Otherness Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Diagnosed with autism later in life. A Joe Barksdale Story. Sep 27, 2022

Joe Barksdale shares his story about a life that was forged and assembled by an abusive and neglectful family in Detroit, tested on football fields, and released in recording studios and on stage. While feeling so much pain and internal self-loathing, he talks about how he tolerated the social discomfort and loneliness of autism. He goes on to describe how he has endured his own darkness to add art to the world and create community which generated the discussion for s2. E7. N17. of the Otherness Podcast.
This week, Todd interviews Joe Barksdale who is a comedian, musician, and author who was recently diagnosed with autism while struggling with a lifetime of crushing depression. Joe describes how the lens of autism has worsened his depression and feelings of hopelessness while he strives to create community and support through his music and comedy.
Struggles can come in multiple ways for many to form the people we become. Autism can provide a unique lens which can magnify these struggles into more painful feelings that lead to desolation. Joe Barksdale shares about how he has lived a brave life through his childhood defined by abuse and neglect and time spent playing professional football. Barksdale shares how he wanted to be the best in a focused and concrete way that can be enhanced by autism. Despite his perceived success, Joe explains in this interview how he struggled with gripping depression and consistent suicidal thoughts. Joe talks about how he was an A student in high school who wanted to design the interior of cars before he embarked on his football career which was driven by his desire to show others that he could be the best at what he did. Joe talks about how he succeeded in the game of football, but did not like to be the center of attention. In this episode, Joe shares how he feels most comfortable when performing comedy and expressing his true self to others on stage. Joe goes on to describe how he wants to build a community that supports the creative output and compassion of others, particularly those affected by things with which he has struggled as a black man with mental illness and autism. Joe wants to call the community Moonbeam, which is the name of the first song he wrote for which he felt truly proud. This vision of community may embody Joe’s living force which appears so rooted in darkness.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Faith without knowing. Autism Family Reflections from Mom. Aug 04, 2022

Todd talks to his mother, Melanie, about how families form around defining members and moments. The Levine family was created around his brother, Jay, and moved forward with the compassion and conviction of Melanie. They reflect on how they purely embraced who Jay was and how they saw a future of companionship and community for him in s2. E6. N16. of the Otherness Podcast titled Faith without knowing. Autism Family Reflections from Mom.
It took a while for Todd’s mother, Melanie, to join him for a family conversation on the Otherness Podcast. When they recorded this episode, Todd was able to remember how she led the Levine family into the uncharted waters of being truly present with his brother, Jay. Companionship for Jay was the top priority for Melanie, and she shares the experiences and images that fueled her faith and hope.
Todd’s brother, Jay, has a steady job, his own apartment, and a caring girlfriend. Objectively, one could say that Jay is a success as a man, let alone one with autism. In this conversation between Todd and his mother, Melanie, these successes are not the focal point. The more meaningful creations were the relationships that were fueled by Jay’s true desire to connect and set by Melanie’s steady faith in his capacity for companionship with individuals and his community.
Melanie shares an important family story of when she went to a local hardware store many years ago and met an employee there that reminded her of Jay. He wore a wedding ring and Melanie wondered who his wife was. She returned to the store a few days later and saw this man’s wife and was moved by how similar they were to each other as well as to Jay. The image of that couple stayed with her during Jay’s arduous yet fulfilling road towards being with someone who truly cared about him. Todd and Melanie also discuss how she went to the many school meetings to help Jay get the resources he needed being cooperative and non-adversarial, even if she was angry about what wasn’t being done for him. Todd describes what it was like to be forged in autism as Jay’s brother and how there was no real concept of abnormality in the relationship.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
S2. E6. N16. of the Otherness Podcast titled Faith without knowing. Autism Family Reflections from Mom.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Like Father Like Daughter. A Family Discussion About Autism. May 23, 2022

