Music industry veteran Tony Manto shares his unexpected journey from Nashville songwriter and producer to autism advocate in this compelling interview with Anna Kennedy. During the pandemic shutdown, Manto recorded an inspirational song called ‘Why Not Me’ that caught the attention of a speech therapist working with autistic children, completely redirecting his mission from entertainment to advocacy. His story demonstrates how music can become a powerful tool for raising awareness and supporting the autism community, even when you start with no personal connection to the cause. The conversation also covers Manto’s musical evolution from a small-town Maine kid drawn to an old piano to working with top Nashville musicians and touring with country star Ronnie McDowell. Anna Kennedy updates listeners on recent charity events including Autism’s Got Talent and the upcoming Autism Hero Awards, while also reviewing new books focused on autism advocacy and neurodiversity in the workplace, making this episode a rich resource for both music lovers and autism community members.