Late Diagnosis, Real Life: From Masking to Meaning with Jeff Thompson

In this episode, Kristin sits down with cohost Julie Raines (enjoy her gorgeous writing at https://substack.com/@julesraines) and guest Jeff Thompson for a raw, unfiltered conversation about late-diagnosed autism, identity collapse, and what happens after the mask falls off. Jeff shares his powerful story—from being labeled with multiple diagnoses and told something was “wrong” with him, to discovering autism later in life and finally understanding himself. That single word reframed everything: not broken, just different—and wired for something specific. Together, they explore:

• The fallout of late diagnosis on relationships
• The “mask collapse” moment and why there’s no going back
• Suicidal ideation, burnout, and rebuilding from zero
• Why helping others became Jeff’s form of medicine
• How neurodivergent traits can become real-world strengths

This isn’t theory—it’s lived experience. And if you’ve ever felt like you were the only one… this conversation will hit.

About Jeff Thompson:
Jeff is an entrepreneur, autism advocate, and founder of a clinic for children with autism in Missouri. After decades of misdiagnosis and internalized shame, a late autism diagnosis transformed his life and purpose. He now focuses on helping neurodivergent individuals build businesses, understand their wiring, and create lives that actually work for them.

Websites: jeffthinksdifferently.com and genesisstpeters.com

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