When Todd’s daughter, Sofia, told him she wanted to write about autism for her end-of-year middle school research paper, Todd was both excited and anxious. Both the anxiety and excitement came from wondering what parts of her life experience with autism she incorporated into herself. The connective conversation that took place and became s2. E5. N15. of the Otherness Podcast titled Like Father Like Daughter. A Family Discussion About Autism.
The tables of the Otherness Podcast are turned as Todd is interviewed by his daughter, Sofia. She asks intuitive questions about how Todd understands challenges hospitals have with engaging families affected by autism, the changing landscape from finding a “cure” for autism towards community and cultural support, and what she was surprised to learn in her research about how autism is actually a part of all of us.
“Embracing autism is embracing the human condition”
Like many of us, Todd has understood it is hard to “leave your work at the office”, especially when you spend it with families facing all of the challenges of autism as he does. He realized that his daughter, Sofia, was incorporating some of the spoken and unspoken lessons she learned about autism into her own ideas and questions. This led her to write a research paper on autism for a middle school project and was able to explore what we know and don’t know about autism.
“I never thought of it as weird, it was just who my uncle was.”
Todd has always wanted Sofia to form her own voice, which she did. While some of her views overlap with her father, some do not. Their discussion helped Todd realize that the children watching us try to “figure out autism” are actually growing up in an environment where they actually experience autism with those around them. Sofia not only learned about autism from growing up with her Uncle Jay, but saw communities embracing those with special needs. This brings normalcy to relationships grown in autism. She never viewed Jay as anything but her uncle and describes how she can relate to some of his autism traits for herself as we all need tools to cope that may involve repetition and order. They also discuss caring for people with autism in schools, hospitals, and therapy sessions while reflecting on what Jay experienced and what they have seen around them today.
s2. E5. N15. of the Otherness Podcast is titled Like Father Like Daughter. A Family Discussion About Autism.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Like Father Like Daughter. A Family Discussion About Autism.

Professionals Are Not The Autism Experts, Families Are. Mar 09, 2022

Todd finds himself closely relating to retired Officer Jerry Turning who has learned that patience, relatability, and trust lead to better outcomes in interactions between the autism community and law enforcement. Todd has learned similar lessons in his medical career and he and Jerry take inventory on how autism has shaped them as people and professionals in s2. E4. N14. of the Otherness Podcast titled Professionals Are Not The Autism Experts, Families Are.
Todd finds a meaningful connection with retired Officer Jerry Turning whose blog “Bacon and Juiceboxes” and book “Desperate Pursuits” describe the internal struggles and steep learning curve that come from being a K9 police officer and autism dad. He has now forged a new career in retirement helping first responders and the autism community make meaningful connections.
For the second part of his conversation with retired Officer Jerry Turning, Todd finds out much more about how Jerry felt terror and sadness when trying to help families affected by autism get through crises. He emotionally describes a situation where a bruised grandmother called the police to help calm her grandson with autism who was aggressive and destructive. Jerry made the call, to the confusion and alarm of his fellow officers, to leave the house when the grandson was able to calm down. He stayed in his cruiser nearby and was ready to help if the grandmother needed help. He feels we have to do better and the families are the experts when it comes to engaging their members with autism. Jerry imagines his son being physically restrained and brought to a hospital where he still may not receive adequate help and that drives him towards finding other ways to de-escalate crises. Todd relates to Jerry’s experiences and has found it very liberating to admit he does not know what to do at times and feels we don’t have control of the human condition. Jerry described how acting like you have control and know things when you actually do not will make a stressful situation much, much worse.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Professionals Are Not The Autism Experts, Families Are.

