Pam and The Purple Couch Podcast

In this episode of Pam and the Purple Couch, Pamela Furr dives into the heart of what it means to foster true advocacy in students—especially those with diverse learning needs. From understanding the importance of student voice in IEP meetings to helping kids build the confidence to speak up for themselves, this episode is packed with encouragement, insight, and practical tools for parents, educators, and caregivers.

Pam shares pers...

🎙️ Welcome back to Pam and the Purple Couch! In this powerful episode, host Pamela Furr and co-host Loki Depristo are joined by the inspiring and insightful Tracey Duharte, a seasoned educator and Puzzle Box Academy inspiring teacher Megan Robertson, to dive deep into the realities of teaching in today’s world. This isn’t just another chat about schools—it’s an honest, heartfelt look at how education is evolving and what that mean...

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...