Best Autism Science Foundation Podcasts (2025)

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News from the International Society for Autism Research Meeting, 2025 16:56

8d ago16:56

16:56

This year’s International Society of Autism Research Meeting was filled with great presentations about causes, diagnosis, interventions, mechanisms, supports, understanding sex differences and different populations of those with autism. But not everyone could fly to Seattle to attend. This week’s podcast provides a short summary of just some of the…

1
#349 - AMA #71: Building strength and muscle mass: how to optimize training, nutrition, and more for longevity 11:25

12h ago11:25

11:25

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter dives deep into the topic of muscle mass and strength, examining their essential roles in both lifespan and healthspan. Drawing from over 30 hours of prior discussions wit…

1
Pope Leo and Creation Care, Autism and Chemicals, Oystercatchers Bounce Back and more. 52:09

3d ago52:09

52:09

The new Pope, Leo XIV, has worked with interfaith environmental networks and there’s hope around the world that he may follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Francis and bring issues of the environment and climate change to the forefront of his agenda. Also, autism spectrum disorder is now diagnosed in about 1 in 31 children in the United …

1
#348 ‒ Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Rachel Rubin, M.D. 2:13:28

7d ago2:13:28

2:13:28

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and one of the nation's foremost experts in sexual health. In this episode, she shares her deep expertise on the often-overlooked topic of women’s sexual health, exploring wh…

1
Trump Sues State Climate Action, Climate Wayfinding with Katharine Wilkinson, “Depaving” the Way to Greener Neighborhoods and more. 52:11

13d ago52:11

52:11

At the direction of President Trump the U.S. Department of Justice has sued four states -- Vermont, New York, Hawaii, and Michigan -- that are trying to recover some climate costs from major fossil fuel companies through climate superfund laws and litigation. The DOJ cases are seen by some as frivolous extensions of the other actions the Trump admi…

1
#347 – Peter’s takeaways on mastering sleep, dealing with chronic pain, developing breakthrough cancer drugs, transforming healthcare with AI, advancing radiation therapy, and healing trauma | Quarterly ... 33:20

17d ago33:20

33:20

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this quarterly podcast summary (QPS) episode, Peter summarizes his biggest takeaways from the last three months of guest interviews on the podcast. Peter shares key insights from his discussions with Jeff English on…

1
Air Gets Worse, NOAA Climate Science Cuts, Parrot Brains and Our Own and more. 52:11

17d ago52:11

52:11

The latest “State of the Air” report by the American Lung Association finds that nearly half of people living in the U.S. breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution. Soot and smog are on the rise in part because climate change is bringing more wildfires and ozone-forming conditions. Also, a key climate modeling program within the National Oceanic an…

1
Why science? 0:55

22d ago0:55

0:55

With the International Society for Autism Research underway and a new wave of misunderstanding about scientific evidence in autism, it’s time to think about what is science, how is it conducted, and why does it take so long? Who benefits from science and how? This is just the start, but gives a quick overview of why science matters to families affe…

1
#346 - Scaling biotech and improving global health: lessons from an extraordinary career in medicine | Susan Desmond-Hellmann, M.D., M.P.H. 2:05:50

21d ago2:05:50

2:05:50

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Susan Desmond-Hellmann is a physician and scientist whose remarkable career has spanned clinical medicine, oncology, biotech innovation, and global health leadership. In this episode, Susan shares insights from her jou…

1
Pope Francis and the Climate, Fighting PFAS, and “Evening” Poem by Dorianne Laux. 52:18

24d ago52:18

52:18

As the world remembers the legacy of Pope Francis we return to his groundbreaking writings on climate and environment that called for a fundamental shift in our economic system, and a rethinking of our relationship with God's creation: the natural world. Also, a 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize recipient was repeatedly told there was nothing to wor…

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#345 ‒ Chronic pain: pathways, treatment, and the path to physical and psychological recovery | Sean Mackey, M.D., Ph.D. 2:47:06

28d ago2:47:06

2:47:06

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Sean Mackey is a professor of pain medicine at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, where his research explores the neural mechanisms of pain and the development of no…

1
Earth Day Celebration, The Health Toll of L.A. Oil Wells, Fighting Climate Change with Geothermal and more 52:12

1M ago52:12

52:12

Living on Earth is celebrating 55 years of Earth Day with a solution-based broadcast. Grammy nominated singer and Earth Day ambassador Antonique Smith uses the art of storytelling and music to promote environmental justice and climate action in communities of faith and color. Nalleli Cobo is a young activist who was awarded the 2022 Goldman Prize f…

