The Neurodivergent Experience

What happens when something is so vast, beautiful or mysterious that the mind has to widen in order to take it in?In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the science and neurodivergent nuance of awe - the emotion that can arrive through nature, music, art, human kindness, big ideas, collective experience and the smallest details of ordinary life.Inspired by Dr Dacher Keltner's conversation with Dr Andrew Huberman, Ashley looks at how awe can shift our sense of scale, loosen the grip of habitual thinking and place our current problems inside a much wider landscape.She also explores how sensory sensitivity can make awe feel especially vivid for neurodivergent people - while also meaning that the doorway into awe needs to feel safe.Ashley shares a remarkable experience from her recovery after surgery, when waves of frisson - tingling, goosebumps and a heightened sense of being moved - began arriving several times a day during a noticeable period of healing.The episode closes with An Imaginal Awe Walk, beginning with a single leaf and gradually widening to the tree, the landscape, the Earth and the universe beyond it.Because awe does not always require a mountaintop.Sometimes it begins with something we might otherwise have walked straight past.Mindful Mondays is part of The Neurodivergent Experience on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Find Ashley's longer meditations, Yoga Nidras and Bedtime Alchemy stories on Insight Timer by searching Ashley Dupuy.Ashley is also developing her From Mask to Map group coaching cohort beginning in September. More details will be available on her website soon. For now, register your interest at *[integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com)*.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott reflect on something many neurodivergent people quietly struggle with: birthdays. From opening presents and being sung to, to processing surprises and responding to gifts "the right way," they explore why birthdays can feel surprisingly overwhelming. They also discuss demand avoidance around replying to birthday messages, the pressure of being the centre of attention, childhood birthday memories, and how expectations around gratitude can create anxiety rather than joy. Along the way, they reflect on why experiences often mean more than possessions, the role of special interests in gift giving, and how understanding someone's neurodivergence can completely change the way we celebrate them.A warm, funny, and surprisingly insightful conversation about birthdays, relationships, and the little social expectations that can feel much bigger when you have a neurodivergent brain.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan and Simon explore one of the most challenging conversations in parenting: how do we support neurodivergent children without preventing them from becoming independent adults?Drawing on Jordan's experiences raising two now-successful neurodivergent adults, the conversation examines the importance of boundaries, natural consequences, resilience and preparing children for a world that isn't always accommodating. The discussion also looks at the difference between supporting a child and overprotecting them, why gentle parenting can sometimes miss the mark, and how parents can encourage confidence without removing every challenge.The episode also explores how undiagnosed neurodivergence shaped Jordan's own childhood, how parenting changed after understanding autism and ADHD, the role of synaptic pruning during adolescence, and why accountability, repair and healthy communication remain some of the most important parenting tools.As always, this episode reflects personal lived experience and is intended to encourage thoughtful discussion rather than provide one-size-fits-all parenting advice.Our Sponsors:

What if the difficult person, the repeated pattern, or the weight you keep carrying is not only a burden - but also a teacher?In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the phrase “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Buddha” - a playful twist on a familiar phrase that emerged from an ordinary pub conversation and opened up a deeper reflection on love, responsibility, meaning, boundaries and the hidden teachings inside life's challenges..Drawing on the teachings of Ram Dass, the Buddhist story of the Two Monks at the river, nervous-system regulation, neurodivergent masking and the From Mask to Map framework, this episode asks:*Is this mine to carry, mine to support, or mine to witness?*Ashley explores why relationships and responsibilities can feel especially heavy for neurodivergent people - not only because of the person or situation itself, but because of the interpretive work involved: decoding unspoken expectations, monitoring tone and body language, absorbing emotional atmospheres, replaying conversations, masking while caring, and trying to work out what was meant rather than what was said.This episode also looks at how challenges can become information rather than evidence of failure. A meltdown, a trigger, a conflict, a repeated pattern or a moment of overwhelm may reveal a boundary, a sensory need, an old role, a place of exhaustion, or a part of ourselves asking for care.Without spiritualising harm or glorifying suffering, Ashley invites a more nuanced question:Where is the Buddha in this?The episode closes with The Path, the Pack and the Teacher, a guided practice for exploring what you are carrying, what may not be yours, and what wisdom might be ready to travel forward with you.Mindful Mondays is part of The Neurodivergent Experience on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Find Ashley's longer meditations, Yoga Nidras and Bedtime Alchemy stories on Insight Timer by searching Ashley Dupuy.Ashley is also putting together the particulars of her From Mask to Map coaching cohort beginning in September. More details will be on her website soon, but for now, you can register your interest by emailing *[integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com)*.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss new research exploring how autistic people feel about genetic research—and why many support the science itself while remaining deeply concerned about how those discoveries could be used in the future.The conversation explores fears around genetic screening, prenatal testing, and the possibility that autism research could shift from understanding and supporting autistic people towards preventing autistic people from existing in the first place. Jordan and Simon reflect on why trust has been damaged within the autistic community and why transparency, ethics, and meaningful involvement of autistic people are essential in shaping future research. A passionate and thought-provoking conversation about genetics, ethics, trust, and the future of autism research.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott begin by chatting about football, late-night World Cup matches, and the challenge of following a special interest that's happening in a completely different time zone. But the conversation quickly evolves into something much bigger: our relationship with our phones.From doom scrolling and revenge bedtime procrastination to fear of missing out (FOMO), they explore why neurodivergent brains can find it so difficult to switch off.A funny, reflective, and surprisingly relatable episode about FOMO, special interests, sleep, and learning to be present in a world that's constantly demanding our attention.Our Sponsors:

What happens inside us when pressure rises?We may become more precise. More agreeable. More determined. More self-reliant. Faster.In Transactional Analysis, these largely unconscious responses are known as the five drivers:*Be Perfect. Please Others. Try Hard. Be Strong. Hurry Up.*In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the five TA drivers through a neurodivergent lens - and explains why they can offer such a powerful way of understanding the different shapes neurodivergent masking can take.Although the drivers were not originally developed as neurodivergent masking categories, they can help us recognise the automatic performances we reach for in order to feel safe, acceptable, competent or connected.The mask of getting everything exactly right.The mask of becoming helpful and easy to receive.The mask of proving your worth through effort.The mask of appearing endlessly capable.The mask of moving quickly enough to stay ahead of criticism, discomfort or collapse.Ashley explores the strengths within each driver, the cost when it becomes compulsory, and the permissions that can help us regain choice:The episode also looks at how drivers operate automatically under pressure, how several drivers can combine, and how Ashley's *Aware, Allow, Align* framework can help us recognise the mask in real time and bring agency back online.Through personal stories about perfectionism, cooking, productivity, rushing and unfinished projects, Ashley examines the difference between genuine momentum and unconscious pressure.The episode closes with *The Five Doors of Permission*, a guided meditation designed to help each new permission settle beyond intellectual understanding and into the body.Mindful Mondays is part of The Neurodivergent Experience on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Find Ashley's longer meditations, Yoga Nidras, nervous-system practices and Bedtime Alchemy stories on Insight Timer by searching *Ashley Dupuy*.To register your interest in Ashley's September From Mask to Map group coaching cohort for neurodivergent adults, email *[integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com)*. Late-diagnosed, early-diagnosed, self-diagnosed and neurodivergent-curious adults are all warmly welcome.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Simon Scott is joined by neurodivergent mentor Sophie James to discuss a worrying trend emerging in schools and online: the word "autistic" being used as an insult.Drawing on Sophie's experiences mentoring young neurodivergent people, they explore why many autistic children and teenagers are now reluctant to disclose their diagnosis to friends, fearing judgment, exclusion, or ridicule. Together, they unpack how social media, outdated stereotypes, and deficit-based portrayals of autism may be shaping the way young people view the autistic community.A passionate and thought-provoking conversation about stigma, language, identity, and why changing the way we talk about autism matters just as much as raising awareness.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Simon Scott is joined by neurodivergent mentor and advocate Sophie James for an inspiring conversation about building a career that works with your brain rather than against it. From late diagnosis and school struggles to launching her own mentoring business, Sophie shares how understanding herself changed the direction of her life. Together, Simon and Sophie explore the realities of young neurodivergent entrepreneurship, why traditional career paths don't work for everyone, and the value of creating work that aligns with your strengths, interests, and energy. They discuss emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), rejection sensitivity, finding community, and the importance of moving beyond deficit-based views of neurodivergence.A thoughtful, hopeful, and practical conversation about finding your own path, redefining success, and creating a working life that truly fits you. Our Sponsors:

Why can we know exactly what we need to do, genuinely want to do it, and still feel unable to begin?In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the shame-heavy labels of procrastination and laziness, alongside the qualities our culture tends to praise: motivation, willpower, discipline and commitment.Rather than treating difficulty beginning as a character flaw, Ashley asks a more useful question:*What is getting in the way?*Through the neurodivergent lens of executive functioning, nervous-system states, identity, unconscious patterns and emotional regulation, this episode explores why intention does not always translate easily into action - even when the task appears simple from the outside.You'll hear about:* the psychological question, “Is it state or trait?”* why procrastination is often connected to emotional regulation* how transition difficulties can look like avoidance* the invisible executive-function demands inside everyday tasks* functional freeze, hustle culture and the guilt of never truly resting* why shame creates heavier tasks rather than better motivation* the difference between knowing what to do and being able to initiate it* how identity and language can create a bridge towards change* dopamine, pursuit and the importance of a meaningful first step* the Buddhist principle of Right Effort and creating the conditions for growthAshley also explores why late-identified neurodivergent adults may begin struggling with tasks they once managed through urgency, adrenaline, masking and fear - and why this can represent the exhaustion of an old fuel source rather than a loss of character.The episode closes with *Building the Bridge*, a short metaphorical meditation about a traveller learning to cross the distance between intention and action one steady piece at a time.Because the visible task may take five minutes while the nervous system has spent five hours trying to reach the starting line.Mindful Mondays is part of The Neurodivergent Experience, now within the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Find Ashley's longer meditations, Yoga Nidras, nervous-system practices and Bedtime Alchemy stories on Insight Timer by searching *Ashley Dupuy*.To register your interest in Ashley's September From Mask to Map group coaching cohort, email *[integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com)*.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss a growing trend in the United States where families are paying tens of thousands of dollars for unapproved stem cell treatments that claim to help autistic children. Drawing on a recent investigation by The Guardian, they unpack the science behind these therapies, the lack of convincing evidence that they work, and the serious ethical concerns surrounding clinics marketing expensive, experimental procedures to desperate families. The conversation also explores the role of public figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in legitimising unproven treatments and how misinformation can spread when hope outweighs evidence.A passionate and thought-provoking discussion about ethics, misinformation, autism research, and why protecting vulnerable families starts with honest conversations and better support.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Simon Scott shares some exciting personal news — he's engaged! What begins as a conversation about the proposal quickly evolves into a wider discussion about milestones, traditions, social expectations, and what happens when neurodivergent people choose to do things their own way. Simon reflects on planning a proposal that worked for both him and his fiancé, from accommodating anxiety around surprises to creating an experience that felt meaningful, comfortable, and authentic. Jordan shares his thoughts on celebrations, weddings, family expectations, and why so many social traditions seem to exist simply because “that's how it's always been done.”A funny, heartfelt, and deeply relatable conversation about love, milestones, and creating a life that works for you rather than the expectations of everyone else.Our Sponsors:

