Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)

Leta and Amanda
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join thirteen-year-old Leta, an amazing tap dancer and the founder of Autistic Wings Dance Company, and her mom, Amanda, as they share insights into Leta's autistic life. This podcast delves into a variety of topics, from navigating the challenges of bullying in dance studios due to autism and dyslexia, to the journey of establishing a new nonprofit, to deep dives into the neurodiverse world and what it means to be “quirky.” Gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, self-advocacy, and the importance of acceptance and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals. The show explores personal experiences, including the phenomenon of autistic masking and burnout, offering a relatable perspective on what it's like to navigate the world as a neurodivergent person. With special guests ranging from Leta's dance family to experts in autism spectrum disorder, "Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)" celebrates the joy and challenges of life, all through the rhythm and resilience of tap dancing.

  1. APR 21

    Breaking the Stigma: Disability, Lived Experience & ADA Accessibility with Daniel Hodges (Part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to make a business ADA accessible? Why is it almost always easier than people think? In this episode, Amanda and Leta welcome Daniel Hodges, JD, President and Co-Founder of Peaces of Me Foundation, in the first of a multi-part series. Daniel lives with blindness and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and brings both his personal experience and professional expertise to help organizations move from good intentions to genuine inclusion. From parking lots to fluorescent lighting to building codes, Daniel and Amanda break down the real, practical side of accessibility — and why the disability community's lived experience is the missing piece most businesses need. Plus, Leta chimes in throughout (as only Leta can), and Daniel teases what's coming in Part 2: why disability-led, disability-run organizations are so critical. Connect with Daniel: Peaces of Me Foundation: https://www.peacesofme.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hodges-jd/ Support Autistic Wings Dance Company — Learn more about the nonprofit dance studio Leta founded where autistic dancers are free to be themselves, and donate today: https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org More about the podcast and Leta’s personal projects: https://www.letatapstyles.com Want to be a guest? Connect with Amanda on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest Part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network. Daniel found us through PodMatch!

    52 min

  2. APR 17

    Late Diagnosed: The Cost of Fixing What Was Never Broken with Gazit Chaya Nkosi

    Send us Fan Mail Host Amanda Trisdale and teenage co-host Leta welcome Gazit Chaya Nkosi — autistic adult, former speech therapist, and nervous system coach — fresh off receiving her official autism diagnosis. Gazit shares what it's like to spend a lifetime being told you're "too sensitive" or "too difficult," only to discover you were autistic all along. Together they explore the harm of ABA therapy, why AAC devices must never be taken away, the physical health realities of autism that most parents don't know about, and how dance became a lifeline for so many neurodivergent people.  Find Gazit at https://anexperiencer.com  IG: @gazitchayankosi  Support the nonprofit dance company Leta founded. This April Autistic Wings Dance Company is running an Adopt a Dancer fundraiser. Adopt a dancer and learn more at https://autisticwingsdancecompany.org  Want to be a guest? Message Amanda on PodMatch: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguestapp Leta's Tap Styles And My Autistic Life is part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.

    48 min

  3. APR 14

    Are We Ruining Youth Sports? Over-Scheduling, Burnout & Letting Kids Be Kids

    Send us Fan Mail Amanda and Leta tackle a topic close to home: the growing pressure on young kids to be perfect athletes and performers before they've even learned to love the game. From dance competitions costing families $45,000 a year to college scouts showing up at peewee football games, something has gone seriously wrong. This episode is a candid, funny, and passionate conversation about burnout, bad parenting incentives, and why fun should always come first — in dance, sports, and life. Follow Leta on Instagram: @letatapstyles Learn more about the nonprofit dance studio for autistic dancers Leta founded, Autistic Wings Dance Company: https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest Leta's Tap Styles is a proud member of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.