Failing and Finding in Autism. Loving the Autism Perspective. Mar 04, 2022

Todd sits down with retired Officer Jerry Turning who has chronicled his life as an autism dad in his blog “Bacon and Juiceboxes” where he describes the often gritty and disruptive life in autism. They go into the shared experience of appreciating the autism mindset as something of beauty despite it being a big mystery in s2. E3. N13. of the Otherness Podcast called Failing and Finding In Autism. Loving the Autism Perspective.
Todd finds himself moved and intrigued by how a police officer and psychiatrist can get together and find a common energy in living with autism in their families and work. Officer Jerry Turning joins Todd to share his feelings and experiences of being an autism father and someone dedicated to working in the autism community and law enforcement.
After Todd was introduced to the “Bacon and Juiceboxes” blog, he read the book “Desperate Pursuits” which are both written by Officer Jerry Turning. While the blog is about Jerry’s personal and unfiltered approach to living with his son with autism (Eric) the book is fictional and dives into the life of a police officer who is haunted by his son’s autism. The first conversation Todd and Jerry had lasted 2 hours and could have gone much longer. This is because the concepts of appreciating autism for what it is and reflecting on why they have the responses they do was very connecting for both of them. On the episode, Jerry describes how he will “fail” multiple times a day as he grows with Eric and his family to find a rhythm that works for everyone involved. Jerry has been able to find joy in Eric’s repetitive enjoyment of the same simple acts. For example, Eric is excited to the same degree every time go to the store to buy the same toy cars, even though he does not actually play with them. He also finds more enjoyment from getting a pepperoni sandwich (no toppings) from Subway for the 100th time than he does going to a luxury resort. Jerry also described how anxious he feels when he is not with Eric and wonders about his emotions and safety. Jerry is most at rest when he and Eric are sitting comfortably on the couch together and can put aside the challenges of the outside world for a few moments.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
Failing and Finding in Autism. Loving the Autism Perspective. S2 E3 #013 of The Otherness Podcast
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Listening to the Spectrum. An Otherness Podcast Overview Feb 21, 2022

Todd talks about how the stories of living with autism have been much more important than any textbook, any medical journal or any lecture he’s ever been to. What families have shown him is that autism is to be lived and experienced and not just studied in s2. E2. N12. of the Otherness Podcast called Listening to the Spectrum. An Otherness Podcast Overview.
Todd speaks to how much the Otherness Podcast has led to his personal growth. Particularly, he talks about how despite studying autism through traditional methods of medical school and medical training, the most fulfilling and thrilling parts of his career have come from learning from the people he’s met and talked to about real feelings.
Reflection is a powerful tool for remembering what has been lived and felt so it can inform how we move forward. Todd takes time to remember what brought him to the creation of the Otherness Podcast and they are friendship, passion, and communication. As season 2 begins, there are memories of all of the meaningful stories that have already been told and how they create a longer narrative that will continue in season 2 and beyond. Stories of what it means to feel the vast spectrum of feelings that include terror, rage, sadness, and pain can create a venue to move into the humanity of autism and away from the diagnosis itself. We define our children by who they are as humans and the lens through which autism is viewed, while different, has a unique perspective that can actually open our minds up to humanity in a greater way. That's how the name of The Otherness Podcast came about. What does this person who sees and feels differently bring to me and what can I bring to them and share in the experience?
These are the questions Todd asks himself when he speaks with of all of his guests and the families he works with professionally.
Listening to the Spectrum. An Otherness Podcast Overview. s2. E2. N12.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Through the Autism BS. Persistence, Parenting, and Doctoring Dec 23, 2021

Todd is joined with Jason Lupow, an old friend from medical school who is raising 2 sons on the spectrum while working as an emergency department physician. He meaningfully describes how he does not sweat the small stuff, tolerates feeling judged, and has worked hard to get his sons the support they need in s2. E1. N11. of the Otherness Podcast titled Through the Autism BS: Persistence, Parenting, and Doctoring.
Todd is joined by Dr. Jason Lupow, an autism father, emergency department physician, and the father of 2 boys on the spectrum who describes how he sorts through what is most important and helpful in supporting him and his family.
When you meet in your 20’s in med school, you are young, broke, and passionate. This is the time when Jason and Todd met and they had no idea then how autism would define their lives so immensely. They touch on how siblings will ultimately take a caretaking role for their brother of sister with autism, how cool displays of memory are parlor tricks that may not have functional use over time, how arguments with insensitive people in the community are familiar, and how when someone says “your kid looks normal”, it is actually a hurtful insult. Jason has found sports to be an important part of his sons’ development as one has an analytical mind when for football and one participates in special needs sports leagues.
Jason also shares how ABA along with use of risperidone, a psychiatric medication that can be helpful for irritability and aggression, helped one of his sons emerge from difficult times. They tolerate some side effects as it has made his home a more peaceful and engaging place. Jason describes with passion how he feels connected to the people with autism who come to his ER with behavior issues and that they simply need compassionate care instead of elaborate tests and medications to sedate them. He also informs families of what resources there are in his community that have helped him and his family gather support which is an essential ingredient for growth in autism.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Through the Autism BS: Persistence, Parenting, and Doctoring.

