From the Spectrum: Finding Superpowers with Autism

Ryan Sumner
  • 4.9 (17)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

This is a podcast about autism. I do this because I love it. Everything here comes from the Autism DOJO. Thank you for your retinas. Find me here: X: https://twitter.com/rps47586 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA Email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

  1. 1d ago

    From Oct 2024: Nicole Rincon, PA-C on Autism, Regression & the Biology Beyond Behavior

    Originally released in October 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive. In this episode, I speak with Nicole Rincon, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant at Rossignol Medical Center whose work focuses on pediatric special needs, integrative medicine, and functional medicine. Nicole brings both a clinical and deeply personal perspective to the conversation as the mother of children who experienced developmental regression and were diagnosed with autism. We discuss autism and regression through a biological and functional medicine lens, including mitochondria, metabolism, gastrointestinal health, inflammation, nutrition, environmental factors, and the potential role of medical comorbidities. Nicole also shares her family's experience and how it ultimately led her from nutritional and wellness medicine into working with autistic children and their families. Throughout the conversation, we explore both established research and emerging or debated areas of investigation in an effort to better understand the biology that may accompany autism beyond its behavioral presentation. Nicole Rincon https://www.nicolerincon.com/nicole-rincon Rossignol Medical Center https://rossignolmedicalcenter.com/doctors/nicole-rincon/ TACA Info: https://tacanow.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/F-H-2-Nicole-Rincon-Beginning-Biomed.pdf TACA Talks: https://www.nicolerincon.com/videos Publications https://rossignolmedicalcenter.com/articles-publications/#published-2024-2-articles BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 00:00 Nicole Rincon 02:07 From Mother & Clinician to Autism Medicine 12:30 Autism Regression; Omegas, Mitochondria & Environmental Factors 21:56 Functional Medicine & Rossignol Medical Center 25:07 Folate, Folate Receptor Antibodies & Methylation 30:36 Mito Dysfunction & Autism Comorbidities 42:22 Challenges with the Medical Paradigm; Maternal Health 48:34 Looking Beyond Vaccines; Environment, Light & Human Biology 53:26 The Functional Medicine Evaluation; Looking Upstream 1:02:00 A Multifactorial Approach to Autism & the Future of Medicine

  2. 2d ago

    From Oct 2024: J.D. Barker on How Autism Shapes Creativity, Imagination & Storytelling

    Originally released in October 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive. For today’s episode, New York Times and international bestselling author J.D. Barker joins me to discuss autism, creativity, imagination, and the way he experiences the world. Barker is the author of The Fourth Monkey and Forsaken, has collaborated with James Patterson, and was approached by Bram Stoker’s family to coauthor Dracul using previously unpublished material from Stoker. Barker shares how autism influences the way he recognizes patterns, constructs stories, visualizes characters, manages multiple projects, and navigates the social world. We discuss masking, intense interests, autistic burnout, and what can happen when autistic traits are understood and cultivated rather than simply treated as deficits. His story offers a fascinating look at the relationship between autism, creativity, structure, and a remarkably successful writing career. J.D. Barker https://jdbarker.com/books/heavy-are-the-stones/ BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 0:00 JD Barker 2:49 Early Years of Creativity, Books, & Understanding Autism; Trying to Fit-In; Following Rules, Black and White thinking versus Gray 11:43 Superpowers of Writing as a Reflection, Creativity, & Intelligence of the Inner World 15:00 Superpowers of Autism by Creating Catalogs: Patterns, Visual & Thinking in Pictures, & Creating Characters 20:42 Balancing Life with Autism 23:51 The Writing Bout; the Importance of Managing Energy to avoid Burnout 35:42 Focusing on the Process, not the Outcome 39:35 Stephen King's Blessing & Approval of Forsaken; the journey to meet King 41:44 James Patterson Collaborations 43:25 Bram Stoker & the Prequel to Dracula, Dracul; Superpower of the Autistic Brain example 46:11 Recognizing Autism in Children 49:11 Future work

  3. 6d ago

    From Dec 2024: Hannah Stevens, M.D., Ph.D., on Autism, the Placenta & the Developing Brain

