![138 [S10 E10] Working with our ocean and our tides: the impact of autism self identification](https://squarepeg.community/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lara-Schaeffer-Episode-art-1-1080x675.jpg)
by Laura Shakesby | 18 Oct, 2025 | Podcast episodes, Season 10
Lara Schaeffer taught high school English for 28 years until her autism identification at age 47 – and her school’s resistance to her being open about her autism to her students. She waited three years for them to change their stance, before eventually leaving...
![109 [S9 E4] Little glimpses underneath the mask: unravelling people-pleasing and imposter syndrome](https://squarepeg.community/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gemma-Gray-wide-artwork--1080x675.jpg)
by Amy Richards | 13 Jan, 2024 | Podcast episodes, Season 9
Gemma Gray is a strategic marketing consultant from Edinburgh in Scotland. She left her long-term role following a burnout two years ago and became self-employed. She is a parent to an autistic daughter, and was diagnosed herself in March this year, aged 46. Still in...
![[99] S8 E7: Finding freedom after autism diagnosis and embodying the spirit of our unmasked selves](https://squarepeg.community/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kay-Aldred-1080x675.jpg)
by Amy Richards | 13 May, 2023 | Podcast episodes, Season 8
Kay Louise Aldred is a writer, facilitator, teacher, mentor, and resource creator from North Yorkshire in the UK. Now 49, she was diagnosed autistic quite recently, last November. A former teacher, just like me she suffered burnout, left her career and became self...
![[94] S8 E2: The sensory and social challenges of fitting into a new culture as an autistic adult](https://squarepeg.community/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Karawynn-Long-1080x675.jpg)
by Amy Richards | 8 Apr, 2023 | Podcast episodes, Season 8
Karawynn Long is an American writer and proofreader living in Mexico. Now 52, she had what she describes as her ‘Autism epiphany’ just over three years ago, a few months before her fiftieth birthday. She is self identified as autistic, partly due to formal assessments...
![[90] S7, Ep10: Burnouts, breakdowns and anxiety: a journey towards more supportive and sustainable work](https://squarepeg.community/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Dea-Neile-Hopton-1080x675.jpg)
by Amy Richards | 26 Nov, 2022 | Podcast episodes, Season 7
Déa Neile-Hopton is a basket maker and artist. She is of mixed Jamaican and English heritage and grew up in the 1970s and 80s in York, England. Now 47, she lives in Whitland in Wales, with her partner and three neurodivergent children. She is self diagnosed autistic...