Stories from an Autism Dad and Doctor. Aidan’s Autism Law. Oct 14, 2021

Dr. Randy Freeman joins Todd to reflect on his professional experience as a psychiatrist in autism and his personal experience as an autism father to his son, Aidan. He shares how few other doctors actually “get” autism, how we should lead with family and love, and military service can help improve compassion in s1. E10. N10. of the Otherness Podcast titled Stories from an Autism Dad and Doctor. Aidan’s Autism Law.
Todd is joined by Dr. Randy Freeman, an autism father and child psychiatrist, to talk about incorporating his professional training and personal experience to bring quality care to families affected by autism with warmth and love.
People who are passionate about providing personal care to families affected by autism seem to find each other. So it was natural that Todd found Dr. Randy Freeman, another psychiatrist with personal and professional investment in the world of autism. Randy served as an officer in the military, lived in different parts of the world with this family, and entered the world of autism when his son, Aidan, was diagnosed with autism at 22 months old. Like Todd, Randy has been inspired by and challenged with the imperfect art of bringing your personal experience into your work. They share how they yearned for autism mentorship in their medical training and had to find it on their own. Randy brings his family experience into his office everyday which is also painted in Aidan’s favorite color and is decorated with Aidan’s artwork. They agree that love and family are the most important ingredients in their work and the use of medications is simply a tool like any other. Todd loved to fish the waters of Narragnsett Bay and the logo for Randy’s practice is a sailboat, symbolizing the launch of his career in autism. We find out about how “Aidan’s Law” was laid down by Randy who needed to impress upon a school that education is for everyone at every level.
s1. E10. N10. of the Otherness Podcast is titled Stories from an Autism Dad and Doctor. Aidan’s Autism Law.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Stories from an Autism Dad and Doctor. Aidan’s Autism Law.

Darkness Finds You In Autism. A Mother’s Losses and Gains Sep 23, 2021

Peach pits and fairy dust have been key ingredients for Sue Jewel, who is raising two daughters with autism. A peach pit almost killed one of her daughters and she sprinkles fairy dust over her family as tensions inevitably run high. Hear how Sue deals with losses and finds growth in s1. E9. N9. of the Otherness Podcast titled Darkness Finds You In Autism. A Mother’s Losses and Gains.
Todd sits down with Sue Jewel, who has two daughters with autism, to share feelings of fear and endurance as she deals with nearly losing one of her daughters and keeping her family together through it all.
When Todd lived and worked in Rhode Island, he was introduced to the moms of the Autism Project. Sue Jewel, a member of the organization who reminds everyone it is not simply a “mom’s group”, came to Todd with two daughters with autism who were both struggling with different repetitive styles. Julia, a prolific artist, would hyper-focus on finding one of her thousands of drawings that she kept in a bag, but not be able to say exactly what she was looking for. While Sue frantically looked for one of the drawings to prevent a meltdown, Emily (her younger daughter) would then grab Sue with terror and try to flee the house, sometimes naked. Emily would get aggressive whenever she heard someone cough or clear their throat, following an episode where Emily almost choked to death on a peach pit. Sue started off life married without children for 8 years, hustling to build a business she could sustain before having children.
After having 2 daughters with autism, the business was sold and her marriage ended. Holding the household together as a single mom was fortified by her new professional identity as an educator at the Autism Project, as well as life-long friendships that were forged with other mothers affected by autism. Sue has defined family in a new and different way, with her ex-husband and her new husband, as she learned endurance, flexibility, and a gentler way of understanding anger as fear.
Darkness Finds You In Autism. A Mother’s Losses and Gains is the title of s1. E9. N9. of the Otherness Podcast.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
More available at https://othernesspodcast.com.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Darkness Finds You In Autism. A Mother’s Losses and Gains.

