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Unmasking Social
Welcome to Unmasking Social – the podcast where autistic teens and young adults, families, and professionals come together to explore real, authentic ways of building friendships, community, and identity.
Hosted by a speech-language pathologist with nearly 15 years' experience with autism and ADHD and social communication, this show goes beyond basic advice. Each episode features candid conversations with self-advocates, educators, mental health professionals, and teens themselves – all unmasking the myths and pressures around “fitting in.”
Whether you’re navigating social expectations, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how we connect in a complex world, Unmasking Social is here to empower you with strategies that align with our core values: empathy, curiosity, and self-acceptance.
🌟 Launching this summer. Hit follow and join the conversation!
Sharon's Linkedin:
Subscribe on Sharon's Instagram:
Instagram
Unmasking Social YouTube Channel:
Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube
Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0pJUS1hby5UtO7EAttixiA?si=882eba9b095c4db5
Listen on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unmasking-social/id1822086192
Episodes
38 episodes
37: Boundaries That Build Connection with Jillian Bober
Boundaries don’t start with rules- they start with the language we use.In this episode of Unmasking Social, we’re joined by parent coach Jillian Bober, a SEIT, Kindergarten teacher and parent coach at Coachable Change. She bring...
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Episode 37
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1:03:35
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36: Autism, Strength, and Proving People Wrong with Logan Ng
In this episode, Logan shares his journey from being underestimated because of his autism to building his own path as an entrepreneur in the video game world. He opens up about what it felt like when others assumed he had limited abilities, how...
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Episode 36
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52:31
35: Screens, Dopamine, and the ADHD Brain with Michael McLeoud
In this candid episode of Unmasking Social , Michael McLeoud, an ADHD and executive functioning spalist, who has devoted his professional time to a broader mission of supporting families and children with ADHD/AuDHD by always keeping it honest....
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Episode 35
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54:04
34. Opening Up About My OCD (With My Friend Sharon) - Guest Appearance on Liv Label Free
This episode originally aired on Liv Label Free hosted by Livia Sara. In this vulnerable episode, Liv opens up about how her OCD has resurfaced since moving back home. Liv and Sharon also discuss how traditional treatments for OCD a...
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Episode 34
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47:08
33: Unmasked and Included at Kiara: Perth’s Approach in Higher Education with Maureen Nguyen
In this episode of Unmasking Social, Sharon sits down with Maureen Nguyen- a lifelong math teacher whose path has led her into meaningful work supporting neurodivergent college students in Perth, Australia. Maureen works at Kiara College, a spe...
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Episode 33
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40:49
32: The Power of a Guide: Mentorship and Interdependence in Autism Support with Tara Trievel
On this week’s episode of Unmasking Social, Tara Trievel — special educator, autism specialist, and parent coach — joins us for a powerful conversation about how to best support parents of autistic teens and tweens while balancing the evolving ...
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Episode 32
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55:15
31: Hold On Tight: Parenting and Advocating Through Autism and OCD with Jan Stewart
Jan Stewart is a passionate advocate for the autism and OCD communities whose voice is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and unwavering perseverance. In this heartfelt episode, Jan shares her deeply personal journey as a parent raising ch...
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Episode 31
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51:25
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30: Social Campfires: Real-World Social Learning in the Great Outdoors with Renee Attaway Storer
In this episode, we talk with Renee Attaway Storer, a speech-language pathologist and long-time collaborator with Social Thinking, whose passion for social learning began during her years at The Parish School in Houston. Renee went on to open u...
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Episode 30
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48:30
29: Celebrating Autistic Pride with a Global advocate and mother: Rebeeca Tarrant
In this week’s conversation, Sharon sits down with Rebecca Tarrant in a poignant episode of celebration. Rebecca is a Global Ambassador for Autistic Youth International (formerly Autistic Pride) who has made a great impact on Autism and acc...
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Episode 29
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51:37
28: Autism Without Borders: Stephen Shore’s Global Advocacy
In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation of Unmasking Social, Dr. Stephen Shore, an international autism advocate, professor, and author, explores autism through a global lens. Drawing on his experiences traveling to more than 58 countrie...
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Episode 28
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59:42
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27: Surviving Trauma, Supporting Others with the PTSD SLP: Rachel Archambault
In 2018, Rachel was working as an SLP at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when a traumatic event occurred at her workplace that drew international attention. I had been hoping to bring Rachel onto the podcast for quite...
