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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
22 episodes
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
Paws and Possibility: How Animals Help Neurodivergent Individuals Thrive with Dr. Aubrey Fine
In this heartfelt episode of Unmasking Social, Dr. Aubrey Fine joins us to explore the powerful, therapeutic role of animals in the lives of neurodivergent individuals. From his own transformation- from a child terrified of animals to a researc...
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57:54
Through Their Eyes: Beyond the Categories for the 2E and Autistic Child with Nancy Tarshis
In this episode, Nancy Tarshis and I delve into the importance of seeing children as whole individuals—not just through the lens of labels.” Together, we explore the complex interplay of strengths and challenges faced by 2e and autistic childre...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:04:49
Unfiltered: An Autistic Mind in a Polarized Time
In this episode, Sharon Baum discusses the complexities of political conversations, especially in the context of teaching teens and tweens, particularly those with autism. She emphasizes the importance of navigating political discourse with...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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22:27
Rolling Through Disability Advocacy: Laszlo Jajczay of Friends with Wheels
In this episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum speaks with journalist and disability advocate Laszlo Jajczay about his experiences with social communication, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of advoc...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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46:27
Twice Exceptional and Twice Empowered: A Conversation with Mara McLoughlin
Mara McLoughlin’s journey as a twice-exceptional child shaped her passion for social communication. Personal experiences—supporting a parent with a traumatic brain injury and a partner with aphasia—deepened her commitment to helping others navi...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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53:40
The Power of Passion in Autism Advocacy with Dr Stephen Shore
In our latest episode, Dr. Stephen Shore shares his inspiring journey of turning personal interests into powerful advocacy. From his early fascination with watches to becoming a global voice for autism, Dr. Shore exemplifies how nurturing passi...
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Episode 7
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51:43
How Friendship Found Me: Spencer Ng’s Journey into Connection and Advocacy
Spencer Ng was misunderstood in his earlier years. His parents knew that something was wrong, but also knew his strengths. What started out as a push from the school system for a highly restrictive environment led to Spencer getting social supp...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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50:33
Finding Community and Building Hope: Transitioning Beyond High School with Dr. Lorre Wolf & Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown
In this powerful and insightful episode, Dr. Lorre Wolf and Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown open up about their personal and professional journeys raising and supporting neurodivergent children - and how these experiences led them to each other, and u...
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Episode 5
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1:12:31
Executive Functioning in a Chaotic, Stressful World with Sarah Ward
In this episode, renowned speech-language pathologist Sarah Ward explores how executive functioning impacts our lives, especially in today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world. She shares actionable strategies for supporting executive func...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:11:58
Engineering Empathy: Nathan Chung on Neurodivergence and AI
Nathan grew up in a community that didn’t lean into mental health and learning differences. After spending many years of masking, he did find employment in tech, which he loved. The workplace was not neuro-affirming and this led to the road to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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47:31
The Evolution of Social Thinking: A Conversation with Michelle Garcia Winner
In this episode, we explore how Social Thinking can be taught in a way that honors neurodiversity and respects each individual's identity. Instead of using a prescriptive, behavior-focused model, we talk about fostering social curiosity—getting...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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59:43
From Masking to Meaning: The Birth of Unmasking Social
In this inaugural episode of 'Unmasking Social', Sharon Baum explores the complexities of social interactions for neurodivergent teens and tweens. She discusses the concept of masking, the challenges of forming friendships, the importance of fl...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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30:07