Em Rusciano
Em Rusciano
When Em Rusciano steps onto the stage, she brings more than just her comedic talent—she brings her authentic self, complete with the challenges & triumphs of being an autistic woman with ADHD. In a candid interview, Rusciano shared her journey through the world of entertainment, her recent diagnoses, & how she transforms her personal experiences into relatable, humorous content.
Balancing Creativity & Personal Life
Em Rusciano’s life is an intricate dance between her work & personal life. “I am an exhausted mother of three,” she said, describing how intertwined her roles are. Her work—whether as a comedian, podcaster, or writer—is deeply rooted in her everyday experiences. “All my job is telling stories about my life. So the writer, singer, podcaster, comedian aspect is never turned off because everything is content,” she explained to Pario. Rusciano emphasised that creativity is her lifeline.
“If I’m not making things, I find the energy can turn dark quite quickly. So I always like to have something on the go, some kind of hobby.”
Rusciano’s hobbies are diverse & often driven by her ADHD. “Part of ADHD is my hobby is starting hobbies,” she noted, sharing that she even makes little clay monsters in her spare time. Despite the constant blur between her professional & personal spheres, she finds joy in the chaos. “There is no separation of church & state for me. That’s okay. I don’t mind. It makes me happy,” she affirmed.
Embracing Neurodivergence
The past few years have been transformative for Rusciano, both personally & professionally. During Melbourne’s lockdowns, she faced significant self-reflection & received two pivotal diagnoses - ADHD & autism. “I also got diagnosed with ADHD & found out I’m autistic,” she revealed. The diagnoses brought clarity to many aspects of her life. “It explained so much about my inability to even just maintain friendships with normies,” she said, adding that it enabled her to reframe many traits she previously saw negatively.
This period of introspection also spurred her creativity. “The way I process my trauma is I get on stage with the band in a leotard & talk about all the things I’ve learned,” Rusciano said. Her upcoming show, Outgrown, is a testament to this approach, blending humour with her personal experiences. “If I had written this show a couple of years ago, I might’ve gone on stage & just cried for 90 minutes... But now, I feel like I’m at the other side of it to find the light spots & not shy away from the hard things,” she explained.
Creating Inclusive Content
Rusciano’s journey has also influenced her content creation, particularly for the neurodivergent community. She recently launched a podcast called Anomalous, which she described as a “love letter to the neurodivergent community & a roadmap for neurotypical ones.” As Em explained, “I’m trying to make the stuff I would have liked when I found out this information about myself.” The podcast aims to be both informative & entertaining, addressing the overwhelming nature of navigating a new diagnosis.
Rusciano is passionate about representation & the importance of authentic voices in media. “I’ve chosen to be so front-facing with those two things, especially because representation matters. And the best way to get information out is through stories & art,” she said. Her dedication to creating content for underserved communities, such as queer & neurodivergent individuals, is clear. “Queer neurodivergent, female neurodivergent, AFAB neurodivergent, people of diverse backgrounds are chronically underserved. If you’re not a straight white guy, is what I’m trying to say,” she pointed out.
Looking Ahead
As Rusciano prepares for her Outgrown tour, she feels more at peace & in control than ever. “This is the first tour I’m enjoying. I’m not enduring & surviving,” she said, highlighting the joy she finds in this phase of her career. For the first time, she feels completely authentic on stage, performing for an audience that genuinely connects with her experiences. “I’m fully, for the first time, kind of in control of my career. And it’s just been... yeah, I’m really enjoying it,” she reflected.
Her tour, stretching across Australia from Toowoomba to Wollongong, promises to be a blend of humour, music, & heartfelt stories.
“I want people to walk away from experiencing something I’ve made feeling like they know themselves a bit better & feeling a bit lighter.”
Rusciano’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing one’s true self & finding humour in the most challenging experiences, resonating deeply with audiences of all backgrounds.
Follow Em's creative journey on social media at: @emrusciano
Get tickets to Outgrown at www.emrusciano.com
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