1
What's wrong with US healthcare and how startups can fix it, with Justin Mares 37:39

1M ago37:39

37:39

Matias and Greg interview Justin Mares, co-founder of TrueMed and Kettle & Fire on current US healthcare and how startups have the opportunity to change the system. In this episode, we discuss: How the US system profits from chronic illness Fixing the food system, environmental toxins, pharma incentives & more Opportunities for founders building in…

1
#344 - AMA #70: Nicotine: impact on cognitive function, performance, and mood, health risks, delivery modalities, and smoking cessation strategies 21:47

1M ago21:47

21:47

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter dives deep into nicotine—a topic increasingly debated both scientifically and publicly. He clarifies the critical differences between nicotine and tobacco, highlighting wh…

1
Microglia as a target for new interventions 36:06

1M ago36:06

36:06

There is a cell in the brain called the microglia which has been traditionally overlooked as a target for therapies. New research supported by ASF and @FraxAresearch suggests that altering the function of microglia in the brain may help support the development of healthy and functional connections in the brain that may be impaired in autism, making…

1
Trump Attacks State Climate Laws, Eco Rollbacks Under Trump, Air Pollution Mixes and Public Health, Shrinking Clouds and more 52:10

1M ago52:10

52:10

President Trump has issued an executive order that directs the U.S. attorney general to identify and block state laws that deal with climate change, environmental justice, and carbon emissions. A study from Johns Hopkins researchers found that residents near or on the fence line of polluting enterprises are at higher risk for multiple health proble…

1
#343 – The evolving role of radiation: advancements in cancer treatment, emerging low-dose treatments for arthritis, tendonitis, and injuries, and addressing misconceptions | Sanjay Mehta, M.D. 2:12:12

2M ago2:12:12

2:12:12

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Sanjay Mehta is a radiation oncologist with over 25 years of experience, and is currently the president of Century Cancer Centers in Houston, Texas (drsanjaymehta.com). In this episode, Sanjay explores the rapidly evol…

1
Tornadoes in a Hotter World, Science and the US Government, Poetry Month and more. 52:10

2M ago52:10

52:10

Experts are still trying to piece together how tornado patterns have changed in the last century and are likely to keep changing as the world gets hotter. A meteorologist explains the eastward shift of tornadoes in the US and how newly vulnerable populations can stay safe. Also, the Trump administration is slashing personnel and research grants at …

1
Let’s talk about catatonia 45:40

2M ago45:40

45:40

Catatonia is a syndrome which includes immobility, stupor, and sometimes regression in psychiatric wellness or even ability to feed or take care of ones self. This syndrome is seen in autism about 10% of the time but is is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. This may be because the symptoms are relatively rare or because catatonia is harder to detect…

1
#342 ‒ Aging well: Peter shares strategies for improving longevity with residents at a senior living center 43:33

2M ago43:33

43:33

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this special episode of The Drive, Peter joins a unique conversation inspired by his daughter’s volunteer experience at a senior care center, where she formed meaningful relationships with residents curious about he…

1
Greenpeace SLAPPed for $600 Million?, EV Charging Money Stalled, A Quest for Quiet and more 52:10

2M ago52:10

52:10

A North Dakota jury found in favor of pipeline company Energy Transfer and ordered Greenpeace to pay more than $600 million in damages over its role in helping protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. Some legal experts call the case a classic SLAPP or Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation suit and a threat to free speech. Also, a program fu…

1
#341 - Overcoming insomnia: improving sleep hygiene and treating disordered sleep with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia | Ashley Mason, Ph.D. 2:05:16

2M ago2:05:16

2:05:16

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Ashley Mason is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor at UCSF, where she leads the Sleep, Eating, and Affect (SEA) Laboratory. In this episode, Ashley provides a masterclass on cognitive behavioral therapy…

1
GOP and Clean Energy Tax Credits, EPA Drops Major Polluter Case, Fracking Waste Crisis, and more 52:11

2M ago52:11

52:11

As President Trump and the Republican-led Congress aim to shrink the federal government and renew major tax cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy tax credits could be on the chopping board. Twenty-one House Republicans whose districts are benefiting from the tax credits are petitioning GOP leadership to keep them intact. Also, under…

1
#340 - AMA #69: Scrutinizing supplements: creatine, fish oil, vitamin D, and more—a framework for understanding effectiveness, quality, and individual need 24:36

2M ago24:36

24:36

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter explores the complex world of supplements by introducing a practical framework for evaluating their effectiveness and relevance to individual health needs. Rather than pro…

1
EPA Under Attack, Plastic Containers Linked to Heart Failure, Wild Girls, and more. 52:10

2M ago52:10

52:10

The Trump administration announced plans to roll back multiple environmental regulations, cut EPA spending and push back environmental justice programs. We cover how recent federal actions impact environmental policy as well as the role our guest Christine Todd Whitman played as the former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during…