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Episode 27
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1:03:24
26: Changing the Narrative: Autism Advocacy in Pakistan with Sunnia Khan
In this episode of Unmasking Social, Sharon Baum sits down with Sunnia Khan, a psychologist and advocate working in Pakistan and internationally, to explore the realities facing neurodivergent children, teens, and families. Sunnia shares how st...
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Episode 26
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58:39
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25: Alignment: Choosing What Chooses Me (A New Year Reflection)
In this solo New Year’s episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum, MA CCC-SLP, reflects on the journey from unmasking to alignment.After a year of deep conversations about neurodivergence, identity, community, and bel...
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Episode 25
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17:52
24: Sensory Awareness as the Foundation for Connection with Jessie Ginsburg
In this episode, I’m joined by Jessie Ginsburg, widely known as The Sensory SLP. Together, we dig deep into the needs of neurodivergent children, tweens, and teens by reframing sensory regulation as the foundation for social con...
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Episode 24
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49:58
23: Fishing for Social Behaviors: Reframing The Knowledge Deficit with Steph West
Sharon Baum sits down with fellow speech-language pathologist and behavior analyst Steph West, founder of Starfish Social Club.Steph brings a rare and powerful lens to her work—one that thoughtfully bridges the neurotypical and neurodive...
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Episode 23
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59:24
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22: Finding Your Path: Transitions and Supports with Dr. Cole Denisen
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Cole Denisen, whose journey is a true testament to grit and perseverance. As the first in his generation to attend college, Cole navigated the teen and tween years with minimal preparation or programming, often...
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Episode 22
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52:47
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21: The Heart of Connection: Understanding DIR/Floortime with ICDL CEO Jeffrey Guenzel
In this episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Guenzel, CEO of the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL), to explore the power of the DIR/Floortime approach in supporting autistic and neu...
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Episode 21
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59:47
Unmasking Political Advocacy : Charlie Keeble on Autism, Advocacy, and Finding Your Voice
I sit down with autistic political activist Charlie Keeble to explore what it means to speak out in a world that often misunderstands neurodivergent voices. Charlie shares his journey from being marginalized and bullied to becoming an outspoken...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:01:16
Beyond the Scores: Strengths and Stories with Neuropsych Marianne Diab
In this episode, Marianne Diab – neuropsychologist in Dubai supporting children and adolescents who may experience differences in skills development, learning, making friends, and adapting to the demands of daily life. Mariann's expertis...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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48:15
"A Father’s Voice, A Psychologist’s Mission with Dr. Robert Naseef
What happens when the family you envisioned doesn’t unfold the way you dreamed? Dr. Robert Naseef knows this journey deeply. As both a clinical psychologist and a father of an autistic son, he has walked the path from gri...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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38:24
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Beyond Parenting: Advocacy as a Lifelong Mission with Jenn Choi and Anne Cunningham
We all know that FAPE (a Free Appropriate Public Education) is mandated; however, many families hit a wall when they haven’t memorized every procedure or navigated the maze of red tape. That’s where voices like Jenn Choi and Anne Cunningham ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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1:28:00
Beyond Sensory Struggles: How Savannah Archer Helps Others Build Self-Regulation and Resilience
From an early age, Savannah Archer knew something felt different. She experienced sensory overload – especially around food textures – and quickly learned the importance of advocating for what she couldn’t tolerate.By findi...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:01:41
Hearing Beyond the Noise - Dr. Rae Stout on APD, AuDHD, and Connection
Dr. Rae Stout — an audiologist with AuDHD and the mother of two autistic children — shares why Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is so often overlooked and why early detection is crucial.She explores how APD, when combined with AuDHD, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:00:27
Beyond the Label - Livia on Autism, Eating, and Advocacy
Livia Sarah from Liv Label Free joins me for a powerful conversation about the intersection of eating disorders and autism. We explore the books on recovery she felt called to publish for those “peeking at the finish line but not there yet,” an...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:03:44
Social Sparks: Fueling Friendship and Confidence in Neurodivergent Youth with Lauren Greenwood
Sharon sits down with speech-language pathologist and creator Lauren Greenwood to explore practical, neuro-affirming ways to build social-communication confidence in kids and teens. Lauren shares the origin story of her SOCIALSPARK Conversation...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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46:31