Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism
Every voice deserves to be heard, and every story has the power to inspire. Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism is a podcast dedicated to amplifying the neurodiverse community. Hosted by Jennifer Dantzler, a passionate advocate and educator, this show brings together autistic individuals, parents, educators, and community members to share real experiences, expert insights, and practical strategies. From navigating daily life to advocating for inclusion, each episode offers heartfelt conversations, powerful stories, and valuable resources to help us all better understand and support neurodiversity. The podcast where neurodiverse voices take center stage.
Episodes
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to ensuring long-term security for a loved one with a developmental disability. In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Catherine Byers from Rosenblatt Law Firm to break down the essentials of Special Needs Trusts — what they are, how they work, and why th...
In this heartwarming episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Erica and Mason Johnston, a mother-and-son duo with a powerful story about what real inclusion looks like inside the classroom.
Mason, now a high school student, reflects on his early years growing up alongside peers with autism in an inclusive learning environment—and how t...
In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Dana Harris, BCBA and owner of Spectacular Kids, for a candid discussion about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Together, they break down what ABA is—and what it is not—while tackling common myths, concerns, and misconceptions.
Listeners will gain insight into:
✔️ How to recognize the ha...
Getting a haircut is something many of us take for granted—but for neurodivergent individuals, it can be overwhelming and stressful. In this episode, Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Henry Tribes, a Dallas-based barber and the inventor of The Weighted Cape, to explore how one simple idea is transforming the haircutting experience.
Henry shares how his role as a father inspired his patien...
In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Brennan, a 32-year-old adult on the autism spectrum and a registered behavior technician. Brennan shares his journey from early diagnosis and intervention to living independently, working in the ABA field, and mentoring others.
With honesty and humor, Brennan reflects on the challenges he faced in school, the supports that h...
In this powerful episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with three remarkable women—Kate Swenson (Finding Cooper’s Voice), Carrie Cariello (What Color Is Monday?), and Adrienne Wood (Tales of an Educated Debutante)—the authors of the New York Times Best Seller, Autism Out Loud.
Together, these moms share raw, unfiltered stories from their...
In the conclusion of our conversation with Dr. Amy Wood offers wisdom on vocational opportunities, inclusion in the community, and the crucial role of parent involvement in treatment. She also reflects on safety, independence, and planning for adulthood long before it arrives. Her “dotted line” approach to goal-setting and her passion for meaningful inclusion will leave you inspired, emp...
In this powerful two-part conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Amy Wood, a respected local and statewide speaker who advocates for families and children with autism. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey, Dr. Wood shares about her son, James, who is on the profound end of the autism spectrum. With honesty and heart, she reflects on 22 years of navigating life, sc...
In this inspiring episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with Brianna Tenbrink, Leadership Training Program Manager at the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. As the eldest sibling to two sisters on the autism spectrum, Brianna shares how her personal experiences laid the foundation for a professional life devoted to advocacy, equity, and systems ch...
In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Matthew Hannah — a thoughtful self-advocate, public speaker, and virtual reality game master — to talk about life on the autism spectrum from a perspective not often heard.
Diagnosed with autism in the early 2000s, Matthew shares how early interventions and strong family support helped s...
In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Dantzler, BCBA, LBA, M.S. Ed., sits down with Jenna Muscat — board-certified behavior analyst, sibling to a young man with autism, and daughter of Elgene Muscat, our guest from Episode 2: A Mother’s Reflection on Her Child’s Growth.
Jenna shares what it was like growing up as the sister of Brennan, how her family navigated...
In this powerful episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with Armando Bernal—a board-certified behavior analyst, father, and founder of the only autistic-owned ABA company in Houston.
Diagnosed with autism at age three and told he would likely never speak, Armando’s story is one of unwavering determination, family support, and challenging expectations. He open...
In this moving episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler is joined by Lynn, a mother who shares the raw, honest, and uplifting story of raising her son, Bill, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child.
From navigating an overwhelming diagnosis in the 1990's to fighting for early intervention and educational placement, Lynn opens up about the chal...
In this deeply personal episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Emily, a 21-year-old young adult on the autism spectrum, and her father Greg, to share their family’s remarkable journey. From early diagnosis and challenges with fitting in, to Emily’s triumphs in theater, education, and personal growth, this episode offers a raw and ins...
In this heartfelt episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, Sarah opens up about her son Ben’s journey from a non-verbal toddler to a thriving 20-year-old college student living independently. Diagnosed with autism between the ages of two and three, Ben’s early years were filled with questions, therapies, and determination. Sarah reflects on the tough decisions, the power o...
In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with local Chick-fil-A owner, Duane Johnston, who is not only serving up great food—but also creating inclusive work environments. Hear how this business leader has embraced inclusion by employing neurodiverse young adults, sought training for his team to promote understanding, and partnered with a local nonprofi...
In this heartfelt episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with a dedicated mother who shares her journey raising a neurodiverse child. From the early days of navigating ABA therapy to witnessing her child’s incredible progress, she reflects on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Join us as we explore the impact of support, advocacy, an...
In this mini-episode, host Jennifer Dantzler shares the heart and purpose behind Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism. Discover why this podcast was created, the mission to amplify neurodiverse voices, and what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes. Whether you're a parent, educator, self-advocate, or ally, this episode sets the stage for meaningful conversations, insights, an...
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