142 [Re-release] Being an autistic extrovert, people watching and managing our energy

This episode was recorded in early 2021 and originally released as part of the third season of Squarepeg. I was delighted to get to speak to Vera again recently, in 2026, and that new episode is now available for you to listen to. So I'm re-releasing my original conversation with Vera here, so that anyone who wants to can refresh their memory before listening to our more recent conversation in episode 143.

At the time this was recorded Vera was in her 40s, had just been diagnosed autistic and was working as a life coach. Originally from the Czech Republic, she lives in Bristol in the UK. Vera has a background in maths and computer science, and describes herself as an extrovert whose special interest is people watching.

In this conversation we talk about:

➡ Being an autistic extrovert

➡ How living in a different country can work out well for autistic people

➡ Autistic fatigue, burnout and managing our energy

➡ Learning and play, and having a rich inner world

➡ How she's turned a fascination with people into a business she loves

Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they've learned along the way.

I'm Amy Richards, and I was diagnosed autistic in 2016, when I was 37. I've been sharing my conversations with other autistic adults since 2020.

I hope you'll find these conversations inspiring and thought provoking, and that they'll help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.

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