Happy Newsletter everyone!
Welp, it's December, almost the END of December, and y'all have got me in my feels when it comes to how amazing this year has been. I know I say it a lot, but I cannot tell you what you (yes you, dear reader) mean to me. I would not be here, I would not be able to do this work, if it were not for you and your support, and I hope that I always reflect back that gratitude and profound appreciation in the content I make and the way I approach this work. This has become the most meaningful and important thing I've ever done. I get to help people, every day, in a way that feels authentic and real and vulnerable and true, and it's because you see me, because you come back week over week, because you subscribe and share and comment and participate in our beautiful community, and I just hope you know how grateful I am to you all.
I skipped the newsletter last week because I was out in LA recording the audiobook, and it was a FASCINATING process. We recorded at the same studio that does like My Hero Academia and Invincible and Adventure Time and all of these other shows I love, so I felt a little out of my league, but the production staff and studio hands were so welcoming and enthusiastic and really went out of their way to make the experience fun. It also was just really interesting reading the book start to finish- we didn't design it to be read that way, and so recording it that way was kind of a trip.
Here's a little snippet:
I'll be taking next week off for the holidays, but the week *after* will be the week that the tour announcement drops and tickets go on sale, so get excited. The show is shaping up ~quite nicely~, and I'm really, really excited about it. I don't usually toot my own horn, but I think this might become something really special.
As always, thanks for being here. I hope your holidays are beautiful and merry and bright and not too particularly overstimulating. I wish you happiness and peace and joy and as much turkey as you like.
PS: Just as an FYI, you can always respond to this newsletter with questions, comments, thoughts-- whatever. I read every single email I get, so feel free to reach out! Thank you to the folks who let me know about the weird formatting issues on the last one! Maybe hopefully this one will be better.
It's time for a poster reveal!
Don't forget, tickets go on sale January 2nd (and I'm doing my best to get an early access link for you beautiful newsletter subscribers).
Hey Parents- A Quick Reminder For the Holidays
Don't forget that the holidays are a stressful and overwhelming time for your neurodivergent kiddo. Opening presents puts kids in a spotlight, whether intentional or not. Don't force the 'performance' of gratitude.
Let your kiddo process and enjoy their gifts in their own way. Encourage a "thank you", of course, but if they are quiet or need a moment to process, stim, retreat or otherwise regulate their emotions, that's not being rude or ungrateful, that's your child's nervous system responding to stimulus in a way that feels safe.
Forcing kids to give a big fake performance of joy or excitement or gratitude to "prove" they liked their gift, or making them hug Uncle Jerry or Grandma when they don't want to isn't teaching them social skills or "politeness", it's teaching them that their autonomy and boundaries don't matter and that they should force themselves into discomfort for the comfort of others.
You have the opportunity to change the narrative and to meet your kid where they are.
Hey just an FYI, my holiday special is out, impress your friends and annoy your enemies with a holiday viewing party.
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It takes just as much energy to be an asshole as it does to be kind. - LeVar Burton