Podcasts about Masking

P.S. If you're a founder who's tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I've got something for you.Want to grow your business? My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/clear-balanced-daysLooking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain? I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.https://unconventionalorganisation.as.me/schedule/1153d1ef/appointment/71643407/calendar/7186455?appointmentTypeIds[]=71643407

where I talk about masking pain and fear. what masking is how it works. how it can trigger nightmares as it has done this evening. and I talk about how the death of my mobility scooter a couple of weeks ago is throwing me off a mitochondrial deterioration cliffI also talk about how I amal massively deteriorating and that is definitely raising my fear levels as I will run out of GoFundMe money super fast if I end up permanently back on the intravenous. I booked in for an appointment for one with the hopes of restabilizing me. but if being outside my energy envelope because of lack of mobility scooter has once again caused me to have reduced glutathione production or worse I have stopped producing it at all. well, that's a death sentence. because the current GoFundMe money is not going to get me very far. and between inflation and the tariff situation and no news publication on The horizon to tell my story, the GoFundMe has been very quiet. which is frustrating because 10,000 people donating $5 would get me restabilized and give me time and energy to keep at the system. to keep advocating. to keep fighting but time is what I do not have

Most retreat leaders believe the answer to growing their business is another strategy.   Another funnel. Another marketing tactic. Another social media platform.   But what if the greatest opportunity isn't changing what you do...it's changing the energy you bring to everything you do?   In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Michelle Villalobos, business strategist, retreat leader, and creator of the Business Breakthrough Program, to discuss why energy precedes outcomes and how your internal alignment directly impacts your retreat business.   Michelle has facilitated more than 150 retreats and helped thousands of entrepreneurs create businesses built around freedom, recurring revenue, and meaningful impact. Together, Shannon and Michelle explore why retreat leaders often focus on external strategies while overlooking the beliefs, stories, and mindset quietly shaping every decision they make.   They also discuss what it means to become Energy Rich, why guests can feel the difference between confidence and scarcity, and how limiting beliefs influence everything from pricing to marketing to enrollment.   If you've been working harder but not seeing the results you expected, this conversation may completely change how you think about building a profitable retreat business.   In This Episode You'll Learn Why energy always comes before strategy What it means to become Energy Rich How limiting beliefs affect retreat pricing Why guests feel your confidence before they hear your pitch How alignment creates stronger leadership and better retreats The connection between authentic leadership and profitable retreats How to build a retreat business rooted in purpose instead of fear Whether you're planning your first retreat or you've been leading transformational experiences for years, this episode will help you lead from a place of greater confidence, clarity, and authenticity.   What You'll Learn How to build a profitable retreat business How to create recurring revenue with retreats Why mindset impacts retreat marketing and sales How authentic leadership attracts ideal retreat guests Why energy influences retreat enrollment How to overcome limiting beliefs around pricing What it means to become an Energy Rich entrepreneur Key Takeaways Strategy Can't Outperform MisalignmentThe best marketing strategy in the world won't compensate for fear, doubt, or scarcity. Guests feel your energy before they ever buy your retreat. Energy Rich Doesn't Mean High Energy Michelle explains that true leadership comes from alignment, not constant hustle. Being calm, grounded, and authentic creates far more influence than trying to do more.   Your Beliefs Shape Your Business The stories you tell yourself about money, worth, pricing, and success quietly influence every business decision you make.   Retreat Leaders Sell More Than Retreats People invest in the person leading the experience. Confidence, authenticity, and clarity create trust long before someone clicks "Book Now."   Freedom Is Built Intentionally Retreats can become a powerful recurring revenue stream when they're built from alignment rather than obligation.   About Michelle Villalobos Michelle Villalobos, MBA, CSP®, is a business strategist, retreat leader, and transformational leadership expert who has spent nearly two decades helping coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders build scalable businesses through transformational experiences.   She has designed and facilitated more than 150 multi-day retreats, consulted on hundreds more, and is the creator of Business Breakthrough, an incubator that helps entrepreneurs build aligned business models with recurring revenue and greater freedom.   Through her Retreats to Riches training and more than 800 YouTube videos, Michelle teaches entrepreneurs how to design, market, fill, and lead retreats that create unforgettable experiences while generating sustainable income.   Learn more: https://superstaractivator.com   Free Gift for Listeners: The Retreats to Riches Roadmap & Quick Start Guide and Big Back End Revenue Projections Calculator www.superstargifts.com   The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Join our Mastermind in Austin! Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Get your legal docs for retreats Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show Grab the AI + SEO Mini Course Grab the Pitch to Profit Mini Course My two favorite social media tools: Metricool and ManyChat  Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let's create a vibrant retreat community together!   Subscribe:  Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify   ------------ TIMESTAMPS Podcast Introduction (00:00:02) Host Shannon Jamaal introduces the podcast and welcomes guest Michelle Villalobos, a business strategist and experienced retreat leader. A Special Gift (00:01:25) Michelle presents Shannon with a beautifully illustrated book she created, titled "But I Want to Fly," an adventure book for dreamers. Who Are You at Your Core? (00:03:02) Michelle discusses her identity beyond professional roles, defining herself as a creator, contributor, teacher, and philosopher at her core. Energy Precedes Outcome (00:04:14) Michelle explains her core concept: aligning what you do with who you are naturally elevates your energy and leads to better outcomes. Becoming Energy Rich (00:04:44) The concept of being "energy rich" is explored, involving alignment with your purpose and cultivating the feelings you want to experience. Authenticity in Leadership (00:08:26) Shannon shares a personal story about finding her authentic voice while teaching, emphasizing the importance of being genuine as a leader. The Power of "Both, And" (00:10:45) The discussion shifts to embracing duality, recognizing that two opposing ideas, like holding healing space and making money, can coexist. Reframing Your Past (00:12:09) Michelle shares a personal story of betrayal, illustrating how reframing a painful past can be an empowering catalyst for awakening and growth. Can You Lead from an Open Wound? (00:15:52) The speakers discuss whether you can lead a successful retreat without having done the inner work, concluding you must embody your teachings. The Danger of Masking (00:18:18) The conversation covers the problem of pretending to be healed, which energetically teaches others to mask their own pain instead of healing. Congruency and Trust (00:19:24) Using horses as an example, Shannon explains that congruency—showing up as you are, even if not okay—is key to building trust. The Power of Community (00:21:51) Michelle explains that while she works one-on-one with clients, the biggest transformations happen in community and being witnessed by others. From Strategy to Energy (00:23:14) Michelle describes how her business retreats evolved from focusing on strategy to incorporating inner work, breathwork, and other healing modalities. Belief Over Strategy (00:24:32) Shannon emphasizes that no marketing strategy can overcome a leader's lack of belief in their own retreat; energy comes first. Detaching from the Outcome (00:25:42) The importance of surrendering the outcome while remaining fully committed to the process is discussed as a key to success. Limiting Beliefs and Pricing (00:30:07) The conversation explores how limiting beliefs, especially for women, impact pricing, with most leaders tending to undercharge for their services. The Retreat Business Model (00:30:43) Michelle shares her model of using a retreat as a breakthrough experience that opens the door to long-term, recurring revenue programs. Standing in Your Price (00:33:23) The concept of "standing in your price" is explored, highlighting the need for congruence and genuine belief in the value offered. The Promise of Your Retreat (00:38:14) A retreat's promise elevates it from a generic getaway, allowing for a higher price point and attracting the right participants. Michelle's Upcoming Work (00:39:08) Michelle shares details about her Business Breakthrough Intensive, which helps thought leaders build community-based programs with recurring revenue. A Gift for Listeners (00:40:13) Michelle offers a free retreat projections spreadsheet to help leaders plan their numbers, from pricing and attendance to conversion rates. The Story Behind the Book (00:40:54) Michelle shares the inspiring story of how her book, "But I Want to Fly," came to her in a dream.

