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148 [S11 E3] Unexpected autism: art journalling, mental health and reframing eating distress

Release Date: 05/02/2026

151 [S11 E6] The same type of different: autistic identity, South Asian stories and the model minority myth

The Squarepeg Podcast

Mrinal Gokhale is an author, writer, and speaker based in Wisconsin in the United States, passionate about all things psychology and wellness. Since becoming an author, Mrinal has written for and collaborated with platforms to discuss South Asian and Asian American mental health. She has a Bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Now 35, Mrinal is the author of two books, the latest of which, Taboo: South Asian Mental Health Stories, is a collection of lived experience accounts from people of South Asian descent about navigating mental illness,...

150 [S11 E5] A little candle burning: survival, healing, and the small nourishments of autistic life

The Squarepeg Podcast

Su Scotting is a poet, writer and artist, and retired National Trust archivist, from Cornwall in the UK. Now 63, she was formally recognised as autistic at 58. Su excelled at school, going on to get a BA in Medieval English Studies, and later an MA in Art. After years as an archivist she worked in government administration. But her education and career were impacted by sensory issues, overwhelm and autistic burnout. In her 40s Su was diagnosed first with depression and anxiety, then with cPTSD. When she eventually received her autism diagnosis at 58 (along with diagnoses of Sensory...

149 [S11 E4] Going away to come home: From outward success to an authentic autistic life

The Squarepeg Podcast

For years Emily Nyrop lived what looked on the outside like a ‘perfect’ life; after graduating from Harvard University, she spent over a decade in high-powered roles. But underneath her outward success she was quietly burning out, as she built a life and career inside systems that weren’t built for her. Then Emily hit breaking point. Feeling like she was falling apart, she decided to rip open her life and do something completely different. In 2023 she gave up her apartment in the US, packed a suitcase and booked a one-way ticket to Cape Town, for what turned into nearly a year of solo...

148 [S11 E3] Unexpected autism: art journalling, mental health and reframing eating distress

The Squarepeg Podcast

Helen Shaddock was formally identified as autistic two years ago, after spending over 25 years in the mental health system. During the pandemic Helen was readmitted to mental health services for eating disorders, before receiving an unexpected autism diagnosis. Now 39, Helen is a multidisciplinary artist and PhD researcher. She lives in Newcastle in the UK, where her work as a multidisciplinary artist focuses on themes related to her lived experience. In 2024 she launched artED, a digital space to share experiences and stories about eating distress, neurodivergence and mental...

147 [S11 E2] Complex lives in a binary world: reflections on the autistic experience

The Squarepeg Podcast

Hannah Breslin runs her own business, Coaching for Difference, offering neuroaffirming coaching support for late-identified neurodivergent professionals, and education and consultancy for organisations looking to deepen their understanding of neurodiversity. Originally from Dublin, she lives in London and was formally recognised as autistic in 2022, with dyscalculia following in 2023 and ADHD in 2024. Now 42, Hannah spent 15 years working in Higher Education in teaching, research, academic and leadership roles and is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE. She was previously a practicing artist...

146 [S11 E1] The rhythm of nature is my natural rhythm: autism, conservation and being a ‘tenacious comet’

The Squarepeg Podcast

Emma Marsh works at the RSPB (the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), where she is Executive Director of Digital Technology, Campaigns and Communications. She lives in North Warwickshire in England. Emma was formally recognised as autistic in 2023, in her late 40s. She says that her autism has given her an innate connection to nature which drives her passion for conservation. She grew up on a farm in a rural, working class household, but rebelled against this lifestyle in favour of city life initially, only to later find it again. She is a passionate wildlife friendly gardener and...

145 [Bonus] "An overarching, big life project": interconnecting special interests, memory and mental health

The Squarepeg Podcast

Laura Richmond is a writer, researcher and doll restorer from Southampton in the UK. She was my guest on the podcast in 2023. When we spoke then, it was just a year on from her autism diagnosis, and she was on the brink of publishing her memoir. So I was delighted to catch up with her three years on and find out what’s been happening for her since then. Now 38, Laura was formally recognised as autistic in 2022 after an extremely difficult set of experiences. Social and emotional struggles in childhood led to her being in and out of the psychiatric system for 15 years, misdiagnosed and...