    Originally released in December 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive. For today’s episode, Dr. Hanna Stevens joins me to discuss prenatal brain development and the complex relationship between the placenta, maternal environment, genetics, and the developing brain. Dr. Stevens received her MD and PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois and leads the Psychiatry and Early Neurobiological Development Lab at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where she is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and holder of the Ida P. Haller Chair. We discuss the placenta, prenatal stress, serotonin, cortisol, immune function, genetics, and autism, exploring how events before birth may influence brain development and later behavior. This conversation offers a fascinating look inside the womb and at an increasingly important question: when and how do differences in neurodevelopment begin? Dr. Hanna Stevens https://medicine.uiowa.edu/psychiatry/profile/hanna-stevens Iowa Healthcare https://uihc.org/childrens/providers/hanna-e-stevens Psychiatry and Early Neurobiological Development Lab (PENDL) https://stevens.lab.uiowa.edu Publications https://stevens.lab.uiowa.edu/publications BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 0:00 Dr. Hanna Stevens 2:00 Journey into Neuroscience and Psychiatry 8:13 Prenatal Development of Autism 14:02 The significance of NF-kB in Brain Development 23:10 Serotonin; Leukocytes as a window into our Biology; Cortisol 29:02 Steroid Hormones and Stress & Development 34:12 Methylation 40:00 Cell Proliferation & Migration in Fetal Development; Antioxidants 45:56 Oxidative Stress; Mitochondria; Antioxidants 48:30 Quantum Biology/Physics ** Me shaking my head at minute 48:50 is not intended at Dr. Stevens, but at myself because I tell myself not to keep going to the electrons and light for a Cause of Autism to guests 53:19 Future Research & Dorsal Striatum; Volume; Brain Development

  4. Oct 15

    From Nov 2024: Eric Weis, M.D., on Umbilical Cord Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine for Autism

    Originally released in November 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive. For today's episode, Dr. Eric Weiss, MD, explains an exciting medical approach for Autism. Dr. Weiss, who holds board certification in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, is a notable figure in regenerative medicine. Dr. Weiss is a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. Dr. Weiss attended Duke University Medical School for his medical degree, completed his General Surgery Residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and did his Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Miami. He has a special interest in using regenerative therapies to address autism. Dr. Eric Weiss recounts his journey into innovative medical practices, moving away from conventional pharmaceutical treatments. As a father to Marston, his dedication to exploring treatments for autism stems from personal experience. Throughout his story, his enthusiasm for natural healing methods is evident. By the end of this episode, listeners should gain insight into a thoroughly researched medical intervention that's gaining traction in the autism community. Dr. Eric Weiss, MD: https://northfloridastemcells.com Educating Marston: https://www.educatingmarston.com Disclaimer: This is not Medical Advice. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 0:00 Dr. Eric Weiss, MD 1:55 Dr. Weiss's Medical Journey 5:01 Intersection of Autism and Stem Cell Research 12:09 Personal Experience as a Parent with Autism 15:58 Understanding Umbilical Cord Blood Treatment 22:39 The Process of Umbilical Cord Blood Donation 25:55 The Science behind Stem Cell Healing 32:31 Future of Regenerative Medicine 34:24 Natural Healing and Lifestyle, Not Big Pharma 36:56 Mitochondrial Function & Energy Production 39:09 The Impact of Light on Health 41:07 Understanding Inflammation & Modern Disease 44:30 Stem Cell Therapy: Mechanisms & Effects 48:41 The Future of Medicine: Beyond Pharmaceuticals 54:14 Professional Transition into Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapy 58:05 Exploring Cytokines & Interleukins; Patterns of Disease; Dr. Weiss's Contact Info

  5. Oct 11

    From Aug 2025: Narosha Murugan, Ph.D. & the Physics of Living Systems & Quantum Biology