In this conversation, Dr. Amy Pearson shares her personal and professional journey in autism research, discussing her experiences as a late-diagnosed autistic individual and the impact of her lived experience on her research. She explores the challenges of navigating the academic landscape as an autistic researcher, the importance of neurodiversity affirming practices, and the need for a shift from deficit-based models to a more inclusive understanding of autism. The discussion highlights the ethical considerations in autism research and the significance of aligning research with the values of the autistic community. This conversation delves into the perceptions of autistic individuals, particularly focusing on the experiences of non-speaking individuals and the biases that exist within neurotypical perspectives. It explores the complexities of family dynamics, the importance of support for individuals with high needs, and the reflections on ABA tutoring experiences. The discussion also addresses the concept of masking in autism, its implications, and the challenges of navigating social expectations while striving for authenticity. In this conversation, Amy Pearson and Ben Reiman explore the evolving understanding of authenticity, the significance of stimming in autistic identity, and the complexities of relationships within the autistic community. They discuss misconceptions surrounding autistic intimacy, the portrayal of neurodivergent relationships in media, and the critical issue of intimate partner violence faced by autistic individuals. The conversation emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of autistic experiences and the importance of fostering acceptance and support in relationships. In this conversation, Amy Pearson discusses the complexities of autistic experiences, particularly in relation to interpersonal violence, emotional well-being, and the importance of support systems in research. She highlights the need for awareness of red flags in relationships, the intersection of autism with menopause, and the influence of key figures in autism research. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding and validating autistic experiences while advocating for systemic changes to improve the lives of autistic individuals     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h9UUG0zr1f4 Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak   Links Amy Pearson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-pearson-359b83303/ https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/amy-pearson/ Links and Resources Authoring Autism by M. Remi Yergeau  https://www.dukeupress.edu/authoring-autism Dr. Pearson's Amazing Colleagues Mentioned Kieron Rose https://theautisticadvocate.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-rose-38574b55/ Felicity Sedgewick https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicity-sedgewick-32a55015b/ Sarah Douglas https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-douglas-9a57951b6/ Nicole Renehan https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/nicole-renehan/ Sarah Cassidy https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/psychology/people/sarah.cassidy Damien Milton https://www.kent.ac.uk/school-of-psychology/tizard/people/1419/milton-damian Sarah King https://www.saraking.online/research Krysia Waldock https://www.linkedin.com/in/krysia-waldock/ Liz Pellicano https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/47716-elizabeth-pellicano Research Discussed Pearson A, Rose K, Mitchell A, et al. “It's Not a Physical Prison but You Can't Get Out.” How Autistic Adults Make Sense of the Experience of Intimate Violence and Abuse. Autism in Adulthood. 2026;8(3):360-372. doi:10.1089/aut.2024.0145  

Do you ever wonder how your ADHD impacts your sex life?You are not alone. ADHD doesn't magically switch off when the clothes come off.Maybe you get bored. Maybe your mind wanders. Maybe you're masking so much that even during intimacy, you're still performing instead of actually being present. Or maybe porn, dopamine and self-pleasure play a much bigger role in your life than you've ever stopped to think about.Because ADHD doesn't magically switch off when the clothes come off.When we get an ADHD diagnosis, it becomes the vehicle we use to unmask in every area of our lives. But what never gets spoken about is how the hell we do that when it comes to the bedroom.As this week's guest, sex, love and relationship coach Liz Hunter, puts it: you can mask in life, you can put on a performance in life, but in the bedroom, all of it gets exposed.So let's find out, shall we? Let's untangle all things ADHD & sex (without going red):

Hey Team! This week I'm talking with Dr. Megan Anna Neff, an AuDHD clinical psychologist, author, and educator. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University, which she completed the same year that she was diagnosed as autistic. Dr. Neff has moved away from traditional clinical practice to focus on creating research-informed, lived-experience-centered, and emotionally resonant resources and training through her platform Neurodivergent Insights. In our conversation today, we discuss her diagnosis, how ADHD and Autism tend to run in families, and the ripple effects that can happen from there. We get into sensory processing and its role in burnout and self-regulation. We also hit on interoception, alexithymia, and self-care, and round things out with some frameworks and ideas on how we can work with our brains. It's a conversation of identity and self-attunement that I really enjoyed. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at HackingYourADHD.com/311 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD This Episode's Top Tips Alexithymia, sometimes called emotional blindness, is a trait where you can have difficulties processing or describing your emotions and is often felt in ADHD with the experience of going from 0 to 100 with an emotion. While this can feel impossible to work on in the moment, learning to name your emotions and tracking how you feel through socio-emotional training can provide measurable improvements. Self-care starts with figuring out where you're at, but most advice on self-care often assumes that you already know what you need. With ADHD and poor interoception that can be a hard read. When we're feeling dysregulated, often our first step needs to be checking in with ourselves, and as Dr. Neff suggests, creating more sensory predictability. Masking can train you out of listening to your body because it is a learned way of suppressing yourself. While this insight won't necessarily fix what's going on here, it gives you a starting point to notice when you're not listening to your body because you're just not noticing, versus when you've trained yourself out of it.  

Caroline Nield was 48 when she discovered she was autistic.Until then, she had spent years wondering why certain parts of life seemed harder for her than they appeared to be for other people. She rehearsed conversations before they happened. Phone calls needed preparation. Friendships could be difficult to maintain. Changes to familiar routines could feel disproportionately unsettling.And, like many women who receive an autism diagnosis later in life, she had become very good at adapting and masking.Caroline's route to diagnosis began when her son was diagnosed as autistic. As she learned more about autism – including sensory differences, social communication and repetitive behaviours – she began recognising herself.When her own diagnosis eventually came, her overwhelming feeling was relief.Rather than giving her another label, Caroline says it helped her begin stripping away some of the labels she had already given herself, like shy, stubborn, difficult.We talk about what autism can look like in women, why so many women reach midlife without recognising that they are neurodivergent, and the difference that self-understanding can make.Caroline also shares some wonderfully relatable examples from everyday life – from supermarket layouts and favourite sandwiches to friendship drift, phone calls and the need for routine.We also explore:• Why autism in girls and women has historically been overlooked• Masking and learning to copy other people socially• The relief – and sometimes grief – that can accompany a late diagnosis• Sensory differences and the need for routine• Friendship and the feeling of never quite fitting in• Executive functioning, overwhelm and the “too many tabs open” brain• Perfectionism and the freeze response• Finding ways of working that suit your own brain• Caroline's decision to pursue acting in her 40s• Leaving a 20-year HR career and retraining as a coach• Why understanding yourself can be the beginning of treating yourself more kindlyWhat struck me most about our conversation was that this isn't really a story about acquiring a label.It's about finally having an explanation, and, perhaps, being able to look back at yourself with a little more self-compassion.FIND CAROLINEInstagram: @caroline_nieldFacebook: Caroline NieldLinkedIn: Caroline NieldCaroline also mentions her free two-minute quiz exploring patterns including cognitive overload, perfectionism, overgiving and the freeze response. AGEING WONDERFULLY WELLMy book, Ageing Wonderfully Well: The Good News about Midlife and Growing Older, is now available worldwide:https://geni.us/AgeingWonderfullyWell Get full access to Midlife & Beyond with Jo Blackwell at joblackwellmidlifeandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe

In Part 3 of our Neurodivergent Women in STEM series, Dr Shae Wissell sits down with Diana from Toyota to explore how neurodiversity, universal design, and communication styles shape inclusive workplaces.Together, they discuss Toyota's broader DEIB approach, practical workplace accommodations, hybrid work, onboarding around working styles, and why reframing neurodivergence as a strength benefits everyone. Diana shares how a remote test-trip scenario led to universal accommodations portable toilets, better catering for cultural needs, and a new standard process of asking all staff about requirements improving comfort and experience for the whole team despite initial pushback. They discuss reframing neurodivergence as a strength (creativity and connecting the dots), workplace supports like wellness and quiet rooms and hybrid work, and the value of managers researching and enabling tools such as Grammarly and writing aids. The conversation highlights onboarding around working styles, focusing on strengths over weaknesses, and raising awareness of different communication styles, masking, and “tone” policing.Key messageInclusive workplaces are built when neurodiversity is understood as a strength, communication styles are respected, and universal design is used to support everyone.Time Stamp00:00 Welcome to Dear Dyslexic00:34 Neurodiversity at Toyota02:11 Inclusive Test Trips04:31 Strengths and Workplace Design06:27 Universal Accommodations08:11 Onboarding for Working Styles10:54 Communication Styles and Tone15:43 Masking and Fatigue18:26 Language and Interrupting19:51 Wrap Up and ResourceAbout Dear Dyslexic PodcastThe Dear Dyslexic Podcast amplifies the voices, experiences and expertise of people from the dyslexia and broader neurodivergent communities, creating conversations that inform, empower and inspire. Learn more about re:think dyslexia: https://rethinkdyslexia.com.au/Stay ConnectedThanks for listening to Dr Shae and the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, proudly produced by re:think dyslexia, a certified social enterprise. To stay up to date with our latest episodes, resources and events, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review the podcast on your favourite podcast platform. Listen to more Dear Dyslexic Podcast episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jx91no...Need Support?If any of the topics discussed in this episode have caused distress, support is available:Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 463613YARN: 13 92 76re:think dyslexia Helpline: 1800 13 6327

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein are joined by Shubha Bala, Media Justice advocate, to explore what parenting looks like when the goal shifts from helping children fit in to helping them be understood.Together they discuss moving beyond compliance-based parenting, building relationships through connection, and creating environments where neurodivergent children are accepted for who they are. Through an honest conversation about trust, understanding, and belonging, they explore what it means to raise children in ways that honour their individuality rather than asking them to mask it.

