Discussion about Being Human Jory Fleming

EPISODE 84
A Discussion about Being Human
with Jory Fleming,
Autistic Rhodes Scholar and Climate Scientist

Play the Episode…

Show Notes

Jory Fleming is an accomplished academic, a Rhodes Scholar and a delightful person who has many interests and passions. He also has a unique ability to reflect on his own thought processes and discuss the complexities of the autistic mind in a manner that is both engaging and enlightening. Barry and Dave have a fascinating discussion with Jory about his personal journey, and his deep interests and special talents in a manner that provides helpful insights into understanding the autistic experience and supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

Check out Jory’s Book “How To Be Human”

Featuring

Jory Fleming

JORY FLEMING

Jory Fleming is the author of “How to Be Human: An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life” and currently works at the University of South Carolina as a climate scientist and education specialist. He is a Rhodes Scholar and Truman Scholar, holding an Master’s Phil in environmental change and management from the University of Oxford (Worcester College), an MBA from the Quantic School of Business & Technology, and a BS in geography and marine science with a minor in geophysics from the University of South Carolina. Jory lives with several disabilities, including autism. In his spare time, Jory is an avid bird watcher, board game enthusiast, and Scottish country dancer.

Find out more on his website

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) Given Jory’s significant challenges as a young child, he was able to overcome many challenges which opened the door to many achievements in his life, both professionally and personally. To what does he attribute his resilience and ability to accomplish so many of his goals?

2) Jory’s book ,“How to be Human, An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life”, is so unique in that he describes his cognitive-emotional processes and relationships in a manner that illuminates the gifts and challenges of being neurodivergent. What motivated him to publish this work and what was his personal mission in sharing his most personal thoughts and experiences? As he describes his thought processes in this episode, are there particular points that you could relate to personally about yourself, or about an autistic person or neurodivergent person you know well?

3) What are Jory’s thoughts about the importance for autistic individuals (and in fact, all individuals) to reflect deeply about how we think and react to situations and to other people. After listening to this episode, do you plan to change how you may enhance your own self-awareness, or that of others in your live, whether neurodivergent or neurotypical?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.