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PODCAST

Unmasking Social

Sharon Baum, MA, CCC-SLP

Welcome to Unmasking Social – the podcast where autistic teens and young adults, families, and professionals come together to explore real, authentic ways of building friendships, community, and identity.Hosted by a speech-language pathologist with nearly 15 years" experience with autism and ADHD and social communication, this show goes beyond basic advice. Each episode features candid conversations with self-advocates, educators, mental health professionals, and teens themselves – all unmasking the

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All Episodes

56:46

57: ACT, Neuropsychology, and Neuroaffirming Care...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/09/18

On this week's episode of Unmasking Social, Harry Voulgarakis, PhD, BCBA-D joins us for a conversation exploring how a diagnosis can explain a person. It should never define them. We speak about the overlap between neuropsychology, behavior analysis, and ACT, and what stood out most was how deeply human his approach is. What is this person's life actually like? What are they trying to do?What gets in the way? What I loved most about his perspective on ACT is how it shifts the focus awa...

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20:01

56: New Beginnings, Grief, and Finding My Way Back to...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/09/15

I share a deeply personal solo episode about feeling stuck, grieving, and trying to reset during a season filled with reflection. I connect my own emotional rut, the approach of Rosh Hashanah, and the anniversary of 9/11 to a broader conversation about trauma, gratitude, and why it is okay to feel it all. In this episode, I talk through the tension between feeling grateful and still feeling sad, the ways social expectations can create goals that feel out of reach, and why I believe mental he...

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52:59

55: Autism, Antisemitism & Allyship: Charlie Keeble’s...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/08/21

Charlie Keeble returns to Unmasking Social to talk with about how his activism has evolved since their last conversation. We discuss how his fierce advocacy in the UK has shifted to a broader, more personal form of political and social advocacy, specifically around autism, Jewish life, and what Zionism means to him as someone who is not Jeiwsh. We discuss how Charlie’s work with his company, NeuroZion, has expanded from counter protests into media, opportunities for public speaking, a...

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58:14

54: When “Safety” Becomes Control: Rethinking...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/08/14

What happens when our desire to keep children safe hinders their growth? In this episode, Lenore Skenazy - an author, speaker, and advocate who has become a leading voice in the movement toward giving children greater independence - discusses the inadvertent consequences of overprotective parenting, from limiting free play to making children feel they must be safe at all times, with not allowing enough room with sitting with discomfort and learning from it We explore wh...

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42:03

53: What People Get Wrong About ABA with Rose Griffin

Unmasking Social ·

2026/08/07

In this episode, we explore the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with Rose Griffin, both and SLP and BCBA and through heartfelt stories, professional insights, and practical tools to be used. Join us as we unpack common misconceptions, highlight the importance of collaboration among therapists, educators, and families, and discuss strategies for supporting regulation across all ages and settings. We take a deeper dive into how ABA can be personalized while also being misun...

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41:26

52: The College Debt Nobody Talks About with Shellee...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/07/31

In this episode, Shellee Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready, discusses how families can navigate the complex college admission process, negotiate effectively, and prepare students for lifelong success. Her insights challenge common misconceptions and provide practical strategies to optimize college choices, scholarships, and career planning. This formula is not based on a checklist, but rather on a young adult's values, passions, and thinking about return investments on their coll...

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47:45

51: More Than Colors: Understanding the Zones of...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/07/24

In this episode, we explore the vital importance of emotional regulation through the Zones of Regulation, for neurodivergent and neurotypical youth and adults with OT Leah Kuypers. She offers practical strategies to foster regulation and emotional self-awareness in children, teens, and educators alike. A key aspect of this is addressed: differentiating between dysregulation caused by trauma, sensory processing difficulties, or behavioral responses. The following critical points are expa...

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58:42

50: Rethinking Feeding, Myofunctional Therapy &...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/07/17

Hallie Bulkin, an SLP and expert in pediatric feeding and myofunctional therapy, reveals the interconnected web of mouth, airway, and systemic health that often goes unnoticed but impacts children and adults deeply. This episode isn't just about feeding ; it's about transforming how we see health from the inside out! It's about terapy that heals the entire system from the airway to the brain. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is explored further as it is an integral part of assessing, diagnosi...

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34:54

49: Debunking the Clumsiness Myth: Dyspraxia Is So...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/07/10

Are we mistaking dyspraxia for mere clumsiness? Absolutely. But the real truth? Dyspraxia is a profound neurological difference that affects million, yet it's misunderstood, overlooked, and often dismissed. Rosemary Richings, a fierce advocate diagnosed with dyspraxia at four, exposes the myths and reveals what truly lies beneath the surface - how sensory overload, stress, and neurodivergence create chaos in motion. This episode is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt othered, misunder...