Boulders and Mirrors in Autism. Examining the reflections. Aug 29, 2021

A fellow autism psychiatrist and brother of a young man on the spectrum, Dr. Jared Reichenberg, shares with Todd how life in autism started in childhood and extended into a career. They discuss how feelings of helplessness can generate hope when relating to families affected by autism for s1. E8. N8. of the Otherness Podcast titled Boulders and Mirrors in Autism. Examining the reflections.
Todd reflects on how the path to a career in autism can begin with a brother on the spectrum, but is also influenced by good mentorship and some stark reality checks with fellow autism psychiatrist, Dr. Jared Reichenberg.
Todd and Jared met on a crisp fall day in Providence, Rhode Island when Todd was giving a lecture on autism to Jared and his fellow psychiatry trainees. Jared introduced himself to Todd after the lecture was over. Todd can’t remember exactly what Jared said, but he definitely felt the presence of a colleague who shared his life experience of having a sibling with autism, as well as his passion for autism.
That common ground started a connection that built over the next 5 years and culminated with Jared taking over care of many of Todd’s patients when Todd moved to Phoenix. On this episode, they describe how, no matter how long they do this work, they still struggle with similar feelings of helplessness and worries of failure, especially when faced with extremely challenging patients. They also speak about how their lives as brothers of someone on the spectrum tumble into the world of caring for families affected by autism in sometimes obvious and sometimes mysterious ways. They share the power of good mentorship, interesting gifts given by patients, and the delivery of sincere and imperfect care in their work.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Boulders and Mirrors in Autism. Examining the reflections.

White Knuckle Parenting. No Downtime in Autism Families. Aug 18, 2021

Kim Cartelli Liguori describes how there are no “relaxing Sundays” while she resiliently parents her son on the spectrum, Anthony. She describes the constant work of keeping her family moving along, the work she shoulders, and her own endurance with the help and partnership of her family, friends, and community for s1. E7. N7. of the Otherness Podcast titled White Knuckle Parenting. No Downtime in Autism Families.
Todd reflects on how connection to community and family, an intuitive sense of your child on the spectrum, and even painful internal conflicts with Kim, an old friend from Longmeadow, MA.
Clearly Todd has a special relationship with his hometown of Longmeadow, MA. Many discussions he’s had on the podcast end up there. When Kim Cartelli Liguori was mapping her autism quest with her family and son, Anthony, it also brought her back to Longmeadow. Both Todd and Kim’s husband, Jeff, have referred to it as “Pleasantville” due to it’s picturesque suburban feel. For Kim, returning to the home of her youth, meant grounding herself in family and lifelong friends in order to provide support as she hurdles forward in the tumultuous life of autism parenting.
“The humanity of autism does involve some resentment about the work you have to do…and sometimes it takes you to the limits.”
Kim describes how she is constantly working to schedule Anthony’s time in a way that keeps him content as he has tremendous difficulties in self-entertaining. She anxiously put him on Prozac as his mood and discomfort was so pervasive and heartbreaking that she desperately wanted to help him. She also meaningfully describes how she feels guilty that wishing for a life without autism may lead herself and others to believe she does not truly love Anthony for who he is.
Todd understands this unique guilt and has heard similar stories from many parents of kids on the spectrum who feel alone with the guilt. Kim is not alone, nor are any of the other resilient autism parents. Putting your best foot forward is always done on instinct, and sometimes does not allow room for the mixed feelings we all carry.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts. S1. E7. N7. of the Otherness Podcast is titled White Knuckle Parenting. No Downtime in Autism Families.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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White Knuckle Parenting. No Downtime in Autism Families.

