A Journey of Language, Growth, and Autism Perspectives: Stephen’s Evolution
Stephen McHugh
61 episodes
3 months ago
A profound shift is underway as I'm planning to transition from audio podcasting to YouTube. Visual media, I believe, will allow me to share autistic experiences more fully, through body language, facial expression, and presence beyond words. For a few years now, I’ve been “speaking beneath stars in the night sky,” offering quiet reflection through audio. Now, “the sky is brightening — a new day is dawning,” and I’m stepping into the light, where visibility and community will be able to grow ...
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A profound shift is underway as I'm planning to transition from audio podcasting to YouTube. Visual media, I believe, will allow me to share autistic experiences more fully, through body language, facial expression, and presence beyond words. For a few years now, I’ve been “speaking beneath stars in the night sky,” offering quiet reflection through audio. Now, “the sky is brightening — a new day is dawning,” and I’m stepping into the light, where visibility and community will be able to grow ...
A profound shift is underway as I'm planning to transition from audio podcasting to YouTube. Visual media, I believe, will allow me to share autistic experiences more fully, through body language, facial expression, and presence beyond words. For a few years now, I’ve been “speaking beneath stars in the night sky,” offering quiet reflection through audio. Now, “the sky is brightening — a new day is dawning,” and I’m stepping into the light, where visibility and community will be able to grow ...
Running alongside others yet fully at peace in my own space—that’s the unexpected gift parkrun has given me as an autistic person. Life on the spectrum often means performing unwritten social scripts that I have found in times go by, drain and overwhelm. But at parkruns, what I found is, they offer a structured routine where participation doesn’t require conversation, explanation, or masking. Just turn up, run or walk, get your barcode scanned at the end. It is simply to be there, and feel pa...
Sometimes things in life, we will inevitably find that things don’t always go to plan. At first, I understand personally how disruptive that can feel. However, looking back, one thing I learned over time was, how unexpected moments like these can often carry something meaningful in ways I couldn’t have initially anticipated. In this quiet follow-up to my last episode, I reflect on change, trust, and what it means to find clarity in your own time, especially as an autistic person when it comes...
A short and personal birthday reflection - on changing plans, making wiser choices, and going along with life's unexpected turns. Inspired by a Saturday parkrun that didn't quite go according to plan, I decided to do a solo run alongside a local canal. The aim of this episode is to explore how adaptability can feel less like compromise, and more like 'reading the river'. Send me your comments and questions Thanks for listening. You can find me on my website stephensevolution.com, or on twit...
A slightly shorter episode on this occasion, where I reflect on what it means to clear space. It was inspired by clearing an overgrown hedge trimmed in my garden, and what it taught me about confidence, growth, and making space for myself. Because sometimes, growth, I believe, can start with pulling out what’s in the way. It was also where I started noticing some unexpected parallels with my own confidence and self-worth. Sometimes the outside work mirrors the inside work. Send me your...
Most people expect vehicles to stick to tarmac and concrete roads. However, for as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to those moments when tyres press into softer ground, sometimes leaving their marks behind. What others dismissed as an unusual obsession actually opened doorways to understanding soil mechanics, physics principles, and even linguistic connections. "Interests are like tyre marks on grass. Unexpected but full of meaning, while others stick to the tarmac. Some of us ...
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to experience the world through a different lens? In this personal episode, I take you beneath the surface of autism, sharing my journey through powerful metaphors that illuminate the lived experience of neurodivergence. The metaphor of ‘A New World Coming Into Focus’, reveals how my differences in language processing, social interaction, and perception gradually became clearer. It was not just for me, but for everyone connected to me. I recount my e...
What happens when autism presents without obvious signs? When differences are subtle enough to be noticed but difficult to define? In this personal episode, I aim to explore the concept of "quiet currents beneath the waves". For me, these were the subtle signs of autism that shaped my educational journey without dramatically setting me apart. From early school observations of language repetition and fixations to my preference for solitude and concrete thinking, teachers recognised I pro...
Just like the oak trees that bear acorns at different ages, we all grow, develop, and evolve in our own time. In this episode, I explore how the metaphor 'Bearing Acorns in Your Own Time', relates to autism, personal growth, and the pressure one might feel to meet societies timelines. As World Autism Awareness Day approaches (Wednesday 2nd April 2025), I take this opportunity to aim to spread awareness that true acceptance can mean recognising how everyone's journey is unique. Growth is...
