Talk To Me Sis

Can working with your fiancé actually make your relationship stronger...or drive you crazy? TikTok comedy star Zachariah Porter joins us to talk about building a career online, balancing work with his relationship, and planning a wedding while navigating life as a creator. He also shares how his viral characters came to life, what his family thinks of his comedy, and how he went from an uncertain career path to sold-out live shows. Plus, we get into family dynamics, relationships, and one debate we take VERY seriously: What condiment are you taking to the grave?

Follow Zachariah: 

You fell in love with Tyler White on Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, but there's so much more to his story!

Tyler joins us alongside his parents, Tim and Brenda White, for a heartfelt conversation about life after Netflix, his upcoming wedding to Madison, and the unexpected journey that's taking him from reality TV to country music stardom.

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To...

Is the autism spectrum doing enough to represent families living with profound autism?
WATCH THE EPISODE HERE

We welcome author and autism advocate Tyler Hudson, father of a son with profound autism, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about autism awareness, acceptance, advocacy, and the realities of lifelong caregiving.

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This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Views...

How do you know when it’s time to stop stepping in and let your child figure things out on their own? How do you know when you’ve actually found “the one”? And how in the world do parents survive puberty while keeping communication open?

You asked and we're answering!

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - “He Was...

What happens when the future you imagined for your child starts to look completely different?

Kate Swenson, creator of Finding Cooper’s Voice, joins us for an incredibly honest conversation about autism, motherhood, caregiving, acceptance, and the complicated emotions parents are often afraid to say out loud.

Plus, Kate shares the story behind Finding Cooper’s Voice, her advocacy work, her upcoming book, and why caregivers need community and support just as much as the people they care for.

00:00 “God, You Picked the Wrong Person”
01:19 Meet Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper’s Voice
0...

Our listeners get a FREE MONTH of Primal Queen plus FOUR FREE GIFTS at
PrimalQueen.com/SIS. #ad

No one really prepares you for what perimenopause and menopause can actually feel like.

In this episode we get candid about their personal experiences with menopause from unexpected body changes, exhaustion and hot flashes to mood swings, sleep problems, changing sex drives and the impact it can have on relationships and marriage.

But the conversation doesn't stop there. We also discuss learning when to protect your private life, dealing with judgment on social media...

What is the real truth about women in sports? Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor gets honest about the realities of being a female athlete in a male-dominated world. 

But this episode goes far beyond the ice. Elana shares her deeply personal journey from being a Georgia softball player to becoming the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history. She also opens up about the raw, unrelenting reality of special needs motherhood, raising two deaf boys including her oldest son who has Down syndrome.

If you are interested in advertising on this podcast email advertising@p...

What happens when the world tells you to feel sorry for your child... and you decide to prove them wrong?

This week on Talk To Me Sis, we’re joined by Holly Simon, mom to social media sensation and 21 Pineapples founder Nate Simon. Holly and Nate have built a community of more than 1 million followers by doing something surprisingly simple: being completely, unapologetically themselves.

But their story started long before the followers, viral videos, and Hawaiian shirts.

When Nate was born with Down syndrome, Holly remembers doctors telling her they were “sorry.” His first...

In this episode, we are joined by our sons from Netflix's Love on the Spectrum: Connor and Tanner! The guys share massive life updates, including the sweet story of how Connor met his new girlfriend, Sarah, and his upcoming trips to Hollywood for a brand-new history podcast. Tanner reveals the details behind his new kids' show, his adventures as an uncle, and his proven strategies for living independently.

We also have an honest conversation about life after reality TV, navigating brand deals, and how these incredible guys are kicking down doors for neurodivergent representation in the media.<...

Caregiver burnout is a silent reality in the disability community, but the right support roadmap changes everything. Today, Cecilia Elizalde joins us to share how Best Buddies is providing vital resources not just for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), but for their entire family ecosystem.

From specialized mentorship for parents navigating a new Down syndrome or Autism diagnosis to app-based communities for siblings, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

00:00:00 - Why Caregiver Support is Critical in the Disability Community
00:02:09 - Navigating an Unexpected Down Syndrome Diagnosis  
00:09:38 - The 5 Pillars of t...

What happens when we sit down with two of the funniest moms on the internet?

Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley of  ⁨@imomsohard⁩   join us for a hilarious, honest conversation about motherhood, friendship, raising kids who don’t always fit society’s expectations, and learning to let go of the parenting life you thought you were supposed to have.