Part Boy, Part Man. A Kind of Transition to Autism Adulthood Jul 27, 2021

Todd meets with Sammi, a friend and mother of a young man with autism, to talk about the mixed feelings that come with her son’s transition to adulthood for s1. E6. N6. of the Otherness Podcast titled Part Boy, Part Man. A Kind of Transition to Autism Adulthood.
Through the lens of a mother, Todd reflects on the fear and growth that come through the development from childhood to adulthood for a young man on the spectrum.
As Todd was developing the Otherness Podcast, he reached out to Sammi, a friend and mother of one of his former patients. Sammi was intrigued by the first episodes and felt that the voice of those who spoke through the podcast resonated with her. Todd was also curious about how her son, Bailey, was feeling and functioning as he is now 21 and about to transition to adult services. This turned into a discussion that peels back some of the initial feelings of anxiety around “growing up” and finds richness in the acknowledgement that Bailey is not fully an adult despite the term “adult transition”.
She describes how this transition is as much about missing what a wonderful community his school has been for him throughout his life, as it is about going into something new. Sammi is touring different day programs, wants Bailey to be involved in the work community, and wants him to have a sense of happiness and self. She shares her pain while seeing Bailey’s non-autistic peers obtain goals that he may want, but may never have. These include driving, graduating high school and college, and forming romantic relationships.
“There are always transitions for the neurotypical population that sometimes make the autism transitions a little painful.”
Despite her heavy involvement in the autism community as an advocate and fundraiser, she feels there is so much to explore for Bailey in this new phase of his life. Some of these plans may work out, and some may not. However, Sammi is open to the new experience and hopes Bailey is too.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
Part Boy, Part Man. A Kind of Transition to Autism Adulthood is s1. E6. N6. of the Otherness Podcast.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Part Boy, Part Man. A Kind of Transition to Autism Adulthood

Autism education openness and going in blind at times. Jun 06, 2021

Todd meets with his brother’s special education teacher from elementary school, Lianne, to gain perspective on the art of working with students, families, and schools in educating children with autism for s1. E5. N5. of the Otherness Podcast called Autism education openness and going in blind at times.
Todd reflects on the creative balancing act of being a special education teacher with Lianne, who was an essential educator and leader in the schooling of his brother, Jay.
As Todd was developing the Otherness Podcast, he wanted connections with people who he remembered well from his journey with his brother, Jay. When he was unpacking after his move to Phoenix, AZ from Providence, RI, he opened an old photo album given to him by his mother. In it was an old newspaper clipping featuring Jay’s special education teacher, Lianne. Todd’s mother had submitted the idea of the article to a local newspaper to highlight the tremendous efforts put forth by Lianne and her team which was celebrated well in the article. Todd then went online and found Lianne’s contact info and they talked about not only Jay, but the experience of being a special educator in an early and growing time for understanding special needs students.
“These are the parents. They know their child the best.”
They discuss the importance of family support, implementation of novel and creative ideas, balancing the needs of the students with capacity of a school, and learning from students. Lianne also shares how she created a voice for advocacy in herself and the families with which she works. Topics include feeling left out at field day, licking lips when stressed, trials by fire, being part of an educational “dream team”, and how a classroom can feel united and like family when there is openness at school. She also shared some great stories about Jay, including how every year her Christmas tree is topped with the star Jay made 35 years ago.
The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Autism education openness and going in blind at times.

Partner over prescriber. Identifying as an autism doctor. May 27, 2021

Todd reveals and explores his internal struggles and realizations as he strives to build a grounded and meaningful medical career in autism for s1. E4. N4. of the Otherness Podcast which is named partner over prescriber. Identifying as an autism doctor.
Todd takes time to explore how his path in medicine towards autism was shaped by many lessons learned from his personal experiences, the experiences of others, and his identity as a physician.
Throughout his life, Todd has worked to create a meaningful career and personal journey in autism by incorporating his personal experience of having a brother with autism, his professional training as a physician, and his continued learning from families affected by autism. He has learned respect for autism as a normative part of a personal and family experience that is not to be solved or cured, but held and enjoyed.
While Todd identifies as a doctor in a very profound way, he understands the medical model of fixing or curing illness may be less applicable to working with families living in autism.
“When you choose to stay present, what you’re able to build with hope can be amazing.”
He explains how every person and family he sees in front of him at his clinic provides more robust understanding of how to engage and treat aspects of the behavioral issues that are common in autism. He also found that psychiatric medications can be important tools in his work, but it is the knowledge of individuals and families affected by autism that is essential and creates treatment choices.
Todd embraces autism as the base from which behavior issues can arise and do require treatment through medications and other therapies. He continues to enjoy learning from others, reflecting on what he has witnessed as a doctor, and rooting his process in the lives of communities growing in autism.
s1. E4. N4. of the Otherness Podcast with Dr. Todd Peter Levine is named partner over prescriber. Identifying as an autism doctor.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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https://othernesspodcast.com/
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Partner over prescriber. Identifying as an autism doctor.

