating to Autistic people. He serves as a member of the Passenger Accessibility Working Group for the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, advising the Queensland Government, and contributed to the Australian Government’s efforts as a member of the working groups tasked with implementing the National Guideline for assessment and diagnosis of autism in Australia for the National Disability Insurance Agency. Additionally, Casey is an active member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand’s advocacy advisory group, and is the Managing Director of Empower Autism!

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Episode 2: Chronically Running Late

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:09:42 +0000

Chronically Running Late

Episode 2: Chronically Running Late

Episode 2: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 11th February 2026

Riley and Maddy are both well accustomed to procrastinating, and running late- even if they wish they weren’t! Together, they discuss how to get over the hump to starting tasks, make your to-do list less overwhelming, and plan ahead to arrive on time- and the benefits that make the extra effort worth it.

Maddy is a serial Empower Autism volunteer and community member, with plenty of insights to offer. In this episode, she draws on her experience as an ADHDer, Empowered Pathways employment support coach, and facilitator for emPOWER UP Life Skill’s Scheduling and Time Management module, to offer advice which is both neuroaffirming and highly relatable.

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Episode 1: Autism-Affirming Money Management

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:58:09 +0000

Autism-Affirming Money Management

Episode 1: Autism-Affirming Money Management

Episode 1: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 30th January 2026

In our first official episode of Skipping the Small Talk, Holly joins Riley to discuss all things money management, from spending as self-soothing, to navigating the world with a tight budget, during a cost of living crisis.

Holly offers insights from the Planning & Budgeting module of emPOWER UP Life Skills program, which she manages, as well as from her own life experiences, to empower others in their financial journey- highlighing neuroaffirming techniques and the value of self-empathy.

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Introduction: Hello, Hi and Welcome!

Empower Autism Admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:26:39 +0000

Hello, Hi and Welcome!

Introduction: Hello, Hi and Welcome!

Introduction: Skipping the Small Talk

Published 19th January 2026

In this short introductory episode, Riley and Tamara introduce Skipping the Small Talk: a conversational podcast hosted by Empower Autism, where we discuss everyday experiences, Autism-affirming advice and more, with a variety of people from our Autistic community. In this episode, we discuss what pushed us to start Skipping the Small Talk, future plans for the podcast, and what to expect from each episode.

We also invite you to leave your own feedback and suggests, to help us shape this show into a worthwile space for all of our community. If you have any thoughts on this project, we’d love to hear them!

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