Being An Expat Is Autistic (With Abigoliah Schamaun) (Episode 105)

An episode that’s packing its bags and info-dumping along the way.In Episode 105 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela are joined by stand-up comedian and podcast host Abigoliah Schamaun to explore why expat life might just be peak autistic behavior.Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode: * Abigoliah shares her journey from Ohio to NYC to the UK, her rise in the comedy scene, and how she co-hosts the neurodivergent podcast Neurodivergent Moments.* We explore Angela’s theory that being an expat is “autism with extra passport stamps” and how neurodivergence intersects with national identity, cultural clashes, and a deep desire for reinvention.* Topics include burnout, post-diagnosis clarity, and the struggles of podcasting and content creation while managing neurodivergent needs.* The group dives into UK vs. US cultural norms—from healthcare and gun violence to how neurodivergence is perceived differently across the pond.* We tackle the challenges of getting a professional autism diagnosis, the realities of cross-neurotype communication, and how the comedy world intersects with neurodivergence.* Plus: a surprise book promo and details on Abigoliah’s upcoming spring comedy tour across the UK!New York comedian, actor, and writer Abigoliah Schamaun is frank, funny, and unapologetic. Her unbridled charisma and comedic skill have taken her all over the world, cementing her place as one of the top female headliners on the UK comedy scene. Having cut her teeth gigging in America, she moved to the UK, where she immediately placed as a finalist in the Funny Women Awards and has since focused on growing her large fan following. On TikTok, her stand-up and comedy cooking clips have amassed over 10 million views, and she has hundreds of thousands of followers.Abigoliah lives with ADHD and is very open in talking about her neurodiversity, which she co-hosts with Joe Wells on their Neurodivergent Moments Podcast.“As an autistic person, there’s the whole ‘you’re born on the wrong planet.’ I walked around the US feeling like I didn’t fit in, but there was no real good reason, because I actually was born there. Here, I feel like I don’t fit in and I’m like awkward and do these really embarrassing things, but it’s always attributed to me being American.” - Dr Angela Kingdon “I hate it when comedians do bits in conversation, I really want to empathize, but this was my reaction - ‘You’re not autistic, you’re just English.’ Cause like, he’s quiet. He’s emotionally subdued. He likes bland food. And when he was like, ‘you’re ADHD’, I was like, ‘no, you don’t understand. These are my people. We’re loud. We’re talkative. It’s just being an American. You don’t get it.” - Abigoliah “The one thing that I would say the diagnosis has given me is it has just allowed me to give myself some grace. Like if I’m in burnout, if I can’t function one day, I’m like, ‘if I just give myself 24 hours, I’ll be okay tomorrow. If I rest today, I’ll be okay tomorrow.” - Abigoliah“I just find that my nervous system is so much more relaxed without guns and with national healthcare.” - Dr Angela Kingdon Did you enjoy this episode? Our special guest, Abigoliah Schamaun, takes us through her journey from Ohio to the UK, where she fell in love with stand-up comedy. We dive into cultural differences between the UK and the USA, especially regarding gun violence, and discuss the challenges of freelancing, burnout, and how it affects content creation. We also touch on post-diagnosis clarity and the importance of giving yourself grace during tough times. In the comments, let us know what resonated with you, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your thoughts on social media and connect with other listeners!Show Notes:🎧 Listen to Neurodivergent Moments PodcastAvailable on all podcast apps or directly at: shows.acast.com/neurodivergent-moments💖 Support their Show on PatreonGet bonus content and support Abigoliah’s work: patreon.com/neurodivergentmomentspod🎭 Catch Abigoliah on TourUK Spring Tour "Legally Cheeky" – Tickets at: abigoliah.com/tour📺 Watch Abigoliah on Pointless CelebritiesSeries 16, Episode 17 – Aired March 23, 2024 on BBC📱 Follow Abigoliah Everywhere@abigoliah on all social media platformsRelated Episodes:Comedy is AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe