Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angela Kingdon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Being an undiagnosed autistic woman means that many of my most devoted efforts to do something positive have been misinterpreted as sinister or malicious. One of the most glaring examples came during my life coaching certification. As a part of my training program there was a 3 day capstone live, in person event. I was SO excited to BE in person with people who I had spent hours and hours with virtually training. This was our one and only chance to be together. One of the mantras of this program was “You are enough!” and they would always talk about being transparent, authentic, and open. I finally felt like I had found my people and that with them, I could be myself.

I was so excited that I wanted EVERYONE to know how great this program was. This was the very earliest days of Twitter and there was a thing back then called Live Tweeting. I decided I would Live Tweet all 3 days of this event. I wanted to capture all the magic. Of course, I didn’t tweet any personal information about my classmates, but I’d shared insights and quotes from the stage. I was sure I would get hundreds or thousands of people interested in signing up for this program. I was sure the staff would want to hire me as their social media or word of mouth marketing manager.

Instead of being recognized as someone who was going above and beyond, I was labeled a traitor and removed from the program!

When the program organizers “found out” I had live-tweeted the event, they decided I need to face the consequences of my action. On the third day of the event, the leaders took the stage and announced they were canceling the regularly scheduled program and instead we would be processing as a group, what happened with me. I was accused of violating trust, and the entire event shifted focus to address the “violation” I’d caused. A panel of participants sat on stage and told me how my life-tweeting ruined the event for them. I felt humiliated and blindsided because I hadn’t broken any rules, yet my actions didn’t align with the unspoken expectations of neurotypical norms.

I was told I was “enough” and to “bring my whole self” and to be “transparent, authentic, and open,” but what I learned was that those rules only apply to some people. As an Autistic person, I was missing neurotypical social cues. My actions were interpreted as harmful not helpful, malicious and not enthusiastic. Once again, I was not wanted. I was not enough.

When I got my autism diagnosis a year after this incident, it all started to make sense. In the autism world we call the the double empathy problem – double because neurotypical people struggle to have empathy for the decisions autistic people make and vice versa. For me, live-tweeting the event was an act of care, appreciation, and respect, but it was not seen that way. Post-diagnosis, I’ve worked on embracing my differences and finding environments and people that value them.

The insight I’ve gained is this: Mischaracterizations often say more about societal expectations than the individual. Learning to frame my contributions as part of my neurodivergent strengths has helped me navigate and sometimes reshape these dynamics.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Dr. Angela Kingdon—an autistic advocate, bestselling author, and host of The Autistic Culture Podcast. My journey as a late-diagnosed autistic woman has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional life. Diagnosed at 39, I found clarity in the traits that once seemed to isolate me. Today, I turn that clarity into advocacy, research, and creative works aimed at reshaping perceptions of autism.

With a background in journalism, media affairs, and communications, I earned my PhD in Communications in 2005. For over a decade, I coached authors and thought leaders, building an Inc. 500 business that helped clients share their transformative messages through books. While thriving professionally, I struggled with the challenges of being undiagnosed autistic in a neurotypical world. My diagnosis reframed these challenges as strengths, empowering me to step fully into my identity and dedicate my career to fostering autistic culture.

Today, I still work as an editor and ghostwriter on the side, but my main focus is my own advocacy work including my own books and podcast.

As host of The Autistic Culture Podcast, I explore the richness of autistic life through an #ActuallyAutistic lens. The podcast celebrates autistic traits like deep thinking, sensory experiences, and communication differences, offering listeners a glimpse into the diversity of neurodivergent experiences. Recognized as a Substack bestseller and finalist for Best Society & Culture Podcast at the Quill Awards, it has become a touchstone for neurodiversity advocates and curious allies alike.

In addition, I serve on the editorial board of the Neurodiversity Journal, influence academic conversations about autism, and conduct research as a postgraduate psychology student at the University of Kent.

By celebrating autistic culture and reframing autism as a difference rather than a deficit, I aim to dismantle stigma. Whether helping an autistic adult navigate self-acceptance, creating neurodiversity-affirming workplaces, or advocating for late-diagnosed individuals, my mission is to amplify autistic voices and celebrate our contributions to the world.

You can learn more about my work at AngelaKingdon.com and subscribe to The Autistic Culture Podcast on any major platform.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most profound lessons I had to unlearn was the glorification of hustle culture—the idea that success comes from pushing yourself to the limit, regardless of the cost. For years, I was exceptional at it. I built an Inc. 500 company, managed a team of 40, and served hundreds of clients, helping them publish life-changing books. My days were filled with tight schedules, endless meetings, and constant problem-solving. I thrived in the intensity—or so I thought.

The truth was, I was masking my autistic traits to survive in an environment designed for neurotypical people. I had a system that worked for my business, but it didn’t work for me. My ability to hyperfocus and strategize made me a leader in my field, but the constant demands and sensory overload left me in a state of perpetual burnout. I ignored my body’s needs, brushed off my mental health, and convinced myself that if I just worked harder, I could handle it all.

Then, everything came crashing down. By 2020, I hit a breaking point. The burnout evolved into a deep despair, and I found myself grappling with suicidal ideation. I realized I couldn’t keep living this way. My nervous system was screaming for relief, and I had to listen.

That breaking point became a turning point. I began to unlearn the belief that worth is tied to productivity and that pushing through pain is a badge of honor. I started rebuilding my life and my business in a way that aligned with my autistic needs. I prioritized sensory-friendly environments, clear boundaries, and rest. I let go of the relentless need to scale and redefined success as sustainability and joy.

The lesson? Success isn’t worth sacrificing yourself for. When I started honoring my nervous system and embracing my neurodivergence, I not only saved my life but also created a new way of working that felt authentic and fulfilling for me. I’ve learned that true impact comes not from how hard you work but from how aligned you are with your values and needs.

Finally, I know what it means to feel like I am enough and I have created a life where I actually am transparent, authentic, and open.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Neurodivergence is over represented among people who identify as a creative. To best support artists and makers, and a thriving creative ecosystem, society must do a better job of embracing a more inclusive sense of diversity.

We need to create inclusive spaces that celebrate the unique contributions of all artists, especially those from marginalized communities, including neurodivergent and disabled creatives. By valuing diverse perspectives, we enrich the cultural landscape and encourage innovation that benefits everyone.

Also, accessibility must be a priority. This means ensuring that creative opportunities, tools, and environments are inclusive and adaptable. Technology, like AI, can play a transformative role in breaking down barriers, making creative tools and platforms available to those who might otherwise be excluded. Equally important is fair pay, so all artists—regardless of their background—can thrive without sacrificing financial stability.

Finally, we must shift how society views creativity. Art is not just an economic product; it is a vital force that fosters mental health, builds cultural identity, and strengthens community resilience. By celebrating diverse artistic processes and rejecting one-size-fits-all expectations, we create an environment where creativity can flourish authentically.

When we champion diversity, accessibility, and a broader understanding of art’s value, we not only support individual artists but also nurture a cultural ecosystem where creativity thrives for the benefit of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AngelaKingdon.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/autisticculturepod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drangelakingdon
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelakingdon/
• Twitter: https://x.com/drakingdon
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutisticCulturePodcast

Image Credits

Sunglasses, yellow umbrella, falling picture all courtesy of Darius Bashar