Welcome to Neuroprovocateurs, the podcast all about neurodiversity and self acceptance. Want to hear all about how neurodiversity affects culture, relationships, sexuality and identity? You’ve come to the right place.

Ever feel like your favorite podcast host is actually your best friend? In this episode, hosts Jessica Stoya and Pam Shaffer discuss the concept of parasociality, defined as one-way relationships formed through media where people feel connected to someone they either don’t actually know or only know tangentially outside of the media they create. They both explore how parasocial relationships can manifest in various contexts, including social media and OnlyFans, and how parasocial relationships can influence our sense of self-perception, particularly for those of us who are neurodivergent. Jessica identifies how different types of fans can foster a variety of connections with creators and within communities while Pam adds insights from her own experiences with music fans and the importance of setting boundaries. They also touch on the impact of cancel culture and the nuances of social cues in communication that can get lost without context.

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