Best Spectrum Autism Research News Podcasts (2025)

1
How Do You Rate Newsom's Job Performance? 57:45

29m ago57:45

57:45

More than half of Californians think Gov. Gavin Newsom is more focused on winning the presidency than governing the state, according to a poll this month from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. The results come as Newsom proposes controversial healthcare cuts to close a projected $12 billion budget shortfall and navigates a hostile …

1
What the Target Boycott Says About the Power of Consumers 57:52

33m ago57:52

57:52

Retailers are now facing a lot of headwinds, including tariffs and a drop in consumer confidence. But for Target, once affectionately known by customers as Tar-jay, a consumer boycott in response to the company’s decision to drop some DEI initiatives has been an added drag. In its most recent earnings call, the retailer reported a 3.8% drop in sale…

1
Alison Bechdel Parodies Her Fame in Comic Novel ‘Spent’ 57:40

1d ago57:40

57:40

Perhaps you’ve been following Alison Bechdel’s work since her comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” which invented the now ubiquitous Bechdel test (does a movie have two women who speak to each other about something other than a man?). Maybe you came to know her through her graphic memoir “Fun Home,” which was adapted into a Tony-award winning musi…

1
BART Meltdowns, Fare Hikes, Budget Cuts and Other Bay Area Transit Woes 57:50

1d ago57:50

57:50

It has been a tough month for Bay Area transit. BART had two major meltdowns this month, stranding and frustrating commuters, all while the agency plans to raise fares. System wide, Bay Area transit agencies continue to struggle with funding challenges and luring back riders after the pandemic fundamentally altered our region’s commute patterns. An…

1
Forum from the Archives: The New Yorker’s Michael Luo on ‘the Epic Story of the Chinese in America' 57:39

2d ago57:39

57:39

In 1889, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the now infamous Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the country. Writing for the majority, Justice Stephen J. Field characterized Chinese migrants as “strangers in the land.” New Yorker editor Michael Luo says that label persists today, even as more than 22 million people of…

1
Forum From the Archives: Jonathan Hirsch on Losing His Father to 'A Cult and Dementia' 57:50

1d ago57:50

57:50

In his popular podcast “Dear Franklin Jones,” radio producer Jonathan Hirsch tried to make sense of a childhood dominated by his parents’ spiritual guru. In a new memoir he more deeply explores his relationship with his father and the complexity of providing care for a parent who didn’t take care of him. We talk to him about his audio memoir, “The …

1
‘Second Life’ Looks at Parenting in an App-Obsessed World 57:40

5d ago57:40

57:40

When New York Times critic Amanda Hess was told her baby had a rare genetic condition, her first instinct was to “Google [her] way out of it.” But instead of comfort, she found anxiety – a feeling that would come to define her journey into parenthood. We talk to Hess about how technology, including fertility apps and high-end gadgets, are reshaping…

1
What’s on Your Summer Fun List? 57:47

13m ago57:47

57:47

A jazz festival in June. A California quilt show in July. A languorous lighthouse lunch in August. The best music, museums and memorable meals are just a few of the recommendations our KQED culture team has compiled in their annual Summer Events guide. They have advice for myriad tastes and budgets because nothing beats the Bay in the summer. Liste…

1
Early Autism Signs & Support | with Dr. Giacomo Vivanti #205 38:49

2h ago38:49

38:49

This week, we are joined by Dr. Giacomo Vivanti, a leading expert in early autism detection and intervention. With a personal connection to autism through his two brothers and a career dedicated to understanding how children with autism learn, Dr. Vivanti offers invaluable insights. Today we will be discussing practical advice for recognizing early…

1
Trump’s Memecoin, Qatari Jet Raise Bipartisan Corruption Concerns 57:41

4h ago57:41

57:41

The biggest owners of the Trump memecoin $Trump will dine with the president Thursday night at the Trump National Golf Club. The cryptocurrency directly enriches the Trump family and has alarmed public corruption experts on both sides of the aisle – as has the administration’s acceptance Wednesday of a luxury jet from Qatar. We take a closer look a…

