Neologism used to refer to neurological differences in a non-pathological manner
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Ellyce Fulmore, Canadian Queer and neurodivergent financial educator, joins the Journey to Launch podcast to talk about how she paid off high interest debt, ADHD and money, and her new book, “Keeping Finance Personal.” Ellyce is a full-time content creator and founder of Queerd Co., a financial literacy company. Her approach to finance goes beyond the conventional, focusing on the intersectionality of identities and lived experiences. We also discuss the importance of understanding how dopamine operates in your neurodivergent brain, ADHD hacks to get better with money, what “Momentum Surfing” is, and how to figure out (and stick to) a budget process that works best for you. In this episode you'll learn more about: Challenges people with neurodivergence experience with finance + how they can become better at money management The strategy behind Ellyce paying off debt and investing while on an inconsistent income Why becoming debt free isn't “the ultimate” goal for everyone Celebrating people's differences, the validity of self diagnosis, sticker boards + more Check out the video to this episode on YouTube here. Other Links Mentioned in episode: Dopamenu with How to ADHD + Eric Tivers Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Ellyce: Website: QueerdCo.com Instagram:@Ellyce.Fulmore Tik Tok:@QueerD.Co Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Get The Free Jumpstart Guide
1st Annual Global Neurodivergent Leaders Summit 2025 This event spotlighted the brilliance of leaders who were once labeled as “disabled” simply because they think differently. These trailblazers—CEOs, Global speakers, Executive coaches, and Industry Titans from Banking, Real Estate, and the Global Sales and Marketing —have leveraged their ADHD, dyslexia, OCD, and other forms of neurodivergence as superpowers that set them apart. Let's celebrate and elevate those who are changing the world—not in spite of how they think, but because of it. Raymond Kemp Title: Navigating with a Different Compass (Leading with ADHD in a Neurotypical World) Summary: Leadership isn't reserved for those who think in straight lines. It's about clarity, self-command, and the courage to lead from exactly where you are. I want every leader in the room—whether neurodivergent or not—to walk away knowing that different doesn't mean deficient. When you understand your wiring and Own the Helm, your unique perspective becomes a competitive advantage, not a compromise. Kathy Marcino Title: Coaching Through Conflict: Learn Strategies for Identifying Conflict Types, Successfully Navigating Workplace Conflict, and Turning It into Positive Growth. Summary: “Disagreement holds the potential for deeper understanding.” When conflict is managed effectively, it can drive innovation and enhance team performance. In this session, Kathy Marcino walks leaders through a structured path for transforming disagreements into shared goals and solutions. Drawing from her extensive coaching experience, she equips participants with a framework to recognize early warning signs, stay grounded in difficult conversations, and co-create lasting resolutions that strengthen team dynamics and performance. Dan Dominguez Title: Embrace Your Neurodivergent Edge: How Self-Awareness Fuels Resilient Leadership Summary: When I first entered the military, I thought I had to be just like everyone else—follow the rules, fit in, and never let my differences show. But in the heat of tough missions, something clicked: the way my mind worked—my neurodivergent wiring—wasn't a liability. It was my edge. Later, in the world of sales, I saw the same truth again: those traits I once hid—my intense focus, my out-of-the-box thinking, my deep desire to help others—were exactly what helped me forge real connections and close deals. It took self-awareness to stop fighting those parts of myself and start using them as strengths. In this talk, I share that journey, along with a simple framework—Recognize, Accept, Celebrate—to help others stop hiding and start embracing their own neurodivergent edge. My story is a reminder: your greatest leadership potential lies not in fitting in, but in owning and celebrating who you really are. Paul McCarthy Title: Drowning out the voices we need to hear. Why F.I.R.E.D. leaders are your 'hidden gems' Summary: Two Options:Talk Summary 1 To survive disruption, organizations need leaders who possess disruptive leadership capabilities. So they hire them and then they fire them. Publicly, organizations say they want leaders to be innovative thinkers who challenge the status quo. Privately, conventional leadership culture wants nothing of the sort. Leaders with disruptive leadership capabilities often embody the very leadership qualities that organizations so desperately need to navigate disruption and adapt to the “new normal” of constant change, yet these leaders are being marginalized, ostracized, and even exorcised from today's organizations. We will need a different kind of leader for the future and our organizations are unprepared for how to identify, recruit, onboard, and develop this kind of leader. Join us for a radical, refreshing talk with Paul McCarthy, as openly talks about the untalkable, questions the