The Cat Piss Astronaut

The 'Cat Piss Astronaut' episode of 'The Blindboy Podcast' begins with host Blindboy announcing his busy schedule due to upcoming live gigs across Ireland. He expresses excitement for the events, despite the time-consuming nature of travel. The episode then transitions into a deeply personal and reflective narrative as Blindboy shares his experience of being diagnosed as autistic as an adult. This revelation prompted him to revisit his childhood and school years with a new understanding, recognizing that his disruptive behavior was not due to being 'bold' or 'bad' but rather a result of being an undiagnosed neurodivergent individual in a system not equipped to support him.

Blindboy delves into the emotional challenges of reconciling this new perspective with his past, grappling with internalized shame and the journey towards self-compassion. He introduces a short story from his book, 'Boulevard Wren and Other Stories,' titled 'The Cat Piss Astronaut,' which serves as a piece of auto-fiction based on his own childhood experiences. The story is told from the perspective of a young neurodivergent child, using the second person singular to draw the listener into the child's world. The narrative explores the child's fascination with Jupiter, the misunderstandings and challenges faced at school, and a painful encounter in a playground with an adult who reacts violently to the child's expression of knowledge about the universe.

Throughout the story, Blindboy utilizes vivid descriptions and emotional depth to convey the child's sense of wonder, isolation, and the harsh realities of growing up neurodivergent. The use of second person singular is deliberate, aiming to foster empathy in the listener and challenge the labels often imposed on neurodivergent individuals from a young age. The story concludes with the child's realization that despite their efforts to conform and 'be good,' the world around them remains unaccepting and cruel, leading to a poignant moment of longing for the safety and love of family.