Have you ever found yourself planting seeds without seeing where they might lead? This deeply personal exploration aims to take you on a journey through the unexpected ways inspiration can bloom, particularly through the lens of autism and language development. For me, the concept of ‘planting seeds in the dark’ perfectly captures those moments when we're putting in effort without immediate results. This may be a feeling familiar to many, but particularly resonant for me navigating th...
Embrace the journey of personal growth and resilience with this episode that aims to delve into the metaphor of the 'Tree of Wisdom'. By drawing on personal experiences as someone on the autistic spectrum, I share some insights on how our struggles can shape us and inform the wisdom we gain throughout life's journey. This episode was inspired by a video I found informative I recently watched on YouTube. I didn't mention it during the episode. However, I'm providing the link to it here, ...
Imagine a world where the growth of autistic individuals is celebrated as uniquely as the "wood wide web" of trees. Join me, Stephen McHugh, as I share my personal journey through a nurturing junior school environment that identified my unique needs and allowed me to flourish. By weaving together stories of tailored educational support and my passions for music and nature, I illuminate how individualised attention can foster personal and academic growth. Discover how understanding and embraci...
Life, much like the seasons, has its challenges and breakthroughs. In this episode, I reflect on recent testing parkruns, and connect them to my journey of growth, both in running and in life. I explore how my experiences with language development, creativity, and resilience as an autistic person have shaped my progress. This is a recent new direction for my podcast, connecting my experiences with words and phrases. Along the way, I share how words and metaphors bring meaning to personal chal...
What if each of us, like snowflakes, takes a distinct journey, shaped by our experiences and challenges? Join me, as I explore this metaphor, 'Like snowflakes each of us takes a unique journey, shaped by the experiences and challenges that make us beautifully one of a kind'. This was inspired by the recent snowfall, which led me to reflect on the parallels between these natural wonders, and our own life paths. As we step into a new year, I share my personal journey of growth, particularl...
Unlock the secrets to smoother conversations by breaking down the complex puzzle of language and idioms! This episode aims to improve your communication skills as I, someone who has navigated the nuances of language on the autism spectrum, shares invaluable insights. By exploring the origins and meanings of common idioms, such as "break the ice," I offer a fresh perspective that I believe could make language more accessible, relatable, and even enjoyable for you. Imagine visualising a boat ef...
Ever wondered how idioms can mirror our personal growth journey? Join me, Stephen McHugh, as I share examples of my own story from the autism spectrum exploring the world of idioms.In this first episode of the podcast’s new direction, I reflect on and explore the idioms 'Turning Over a New Leaf', and 'Christmas Comes Once a Year', and their deep connection to examples of my autistic experiences. I share how the moments of growth and change have shaped my life, and how understanding idioms lik...
Unlock the unique potential of neurodiversity in the workplace as I share my personal journey navigating life on the autism spectrum. Ever found yourself puzzled by social cues or overwhelmed by the prospect of facing a simple phone call? You're not alone. I recount experiences that highlight the subtle signs of autism and how they can manifest in professional settings—everything from the intricacies of social interactions to the powerful focus on niche interests like astronomy. These stories...
Unlock the secrets to mastering job interviews as an autistic individual with insights that could change your career trajectory. Join me, Stephen McHugh, on the latest episode of Stephen's Evolution, where I aim to equip you with practical strategies to navigate the unique challenges that autistic individuals can face during interviews. From tackling the intricacies of eye contact and body language to interpreting commonly used questions like, "Tell me about yourself," my objective here is to...
What does it truly mean to have "Excellent communication skills" in the workplace, especially from an autistic perspective? Join me, Stephen McHugh, for this episode as I talk about the concept of communication in various job roles. I'll share personal stories about my journey in finding roles that aligned more with my strengths in written communication and task-focused work. These positions allowed me to leverage my attention to detail and precision without the constant pressure of verbal an...
Navigating the job market can be challenging for all of us. But, for those with autism, the journey can be full of additional hurdles. Join me, Stephen McHugh, as I recount my personal experiences with job listings that appeared ideal at first glance but later revealed hidden pitfalls. Have you ever wondered why terms like "good communication skills" can be anxiety-provoking for autistic individuals? This episode delves into these nuances, highlighting the importance of clarity in job d...
A Journey of Language, Growth, and Autism Perspectives: Stephen’s Evolution
A profound shift is underway as I'm planning to transition from audio podcasting to YouTube. Visual media, I believe, will allow me to share autistic experiences more fully, through body language, facial expression, and presence beyond words. For a few years now, I’ve been “speaking beneath stars in the night sky,” offering quiet reflection through audio. Now, “the sky is brightening — a new day is dawning,” and I’m stepping into the light, where visibility and community will be able to grow ...