Plus, Kristin and Jen reveal how their friendship began, how an embarrassing swimsuit shopping trip helped turn #imomsohard into a viral phenomenon, and why showing the messy reality of motherhood connected with millions of women.

Millions of people met Sonia Wiggins through Love on the Spectrum. But what cameras never showed was the heartbreaking chapter she was living through behind the scenes.

Just weeks before the show aired, Sonia lost her mother to stage 4 cancer. At the same time, she became the target of online bullying while trying to navigate grief, an AuDHD diagnosis, and years of masking who she really was.

In this deeply honest conversation, Sonia opens up about body image, dating as a neurodivergent woman, learning to love herself, dealing with rejection, and why being different became...

This may be the most inspiring story we've ever shared. Born with a disability. Survived war. Lost her daughter. Then she spent the rest of her life helping thousands of women and children rebuild theirs.

Rosie and Georgie  join us to share the remarkable journey behind Chosen Warrior, revealing how faith, resilience, and purpose carried them through unimaginable loss.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

She's known online as the Queen of Trash Day. The country singer who takes out her trash cans while calmly reading (and clapping back at) hateful comments about her kids. But before the viral videos, Britnee Kellogg was a young single mom sitting on her floor with a newborn, no job, and a toddler son she didn't yet know was autistic. 

In this episode, Britnee opens up about surviving divorce, raising two incredible kids, and why protecting your peace is one of the bravest things you can do.

Plus: she debuts brand new, never-before-shared details a...

Emma Miller became one of the breakout stars of Love on the Spectrum, but this episode is about the woman who helped shape her journey.

Liz Miller joins us for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, and the unexpected experience of opening your family's life to the world. From behind-the-scenes stories about filming to Emma's unforgettable lipstick moment, Liz shares what viewers didn't see. And the lessons she's learned raising children with unique strengths, personalities, and dreams.

Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
...

Fans know Shelley and James as one of the sweetest couples from Love on the Spectrum, but there's so much more to their story.

Shelley joins us to share how a simple message turned into an unexpected love story, why their relationship works so well, and what life has been like since the cameras stopped rolling. She also opens up about being diagnosed with autism as an adult, the challenges of being misunderstood online, and the lessons she's learned about staying true to herself.

Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise

...

What happens when you refuse to give up on your dream?

This week we sit down with comedian and Netflix star Leanne Morgan for one of our most inspiring conversations yet. Leanne opens up about balancing family and ambition, the challenges of empty nesting, marriage, aging with confidence, and why it's never too late to reinvent yourself. 

Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
Instagram: @nicci_smith6

In this heartfelt episode of Talk To Me Sis, Tish Cyrus-Purcell opens up about raising one of the biggest stars on the planet (Miley Cyrus, in case you were wondering!) while balancing motherhood, marriage to Dominic Purcell (Prison Break), business (how does she protect her kids from the industry), and eventually asking herself one simple question: Who am I outside of being a mom?

Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
Instagram: @nicci_smith6

Dr. Kerry Magro was diagnosed with autism at age 4, non-speaking until age 2.5, and didn't use full sentences until he was 7. Today he's a bestselling author, professional speaker, and the autism consultant behind Netflix's Love on the Spectrum US.

In this episode, Kerry shares what actually helped him find his voice. From scripting Lion King movies to theater therapy, and what he wishes every newly diagnosed family knew.

He covers the real difference between speech and communication, how to lean into a child's interests, behind-the-scenes stories from Love on the Spectrum, the autism employment crisis, housing...

In this episode of Talk to Me Sis, we sit down with Jennifer Cook author, autism advocate, and the relationship expert from Netflix's hit show Love on the Spectrum. But this time, Jennifer isn't guiding someone else. She's sharing her own story.

00:00:00 Coming up...
00:00:34 Meet Jennifer Cook from Love on the Spectrum
00:16:31 Masking Autism and Learning Social Rules
00:17:18 Using Movies and Books to Learn Social Skills
00:21:16 Why Autism in Girls Often Goes Undiagnosed
00:28:12 Autism, Relationships & Recognizing Abuse
00:31:05 Being Diagnosed with Autism at Age 35
00:31:58 The Social Rules Book That Changed Lives<...

It's Mental Health Awareness Month and nothing is off limits. Two autism moms get real about dysregulation, self-care, postpartum, and finding your way through the hard days.

Hosts:
Lise Smith
Nicci Smith

What do you wish someone had told you before you became a mom? In this episode, Nicci and Lise pull back the curtain on the real, unfiltered truth about motherhood. From identity and independence before kids, to grace in long-term partnerships, to the lifeline of good mom friends, this episode is the conversation you didn't know you needed.