Settle into 45 minutes of smooth white noise made to cover distractions and help your mind stay on task. Use it for studying, homework, reading, office work, or any stretch of the day when the room needs to feel a little quieter.

Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine podcast that brings together the stories, conversations and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.This week, Angela and Simon turn their attention to Channel 4 documentary The Great ADHD Myth and the backlash it has received from the ADHD community. They discuss its claims around diagnosis and medication, the decision to centre the experiences of a ten-year-old boy, and what happens when mainstream media tells stories about neurodivergent people without meaningfully including the communities at the centre of them.Simon also reflects on his own experience of ADHD medication, from finding the right dose to the difference it has made to his life, as Angela and Simon explore the wider narratives around overdiagnosis, masking and the idea that people must be visibly struggling for their neurodivergence to be considered legitimate.As always, we'll also take you through everything coming up across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network this week, including the launch of The Still Growing Up Film Club, a new Mindful Mondays, Autistic Menopause and plenty more from across the network.Plus, we head to the Community Notice Board for books, events and opportunities from across the wider Autistic community.

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein are joined by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, founder of the PDA Safe Circle, to explore what happens when we stop trying to fit ourselves into systems that were never designed for us.Together they discuss nervous system literacy, questioning the default blueprints we've inherited, and what it means to build a life that is sustainable, authentic, and aligned with who we are. Rather than asking how we can adapt to existing expectations, Katie, Jenna, and Shoshana explore how we can create lives that genuinely work for us.

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning psychiatrist Dr Asif Bachlani to explore what it really feels like to live with both ADHD and autism. We uncover 5 hidden signs of masking AuDHD, the contradictions that can make life feel exhausting, the loneliness of feeling different, and the emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis later in life. Dr Asif also shares the assessment he'll never forget, and the true cost of spending years hiding who you really are. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:56 Why Dr Asif Bachlani Dedicated His Life to ADHD & Autism 04:22 The Patient Who Changed Everything for Dr Asif 07:02 What Neurodivergent People Can Teach Us About Being Human 08:39 The Sentence Dr Asif Hears After Almost Every Diagnosis 12:58 The Hidden Grief of a Late ADHD or Autism Diagnosis 16:47 The Contradictions of Living With AuDHD 21:04 What People With AuDHD Fear Being Judged For 24:52 Is Masking a Choice — or Does It Happen Automatically? 27:05 The AuDHD Assessment Dr Asif Will Never Forget 36:43 Why AuDHD Can Feel So Incredibly Lonely 41:21 Tiimo advert 43:05 Sign #1 You're Masking AuDHD 45:40 Sign #2 You're Masking AuDHD 48:19 Sign #3 You're Masking AuDHD 50:25 Sign #4 You're Masking AuDHD 53:29 The True Cost of Never Unmasking 01:02:11 Sign #5 You're Masking AuDHD 01:02:54 Washing Machine of Woes: Your Questions Answered 01:05:24 A Letter to My Younger Self Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription

Masking is a survival strategy, often used by neurodivergent people to fit in, stay safe, and meet social expectations. But maintaining the mask comes at a cost.This talk explores the difference between masking and simply showing different parts of ourselves, the exhaustion and burnout masking can cause, and how greater awareness, self-acceptance, recovery, and support can help us find a healthier balance.Links Mentioned:Want to work with me? Book a 1:1 session. Buy one of my books.Support the podcast by donating here.

Tuttle Wealth Partners CIO Frances Stacy argues that record liquidity and fiscal spending are masking deeper economic challenges for many Americans. She discusses the impact of higher Treasury yields on consumers, the risks posed by a widening wealth gap, and concerns around growing reliance on debt-funded AI spending to support corporate growth and market valuations.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Auckland's had its worst week for flu related hospitalisations in a decade; 177 people admitted across four of the city's hospitals. Health New Zealand says 188 elective surgery were cancelled to free up resources, following a surge in respiratory cases. University of Otago Professor of Public Health Dr Michael Baker, believes more could have been done sooner - including stronger advice about masks. Dr Michael Baker spoke to Lisa Owen. 

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein question the way resilience is often celebrated, asking whether what's praised as adaptability is sometimes simply chronic self-abandonment.Together they explore the hidden cost of constantly overriding your own needs, how burnout can become normalised, and why enduring difficult circumstances isn't the same as thriving. Through personal reflection and honest conversation, Katie and Jenna discuss what it means to move away from survival mode and towards a life built on regulation, self-awareness, and genuine wellbeing.

Have you ever looked at your life and realized that while everything is "okay" on paper, you feel like you're speaking a completely different language than everyone around you?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, we're looking at what happens when we challenge our idea of what "normal" is. From the culture shock of a Doctor Who convention to growing up in a family that didn't understand the things I loved, we talk about why normal is a matter of perception, not a fixed rule. I discuss why your creative practice thrives when you find people who finally understand you, and how my Restorative Creativity Framework helps you rediscover the real you hidden under the "shoulds" of adulthood.   It's an invitation to stop performing for the sake of being "good enough" and start returning to the creative capacity you were born with.   I'm Nancy Norbeck, and I'm your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Relative Normal: Why the definition of "normal" changes depending on where you stand. The Power of Recognition: Why being with people who understand your "geeky" interests is a fundamental human need. Masking vs. Truth: How to know who you are under the layers of cultural expectations and performance reviews. Returning to Self: Why the things we love are the signals that tell us who we really are. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.

If you're in a neurodiverse relationship — whether you're ADHD, autistic, or both — intimacy can be one of the most complicated things to navigate. In this episode, Mona Kay & I get real about love vs. sex, masking in the bedroom, asexuality, ethical non-monogamy, separate bedrooms, and the hidden pattern that quietly undermines intimacy for neurodiverse couples: fawning. In this episode, we talk about why so many neurodiverse marriages end up with "zero sex," but also creative solutions that actually work for both partners — this conversation goes places most podcasts won't.

Dr Martin Brunet has 25 years experience as a NHS GP. He has a special interest in Autism and ADHD and is the author of the best selling book entitled ‘Make Your Worry Make Sense'. In this episode, Dr Martin Brunet explores the hidden reality of autistic masking, why it starts, what it feels like, and the long-term impact it can have on identity, relationships and wellbeing. We discuss the subtle signs of masking, why so many autistic people go undiagnosed, and what it can look like to safely rediscover who you are beneath the mask. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:08 What Masking Actually Feels Like 06:32 How Early Does Masking Start? 07:48 What Teaches a Child to Start Masking? 09:26 Can One Cruel Comment Change You for Decades? 11:22 What Are Autistic People Protecting Themselves From? 14:03 Is Masking a Choice — or Completely Automatic? 16:29 The Autistic Mirror 19:54 When Masking Becomes a Survival Mechanism 21:43 The Subtle Signs Someone Is Masking 24:38 Inside the Mind of an Autistic Person Who's Masking 26:19 The Aeroplane Analogy That Explains Masking 28:57 What Years of Masking Does to a Person 31:08 Tiimo 32:38 The Biggest Cost of Masking: Losing Who You Are 34:39 Why Masking Can Make Autistic People So Lonely 36:18 Why So Many Autistic Women Are Missed 38:58 Can You Look Successful While Falling Apart Privately? 41:21 Code-Switching: What It Is and Why Autistic People Do It 43:39 Why an Autism Diagnosis Can Be So Emotional 46:24 How Do You Find Yourself After Years of Masking? 49:05 Why Unmasking Isn't Right for Everyone 52:42 How to Start Unmasking Safely 54:30 The “Washing Machine of Woes” 59:16 What I'd Tell My Younger Autistic Self Visit Dr Brunet's website

Guitarist and engineer Josie Scott battled crippling gender dysphoria for decades before finally deciding to live openly as a trans woman in her 60s.In 1984 in Adelaide, two brothers formed a pioneering alternative rock band called The Mark of Cain.They wanted to make music that was heavy and intense with lyrics about war, and death, and being misunderstood.Over the years the band gained an international following and plenty of fans at home in Australia.Earlier this year, one of the band's two founders, Josie Scott, announced on the band's website that she was a trans woman.At the age of 63, Josie wrote that she had finally decided to 'embrace rather than endure who she is'.And her decision to go public with her story was met with a huge and loving response from fans of the band.Help and support is always availableCall QLife on 1800 184 527 for LGBTIQA+ peer supportLifeline is available on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis supportKids Helpline on 1800 551 800 is available for young people aged 5 to 25. This episode was produced by Jen Leake and the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores gender identity, music, Australian music, living authentically, transgender issues, male to female transition, drug abuse, substance abuse, addiction issues, romance, love, relationships, mother child relationships, heavy metal, Adelaide's music scene.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The Morning XTRA with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! First thing to know: We will thank Trump for the Long-term damage he did to so many NGO’s Why the COVID restrictions were actually put in place Tom Mitchell, The Honest Car Guy, joins the show Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning XTRA with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! Tug and Los take a closer look at Trump's long-term impact on NGOs, why the COVID restrictions were actually put in place, and the latest political battles involving Francesca Hong, Abdul El-Sayed and the Democratic Socialists of America. The guys also react to real-time cheating caught live on NBC, Joe Scarborough taking aim at Hasan Piker, and the WNBA's ongoing debate over defining what a woman is. On today's show:• Trump's long-term impact on NGOs and why the left is feeling it• Why the COVID restrictions were actually put in place• Real-time cheating caught live on NBC• Jon Ossoff's voting record and Joe Scarborough's issues with Hasan Piker• The DSA's latest strategy, the WNBA, and the BravesAtlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein are joined by dual-certified general and special education educator Katie Deehan to explore what true inclusion really means—and why it often looks very different from the versions many of us have experienced.Together they challenge compliance-based approaches to inclusion and discuss how classrooms can move beyond expecting children to conform. Instead, they explore what becomes possible when education is built around dignity, accessibility, and a genuine sense of belonging for every student.

Dr. Luke Beardon is a leading autism researcher, author and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University who has spent more than 30 years working alongside autistic people and their families. In this episode, Luke reveals what autism can actually feel like from the inside, from masking and rehearsing conversations to sensory overwhelm, burnout and the exhaustion of constantly trying to fit in. He explores why so many people go decades without realising they're autistic, what happens when you mask for so long that you lose sight of who you really are, and why the parts of yourself you spent a lifetime hiding may never have needed fixing in the first place. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:23 Why Luke dedicated his life to understanding autism 02:46 How can someone be autistic for decades without knowing? 05:38 What high-masking autism actually looks like 08:06 How early does autistic masking begin? 10:21 The biggest misconception about autism in adults 16:10 The biggest signs you're masking autism 17:37 Why autistic people rehearse conversations 23:50 Why small talk can be so exhausting 29:59 What sensory overwhelm actually feels like 36:40 Why autistic people stim 40:04 Tiimo advert 41:31 The autistic behaviours people are made to feel ashamed of 43:33 The hidden cost of masking autism 46:39 What autistic burnout actually feels like 49:58 Can you mask for so long that you lose yourself? 51:27 When the mask becomes your personality 57:54 Are you really an introvert, or could you be autistic? 01:00:05 The Washing Machine of Woes 01:03:17 A Letter to My Younger Self Buy Dr Luke's books

Richard Epstein critiques the contempt of Congress referral against Dr. Anthony Fauci, arguing Fauci made "egregious mistakes" regarding pandemic regulations like masking and social distancing. Epstein contends Fauci was a "lousy scientist" who suppressed alternative treatments like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. He also questions the validity of a "preemptive pardon" issued by President Biden, suggesting it may relate to illegal virus shipments to the Wuhanlaboratory. Moving to politics, Epstein lambasts the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for their goal of dismantling the U.S. government and their admiration for failed states like Venezuela. He highlights the impracticality of Zohran Mamdani's programs in New York, such as rent stabilization and subsidized grocery stores, predicting they will eventually crater due to economic reality. (2)

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein are joined by Megara Bell, Director of Partners in Sex Education, to explore the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence, and what happens when the labels we're given don't reflect who we really are.Together they discuss identity, belonging, and the ways schools and society often reinforce narrow ideas of what is "normal." Through an honest conversation about authenticity, acceptance, and self-discovery, they ask what it takes to create spaces where people no longer have to shrink themselves to belong.

Send us comments, suggestions and ideas here! In this week's episode we explore if there is any truth behind the well loved, pop-psychology meme going around the internet the last few years detailing THE SILENT WAR; a covert struggle for the mind's of the masses between a decentralized group of marginalized schizo-autists and a loosely affiliated cadre of enfranchised psychopathic elites: or more simply, the secret war between the schizos and the psychos - a theory that proponents claim is as old as time and offers us a new perspective on the dynamics between the hidden genius of charismatic predators who run things from the shadows and the weirdos like us who happen to notice them but can't seem to get normal people to listen until it's too late. In the extended show we go into even deeper detail on how psychopaths manipulate the herd and some examples of exactly how it works all the way from the geopolitical stage to the work place. Lastly, we talk about how to identify and defend against the psychopath and hits plots. Thank you and enjoy the show! In this week's episode we discuss:History of the Meme|The Schizoid Alkaholikier Philip K. Dick's correlaries in UbikAutist vs. Schizo MaskingWhat is a Psycho? In the extended episode available at www.patreon.com/TheWholeRabbit we go even further to discuss: Schizoposting Socioeconomic TheoryWhy Success Favors PsychopathsPolitical Ponerology Institutional Capture The Four Features of Bullsh*tHow Psychopaths Actually Drive People CrazyThis episode was written by Luke Madrid with some blue sections by Mari Sama. Commentary by Heka Astra and Tim Hacker was original. Where to find The Whole Rabbit:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0AnJZhmPzaby04afmEWOAVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_whole_rabbitTwitter: https://twitter.com/1WholeRabbitOrder Stickers: https://www.stickermule.com/thewholerabbitOther Merchandise: https://thewholerabbit.myspreadshop.com/Music By Spirit Travel Plaza:https://open.spotify.com/artist/30dW3WB1sYofnow7y3V0YoSources:Primary Internet / Folk OriginAnonymous 4chan /pol/ post, 27 November 2022, thread 406166838, post No. 406171908. (Core text of the “Silent War” meme; the document reproduces and timestamps this as the point of origin before Reddit, YouTube narrations, TikTok, and Instagram circulation.)Clinical / Psychiatric HistoryBinswanger, Kurt. Work on the “schizoide Alkoholiker” (schizoid alcoholic) personality type, circa World War I period. Swiss psychiatrist; describes a constitutional style of intense inner experience, social withdrawal, and emotional distance that sits on the milder end of what later became the schizophrenia-spectrum / schizoid personality continuum. The script treats this as an early clinical analogue of the meme's “schizo.”Kahlbaum, Karl Ludwig. Description of heboidophrenia (1890s). Condition emerging in adolescence/young adulthood that primarily disturbs personality, drive, mood, and social behaviour rather than intelligence; can present with antisocial, irritable, or “psychopathic”-appearing traits that are secondary to an underlying schizophrenic process. The script uses this to illustrate clinical blending of the two poles.Literary ParallelDick, Philip K. Ubik (1969). Three-class division of humanity (normies / psychics / inertials) mapped by the script onto the Silent War triad (normies / psychopaths / schizo-autists). Psychics infiltrate and commandeer institutions; inertials detect and nullify them.Philosophical / Socio-Economic TheoryDeleuze, Gilles & Guattari, Félix. Anti-Oedipus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia (1972). Introduction of “schizoanalysis”; desire as productive, machine-like, deterritorializing force that capitalism both unleashes and reterritorializes under profit axioms. The script reads the “schizo” figure as potentially revolutionary rather than purely pathological and notes the book's deliberately non-linear style as proto-“schizoposting.”Empirical Studies on Corporate / “Successful” PsychopathyBoard, B. J. & Fritzon, K. (2005). “Disordered personalities at work.” Contrasted 39 high-level UK executives/CEOs with forensic psychiatric patients using MMPI scales; executives showed elevated “theatrical” psychopathic traits (grandiosity, superficial charm, lack of remorse) at levels rivalling or exceeding clinical samples, without the impulsive violence of the latter. Interpreted as evidence of “successful psychopaths.”Babiak, P., Neumann, C. S. & Hare, R. D. (2010). “Corporate psychopathy: Talking the walk.” Study of 203 management-development professionals using PCL-R / PCL:SV; elevated psychopathic traits relative to general population, high on charisma/strategic vision/communication, low on teamwork, management skill, and actual job performance.Landay, K., Harms, P. D. & Credé, M. (2019). Meta-analysis (92 independent samples). Weak positive association between psychopathic tendencies and leadership emergence; weak negative association with leadership effectiveness; moderate negative link to transformational leadership.Political Pathology / Institutional CaptureŁobaczewski, Andrzej. Political Ponerology: A Science on the Nature of Evil Adjusted for Political Purposes (English editions mid-2000s; written earlier under surveillance). Central claim that pathocracy arises when a small minority with personality disorders (especially primary psychopathy, plus certain schizoid and “characteropathic” configurations) attain critical institutional influence and select for their own kind. Introduces paramoralisms, paralogic, and the gradual inversion of language and morality. Estimates essential psychopathy ≈ 0.6 % of population plus a larger “penumbra.”Stigler, George J. (1971). “The Theory of Economic Regulation.” Landmark essay on regulatory capture: agencies eventually serve the industries they oversee via material incentives, informational access, and cognitive/cultural capture.Double-Bind TheoryBateson, Gregory, Jackson, Don D., Haley, Jay & Weakland, John. (1956). “Toward a Theory of Schizophrenia.” Behavioral Science, 1(4), 251–264. Formalization of the double bind: conflicting injunctions (one negating the other) plus prohibition on meta-comment or escape; chronic exposure argued to contribute to communicative and perceptual patterns then diagnosed as schizophrenia. The script applies this directly to workplace/online dynamics in which the pattern-seer is punished for noticing the contradiction.Wikipedia entry on “double bind” (cited in-document for the concise definition of the communicative situation).Additional Cultural / Literary Allusions (not primary sources but invoked)Campbell, Joseph – Hero's Journey structure (adapted as “The Schizo's Journey,” stages 0–17).Orwell, George – 1984 (paramoral language / inversion of morality).Disney's The Lion King (Scar as archetype of the successful-but-incompetent psychopathic manager).Support the show

