Before our serendipitous meeting in school car line hell a decade ago we SoFla rubias and accidental autism moms had no idea we were living parallel vidas locas. Together, we’re kicking butt and taking names with a little help from sunshine, wine, and #framily time. Does our bleach weaken our wit? Over our tanned bodies! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/disorderlyblondes/support
In this episode of the Disorderly Blondes Podcast, we step into a plastic world—where everything looks polished, curated, and camera-ready—but reality tells a very different story.
We discuss the release of Mattel’s Autistic Barbie and what autism representation means in real life versus manufactured narratives. While the doll has been celebrated for visibility, many families of individuals with high support needs feel overlooked. We talk advocacy vs. awareness, AAC devices, sugar-coated portrayals of autism, and why representation must include the full spectrum—not just what’s palatable.
At the same time, we share our own experience covering the Netflix premiere of MEMBERS ONLY: Palm Beach as podcast media...an event that felt glossy on the outside but chaotic behind the scenes. Missing media credentials, confused security, no red carpet, and being repeatedly asked to move reminded us just how artificial these worlds can be.
This episode connects the dots between perfectly packaged entertainment, symbolic representation, and the messy, real-life experiences of autism caregivers and advocates. Because life isn’t plastic—and neither is autism.
Listen on ALL major podcast platforms.
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ABOUT US
Meet Kristi
Blessed with blonde wisps at birth (that are now maintained at a cost undisclosed to her husband), Kristi’s mane role is mama to two additional golden-haired beauties- one who just so happens to have autism. Born in the 305, raised in the 954, and training boys to be men in the 561, Kristi has proven not even Dave Barry can chase her from a Florida state-of-mind. In her infinite amount of spare time (insert maniacal laugh) she pours what’s left of her Vitamin D induced energy into Puzzle Peace Now, a non-profit she founded in 2009. Finally, Kristi splits her ends between enjoying quality days in the sun with husband Tim and basking in the glow of her decade long friendship with bestie Brenda.
Meet Brenda
Cuban born, Miami & Hialeah raised, and current Broward County resident (but still 305 all day), Brenda is Dylan (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and Oliver’s (CHRNA7 duplication + Hypotonia + epilepsy) mami. In 2007, blogging about her life as a mom of two special needs kids as ASD QUEEN BEE was cheaper than therapy became a creative and therapeutic outlet. Six years later, she developed THE WHET PALETTE, a blog discussing her passion for food, wine, and travel. Brenda’s journey also includes an extensive background in interior design and dance. The perfect next step? Podcasting! Her colorful palette wouldn’t be complete without endless belly-laughs with the other rubia, Kristi.
Thanks for listening!
Brenda & Kristi
"Are we recording?"
In this hilariously unfiltered episode of The Disorderly Blondes, Kristi and Brenda hit record with no script, no sleep, and absolutely no plan. And that’s exactly the point. From eye patches, mouth tape, and menopause-adjacent chaos to parenting adult kids, autism, college drop-offs, AI rants, and accidental therapy sessions, the conversation zigzags through real life with honesty, heart, and a lot of laughter.
They talk about raising neurodivergent kids into adulthood, navigating independence, boredom, work, and “what happens next,” while also unpacking their own identities as moms, creatives, professionals, and women who are very tired but still showing up. It’s messy, relatable, profane, insightful, and proof that figuring it out as you go is sometimes the only plan.
Visit on Instagram or disorderlyblondes.com for more alllll the scoop!
These autism moms have been nominated as “most likely to run away from home,” and they’re here to weigh in on the issues their constituents (aka their kids) care about most. From hot debates over the best paper towel sizes to the campaign for autism job market improvements and even a motion to impeach a Real Housewives cast member, no topic is off the ballot! So grab your voting stickers and cast your vote for DISORDERLY BLONDES—where every laugh counts!
Listen here or on any major podcast platform.