1
Contextual Factors in Autism: What took us so long? 26:25

2M ago26:25

26:25

Contextual factors, or external factors, are environmental influences and can impact not just a diagnosis but the life course of a person with autism and their families. A recent commentary by autism researchers around the world highlights the importance of these factors and provides resources on how they can be collected in a rigorous, but accessi…

1
#339 - Unpacking trauma: How early wounds shape behavior and the path toward healing | Jeff English 2:02:11

2M ago2:02:11

2:02:11

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Jeff English is a trauma-focused clinical counselor with extensive experience working with adults, teens, families, and groups across various settings, including career counseling, life coaching, addiction recovery, pr…

1
NY Climate Superfund, US Ducks Intl Climate Meetings, Gaps in Greenland Ice Sheet, and more 52:11

3M ago52:11

52:11

To help cover the rising costs of climate impacts like extreme floods and sea level rise, New York State has enacted a climate superfund law that asks major fossil fuel companies to pay up, based on their historic sales of coal, gas and oil. We discuss how the revenues would fund climate adaptation and resilience. Also, the Trump Administration bar…

1
#338 ‒ Peter’s takeaways on aerobic exercise and VO2 max, insulin resistance, rising healthcare costs, treating children with autism and ADHD, and strength training | Quarterly Podcast Summary #4 27:41

3M ago27:41

27:41

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this quarterly podcast summary (QPS) episode, Peter summarizes his biggest takeaways from the last three months of guest interviews on the podcast. Peter shares key insights from his discussions on diverse topics su…

1
David Brancaccio on Fire Recovery, Bringing Sea Otters Back, Trump to Limit Environmental Reviews and more. 52:10

3M ago52:10

52:10

The thousands of homes that burned in Los Angeles this January included the home of Marketplace Morning Report Host David Brancaccio. He shares what he’s learning about the challenges of rebuilding with a limited supply and huge demand for contractors. David says there’s an opportunity to rebuild a more wildfire-resistant Altadena, and to heal the …

1
Frontier investable areas in brain health with PsyMed Ventures 49:38

3M ago49:38

49:38

Matias and Greg sit down with Brooks Leitner, the newest venture partner at PsyMed Ventures, to explore the future of brain and mental health investing. Brooks, an MD/PhD with deep experience from Yale and the NIH, shares his insights on how a human-first approach is reshaping neuroscience innovation and venture investing. In this episode, we discu…

1
#337 - Insulin resistance masterclass: The full body impact of metabolic dysfunction and prevention, diagnosis, and treatment | Ralph DeFronzo, M.D. 2:26:40

3M ago2:26:40

2:26:40

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Ralph DeFronzo is a distinguished diabetes researcher and clinician whose groundbreaking work on insulin resistance has reshaped the understanding and treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this episode, Ralph shares insight…

1
Is folate an evidence-based treatment for autism? 19:00

3M ago19:00

19:00

Today’s #ASFpodcast explains the potential and the unknowns behind folate, known as leucovorin when prescribe, for treating autism. CBSNews reported on a “miraculous” study using leucovorin that will need further research before it lives up to the type. However, it is an example of how different biological markers may direct what treatments work be…

1
EPA Freezes “Green Bank”, Climate Disruption to Lose Trillions, Civil Rights and Env Justice and more. 52:11

3M ago52:11

52:11

The Trump EPA is trying to cancel $20 billion dollars of funding in what’s known as the “Green Bank”, which provides loans for local clean energy, energy efficiency upgrades and more. Without providing evidence, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin accused the program of being rife with fraud and waste. Also, as costly climate disasters multiply around the…

1
#336 - AMA #68: Fasting, well-balanced diets, alcohol, exercise for busy people, wearables, emotional health, assessing cardiovascular health, and more 27:29

3M ago27:29

27:29

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter tackles a diverse set of listener-submitted questions, covering a wide range of health and performance topics. He dives into assessing cardiovascular health, discussing ke…

1
No Help From America, “Climate Whiplash” Between Extreme Wet and Dry, Bipartisan ‘EXPLORE’ Act and Outdoor Accessibility and more. 52:10

3M ago52:10

52:10

The Trump administration’s attempt to freeze all foreign assistance and bid to lay off nearly all USAID staffers are bringing disastrous consequences for millions of acutely hungry people, including those in war-torn Sudan. A Sudanese climate activist describes the desperate situation and sends a warning to the US about the perils of isolationism. …

1
#335 ‒ The science of resistance training, building muscle, and anabolic steroid use in bodybuilding | Mike Israetel, Ph.D. 2:51:18

3M ago2:51:18

2:51:18

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Mike Israetel is a sports physiologist, competitive bodybuilder, and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, where he coaches athletes and professionals in diet and weight training. In this episode, Mike shares his jo…

