Episode 89: Special Guest, Esme 'Pixie' Jay @pixiesbigwhy (Writer & Content Creator)

My special guest on this episode of the 21andsensory Podcast is the wonderful Georgia De Gidlow. Georgia is an actor who is based both in Belfast and in London. She made her on-screen debut in a lead role in the BBC’s 'A Kind of Spark', which was nominated for a number of awards, including an Emmy nomination for casting. It won “Best Children’s Programme” at the 2024 Broadcast Awards. Georgia has also played Wendy in the Watford Palace Theatre’s production of Peter Pan, proving her strong ability on stage. Something you may not know about Georgia is that she has a degree in Politics and International Relations, and continues to have an aptitude for writing and journalism. Georgia's Links:​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiadg​A Kind of Spark on BBC iPlayer (also on BYUtv)​Head2Head Sensory Theatre (Georgia is an ambassador and will be running summer drama workshops soon!): https://h2hsensorytheatre.com/Links to things mentioned:​Sing Sing Film​Netflix documentary on prison craft group (also Emily meant to say Quilting not Knitting!)​Neurodivergent wing at Pentonville PrisonMy 21andsensory links: 21andsensory on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/21andsensory⁠⁠​@21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com​ @21andsensory on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/21andsensory⁠

I am really excited to chat to today's special guest Kay Wilson.Kay is a Nottingham-based illustrator, most well known for her cover of the best-selling book A Kind of Spark, as well as Keedie, Like a Charm and Like a Curse by Elle McNicoll. Kay has worked on a wide range of projects, from editorial illustration to podcast art. I hope you enjoy listening to our chat!Things Kay mentioned and recommended (with notes below provided by Kay!):Gabe Dunn Article - Get Rich or Die Vlogging (the original was posted to Fusion, which doesn't seem to exist anymore, hence the reupload)Layout Paper - I used Seawhite of Brighton's one if people want exactTombow Brush PensPosca MarkersPentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen - the name of the pen Kay couldn't remember!Pith Sketchbook - technically I use their "blank notebook" as their official sketchbooks have much heavier GSM paper, and I mainly use ink. The heavier GSM is probably better for painting, but the notebook level is perfect for sketching and doodles :)Kay’s links:Instagram: Kay Wilson 🌙 (@kayaotic) • Instagram photos and videosBluesky: kay 🌙 (@kayaotic.bsky.social)Website kaywilsonillustration.comElle’s social links:Elle’s website and books: ⁠ellemcnicoll.com⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ellemcnicollofficial⁠X: ⁠twitter.com/BooksandChokers⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@ellemcnicoll⁠YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@ellemcnicollofficial​My 21andsensory links:  @21andsensory on Instagram: instagram.com/21andsensory⁠​@21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory on YouTube, X and Bluesky:⁠⁠⁠ @21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠

I am really excited to chat to today's special guest Dr Emma Cernis. Emma is a clinical psychologist and researcher with expertise in complex mental health difficulties. She is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Birmingham and works within the School of Psychology and the Institute for Mental Health.Through her research, Emma aims to improve the understanding and treatment of dissociative difficulties. Clinically, Emma has expertise in working with young adults experiencing dissociative symptoms before or during a first episode of psychosis, and with children, teenagers, and families affected by sexual trauma.Emma set up the Midlands Dissociation and Depersonalisation Clinic (links below)Emma’s Links:Midlands Dissociation & Depersonalisation Centre: http://www.midlands-ddc.com​Midlands DDC Instagram: www.instagram.com/midlands.ddc ​Emma’s website: www.emmacernis.comResource Page: https://www.midlands-ddc.com/loved-ones) and (https://www.midlands-ddc.com/clinician-resources)Cernis Scale: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37926868/Also mentioned:​Unreal Charity: www.unrealcharity.com​Joe Perkins Book: (https://www.waterstones.com/book/life-on-autopilot/joe-perkins/)​Blog post I did for Unreal: (https://www.unrealcharity.com/blog/emilys-story-coming-to-terms-with-dpdr)​My 21andsensory links:  @21andsensory on Instagram: instagram.com/21andsensory⁠​@21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠​@21andsensory on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/21andsensory