ABOUT US
Before our serendipitous meeting in school car line hell a decade ago we SoFla rubias and accidental autism moms had no idea we were living parallel vidas locas. Together, we’re kicking butt and taking names with a little help from sunshine, wine, and #framily time. Does our bleach weaken our wit? Over our tanned bodies!
MEET KRISTI
Blessed with blonde wisps at birth (now maintained at a cost undisclosed to her husband), Kristi’s mane role is mama to two additional golden-haired beauties- one who just so happens to have autism. Born in the 305, raised in the 954, and training boys to be men in the 561, Kristi has proven not even Dave Barry can chase her from a Florida state-of-mind. In her infinite amount of spare time (insert maniacal laugh) she pours what’s left of her Vitamin D induced energy into Puzzle Peace Now, a non-profit she founded in 2009. Finally, Kristi splits her ends between enjoying quality days in the sun with husband Tim and basking in the glow of her 16-year friendship with bestie Brenda.
MEET BRENDA
Cuban born, Miami & Hialeah raised, and current Broward County resident (but still 305 all day), Brenda is Dylan (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and Oliver’s (CHRNA7 duplication + Hypotonia + epilepsy + scoliosis) mami. In 2007, blogging about her life as a mom of two special needs kids as ASD QUEEN BEE was cheaper than therapy became a creative and therapeutic outlet. Six years later, she developed THE WHET PALETTE, a blog discussing her passion for food, wine, and travel. Brenda’s journey also includes an extensive background in interior design and dance. The perfect next step? Podcasting! Her colorful palette wouldn’t be complete without her husband Lawrence’s support and endless belly-laughs with the other rubia, Kristi.
Real Housewives of Miami? More like RHOASD.
We South Florida moms are back with plenty of updates, laughs, and endless banter. Pero también some clever use of mouth tape. Que?
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Dale! [email protected]
In this episode, the Blondes drop more F-bombs than turds in a Disney Cruise Line pool. "Seize" the day and join Brenda and Kristi as they navigate boatloads of autism parenting fun.
Listen at the link above and on all major platforms:
Visit the rubias on their other media:
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Have something to say? Dale! [email protected]
We, autism moms, have had quite a year of ups and downs. Listen in as we reunite on this tell-all update episode. Fear not, the squirrels and laughter are back for an all-around rockin' good time...as usual.
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The Papis are baaaaaaack and hosting our 50th episode! For the 3rd year in a row the disorderly autism dads 🤒POSITIVELY🥴 let us know what’s on their 🤬BLEEP🤬 ing minds. Whether it be the 🤬BLEEP🤬ing pandemic 😷, 🤬BLEEP🤬ing therapies, or their🤬BLEEP🤬ing wives, the blondes take zero 🙅🏼♀️🙅🏼♀️responsibility for these special needs dads’ words (even IF the #PAPISseries is our most listened to episodes!).
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Join the hosts of the Disorderly Blondes as they dish on some of the memorable blonde moments of their SUPER popular autism parent podcast. They laugh; they cry (from laughing). Brenda & Kristi toast their favorite guests of the past four seasons and roast their own podcasting (and autism parenting) skills alike.
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Piano lessons as autism therapy is sheet music to Board Certified Behavior Analyst Mary-Debra Pawloski’s ears. Her techniques strike a chord in her students as a symphony of results play up positive behaviors. B sharp and tune in as Miss Mary explains the key reasons piano evokes a concert of skills.
She is a (blonde) natural.
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Professional listeners they are not, but listen in as autism moms Brenda and Kristi presume they are competent to dish on their sons’ latest adventures. Whether it’s graduating, partying, modeling, sporting, or equation solving, the blondes know who is doing all the pant-wearing: dem boyz.
Autism advocate and comic lover Thomas A. McKean does not consider autism a superpower. Still, armed with his brilliant, open mind he pens a voice of reason amongst a universe of controversy. Thomas is “puzzled” by the epic autism battles other “advocates” choose. His story is a rare edition and his page-turning adventures prove the good advocates always win.