Grown In Autism. Brothers sharing a family experience. May 03, 2021

Todd and his brother, Evan, share their unique experiences and feelings about growing up with Jay, their youngest brother with autism, for S1. E3. N3. of the Otherness Podcast: Grown In Autism. Brothers sharing a family experience.
Todd invites his brother, Evan, to share experiences about how life was enjoyed and shaped with growing up with their youngest brother, Jay, who has found a vibrant life in his journey with autism.
Todd and Evan grew up in a small town in Western Massachusetts and were indoctrinated
into the world of autism with the arrival of their youngest brother, Jay, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age. The intimacy that Jay promoted (and sometimes demanded) lead to the creation of a family communication style which emphasized togetherness through struggles and triumphs. Todd and Evan share many life lessons they learned from Jay which included how to be one true self, stay genuine in friendship, to separate with both sadness and compassion, and how an entire community can come to someone’s aid. The intensity of a life shared with Jay’s often unfiltered perspective lead to great moments of happiness as well as trying moments of helplessness and sadness. It is impossible to define Jay’s autism as it is interwoven with his vibrant personality. Todd and Evan have incorporated their brother into their lives in a way that presents autism as an asset that is very much alive.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
*******
Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Grown In Autism: Brothers sharing a family experience.

Purple Juice and the Digestion and Integration of Autism Life. Apr 09, 2021

Purple Juice and the Digestion and Integration of Autism Life. Doctor Todd Peter Levine talks with candor and compassion with a mom who has insightful perspective on raising a son with autism for s1. E2.of the Otherness Podcast.
Dr. Todd Peter Levine invites a long-time friend and mother of a young man with autism to understand how living with autism is a gradual process of struggle and discovery.
After hearing the first episode of The Otherness Podcast, Barb, a long-time friend who worked with me in the 90’s at a summer camp, reconnected with me via social media. We talked for hours about life and her poignant experiences in raising a son with autism.
Some meaningful perspectives were shared when two old friends who launched careers in working with children several years ago found themselves deeply involved in autism. Her courage to share the often unspoken fears and vulnerabilities that are part of the autism parenting experience inspired us to record it and share. We talked about self-doubt, small victories, hearing the unspoken word, sensory diets, toilet training, and the inspiring purple juice.
Disappointments, acceptance, fear, and hope can co-exist in a harmonious way to learn through the autism parenting process. I see that personal journeys such as Barb’s illustrate incredible resilience and growth.
Purple Juice and the Digestion and Integration of Autism Life. Doctor Todd Peter Levine talks with candor and compassion with a mom who has insightful perspective on raising a son with autism for s1. E2.of the Otherness Podcast.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
*******
Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Purple Juice and the Digestion and Integration of Autism Life.

Navigating Stories of Autism. Lives Without a Compass. Mar 11, 2021

Navigating Stories of Autism: Lives Without a Compass. Exploring the stories and experiences of autism through an engaging podcast format. S1. E1. n1. of the Otherness Podcast.
Dr. Todd Peter Levine is the host of the Otherness Podcast. He is a psychiatrist who treats people with autism in a compassionate manner that started with his life as the older sibling of his brother with autism. The show is not about medical information or research, but rather about navigating and engaging autism through experienced stories that come from his life and the life of others. Todd begins the journey on this episode to talk about his approach to sharing stories and how to integrate them into an engaging and meaningful experience.
“This is a narrator and curator and not just a doctor.”
“I want it to be an organic, living thing that is generated from my lifelong history with autism, starting as a child with a brother on the spectrum.”
This episode is co-hosted with my old friend, Loren Weisman. We met at a summer camp in Massachusetts called Camp Frank A Day and then lost touch, even though we grew up within 45 minutes of each other. I ended up going to college in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts where Loren grew up before he went to school in Boston. Loren’s approach to authentic and sincere messaging lead us back to talking and working together many years later
This approach to move to stories and bring a greater understanding and healing as a whole over trying to solve it is an important cornerstone of this podcast.
Navigating Stories of Autism: Lives Without a Compass. Exploring the stories and experiences of autism through an engaging podcast format. S1. E1. n1. of the Otherness Podcast.
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The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.
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https://othernesspodcast.com/
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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
*******
Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Navigating Stories of Autism: Lives Without a Compass.

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