unquestionable, and reframes perceptions about the leadership we desperately need for our times. Paul will share insights from his own experiences as a leader with disruptive leadership capabilities, as well as from his global research and first best-selling book into how individual leaders can be identified, cultivated, and embraced for being disruptive. He will also help us to understand how we can identify disruptive leadership capacity and capability. Talk Summary 2 Paul takes audiences on an exploratory journey to imagine a future where leaders who are currently perceived as 'not fitting in' or as 'bad culture fits' are the ones that organizations will increasingly need to thrive in a constantly changing environment. Yet these leaders are being marginalized, ostracized, and even exorcised from today's organizations. Using his own personal experiences, as well as research, case studies and outputs of interviews, Paul introduces the F.I.R.E.D. Leadership Framework and shows organizations why we need to embrace leaders who think differently. By helping reframe how organizations perceive their 'agitators', Paul shows how to cut through the noise to equip those organizations with the approach needed to create the next generation of leaders our world so desperately needs to successfully navigate ongoing disruption, continue to innovate and deliver transformative outcomes. Dr. Regeline “Gigi” Sabbat Title: “You Can Lead” ( Regardless if you are Neurodivergent you can lead. - Dr. Gigi Sabbat) Summary: Absolutely — being neurodivergent does not limit your ability to lead. In fact, many neurodivergent individuals bring exceptional strengths to leadership, such as: • Unique perspectives and creativity • High levels of focus and dedication • Empathy and emotional intelligence • Innovative problem-solving • Resilience and adaptability Leadership isn't about fitting a mold — it's about authenticity, vision, and the courage to empower others. Whether you're neurodivergent or not, your lived experiences can shape you into a powerful, impactful leader. Manny Piñiero Title: “Wired Differently - Neurodivergent Leadership and the Power of Intentional Time" Summary: Wired differently, I thrive in navigating complexity, identifying patterns others may overlook, and creating meaningful systems that honor both people and outcomes. My connection to time is not just about efficiency, it's about intentionality. I believe in making time count by aligning actions with purpose, fostering environments that empower teams to do the work that truly matters, while leading with clarity, empathy, and a deep respect for the diverse ways people think, work, and thrive. Holly White Title: Radical is Relative: Trusting Your Instincts Before the World Catches Up Summary: Some of the most powerful insights come from minds that don't follow conventional paths. In this talk, I explore how ADHD-related cognition—nonlinear, spontaneous, and deeply intuitive—often leads to ideas that feel radical to others but entirely natural to the thinker. We'll examine why these ideas meet resistance, how traits like discomfort with uncertainty affect their reception, and what it means to trust your instincts in a world that hasn't caught up yet. Whether you're the one generating paradigm-shifting ideas or the one receiving them, “trust the process” becomes more than a mantra—it's a model for creative courage, leadership, and cognitive integrity. Rosie Ward Title: Ditch the Head Trash! Upgrade Your Faulty Programming So You Can Maximize Your Impact Summary: Being human is messy. We are hardwired to be on high alert for threats, activating our biological hardwired instincts to self-protect and cling tightly to what is familiar. Yet our world demands that we are able to lean into discomfort and disruption. This creates a gap that keeps us stuck more than we realize. This session will normalize our shared human experience for why we get in our own way as a result of our 7 Faulty Programs and give you tangible tools to upgrade your own faulty programming so you can embrace your own sparkle and maximize your shine and impact around you. David Citron Title: Unleash Your ADHD Superpower in 4 Minutes a Day Summary: In this talk, David Citron, founder of Expressocoaching.com which serves ADHDers who lead organisations in 31 countries worldwide shares the 3 keys to unleashing your ADHD Superpower as a neurodivergent leader. This powerful methodology which has a 4.8* Trustpilot rating from thrilled leaders around the world can change the next 30 years of your life. Expresso has been used by everyone from small business owners to large corporations like Microsoft in order to bring out the very best from the talented neurodivergents in their senior leadership team. Kick back and listen to the story of how the Expresso ADHD revolution began with one client called Joe who had a peculiarly, frustrating challenge. Kent Cravens Title: Expect Authenticity?......Be Authentic Yourself. Tips on building a culture based on Authenticity And Trust Summary Many of us spend more waking hours with our work teams than we get to spend with our families. Authenticity And Trust are essential elements to creating a work environment that leads to sustained satisfaction and longevity in your team. Here are some tips to make sure you're moving in the right direction.