And they close on an incredible high note: Rio's Law is now officially on the books in Georgia, a huge win for the autism and neurodiverse community.

00:00 Coming up...
01:01 Welcome & What's Been Going On This Week<...

In this episode, Lise and Nicci pull back the curtain on who they were long before Netflix's Love on the Spectrum. Lise opens up about rebuilding her life as a single mom to four kids with very little money and no roadmap. Nicci shares her journey from a shy, insecure young woman to a confident autism advocate, nurse, stay-at-home mom, and fitness lover. And how her husband Mark helped shape who she is today.

If you're a special needs parent, an autism mom, a fan of Love on the Spectrum, or someone navigating a busy family, this...

Christine Romeo is back! She's an autism advocate and mom to Abbey from Netflix's Love on the Spectrum. She joins us for a raw, honest conversation about what the media got wrong about Abbey and David, and the incredible growth she's witnessed in Abbey. We also talk Gestalt Language Processing, emotional regulation tools, new music from Abby, and why the autism community needs to stop fighting itself. A must-listen for autism families, caregivers, and Love on the Spectrum fans.

SPOILERS AHEAD: In Season 4 of Love on the Spectrum, Connor and Georgie  had a shocking breakup.  Connor's mom, Lise, and Tanner's mom, Nicci, are sharing their reactions. 

00:26 – First Impressions of Season 4 Cast
02:04 – Who Stole Season 4?
04:31 – Dylan & Emma 
07:32 – James & Shelley 
09:10 – Tyler & Madison Proposal Reaction
11:01 – Connor & Georgie Breakdown - What Really Happened
13:20 – Addressing Online Criticism & Hate
26:59 – Fan Reactions & Viral Moments
29:38 – Connor’s Advocacy & Real-World Impact
32:12 – Clemson Scholarship Announcement
36:09 – What’s Next

🎙️ Subscribe to Talk to Me Sis with Lise & Nicci Smith for new episodes coming soon.

SPOILERS AHEAD: Season 4 of Love on the Spectrum just dropped on Netflix and we are breaking down everything you need to know. Connor and Georgie's London trip, the things that cameras never filmed, and what Connor is really looking for in a relationship. What's next for Tanner? Plus Connor's historic autism advocacy win as Rose's Law passes in the Georgia State House. And Lise and Nicci share their shocking plot twist of the week.

Chapters: 
00:00:00 Coming up
00:02:03 How Tanner Really Handles Stress & Dysregulation
00:05:34 How Rose's Law Started With a Podcast Guest
00:07:56 Connor's Run I...

We're BACK! Nicci Smith and Lise Smith, moms of Tanner and Connor from Netflix's Love on the Spectrum Seasons 2 & 3 are answering ALL your burning questions about Season 4!

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Love on the Spectrum Season 4: What to Expect
00:01:23 - Answering Your Burning Season 4 Questions
00:02:11 - Is Love on the Spectrum Real & Unscripted?
00:03:09 - Behind the Scenes: What Filming Is Really Like
00:06:21 - How Tanner Got Cast on Love on the Spectrum
00:10:44 - How Connor Got Cast on Love on the Spectrum
00:13:08 - The Tweet That Changed Everything (Connor's Story)
00:18:00...

In this holiday edition of Talk to Me Sis, we share our favorite Christmas traditions, favorite holiday movies, and reflect on the past year while looking forward to new adventures in 2026. We discuss the importance of family gatherings, the joy of giving, and the significance of community involvement during the holiday season.
Hosts:
Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
Instagram: @nicci_smith6

Sponsored by MerchLabs.com

In this episode, Milton and Amber Jones, a father-daughter duo, share their journey in education and literacy through their nonprofit, From Broke to Breakthrough. They discuss the importance of reading aloud to children, the impact of parental involvement, and their mission to improve literacy among young learners. The conversation highlights their innovative programs, success stories, and the significance of financial literacy in children's education. They also emphasize the need for community support and the legacy they hope to leave behind through their work.

Guests:

Amber "Smiles" Jones
Professionally Silly
Instagram: @Trusmilesjones
YouTube...

In this episode, Layla Luna, founder of Just Bee, shares her journey as a mother of a non-verbal son with autism. She discusses the challenges faced by families in the autism community, the importance of awareness and acceptance, and her mission to create a more inclusive society through her nonprofit organization. Layla highlights the significance of Rio's Law, which aims to train first responders in understanding autism, and the impact of creating autism-friendly environments in communities. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and the power of community support in advocating for individuals on the spectrum.