1
An Explanation of Some of the Recent Scientific Research Announcements 18:14

3M ago18:14

18:14

The past couple of weeks have been a flurry of decisions involving government funding for research and health and wellness services. It’s been difficult to understand their impact without understanding the process in which science is evaluated for funding and policies around support of universities where the research takes place. In this podcast, w…

1
Trump Dumps Environmental Justice, PFAS Rule Withdrawn, Searching for Old Growth Forest, and more. 52:10

3M ago52:10

52:10

Black, Brown and low-income communities pushing back against industrial pollution have always had an uphill battle. But now those environmental justice fights may get even harder, as the Trump administration shutters federal EJ programs. Also, one of the many Biden Administration rules the Trump EPA has nixed is one that would have limited the amou…

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#334 - Cardiovascular disease, the number one killer: development, biomarkers, apoB, cholesterol, brain health, and more | Tom Dayspring, M.D. 2:17:37

4M ago2:17:37

2:17:37

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Tom Dayspring is a world-renowned expert in clinical lipidology and a previous guest on The Drive. In this episode, Tom explores the foundations of atherosclerosis and why atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)…

1
Ep. 19: Stimulating the brain with Damien Fair 1:07:53

4M ago1:07:53

1:07:53

The MacArthur Foundation "genius" discusses his return to his home state of Minnesota and why it's important to protect the developing brain.

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Bird Flu Warning, Life as an Incarcerated Firefighter, An Ancient Climate Solution and more. 52:03

4M ago52:03

52:03

So far avian flu hasn’t been seen spreading from human to human, but recent mutations indicate some variants are becoming better adapted to infecting humans. Also, around a thousand of the firefighters who battled blazes around southern California in January 2025 were incarcerated. A formerly incarcerated firefighter shares what it was like and how…

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Temporal Interference: The Future of Brain Stimulation with Nir Grossman 22:07

4M ago22:07

22:07

Matias and Greg interview Dr. Nir Grossman, one of the world’s leading researchers in neurotechnology. Nir is a lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and a founding fellow of the UK Dementia Research Institute. In this episode, we discuss: What is temporal interference (TI), a non-invasive stimulation method A comp…

1
#333 ‒ Longevity roundtable — the science of aging, geroprotective molecules, lifestyle interventions, challenges in research, and more | Steven Austad, Matt Kaeberlein, Richard Miller 2:41:39

4M ago2:41:39

2:41:39

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this special episode of The Drive, Peter introduces a brand-new roundtable format. Joined by three renowned experts in longevity science—Steven Austad, Richard Miller, and Matt Kaeberlein—the group explores the rapi…

1
How IQ impacts the “will do” of skills: adaptive behaviors 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

On this week’s podcast, Dr. Elaine Clarke from @RutgersU discusses the role of adaptive behavior. This refers to the wide range of skills that a person with autism can exhibit. Can they hold a conversation? Dress themselves? Prepare a meal? These sets of skills are strongly influenced by cognitive ability. Dr. Clarke will talk about the link betwee…

1
Trump Blocks Climate and Eco Action, EVs in the Trump Era, The “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” and more. 52:10

4M ago52:10

52:10

Back in power, President Trump immediately took aim at climate and environmental protection with a flurry of executive orders such as blocking the Paris Climate Accord and boosting fossil fuel sales. The President may have over-reached but could still do lasting damage to the climate and environment. Also, one of President Trump’s Day One executive…

1
#332 - AMA #67: Microplastics, PFAS, and phthalates: understanding health risks and a framework for minimizing exposure and mitigating risk 25:21

4M ago25:21

25:21

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter tackles a topic that's been dominating headlines and sparking widespread concern: microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals, including BPA, PFAS, and phthalates. Pete…

1
Green Light for State Climate Cases, Redwood Rebirth After Fire, Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, and more. 52:10

4M ago52:10

52:10

Facing huge costs for climate adaptation and disaster recovery, some states and localities are suing fossil fuel companies for damages. The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined an attempt to block these lawsuits, and we explain the significance of some of them proceeding to trial. Also, nearly all the tall coast redwoods in California’s Big Basin R…

1
Age-related brain changes in mice strike hypothalamus 'hot spot' 5:43

4M ago5:43

5:43

Neuronal and non-neuronal cells throughout the brain also express genes—particularly those related to neuronal structure and immune function—differently in aged mice, according to a new atlas.

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Do Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Direct Current Stimulation help people with autism? The latest science here. 12:17

4M ago12:17

12:17

Two therapies that are meant to alter brainwave activity, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation are receiving a lot of attention for potential efficacy in treating autism. They are non-invasive, which means treatment is provided on the scalp. While results vary, the overall evidence does not support th…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Autism Science Foundation Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen