Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast
The Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast: A Raw, Essential Parent-Provider Perspective, Breaking Down Science into Everyday Language.” In every episode of “Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast,” we bridge the gap between the scientific community and everyday people, demystifying the world of autism through the unique dual lens of parents and providers. For more info please visit: https://www.puzzleboxacademy.com
Episodes
Burnout isn’t weakness — it’s a signal.
In this powerful episode, Pamela and Loki dive into the emotional, mental, and even physical toll of burnout, especially for neurodivergent individuals and the families who support them. From repetitive routines to invisible pressure, they explore what burnout looks like, how to recognize early warning signs, and what it takes to stop the spiral before it breaks you.
With real talk, humor, and ...
🎙️ S4 E2 – To the Mothers Who Light the Way: Autism & Mother’s Day
In this special Mother’s Day episode, Pamela Furr and her son Loki share an honest conversation about what it’s like to celebrate holidays in a neurodiverse household.
Together, they explore the emotional weight of Mother’s Day, the disconnect that can happen for children on the spectrum, and the unspoken strength of mothers who show up day after day without the ...
🎙️ "Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast – “The Masks We Wear"
In this candid and eye-opening episode, Pamela Furr and her son Loki explore ho we all “mask” — especially in the neurodiverse community. From wearing literal masks for comfort and fun to adopting social personas to feel safe, Loki shares his personal experiences navigating identity, self-expression, and acceptance in both online and offline spaces.
💬 Joined by Dr. Manny, t...
In this episode, Pamela Furr, a renowned advocate for neurodiversity, and her son Loki, who has first-hand experience as a neurodiverse individual, share a vulnerable and insightful conversation about the real-life challenges of sensory processing, emotional regulation, and building trust with neurodiverse children, especially in high-stress situations like visiting the doctor or dentist.
From white coat syndrome to emotional shutdo...
In this heartwarming and hilariously honest episode, Pam and her son Loki invite listeners into the beautifully chaotic rhythm of their daily life. From towel folding debates and messy bedrooms to the anxiety of learning to drive as a neurodivergent teen, Day to Day with Loki and Pam captures real conversations between a mother and son — unfiltered, funny, and deeply relatable. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or someone nav...
In this inspiring episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, host Pamela Furr is joined by Mrs. Melissa Parker, a passionate educator, advocate, and mother, for an honest conversation about the transformative role of sports, the arts, and strong advocacy in the lives of neurodivergent children.
💡 Topics Covered:
How sports help build confidence, connection, and life skills
The power of creative expression through art and mu...
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, the Purple Couch team officially unveils MindMeld: Aspire, an innovative online training program more than a decade in the making. Joined by special guest Tracey Duharte, they discuss the urgent need for systemic change in education, particularly for neurodivergent learners, overwhelmed teachers, and underserved families.
The Aspire program is a science-based, ABA-informed training system desi...
In this episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, host Pamela Furr and co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DePristo explore the transformative power of play in childhood development. From fostering learning and communication to strengthening emotional resilience, play is more than just fun—it’s essential for growth.
💜 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
✅ How play stimulates learning and cognitive development
✅ Underst...
Is your child struggling with sensory overload? Do certain sounds, textures, or lights trigger unexpected reactions?
In this insightful episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, host Pamela Furr and co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DiPristo dive deep into sensory processing issues—what they are, how they affect behavior, and what parents can do to help.
Understanding the difference between a meltdown and...
Is your child communicating in ways you might not recognize? In this powerful episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, host Pamela Furr and co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DiPristo dive into the world of nonverbal communication and how children express themselves beyond spoken words.Understanding your child’s nonverbal cues is key to effective communication, and in this episode, we explore how receptive langu...
Parent Care? What’s That? If you’re raising a neurodivergent child, finding time for yourself can feel like an impossible task. But taking care of YOU is not a luxury—it's a necessity. In this heartfelt episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, we dive deep into the challenges of self-care for parents, especially when life is a nonstop whirlwind of responsibilities.Pamela Furr and her co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen...
Did you know that 22 states in the U.S. have scholarship programs that help neurodivergent students access specialized education? Many parents aren’t aware of these resources or how to advocate for their child’s eligibility! On this episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, we welcome Jessica Nunes, Finance Director at Puzzle Box Academy, to break down everything parents need to know about Florida’s Step Up for Students scholars...
Advocating for your child is one of the most important roles a caregiver can take on. But do you know your legal rights when it comes to protecting their future? On this episode of Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast, we sit down with attorney David Slonim, who brings over 20 years of experience in family advocacy and guardianship law. From understanding IEPs and 504 plans to navigating the complex world of guardianship, medical dec...
Schedule Change! The Illusion of Structure - Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast
Join us on Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast as we dive deep into the world of schedules, routine changes, and their unique impacts on neurodivergent individuals.
In this heartfelt episode, Loki shares his personal perspective on how schedule changes affect him, offering an honest look into the challenges and solutions for filling those unexpect...
Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast - Nutrition and Gut Health
"Gut Health and Brain Connection: A Holistic Approach with Dr. Mitchell Kirschner"
Join Pamela Furr and her co-hosts as they welcome Dr. Mitchell Kirschner, a naturopathic physician, author of Working From Home, and advocate for holistic health. This episode dives into the critical connection between gut health and brain function, offering practical tips to transform you...
Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast - Generalization and Safety In this episode, host Pamela Furr and her co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DePristo dive into the importance of generalization—the ability to apply learned skills across different settings, people, and situations. Whether it’s following instructions from various authority figures, recognizing different types of shoes, or identifying the same fruit desp...
Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast - Selective Eaters: Understanding Picky Eating with Neurodiverse Children
Get ready for an episode filled with relatable stories and expert insights as the team at Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast unpacks the fascinating world of picky eaters. Host Pamela Furr, alongside co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DePristo, leads a candid discussion on how food preferences develop and why so...
Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast - Puberty and Beyond: Navigating Changes with Our Neurodiverse Children
In this honest and eye-opening episode, Pamela Furr and co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DePristo dive deep into a topic that is often overlooked: puberty.We’re breaking down:• The physical and emotional changes during puberty, from menstruation to erections and everything in between.• Why these conversation...
You asked, and we’re delivering! Join us on this week's episode as Pamela Furr and co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DiPristo dive into the messy (but necessary) world of potty training. Whether you're starting the process or in the middle of it, we've got insights, tips, and stories to help you navigate this milestone with ease. Here’s what we’re covering:
• When is your child ready to start?
• Top signs to watch ...
Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast - Embracing Every Quirk Part 2: Celebrating Family Functions With Neurodiverse Children. Embracing Every Quirk Part 2: Celebrating Family Functions With Neurodiverse Children. Join us on Pam and the Purple Couch Podcast as Pamela Furr, alongside co-hosts Dr. Manny Rodriguez, Missy Owen, and Loki DePristo, continue the conversation about family gatherings and holiday prep. From travel chaos to ne...
Popular Podcasts
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Karoline Borega married a man of honor – a respected Colorado Springs Police officer. She knew there would be sacrifices to accommodate her husband’s career. But she had no idea that he was using his badge to fool everyone. This season, we expose a man who swore two sacred oaths—one to his badge, one to his bride—and broke them both. We follow Karoline as she questions everything she thought she knew about her partner of over 20 years. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-3 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com