1
Live From East Oakland: Can $100 Million Revitalize Oakland’s Black Community? 57:51

6d ago57:51

57:51

For several decades, Black residents of East Oakland have watched their once-thriving middle-class community wither in numbers as the rising cost of living pushed out their neighbors leaving the area blighted with empty storefronts, crime and poverty. Now, a plan called Rise East will inject $100 million of privately raised funds into a 40-square-b…

1
From California to Kyiv, Advocates Fight for Return of Ukraine’s Stolen Children 57:44

7d ago57:44

57:44

Vladimir Putin has removed tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia since the start of his full scale invasion in February 2022. The deportations, often carried out under the pretense of “humanitarian evacuation,” have targeted vulnerable Ukrainian children including orphans, children with disabilities and children with parents in the mili…

1
Celebrating 40 Years of West Coast Literature with Zyzzyva 57:52

7d ago57:52

57:52

When a scrappy San Francisco literary journal launched in 1985 to champion West Coast writers, the dream was to make a lasting imprint. Now, 40 years later, we celebrate Zyzzyza’s anniversary with editor Oscar Villalón and writers Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) and Ingrid Rojas Contreras. We’ll talk about the literary journal’s vision, its ste…

1
Exploring the Mysteries of the Brain with UCSF Dementia Researchers 57:46

8d ago57:46

57:46

New research from UC San Francisco’s Memory and Aging Center suggests that a decline in one region of the brain can cause other regions to “step in to help” – unlocking surprising capacities like deeper empathy or creativity. We talk to two UCSF doctors about why this has implications for any neurodegenerative disorder, including dementia. They joi…

1
How Siblings Shape Us, Even in Adulthood 57:53

19h ago57:53

57:53

What makes a family tick? While parents spend lots of time and energy trying to shape their kids’ lives, studies show that siblings play as significant a role in who their brothers and sisters become. We talk to New York Times Magazine staff writer Susan Dominus about her new book, “Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success,” an…

1
What Are Your Allergy Season Questions? 53:45

1h ago53:45

53:45

Do your seasonal allergies feel worse this spring? You might not be imagining it: climate change is hastening the end of winter, pushing up pollen production and intensifying winds that spread allergens around. We’ll talk to doctors about the science of seasonal allergies, learn why some of us are more vulnerable to them than others and hear how to…

1
Without Temporary Protected Status, What's Next for Bay Area Afghan Refugee Community? 57:55

9d ago57:55

57:55

The Trump administration has announced plans to end temporary protected status for people from countries including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Venezuela, and Ukraine as part of a broader strategy to limit immigration. The administration also put a halt on refugee resettlement programs, but made an exception for white South Africans who officials said we…

1
The Evolution of Men’s Fashion with 'The Menswear Guy' 57:43

12d ago57:43

57:43

Derek Guy – known online as “the menswear guy” – runs the popular social media account “Dieworkwear.” Guy’s recent piece for Bloomberg Businessweek looks at what he calls a new wave of hypercurated masculinity appropriated by MAGA influencers that’s “a backlash against a cultural landscape shaped by gender fluidity and body positivity.” We talk to …

1
Ballers, Unicorns, Valkyries, Oh My! Bay Area Sports Teams Bring Sparkle to the Summer 57:47

12d ago57:47

57:47

When you think about Bay Area sports, the Ballers, the Unicorns, or the Fire and Iron are not names that might first come to mind. But these new Bay Area sports teams are bringing the game on the baseball diamond, cricket field, and soccer pitch this summer. What these teams have going for them is not only high level play, but passionate followers …

1
Rebranding Autism: Seeing Strengths on the Spectrum | with Clain Udy #204 47:07

6d ago47:07

47:07

This week, we are joined by Clain Udy, a passionate advocate, father, and author who is on a mission to rebrand autism and reshape how society perceives it. As the father of an adult son with high-functioning autism, Clain’s journey has taken him from wanting to “fix” his son to wholeheartedly embracing his son’s unique strengths. With over 30 year…

1
The New Yorker’s Michael Luo on ‘the Epic Story of the Chinese in America’ 57:44

13d ago57:44

57:44

In 1889, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the now infamous Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the country. Writing for the majority, Justice Stephen J. Field characterized Chinese migrants as “strangers in the land.” New Yorker editor Michael Luo says that label persists today, even as more than 22 million people of…

1
Jonathan Hirsch on Losing His Father to ‘A Cult and Dementia’ 57:47

13d ago57:47

57:47

In his popular podcast “Dear Franklin Jones,” radio producer Jonathan Hirsch tried to make sense of a Northern California childhood dominated by his parents’ spiritual guru. In a new memoir he more deeply explores his relationship with his father and the complexity of providing care for a parent who didn’t take care of him. We talk to him about his…

1
Running on ‘Vibes’: Leah Litman on the Supreme Court’s Grievance Politics 57:46

12d ago57:46

57:46

In recent years the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has struck down the constitutional right to abortion, delivered a blow to the administrative state and ended affirmative action at universities. To Michigan law professor Leah Litman, it’s not just conservative legal theory that’s driving the Court’s decisions. “The Supreme Court i…

1
Trump Revives Fight Against Sanctuary Cities 57:54

12d ago57:54

57:54

In his second term in office, Donald Trump has revived his fight against sanctuary jurisdictions. For decades, local government agencies across the country have restricted law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Trump’s efforts to withhold federal funding have so far been blocked in court, as they were durin…

1
Historian Peniel E. Joseph on How 1963 ‘Cracked Open and Remade’ America 57:47

15d ago57:47

57:47

For historian Peniel Joseph, the year 1963 — the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation — is the defining year of the Civil Rights Movement. “America came undone and remade itself in 1963, a year of miracles and tragedies, progress and setbacks,” he writes in his new book, “Freedom Season.” It profiles how events of that year affected American…

1
What’s Next in Artificial Intelligence? 57:52

14d ago57:52

57:52

Artificial intelligence dominates the Bay Area tech landscape, and we will catch you up on the latest headlines. From chatbots that promise to be your friend to artificial general intelligence, or AGI, which is designed to go beyond task-oriented AI to comprehend and process information in a close-to human form. We’ll talk to a panel of tech report…

1
How To Move Through Hard Seasons for Autism Moms 29:00

7d ago29:00

29:00

Email me for health bundles info, coaching services, and being added to the newsletter! My email: [email protected] My Facebook Handle https://www.facebook.com/victoria.matea/ The Mom Care Coach Facebook Our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/RucuJCnsL2Z4Gszr/ My Instagram Handle https://www.instagram.com/themomcar…

1
What’s Behind the Trump Administration’s Push for More Children? 57:43

16d ago57:43

57:43

The Trump White House is exploring ways to get Americans to have more children, including government funded menstrual cycle classes and a $5000 “baby bonus.” Reproductive health journalist Carter Sherman calls pronatalism “a key ideological plank in the bridge between tech bro rightwingers like [Elon] Musk and more traditional, religious conservati…

1
Oakland’s Restaurant Scene Is Swimming in Praise, But Struggling to Stay Afloat 57:49

16d ago57:49

57:49

Oakland’s restaurant industry is a conundrum. It’s been celebrated as the best restaurant city in the country. But restaurateurs almost universally say they are struggling to make ends meet. As part of our series about how the pandemic changed us, 5 years on, we spotlight Oakland to look at whether the long trudge to pandemic recovery for restauran…

1
Have You Been Priced Out of a Hobby? 57:44

17d ago57:44

57:44

You’ve probably noticed that common hobbies from sewing to skiing have gotten more expensive. It’s a dynamic that Atlantic staff writer Tyler Austin Harper calls “hobby inflation.” And it not only affects your pocketbook but also means fewer opportunities for personal fulfillment and community building. We talk to Harper about what we lose when we …

1
Summer Gardening: Tomatoes, Zucchini and Climate Change 57:50

17d ago57:50

57:50

Succulent tomatoes that burst in your mouth. Enough zucchini to feed an army. Corn, sunflowers, and more. The summer garden has much to offer, but Bay Area summer gardening is a bit different. Some of us stay socked in fog and marine layer for weeks at a time, while others are dealing with hotter temperatures. We talk about the summer garden, take …

1
Bridging Science and Care: Autism Medications and Practical Insights with Dr. Joseph Buxbaum #203 51:33

10d ago51:33

51:33

This week, we welcome Dr. Joseph Buxbaum, a leading neuroscientist, autism expert, and Director of the Seaver Autism Center. With his vast expertise in genetics, neuroscience, and clinical applications, Dr. Buxbaum will shed light on the latest advances in autism research and share practical advice to help families make informed decisions about the…

1
California Braces for Decline in International Tourists 57:43

19d ago57:43

57:43

President Trump may have taken a softer tone in his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney this week, but whether that will quell the anger and bring Canadians back to the U.S remains to be seen. California tourism experts cite Trump’s trade policies and nationalist rhetoric for a projected 9% drop in international travelers this summer, …

1
What Trump’s Massive Cuts Mean for Science and Research 57:48

19d ago57:48

57:48

Five former directors of the National Weather Service released a joint letter on Friday warning about the impact of major cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that they say will result in less accurate weather reports and storm warnings that could put lives at risk. NOAA is just one scientific organization facing widespread c…

1
What Has a Wild Animal Taught You? 57:44

19d ago57:44

57:44

When political advisor Chloe Dalton found an injured newborn hare near her home in the countryside, she decided to nurse it back to health. The two quickly formed a bond of quiet companionship. We talk to Dalton about what the hare taught her about trust, attention, preparing for loss and the ordinary magic of engaging closely with the natural worl…

1
A View from DC: How California Leaders are Navigating the Trump Administration 57:52

21d ago57:52

57:52

Trump has never hid his disdain for California. In his first hundred days in office, the President has gone on offense against the state on a number of key issues, from immigration to education. Scott Schafer and Marisa Lagos from KQED’s politics team are spending the week in D.C. talking with California’s elected officials. We check in about how s…

1
California Public Media Reacts to Trump Administration's Attempt to Cut CPB Funds 57:46

21d ago57:46

57:46

Public media outlets say they will fight President Trump’s executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to end its financial support for NPR and PBS. Public media leaders and executives question the order’s legality and say a loss of federal funding endangers the broader network of public media programming. We look at the poten…

1
Agustin Fuentes on Why Sex is a Spectrum 57:52

21d ago57:52

57:52

In his new book “Sex is a Spectrum: The Biological Limits of the Binary,” Princeton biological anthropologist Agustin Fuentes makes the case that among animals, including humans, sex variation and reproductive biology is far more complex and fluid than we think. We discuss why many of the assumptions about male and female differences are more cultu…

1
Trump's Tariff Strategy Risks Long-Term Damage to US-China Relationship 57:42

23d ago57:42

57:42

Tariffs on many of China’s imports into the United States now stand at 145%; most U.S. imports into China face tariffs of 125%. While President Trump and senior U.S. officials insist a trade deal is within reach, China’s Commerce Ministry has stated that it will not engage in talks until U.S. tariffs are lifted. With Trump’s trade war threatening t…

1
Benicia Contends With Valero Refinery Closure 57:47

22d ago57:47

57:47

Last month, Oil Giant Valero announced it would “restructure, or cease operations” at its Benicia refinery by the end of April 2026, as California transitions away from fossil fuels. The news left city officials, workers and residents scrambling to figure out what to do next. Valero is the city’s largest employer and a significant taxpayer, but als…