Advice culture is filled with memorable instructions: do the hard thing, get comfortable being uncomfortable, follow your passion, try your hardest, live a life of service, and remember: no pain, no gain.Each phrase carries potential wisdom. Each one also carries assumptions about the body, nervous system, health, capacity, and circumstances of the person receiving it.In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley continues the From Mask to Map series by exploring the neurodivergent nuance of advice culture and asking a vital question:*Is this resistance, or is this a warning signal?*Through the metaphor of the moulting lobster, personal stories of chronic over-functioning, and examples drawn from fitness, creativity, service, work, and personal growth, Ashley explores how motivational advice can support courage in one context and encourage self-override in another.This episode considers:* how healthy discomfort can build confidence and capacity* why agency and choice matter when stretching a comfort zone* the risks of interpreting “no pain, no gain” too literally* why maximum effort is rarely the same as wise effort* how following your passion can become another form of over-functioning* the Buddhist principle of Right Effort* how Aware, Allow, Align can help you translate advice through the reality of your own nervous systemThe episode closes with *Breathing the Inner Map*, a gentle imaginal breathing journey inspired by the work of yoga nidra teacher Ally Boothroyd. The practice uses breath, sensation, imagery, and awareness to deepen your connection with the body's subtle language and strengthen your capacity for discernment.Because advice becomes wisdom when it is placed in relationship with reality.Find Ashley's longer meditations, Yoga Nidras, nervous system practices, and Bedtime Alchemy stories on Insight Timer by searching *Ashley Dupuy*.To register your interest in Ashley's September group coaching cohort, email *[integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com)*Our Sponsors:

Hi folks!There won't be a new episode of Neurodivergent Experience this week. We're taking a short break, but we'll be back soon with more conversations, insights, and stories from the neurodivergent community. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to bringing you our next episode next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley continues the From Mask to Map series by exploring the neurodivergent nuance of Mel Robbins' Let Them theory - a powerful idea rooted in acceptance, non-attachment, and the release of control.At its best, Let Them invites us to stop exhausting ourselves by trying to manage other people's choices, opinions, priorities, and reactions. But for neurodivergent people, especially those with histories of masking, fawning, burnout, chronic illness, trauma, or self-abandonment, advice like this needs careful translation.Ashley explores how Let Them connects with mindfulness, Buddhism, Radical Acceptance, and her emerging framework: Aware > Allow > Align.You'll hear how acceptance becomes safer and more embodied when we learn to:* become aware of what is happening externally and internally* allow reality, emotions, body signals, and nervous system responses to be recognised* align with values, boundaries, safety, dignity, and self-trustThis episode looks at why “acceptance” can sometimes be misunderstood as approval, passivity, or tolerance of harm - and how neurodivergent nuance helps us see reality clearly without abandoning ourselves.The episode closes with a simple mindfulness labelling meditation, using the breath and gentle noticing to practise Aware > Allow > Align in real time.If this work resonates and you're interested in Ashley's September group coaching cohort, you can email [integrativeiom@gmail.com](mailto:integrativeiom@gmail.com) to register your interest.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore a new study analysing 14 million Reddit posts and comments, revealing a major shift in how we talk about mental health online. Once dominated by discussions around depression and anxiety, platforms like Reddit are now seeing autism and ADHD take centre stage.Article: https://theconversation.com/we-analysed-14-million-reddit-posts-to-reveal-a-striking-shift-in-how-we-talk-about-mental-health-283059The conversation unpacks why more people are turning to social media, podcasts, and online communities to understand themselves and seek support. Jordan and Simon reflect on the value of lived experience, how finding relatable stories can reduce shame and isolation, and why so many neurodivergent people feel they've learned more from community than from traditional services.A thoughtful and balanced conversation about the internet, identity, and what happens when lived experience becomes one of our most powerful sources of knowledge.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott return after an unexpected break to talk honestly about something many neurodivergent adults know all too well: what happens when life leaves you with nothing left in the tank. From 72-hour work weeks and launching new projects to forgetting to record the podcast altogether, they reflect on the mounting pressure of adulthood, the fear of burnout, and the guilt that can come with taking time for yourself. Simon opens up about juggling the demands of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network while struggling to switch off, while Jordan shares how gaming, photography, and embracing his inner child have helped him navigate periods of stress and boreout. A funny, vulnerable, and deeply relatable episode about burnout, adulthood, and remembering that sometimes the most important thing you can do is give yourself permission to simply be.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley continues the From Mask to Map series with an exploration of taking things literally - and why this familiar neurodivergent trait deserves far more nuance, compassion, and understanding.Ashley introduces the idea of "Neurodivergent Nuance": the missing translation layer that helps us understand why everyday advice, social rituals, reassurance, and cultural shorthand can land very differently in a precise nervous system.Through personal stories - from childhood swimming tests and tonsil surgery, to hip replacement recovery, eye contact, greetings, and the hidden meanings behind common phrases - this episode explores what happens when vague language is received with unusual sincerity.You'll hear about:* why “try your hardest” can become a full-body command* how reassurance can feel destabilising when taken as a concrete prediction* why “how are you?” is often a social ritual rather than a literal question* the neurodivergent nuance of eye contact, advice culture, and reading between the lines* how literal thinking can be both difficult and deeply beautiful* why needing clearer language is not a flawThis episode also includes a Yoga Nidra practice exploring the body as both literal and symbolic - and a guided image of the bridge between words and meaning.A gentle reminder that you are not the error in the translation. You are learning how to read the world in a language that includes you.If this work resonates and you're interested in Ashley's September group coaching cohort, you can email [integrativeiom@gmail.com] to register your interest.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott open up about imposter syndrome — the belief that you're never good enough, never qualified enough, and that one day everyone will “figure you out.”With humour and honesty, they share personal stories of childhood bullying, masking, perfectionism and self-doubt, and how growing up misunderstood leaves many autistic and ADHD adults feeling like their achievements aren't real. From turning down opportunities to assuming every success is luck, they explore why confidence is so difficult for neurodivergent minds.They discuss how imposter syndrome shows up in work, relationships, creativity and social media — and how therapy, self-compassion and supportive people can slowly rewrite the story.They explore:Why imposter syndrome is so common for autistic & ADHD adultsGrowing up hearing you're “lazy,” “too much,” or “not trying”How masking and people-pleasing destroy self-worthThe fear of failure — and the fear of successSocial media, comparison and anxietyWhy confidence takes time and why small wins matterWhen self-criticism becomes self-harmWhy reaching out can save people from spiralling aloneThis is a raw, validating conversation for anyone who has ever worked twice as hard and still felt like a fraud. If you struggle to believe in yourself, this episode is proof that you're not alone — and that healing is possible.Our Sponsors:

Resilience is often misunderstood.It's not about pushing through at all costs, pretending you're fine, or never getting overwhelmed — especially if you're sensitive or neurodivergent. Real resilience is something far more human, far more embodied.In this episode of Mindful Mondays, we explore what resilience actually looks like in the nervous system — the ability to move through challenge, to feel the squeeze of life, and to gently find our way back.Drawing on neuroscience, somatic wisdom, Buddhism, psychology, and lived experience, we explore:Why resilience is about movement, not perfectionHow discomfort can become meaningful rather than overwhelmingThe role of contrast - squeeze and release - in nervous system flexibilityWhy resistance, not discomfort itself, often creates sufferingEmotional complexity as a strength, not a flawHow sensitive and neurodivergent nervous systems can learn to “bounce back” with kindnessWhy acceptance can create a deeper baseline peace, even during hard timesYou'll also be guided through a gentle squeeze-and-release meditation designed to help your body experience resilience directly - not as an idea, but as a felt sense.If you've ever felt like you're “too sensitive,” slow to recover, or worn down by life's demands, this episode is an invitation to reframe resilience - not as something you force, but something you cultivate through care, curiosity, and self-trust.You don't have to harden to survive.You're allowed to soften - and still be strong.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to controversial headlines claiming people with ADHD and anxiety “shouldn't automatically get blue badges” — and unpack the wider stigma surrounding invisible disabilities.The discussion explores the public backlash around disabled parking permits for hidden disabilities, including ADHD, autism, anxiety, dyspraxia, and other non-visible conditions. Jordan and Simon reflect on why so many people still struggle to understand disability unless it is physically obvious, and how media narratives often frame disabled people as “cheating the system.”Funny, fiery, and deeply honest — this episode is a passionate discussion about disability, stigma, support systems, and why invisible disabilities are still disabilities.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the exhausting reality of procrastination, executive dysfunction, and navigating deadlines as neurodivergent adults.From forgotten weddings and last-minute panic buying to missed emails, time blindness, and overwhelming admin tasks, they unpack how procrastination is rarely about laziness — and far more often linked to anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and fear of failure.They discuss practical coping strategies too, including body doubling, breaking tasks into smaller steps, momentum-building, and learning to work with your brain rather than against it.Funny, chaotic, painfully relatable, and deeply honest — this episode is a raw look at the emotional reality of executive dysfunction and the hidden energy cost of simply trying to keep up.Our Sponsors:

In this final episode of our rerun of our January series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, we arrive at strategy - not as hustle, force, or rigid self-improvement, but as a creative, embodied collaboration with your own life.Throughout the month, we've explored how real change unfolds when state comes first, story begins to soften, and strategy is allowed to emerge from alignment rather than pressure. In this episode, we bring it all together.Drawing on the wisdom of thinkers, artists, and teachers such as Buckminster Fuller, Vincent van Gogh, James Clear, Tim Ferriss, Shunryū Suzuki, Hugh Laurie, Millard Fuller, and contemporary author Jordan Gruber, Ashley weaves a deeply neurodivergent-affirming exploration of how meaningful change actually takes shape.We'll explore:Why strategy works best when it builds the new rather than fights the oldHow small, sustainable actions quietly create upward spiralsWhy confidence often follows action - not the other way aroundHow embodied knowledge can return when we meet ourselves in the right stateWhat it means to design a strategy that truly fits your nervous systemThe episode closes with a deeply nourishing Yoga Nidra, inviting your nervous system into a state of rest, receptivity, and neuroplasticity - a place where new patterns can gently take root.If you're tired of forcing change, waiting for motivation, or feeling like strategy has to be punishing to be effective, this episode offers a kinder, wiser way forward.✨ You're allowed to edit your life. You're allowed to begin again. And you're allowed to take one small step at a time.Our Sponsors:

