The Golden Chrysalis: Building the World's First Autistic Pre-Professional Dance Company

Breaking the Stigma: Disability, Lived Experience & ADA Accessibility with Daniel Hodges (Part 1)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2374191/fan_mail/new] What does it take to make a business ADA accessible? Why is it almost always easier than people think? In this episode, Amanda and Leta welcome Daniel Hodges, JD, President and Co-Founder of Peaces of Me Foundation, in the first of a multi-part series. Daniel lives with blindness and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and brings both his personal experience and professional expertise to help organizations move from good intentions to genuine inclusion. From parking lots to fluorescent lighting to building codes, Daniel and Amanda break down the real, practical side of accessibility — and why the disability community's lived experience is the missing piece most businesses need. Plus, Leta chimes in throughout (as only Leta can), and Daniel teases what's coming in Part 2: why disability-led, disability-run organizations are so critical. Connect with Daniel: Peaces of Me Foundation: https://www.peacesofme.org/ [https://www.peacesofme.org/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hodges-jd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hodges-jd/] Support Autistic Wings Dance Company — Learn more about the nonprofit dance studio Leta founded where autistic dancers are free to be themselves, and donate today: https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org [https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org/] More about the podcast and Leta’s personal projects: https://www.letatapstyles.com [https://www.letatapstyles.com/] Want to be a guest? Connect with Amanda on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest] Part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network. Daniel found us through PodMatch!

Late Diagnosed: The Cost of Fixing What Was Never Broken with Gazit Chaya Nkosi

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2374191/fan_mail/new] Host Amanda Trisdale and teenage co-host Leta welcome Gazit Chaya Nkosi — autistic adult, former speech therapist, and nervous system coach — fresh off receiving her official autism diagnosis. Gazit shares what it's like to spend a lifetime being told you're "too sensitive" or "too difficult," only to discover you were autistic all along. Together they explore the harm of ABA therapy, why AAC devices must never be taken away, the physical health realities of autism that most parents don't know about, and how dance became a lifeline for so many neurodivergent people.  Find Gazit at https://anexperiencer.com [https://anexperiencer.com/]  IG: @gazitchayankosi  Support the nonprofit dance company Leta founded. This April Autistic Wings Dance Company is running an Adopt a Dancer fundraiser. Adopt a dancer and learn more at https://autisticwingsdancecompany.org  Want to be a guest? Message Amanda on PodMatch: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguestapp Leta's Tap Styles And My Autistic Life is part of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.

Are We Ruining Youth Sports? Over-Scheduling, Burnout & Letting Kids Be Kids

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2374191/fan_mail/new] Amanda and Leta tackle a topic close to home: the growing pressure on young kids to be perfect athletes and performers before they've even learned to love the game. From dance competitions costing families $45,000 a year to college scouts showing up at peewee football games, something has gone seriously wrong. This episode is a candid, funny, and passionate conversation about burnout, bad parenting incentives, and why fun should always come first — in dance, sports, and life. Follow Leta on Instagram: @letatapstyles Learn more about the nonprofit dance studio for autistic dancers Leta founded, Autistic Wings Dance Company: https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org [https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org/] Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest] Leta's Tap Styles is a proud member of the PodMatch Podcasting Network.

The Golden Chrysalis: Building the World's First Autistic Pre-Professional Dance Company

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2374191/fan_mail/new] This week on Tap Tuesday, Amanda and Leta announce the Golden Chrysalis — a first-of-its-kind pre-professional dance company that is autistic-founded, autistic-run, and autistic-led. They discuss what it takes to build this program, why they need full-time staff, and how the community can help through their April fundraising drive. Plus, Leta keeps it real about choreography changes, imposter syndrome, and the realities of life at the studio. All Golden Chrysalis dancers are on full-ride scholarships, and the program costs about $3,400/month to run. Every donation helps keep it going. Learn more and support: * Our website: https://www.letatapstyles.com [https://www.letatapstyles.com/] * Autistic Wings / The Golden Chrysalis: https://mtyc.co/2kbqaf [https://mtyc.co/2kbqaf] Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest]

Kenneth Mims on Building Schools with Love for Neurodivergent Kids

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2374191/fan_mail/new] Kenneth Mims, founder of NERC (Neurodiversity Education Research Center) and author of "The Mother's Guide to Autism," joins Amanda and Leta to talk about what's broken in autism education — and what love, science, and smaller learning environments can fix. From his journey as a physics teacher discovering autism through a strength-based lens, to founding a private STEM school for neurodivergent students in Phoenix, Ken shares why parents are the real experts, why IEPs often fail families, and how research can drive real change. Plus, Leta weighs in on therapists, geologists, and why scientists have no survival instincts. Links: * Kenneth Mims: https://kennethmimsii.wixsite.com/mysite [https://kennethmimsii.wixsite.com/mysite] * Leta Tap Styles Podcast: https://www.letatapstyles.com [https://www.letatapstyles.com/] * Want to be a guest on Leta's Tap Styles (And My Autistic Life)? Send Amanda Trisdale a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/letastapstylesguest]