{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"143 [Bonus] Beyond diagnosis: Self\u2011trust, masking, and the continuing autism journey","description":"I first met today\u2019s guest, Vera, nearly five years ago, when we recorded a podcast episode early in 2021. A lot has changed for Vera since then, so we decided it was time for a catch up. Now 46, when we last spoke Vera had very recently been formally identified as autistic. Over the years since, her initial excitement - that she describes as sounding \u2018practically giddy\u2019 after listening back to that first episode - has evolved into a different perspective.  Vera is originally from the Czech Republic, and now lives in Bristol in the UK. She has a background in mathematics, computer science and life coaching, and she currently works in corporate research. She describes herself as an extrovert whose special interest is people watching. In this conversation we explore all sorts of aspects of our autistic experience and our thoughts about all sorts of things, including why Vera needed a break from autism spaces for a while, masking, perimenopause, self trust, bravery and resilience.  Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they\u2019ve learned along the way. I\u2019m Amy Richards, and I was diagnosed autistic in 2016, when I was 37. I\u2019ve been sharing my conversations with other autistic adults since 2020. I hope you'll find these conversations inspiring and thought provoking, and that they\u2019ll help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.   \u27a1\ufe0fLISTEN AD-FREE WHEN YOU BECOME A PATREON SUPPORTER https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/squarepegpodcast    EPISODE LINKS: Listen to Vera\u2019s original Squarepeg episode: https:\/\/squarepeg.community\/33-s3-ep2-being-an-autistic-extrovert-people-watching-and-managing-our-energy\/  The Bren\u00e9 Brown book Vera mentions: https:\/\/brenebrown.com\/book\/strong-ground\/ The podcast where the \u2018close enemy\u2019 is mentioned: https:\/\/brenebrown.com\/podcast\/finding-our-strong-ground-part-1-of-6\/ The Czech coach \/ Self-Trust being the opposite of Fear: https:\/\/www.jankachudlikova.com\/nemej-strach-mit-strach\/    If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https:\/\/squarepeg.community\/  Patreon: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/squarepeg.community\/ Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/squarepegautism\/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!   A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:   Abi Hunter, Alex, Alex Lee, Alice Kemp, Amy Adler, Anika Lacerte, Anna Grojec, Annette, Annie, Anya Nebl, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Barbara, Basia, Becca Lee, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Caprice, Carly, Caroline, Cat Preston, Cathy Oliver, Charlotte Keen, Claire Gerard, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Danielle Wrench, Daphna Epstein, Deaborah, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deidre Stark, Dennis McNulty, E, Eleanor Goulding, Em, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Mazow, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Frederike, Galina, George Cole, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Helen Anne Hooker, Helen Crosby, Helen Delaney, Helen Horgan, Helen White, Holly Knight-Smith, India, Jackie Allen, Jane, Jaqueline Coursey, Jayne Hutchinson, Jo, Jennifer Romanello, Joanna McKnight, Julie, Julie Goldberg, Karen, Karin Parker, KatF, Kate and Kathryn, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Meizel, Katie, Ken K, Kim Mortstock, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Lilli Simmons, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, Lizzie, Lula Cork, Maggie Dodd, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Meg c, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Mindy Wigzell, Monica Toohey, N, NC, Nicola Neil, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Carey, Sandra Chapman, Sandra Rensman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah LW, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Shelia Smith, Siobhan, Sophie King, Talia's Nature,Tris, Vicki Temple, Victoria Jeffrey and Zans McLachlan.   If you\u2019re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from \u00a33 per month: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/squarepegpodcast    ","author_name":"The Squarepeg Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/squarepeg.community\/podcast\/","html":"