Send us Fan Mail"You're so successful — you must be fine." But what did it cost to get there? In this conversation, psychologist and energy healing coach Nicole Theron Parks shares her journey to being diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and OCD at 32, and what she discovered on the other side of that diagnosis: that the exhaustion, chronic pain, and decades of anxiety weren't character flaws — they were the cost of trying to fit into a world that wasn't built for her. This is a rich, layered, deeply honest conversation — about what it costs to mask, what it feels like when the wellness world's advice doesn't fit your nervous system, and why energy clearing has offered something that talk therapy alone couldn't reach.What we cover:Nicole's story — growing up in a small traditional town feeling like she was observing everyone else from the outside, the emotional abuse she named while the adults around her denied it, and the high school experience that turned her autism from a difference into a disabilityThe diagnosis at 32 — why getting a name for what she'd been experiencing her whole life felt like finally being able to breathe, and the profound release of shame that followed: "It wasn't my fault"What neurodiversity actually means — why the Rain Man stereotype leaves so many people undiagnosed, what it looks like to be "silently drowning" while appearing successful on the outside, and why "you got a doctorate, so you must be fine" misses the point entirelyIs the anxiety inherent, or is it the system? — a fascinating conversation about whether anxiety is part of neurodiversity itself, or whether it's largely a product of trying to exist in a world that wasn't built for neurodivergent peopleWellness practices and neurodivergent nervous systems — why the pressure to have a perfect morning routine, journal every day, and heal on a timeline can actually cause more harm than good, and what a more flexible, shame-free approach to healing looks likeThe connection between neurodiversity and chronic pain — Nicole's own journey with chronic migraines, the pattern of control and self-suppression she traced beneath them, and the "at what cost?" question that runs through this entire conversationEnergy clearing — how Nicole describes it as moving the folder to the trash rather than opening it every day, why it works gently in the background without requiring you to re-live memories, and how it helps clear layer by layer in a way that talk therapy alone couldn'tA guided energy clearing meditation for anxiety — Nicole leads us through a full practice connecting above and below, clearing anxiety patterns from the body, and filling in with light and safety. Have your headphones ready — this one is genuinely beautiful.A message for anyone who has been gaslit by a doctor, therapist, or the people around them: there are practitioners out there who will believe you, accommodate you, and meet you where you.Connect with Nicole:Website: https://www.nicoleparkescoaching.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleparkescoaching/1:1 Energy Healing Packages:  https://www.nicoleparkescoaching.com/servicesResources:Free Masterclass:  The Alchemy of the Perimenopause PortalAyurvedic Dosha Quick Reference GuideAbhyanga Self Massage GuideWeekend Nervous System ResetNourished For Resilience Workbook Find me at www.nourishednervoussystem.comand @nourishednervoussytem on Instagram

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein explore the power of humour as more than entertainment. For many neurodivergent people, laughter can challenge assumptions, expose contradictions, and create connection in ways that words alone often can't.Together they reflect on how humour can cut through hierarchy, question arbitrary rules, and reveal truths that others might prefer to ignore. From everyday interactions to wider social systems, Katie and Jenna discuss why humour can be a powerful form of resistance—and why, sometimes, it's also a way of surviving.

Why are so many autistic women missed in childhood? And what happens when a parent's journey to understand their child leads to a life-changing discovery about themselves?In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we welcome Julie M. Green, author of Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance. Julie shares her powerful story of parenting an autistic child, navigating a late autism diagnosis, and finally making sense of a lifetime of experiences that had never quite fit together.For many women, autism goes undiagnosed for decades. Traits are often misunderstood, hidden through masking, or mistaken for anxiety, perfectionism, sensitivity, or social difficulties. Julie's journey sheds light on the unique presentation of autism in women and girls, while offering hope for those seeking answers later in life.In this conversation, we explore:▪️ Autism in women and why so many girls are missed▪️ Late autism diagnosis and its emotional impact▪️ Parenting an autistic child▪️ Masking and autistic burnout▪️ Neurodiversity and self-acceptance▪️ Autism in families and generational autism▪️ Supporting autistic children and autistic parents▪️ Identity, belonging, and mental health▪️ What radical acceptance looks like after diagnosisWhether you're a parent of an autistic child, an educator, clinician, or someone wondering if you may be autistic yourself, this episode provides valuable insight into autism spectrum disorder, neurodivergence, parenting, and self-discovery.Julie's story is a powerful reminder that understanding ourselves can happen at any age—and that sometimes the people we love most help us find our way there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if some of the traits that make porn addiction harder to overcome—perfectionism, emotional intensity, anxiety, hyperfocus, sensitivity, and relentless drive—could eventually become strengths in your recovery?In this episode, I'm sharing a conversation from when I joined Ania Hulsman on her podcast, Neurodivergent Unplugged. We dig into my personal history with neurodivergence and porn addiction, including what it was like growing up highly sensitive, socially anxious, perfectionistic, and constantly overwhelmed by emotions I didn't know how to manage.For years, I thought these parts of me were weaknesses. Small things could create enormous emotional reactions. I put tremendous pressure on myself to perform, move faster, fit in, and get things right. When I couldn't handle the intensity inside me, I found ways to escape—first through video games and food, and eventually through pornography, alcohol, and other addictive behaviors.But recovery helped me understand something important: pornography wasn't simply a sexual problem. It had become one of the ways I regulated anxiety, pressure, emotional overwhelm, and the feeling that I wasn't okay.And that changed the way I approached recovery.Instead of spending my life fighting my brain, I began learning how to work with it. I developed routines that support my emotional and biological needs, learned how to regulate my nervous system, reduced digital overstimulation, built stronger spiritual practices, and stopped treating every difficult thought or emotion as evidence that something was wrong with me.Today, many of the traits I once hated about myself have become some of my greatest strengths as a husband, father, coach, teacher, and creator.In this conversation, Ania and I explore what that transformation looked like—and what it may mean for sensitive, driven men who are trying to quit porn and build lasting sobriety.Episode Chapters00:16 Neurodivergence, sensitivity, and porn addiction03:45 Building a recovery mindset and lifestyle07:13 When emotional intensity feels like a curse09:27 How escape behaviors developed in my life15:40 Spirituality and the beginning of recovery23:24 Self-judgment, parts work, and emotional mindfulness28:00 Perfectionism, control, and performance34:26 Realizing my brain worked differently38:19 Sensitivity, masculinity, and suppressed emotion42:16 When a neurodivergent strength doesn't fit the environment49:15 Masking, professionalism, and authenticity54:01 Systems thinking, hyperfocus, and perfectionism57:10 How reducing smartphone use changed my mental health1:02:21 Redefining success through presence1:06:17 Morning routines, breathwork, and nervous system regulation1:09:14 Prayer, gratitude, and getting out of self-focus1:17:18 Hyperfocus, burnout, and learning to respect your capacity1:20:25 The one change I would make to our relationship with technologyBuild a Recovery Lifestyle That Works With YouIf you keep relapsing despite genuinely wanting to quit porn, I want you to look deeper than the behavior. What emotional state are you trying to escape? What pressure are you carrying? What does your nervous system need? Where are you overstimulated, depleted, disconnected, or demanding too much from yourself?The goal is not simply to become better at resisting pornography. It is to build a life where peace, connection, faith, purpose, and real relationships become more desirable than escape.Check out Ania's podcast: Neurodivergent UnpluggedLink to Blog Article for this EpisodeVisit No More Desire Tools for Recovery for recovery tools and training, including my free eBook, Workshop, The RAIL Method ™ and more to help you break free from porn.If you're tired of trying to quit porn on your own, the No More Desire Academy gives you a structured path to recovery through coaching, brotherhood, practical tools, and step-by-step training. Learn more about the Academy.If you want deeper, more personalized support, I also offer 1-on-1 porn addiction recovery coaching. We'll work directly on your patterns, emotional triggers, recovery plan, and long-term growth. Learn more about working 1-on-1 with Jake Kastleman.God bless.My gratitude for the music in this episode (in order of appearance) goes to Ievgen Poltavskyi, kaveesha Senanayake& Viacheslav Starostinfrom Pixabay.Support the showNo More Desire

What happens when the strategies that once helped you survive stop working?Ebony Nash joins Chelsey Flood for a conversation about alcohol, neurodivergence, burnout, and identity. Together they explore the limits of coping strategies, the impact of masking over time, and what it means to build a life that no longer depends on survival mechanisms.In this episode:Alcohol and copingNeurodivergence and identityBurnout and exhaustionLetting go of strategies that no longer serve youFinding a way forwardContent Note: This episode includes discussion of alcohol use and mental health.

