S1 E27 Shit2TalkAbout Autism with Sam Mitchell
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Jenn Junod
Hey, Sam, thank you for joining. Shit. You don't wanna talk about, please introduce yourself and what shit you wanna talk about today?
Sam Mitchell
So, ok, so first of all, hi, everyone. My name is Sam Mitchell. I do run the podcast. Autism rocks and rolls. I will be back for season two. I just did my season finale today.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
So I guess the shit I really want to talk about is something that society want to talk about is mental health, autism A DH D and all those wonderful, beautiful mixture of disabilities, what you can call it because it truly is a beautiful mixture of abilities and yeah, I really like that phrase because a lot of people say like mental illness or mental health and beautiful capabilities.
Jenn Junod
I like it. How did you start? Autism rock and rolls?
Sam Mitchell
It was after I started my high school's media club and ever since then I fell in love with it. And throughout my journey, I was able to be able to continue my media skills through the podcast because I wasn't gonna be a senior in high school forever. So I continued it outside of the podcast, I mean, outside of the school. Excuse me?
Jenn Junod
Yeah. And you said that you recorded the end of season one. So how many episodes are in season one?
Sam Mitchell
60?
Jenn Junod
Wow, that is incredible. And now, especially since it's called Autism Rocks and Rolls. How old were you when you found out that you are autistic and have a DH D four?
Sam Mitchell
Well, I A DH D I don't remember, I think I was a little younger, I think, I think two, but four was on the, on the spectrum, I think definitely four was autism and had since then. I don't plan on getting rid of it. And I also, and just enjoy life, really threw it. I think sometimes with while being creative and just, you know, do what I need to do.
Jenn Junod
I dig it. And for those of us who aren't familiar with autism because you're right, that's something that society doesn't want to talk about that shit that you don't want. A lot of people don't want to talk about. What is autism and like, where's the, what's the scale?
Sam Mitchell
It's a neurodevelopmental conditional disorder is what society calls it. I perceive it as a different way of thinking. And then the scales there, there are severe as low function where they are growing, their body is grow but their mind isn't. They have the mind of a three year old?
Honestly? Then there's the middle level where they'll grow slowly, but it's gonna take a while to grow up if that makes any sense. And there's high function, there's high functioning where I'm thankful to be on and I can do things and still understand what's going on around me.
Jenn Junod
Ok. And by different way of thinking, I, I think we all think a little differently but how, how would, how have you seen that show up that you see other people think differently than yourself or someone with autism?
Sam Mitchell
I don't, I don't, what do you mean? I don't understand. I don't understand the question, buddy.
Jenn Junod
Like you, you're good, you're good. And I appreciate you saying that how you said that I autism is more like people just think a little bit differently than others. So could, do you have any examples of how you've seen that show up?
Sam Mitchell
Oh, ok. Yeah, I can try. definitely some of my talents aren't what society appreciates. I mean, I'm a big fan for wrestling. I study it and sometimes I don't appreciate that talent where it's fortunate that I can because I can memorize some stuff about wrestling that society doesn't see.
I just, I mean, I am very creative thinker. I just like to line up things make a beautiful shape. I had this picture. This is kind of nice. Let me pull it up here real quickly on my phone. If you don't mind. This is so how I see it? Cool. Well, let me ask you ever heard this song? My O CD?
Jenn Junod
No, I don't think so.
Sam Mitchell
All right. Well, it's like, it's a comedy song but it's like three a song in my eyes. I downloaded it. This is something I would do right here. The system that side does not appreciate right here.
Jenn Junod
Oh, ok. That's really cool looking though.
Sam Mitchell
It is really cool looking in my eyes and, but that's something I won't appreciate. You know, some of the mental illness or autism could do that. Design pictures with skill Skittles or? And MS really? They could do that with Kenny can make a house with a Hershey Bar. I don't know. But those examples, like just those type of towns they don't appreciate.
Jenn Junod
Oh, II, I see what you mean now. And how do you talk about that on the podcast? On your podcast? Do you have other people with autism? Come on or?
Sam Mitchell
I it's a variety. I, sometimes I'll talk about a behavior that I have. I, sometimes I'll have a guest on and then sometimes I'll do analogies of certain things. Some of the analogies are included. Pinball, Scooby Doo, actually one of my favorite thing. Really? Yeah, please do.
