What does it really take to support autistic young adults in finding meaningful employment? In this episode, host Harry Lane sits down with Eric Stewart, Meristem's Work Skills Director, for an in-depth conversation about autism employment, job coaching, workplace inclusion, and building relationships with employers and employees.

Eric shares his 25-year journey in workforce development, the importance of individualized support, and how Meristem's Work Skills program is transforming employment outcomes for autistic job seekers. Plus, Executive Director Erin Schirm joins to discuss Meristem's broader mission of creating social change through inclusive employment.

IN THIS EPISODE:
• How to build authentic relationships with employers to create inclusive workplaces
• The two-way street of workplace support: employer AND employee perspectives
• Why disclosure and self-advocacy matter in autism employment
• What a day in Meristem's Work Skills program actually looks like
• The role of job coaches in supporting autistic employees
• Navigating the complex process of workforce readiness for autistic young adults
• Practical advice for parents and job seekers

ABOUT VOICES OF COMMUNITY:
Voices of Community is Meristem's podcast featuring conversations with autistic adults, families, and professionals who are helping shape a more inclusive world. Each episode shares personal stories, insights, and perspectives from across the Meristem community and beyond.

ABOUT MERISTEM:
Meristem is a California-based program dedicated to preparing autistic young adults for a life of greater independence and fulfillment. Through our experiential learning approach and the Meristem Method, we help young adults build the skills, confidence, and self-awareness needed to thrive.

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://meristem.pro
TAP Autism: https://tapautism.org
Email: info@meristem.pro

Subscribe to Voices of Community for more conversations about autism, employment, independence, and community inclusion.

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BUZZSPROUT SEASON/EPISODE INFO:
Season: 2026
Episode Type: Interview/Conversation
Explicit Content: No
Episode Art: (Use Meristem/Voices of Community branded artwork)

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

In this episode of Voices of Community, hosts Erin Schirm (Executive Director, Meristem) and Harry Lane speak with Sarah Howard, a graduate of Meristem’s Transformative Autism Program (TAP).

Diagnosed with autism later in life, Sarah shares her journey of self-discovery and the realities of navigating college, work, and adult life while learning to advocate for herself in systems not always designed for neurodiverse individuals. Her story offers an honest look at the challenges — and the resilience — that come with finding your voice and building confidence as an autistic adult.

In this episode:

• Sarah’s late diagnosis and how it reframed college and early career
• Common barriers autistic students and employees face in institutions
• Practical ways to identify resources and build a self-advocacy toolkit
• What educators, employers, and peers can do to make inclusion real

#VoicesOfCommunity #Autism #Neurodiversity #SelfAdvocacy #Inclusion #Meristem #TAP

 Learn more at meristem.pro and tapautism.org. 

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Special guest Marnie Harris from Shepherd Hotels joins hosts Harry Lane and Erin Schirm from Meristem to explore how Shepherd Hotels is creating meaningful careers for individuals with developmental disabilities. Together, they discuss inclusive hiring practices, staff training and coaching strategies, and the impact of fostering workplaces where everyone can contribute their talents.

In this episode:

• How Shepherd Hotels builds a culture of belonging through inclusive employment
• Marnie shares real stories from the hospitality floor—successes, challenges, and lessons learned
• Harry and Erin connect the conversation to Meristem’s mission of preparing neurodiverse young adults for greater independence
• Insights into how businesses can lead the way in accessibility and workforce inclusion

…and more!

#inclusion #neurodiverse #hospitality #employment #meristem #shepherdhotels

Learn more about our work at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Special guests Jacob and Jordan from Ventures ATL join Harry and Erin from Georgia to talk about how their non-profit is tackling the 80% unemployment rate of neurodiverse individuals. 

Check out Ventures ATL on their website here.

In this episode:

• The mission of Ventures ATL
• Jacob and Jordan share how they got involved with Ventures ATL, and how their non-profit has evolved over the years.
• Harry and Erin discuss support strategies with Jacob and Jordan for neurodiverse employees.

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Dive into all things Department of Rehabilitation with Harry and Eric as they sit down with Spencer Hoke, Regional Business Specialist at D.O.R.'s Fair Oaks' office.

In this episode:

• Spencer shares his personal story about growing up with a learning disability, and how that fueled his passion for helping individuals with disabilities get jobs.
• Harry and Eric ask Spencer about how someone starts getting signed up for D.O.R. services.
• Spencer shares success stories from his time at DOR, and how employers have responded to their inclusive hiring trainings.

...and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Brandon is BACK and giving an update on his life since his last interview! He sits down with Harry and Erin to talk about his experience in the Disney College Program, moving away from California, and potentially graduating from Sac State soon.

In this episode:

• An update on Brandon’s life
• His experience in the Disney College Program and how the program showed him that he wanted to pursue a career in hospitality
• His potential graduation from Sac State this year

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Harry and Eric Steward, the director of Meristem’s Work Skills program and the Transformative Autism Program, sit down with Grant Harris, a published author and chief diversity executive. Grant talks about his experience with a late autism diagnosis, his journey with self-advocacy, and his journey with building his diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm.  

