In this episode I’m talking with Julie Green, author of the memoir Motherness, a powerful exploration of generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance. Julie, who was late-diagnosed herself and is raising an autistic child, takes us inside her journey of self-discovery and diagnosis, and we talk about the emotional complexities of coming to understand our own neurodivergence while parenting neurodivergent kids. We explore the healing power of writing, the importance of storytelling and compassion, and the challenges many families like ours face along the way. Julie’s memoir is a testament to these shared experiences, and this conversation is a deeply honest look at what it means to parent—and to live—with radical acceptance.

About Julie Green

Julie Green is the author of Motherness, a memoir about generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance, released by ECW Press in September 2025. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, HuffPost, Parents, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent, and more. She has been featured on CTV, BBC Radio, Global News, Sirius XM, and other media outlets, and was a finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize in 2024. Through her platform The Autistic Mom, Julie shares her lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic woman raising an autistic child.

Things you'll learn from this episode

• How Julie’s decade-long journey to understanding her neurodivergence was shaped by limited representation for autistic women

• Why writing became an essential tool for Julie to process her experiences and emotions

• How receiving a formal diagnosis brought relief and clarity to her life story

• Why Julie’s memoir Motherness shines a light on the complexities of parenting an autistic child while navigating her own identity

• How practicing self-compassion and protecting her child’s privacy are central to Julie’s storytelling

• Why community, connection, and embracing one’s identity remain vital for neurodivergent individuals and families

Resources mentioned

• Motherness virtual book launch on September 23 (free registration via EventBrite)

• Julie Green’s website

• Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance by Julie Green

• Julie’s Substack, The Autistic Mom

• The Electricity of Every Living Thing: A Woman’s Walk in the Wild to Find Her Way Home by Katherine May

• Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

• Katherine May and the Electricity of Every Living Thing (Tilt Parenting podcast)

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