<...

In this episode of Talk To Me Sis, the hosts engage in a deep conversation with Shalini Solomon, a certified behavior analyst, about the importance of sexual education for neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the developmental stages of sexual awareness, the use of visual aids, and the necessity of open conversations about sexuality. The episode emphasizes the role of parents in managing discomfort, teaching consent, and addressing misconceptions. Listeners are encouraged to be proactive in discussing these topics with their children to prevent misinformation and ensure a safe understanding of their bodies and boundaries.

Guest:
Shalini...

Connor flips the script and takes the mic, putting his mom Lisa in the hot seat. Together, they share family stories, travel tales, and movie moments that shaped them

Guest:
Connor Tomlinson
TikTok: @connortomlinson5
Instagram: @connortomlinson5

Hosts:
Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
Instagram: @nicci_smith6

Sponsored by MerchLabs.com

In this conversation, we express our excitement about an upcoming trip to Hawaii, discussing activities like surfing and zip lining, and sharing our personal feelings about the adventure.

Hosts:
Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
Instagram: @nicci_smith6

Sponsored by MerchLabs.com

In this episode of Talk To Me Sis, we reflect on their recent trip to Houston, sharing insights from their experiences traveling and the lessons learned about parenting. We discuss the inspiring women they met during their visit, who are making significant impacts in the special needs community. The conversation also touches on upcoming speaking engagements and the excitement of a trip to Hawaii, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and personal growth.

Hosts:
Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom
Instagram...

In this episode we talk about the recent autism press conference and all the different reactions it stirred up. We dive into how stories about autism get told, who gets to tell them, and why that matters. It is a look at how representation shapes what people understand and how sometimes some voices get heard more than others.

We also chat about what it really means to be part of a community. Everyday acts of showing up and listening can make a big difference. Along the way we share some listener messages from the UK, Canada, and...

In this episode of Talk to Me Sis, the hosts share their experiences from Emmy week in Los Angeles, reflecting on the joy of being together and the challenges of discussing happy moments amidst current global issues. They focus on their neurodivergent children, Connor and Tanner, celebrating their achievements and the importance of empathy and unity. The episode also includes memorable encounters with celebrities and highlights the significance of representation for individuals with different abilities.

Hosts:
Lise Smith
TikTok: @connorsmom4514
Instagram: @connorsmom_lise
YouTube: @carrideswithconnor4114

Nicci Smith
TikTok: @nicci_tannersmom<...

In this episode, Eileen Lamb shares her journey as a mother of children with autism and her role at Autism Speaks. She discusses her personal experiences with autism, the challenges of parenting, and the importance of community support. Eileen emphasizes the need for unity within the autism community and the significance of self-care for caregivers. She also talks about her aspirations to write books and create documentaries that highlight the experiences of families living with autism.

Guest:
Eileen Lamb
TikTok: @eileen.lamb
Instagram: @theautismcafe
Challenging Behaviors: Charlie and Eileen's Story
Autism Documentary "...

In this episode, Rob Gorski, also known as The Autism Dad, shares his journey of parenting three sons with autism. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of raising children on the spectrum, the importance of self-care for parents, and the impact of community support. Rob reflects on his life before fatherhood, the evolution of his online presence, and the significance of being present for his children. He emphasizes the need for understanding and connection within the autism community, and how sharing personal stories can help others feel less alone in their struggles. Rob's insights provide valuable lessons for parents...

In this episode of Talk To Me Sis, hosts Nikki and Lise welcome Madison from Love on the Spectrum. They discuss Madison's background, her experiences growing up with autism, the importance of supportive adults in her life, and her journey through college and into her career. Madison shares insights about her jewelry business, her relationship with Tyler, and the lessons she's learned about personal growth and acceptance. The conversation highlights the significance of friendship, family support, and the challenges of navigating life as a young adult with autism.

Guest:
Madison Marilla
Instagram: @madison_marilla
...

In this episode of Talk to Me Sis, hosts Lisa and Nikki reunite with Sam Tomlinson, father of Connor Tomlinson, to discuss the complexities of co-parenting, the journey of raising a child with autism, and the impact of their experiences on family dynamics. Sam shares his background, the challenges faced during Connor's diagnosis, and the lessons learned through parenting. The conversation also touches on the effects of divorce on family life and the importance of maintaining a positive environment for children. They reflect on the success of the show 'Love on the Spectrum' and its role in raising awareness...