This episode challenges the traditional “puzzle piece” symbol for autism and the idea that autistic people are mysterious or incomplete. Drawing from films like Kaleidoscope of the Plushies (from when I applied for film school), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and The Croods, I suggest more colorful, dynamic ways of seeing neurodivergent identity. Autistic people are not missing pieces– they are meant to be seen and heard as whole, vibrant, and omnidirectional. A lot of people out there have got to do a cleanse for their words and educate themselves more about neurodivergence, along with being better allies. Picture this as if I am teaching a course that has a “Who Do You Think You Are” concept (imagine if writing, psychology, art, zoology came into play, along with fusions of etymology and creative analogy). Perhaps you might hear me say a lot of entertaining imagery– props to my fellow writing professor, Chris White. I also dug more into associations between autistic people and big cats, including how the new approach to ideas contributes to the comparison between objects and animals. Animals cannot be controlled like autism is. However, the puzzle piece must be permanently destroyed. Namaste, have a wonderful day.

Post‑grad life has not been easy. In this episode of Set the Stage, I open up about losing my sense of self after graduation, feeling stuck between my old life and my new one, and how all of this connects to being autistic.

I talk about:

• What I’ve learned 6+ months after graduating

• Outgrowing my childhood home and old versions of myself

• Feeling lost and unsure how to build new relationships

• Common misconceptions about autism

• Practical allyship tips so you can better support autistic people

Being vulnerable is not weakness—it’s heart‑level strength. I hope this episode helps you understand autism more deeply and support the autistic people in your life.

Namaste, queers. Have a wonderful day.

Perhaps you might have heard that line, as it comes from my favorite movie, How to Train Your Dragon. I figured, as April is known to be Autism Awareness + Acceptance Month, I decided to dig into some big topics regarding to that subject.

As much as it seems personal to share, I could not put into words as a young teen. In this episode, I refer to the question that Hiccup answers, “So Why Didn’t You?” – that line resonates very well with me and my autism for many reasons. As mentioned, I relate deeply to Hiccup in terms of feeling different from the group and not being like what is considered “typical.” Aside from talking about just personal struggles, I also dig into some anecdotes relevant to this huge essay-like topic.

If you or someone you know is autistic, remind them that they are not alone in that.

Namaste, queers. Keep supporting the autism community & bringing awareness and acceptance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe9Yu2YDlOI - scene with “So Why Didn’t You?” Astrid and Hiccup
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5blM2CbeNYiMUVBvg9fImgtyNyjv-3uJ - autism acceptance playlist (resources to look over)

So you didn’t get into the school you wanted.

In this episode, I open up about my college application journey as a high school senior during the pandemic and my recent experience as a post-grad applying to film schools. I talk about coping with rejection, what was expected of me, and how I’ve been navigating it all. Honestly, out of all those experiences, as an autistic woman, it has been emotionally a lot for me to sort through and process (it is uncommon to do so). There might have been days thinking that I wouldn’t survive, but I did it anyway.

If you’re a high school senior or anyone facing admissions decisions, I hope this reminds you that you’re so much more than your rejections or waitlists.

Namaste, and best of luck on finishing off strong, lovelies. Love y'all!

In this International Women’s Week special, I’m unleashing full “big cat energy” and owning my identity as a queer woman in my early 20s. I’m breaking down the gender binary (man box, gender expectations, gendered misconceptions/assumptions), sharing what my heart taught me when I felt completely lost, and telling real stories from the gym floor, personal training, and finding spaces where I finally felt safe.

If you’ve ever questioned who you are or where you belong, this episode is for you. You don’t have to figure it all out alone—therapy, friends, and self-awareness can become your essentials.

Namaste, angels. Happy Women’s History Month. Hit play, tap into your own big cat energy, and stay tuned by following me on all socials below.

For this next huge topic, taking on another one that is not easy to speak about, and that is friendship. This correlates to how I struggled with it as an autistic person. These days, I still find it hard to talk about it, especially after graduating from DePauw, and saying goodbye, which made it even harder.

If you are in a similar phase, you do not have to survive post-grad on your own. By committing to the gym and getting back into therapy, I became better at knowing what is okay and what is not okay for me. Additionally, I bring up some pieces of advice that have helped me from the first few months and throughout in terms of setting boundaries, developing connections that fulfill important relationships, going outside my comfort zone, and so on.

I appreciate you always for taking the time to listen to what I have to say. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if certain parts seem confusing to you. As always, follow me on all socials and be sure to stay updated on my vlogs. Enjoy!

In this episode, I discuss a huge topic that I took the time to write about. This wasn’t simple to talk about, but nowadays, hearing that my work is “great” just bothers me. We talk about why and how I find this a problem.

To me, “great” just does not feel enough. I would prefer to hear terms bigger than that, and delivering more genuineness.

Additionally, I speak of some trauma roots, linguistic lessons, and my next phase with Zumba. If there are parts of the episode that seem confusing, don’t hesitate to ask questions. As always, my DMs are open.

Jazzy Anne talked about how in the description on her video, there's this idea that you must isolate yourself to be "great", especially as an artist or creator. If you’re a creator, artist, writer, or anyone who’s ever felt like you have to sacrifice everything to succeed… this video is for you. You don't have to do it alone anymore. That was what I still feel today— I don’t have to think of tackling such big projects on my own. People's motivation is what keeps me going, too.

I hope you find this episode impactful and empowering, as writing must have been tough. I have been trying to encourage people to expand their vocabulary and not dwell on generic terms. And for college students, please take a communication and writing class! It’ll be worthwhile!

SOURCES MENTIONED:

https://youtu.be/m2yYwXPSOz8 (Kaleidoscope of the Plushies) from my film channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUMt99kx154 (Eep conflict with family scene)

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHADUVVgH8/BfBPtXdUibxBqzKCFmN4-g/view?utm_content=DAHADUVVgH8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h1914ac96ce (PowerPoint presentation from the video I made)

Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 7 of Set the Stage!For this one, I discuss a prompt that I have spent a few days writing of. It was tough to talk of as I was brainstorming because I had a lack of words to describe the plushies and special interests that have become an integral part of who I am. Yes, I speak of brief story overviews of the movies I have seen, but also contributing to how they have become important to me. From a young age, I have loved stories involving the underdog dynamic, or the outsider willing to prove oneself. For example, I discuss how there are possibilities for how I define womanhood. I focus on not just motivation, but also reflecting upon what important aspects have shaped me in what way. For many years, I have become upset about why I still get such rhetorical questions about that, and it bugs me still as a neurodivergent person.I hope this episode has brightened up your day, as I worked hard on this prompt, and that I don’t feel alone in this. Let me know if you can relate to any of what I’ve been through! Let’s girl talk this out. Feel free to DM for ideas, requests, questions, and so on.