In this episode:

• Lessons in self-advocacy from Grant and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• How Grant’s late diagnosis helped him to understand himself better
• Grant’s journey with being an entrepreneur and helping businesses navigate inclusion “from the boardroom to the mailroom”
• Tips for employers and employees in accommodations and self-advocacy in the workplace

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Harry and Erin sit down with New York Times best-selling author J.D. Barker about the intersection between autism and creativity – J.D.’s journey with a late autism diagnosis and how autism has contributed to his major success as an author. 

In this episode:

• J.D. details his life before and after his diagnosis at the age of 22
• How autism helped J.D. realize his potential as an author, and how it actually equipped him for success
• Ways that J.D. loves to give back to the autism community, and his toolkit for those who have autism to handle large scale social interactions

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Check out J.D.'s website for information on his latest book and links to follow him on social media!

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

In this episode, Harry & Erin interview Ivon Perez to talk about Goodwill's Expandability Program, how the Expandability Program works to break workforce barriers, and how Goodwill has benefitted from the TAP employer trainings.

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Harry and Erin sit down and talk about anxiety – how anxiety impacts a neurodiverse mind, their own personal journeys with anxiety, and how employers can best support their neurodiverse employees through anxiety.

In this episode:

• Anxiety and the neurodiverse mind, and how TAP approaches identifying anxiety triggers in with their job seekers
• Harry and Erin’s personal journeys with anxiety
• Tips for employers in navigating potential anxiety triggers in neurodiverse employees
• TAP and Meristem’s approach to job readiness and best strategies for preparing neurodiverse job seekers for jobs

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

The director of the California Conservation Corps (CCC), JP Patton, joins us to talk about the mission of the CCC, and how they work to develop folks for the workforce, and their experience with the TAP trainings affected their workplace culture.  

In this episode:

• How TAP got connected with CCC
• The mission of CCC, and their model reflects the Meristem Method
• How Meristem and CCC help people in similar ways
• The positive impact that the TAP employer trainings had on CCC’s workplace culture

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Hear from a Meristem alumni about how Meristem prepared him for independent living and the workforce, and how he has gained a new sense of confidence from being a part of Meristem!

In this episode:

• Miles’ journey with an auditory processing disorder and dyscalculia, and how Meristem elevated his confidence and social skills
• How he has fared in the workplace since transitioning out of Meristem
• His goals for his next stage of life and his advice to anyone who is a job seeker living with a developmental disability

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Hear from a Meristem alumni about how Meristem prepared him for independent living and how he played a part in restarting the Transformative Autism Program!

In this episode:

• How Brandon found Meristem and his journey through the program
• What he’s learned living independently (and with roommates!)
• How he played a part in restarting the Transformative Autism Program by helping to advocate to get a bill passed, being involved in the logo creation process, and helping to devise the first TAP manual for employers.

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Hear from a Meristem alumni about how the program equipped her for success and how she is now using what she learned to start her own business, live independently, and keep multiple jobs!

In this episode:

• Caroline’s personal journey to Meristem after growing up in Sacramento and living out in Denver and Montana
• Her biggest takeaways from her time at Meristem
• How Meristem prepared her for living independently (and with roommates!)
• Her experiences in the workforce and how she started her own baking venture

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

To place an order with Caroline’s Confections, email Caroline at c.eggert@icloud.com or follow her baking Instagram @carolinesconfection.

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Go behind the curtain of Meristem’s Work Skills & TAP with program director Eric Steward and podcast host Harrison Lane to learn how employers and job seekers can benefit. 

In this episode:

• Eric Steward’s personal journey and how he was inspired to work with the neurodiverse community 
• How Meristem works with people who want to get a job
• Lessons learned since the program began in 2019 and expanded in 2022 to include the entire state of California 
• Why aren’t employers inclusive? How can we move in the direction of inclusivity?
• Troubleshooting common challenges in a job seeker’s journey

…and more! 

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem #inclusion

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Raley's & TAP Unpack Hiring Neurodiverse Job Seekers. Listen to this week's Voices of the Community: Neurodiversity in Life and Work with special guest, Raley's Senior Manager, Corp HR & Talent Acquisition, Bahar Abullarade. 

#neurodiverse #autism #hiring #jobseekingtips

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Take me out to the ball Game! Inside The River Cats Concessions, Meristem’s partnership & Hiring Neurodiverse Employees ⚾️

Join Erin and Harry with special guest, James Thompson, Head of The River Cats Concessions at Sutter Health Park. They unpack how The River Cats partner with non-profits in the area and how that relationship developed into a workskills internship and partnership with Meristem’s students. 

They unpack how to interview, train and the successes of hiring neurodiverse job seekers and how the program at Sutter Health park is a home run! ⚾️ 

#workskills #rivercatsbaseball #sacramento #neurodiverse

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

It’s going to take all of us. How TAP and Stannum Core Solutions are changing the workplace landscape for neurodiverse individuals across the U.S. 🇺🇸

Get inspired by this episode of Meristem's Voices of the Community, Harry, Erin and Ben Schatzel, Stannum Core Solutions' founder take a deep dive into what it takes for employers to change the landscape for neurodiverse job seekers and employers. 