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss a new study exploring whether magnetic brain stimulation could help autistic children with communication difficulties.The conversation dives into the complicated ethical questions surrounding emerging neurodivergent research: where is the line between support and “fixing”? Can new technologies genuinely improve quality of life, or are researchers still approaching autism through a deficit-based lens?A thoughtful, balanced, and deeply neurodivergent discussion about science, ethics, identity, and the future of autism support.Our Sponsors:

In this Neurodivergent Reddit Stories episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack three relatable neurodivergent struggles: dyspraxia and coordination issues, the confusing world of neurotypical “social greasing,” and the never-ending battle with sleep.Funny, chaotic, emotional, and painfully relatable — this episode is a deep dive into the everyday realities of living in a neurodivergent brain.Our Sponsors:

In this rerun of our January series, we continue our series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, we explore the second pillar in the anatomy of a breakthrough: story - the inner narratives that quietly shape our identity, behaviour, and sense of what's possible.You'll discover:Why the brain naturally operates in stories and metaphorsHow stories form through safety, repetition, and meaningWhy change can feel impossible when the story hasn't moved yetHow beliefs can shape not just emotions, but the body itselfWhy repeating patterns aren't failures - they're invitations to awarenessAshley shares a personal story that brings this work into the body, along with gentle, nervous-system-safe language tools - ways of shifting story without forcing positivity or bypassing truth.The episode closes with a guided, imaginal story - The Weaver of Stories - adapted from an upcoming Bedtime Alchemy track on Insight Timer. A symbolic journey designed to speak directly to the unconscious mind, where stories truly live.This episode is for anyone navigating change, feeling stuck in familiar patterns, or sensing that something is ready to shift - even if you don't yet know what that is.You don't need a new strategy yet. Sometimes, the story just needs room to breathe.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The Hot Topic is back! In this return episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to actor Tom Hardy publicly revealing that he is neurodivergent.The conversation explores why representation matters, especially when someone as widely respected and traditionally “masculine” as Tom Hardy openly discusses being on the spectrum, as well as Tom Hardy's collaboration with Tatami Fightwear on a new neurodiversity-themed jiu-jitsu clothing range, with profits supporting autism charities. A funny, passionate, and honest return for the Hot Topic episodes — exploring celebrity representation, neurodivergent identity, and why visibility still matters.Our Sponsors:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by author, advocate, and lived experience ambassador Paul Stevenson for a powerful conversation about Tourette's Syndrome, ADHD, late diagnosis, masking, trauma, and finding strength through neurodivergence.Paul reflects on growing up in a time when neurodivergence was misunderstood and punished, sharing how years of masking, shame, and feeling “different” shaped his life before eventually receiving diagnoses of Tourette's Syndrome and ADHD later in adulthood.Together, they discuss neurodivergent strengths, workplace accommodations, education reform, creativity, anxiety, community, and the importance of helping young neurodivergent people feel seen before life teaches them to hide themselves.A deeply honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, self-understanding, and the power of opening doors for others.About Paul Stevenson:Paul Stevenson is a lived experience ambassador at Genius Within, international speaker, author, and advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion. He is widely recognised for his work raising awareness around Tourette's Syndrome, ADHD, and neurodivergent lived experience.Paul is the author of My Tics and Me, an educational children's book designed to promote understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity from an early age.3 Men with Tourette's go on holiday (National Geographic Taboo Series)Our Sponsors:

In this rerun of our January series, we continue our series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, turning our attention to the first and most essential element of change: your state.Before we can rewrite our stories or find the right strategy, we need to understand the condition of our nervous system - because when we're dysregulated, overwhelmed, or operating from threat, meaningful change simply can't take root.In this episode, we explore nervous system regulation through a neurodivergent lens, including the often-overlooked (and heavily tied to masking) fawn response, the difference between reacting and responding, and why so many well-intentioned changes fall apart when our state isn't supported.You'll learn practical, body-based ways to regulate yourself - through breath, posture, movement, sensory input, and pace - and why working with the body is often far more effective than trying to think your way into calm.The episode closes with a gentle, grounding guided breathwork meditation, designed to help you settle your nervous system, return to safety, and reconnect with your capacity to respond to life with clarity and agency.Whether you're neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or simply feeling stretched thin, this episode offers a steady reminder: real change begins not with effort, but with regulation.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the often-overlooked concept of boreout, and how it can feel almost identical to burnout, especially for neurodivergent people.They unpack how under-stimulation, not just stress or overwhelm, can lead to symptoms like anxiety, low mood, apathy, fatigue, and loss of motivation. From feeling “sick with boredom” to questioning why nothing feels engaging, they reflect on how easy it is to mislabel boreout as burnout. The conversation breaks down the key differences: burnout driven by too much, boreout driven by too little — but both leading to similar emotional and physical exhaustion.A relatable and eye-opening conversation about balance, stimulation, and why neurodivergent people often feel like they're constantly walking a tightrope between too much and not enough.We're really excited to now be part of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network — a space dedicated to amplifying neurodivergent voices, lived experience, and real conversations. Being part of this network means we can reach more people and continue building this community together.Our Sponsors:

In this rerun of our January series, Ashley Bentley introduces a compassionate, neuroscience-informed framework for breakthrough inspired by Tony Robbins' work and refined through years of therapeutic practice.You'll discover why lasting change doesn't begin with strategy, willpower, or self-criticism — but with your inner state, your nervous system, and the stories you're living inside. This episode gently reframes breakthrough as a learnable process, one that works with your sensitivity, depth, and pattern-recognition rather than against it.The episode closes with a richly immersive guided meditation designed to help your system soften, settle, and prepare the ground for meaningful change.This is the beginning of a different kind of January — one rooted in safety, self-trust, and real transformation.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore neurodivergent rumination, the exhausting cycle of overthinking conversations, replaying mistakes, fearing rejection, and getting trapped in negative thought loops.They unpack how rumination can be intensified by trauma, rejection sensitivity, and the neurodivergent tendency to experience life at a much higher volume. From obsessing over a brief interaction with a stranger to spiralling over a simple text message, they explain why seemingly small moments can trigger overwhelming emotional responses.A raw, validating, and deeply relatable conversation about overthinking, emotional survival, and learning to be kinder to yourself in a loud internal world.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this important and compassionate episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan is joined by Ashley Dupuy for a powerful discussion on perimenopause, especially how it can uniquely impact neurodivergent women. Simon is taking time to rest and recharge, reinforcing the show's message that rest is survival.Together, Jordan and Ashley explore why this stage of life is still so misunderstood and often overlooked — particularly for autistic and ADHD women whose symptoms may already resemble burnout, anxiety, brain fog, sensory overload, and emotional exhaustion.Ashley explains what perimenopause actually is, how it can begin years before menopause itself, and why hormonal changes can affect sleep, mood, memory, stress tolerance, energy levels, and physical health. This is a hugely valuable episode for women navigating perimenopause, neurodivergent listeners wondering why life suddenly feels harder, and partners wanting to better understand and support the people they love.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this week's Mindful Mondays, we continue the From Mask to Map series by exploring a question that sits at the heart of so many neurodivergent lives:What is the difference between masking, performing, modelling behaviour, and learning soft skills?From the outside, these things can look almost identical. But inwardly, those same behaviours can come from very different places - and that distinction matters deeply.In this episode, Ashley explores:* masking as a nervous system adaptation for safety and belonging* why masking can become so normal that it disappears into the baseline* the emotional and somatic cost of prolonged self-erasure* performing as approval-seeking rather than true self-expression* modelling behaviour as a way of calling forward qualities that already live within you* soft skills as tools for connection, rather than disguises for disappearance* movement and dance as powerful forms of gentle unmaskingThis episode is an invitation to ask a life-changing question:Am I using this skill to express more of who I am…or to disappear?The episode also includes a deeply immersive guided practice, Keeping the Wisdom, Releasing the Disguise, helping you reconnect with the parts of you that adapted, the parts that learned, and the integrated self now ready to carry wisdom without self-erasure.If you'd like to explore this work more deeply, Ashley has one final 1-to-1 space remaining and is also taking expressions of interest for her group coaching cohort beginning in September.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan and Simon are joined by musician and advocate Paul Stanworth, who shares his lived experience of growing up and navigating life with Tourette's Syndrome and OCD.Together, they unpack how Tourette's often overlaps with other neurodivergent conditions like OCD, ADHD, and autism — and why understanding these connections is so important. Paul opens up about his early childhood memories of tics, including the hidden and often misunderstood compulsions he learned to mask from a young age. He explains how Tourette's is not just about visible or vocal tics, but a constant internal experience driven by overwhelming urges and rituals that can affect every moment of daily life.This episode is an honest, emotional, and ultimately hopeful conversation about understanding yourself, finding your path, and embracing neurodivergence — even when the world doesn't yet understand it.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