    Originally released in August 2025, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive. My guest today is Dr. Nirosha Murugan, a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Biophysics and Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Murugan explores how physics shapes biological processes, including pioneering research into biophotons, the ultraweak photon emissions produced by living systems. We discuss biophotons, mitochondria, cellular communication, regeneration, neurodevelopment, and the emerging field of quantum biology, including what these ideas might mean for autism and the future of medicine. The conversation explores what we know, what remains speculative, and what the physical foundations of life might reveal about how living systems communicate, develop, and change. The Murugan Lab https://themuruganlab.com Publications https://themuruganlab.com/publications/ BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 0:00 Dr. Nirosha Murugan 2:16 ads 9:45 Path into Quantum Biology & Biophysics role on organisms; Bioelectricity 13:13 Opsins versus Chromophores; Proteins; Photoreceptors & Light 17:37 The Body Glows & Emits Light; Photomultipliers & Measuring Biophotons 20:37 The Role of Light & Development 21:04 Seed Germination & Human Development (neurodevelopment) Analogy 23:54 Environmental Light & Impact on Health 25:34 Mother's of the original Autistic kids from Leo Kanner 26:46 Light type exposure & Autism 29:50 Mitochondria, Light, & Energy 31:28 Neurocognitive (Dementias) rates & Aging; Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Electrons 35:35 Microtubules & Cell Function; Reverse Engineer Oxidative Phosphorylation- ATPase, Electron Transport Chain & TCA Cycle 37:14 Cytochrome C Oxidase, Water, Energy, Four Red Light Chromophores- Heme a, a3, CuA, & CuB, vitamin D receptors 42:11 Tryptophan, Tublin, Microtubules 46:49 The Role of Water & Energy in Cells 48:59 Nature's Impact on Health; Get Outside (!), Oxygen 51:46 Midbrain (mesencephalon), Dopamine, Norepinephrine; Serotonin and Raphe 53:36 Serotonin & Development (remember the sensory map !) 55:11 Biophotons & Seasonal changes; Depression, Pale Autistics 58:02 Cancer & Biophoton Signals 59:50 Biophotons & Coherence, Energy, & Molecular Signals 01:01:53 Psychedelics, Depression, Anxiety, Consciousness 01:05:20 Mitochondria, Memory & Information: What is Information? 01:12:27 Future Direction in Quantum Biology and Medicine; Silos 01:13:36 Ryan's journey into Quantum Biology & Practices, Reversing Autoimmune Diseases

  6. Oct 8

    From June 2024: Catherine Lord, Ph.D., on Early ABA, Autism Assessment, & the Problem with “Spectrum”

    Originally released in June 2024, this conversation is being re-released as part of a selection of guest interviews from the podcast archive. In this episode, we discuss Autism with Dr. Catherine Lord. Dr. Lord is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Education at UCLA and one of the foremost researchers in Autism. Dr. Lord provides tremendous insights into her roles in Autism and Autism Assessment. Dr. Lord discusses her journey into Autism, the evolution of the Assessment including the ADOS growing from her basement & being overran by demand to the Gold Standard, the Challenges with understanding the Spectrum, updates on the Lancet Commission and Profound Autism, and Barriers in the Medical & Educational Systems. https://www.semel.ucla.edu/autism/team/catherine-lord-phd https://childmind.org/bio/catherine-lord-phd/ https://labs.dgsom.ucla.edu/lord/pages/our_team Autism and Education https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-spectrum-finding-superpowers-with-autism/id1737499562?i=1000656055638 The mention of a recent article on Predicting Profound Autism and Cell Biology and me shying away from saying "Organoids" in real-time https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11127428/ BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism (0:00) Intro (3:22) Dr. Lord's journey into Autism and Recognizing a Spectrum (11:25) The Evolution of Autism Assessment from making the ADOS in her Basement and being Overran by Demand to the Gold Standard; Revisions of Assessment Instruments (16:36) Gaps in the Autism Assessment (23:15) The Challenges with Understanding the Spectrum of Autism (29:32) Updates on the Lancet Commission and Profound Autism (35:19) Barriers with Autism and the Medical Field (39:29) Barriers with Autism and Education- Four Strikes against the Autistic Phenotype: Sensory-Processing, Speech and Language, Social Communication/Interaction, & Subject Switching (understand B3: Fixated Interests) (44:25) Helping Autistics Across the Life Span