In this episode of Regulation Station, Becca Engle is joined by psychotherapist and Clinically Awkward host Alyssa Zimmerman for a conversation about therapy, neurodivergence, relationships, and what it means to build a life that works with your brain rather than against it.Together they explore the realities of being an AuDHD therapist, the impact of masking and burnout, and the importance of creating environments that support neurodivergent needs. Alyssa shares insights from both her professional practice and personal experiences, discussing everything from executive dysfunction and special interests to dating, boundaries, and self-acceptance. In this episode: Being an AuDHD therapist Creating neurodivergent-friendly work environments Masking, burnout, and identity Executive dysfunction and reducing shame Special interests and hyperfixations Neurodivergence, dating, and relationships Boundaries, communication, and emotional safety Why humour can be an important regulation tool Guest:Alyssa Zimmerman is a New York City-based psychotherapist and the host of Clinically Awkward, a podcast for neurodivergent women, femmes, and thems exploring hyperfixations, identity, and everyday life.Clinically Awkward Podcast

Do you want to know what autistic masking actually feels like from the inside? Dr Carly Jones MBE is one of the world's leading autistic advocates. Diagnosed as autistic in adulthood after both of her daughters were diagnosed, she has spent nearly two decades improving the lives of autistic people through policy, education and lived experience. In this episode, Carly explains what masking actually feels like from the inside, why so many autistic people learn to hide who they are from childhood, and the emotional cost of spending years pretending to be someone else. Together, we explore people pleasing, self-abandonment, loneliness, burnout, and the difficult journey of discovering who you really are after decades of masking. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:56 The Mask You Didn't Know You Were Wearing 09:31 Is Your Brain Protecting You Without You Knowing? 11:42 The Childhood Moment You Learn It's Safer Not To Be Yourself 14:50 What Rejection Does To The Autistic Brain 18:23 Mask #1 22:25 The Day You Stopped Showing What You Loved 27:01 Mask #2 30:19 When People Pleasing Stops Being Kindness And Becomes Survival 34:25 The Moment You Start Abandoning Yourself 37:29 Tiimo advert 38:48 Mask #3 41:39 What If You're So Good At Reading People... You Forget Who You Are?43:34 Mask #4 46:43 How People Can Think You're Fine While You're Falling Apart 48:28 The Loneliness Nobody Talks About In Autism 51:07 The Warning Signs Your Mask Is About To Break 57:49 How To Start Taking The Mask Off (Without Losing Yourself) 01:01:19 Why Letting Go Of The Mask Feels So Terrifying 01:08:37 How To Know What's Really You... And What's Just Survival 01:11:47 The Lie Neurodivergent People Blame Themselves For 01:16:27 "I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore." 01:18:50 A Letter To My Younger Self Visit Carly's website

Mask distractions with 45 minutes of flowing river sounds, captured from a large river moving steadily downstream. This natural water noise has a smooth, static-like texture that works well for focus, studying, work, relaxation, or blocking out background noise.

What if the life you built doesn't feel like it's truly yours? This week, we're joined by Olivia Amitrano (aka Organic Olivia), who shares her journey from chasing traditional success to reconnecting with her most aligned, authentic self. If you're an ambitious overachiever who's always been rewarded for doing more, this episode is your invitation to step off the hamster wheel and come back to your true self. Olivia opens up about unmasking her neurodivergence, healing her relationship with her body, navigating the grief of losing her mother, and rediscovering the magic that was always within her. Together, Jessica and Olivia explore the hidden costs of hustle culture, why external success doesn't always lead to fulfillment, and how true transformation begins when we stop performing and start listening to ourselves. As Lacy has been saying, we're in an era of refinement. The answers aren't outside of you—they're already within. This is your invitation to trust them. Full show notes → https://tobemagnetic.com/expanded-podcast   Resources: The Be Seen Challenge Quiet your inner critic, stop playing small, and start manifesting the life you truly want. Now live inside The Pathway.   Free Masterclass: Step Into Your F*ck It Energy If you missed our live masterclass with Lacy and Jessica — don't worry, you can still watch the replay! Learn how to step into your f*ck it energy and feel genuinely safe being seen.   Join the Pathway Membership Use code EXPANDED for 20% off your first month! The Pathway Membership gives you unlimited access to all of our manifestation workshops—including How to Manifest, Unblocking Your Inner Child, Shadow, Love, Money, Rock Bottoms, Ruts, and Energetic Updates —plus 70+ self-hypnosis tracks designed to unlock your full potential.LEARN MORE HERE   Get the latest from TBM Join the Pathway now - Return to Magic Challenge, Money Challenge, and Nervous System Reset available now!   New to TBM? Free Offerings to Get You Started Learn the Process! Expanded Podcast - How to Manifest Anything You Desire  Get Expanded! The Motivation - Testimonial Library Ready to find out what's holding you back? Try our Free Clarity Exercise   Be an EXPANDER! Share Your Manifestation Story Submit to Be a Process Guest What did you manifest during the Return to Magic Challenge? Share a voice note of your question, block, or Process to be featured in an episode!   This Episode Is Brought to You By:  OSEA - Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code MAGNETIC at OSEAMalibu.com Hyaluronic Body Serum   Bon Charge - 15% off with code MAGNETIC  Red Light Neck and Chest Mask   In this episode we talk about: Redefining success beyond hustle culture Knowing when you've outgrown your career Organic Olivia's transition from CEO to artist Finding freedom after burnout The hidden cost of constant productivity Healing through creativity and music Reconnecting with childhood passions Reparenting and nervous system regulation Healing complex childhood trauma Letting go of perfectionism Neurodivergence, masking, and authenticity Building a life that reflects your values Grief, forgiveness, and generational healing Why rest is essential for creativity Learning to trust yourself and define "enough" Mentioned In the Episode:  Learn more about the energetics of 2026 and 2027 and the Refinement Era in The Hidden Fear Blocking Your Manifestations Right Now Find our Be Seen Challenge plus all our workshops and all workshops mentioned inside our Pathway Membership! (Including the Worst Case Scenario DI, Golden Shadow DI, Safe to Be Seen DI)   Connect with Olivia! Olivia on IG: @oliviaamitrano Listen to Olivia's podcast What's the Juice Organic Olivia line of herbal formulas: www.organicolivia.com Listen to Olivia's music & newest single PERFECT here: https://hypeddit.com/olivia/perfect HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill)Available now! The Expanded Podcast, from To Be Magnetic™ (TBM), is the leading manifestation podcast rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and energetics. Hosted by TBM's Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances from founder Lacy Phillips, Expanded is where science and the mystical meet to help you manifest in the most grounded, practical, and life-changing way.At TBM, we've redefined manifestation through Neural Manifestation™—our proven, science-backed method developed with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart. This process helps you reprogram limiting beliefs at the subconscious level so you can create the life most aligned with your authenticity.Each week, we take you inside the TBM practice to help you expand your subconscious to believe what you desire is possible. Through expert interviews, thought leader conversations, TBM teachings, and real member success stories, you'll learn how to: – Rewire your subconscious mind and step into your worth – Heal your inner child and integrate shadow work – Set boundaries, strengthen intuition, and reclaim self-worth – Manifest relationships, careers, abundance, and experiences that align with your true selfWith over than 40 million downloads and a global community in over 100 countries, Expanded has become the gold standard in manifestation content. Think of it as your weekly practice for expanding your mind, believing what you want is possible, and manifesting the life you're meant to live.Past guests include leading voices such as Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, Jenna Zoe, Martha Beck, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark Groves, and Brianna Wiest. Where To Find Us!@tobemagnetic (IG)@LacyannephillipsLacy Launched a Substack! - By Candlelight - Join Here@Jessicaashleygill@tobemagnetic (youtube)@expandedpodcast