🔹 Meristem's Transformative Autism Program (TAP) was developed with input from young adults on the autism spectrum in order to educate California employers on how to hire, train and retain people with autism—and in turn help them become the valuable employees they have the potential to be. 

🔹 Stannum Core Solutions mission is to positively impact the lives of neurodiverse job seekers and their families through specialized recruitment services, employment strategies, and career advocacy; Stannum Core Solutions aims to serve its business partners by positively impacting the cost of turnover, universal hiring strategy, and overall culture and inclusion. 

Employers interested in joining the movement and breaking workforce barriers, visit our website at www.tapautism.org.

#neurodiverse #workforce #autism #jobseekers 

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

In this episode, Erin and Harry discuss what’s important to keep a job and what to expect in one of your first work experiences. Based on experiences in internships in the Transformative Autism Program, Erin and Harry offer tips like:

• be prepared and open for feedback, and consider asking for it each week from your manager
• practice communicating about your schedule, asking for time off, and other common scenarios 
• advice for employers to streamline communication with neurodiverse employees
• how to be in it for the long haul

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

If getting a new job is a part of your 2024 goals, this is the episode for you! Harry and Erin share how Meristem operates its internship program, including how Meristem uses experiential interviews for neurodiverse candidates. 

Listen for: 

• more in-depth discussion of the Meristem Method and how Meristem prepares young adults and employers for internships
• how to coach someone to remove distractions and use their phone less
• key tips for putting your best foot forward in an interview
• advice for employers on how to create experiential interviews that screen for skills 

#jobseeker #getajob #neurodiverse #autism #transformativeautismprogram

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Erin Schirm shares how you can support Meristem this #GivingTuesday. 

Support Meristem's work with neurodiverse young people getting on the path to work and greater independence with a tax-deductable donation:  meristem.pro/get-involved/support-meristem

View Meristem's Holiday Wish List and help fund a specific need of the program. 
Fund a need goes live this Thursday, 11/30 at 12pm PT. 
Preview here:  meristemfow.ggo.bid

You can also support Meristem through our Feast of the Wreaths silent auction which goes live this Thursday, 11/30 at 12pm PT. 
Preview here:  meristemfow.ggo.bid

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Meristem program graduate Ben Lewis reflects back on his experience at Meristem, what he loved about the community and the chance to live independently. He shares how he gained the skills to work on a farm and how those experiences influence his attitude toward a day’s work now. Ben shares his path to Meristem and how persistence helped him tackle his fears at college – even when he ultimately decides that wasn’t the path for him. Listen for candid talks about anxiety and overthinking as well as where Ben hopes to take his life next. 

If you’re looking for a story to get inspired – listen now! 

#neurodiverse #inclusion #jobseekertips 

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Harrison talks about different intellectual or developmental disabilities and asks Erin about how he has responded to difficult situations, like an outburst in class or overcoming anxiety. Listen for: 

• Tips for noticing what you have control over that can improve your well being
• How proving yourself to be reliable and responsible–even in jobs that are not your end goal–builds skills and confidence and can get you to a job you are passionate about
• Erin’s view that doing is the best way to learn

#neurodiverse #inclusion #jobseekertips

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Guest Eric Steward is the Director of Meristem’s Work Skills team and Transformative Autism Program. With Harrison and Erin, they discuss how they work with employers and neurodiverse job seekers and share:

• How to ask for support at work and why flexibility is a two way street 
• Why Eric encourages job seekers to watch the TAP employer training 
• How to stretch out of your comfort zone with self awareness
• How to overcome a negative experience at a past job

This is an episode for any job seeker or manager full of mindset tips and practical examples. Reach out to Meristem’s TAP team for support bridging the two way street if you need support navigating work accommodation conversations or seeking work.

Links: 

How to Find a Job: Tips for Neurodiverse Job Seekers Training Video on YouTube

Sign up for TAP Job Seeker Support

Watch TAP Employer Training

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Meet hosts Harrison Lane and Erin Schirm. Harrison received an autism diagnosis in elementary school and now works with employers to help them hire neurodiverse people. Erin leads Meristem–a non-profit day and independent living program for autistic and neurodiverse young adults. We cover: 

• What Harrison does working with employers to build a culture that works for autistic people  
• What Harrison learned through Meristem’s independent living program, including how to overcome frustrations in woodworking and metalworking classes and how to live with a roommate
• How to redesign job interviews for autistic and neurodiverse people to manage anxiety and demonstrate they have the skills to do the job 
• How Harrison’s experience on a group craft project at Meristem taught him how to navigate workplace dynamics

We look forward to hearing from you what you’d like to hear from us in the future. 

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Host Harrison Lane introduces the Voice of Community podcast. 

This is Meristem’s Breaking Barriers Transformative Autism Program Voices of the Community Podcast. So what is Voices of Community you might ask? Well, if you're a job seeker, if you're an employer, if you're a community member interested in learning more about how to work with somebody that has neurodiversity, we're here to tell you about it. 

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org