Jackson Robol, autistic teenager, launches statewide podcast

The Jackson Robol Show, a podcast by 17-year-old Jackson Robol, has interviewed Methodist University Head Coach Kevin Williams and ECU baseball Athletic Trainer Zac Womack. On January 28, 2021, Robol interviewed US Congressman Greg Murphy and on the first of February, he interviewed NC Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby. 

Robol’s said his dream guest is, “Greg Popovich, head coach and president of the San Antonio Spurs.”

Robol is a student at Ayden Grifton High School where he runs cross country and track. The podcast started when Robol was doing play by plays of games he watched. 

“He likes talking to people,” said his father Ken Robol. “Some folks with Aspbergers have a little bit of a challenge putting language together. He could do play-by-play really well.”

His podcast has about 500 views for each show where they are posted on Facebook under the name The Jackson Kobol Show. Kobol, who is high functioning on the autism spectrum, interviews guests on Zoom from his bedroom above his family’s garage. 

What started as a once a week production has evolved from sports guests to two to three a day with different guests including politicians. 

“It's great for him to speak to a variety of people,” said Ken Robol. 

Robol’s first question to both Congressman Greg Murphy and NC Supreme Court Justice was to ask them who would win the Super Bowl. 

Robol and his father came up with putting a show together that would help with the communication skills by organizing and interviewing people. 

“We’re grateful that people are interested in what he does,” said Ken Robol. “It’s pretty surreal.”

Robol will continue to defy the stereotypes of living with autism by interviewing guests on his show. He hopes to make contact with someone from the Carolina Panthers organization as well as the Down East Wood Ducks.