Why Us & Why Now?
Between the two of us, we've spent 35 years parenting 6 amazing, neurodivergent humans. After a decade of friendship and countless conversations about the delight, hilarity, & the hard of our parenting journeys, we decided it's high time we share our experiences with all of you. Not only that, we're proud to share our kids with you in each and every episode, always with their dignity at the tippy top of our minds. There's no reason to go it alone, friends, so here we are. Grab a beverage and go hide in a closet nearest you.
Why Do We Like Each Other So Much?
Kristen and Gwen met at a burger joint in Littleton, Colorado, at an autism mom support group that Kristen had birthed years prior. She was raising triplets, all diagnosed with autism at various times in their childhoods, desperate for a community that could relate to her alien lifestyle. This group grew and became a safe space for parents and caregivers to speak openly and find connection.
Gwen, raising two kids through adoption, one diagnosed with autism, silently observed Kristen throughout the night, noting her openness and soft nature, and appreciating her well-placed sarcasm and snark. She knew Kristen would become her person, and she was correct. Kristen found in Gwen a safe place to find support and acceptance, and someone who entertains her endlessly.
In 2018, Gwen moved to Michigan, forcing their bantering to be done over FaceTime. They both agree that they'd resort to playing dead in their respective lives without the banter. Recognizing and sitting in the impossibly hard truths, as well as delighting in these same truths, are what keep them upright. Thanks for being a part of their village. They couldn't be more pleased to welcome you.
Meet the "You Don't Want a Hug" Posse
Gwen Vogelzang
Founder & Host
Gwen's professional career follows a path so many disability parents' careers do. She started with 15 years of marketing and public relations management, and when parenting neurodivergent children became all-encompassing, she left her 9-5 career for one that morphed into serial entrepreneurship. She published a book with her son, Rylan (If I Squeeze Your Head I'm Sorry), co-ran an interior design company, launched an Airstream gathering space business, opened a diverse and inclusive children's bookstore (Marvelous Me books), and continued doing contract marketing work through it all. Like Kristen, Gwen also acted as a paid Fellow through UC Denver School of Medicine and led an adoption support group in Denver. In 2026, she'll earn her Master's of Fine Arts in creative writing and literature from Harvard.
Follow her on our Substack where she'll keep you up to speed on all things "You Don't Want a Hug."
Kristen Kaiser
Founder & Host
Kristen was the Executive Program Director for The Joshua School, a school for students with autism and other developmental disabilities on the Front Range in Colorado, for 8 years. She oversaw the operations and programming for the preschool, school age and transition programs.
Since 2009, Kristen has also served as LEND Family Discipline Director at JFK Partners, UC Denver School of Medicine, teaching and mentoring multidisciplinary professionals on disability and the family experience. She has been involved in autism research, and developing and implementing family support programming for families newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
In 2008, Kristen founded the non-profit support organization The Living Spectrum, with over 900 online members state-wide and monthly live, in-person events in the Denver metro area.
She holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health, BA in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an Masters Degree in English and American Literature from Harvard University.
Gwen's Fam
Tim (hubby of 20+ years), Rylan, 3 chickens (who now reside on a proper farm due to ALL the shit), Reagan, Merinaz, and Dudley Doolittle. None of us share blood and we couldn't be more family than we are.
Kristen's Fam
Greg (intrepid National Park Service Project Manager and bringer of all things adventure and fun), Hayden (tallest and alleged alpha triplet, expert dawdler), Jameson (middle child by one minute and ring leader of all pretend play), Graham (eldest statesman and leader of the Kaiser video game circuit), Simon (grumpy geriatric terrier that our world revolves around, not pictured here as he is hiding from all the children).