144 [Re-release] From psychiatric trauma to autistic joy: a journey of healing and self discovery

The Squarepeg Podcast

Laura Richmond is a writer, researcher and doll restorer from Southampton in the UK. This episode is from 2023 - I’ve re-released it because Laura just recorded a new episode with me, episode 145. At the time this re-released episode was recorded it was just a year on from Laura’s autism diagnosis, and she was on the brink of publishing her memoir. Now 38, Laura was formally recognised as autistic in 2022 after an extremely difficult set of experiences. Social and emotional struggles in childhood led to her being in and out of the psychiatric system for 15 years, misdiagnosed and...

143 [Bonus] Beyond diagnosis: Self‑trust, masking, and the continuing autism journey

The Squarepeg Podcast

I first met today’s guest, Vera, nearly five years ago, when we recorded a podcast episode early in 2021. A lot has changed for Vera since then, so we decided it was time for a catch up. Now 46, when we last spoke Vera had very recently been formally identified as autistic. Over the years since, her initial excitement - that she describes as sounding ‘practically giddy’ after listening back to that first episode - has evolved into a different perspective. Vera is originally from the Czech Republic, and now lives in Bristol in the UK. She has a background in mathematics, computer...

142 [Re-release] Being an autistic extrovert, people watching and managing our energy

The Squarepeg Podcast

This episode was recorded in early 2021 and originally released as part of the third season of Squarepeg. I was delighted to get to speak to Vera again recently, in 2026, and that new episode is now available for you to listen to. So I'm re-releasing my original conversation with Vera here, so that anyone who wants to can refresh their memory before listening to our more recent conversation in episode 143. At the time this was recorded Vera was in her 40s, had just been diagnosed autistic and was working as a life coach. Originally from the Czech Republic, she lives in Bristol in the UK. Vera...

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Now 39, Helen is a multidisciplinary artist and PhD researcher. She lives in Newcastle in the UK, where her work as a multidisciplinary artist focuses on themes related to her lived experience.

In 2024 she launched artED, a digital space to share experiences and stories about eating distress, neurodivergence and mental health through art.

artED evolved out of the graphic-art diaries that she began making at the start of the pandemic to stay connected to family and friends, and to keep herself mentally stimulated and motivated to take a walk, watch a film, listen to a podcast, or make a drawing.

Helen has recently begun a practice-based PhD which will explore the role of storytelling in processing the experience and management of eating distress and its link to neurodivergence.

She hopes that by being open about her experiences she can support others in similar situations and raise awareness and understanding.

In our conversation Helen shares how she was completely taken by surprise when a therapist suggested she might be autistic; the impact of her autistic traits on her eating disorder, and how she’s been able to reframe what had been seen as eating disorder 'behaviours' in the light of her autism discovery; the significance of her daily journals, and the impact they’re having.

Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they’ve learned along the way.

I’m Amy Richards, and I was diagnosed autistic in 2016, when I was 37. I’ve been sharing my conversations with other autistic adults since 2020.

I hope you'll find these conversations inspiring and thought provoking, and that they’ll help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.

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EPISODE LINKS:

Website: https://arted.online

Website: https://www.helenshaddock.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arted.online

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenshaddock

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arted.online

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.shaddock

X: http://x.com/artED_online

X: https://x.com/hshaddock

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/hshaddock

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@helenshaddock

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-shaddock-94034b25

If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on:

Website: https://squarepeg.community/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/

THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!

A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:

Abi Hunter, Alex, Alex Lee, Alice Kemp, A-M, Amy Adler, Anika Lacerte, Anna Grojec, Annette, Annie, Anya Nebl, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Barbara, Basia, Becca Lee, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Bobbi Sue, Caprice, Carly, Caroline, Cat Preston, Cathy Oliver, C M, Claire Gerard, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Danielle Wrench, Daphna Epstein, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deidre Stark, Dennis McNulty, E, Eleanor Goulding, Em, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Mazow, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Frederike, Galina, George Cole, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Helen Anne Hooker, Helen Crosby, Helen Delaney, Holly Knight-Smith, India, Jackie Allen, Jane, Janice, Jess Dwyer, Joanna McKnight, Julie, Julie Goldberg, Karen, Karin Parker, KatF, Kate and Kathryn, Katharine Richards, Katherine Meizel, Katie, Ken K, Kim Mortstock, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Lilli Simmons, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, Liz P, Lula Cork, Maggie Dodd, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Meg c, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Mindy Wigzell, Monica Toohey, N, NC, Nicola Neil, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Carey, Sandra Chapman, Sandra Rensman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah LW, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Whitehead, Shelia Smith, Siobhan, Sophie King, Talia's Nature,Tris, Vicki Temple, Victoria Jeffrey and Zans McLachlan.

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