Galen Howard Breaks Character: Living & Thriving with Autism

Neuro F**ked

In this episode of the NF Podcast, we sit down with actor Galen Howard (known for roles in The Book of Boba Fett, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine) for an honest and deeply personal conversation about life on the autism spectrum.

What if the secret to thriving as a neurodivergent person isn't about changing yourself, but finding environments that embrace who you already are? Actor Galen Howard takes us on a deeply personal journey through his late-in-life autism diagnosis and how he found his sanctuary in the structured world of acting.
Galen's story begins with childhood confusion—labeled with vague terms like "non-verbal learning disability" and "pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified"—essentially what he calls "a big shrug" from medical professionals. Only as an adult did he discover these diagnoses fell under what's now recognized as atypical autism. This revelation frames our conversation about navigating a world that often misunderstands neurodivergent minds.
The podcast explores the surprising safety Galen found in acting, where the clear structures of scripts, sets, and stage directions created an environment where his creativity could flourish without the anxiety of unwritten social rules. "It's not about finding a way to fit in," he shares. "It's finding an environment that fits you." This perspective offers a transformative lens for anyone who's ever felt out of place.
We dive deep into practical strategies for managing sensory overload on busy film sets, the function of those "vocal additives" like "um" and "you know" that pepper neurodivergent speech, and how medication at its best creates space between physical anxiety responses and emotional spiraling. Galen also unpacks his breakthrough role in an independent horror film where he channeled his lived experience of feeling isolated into a character searching for belonging.
For anyone feeling behind or struggling to find their place, Galen's parting wisdom resonates powerfully: there's no deadline for discovering your path. Understanding your neurodivergent needs takes time—and that's okay. What environments help you thrive? Where do your unique perspectives become strengths rather than challenges? Join us for this conversation that will leave you rethinking what success and belonging truly mean for neurodivergent minds.

Chapters

1. Meet Galen Howard (00:00:00)

2. Vocal Additives and Neurodivergence (00:06:38)

3. Autism Diagnosis and Childhood Experiences (00:14:10)

4. Acting as a Safe Space (00:27:55)

5. Medication and Managing Anxiety (00:35:50)

6. Navigating Overstimulation on Film Sets (00:44:28)

7. Finding Your Path and Environment (00:55:00)

8. Closing Thoughts and Musical Outro (01:04:40)