    47 min

  4. MAR 31

    The Golden Chrysalis: Building the World's First Autistic Pre-Professional Dance Company

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Tap Tuesday, Amanda and Leta announce the Golden Chrysalis — a first-of-its-kind pre-professional dance company that is autistic-founded, autistic-run, and autistic-led. They discuss what it takes to build this program, why they need full-time staff, and how the community can help through their April fundraising drive. Plus, Leta keeps it real about choreography changes, imposter syndrome, and the realities of life at the studio. All Golden Chrysalis dancers are on full-ride scholarships, and the program costs about $3,400/month to run. Every donation helps keep it going. Learn more and support: Our website: https://www.letatapstyles.comAutistic Wings / The Golden Chrysalis: https://mtyc.co/2kbqafWant to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

    32 min

  5. MAR 27

    Kenneth Mims on Building Schools with Love for Neurodivergent Kids

    Send us Fan Mail Kenneth Mims, founder of NERC (Neurodiversity Education Research Center) and author of "The Mother's Guide to Autism," joins Amanda and Leta to talk about what's broken in autism education — and what love, science, and smaller learning environments can fix. From his journey as a physics teacher discovering autism through a strength-based lens, to founding a private STEM school for neurodivergent students in Phoenix, Ken shares why parents are the real experts, why IEPs often fail families, and how research can drive real change. Plus, Leta weighs in on therapists, geologists, and why scientists have no survival instincts. Links: Kenneth Mims: https://kennethmimsii.wixsite.com/mysiteLeta Tap Styles Podcast: https://www.letatapstyles.comWant to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

    50 min

  6. MAR 24

    Why Are IQ Scores Dropping? It's NOT Just iPads and AI. So What Is It?

    Send us Fan Mail Researchers keep pointing to iPads and AI as the reason IQ scores are declining — but the timeline doesn't add up. Amanda and Leta ask the uncomfortable questions: Why were scores already dropping before iPads existed? What role do IEPs, overscheduling, and the disappearance of recess play? And are early IQ tests creating self-fulfilling prophecies for neurodivergent kids? More questions than answers — but that might be the point. Follow Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life) on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Check out our website. Interested in being a guest on Leta's Tap Styles? Send Amanda a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

    53 min

  7. FEB 13

    V8 Engine & No Brakes: Living with ADHD and Dyslexia

    Send us Fan Mail What if the traits labeled as "disabilities" in school are actually superpowers in disguise? In this episode, Amanda and Leta sit down with John Osha, Australian author of "Neuro Spicy," to explore what it really means to live with ADHD and dyslexia. John describes his neurodivergent mind as "a V8 engine with no brakes"—powerful, fast, and always running at full throttle. From struggling to read aloud in school to becoming a successful entrepreneur, world traveler, and author, John's journey proves that thinking differently isn't a deficit—it's an advantage. You can connect with John by visiting his website https://neurospicy.life/ and learn more about the following John's book "Neuro Spicy" available at neurospicylife.comUse code ABC25 for 15% offShare your neurodivergent story on the website for potential inclusion in John's next book  Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest

    54 min

  8. FEB 10

    AI, LinkedIn, Indeed, And Trying to Hire For An Autistic Dance Studio

    Send us Fan Mail Join Amanda and Leta as they chat about Amanda attempting to use LinkedIn and Indeed to find dance teachers for Autistic Wings Dance Company. This episode has both humor and annoyance at what AI thinks an autistic dance studio's hiring needs are. Plus, Amanda and Leta add a few updates on Autistic Wings Dance Company, which circles back to the hiring process and trying to find new staff for a workplace dominated by autistic people. Learn More About Autistic Wings by visiting https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org Help Autistic Wings set up their new studio home, and buy some items off the teen interns and teen dancers' wishlist by visiting the Autistic Wings Amazon Wishlist https://a.co/0eUxi6yH

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Join thirteen-year-old Leta, an amazing tap dancer and the founder of Autistic Wings Dance Company, and her mom, Amanda, as they share insights into Leta's autistic life. This podcast delves into a variety of topics, from navigating the challenges of bullying in dance studios due to autism and dyslexia, to the journey of establishing a new nonprofit, to deep dives into the neurodiverse world and what it means to be “quirky.” Gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, self-advocacy, and the importance of acceptance and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals. The show explores personal experiences, including the phenomenon of autistic masking and burnout, offering a relatable perspective on what it's like to navigate the world as a neurodivergent person. With special guests ranging from Leta's dance family to experts in autism spectrum disorder, "Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)" celebrates the joy and challenges of life, all through the rhythm and resilience of tap dancing.

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