I am really excited to chat to today's special guest which is the lovely Chloe Tear. Chloe is an award winning disability blogger and freelance writer with 10 years experience. On her blog she documents her lived experiences as a disabled young woman and she currently works as a senior content designer for GOV.UK.Chloe has had Cerebral Palsy from birth, but became visually impaired during her first year of university. Chloe's sight-loss continues to deteriorate and she has been registered as severely sight impaired (formally known as blind). Now some listeners might recognise Chloe because she has been on the podcast before - it was Episode 62 in October 2022. You might also remember that Chloe had been accepted onto a list in 2020 for a guide dog and was still waiting to hear back…..But now… we are back…. and CHLOE HAS MUCH NEWS!Chloe's Links: Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/chloeltear⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/chloe_tear⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/chloetear⁠ Chloe's Website: ⁠chloetear.co.uk⁠My 21andsensory links: @21andsensory on Instagram - ⁠instagram.com/21andsensory⁠ @21andsensory on TikTok - ⁠tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠ 21andsensory on YouTube - ⁠youtube.com/21andsensory⁠ @21andsensory on Twitter - ⁠twitter.com/21andsensory

Dr Alex Smalley is a researcher and communicator aiming to understand more about how experiences in nature can impact people’s wellbeing. Alex is based at the University of Exeter's European Centre for Environment and Human Health and holds a PhD in environmental psychology. Since 2017 he has been investigating the cognitive and emotional impacts of virtual encounters with the natural world.  Most recently, he partnered with the BBC Natural History Unit and Audible to create the Healing Power of Nature, an immersive 8-part audio series, written and narrated by Alex, that introduces key concepts from the field of environmental psychology. Alex has worked with the BBC on several research collaborations, including the award-winning Radio 4 series Forest 404, the cross-platform BBC Music initiative Soundscapes for Wellbeing and the BBC Four series Mindful Escapes. Alex also has a background in the physical sciences and science communication – he spent over a decade communicating complex concepts to a range of national and international audiences. Alex's Links: Alex's website⁠⁠ Alex's University of Exeter Profile Dr Jack Reed Profile | University of Exeter (https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/42856-jack-reed) Alex mentioned: 'russell's circumplex model of affect' My links: @21andsensory on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/21andsensory⁠ @21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠ @21andsensory on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/21andsensory⁠

Grab a hot drink and a snack because it's time for a huge 2024 catch-up episode with Emily! (who only realised as she was recording that it’s been an entire YEAR since she did a solo episode?!) Things I cover (with timestamps): ​0:00 Intro + Spotify Wrapped Stats ​5:00 A wrap up of 2024’s podcast guests ​23:20 Life Update and Instagram Questions ​40:34 Portal App! ​52:45 Books I've read this year (open link!) Things I mentioned: ​Emily’s Lego: https://amzn.to/3ZQZmJb ​Portal app link: Access a free One Month Premium Membership: https://portal.app/?offer=21andsensory Brilliant books from lovely 2024 guests: ​‘Ramping Up Rights An Unfinished History of British Disability Activism’ By Rachel Charlton Dailey (Out in 2025, Preorder): https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/ramping-up-rights/ ​‘Girl Unmasked: The Sunday Times Bestseller: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life’ By Emily Katy: https://www.authenticallyemily.uk/book ​‘All Tangled Up in Autism and Chronic Illness: A guide to navigating multiple conditions’ By Charli Clement: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/charli-clement/all-tangled-up-in-autism-and-chronic-illness/9781839975240/ ​’Some Like It Cold’ By Elle McNicoll: https://ellemcnicoll.com/books/some-like-it-cold ​‘University: The Autistic Guide: Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive’ By Dr Harriet Axbey: https://pavpub.com/catalogue-2024/university-the-autistic-guide-everything-you-need-to-survive-and-thrive My Links: ​21andsensory on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/21andsensory⁠ ​@21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ​21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠ ​@21andsensory on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/21andsensory⁠

