Episode 101: Special Guest, Anna Zoe Quirke (Autistic Author, Librarian, and Writer)

On today’s show I have the wonderful special guest Anna Zoe Quirke. Anna is a queer and autistic author, librarian, and freelance writer from the North of England. They’ve written books, scripts, poetry (and much more). Their novel ‘Something to be Proud of’ won the Northern Writers’ Award for Debut YA Fiction in 2022, was shortlisted for the PFD Queer Fiction Prize, was published with Little Tiger in June 2024, and was nominated for a Carnegie Award in 2025. Their most recent book ‘ Sad Girl Hours’ was published in September this year.In her freelance work, Anna writes about mental health, disability, neurodivergence, and LGBTQ+ topics for various charities and organisations such as Kooth, the UK’s largest digital mental health service.They’re at their happiest writing stories about chaotic queer and disabled people finding and claiming their place in the world.Anna's Links:Anna's websiteBuy Anna's BooksInstagramTikTokMy 21andsensory links: @21andsensory on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Work with me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/working-with-me⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@21andsensory on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠@21andsensory on BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/21andsensory.bsky.social⁠

IT'S EPISODE 100! WOOP!Thanks for listening and subscribing to the 21andsensory podcast over the years - it really does mean a lot and I hope you have enjoyed all the guests I've had on so far...more exciting guests to come too!On today's episode I have a very special guest to celebrate the 100th episode...but you'll have to click play to find out who it is!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​Work with me: ⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/working-with-me⁠⁠⁠​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠​@21andsensory on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠​@21andsensory on BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/21andsensory.bsky.social⁠

On this month's 21andsensory Podcast I have the wonderful special guest Lucy Powrie. Lucy is a neurodivergent author whose dream is to fill bookshelves with as many books featuring proudly autistic and ADHD characters as possible – just like her.She makes bookish videos as lucythereader on YouTube to an audience of over 40,000 subscribers, and enjoys passionately sharing her love for old books, the Brontë sisters, and the BBC miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.Lucy is the author of four books for teens and young adults: The Paper & Hearts Society series, and Real When I’m With You. In her spare time she also the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Brontë Society. When she’s not writing or reading, she can be found cuddling her corgi, Margie, and looking after her herd of very cute guinea pigs.Lucy's links: linktr.ee/lucythereader​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​Work with me: ⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/working-with-me⁠⁠​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠​@21andsensory on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/21andsensory⁠⁠​@21andsensory on BlueSky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/21andsensory.bsky.social⁠

Very excited to announce that on this months 21andsensory Podcast episode I have special guest Rachel Morgan-Trimmer Rachel is (and does) many things including being: • An International keynote and TEDx speaker• A neurodiversity consultant and trainer• An entrepreneur • …and an author!Rachel founded Sparkle Class in 2019 which has since rebranded to Firebird which is a company that delivers training on how to create an inclusive workplace and society for people living with ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism and Dyspraxia.Firebird have worked with clients such as the BBC, NHS, HP, and the British Academy to name a few. Rachel is the author of ‘How to be Autistic’ a free ebook that aims to guide autistic people through what being autistic means, how to manage challenges, and help them to find their own purpose.Also this is my favourite bit of the book description:It will help ‘empower you to live as the shiny authentic autistic you were always meant to be’ 💫 So I am very excited to chat to Rachel about everything she does!Rachels links:​Firebird Website​Rachel's Book Website: ' How to be Autistic'​Rachel's LinkedIn​Rachel's Instagram​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​Work with me: ⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/working-with-me⁠​21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠⁠​@21andsensory on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://x.com/21andsensory⁠​@21andsensory on BlueSky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/21andsensory.bsky.social⁠

On today's episode I have special guest Hannah. Hannah is an illustrator who created SadSnailAdventures after discovering she is neurodivergent and being diagnosed with autism. Hannah wanted to build a creative space to share the highs, lows, and everything in between about living as a neurodivergent person, hoping it helps others feel less alone.Hannah loves bringing her illustrations and products to life on her Etsy store of the same name and I am excited to chat to her about all things creative!Hannah's Links:@sadsnailadventures on: Instagram | TikTok | WhatNot | EtsyMy 21andsensory links:@21andsensory on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠@21andsensory on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21andsensory on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Work with me: https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/working-with-me21andsensory Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://21andsensory.wordpress.com⁠@21andsensory on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://x.com/21andsensory@21andsensory on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/21andsensory.bsky.social

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