Staring Down the Storm:

Autism Advocacy in America

Staring Down the Storm is hosted by advocate Tabitha Zeigler.

Real conversations about autism, advocacy, and the systems that shape our lives.
Each episode dives into stories from families, educators, and experts across the country highlighting the resilience, frustration, and hope within the neurodivergent community.

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What happens when your very existence challenges the boxes society demands you check? This week, Jaclyn Peterson and I go deep — into ancestry, apartheid, passing, and the audacity of being told to “pick a race.” From her South African Cape Colored heritage to growing up an Air Force brat in America, this story exposes how race isn’t just personal — it’s political, economic, and generational. Wealth was transferred. Identity was manipulated. Passports determined humanity. And people still say race doesn’t matter? We also confront the church. Not faith — the institution. The slave Bible. Scriptures twisted to defend abuse. Pastors protecting power not people. Why are survivors of domestic violence shamed while abusers are platformed? Why are women told to submit but men rarely told to love like Christ? This episode is raw. We talk about white nationalism hiding behind pulpits, and the courage it takes to speak when silence is safer. Jaclyn shares her journey as a survivor, a trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, and the founder of _Christian Moms Heal_ — creating spaces where women reclaim their bodies, voices, and faith. So I’m asking you: Are we just building empires in Christ’s name — or actually following Him? *More info on Ascend With Jaclyn here:* Facebook:* *https://www.facebook.com/people/Ascend-with-Jaclyn/100067995521784/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascendwithjaclyn/ TkiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ascendwithjaclyn Website: https://ascendwithjaclyn.com/ *Learn more about:* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Select_Parts_of_the_Holy_Bible_for_the_use_of_the_Negro_Slaves_in_the_British_West-India_Islands *Recommendations from Jaclyn:* https://youtu.be/JbXCUjZOPd4 https://youtu.be/J_qop7tNvh8 https://www.ctznwell.org/ctznpodcast/decolonizing-yoga-susanna-barkataki National Domestic Violence Hotline (US):  1-800-799-7233 *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com https://tabithazeigler.com/ Chapters 00:00 Impact of Race on Immigration 06:25 Language/Cultural Connections 12:13 Reflections on Apartheid/Race Relations 15:11 Generational Perspectives on Race 21:15 The Legacy of Wealth/Race 24:11 Understanding Mixed-Race Identities 32:09 Understanding the Slave Bible, Historical Context 43:55 The Hypocrisy of Religious Leaders and Their Actions 46:58 The Importance of Supporting Survivors and Challenging Abusers 51:45 Empowering the Next Generation to Stand Against Injustice 56:36 The Call to Political Action/Advocacy 01:15:48 The Rebel Nature of Christianity 01:20:14 Jaclyn's Journey/New Podcast 01:28:22 Trauma-Sensitive Yoga/Accessibility 01:31:27 Building Community/Support for Survivors
“Jesus Would Be Flipping Tables.” Faith, Race & Refusing to Stay Silent. With Jaclyn Peterson
What if the system isn’t broken—what if it’s working exactly as designed? I sat down with Melinda Grisby to talk about decolonization as more than a buzzword. We unpack whiteness as ideology, privilege as proximity to power, and how nationalism and capitalism rely on keeping us divided. If we’re constantly reacting, exhausted, and fighting culture wars—who’s actually benefiting? We challenge the myth of American democracy and the comfort of believing we’re “free.” Melinda argues most oppression is psychological. That racial hierarchies, forced assimilation, and cultural homogenization didn’t happen by accident. And that healing starts with active listening, patience, and rebuilding community—not just calling out injustice online. We also talk representation—why moments of Latino pride matter, even inside systems we critique. Why genealogy can be resistance. Why children are the first battleground in conditioning. And why empathy isn’t optional. If we’ve been conditioned to see division as normal, are we willing to unlearn it? Here’s a *summary of the safety tips* Melinda shared in the episode: *Safety first:* Before helping, make sure the scene is safe. Move the injured person out of immediate danger (crowds, active threats, unstable areas). Keep roadways clear so emergency crews can access the patient. *Control severe bleeding immediately:* In trauma, stopping bleeding is the priority. Use clean cloth, clothing, or towels to pack the wound and apply firm, continuous pressure. Do not stop pressing. *Tourniquet use:* Place it high above the wound (never on a joint). Tighten until bleeding stops. Do not remove it once applied. If possible, note the time it was placed. *Do not remove embedded objects:* If something is stuck in the body, leave it in place and stabilize it with cloth to prevent movement. Removing it can cause severe bleeding. *Eye injuries:* Cover both eyes, even if only one is injured. The eyes move together, so covering both helps prevent further damage. *Tear gas or pepper spray exposure:* Protect yourself with goggles and a mask if possible. Flush eyes with distilled water or milk to help soothe irritation. Avoid contaminated water. *Hands-only CPR:* If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, perform continuous chest compressions about 2 inches deep in the center of the chest until paramedics arrive. Mouth-to-mouth is not required. *Find more info on Brown Girl Pride here:* https://www.facebook.com/share/1HydErWfpv/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.tiktok.com/discover/brown-girl-pride https://www.instagram.com/browngirlpride/?hl=en *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com
Who Told You Who You Are? Decolonizing Identity, with Melinda Grisby
Last week, Sierra Martin and I opened the door. This week, we walk straight through it. The baby is babbling in the background of this episode, and honestly, it’s the perfect soundtrack. Because this conversation is about who we claim to value—and who we actually take care of. Sierra was 18 when her body began shutting down—waking up day after day with a new joint that wouldn’t move. She was taking 22 pills a day at nineteen and wondering if this was a life she could endure. The eventual diagnosis? Psoriatic arthritis. The treatment? A $30,000 injection every three months. In the richest country on earth. But this isn’t just about chronic illness. It’s about the system that shrugs at it. It’s about giving birth in Indiana and walking away with a $30,000 bill. It’s about politicians who shout “pro-life” but vanish when families need healthcare, disability support, or basic dignity. It’s about extremist religion creeping into policy, mega churches that aren’t taxed, and leaders who seem far more accountable to corporate money than to constituents. If faith is about serving the least of these, who exactly are we serving? This episode focuses on pain—but it’s also about power and accountability. About civic courage. About refusing to normalize suffering as policy. If we say we value life, then we have to value it after the baby is born. We have to value it when bodies fail. We have to value it when it’s inconvenient. Follow the money. Watch who shows up. Watch who doesn’t. And ask yourself whether we are building a government that protects people—or protects profit. Are we awake enough to demand better? *Things discussed in this episode:* Tom LoBianco - https://www.24sight.news/ Abdul Hakim Shabazz - https://indypolitics.org/?s=Abdul-Hakim+Shabazz *Chapters* 00:00 Navigating Chronic Illness: A Personal Journey 09:53 The Burden of Healthcare Costs 20:01 The Intersection of Health and Politics 30:01 Gender Roles and Parenting Dynamics 39:59 Religious Influence on Society and Politics 54:15 The True Nature of Faith and Power 58:45 The Role of Faith in Education 01:01:34 Connections and Accountability in Leadership 01:15:35 The Importance of Civic Engagement 01:40:32 The Call for Authentic Leadership *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com
Power, Pain, and the $30,000 Price Tag. With Sierra Martin, part 2
I sat down with Sierra Martin - a full-time student, mother, and someone done pretending power is accidental. We talked about Arab history in Indiana, post-9/11 surveillance, how fear is manufactured to justify erasure. We traced the throughline from stripped cultural education to Zionism as a political project, the parallels between Palestinian dispossession and Indigenous removal in the U.S. We followed the money - through Congress, immigration policy, and environmental harm in rural communities - to the betrayal felt by people told they’re represented. *Things discussed in this episode:* Indiana University Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts Arabic & Islamic Studies Program *(soon to be dismantled)* https://liberalarts.indianapolis.iu.edu/academics/degrees-programs/world-languages-cultures/arabic-islamic-studies/index.html "Hi Jolly" (Hadji Ali), Ottoman-Syrian camel driver 2017 documentary:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7413656/ American Muslims: A History Revealed  https://www.pbs.org/show/american-muslims-a-history-revealed/ Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History  https://www.pbs.org/show/arab-indianapolis-hidden-history/ Arab Indianapolis https://arabindianapolis.com The Art of Syrian Cookery by Helen Corey  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30178731-the-art-of-syrian-cookery The U.S. and the Holocaust https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/us-and-the-holocaust/about-the-film Learn about the Druze faith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze The Israel Lobby by John Hirschheimer & Stephen M. Walt  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224127.The_Israel_Lobby_and_U_S_Foreign_Policy The Great Muslim American Roadtrip  https://share.google/32JEDZLyZdmr1SDmR *CHAPTERS* 00:00 Advocacy & Personal Roots 06:10 Arabs in Indiana: A Hidden History 11:57 Language, Schooling & Identity 23:50 Arab Americans After 9/11 29:57 Zionism in Historical Context 35:58 Indigenous Rights & Palestine 52:36 Political Conflicts of Interest 56:05 Deportations: Obama vs Trump 01:01:47 Thomas Paine’s Enduring Influence 01:05:56 Money’s Grip 01:10:44 When Politicians Lose the People 01:15:56 Environmental Crisis in Rural America 01:20:59 Special Interests vs Democracy *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com
How Power Betrays Communities - and Calls It Policy. With Sierra Martin, part 1
I’m deep in my own origin story right now, so this conversation with Jennifer David landed hard. Jennifer is a board-certified behavior analyst, an autistic woman, and an advocate who understands—intimately—the cost of being the one who speaks up. We talk genealogy, identity, and the uncomfortable truth that autism didn’t suddenly appear in the modern era. It’s always been here. We just didn’t have language for it—and we especially didn’t listen to women. Jennifer shares a powerful family history that stretches from the Mayflower to the Mohawk Nation to the expansion of Mormonism, tracing how matriarchal strength, silence, adoption, and survival shaped generations of neurodivergent lives. What happens when women are expected to endure quietly? When caregiving becomes identity? When emotional labor is inherited instead of chosen? We get blunt about politics. Autistic people are constantly talked about, studied, and debated—but rarely represented. How do we keep having national conversations about autism without autistic voices in the room? Jennifer breaks down why running for office, or even remaining in advocacy spaces, can be physically and emotionally draining for neurodivergent people—and why advice like “just open your heart” can be actively dangerous. We also speak about a missing autistic child during this episode, Robert "RJ" Williams Jr. Since recording, we’ve learned that he was tragically found deceased. My heart is heavy for his family and for every family that knows this fear too well. I want to be clear that this conversation was recorded before those developments, and I share this with deep care and sorrow. If anything, this loss makes the conversation even more urgent. Water safety education, early intervention, and effective emergency response protocols are not optional—they save lives. And this isn’t only an autism issue. Children in disadvantaged and marginalized communities face disproportionate risk when systems fail, resources are limited, and responses are delayed. Awareness, education, and community-based safety efforts matter—for all our kids. So I’ll ask it plainly: who gets to speak for us, and why do we keep accepting anything less than our own voices? *Find more info on Jennifer David here:* https://www.obssindiana.com/ To read the official statement from Capt. William Carter about Robert "RJ" Williams Jr., click https://www.indystar.com/videos/news/crime/2026/01/03/capt-william-carter-speaks-after-robert-rj-williams-jr-found-in-white-river/88009336007/# *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com
Autism, Power, and the Women Who Were Never Heard, with Jennifer David
We say we value communication — but do we really? Or do we only value it when it looks, sounds, and feels the way _we_ expect it to? In this episode, I sit down with Andy Fitzenrider, a passionate advocate for people who stutter, to talk about what happens when society decides there’s only one “acceptable” way to speak. Andy shares his lived experience of growing up with a stutter in a world that treated it like a defect to be fixed instead of a reality to be understood. Years of speech therapy focused on correcting him, not asking him how he felt. The message was clear: be fluent, or be silent. And for a long time, silence felt safer — especially on the phone, where misunderstanding and cruelty came just often enough to leave scars. We dig into why speech disorders are still treated as punchlines, why hidden disabilities are so easily dismissed, and why measuring success purely by “fluency” misses the point entirely. What if the real question isn’t “How do we eliminate this?” but “How does this impact someone’s life — and how can we reduce harm?” This conversation is about dignity, independence, and advocacy. It’s about technology that empowers instead of erases. And it’s about standing up for yourself — even when it’s terrifying — because no one else is coming to do it for you. So I’ll ask you this: Are we actually creating inclusive communities, or just demanding conformity? And what would change if we truly listened? *Find more info on topics discussed during the episode here:* Relay Indiana  http://www.relayindiana.com T-mobile Access http://www.tmobileaccess.com The Stuttering Foundation of America https://www.stutteringhelp.org/ *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com Chapters 00:00 Andy's Background and Advocacy Work 01:58 Understanding Stuttering: Personal Experiences 10:06 The Challenges of Public Speaking and Communication 19:57 The Role of Technology in Empowering Communication 30:01 Advocacy and the Importance of Visibility 40:12 The Impact of Stuttering on Daily Life 49:46 Creating a Culture of Understanding and Acceptance 01:00:11 Your Call to Action
Rethinking Stuttering, Disability, and Dignity: Conversation with Andy Fitzenrider
When Mary Pat Torbeck first heard the word _autism_, the statistic she was given was one in thirty thousand. That was 1989. What happens when you raise children with autism before there were services, language, or even a willingness to say the word out loud? And what happens when, decades later, we start hearing whispers about bringing institutionalization back? This conversation is about memory, perspective, and truth. Mary Pat shares what it was like to fight for early diagnosis long before it was common, to navigate systems that barely existed, and to rely on community when there was little else to lean on. Her story is a reminder that progress didn’t happen by accident — it happened because families refused to disappear. We talk honestly about how raising children with disabilities reshapes entire families: marriages, siblings, mental health, faith, and identity. We talk about joy found in unexpected places, the lessons our kids teach us when we slow down enough to see the world through their eyes, and why independence is a myth we should probably stop worshiping. And we confront something uncomfortable: why are we, in 2026, even _entertaining_ conversations about re-institutionalization? Who benefits from that, and who pays the price? Every soul has something to give. The real question is whether we’re willing to build a society that makes room for it. *Find more info on the organizations Mary Pat recommends below:* Damar Services: https://www.damar.org/ Damar Village: https://www.damar.org/damarvillage/ Village of Merici: https://villageofmerici.org/ ILLAD: https://iladdinc.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Autism Advocacy 02:51 Mary Pat's Journey with Autism 05:46 Early Diagnosis and Access to Services 09:00 Navigating Family Dynamics and Support 11:58 Community Connections and Resources 14:46 The Importance of Family Support 17:49 Reflections on Institutionalization and Mental Health 21:05 Finding Joy in Challenges 24:13 The Role of Faith in Parenting 26:58 Community Building and Inclusivity 29:58 The Impact of Autism on Family Life 33:04 Advocacy and Awareness 36:13 The Power of Love and Connection 42:04 Navigating Mental Health and Community Support 45:53 The Emotional Toll of Caregiving 52:57 The Impact on Families and Siblings 56:20 Changing Perspectives on Disabilities 01:01:05 The Importance of Community Engagement 01:10:27 Innovative Solutions and Community Building 01:19:08 The Legacy of Love and Support *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com
Every Life Has Value - Are We Acting Like It? Conversation with Mary Pat Torbeck
Did you know that Tabitha, our dear host and guide, grew up in rural Indiana, attended both University of Southern Indiana and Indiana State, learned French, considered the military, and then stumbled into the field she would end up working in for 17 years: a flight attendant in the airline industry? Today we present an "episode swap" - where a conversation appears on _two_ podcasts: https://themultipod.com/, which explores the lives and experiences of multipotentialites, and here, on Staring Down the Storm, Autism Advocacy in America. Why? Well, we often don't realize that as people come across our work, be it a podcast, newsletter, blog, YouTube channel or otherwise, there are parts of our story that may be obvious to us, but are completely unknown to our audience. And that journey typically forms the basis for our values, activities and the work we put out there into the world. And so get to know Tabitha a bit more: her interests, family, identity and distinct journey into motherhood. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, this meant going down the path of sperm donation and artificial insemination. This may be where you can then pick up the story, the part where she ends up with three kids, the youngest being twins, all less than two years apart, and all three diagnosed with autism. Which in turn led to Tabitha herself learning she was autistic. And in the face of all the inherent challenges therein, compounded by the current political atmosphere, Tabitha found herself with a new calling: advocacy. Tabitha and I produced a miniseries documentary in late 2024 that expands on her story as a single parent of three young kids, all with autism, and her journey into advocacy: "https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-LuHeWzt7e1MWRpRX1WgWlya-qZPuqZd&si=DYbDBY5CoCXLq5nI" Since then, we've launched her podcast, raising awareness and fostering connections within the autism advocacy space, highlighting the significance of community support, inclusivity, and the power of personal storytelling in driving change. Tabitha is here to connect with you, the listener, and to help build a powerful, determined community, both in Indiana and further abroad. So don't hesitate to reach out, send a message, introduce yourself, say hello, and make that connection! It's an honour to be a part of her podcast, and to present to you my friend Tabitha. - Ted Cragg, producer *How to Contact Tabitha: Website:*http://tabithazeigler.com* Podcast:*http://staringdownthestorm.com* Contact: tabitha.zeigler [at] gmail.com Instagram:*https://www.instagram.com/tabitha.zeigler/* Facebook:*https://www.facebook.com/tabitha.zeigler.52* LinkedIn:*https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabitha-zeigler-33825246/
From Flight Attendant to Autism Advocate: Getting to Know Tabitha
The word gratitude gets thrown around a lot. But gratitude without action is just a performance. In this episode, I sat down with KT White and Brenda Killeen of Allies for Humanity to have an honest, necessary conversation about what real service actually looks like — especially when it comes to our unhoused neighbors. This isn’t a feel-good discussion. It’s a reality check. We talk about trust, trauma, and the exhausting truth of showing up every day while watching institutions offer words instead of solutions. Why are grassroots organizations doing the deepest work constantly in crisis mode, while larger systems continue to get funded for surface-level efforts? Why do we keep criminalizing homelessness instead of confronting the systems that create and maintain it? And why is faith so often preached instead of practiced? KT and Brenda challenge the idea that help should come with conditions — sermons for sandwiches, compliance for compassion. That isn’t love. That’s control. We get into trauma-informed care, indigenous wisdom, and the necessity of boundaries in service work. You don’t need a title, a building, or institutional approval to show up with dignity and integrity. You just need the willingness to do the work. This episode is both a call-out and a check-in. Because homelessness isn’t unsolvable — we’re just avoiding responsibility. So I’ll ask you the same question I had to ask myself: if everyone has something to give, why aren’t we giving it? And what does gratitude really mean if it never turns into action? *Find more info on Allies For Humanity here:* http://www.Alliesforhumanity.org https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579484588067 https://www.instagram.com/alliesforhumanity/ To learn more about the Empowerment Plan, visit https://www.empowermentplan.org/. *Chapters* 00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections and Community Support 02:55 Pivoting for Community Needs 05:46 Building Trust with the Unhoused 08:35 Addressing Naysayers and Community Challenges 11:31 Volunteer Opportunities and Community Engagement 18:33 Personal Stories of Service 20:30 The Reality of Service Work 23:24 Grassroots Action vs. Surface-Level Work 26:05 Innovative Solutions for the Unhoused 29:09 Crisis Mode in Nonprofits 38:05 Empathy and Compassion in Advocacy 40:56 The Role of Media in Social Issues 43:41 Indigenous Wisdom and Community 46:59 Spiritual Warfare and Human Connection 56:30 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact 01:00:25 The Complexity of Healing and Support 01:07:53 The Role of Faith and Community in Service 01:15:07 Navigating Boundaries in Nonprofit Work 01:21:49 Call to Action: Community Support and Involvement *Contact Tabitha:* mailto:staringdownthestorm@gmail.com
From Pulpits to Pavement: Redefining Service, Faith, and Responsibility with Allies for Humanity
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