  7. Sep 16

    Autism & the Structure of Reality part 19: What Autism Reveals About How We See

    Before asking what is wrong with the world or the person in front of us, perhaps we should ask what might be standing between our own eyes and the light. What if the plank and the speck are not simply about hypocrisy, but about our ability to see? This episode continues the question of human perception by asking what our histories, assumptions, wounds, projections, and certainty bring into every judgment we make. Jesus does not tell us to ignore the speck or pretend that truth is relative. He says to remove the plank first so that we can see more clearly. From the Parable of the Weeds and the Beatitudes to Plato’s Cave and autism, the discussion explores humility as the recognition that we are never standing outside the field we are trying to understand. Difference can expose assumptions that remain invisible because everyone else shares them, but no one sees everything. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 00:00 The Plank & the Speck; Can We Trust the Way We See? 02:00 The Problem Is Vision; What Are You Bringing to What You See? 02:56 Remove the Plank First; Self Examination & Clearer Sight 03:39 Poor in Spirit; Humility Makes Correction Possible 04:38 The Parable of the Weeds; Seeing the Problem Isn't Seeing the Whole Field 06:04 Jesus Turns the Question Back on You; You Are Inside the Field 06:33 Knowing Yourself; Humility & the Limits of Your Perspective 07:24 What Is Obstructing Your Vision?; Where Clear Sight Begins 07:56 The Eye Is the Lamp; Light, Two Masters & “Therefore, Do Not Worry” 09:06 Autism, Difference & Turning Around in Plato's Cave 09:49 Looking at the World Through Yourself; What Stands Between You & the Light? 10:17 Closing Thoughts 10:55 Sponsors & Resources X: https://x.com/rps47586 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheSpectrum email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

  8. Sep 8

    Autism & the Structure of Reality part 18: What Autism Reveals About Everyone Else

    The deeper challenge is not simply learning to see other people more clearly, but examining the person through whom the world is being seen. How do you know when you’re seeing the world clearly? This episode explores the uncomfortable possibility that we never encounter reality from nowhere. We interpret it through our histories, expectations, values, assumptions, and even the things we don’t realize we believe. Beginning with Plato’s Cave, we move through Nietzsche, autism, Jung’s shadow and projection, Kierkegaard’s individual, and finally Jesus’ image of the speck and the plank. Autism becomes an especially revealing lens because difference gets examined while the norm often remains invisible, raising the question of whether someone who behaves differently misunderstands the social expectation or simply assigns it a different value. But no one escapes the problem of perception. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHROMA'S NEW LIGHTS!!! Elevate How You Navigate with Len & a free call https://elevatehowyounavigate.com MAYU Water, use "autism" for 10% off at https://mayuwater.com Daylight Computer Company, use "autism" for $50 off at https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/autism Daylight Kids (!!!) https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/autism ‪ Chroma Light Devices, use "autism" for 10% discount at https://getchroma.co/?ref=autism 00:00 How Do You Know When You're Seeing the World Clearly? 02:26 Plato's Cave; When the Shadows Feel Like Reality 04:02 Perception Is Not a Camera; Certainty Doesn't Guarantee Truth 05:30 Nietzsche; Where Did Your Values & Judgments Come From? 07:23 Autism as a Window Into Human Perception 09:00 Why Does the Crowd Matter So Much? 10:12 Difference Gets Examined; The Norm Remains Invisible 11:26 Escaping One Dogma Doesn't Mean You've Escaped the Cave 12:25 Jung's Shadow & Projection; Turning the Eye Back on Yourself 14:55 Kierkegaard & Becoming a Self; The Crowd Gives Us Somewhere Else to Look 17:50 Jesus, the Speck & the Plank; The Problem Is Also Vision 19:02 Closing Thoughts & What's Coming Next 20:09 Sponsors & Resources X: https://x.com/rps47586 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheSpectrum email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

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About

This is a podcast about autism. I do this because I love it. Everything here comes from the Autism DOJO. Thank you for your retinas. Find me here: X: https://twitter.com/rps47586 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA Email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

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