In this deeply personal podcast episode, Anna Kennedy speaks with 17-year-old Charlie Michael Baker, an extraordinary young author whose memoir has raised over £400,000 for autism charities and sold 17,000 copies. Charlie shares his powerful journey from being bullied throughout school due to his autism diagnosis at age 6 to becoming a successful writer and social media influencer. His story of transformation began when he was inspired by Christine McGuinness’s autism advocacy and realized there weren’t enough ‘normal people’ advocating for the autism community.

The conversation delves into Charlie’s challenging experiences with social isolation, bullying from reception through secondary school, and his struggles with mental health and suicidal thoughts. Despite these hardships, Charlie found his voice through writing and social media, using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share his story and advocate for autism awareness. He discusses the realities of being a young influencer, the importance of his supportive family (especially his beloved nan), and how his move from Kent to Lancashire marked a new chapter in his life.