A Navy veteran was convicted of a felony after refusing to wear a face mask while observing ballot counting during the 2024 election. Tim Hazelo says the conviction caused him to lose his security clearance and his defense contracting job. He is appealing the conviction while also running for the state House in Washington's 10th Legislative District. Steve Cortes joins to discuss his new documentary which argues political leadership and government mismanagement drove both the Pacific Palisades wildfire and the stalled rebuild. Joe Winston, CEO of NET Recovery, speaks on the FDA-cleared neurostimulation device that he says can manage opioid withdrawal symptoms without pharmaceuticals. Steve Cortes is a former 25-year Wall Street bond trader and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, and CNBC, and led Hispanic voter outreach for the Trump campaign. His new documentary is “Palisades Fire: Newsom's Nightmare.” Follow at https://x.com/cortessteve Tim Hazelo is a retired U.S. Navy veteran whose service spanned Desert Shield/Desert Storm and counter-narcotics missions across South and Central America. Now a defense contractor training combat aircrews at NAS Whidbey Island, he has also served two terms as Chair of the Island County Republican Party and is now its State Committeeman. Follow at https://x.com/TNTT_Hazelo Joe Winston is the founder and CEO of NET Recovery, maker of a non-invasive neurostimulation device for opioid withdrawal and addiction recovery. He holds an MS in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a BEng from Johns Hopkins. Learn more at https://relief.netrecovery.net/ 「 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 」 • FATTY15 – The future of essential fatty acids is here! Strengthen your cells against age-related breakdown with Fatty15. Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drdrew.com/fatty15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • PALEOVALLEY - "Paleovalley has a wide variety of extraordinary products that are both healthful and delicious,” says Dr. Drew. "I am a huge fan of this brand and know you'll love it too!” Get 15% off your first order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drdrew.com/paleovalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • THE WELLNESS COMPANY - Counteract harmful spike proteins with TWC's Signature Series Spike Support Formula containing nattokinase and selenium. Learn more about TWC's supplements at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twc.health/drew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • CHAPTER - For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (218) 521-2472 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://askchapter.org/drdrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. 「 ABOUT THE SHOW 」 This show is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Executive Producers • Kaleb Nation - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kalebnation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Susan Pinsky - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/firstladyoflove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Content Producer • Emily Barsh - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/emilytvproducer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein unpack the hidden assumptions behind behaviorism and ask what happens when society decides there's only one "right" way to think, behave, and exist.Together they explore why expecting neurodivergent people to conform can be deeply harmful, particularly for children, and challenge the belief that outward behaviour tells the whole story. Through personal reflection and honest conversation, Katie and Jenna examine what changes when we move beyond compliance and begin valuing different ways of experiencing the world.

What many people call burnout is often deeper misalignment: as you change over time, your current job, relationship, hobby, or identity may stop feeling resonant, leading to boredom, masking your true feelings, and a growing tension between how you feel and the story you've held about yourself. The speaker describes this as a metamorphosis process where withdrawing, coasting, and conserving energy can be a normal part of detaching from an old identity, even though it can bring shame and uncertainty about what comes next. They share personal experience leaving a founder/CEO role and taking long walks to create space, and note they're currently shifting toward an investor mindset. The suggested path forward is to use language and daily actions to try on and build connection to the new identity step by step, recognizing that much growth happens beneath the surface.00:00 Burnout vs Misalignment01:03 When Excitement Fades02:07 Masking the Inner Clash03:39 Metamorphosis and Withdrawal05:26 Space for the Unknown05:56 Growth Beneath the Surface06:45 Try On a New Identity07:37 Speak It Into Reality08:14 Evolving Step by Step08:55 Closing and Next Steps#FounderMindset #Burnout #IdentityShift

In the first episode of Two Mics, No Masking, Katie Scott and Jenna Goldstein explore one of the most familiar experiences for neurodivergent people: being told you're simultaneously "too much" and "not enough."From being labelled "too sensitive," "too loud," or "too intense" to constantly hearing "try harder" or "calm down," Katie and Jenna reflect on the impossible expectations placed on neurodivergent people. Together they explore how these messages shape identity, relationships, parenting, and the ways we learn to mask ourselves just to fit in.

Are you missing out? Get special announcements, event invites, articles, and more in the Wise Squirrels Substack newsletter: ⁠⁠wisesquirrels.com/newsletter⁠⁠. Cynthia Hammer, MSW, was diagnosed in 1992 at age 49 with the inattentive type of ADHD. She is the author of Living with Inattentive ADHD and the founder of two non-profits, ADD Resources and the Inattentive ADHD Coalition. She currently heads a project to FINDtheADHDgirls. Get show notes, links, leave comments, and more at ⁠⁠wisesquirrels.com⁠⁠. Sponsors This episode is sponsored by our friends at Inflow and Littlebird. Inflow: Equips people with ADHD with the skills and support they need to reach their full potential. Take the free ADHD traits quiz at ⁠⁠wisesquirrels.com/inflow⁠⁠. Littlebird: The only full-context AI assistant that already knows your work. Get a free trial plus $20 off your first month of Littlebird Plus at ⁠⁠wisesquirrels.com/littlebird⁠⁠. Support & Credits ⭐ Your kind rating and review help new listeners discover the show. Please take a moment to leave us yours and follow to receive new episodes. Thanks to our supporters, sponsors, and Jason Falls at the ⁠⁠MPN Network⁠⁠ for hosting. Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only & should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or medical professional for personalized advice regarding any medical condition or treatment. Contact us: Have questions, comments, guest suggestions, or sponsorship inquiries? We'd love to hear from you. Say hello at ⁠⁠hello@wisesquirrels.com⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is masking, why do people do it, and can it actually be measured?Chelsey Flood speaks with researcher Dr Laura Hull about the science of masking, the experiences that masking describes, and why having language for these behaviours matters. Together they explore what masking looks like, what people may be masking, and the growing body of research helping us better understand neurodivergent experiences.In this episode:What masking isThe science behind masking researchWhy people maskThe importance of language and recognitionNeurodivergent identity and understandingContent Note: This episode includes discussion of mental health and masking research.

What happens when decades of clinical experience meet lived experience?In this episode of Mental Health News Radio, Kristin sits down with licensed clinical social worker and educator David Glick for an expansive conversation about late autism diagnosis, ADHD, masking, personality disorders, police psychology, trauma, psychotherapy, and why movies often teach us as much about human behavior as textbooks do.Dave shares stories from over 30 years in clinical practice, his work training law enforcement across the country, and how his own neurodivergent journey shaped the way he approaches therapy today. Together, Kristen and Dave explore why so many adults—especially women—are finally discovering they're autistic, how personality disorders are often misunderstood, and why curiosity always beats certainty.They also discuss their work on Holmes Cinema Clues, where psychology, neurodiversity, and film intersect to reveal hidden layers inside the stories we love.Learn more about Dave Glick and Triad Psych:https://triadpsych.orgExplore Holmes Cinema Clues:https://holmescinemaclues.substack.com/Topics include:• Late-diagnosed autism and ADHD• Masking and identity• Personality disorders vs. neurodivergence• Police psychology• Pop culture as therapy• Richard Jewell, Jaws, Rocky, Speechless, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape• Why trends in mental health deserve careful examination• Grace, curiosity, and meaningful human connectionIf you enjoy conversations that go beyond labels and into genuine understanding, be sure to subscribe.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

Hey Team! I've been on a bit of a break this summer, but I wanted to help celebrate International ADHD Awareness Day by dropping a new episode. We often think that achieving big things requires feeling miserable during the process. We buy into the myth that if a task isn't agonizing, it isn't worth the time we put into it. My guest today is Jia Jiang, an expert in rejection resilience, a Duke MBA graduate, and the founder of Wuju Learning. After stepping away from a stable corporate career at Dell and LinkedIn to launch a tech startup, Jia realized his deepest bottleneck wasn't a lack of talent, but a profound fear of rejection. Fueled with this insight, he launched 100 Days of Rejection Therapy and filmed himself requesting absurd things from strangers daily. And this is actually when I first came across Jia 11 years ago, so it was quite the treat to get to talk with him and learn about his new book, Easy Discipline. Jia brings a unique lens to the table because he's battled his own severe, late-understood ADHD and procrastination loops since growing up in Beijing when ADHD just wasn't considered a thing. In this episode, we talk about shifting away from transactional, anxiety-inducing task completion and moving toward what he calls the "Artist Mindset." We also break down how masking and over-indexing on how other people perceive us turns into a form of self-sabotage, where we pre-reject ourselves before we even give our true traits a chance. Jia's Easy Ambition substack- https://substack.com/@jiajiang Jia's New Book- Easy Discipline: An Unconventional Way to Achieve Ambitious Things If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at HackingYourADHD.com/303 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD This Episode's Top Tips Stop declaring war on your own brain by trying to grind through tasks using sheer willpower. Willpower is a finite biological resource that inevitably runs out, and relying on it just triggers a cycle of broken resolutions and self-blame. Instead, shift your strategy to working with your human nature by building environment-based systems that remove structural friction from the start. If your daily routine constantly feels like Sisyphus endlessly pushing a heavy boulder up a mountain, you are fighting psychological gravity. Instead of forcing yourself through tasks with external pressure, anchor the process in intrinsic enjoyment so the activity becomes your default state. When you flip the physics this way, the boulder starts rolling downhill, meaning it actually takes more active energy to stop your momentum than to keep going. Masking and over-analyzing how others perceive you creates an intense cognitive tension that completely paralyzes the ADHD brain. Break out of this by adopting the "Artist Mindset"—reframing stressful interactions or projects not as rigid transactions where you need approval, but as unreplicable opportunities to express your authentic presence. Focusing on full creative expression in the moment completely bypasses the perfectionism trap and lowers social anxiety.  

