049 • Building Places to Belong: Jane Kleiman on Clay, Community, & Autism Advocacy
In this episode of Mind Your Own Biz, I’m joined by Jane Kleiman, ceramic artist, teacher, advocate, founder of Squatter Potters in Red Bank, NJ, and co-founder of HomeLife 21.
💛 This episode runs a bit longer than my usual episodes, but this conversation covered so much ground, and Jane shared so many thoughtful insights and stories that I didn't want to trim it down. We covered everything from clay and creativity to caregiving, community, belonging, and autism advocacy, and it felt worth giving those topics the room they deserved. If you've got a longer drive, a walk, a pottery project, or a quiet afternoon ahead of you, settle in and enjoy.
Jane and I talk about what happens when your life doesn’t fit neatly into one little box, and how motherhood, caregiving, creativity, advocacy, and community have all shaped the work she does now.
We talk about clay as a creative practice, but also as a way to come back to yourself. We talk about building a ceramics studio that feels less transactional and more like a creative home. And we talk about HomeLife 21, the nonprofit Jane co-founded to help create loving, supportive homes for adults with autism.
We dive into:
* Why Jane believes authenticity is the thread connecting art, advocacy, motherhood, and community
* What belonging means when you’ve spent much of your life feeling like you don’t quite fit
* Raising a son with profound autism and how motherhood shaped Jane’s worldview
* How clay became a refuge, creative practice, and form of self-discovery
* Why Jane moved Squatter Potters from a class-based model to a membership model
* What artists need emotionally, not just technically
* Why Jane believes creativity has been stripped out of so many people
* The vision behind HomeLife 21
* What families of autistic adults are often left to navigate
* Building homes, studios, and communities where people can feel known
* Coming into alignment later in life
* Jane’s upcoming anthology chapter in Radiant Wisdom: 18 Stories of Feminine Power, Purpose, and Rebirth
Parts of this conversation are heavy. Jane shares openly about raising her son, navigating broken systems, and the urgent need for safer, more dignified options for autistic adults and their families.
But this episode is also full of humor, honesty, creativity, and that very specific magic of talking to a woman who has lived many lives and discovered how all those pieces fit together.
🔗 Links & Resources:
* Jane’s website: https://www.jkceramicsnj.com [https://www.jkceramicsnj.com/]
* Jane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkceramicsnj [https://www.instagram.com/jkceramicsnj]
* Jane on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacredSpaceYogaandMassageTherapy [https://www.facebook.com/SacredSpaceYogaandMassageTherapy]
* HomeLife 21: https://homelife21.org [https://homelife21.org/]
* Radiant Wisdom: 18 Stories of Feminine Power, Purpose, and Rebirth - Available on Amazon
Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨
🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!
✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖
🎤 Got a question for the podcast? Submit yours here: https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion [https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.
