What does it mean to raise a profoundly autistic son into adulthood — and to do it while living through years of war in Israel? In this deeply human conversation, Barry Shore welcomes Hannah Brown, Jerusalem Post writer, art and music critic, and mother of a 30-year-old son with severe autism.

Hannah opens with something that genuinely rattled her: many of the highly educated, well-meaning friends she grew up with on New York's Upper West Side became enthusiastic supporters of a mayoral candidate she sees as deeply hostile to Israel and to Jewish life. She reflects on style over substance — how charisma and sweeping promises can win over even thoughtful people when they stop asking hard questions. She also shares a quietly alarming personal moment: being warned by family not to wear a simple yellow hostage-ribbon pin on the streets of New York City, the most historically Jewish city in America.

The conversation then moves to the heart of Hannah's life — her son Danny, now 30, who is on the more severe, or profound, end of the autism spectrum. She explains the autistic spectrum with honesty and compassion, describing the extraordinary range it encompasses — from people recruited into Israel's elite cyber intelligence units, to those like Danny who face deep communication challenges every day. She reminds us that if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism.

This episode is a testament to purposeful living even under pressure — a theme Barry Shore returns to again and again through the lens of joy, gratitude, and making a difference.

Hannah Brown is a Jerusalem Post journalist, author, art and music critic based in Jerusalem, and mother of two sons. Her book follows the lives of four families raising children with autism.