Sometimes the best conversations happen when nobody's masking.Welcome to Two Mics, No Masking, a podcast exploring neurodivergence, identity, parenting, work, and everyday life through an autistic cultural lens. Part of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. First Episodes coming out July 15th.Hosted by Katie Scott, founder of THE COLLECTIVE, and Jenna Goldstein, founder of ND3, the series brings together two best friends, late-identified autistic women, and parents of neurodivergent children for honest, thoughtful, and often humorous conversations about what it really means to navigate a world that doesn't always understand how our brains work.From burnout and relationships to parenting, identity, and the systems we're constantly navigating, each episode digs beneath the surface to name what's really happening—without fixing, performing, or pretending.

What does it look like to live at the intersection of neurodivergence and queerness? In this annual Neurodivergent Pride panel, a collaboration between ADHD reWired and Shimmer Coaching, host Eric Tivers and panelists Savant, Kristen, Jill, and moderator Chris share deeply personal stories about identity, masking, belonging, and the ongoing work of becoming themselves. The conversation moves through the ways masking shows up across queer and neurodivergent lives, from religious trauma and racial identity to the quiet labor of maintaining relationships while autistic. Panelists explore the overlap between coming out as queer and discovering neurodivergence later in life, noting how one process of unmasking often catalyzes another. They discuss heteronormative and neurotypical expectations, burnout, somatic awareness, the role of alcohol as a masking tool, and the power of finally believing you are inherently good. Whether you're early in your own journey or deep in the unmasking process, this episode offers honest, layered reflections from people who understand the territory. It closes with simple, powerful affirmations: your safe people are out there, there's nothing wrong with you, and being fully yourself is always worth it. Show Notes This special Neurodivergent Pride episode of ADHD reWired brings together a vibrant panel for an honest, intersectional conversation about what it means to live at the crossroads of queerness and neurodivergence. Recorded in collaboration with Shimmer Coaching, the panel features host Eric Tivers alongside Savant, Kristen, Jill, and moderator Chris, each bringing their own layered experiences of ADHD, autism, queerness, race, faith, gender, and self-discovery. The episode opens with each panelist sharing how they relate to both the queer and neurodivergent communities. What immediately emerges is that these identities are not separate tracks running in parallel. They are deeply intertwined. For many on the panel, discovering one identity illuminated the other. Kristen, recently diagnosed as autistic and agender, describes a lifelong journey of masking so thorough that her own mind kept her queerness hidden from her until age 28. Savant, who is Black, gay, semi-verbal, and autistic with Savant syndrome, reflects on the particular pressures of unmasking in Black queer communities and how identity categories can feel like cages even within LGBTQIA+ spaces. Jill connects with Nick Walker's concept of "neuroqueer," a framework for understanding how queer and neurodivergent identities together subvert normative expectations. Eric shares his own evolving journey: coming out as bisexual at 14, stepping back into the closet after a painful family response, and gradually, over the last several years, coming more fully into his queer, polyamorous, and autistic identity. A central theme is masking: the exhausting, sometimes invisible labor of performing neurotypicality and heteronormativity in order to feel safe. The panel explores how masking operates differently depending on context. Race, religion, socioeconomic status, and gender all shape how much masking is required and how dangerous unmasking can feel. Kristen speaks powerfully about growing up with an unnamed sense that something was "wrong" with her, and how evangelical Christianity offered both structure and suppression. Savant describes the specific neurological experience of unmasking, what he calls "the peanut butter feeling," and how musical theater taught him to mask with almost military precision. Jill is candid about the role alcohol and substances have played in her own mask, and how her whiteness, cisness, and socioeconomic privilege have buffered her from some of the costs other panelists face. Eric describes experiencing his first autistic meltdown after years of not recognizing the depth of his own burnout. The conversation also touches on the practical, embodied work of unmasking. Kristen shares a therapist's suggestion to draw your masking self versus your unmasked self, and talks about learning to notice somatic cues: face pain from performative smiling, shallow breathing, tense shoulders. Eric recommends Devon Price's work and describes how 145 consecutive days of meditation have been part of his recovery. Savant offers the insight that his "observer brain" was always turned outward and never inward, and that true unmasking means turning the mirror around. The panel closes with single-sentence affirmations to a younger self or to anyone earlier in their journey: Eric: "Just be completely you and don't worry about your mother." Kristen: "Your safe people are out there. Don't give up." Jill: "There's nothing wrong with you. You're not broken, and you don't need to be fixed." Savant: "Neurodivergence and divinity aren't too far away from each other. Beware." This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they were too much, not enough, or simply inexplicably different. It's a reminder that unmasking, while messy and sometimes painful, is a path toward authenticity, connection, and a kind of pride that doesn't require anyone's permission. Produced in collaboration with Shimmer Coaching. Key Takeaways Queerness and neurodivergence are deeply intertwined. For many people, discovering one identity catalyzes the discovery of the other. Masking is a survival mechanism, not a character flaw. Unmasking can reveal which relationships are truly safe and affirming. Religious, cultural, racial, and gender expectations can intensify the pressure to mask. Burnout is often a signal that the mask is no longer sustainable. Identity labels can be both liberating and constraining. Privilege shapes the risks and costs of unmasking. Somatic awareness can help people notice where masking lives in the body. Alcohol and substances can sometimes function as masking tools. The concept of "neuroqueer" offers a powerful framework for understanding the overlap between queerness and neurodivergence. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with you. You do not need to be fixed. Keywords / Tags neurodivergent pride, queer identity, ADHD, autism, AuDHD, masking, unmasking, intersectionality, coming out, burnout, religious trauma, neuroqueer, queer community, bisexual, pansexual, non-binary, agender, Black queer experience, somatic awareness, authenticity, belonging, LGBTQIA+, polyamory, alcohol and masking, Devon Price, Nick Walker, Shimmer Coaching, ADHD reWired

Where is God in the middle of suffering? The devastating Venezuela earthquakes have many contemplating the mystery of natural suffering, and why even tragedy may fit into a larger divine design. Also my guest Buck Sexton joins me to expose the Democrat delusion.(06:49) Natural Suffering Explained(10:21) Why Earthquakes Happen(13:18) God's Eye View(18:38) Interview: Buck Sexton(22:27) Covid as a Dry Run(27:00) Pavlov's Flood Experiment(31:52) Masking as Conditioning(34:52) Korean War Turncoats(38:43) Stalin's Show Trials(43:30) Land Acknowledgments Exposed(47:23) Confusion and Degradation(50:44) Gender Madness as Control(56:19) Pronouns as Obedience Training(1:02:34) Neil deGrasse Tyson Broken(1:04:31) Mockery Defeats Totalitarianism If you’re tired of broken healthcare you need to choose the right pharmacy. Check them out at allfamilypharmacy.com/dinesh and use code DINESH10 to save 10% off your next order. Leave the old “buy and hold” crypto strategy behind at https://DineshCrypto.com ! Purchase crypto with military grade encryption and American customer service. Hundreds of crypto holders have saved MILLIONS thanks to BlockTrustIRA’s Animus AI. Visit https://DineshCrypto.com and receive up to $2,500 in FREE bonus crypto! America has nearly 39 trillion dollars in debt! Are you protected from this pending disaster? Go to http://DineshGold.com and get up to 10% in bonus gold or silver. I’m on substack! Check out what I have to say here: https://dineshdsouza.substack.com/ For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (706) 262-4774 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/dinesh" Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Dinesh D'Souza is an author and filmmaker. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he was a senior domestic policy analyst in the Reagan administration. He also served as a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is the author of many bestselling books, including "Illiberal Education," "What's So Great About Christianity," "America: Imagine a World Without Her," "The Roots of Obama's Rage," "Death of a Nation," and "United States of Socialism." His documentary films "2016: Obama's America," "America," "Hillary's America," "Death of a Nation," and "Trump Card" are among the highest-grossing political documentaries of all time. He and his wife Debbie are also executive producers of the acclaimed feature film "Infidel." — Want to connect with Dinesh D'Souza online for more hard-hitting analysis of current events in America? Here’s how: Get Dinesh unfiltered, uncensored and unchained on Locals: https://dinesh.locals.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsouzadinesh Twitter: https://twitter.com/dineshdsouza Rumble: https://rumble.com/dineshdsouza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dineshjdsouzaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.