1
Night of Ideas: Author Laila Lalami on her Dystopian 'Dream Hotel' 57:44

26d ago57:44

57:44

Laila Lalami’s new novel, “The Dream Hotel,” imagines a dystopian future where even our dreams are under surveillance. AI tools can scan our dreams to determine whether we’re likely to commit a crime, then we’re sent away to so-called “retention centers” to be monitored in the name of “safety.” Mina sat down with Lalami in April at Night of Ideas i…

1
The Joys — and Rules — of Baking 57:47

25d ago57:47

57:47

For seasoned and beginner bakers alike, there are always new techniques to learn when it comes to baking that perfect chocolate chip cookie or pie crust. Cookbook author and recipe developer Jessica Battilana shares what common mistakes bakers make, her key tips and tricks for successful baking, and why baking is bringing much-needed joy for so man…

1
CalMatters Investigates Why Dangerous California Drivers Are Still Behind the Wheel 57:40

26d ago57:40

57:40

Why do California drivers often get to keep a valid license, even after they kill someone on the road? A new CalMatters investigation studied tens of thousands of DMV driver reports and found that nearly 40 percent of the drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter since 2019 are able to drive on the road today. Nearly 400 of those drivers have cau…

1
How a 45 foot Nude Has SF Debating Public Art 57:47

26d ago57:47

57:47

For the past several weeks a 45-foot tall wire sculpture of a nude woman has loomed over San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza. “R-Evolution,” which first appeared at Burning Man in 2015, has gotten a very mixed reception, sparking controversy in the city over who public art is for and who gets a say. We’ll talk about how public art gets selected, how …

1
Vietnamese Diaspora Reflects on 50 Years Since Vietnam War 57:45

27d ago57:45

57:45

On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured South Vietnam’s capital of Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. With 50 years now passed, those who left Vietnam — and subsequent generations — are reflecting on how the war and the ensuing exodus have influenced their identities and heritage. Three writers from across the Vietnamese diaspora write abo…

1
Trump’s First 100 Days: How DOGE Has Changed Government 57:51

27d ago57:51

57:51

Donald Trump has given Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency far-reaching authority to fire federal workers without cause and gain access to the confidential information of millions of Americans. The effect has been a wide-scale bulldozing of the federal government. In looking back on the first 100 days of the second Trump…

1
How Have You Been Affected by Trump’s First 100 Days? 57:50

28d ago57:50

57:50

How have you been affected by Trump’s first 100 days in office? Whether you rushed to buy a car before the tariffs set in, changed your travel plans or cut out caffeine, we want to hear how the Trump administration has affected your daily life. Have your community, job or finances been impacted? Tell us how, as well as how you’re managing — and how…

1
How Increased Autism Diagnoses Are Changing the Way We Think About Neurodiversity 57:52

29d ago57:52

57:52

Autism spectrum disorder can be found in 2.2% of the population, but for women and girls, as well as many adults, autism is a diagnosis that is often missed. We look into who is underdiagnosed and why — and how our conceptions of autism and neurodivergence are changing. As Trump’s health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. portrays autism as a “tragedy…

1
What’s a Photograph That Stands Out in Your Mind? 57:36

29d ago57:36

57:36

Kathy Ryan was the longtime director of photography at the New York Times Magazine. For nearly four decades, Ryan shaped the way we witnessed history: January 6th, wars abroad and the impacts of COVID-19 and 9/11 We’ll talk with Ryan about storytelling through images. And we’ll discuss what makes a good photograph when we’re inundated by them, now …

1
Clint Smith on Telling the Truth About America’s History 57:45

29d ago57:45

57:45

In an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” President Trump targeted the Smithsonian, demanding that “improper ideology” be removed from exhibits. Under the order, exhibits that “divide” Americans will be defunded, including portrayals of race and its history at the National Museum of African American History and …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Spectrum Autism Research News Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen