The Autism Little Learners Podcast
Episode #100 – Autism Little Learners Journey!
Host: Tara Phillips
Guest: Jason (Tara's husband)
Date: December 10, 2024
Episode Overview
This landmark 100th episode of “The Autism Little Learners Podcast” is a celebration of the show’s journey and growth since its start in early 2023. Host Tara Phillips is joined by her husband, Jason, for a relaxed, candid Q&A reflecting on the origins of Autism Little Learners, the evolution of the podcast, listener impact, memorable milestones, and upcoming plans. With warmth and humor, they delve into both personal and professional stories, spotlighting the driving philosophy of compassion, connection, and practical support for those working with young autistic children.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Celebrating 100 Episodes
- Tara expresses gratitude and disbelief at reaching 100 episodes, marking the occasion with a confetti moment.
- “Hundredth episode. I can’t believe it.” (01:31)
- Jason returns for the episode, answering listener requests for more of his appearances and bringing back the playful tone of their previous Q&A sessions.
- They kick off the episode with light-hearted banter, noting it’s never been recorded on camera before (03:23).
2. Fun Facts & Rituals
- Jason shares it’s National Lager Day (04:12), to his amusement and Tara’s indifference to beer.
- Jason’s trademark “random fact”: Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn (05:20).
- “The unicorn is the official national animal of Scotland.” (05:20)
3. The Origin Story of Autism Little Learners
- Tara’s drive to fill a gap in resources for 3-5 year old autistic students:
- “I just could not find anything that was at the right level.” (06:11)
- Launch spurred by personal loss: After her father’s death in January 2019, Tara began creating and sharing resources as both a coping strategy and a way to help others.
- “This entire business came from my dad... I think it was handed to me and I think he has a part in it 100%.” (08:39)
- Emphasis on starting small (her first $4.10 sale), growing steadily, and finding mentorship through resources like Kasey Morris and her CEO Teacher membership (07:34).
4. Starting the Podcast: A Leap of Faith
- Influenced by mentors’ podcasts and the lack of content for early childhood autism professionals.
- “There was nothing at this three to five year old level... Sometimes you just have to do it messy... and you figure it out along the way.” (09:58)
- Learning podcasting from scratch with courses by Jenna Kutcher:
- “It was really trial by fire, like, set this up and just go.” (10:41)
- Desire to provide actionable, evidence-based information for teachers, SLPs, and parents working with young autistic children.
5. Milestones & Growth
- The importance of consistency:
- “Hitting 100 episodes... really takes consistency and kind of grit to make that happen.” (12:32)
- Community feedback has played a vital role; hearing how her resources and podcast have helped teachers/parents is deeply meaningful.
- Tara highlights the increased inclusion of interviews with professionals like Jesse Ginsburg and Nicole Casey (“child led slp”), whose passionate perspectives fueled lengthy and insightful episodes.
- “Our interview lasted an hour and 20 minutes because we both are this... we have the same passion.” (13:13)
- Personal impact stories, such as Jason meeting former students now adults, illustrate the ripple effect of the work.
6. Impact & Audience Engagement
- The exponential reach: one resource or idea can empower many adults, thus benefiting numerous children.
- “One person reach can help five or ten kids... It’s awesome.” (16:05)
- Leaving the classroom to pursue Autism Little Learners full-time was a difficult yet powerful transition, driven by a desire for greater impact (17:08).
- The Preschool Autism Summit—a highlight in 2024—connected thousands with experts and parents, demonstrating the reach and community Tara’s platform has built.
7. Listener Stories & Feedback
- Tara’s favorite messages are those where parents overcome challenges through insights gained from the podcast, such as advocating for AAC devices for their children:
- “Before your podcast, I was reluctant to introduce an iPad... but you and several of the professionals you’ve had on the podcast helped me to understand it so much better.” (Parent quote read at 21:30)
- Listener engagement, DMs, and reviews are meaningful motivators.
- Humorous listener shoutouts:
- Jason’s favorite is from “Kelsey from Canada,” who repeatedly requests more Jason appearances (24:12).
8. Rapid Fire Q&A Highlights
- Favorite Episode:
- Tara can’t pick just one but highlights the hour-plus conversation with Nicole Casey for how deep their shared enthusiasm went.
- Dream Guests:
- Barry Prizant and Carrie Ebert—both highly regarded SLPs. (25:53)
- What She Wishes She’d Known:
- “How many hours you’d be working.” (26:21)
- Would’ve benefited from knowing how public-facing the role would become.
- Funniest Moments:
- Accidentally cutting guests off after interviews (27:15).
- Jason admits to not listening mid-podcast, leading to on-air laughter:
- “I wasn’t listening...” (28:33)
- Next 100 Episodes:
- More interviews, more Q&As, more classroom voices, always keeping it practical and relevant (29:33).
- Consistency is key: “If my goal is to not miss a week, I’m not going to miss a week.” (29:33)
- Personal stories:
- Jason vividly describes their wedding vows as an example of Tara’s type-A, highly prepared nature compared to his “winging it” style (30:47).
9. Looking Forward: Plans for 2025 and Beyond
- 2025 Preschool Autism Summit:
- Plans to make it bigger and better, with more expert voices and practical sessions (31:28).
- Membership Expansion:
- New resources, activities, and monthly trainings for members (31:41).
- Upcoming Course:
- A comprehensive Autism Preschool Course covering classroom setup, lesson planning, and practical supports; planned release before summer 2025 (32:53).
- Work-Life Balance:
- Tara prioritizes reclaiming more personal/family time in 2025 (33:15).
10. Special Gift for Listeners
- To mark the milestone, Tara is offering a free resource: a new “Penguin” adapted book with visuals and art projects.
- Download: autismlittlelearners.com/penguin
- “Adapted books have been hugely, hugely popular... This has been a game changer in my classroom or at home.” (34:14)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Tara:
- “Sometimes you just have to do it messy... and you figure it out along the way and you make it better along the way.” (10:15)
- “This entire business came from my dad... I think it was handed to me and I think he has a part in it 100%.” (08:39)
- “I hope I’m bringing value to people and I hope they enjoy the podcast.” (11:47)
- “To be part of someone’s day like that, I think that is a really cool milestone.” (12:38)
- “It’s not me that knows everything, but if I can be kind of a vessel through which people can hear from other professionals, parents, other perspectives... that is a really exciting and I’m very honored to be able to be that.” (17:17)
-
Jason:
- “I always promote you... I’m a celebrity’s husband.” (15:04)
- “For every person you can reach with something that they can use as a tool... think of how many students they work with. It’s just awesome.” (16:05)
- On his favorite listener: “Kelsey from Canada... Where’s Jason?” (24:06)
- On his own podcasting moment: “I wasn’t listening...” – sparking laughter and a resonant marriage trope (28:33)
- On Tara’s prepared nature: “Tara pulled out like two or three sheets of paper stapled together, double sided. And she’s like, I’m type A.” (30:47)
- “Squirrels are real and I often see them.” (29:02)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 — Opening: Welcome, confetti, and milestone reflections
- 04:12 — National Lager Day & fun fact (Scotland’s unicorn)
- 06:11 — Origin of Autism Little Learners
- 09:58 — Why launch a podcast?
- 12:22 — Biggest milestones and podcast evolution
- 15:33 — Audience impact & reach
- 17:08 — Leaving classroom for full-time work on Autism Little Learners
- 21:30 — Heartfelt parent story about advocating for her son
- 24:06 — Listener shoutouts and rapid fire Q&A
- 27:15 — Funniest moments recording the podcast
- 29:33 — Hopes and plans for next 100 episodes
- 31:28 — Preview of 2025 Summit & new course
- 34:14 — Announcement of the free “Penguin” adapted book resource
- 35:26 — Closing thanks and virtual hug
Tone & Style
Relaxed, candid, and upbeat—with plenty of playful banter and laughter. Warmth and vulnerability show through personal anecdotes and heartfelt thanks to the community. The episode remains practical and solution-oriented as always, aiming to empower and inspire listeners.
Summary
This celebratory episode is both a look back and a look ahead for Autism Little Learners. Tara Phillips and her husband Jason offer listeners an intimate, entertaining, and motivational journey through the podcast’s origins, the impact of community, and dreams for the future. Core values of compassion, connection, and practical support for young autistic children and their caregivers shine through at every step. The episode closes with gratitude, a free resource, and an invitation to keep building this affirming, inclusive movement together.