This week marks the beginning of a new chapter in Mindful Mondays - and in Ashley's wider body of work.Inspired by her upcoming book, From Mask to Map, this episode begins a new series exploring what happens when we spend years organising ourselves around fitting in, coping, pleasing, performing, and overriding our own inner knowing - and what it looks like to begin finding our way home to something more honest.In this deeply personal opening episode, Ashley shares the medical journey that has unfolded in her own life over recent weeks, and how it has brought so many familiar themes into sharp focus: masking, over-efforting, self-abandonment, late diagnosis, discernment, and the painful work of learning to trust the body when it has been telling the truth all along.This episode explores:* the cost of disconnecting from lived experience* how masking shows up not just socially, but medically and emotionally* the difference between effort and alignment* Why the body often knows long before the mind can name it* and how self-trust begins to return when we stop treating the body like the enemyThe episode also includes a guided Yoga Nidra practice focused on cultivating trust, softening into inner knowing, and reconnecting with the quiet map and compass within.If this framework resonates with you and you'd like to explore it more deeply, Ashley is taking expressions of interest for her final round of 1-to-1 work, as well as a small group coaching cohort beginning in September.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to new research linking children's social media use with anxiety and depression in their teenage years.They unpack the study's findings — particularly the link between increased screen time, reduced sleep, and poorer mental health — but question whether the issue is really that simple. For both hosts, the conversation quickly moves beyond screen time into something deeper: what children are actually consuming online.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by a special guest — Jordan's daughter, Sophie — for a Reddit Stories episode exploring real neurodivergent experiences.They react to three powerful stories from the neurodivergent community, covering topics including low empathy in successful neurodivergent individuals, substance use as a form of maskingand crying and emotional expression.A raw, honest, and often funny conversation about real-life neurodivergent experiences, and why hearing other people's stories can help us better understand our own.Sophie James Neurodivergent Mentoring❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to new research into a potential ADHD treatment involving trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) — a device designed to stimulate brain activity during sleep.Drawing on their own lived experience with ADHD, they reflect on how treatments like medication can support emotional regulation, focus, and daily functioning, but also highlight the reality that ADHD is far more complex than just “attention deficits.”The conversation challenges the way ADHD is framed in research and media, questioning why studies often focus narrowly on concentration while overlooking the broader cognitive, emotional, and sensory experiences that come with neurodivergence.A thoughtful and candid discussion about ADHD treatment, scientific limitations, and the importance of looking beyond outdated definitions of neurodivergence.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore hyperfixations and how they can impact relationships, through a relatable Reddit story about a man whose obsession with pro wrestling begins to take over his marriage.They unpack how hyperfixations can feel all-consuming, especially when you're “in it,” and how difficult it can be to recognise the impact on the people around you.The conversation highlights the tension between passion and overwhelm — how something that brings joy, regulation, and identity can also lead to conflict, miscommunication, and emotional distance in relationships.Jordan shares how collecting and past hyperfixations have affected his relationship, including a recent moment of conflict at home, while Simon reflects on finding balance, compromise, and communication within his own relationship.A relatable, honest conversation about intensity, identity, and learning how to enjoy your interests without losing the people around you.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, we continue our exploration of the senses by turning toward two of the most emotional and memory-soaked senses we have: smell and taste.For many neurodivergent nervous systems, these senses are anything but minor. A single smell can transport you straight back into childhood. A single bite of food can soothe your nervous system - or overwhelm it in seconds. Smell and taste are deeply wired into emotion, memory, reward, safety, and threat.In this episode, Ashley explores:* Why smell is so powerfully linked to memory and emotion* How taste and scent can become tools for comfort and regulation* Why strong smells, food textures, and certain flavours can feel overwhelming or even traumatic* Safe foods, sensory aversions, migraines, and food obsession through a nervous system lens* Synesthesia, sensory wisdom, and the metaphorical meaning of taste and smell* How to build gentle flexibility without forcing or retraumatising yourselfThe episode closes with a guided imaginal practice to help you explore smell, taste, memory, and sensory safety at your own pace.This is an invitation to understand your sensory profile more deeply - not with judgment, but with curiosity, compassion, and respect for the way your nervous system is wired.If this work resonates and you'd like to explore it more deeply, Ashley is currently taking expressions of interest for her final round of one-to-one journeys beginning in May, as well as a small group cohort beginning in September.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to recent comments made by the President of the United States targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom's dyslexia.As two dyslexic hosts, they share their personal perspective on the remarks — unpacking why equating learning differences with intelligence or leadership ability is not only inaccurate, but deeply harmful.The conversation explores the wider impact of this kind of rhetoric, particularly on young neurodivergent people who may already struggle with confidence, identity, and feeling “less than.” They reflect on how public figures shape perception — and why statements like this don't just target individuals, but entire communities.A raw and unapologetic discussion about ableism, misinformation, and why neurodivergence should never be used as a political weapon.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore stimming — what it is, why it happens, and how it shows up in everyday neurodivergent life.They break down the different forms of stimming, from visual and auditory to tactile and movement-based, sharing personal examples that many people may not even realise count as stims. From fidgeting and pacing to echolalia and repetitive behaviours, they unpack how stimming helps regulate emotions, manage overwhelm, and process the world.A raw, honest conversation about stimming, self-awareness, and learning to navigate neurodivergent behaviours without shame.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, we continue our exploration of the senses by turning toward something deeply personal and often overlooked: touch and movement.For many neurodivergent and highly sensitive people, the body can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even unsafe at times. And yet, movement and touch are not optional extras - they are fundamental ways the nervous system orients, regulates, and makes sense of the world.In this episode, Ashley explores:* How touch can regulate the nervous system - from weighted blankets to co-regulation* Why movement is one of the most powerful (and underrated) forms of medicine* The reality of sensory sensitivities - from textures and hugs to proprioception and coordination* The overlap between neurodivergence and chronic conditions like hypermobility and Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome* Why “clumsiness,” rushing, and discomfort in the body are not personal failings - but nervous system information* How small, gentle movements can help shift both physical and emotional stucknessThis episode also includes a guided practice to help you reconnect with your body through tiny, accessible movements and gentle awareness, meeting yourself with curiosity rather than pressure.Movement doesn't have to be intense to be meaningful.Touch doesn't have to be complicated to be regulating.Sometimes, the smallest shift is enough to remind your system:You are here. You exist. You belong to this moment.If you'd like to explore this work more deeply, Ashley is currently accepting expressions of interest for a final round of one-to-one journeys (May–July), as well as upcoming group coaching programmes.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026 and question what it really achieves.They explore the confusion around language, breaking down the difference between neurodiversity and neurodivergence and explaining why those terms are so often used interchangeably, even though they mean very different things. For Jordan, it highlights a wider issue: when the messaging itself is unclear, how meaningful can the awareness actually be?From corporate PR exercises to performative inclusion, they reflect on whether neurodivergent people are truly being supported or acknowledged for a few days before being forgotten again.A thoughtful and slightly tongue-in-cheek discussion about language, performative inclusion, and why true understanding shouldn't be limited to one week a year.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the reality of accommodations as neurodivergent adults, from legal rights in the workplace to the everyday challenge of asking for support in social situations.Simon shares his experience travelling abroad with a group, navigating pain, overwhelm, and the difficulty of explaining invisible disabilities to others. From subtle judgment to moments of genuine support, the trip highlights how hard it can be to advocate for your needs, especially around people who don't fully understand.Jordan reflects on his own experiences in work and travel, including crowded trains, workplace training, and the contrast between being accommodated as a known advocate versus others who go unseen. Together, they unpack the emotional weight of masking, guilt, and the pressure to “keep up” in environments not designed for neurodivergent people.A grounded, honest conversation about what it really means to advocate for yourself, and why accommodations are not special treatment, but essential support.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores something we live within every day, yet rarely stop to consider: light.Light shapes far more than our ability to see. It influences our sleep, mood, hormones, nervous system regulation, and overall wellbeing. For neurodivergent people especially, light can sometimes feel overwhelming or dysregulating - but when we understand how it works, it can also become a powerful ally for health and balance.In this episode we explore:* How light affects the nervous system and circadian rhythms* Why neurodivergent brains often experience light differently* The difference between nourishing light and overstimulating light* Simple ways to work with light to support sleep, mood and sensory balance* A guided meditation to reconnect with the light within youLight isn't just something that happens to us - it's something we can learn to notice, shape, and work with in ways that support our bodies and our lives.If you'd like to learn more about Ashley's work or enquire about her upcoming programmes, you can get in touch at:integrativeiom@gmail.comMore details about Ashley's work will also be appearing soon on her website. www.integrativeiom.co.ukIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with someone who might benefit from a moment of calm.And remember…We're all just walking each other home.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott respond to the controversial article “Uta Frith: why I no longer think autism is a spectrum.”Reading and reacting to sections of the interview, they unpack the claims that rising autism diagnoses are a problem and that the label of autism should be restricted to those diagnosed in early childhood with more significant support needs.They discuss how diagnostic frameworks like the DSM are still heavily based on studies of white boys, leaving many autistic women and late-identified people overlooked. The conversation explores the tension between scientific authority and lived experience — and why many autistic people feel that research about them is often conducted without their voices being heard.They also reflect on how media narratives and policy discussions can influence public perception, particularly when rising diagnoses are framed as a “problem” rather than evidence that more people are finally being recognised and supported.In this episode, they discuss:The article “Why I No Longer Think Autism Is a Spectrum”Scientific bias in autism researchThe history of autism research and diagnostic frameworksLate diagnosis and autistic womenMasking and overlooked presentations of autismMedia narratives about rising diagnosesAutistic lived experience vs academic authorityWhy autistic voices must be included in researchA passionate discussion about autism research, representation, and the ongoing tension between scientific narratives and neurodivergent lived experience.Our Sponsors:

Simon is away on holiday, so please enjoy this re-run while he gets some much-needed sunshine! In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by in-house therapist Ashley Bentley to explore the key differences between autistic men and women. We discuss how traits like repetitive behaviours and emotional expression show up differently, and the diagnostic biases and misogynistic societal expectations that affect late or missed diagnoses in women.

This week, Ashley is prioritising her health, so please enjoy this re-run of Episode 7 of Mindful Mondays.In this episode of Mindful Mondays, we explore what it means to truly allow — to let life, emotions, and even other people simply be as they are.Spiritual teacher, Ram Dass, once observed that when we look at trees, we accept them - crooked, bent, imperfect, yet utterly beautiful. But when we look at people and ourselves, we judge. In this episode, Ashley explores how we can return to that same compassionate seeing toward others and toward ourselves. Blending mindfulness, neuroscience, and psychology, we explore how allowing what is can reduce anxiety, soften resistance, and bring peace to the neurodivergent mind and body.Ashley also shares a modern Buddhist parable and Jon Kabat-Zinn's timeless reminder:“Give yourself permission to allow this moment to be exactly as it is,and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.”The episode closes with a deeply hypnotic guided meditation - a forest journey into self-acceptance and inner stillness.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to the sudden cancellation of Smiling Friends — a hugely popular animated show created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel.At the height of its success, the creators announced they were ending the show after season three due to burnout. Jordan and Simon unpack what that decision means, not just for fans, but for neurodivergent creatives who know what it feels like to hit a wall after achieving something huge.They explore the tension between creative integrity and audience grief, the difficulty of abrupt endings, and why burnout can sometimes mean walking away — even from something you love.With Malcolm in the Middle and Scrubs both returning, they reflect on how Malcolm's family remains one of the most authentic portrayals of a chaotic, neurodivergent-coded family on television — and what it means when our comfort shows return after years away.In this episode, we discuss:Neurodivergent creator burnoutWalking away at the height of successcreative Integrity vs financial opportunityAudience grief when shows endThe risk of investing in cancelled seriesComfort shows and “cosy watch” rewatchesMalcolm in the Middle as ND representationA thoughtful, funny conversation about burnout, creative autonomy, comfort shows, and the emotional impact of losing — and regaining — the stories that feel like home.Our Sponsors: