🎙️S5 E6

Parents—this one’s going to ruffle some feathers. 💜 In this bold episode of Pam & The Purple Couch, Pam dives headfirst into one of the most controversial topics out there: vaccines and autism.

From RFK Jr.’s media storm to preservatives in vaccines, Pam unpacks what’s actually being said, what’s being avoided, and why parents deserve full transparency and real choices when it comes to their children’s health.

This isn’t anti-vaccine…it’s pro-knowledge. Pam breaks down what’s inside common shots, how environmental factors affect outcomes, and why one-size-fits-all medicine just doesn’t make sense for every child.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why preservatives like thimerosal are being questioned again

✅ What a “green vaccine” really is and how to ask for one ✅ Why allergic reactions and intolerances matter in early vaccination

✅ The history behind the autism conversation (from Rain Man to RFK Jr.)

✅ How social pressure and misinformation keep parents silent

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💬 Parents, have you ever questioned a medical decision and felt dismissed? Drop your story in the comments. Your voice matters. 💜

📅 Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss another Purple Couch conversation.

#PamAndThePurpleCouch #VaccinesAndAutism #ParentingAwareness #NeurodivergentParenting #RFKJr #InformedConsent

🎙️S5 E5

Graduation is just the beginning. 🎓 So what happens when your teen isn’t college-bound or military-bound? How do we prepare our neurodivergent (and neurotypical!) kids for real life—jobs, money, independence, and adulthood?

In this honest and energetic episode of Pam & The Purple Couch, Pam and Pat dive into the life skills schools aren’t teaching—from budgeting and job interviews to handling technology and resisting predatory credit cards. With personal stories (yes, even about Loki’s first job and bathroom “escapes”) and practical tools, this episode will help you see the next steps clearly.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why schools stop supporting kids after high school—and what to do about it

✅ Essential life skills for independence (budgeting, chores, job readiness)

✅ How to help your teen balance tech use with real-world responsibilities

✅ The truth about first jobs and why failure is part of the process

✅ Creative workforce programs that give ALL kids a chance to succeed

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💬 Parents—what’s the one skill you wish schools would teach before graduation? Drop it in the comments so we can all learn from each other!

📅 Don’t miss an episode—Subscribe on YouTube and hit the bell so you never miss another Purple Couch conversation.

#LifeAfterHighSchool #NeurodivergentParenting #PamAndThePurpleCouch #ParentingTeens #IndependenceSkills #SpecialNeedsParenting

🎙️S5 E4

Parents—let’s talk about one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make for your neurodivergent child: classroom placement.

In this candid, high-energy episode of Pam & The Purple Couch, Pamela and Dr. Manny break down the difference between Gen Ed, self-contained, and specialized programs—plus why “one-size-fits-all” milestones are total nonsense.

From preschool potty-training battles to high school graduation requirements, they share insider tips to help you choose an environment where your child can truly thrive, not just survive.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why age isn’t the only factor in deciding when school should start

✅ The power (and pitfalls) of social pressure in early years

✅ How to tell if your child needs more than a Gen Ed classroom

✅ Why a 1:1 aide isn’t always the solution—and can sometimes backfire

✅ The questions to ask before committing to a school or program

💬 What’s been the biggest classroom placement challenge for your child? Share your story below so we can learn from each other!

📅 Don’t miss an episode—Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss another Purple Couch conversation.

#NeurodivergentParenting #PamAndThePurpleCouch #AutismParenting #IEP #SpecialEducation #SchoolPlacement

🎙️S5 E3

Parents, this episode is straight from the heart ❤️—and full of the messy, funny, and downright real moments that come with raising a neurodivergent child.

From baby sleep struggles and food sensitivities to stimming in public and why “because I said so” never works, Pamela and Loki share a refreshingly honest look at life in a neurodivergent household.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your own family’s “normal” is… well, not-so-normal—you’re in good company here. You’ll laugh, nod along, and maybe even see your own child in some of these stories.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why tiny quirks in infancy can be early clues

✅ The difference between allergies, intolerances, and how they affect behavior

✅ What stimming looks like (and why it’s not a bad thing)

✅ How open communication changes everything in a neurodivergent home

✅ Why a diagnosis is never a life sentence

💬 What’s one quirk or truth about life with your neurodivergent child that only you would understand? Share it in the comments so we can all nod along together!

📅 Don’t miss an episode—Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss another Purple Couch conversation.

#NeurodivergentParenting #PamAndThePurpleCouch #AutismParenting #Stimming #SpecialNeedsParenting #ParentingTruths

🎙️S5 E2

Parents—grab your coffee, your notebook, and maybe a stress ball. ☕📝 This week on Pam & The Purple Couch, we’re pulling back the curtain on ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)—what it is, what it isn’t, and how to spot the difference between quality care and cookie-cutter compliance training.

From real talk about BCBA training to how to know if your child’s provider is the right fit, Pamela and Dr. Manny break down everything in plain, practical, parent-to-parent language (with a side of laughs and “yep, been there” moments).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ What “Applied,” “Behavior,” and “Analysis” really mean in ABA

✅ The environmental factors that can totally change your child’s behavior

✅ How to tell if your provider is experienced enough for your child’s needs

✅ Why the best practitioners admit when they need help—and why that’s a good thing

💬 Have you had an ABA experience—good or bad—you want to share? Drop it in the comments so other parents can learn from your story.

📅 Don’t miss an episode—Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss another Purple Couch conversation.

#NeurodivergentParenting #ABA #PamAndThePurpleCouch #AutismParenting #BCBA #SpecialNeedsAdvocacy

🎙️S5 E1

Parents, this one’s for YOU! 💜 Pull up a seat on the Purple Couch as Pamela and Loki spill the tea (and maybe a little coffee) on what really makes a neurodivergent classroom work.

From potty training pitfalls to overstimulating setups, report card realities to lunchroom chaos, we’re covering it all—so you can walk into any school tour with confidence and leave knowing exactly what questions to ask.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ The must-have features every neurodivergent-friendly classroom should include

✅ How to spot the difference between “group teaching” and true individualized learning

✅ Why the cafeteria might be the MOST important room you check out

✅ How to team up with teachers to make sure your child feels safe, supported, and understood

If you’ve ever worried about whether a school is the right fit for your child—whether they’re starting preschool, middle school, or anything in between—this episode will help you feel ready to advocate like a pro.

💬 Drop your own school-choosing tips in the comments—we’re building a parent toolbox here!

📅 Don’t miss an episode—Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss another Purple Couch conversation.

#NeurodivergentParenting #BackToSchoolTips #PamAndThePurpleCouch #IEP #SpecialEducation #ParentAdvocacy

In this refreshed and extended episode of Pam and the Purple Couch, Pamela Furr and Loki revisit one of the most impactful conversations—unmasking the masks we all wear. From neurodivergent masking to societal expectations, this episode examines the reasons we conceal aspects of ourselves and the emotional cost it exacts.

✨ The re-imagined second half brings deeper insights into parenting, emotional safety, and how to support authentic self-expression in both children and adults. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to perform or hide who you are, this episode is for you.

🔊 Tune in for an honest, vulnerable, and empowering conversation on embracing authenticity and letting go of the masks.

#PamAndThePurpleCouch #Podcast #Neurodiversity #Parenting #Masking #Authenticity #EmotionalHealth

In this emotional and insightful episode, Pamela Furr sits down with Manny Rodriguez and Loki DePristo to explore the complex world of anxiety, emotional regulation, and practical coping strategies.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply navigating your own emotional journey, this conversation offers guidance on how to validate feelings, respond to stress, and build supportive routines that promote mental wellness.

💜 Hear personal stories, expert insight, and real-life examples that shed light on:

• Recognizing signs of anxiety in children and adults

• How emotional safety influences behavior

• Simple tools to support self-regulation

• Creating a calm, validating environment at home or school

• Why it's okay not to have it all together—and what to do next

🎧 Tune in, reflect, and share—because everyone deserves support when it comes to emotional well-being.

#PamAndThePurpleCouch #MentalHealth #Anxiety #EmotionalWellness #CopingSkills #Neurodiversity #PodcastSupport #ParentingTools #EmotionalSafety