Professor Chesko Gets Real About Autism, ADHD & Going Viral
About this episode
Social media educator, college professor, and creator Professor Chesko (The Speech Prof) joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about autism, ADHD, teaching, creativity, internet fame, and why being yourself online is both liberating and terrifying.
Professor Chesko shares how a late autism diagnosis helped explain decades of experiences he never fully understood, like masking. social anxiety, his love of routines, and communication. He also reflects on growing up in poverty, why he still teaches full-time despite millions of followers online, and how creating content with kindness became an unexpected career.
Along the way, the conversation wanders through 3D printing, slam poetry, Bay Area hip-hop, childhood dreams, viral internet culture, and what it really means to build a life around safety, creativity, and authenticity.
In this episode, Professor Chesko talks about:
Discovering autism later in life and the grief (and relief) that followed
Growing up in poverty and why it made him deeply risk-averse
Why he'll never quit teaching to become a full-time content creator
Building a massive online audience through kindness instead of outrage
Masking, routines, and learning to embrace neurodivergence
His obsession with 3D printing and reliving childhood through cosplay
Touring as a slam poet and the evolution of internet culture
Protecting his family's privacy while living so publicly online
Why curiosity is the key to meaningful conversations and friendships
Plus, Tawny and Professor Chesko compare late autism diagnoses, discuss how social media has changed the way we interact with each other, and make friendship bracelets to support the Transgender Law Center, with 100% of bracelet sales benefiting the organization.
Follow Professor Chesko:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeechprof/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speechprof/
Follow Tawny:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatis
About String and Tell
Join voice actor and content creator Tawny Platis as she sits down with fellow entertainers to talk about what they actually care about while racing to make as many friendship bracelets as they possibly can in 20 minutes. The best part? Each bracelet made by our celebrity guests is available to purchase by viewers like…
See all episodes →