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58:12

48: The Bright Light of Maddie: A Conversation on...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/07/03

In this heartfelt episode, Chris Coulter shares the raw truth behind his inspiring journey of advocacy after losing his daughter Maddie to suicide. He reflects on the warning signs parents and professionals often miss, the importance of trusting your gut instincts, and how we can help families and employers recognize when something is off before it becomes a crisis. The conversation also explores the power of emotional intelligence, the need for safe environments, and why listening without ...

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72:06

47: Back by Popular Demand: College Transition...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/06/21

🎓 Special Re-Release Episode As summer begins and students prepare for the transition from high school to college, we're bringing back one of the most important conversations from the archives. Whether you're an incoming college student, a parent, educator, or clinician, the transition to college involves much more than academics. Success often depends on executive functioning, self-advocacy, independence, social connection, and knowing which supports to access and when. That's why we're

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22:35

46: Solo: The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Connection...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/06/15

In this heartfelt solo episode, I dive deep into the heart of a silent crisis impacting teens, tweens, adults, and entire communities - loneliness. It's not just about being alone; it's about feeling unseen, unheard, and disconnected even amidst a sea of people. The invisibility. You will hear about practical insights will move you to re-evaluate how we connect and care for one another. Follow Unmasking Social at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1 YouT...

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63:11

45: Authentic Connection and Mental Health: What...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/06/05

In this episode with Dr. Daniel Wendler , we dive deeply into the world of mental health and authentic connections. Dr. Daniel Wendler is a proudly autistic clinical psychologist, two-time TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and workplace mental health expert. He combines hisclinical expertise with personal lived experience to help audiences better understand neurodivergent burnout, mental wellness, and human connection in a way that feels authentic and comfortable. He shares his own l...

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50:49

44: Understanding Fear Through Psychiatry, Neurology,...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/05/29

In this deeply emotional and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Randolph Schiffer, neurologist, psychiatrist, author and former founding director of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Brain Health.and shares his extraordinary journey from enlisting in the Vietnam War to becoming a pioneering neurologist, psychiatrist, and advocate for resilience, responsibility, and ultimately courage. Through personal stories, reflections on medicine, and powerful insights into human behavior, Dr. Schiff...

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68:53

43: Breaking Down Apraxia: The Power of Research,...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/05/22

Nicole Kolenda (Lead SLP DTTC Treatment Research and Adjunct Professor) joins us for a powerful conversation exploring the world of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), from groundbreaking research and evidence-based treatment approaches to the deeper impact communication has on every aspect of our life. Throughout the episode, Nicole shares how her passion for apraxia evolved over more than 24 years in the field and offers an inside look at the innovative work happening at the NYU Motor Speech...

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43:44

42: From Uganda to Unmasking Social with Enachu...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/05/15

Dive into the powerful story of Enachu "Frederick" Edmos, a true changemaker from Lira City, Uganda. From childhood struggles, orphanhood, and witnessing the suffering of children with autism and disabilities in the refugee campe in Northern Uganda, he’s on a mission to revolutionize education and societal perceptions. This episode sparks a call for action, ecause every child deserves a space to learn, grow, and excel to their full potential. In this episode we take a mote broader...

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80:35

Literacy, Executive Functioning, and Neurodivergence...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/05/08

Tune in for an emotional, eye-opening journey with two passionate (and funny) professionals breaking down the complexities of literacy, executive functioning, and what it truly means to support neurodivergent learners. This episode is raw, real, and packed with insights you need to hear. If you're tired of surface-level advice, this conversation with Jennifer Volpe, a speech and language pathologist who owns Speak, Learn and Play (formerly Manner of Speaking) in Park, Slope Brooklyn&nbs...

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48:42

40: Gifted Isn’t Easy: Mark Talaga on Talent,...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/04/24

In this episode of Unmasking Social, I speak with Mark Talaga about his journey from professional gaming to counseling gifted and neurodivergent youth. We explore asynchronous development, emotional intensity, and why giftedness is about far more than intelligence alone; often the struggles are invisible. Mark shares why authentic connection matters more than behavior correction, the risks of labels, and how family dynamics is integral to building confidence and identity. We also discuss help...

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43:52

39: Speech Time Fun: What Adolescents Need With...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/04/19

In this episode of Unmasking Social, I sit down with Hallie Sherman, founder of Speech Time Fun, to talk about what happens when speech and language therapy truly meets teens and tweens where they are. Hallie shares why so many middle and high school students disengage from therapy, and how honoring their interests, voice, and goals can completely change the experience. We explore how making therapy fun is directly related to building connection, establishing relevance, and supporting motivat...

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19:03

38: A Social Exodus: What Passover Really Means Now

Unmasking Social ·

2026/04/04

Passover tells a story about freedom. But how many Jews left Egypt? Why did so many fear the comfort of leaving slavery? Liberation always comes at a cost - leaning into the discomfort of the newness of it ALL. In this solo episode, I reflect on the idea of a modern-day exodus- not from a physical place, but from patterns, expectations, and internal narratives that takes away our peace in exchange for "fitting in." Because leaving isn’t always clean. Growth doesn’t always feel good. And ...

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58 results

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