I am super excited for today's episode as I have special guest Dr Harriet Axbey on the show. Harriet Axbey is an autistic early career researcher at Swansea University. She is a research assistant on the “Autism from Menstruation to Menopause” Wellcome Trust Funded project within the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Science. This project aims to look at the reproductive health experiences of autistic people with wombs across the lifespan.Harriets areas of expertise include:​Autism​Neurodivergence​Neurodiversity​Diffusion Chains​University AccessibilityHarriet is on the show today to share more about her recent book that’s been published which is called: University: The Autistic Guide. This informative and friendly handbook is a guide to starting university for autistic young people, covering the entire process from applying, packing and financial admin to mental health support, dealing with burnout, finding your people and experiencing new opportunities. ​Harriet Axbey (@axbey) / X​Jonathan Raiseborough ✏✨ (@jo_raiseborough) / X​Home | portfolio (jonathanraiseborough.wixsite.com)​University: The Autistic Guide: Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive - Pavilion Publishing (pavpub.com)​Understanding Others in a Neurodiverse World: A Radical Perspective on Communication and Shared Meaning - Pavilion Publishing (pavpub.com)​University – The Autistic Guide: Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive: Amazon.co.uk: Harriet Axbey: 9781803882543: Books​My Brother Tom Has Superpowers : Axbey, Harriet: Amazon.co.uk: Books​My Brother Tom Has SuperpowersHarriet Axbey | YouCaxton PublicationsFollow Harriet on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/draxbey.bsky.social

On today’s show I have the lovely Esme Jay, who is also known by the nickname Pixie. Esme is a queer autistic writer-turned-content creator living with PTSD and anxiety. They run @pixiesbigwhy over on Instagram which has almost 18,000 followers at time of recording (now over 19k as the podcast goes live!). Esme shares their life including content around lifestyle, fashion, autism, mental health and chronic illness.  Trigger warning: mention of domestic violence, homelessness and abuse Things mentioned: Yasmin Benoit Instagram: instagram.com/theyasminbenoit End Teen Economic Abuse Esme's Links: zez.am/pixiesbigwhy

I am super excited for today's episode as I have the wonderful special guest Elle McNicoll on the show. Elle is a bestselling and award-winning novelist and screenwriter. She is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing, as an autistic and dyspraxic novelist. Her debut, A Kind of Spark, won the Overall Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2021. It was also voted number 75 in The 100 Greatest Children's Books of All Time in 2023. She is a three-time Carnegie-nominated author and was also honoured in the US with the Schneider Award, 2022. Her first novel has also been adapted for television by the BBC, and McNicoll was head writer on the project. The adaptation was described in the press as 'groundbreaking' for its inclusion of autistic actors and crew (and you might remember when Ella Maisy Purvis was on the podcast, who played Elinor/Bonnie in the show!) I reached out to ask if she might like to come on my podcast to chat a little more about her latest book which is Elle’s YA debut 'Some Like It Cold'. I was kindly sent a copy to review and read earlier this year by the lovely team at Pan Macmillian so I have been very fortunate to have read the book. It will be published on October 1st (US) and October 3rd (UK), which is today! Buy Elle’s new book ’Some Like It Cold’: Indie bookshop editions: linktr.ee/somelikeitcold Preorder signed Waterstones editions: https://www.waterstones.com/book/some-like-it-cold/elle-mcnicoll/2928377278267?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabdFYqMgatGwJuIgBTZD65RubhPkHDQAHZR_1iY5Q2RplaIgyGbaTUmnAk_aem_irZ80J1Fbj5FcufVoBwFoA See Elle on tour: Tour dates: https://linktr.ee/SLICromancetour Young Adult Literature Convention (YALC): https://londoncomicconwinter.com/YALC/guest/elle-mcnicoll/ Cheltenham festival: https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/some-like-it-cold-with-elle-mcnicoll Elle’s social links: Elle’s website: ellemcnicoll.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellemcnicollofficial X: twitter.com/BooksandChokers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellemcnicoll YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ellemcnicollofficial Watch ‘A Kind of Spark’ on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0f7q3rv/a-kind-of-spark

On today’s show I have the lovely Jess Chandler. Jess is an advocator and activist in the Neurodivergent and Disabled Community. Jess also spreads awareness about Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and educates others on the impact that invisible illnesses can carry. Now you might know Jess from her fab instagram and TikTok accounts @thejesschandler (where she has almost 34,000 followers and @the.neurodivergent.witch which has almost 13,000 followers! So I’m very excited for this chat! Links to find Jess: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejesschandler⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thejesschandler⁠ YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JessChandler⁠ ⁠the.neurodivergent.witch | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree⁠ My 21andsensory links:     @21andsensory on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.instagram.com/21andsensory⁠ @21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠ @21andsensory on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/21andsensory⁠