Jenn Junod
Please please explain.
Sam Mitchell
ok. Well, you have to watch the full episode to hear that. To know. I will, I will in depth. but that episode is probably a unique one. I mean, there's a lot of traits that Scooby Doo has or Fred has from that show that could be considered autistic. I mean, Shaggy's cowardness.
It's kind of on the spectrum if you think about it because of the scariness of the fear or the squeaky shoes sometimes or just the interaction just the way they act sometimes is on the spectrum. It really is. That's the brief description.
Jenn Junod
Now I'm gonna definitely have to link it in the show notes. And so when you were going through school, how did, did you study differently than your classmates or was school easier or harder? Yeah.
Sam Mitchell
Oh, it was harder but study differently. Yes, harder. Teachers know interacting with people. Yeah, I, I other students. It was very difficult for me because I didn't know I was very confused. I was respected but I guess I didn't feel like knowledge was the, I guess is the proper word where I didn't basically talk to people.
They didn't make time for me. They just thought, oh, he's a, he's a, you heard the phrase right before he's the bridesmaid? Not the bride or something like that. And that's what it was.
Jenn Junod
Oh, wow. Yeah. Yeah. You, that's so isolating. I had to go for it.
Sam Mitchell
I had to go through it, but kind of thankful I did because look, made me a better person at the end of the day.
Jenn Junod
Yeah, definitely. And, and now you talk to people all the time with the podcast. Yep.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
Who is one of your guests that you related to most as far as relation goes?
Sam Mitchell
hm. That's a good question. it probably be James Durbin because, actually two as far as relation, one be James Durbin the Rocker from American Idol on the 2011 season because I think just because we were so similar and how our beliefs really of who we are when we work and how we do it.
And the other one was Sarah Taco because I think she just understood mental health really well. And my, my internal meltdowns because I don't have external meltdowns anymore. I have internal where I just be quiet and shut down and I just sweat.
Jenn Junod
Oh, wow. Do you know what triggers those type of meltdowns and how to handle it?
Sam Mitchell
Basically when anxiety comes on or panic, not panic attacks, but just like panic knows when something's on my mind and it cannot go away. Yeah. So it's like I'm crying but I'm not, I'm just, I'm crying but I'm not bursting it out.
Jenn Junod
Yeah, I know for myself when I have panic attacks I can, there's sometimes where I can, like, calm myself down to because I logically know it's a panic attack but there's so many times where I, the, the anxiety gets the best of me and I cry.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
Mine are very outward for the most part, but that's where our opposite and I are very inward and I don't cry.
Sam Mitchell
I sweat like big time, sweat, like sweat dripping down. I think it's for my family. I mean, I think we're a bunch of sweaters is the nicest way to put it. Not the sweater you wear, but definitely just sweaty people. We really, really are.
Jenn Junod
Ok. And, and if you're talking to somebody that doesn't understand mental health or anxiety, how would you explain that?
Sam Mitchell
well, basically I just told you that. Well, here's the deal. I'm not, I don't cry. Basically. Have you ever heard people crying inside? Like, having melt loud crying, kind of like tantrum. Well, it's kind of like that except I'm internally having it sort of and it's something I can't help and I'm basically sweating and it's not because of you
because of me. That's what it is. Sorry. If you please leave. If you don't mind it, then please stay. I would mind when mind talking to you about it or talking about something else.
Jenn Junod
Yeah. Do you have any friends or family that have anxiety issues too?
Sam Mitchell
Oh, yeah. Probably. My grandmother is the biggest one.
Jenn Junod
Yeah. Does she respond the same way? You do?
Sam Mitchell
I haven't seen her respond to be honest with you. I just know she has it. I think she hasn't, I think she has medication for it. So I, I think I do too. I think I have a Zoloft.
Jenn Junod
Oh, gotcha. Yeah. I know. Sometimes people ask me how to deal with anxiety and, or what is anxiety and that's always hard to, to relate when all of us are so different.
Sam Mitchell
Well, if you go on it, you just answer this, just say, I don't, I don't, I do this instead.
Jenn Junod
Well, yeah, I like that. And when you talk about mental health, what is your favorite piece of mental health to talk about that? You think we need to talk about most?
Sam Mitchell
And I, I mean, maybe, that's not what I've mentioned, but it's a belief I have that prisons are when it comes to mental health, prisons are basically pieces of shit. It really is. I'm sorry on the government, but I don't believe in prisons a lot more. I think we should replace it with more help instead of locking them. I think I briefly mentioned this actually, instead of locking them up, let's try to get them some rehab and some rehabilitation.
I know there's for drugs and I know that that's great. But what about just mental as a whole? You know, I'm not saying every prisoner I know it's circumstantial and not every prisoner is, goes down that path. But then once you do, why are we not helping them, why can't we help them instead of just walking up inside a place and making it worse a little bit? Yeah, I had,
Jenn Junod
yeah, that, that is definitely something I think a lot of people don't think about, especially from what I've heard. If you're, when you're released from prison, you also go back to the same people that you were around beforehand that can get you in the same type of trouble.
Sam Mitchell
Yeah. And that's the problem that people aren't seeing. I think, I think some are but not all.
Jenn Junod
Yeah. How did you become passionate about prisons?
Sam Mitchell
That I was just a, you asked me my beliefs. That was just a certain belief of mine personally. I just, that was through mental health really. I, it's not like a big passion of mine. It's just a certain belief.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
If I'll be honest with you, what other beliefs do you have?
Sam Mitchell
as far as mental health? hm. As far as, well, I have a lot of other beliefs. I be ok with mental health. I believe in men. It's fine for men to show their emotions. I say there is a society taboo where you know, part of language here. But when you show emotions, basically, if a man shows an emotion, you're the bitch with the panties on, you really are. And I and I'm not, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not supporting that. I'm, I am fully disagreeing with that. I think that they, we need to show
emotions that men need to show emotions. Maybe like a woman. I'm not, like I said, I'm not calling anyone out. But I think men need to have the right to show emotions like a woman does as well and that needs to stop the taboo of men Can't cry in public. Stop it, honestly. Really, really stop it. You can agree with that. It's a human thing. We, it's, it's in our nature. Are you supposed to control something that's in our nature?
Jenn Junod
Yeah. Yeah, I get that. And, I, I am curious, especially with you loving, loving wrestling. Wrestlers don't necessarily show emotion, do they?
Sam Mitchell
you'd be surprised you'd be kind of, I mean, as far as, I mean, wrestling is a thing called cry babies where they basically whine and moan and groan and they show emotions. So they're in wrestling, they do show emotions. Some of them do. But it's the character again. I know it's not really, I don't know their lives outside but when they're in that ring, yeah, they show some of them show emotions.
Jenn Junod
Yeah, I think, now I'm not the biggest into wrestling. so part of me of my, my information is dated but some, someone like the rock who used to be really big into wrestling and now, as Dwayne Johnson, he actually does on purpose shows emotion as a man.
Sam Mitchell
Yeah.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
Well, I was gonna ask you, is he one of your big dream guests that I would say?
Jenn Junod
He's probably one of my biggest dream guests. Yeah, he is definitely someone. He's one of mine.
Sam Mitchell
He's one of mine too.
Jenn Junod
All right. If you, if you meet him first, introduce him to me and vice versa, if I meet him first, I'll tell him he has to be on your podcast.
Sam Mitchell
We got it. We got a deal. I'll keep that deal. I think, I think that's fair.
Jenn Junod
Who's your biggest dream guest?
Sam Mitchell
I already had him. So, I guess Mick Foley, who I've already had. And, he's also a wrestler. He teamed up with The Rockwell back going once upon a time. He is a son on the spectrum and just a great guy. Really great guy. He's probably the humblest lover you'll ever meet. If not the humblest, he's in the top five.
Jenn Junod
That is so cool. And if you've already had him on the show, that means you get a new guest that you wanna have your top.
Sam Mitchell
Yeah, there's a lot of guests that I could think of. I mean, there's even a lot, you might think that's what's kind of funny. this one's Gor Gor. Yep, Gordon Ramsay.
Jenn Junod
Oh, that one would be cool.
Sam Mitchell
I'd be, I thought there's a, there's a dark side to his mouth. I, and I didn't know about that a while until not recently, a while back ago because I, I knew her about it. I was just a fan for his mouth. But when I heard the reason behind his mouth, I was like, ok, now I get it.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
Wait, I don't know this, do tell he's been of his home.
Sam Mitchell
If you watch gold cast, his home life was screwed up. His dad was ba basically goring got wet for just trying to get a coke. Oh, wow. And because of that, you know, that's why he said he's never forgotten where he came from. And there's a soft fight because he does not want to be his father when he feels like he's become his father. He puts the fear of God in himself and I, but I understand why he's like that. Now it makes total sense to me. Yeah, outside the kitchen for he's a great guy.
Jenn Junod
Yeah, that's very, that's very insightful. I would say for myself, one of my dream guests is Arlen Hamilton. She is a, yeah, she is a venture capitalist and she was previously homeless. And yeah, and just going that, that she not only had that you could say hero story, but she really does pay it back.
Sam Mitchell
Got you. And yeah, there's a lot of, you know, I'll just tell you right this right now, I'm not allowed to give his, give out my, so I guess information in privacy. But if you go to make Foley's website, if you don't want him on the show because he's an autism advocate and I think he does just humble guy. Probably do it. If you go to his book ios's book, Mick Foley, you might be able to find a date for him.
Jenn Junod
Oh, that would be really cool. Thank you. I appreciate that. How did you find all of your guests?
Sam Mitchell
some are through research, some were through editors finding if you wanna call it that, I mean, s a jar like the big first one I decided, you know what? I'm tired of waiting. I'm not gonna live in a world of oneness anymore with through this. I'm gonna do it. It's probably no, but you don't know. At the same time, I always say that and I just say, you know, I'm gonna just text and see what happens. The good, good thing is he got back within a few days.
Jenn Junod
That is so cool. That is very cool. And what type of message do you, what is the most important message for you to spread about autism?
Sam Mitchell
Probably the most important message for me is to show the world how we think really because it is unique but there's a nice side to it really that they, the side is that society does not see and that needs to stop.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
How do we, how does society see it more and pay more attention, the way that society pays more attention to.
Sam Mitchell
It is honestly, if we're doing something unusual, unrealistic, but it's not hurting anything, don't give us the odd looks.
Jenn Junod
I, I know it's on video and you may feel like I'm giving you an odd look, but it's also like a, a look of wonder of what are some of the things that we as society have given odd looks for when they are to truly be looks of wonder and awe to see what others are doing that don't think like us.
Sam Mitchell
Yeah, I would say so. I mean, I guess something that you can understand is one. So because we're because sometimes we're, I think, I think autistic people sometimes also have little kids syndrome. Little kids have no filter. And I guess what you can do with that is understand that Basically that because we're being blunt, we're not being rude.
We're just telling you how it is because we have no filter. We can't help it there. I don't even know that there's between honesty and blunt. I can't find that difference.
Jenn Junod
I appreciate that at least. I feel like you probably would never lie to me.
Sam Mitchell
No, I mean, I basically tell you if I screwed up, I screwed up, I ain't gonna make a big shot out of it.
Jenn Junod
Smart. I think a lot of people could learn that lesson, including myself. Sometimes I throw myself under the bus when I mess up,
Sam Mitchell
I mean, I guess you, I mean, that's what you gotta do. I mean, you gotta kind of step on your bite the bullet as one of my guests said, and move a move along.
Jenn Junod
Yeah. Yeah. What are all the pictures in your background? Because it looks like you, there's one with, you with headphones on or? Oh, that's me.
Sam Mitchell
All me. Some of them, what, a couple of them are just, most of them are senior pictures, couple of newspapers. there's a mug in the background and then I got some like autism, Rosell's fancy pictures. We call that one over there in the, with my headphones, the lawyer picture because I, because I, if you look at it looked like a big fancy lawyer. Sorry to sign a tax deal.
Jenn Junod
How long ago did you graduate?
Sam Mitchell
three. It's been three years now. I think since I, no, I graduated the class of 2020. 1 of my school of this last, last year, last year was when I graduated.
Jenn Junod
Are you planning on going to college?
Sam Mitchell
Yep. I'm going to Ivy Tech in Bloomington, India. I'm gonna transfer to a town that's an hour away from me and I'm going for either media or entrepreneurship.
Jenn Junod
I, I mean, media, I definitely get with the podcast and your skills there for entrepreneurship. Is it for the podcast?
Sam Mitchell
Yeah, I actually also monetize this business through other services like motivational speaking, public speaking services, podcast coaching sessions, sponsorship, ad space. I have some finances. So, yeah, there's some monetization to this. It's definitely a basic a not autism rocks and rolls. That's autism rock and Rolls Corporation.
Jenn Junod
And look at you go, if you were to tell others where to get started with public speaking or motivational speaking, where would you tell them to go?
Sam Mitchell
Basically we'll find a, well, I don't know that. that's a good question. I would say, find, just find a conference, apply, tell them your conscious and persuade them basically why you should go or persuade the shit out of them. Really?
Jenn Junod
I like that. I like that. And so you've had the podcast, you, you're, you're finishing up your 60th episode to end the season and you're already an entrepreneur and in media and you're wanting to do even more with one of those degrees. Is there something else you want to expand into?
Sam Mitchell
I got those two basically kind of set in stone right now. I don't know what else I'm doing really yet. So I don't know, there's an option because I got my 22 ideas. So I got something. At least I know. At least I know what I'm doing. I'm not hanging around thinking what am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?
Jenn Junod
That would be very boring.
Sam Mitchell
Yeah. At least you know what you're doing.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
It makes you kind of excited that is true.
Jenn Junod
That is true. Other than school, do you have any other big goals?
Sam Mitchell
I guess really just be adventurous person as much as I can like hopping on a plane. That's one way I wanna go skydiving. I'm a big fan of heights. So the height sky, so definitely enjoy that and just anything you can do. Rarely do.
Jenn Junod
Yeah. Do you have a date set when you're gonna go skydiving?
Sam Mitchell
No, not. Yeah. I'm trying to persuade someone to drive me there or my mother at least to drive me there and ain't going too hot.
Jenn Junod
Hm. I have been skydiving and then also been, in the indoor skydiving. the indoor skydiving is quite fun yet. It is very, very different. Doing out of a plane skydiving.
Sam Mitchell
Yeah. Indoor though, might persuade a little bit more, a little more, safer and they work on that one. So, I definitely try that.
Jenn Junod
There you go. Have you ever, been kayaking?
Sam Mitchell
yeah, a couple of times. My grandfather, he's a big, if you're talking about kayaking, my grandfather is the person I talk to. He enjoys that stuff in the summer. It's cold right now. But I, I definitely plan on, doing some outdoor things when it gets summer. I'm a big outdoorsy person. So swim, enjoy the great outdoors outside. Just chilling really, in the woods and hanging around in there. Really?
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
Sometimes that is so cool.
Jenn Junod
And it seems like you have a lot of really good beliefs to encourage yourself on it going forward. Is there anything that you specifically wanted to touch on today that we haven't touched on yet?
Sam Mitchell
I don't think so. I think we nailed it. I appreciate you having me on.
Jenn Junod
Yeah, for sure. And Sam, what is, some words of wisdom for any listeners? I would say autistic and non autistic listening that you would give.
Sam Mitchell
Well, I don't think it's I wanted to call it wisdom. I call it wisdom because there's a partially so I could take it the wrong way. I would probably say if the world could be nice, not be stupid. I think the role would get along really well.
Sam Mitchell, Jenn Junod
Fair enough, fair enough little Kid syndrome comes in.
Jenn Junod
I, I like it. I like it. I'm, I'm gonna need I'll message you every once in a while and to get a dose of little kid syndrome because that honesty is, is very valuable. And what is something that you're grateful for? Sam?
Sam Mitchell
Just family really just grateful that I'm in a home and I don't have to live on the streets or I out of bed and there's a lot of stuff.
Jenn Junod
Yeah. I'm, I'm grateful that you came on the podcast today and taught me a bit more about autism that I didn't know and answered all of my questions. I really appreciate it. You're welcome. And we'll talk soon. Ok, Sam.
All right, we appreciate you listening to the episode, please like follow and share on our social media at shit to talk about. That is shit. The number two talk about stay tuned on Wednesdays and Fridays for new episodes. This episode was made possible by production manager, Tom Nan, business manager, Bill Powell and your host J.