Performative Expectations vs. Honoring Your Neurodivergent (AuDHD) Needs In this conversation, Patricia discusses the challenges of navigating personal truths, autonomy, and performative expectations, particularly as an AuDHDer. Patricia reflects on her struggles with body image, the importance of self-trust, the need for autonomy (PDA), honoring her needs as a neurodivergent human, and prioritizing her comfort. She also addresses social anxiety, the joy of spontaneity, and the balance between assertiveness and sensitivity in relationships. Ultimately, Patricia emphasizes personal growth and the acceptance of one's unique identity through the planning and execution of her son's wedding. HIGHLIGHTS · Navigating personal truths is essential for autonomy, and working with PDA (pervasive or persistent drive for autonomy) · Performative expectations can override the needs of the human. · Body image issues are apt to come up when asked to wear clothes one doesn't normally wear. · Self-trust is crucial in making personal choices. · Finding comfort in clothing is important for self-regulation, and feeling authentic. · Fear of overwhelm and dysregulation can be mitigated with preparation. · Embracing spontaneity can enhance connections with others. · Assertiveness is necessary in family dynamics. · Personal growth often comes from challenging experiences. · Sensitivity is a strength, not a weakness. SOUND BITES "This is not about getting married." "I felt so present." "I really wanted to honor the bride." "I was very disheartened." "I fell in love with it." SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT'S HOW YOUR BRAIN IS WIRED You have a right to trust that you are exactly where you need to be. There's not anything you need to do. Your value and worth does not come from being productive. You can be stimmy. You can be joyful. You can be quiet. You can be assertive. You can be moving your body. You can be still. You can want to touch all of the dogs in the world, and all of the horses. You can want to be left alone. You can enjoy being with people not being with people. Every single part of you is okay exactly the way you are. CHAPTERS 00:00 Navigating Personal Truths and Autonomy 03:01 The Impact of Performative Expectations 05:55 Body Image and Self-Trust 09:11 Finding Comfort in Personal Choices 12:11 Overcoming Social Anxiety and Overstimulation 14:52 Embracing Spontaneity and Connection 18:08 Balancing Assertiveness and Sensitivity 20:46 Reflections on Personal Growth and Relationships PODCAST HOST Patricia was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it's like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller. Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion. She created the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren't alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges. Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you LINKS Neurodivergent Online Course-- https://unapologeticallysensitive.com/neurodivergent-online-courses/ Receive the top 10 most downloaded episodes of the podcast-- https://www.subscribepage.com/e6z6e6 Sign up for the Newsletter-- https://www.subscribepage.com/y0l7d4 To write a review in itunes: click on this link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-sensitive/id1440433481?mt=2 select “listen on Apple Podcasts” chose “open in itunes” choose “ratings and reviews” click to rate the number of starts click “write a review” Website--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/Unapologetically-Sensitive-2296688923985657/ Closed/Private Facebook group Unapologetically Sensitive-- https://www.facebook.com/groups/2099705880047619/ Instagram-- https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallysensitive/ Youtube-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber Tik Tok--https://www.tiktok.com/@unapologeticallysensitiv e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive Music-- Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com
In this episode, host Dianne A. Allen is joined by Leila Entezam, a leader in neuro-emotional intelligence (NEI), to explore how high-performing neurodivergent leaders can cultivate emotional mastery. With a background in neuroscience and psychology, Leila unpacks the power of somatic awareness, the science behind our beliefs, and how the entrepreneurial brain works. She also shares insights on how artificial intelligence may impact neurodivergent minds and introduces her powerful SET-UP model for clearer, more aligned decision-making. High performers may be cognitively driven, but true mastery comes from within. Leila and Dianne remind us that we are the architects of our truth, and building a legacy starts by asking the right, focused questions. Be inspired by the Someone Gets Me Podcast – Emotional Mastery for High-Performing Neurodivergent Leaders with Leila Entezam. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review. You can also listen to this podcast on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@someonegetsme/ Leila Entezam is a leader in neuro-emotional intelligence (NEI), merging neuroscience, psychology, and emotional intelligence. Her groundbreaking SET-UP model for optimized decision-making is integrated into her high-impact consulting, coaching, and keynote presentations. Combining business acumen with scientific insight, Leila partners with elite performers who operate in high-pressure environments—from CEOs of multi-million dollar organizations to pro athletes and celebrities. Her confidential, data-driven approach has helped clients unlock their full potential for nearly two decades. A sought-after speaker, Leila has presented at top universities, global conferences, the Entrepreneurs' Organization, and Model United Nations. She is also the author of The Heart of Peak Performance - Emotional Mastery for High Performing Men. Connect with Leila Entezam! Get Leila Entezam's book, The Heart of Peak Performance, here! https://www.workwithleila.com/book How to Connect with Dianne A. Allen Dianne A. Allen, MA is an intuitive mentor, speaker, author, ambassador, hope agent, life catalyst, and the CEO and Founder of Visions Applied. She has been involved in personal and professional development and mental health and addiction counseling. She inspires people in personal transformation through thought provoking services from speaking and podcasting to individual intuitive mentoring and more. She uses her years of experience coupled with years of formal education to blend powerful, practical, and effective strategies and tools for success and satisfaction. She has authored several books, which include How to Quit Anything in 5 Simple Steps - Break the Chains that Bind You, The Loneliness Cure, A Guide to Contentment, 7 Simple Steps to Get Back on track and Live the Life You Envision, Daily Meditations for Visionary Leaders, Hope Realized, and Where Do You Fit In? Website: https://msdianneallen.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianne_a_allen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msdianneallen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianneallen/# Twitter: https://x.com/msdianneallen Check out Dianne's new book: Someone Gets Me: How Intensely Sensitive People Can Thrive in an Insensitive World: https://www.amazon.com/Someone-Gets-Intensely-Sensitive-Insensitive/dp/0999577867 You have a vision inside to create something bigger than you. What you need is a community and a mentor. Personal mentoring will inspire you to grow, transform, and connect in new ways. The Someone Gets Me Experience could be that perfect solution to bringing your heart's desire into reality. You will grow, transform, and connect. https://msdianneallen.com/someone-gets-me-experience/ For a complimentary “Get to Know You” 30-minute call: https://visionsapplied.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=4017868 Join our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/someonegetsme Follow Dianne's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/msdianneallen Email contact: dianne@visionsapplied.com Dianne's Mentoring Services: https://msdianneallen.com/ #NeuroEmotionalIntelligence #SomaticAwareness #NeurodivergentLeaders
In this episode Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, sits down with career counselor and author Shell Mendelson, MS, to talk about what it really takes to find your path—especially if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or navigating your career as a neurodivergent adult.Shell brings decades of expertise to the conversation and shares how her own late-life ADHD diagnosis deepened her commitment to helping others discover meaningful and realistic career options. Together, Leah and Shell explore what it looks like to move from uncertainty to confidence, and how the right support and strategy can help you unlock the next step in your journey.Whether you're in a season of transition, burnout, or exploration, this episode offers powerful insight on how to align your passion, purpose, and profession—without the pressure to do it perfectly.
Dr. Holmes talks with neurodivergent psychiatrist, Dr. Stacy Greeter.Topics discussed:Dr. Greeter's diagnosis journey at the age of 40 as a practicing psychiatrist.Growing understanding of AutismMyths about AutismDifferent presentations of girls/women in AutismGender Fluidity & AutismMedications and How to be a psychiatric patient and advocate for yourself as an autistic patientDr. Stacy Greeter is board certified in both child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. She collaborates with children, adults, and their families to design a comprehensive individualized treatment plan.Dr. Greeter graduated summa cum laude from Duke University where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill under the Morehead Medical Scholarship. During her undergraduate and medical training, Dr. Greeter conducted extensive clinical research funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute on autism and on OCD. She completed both her adult studies and her child and adolescent subspecialty training at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she trained with nationally and internationally renowned psychiatrists. She is also certified in Internal Family Systems Therapy.https://stacygreetermd.com/
“We are a community affair. We're Autistic, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, Tourettes, schizophrenic, bipolar, apraxic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, dyscalculic, non-speaking, and more. We've collectively experienced rare diseases, organ transplants, various cancers, many surgeries and therapies, and lots of ableism and SpEd. We've experienced #MedicalAbleism, #MedicalMisogyny, #MedicalRacism, #MedicalTrauma, and #MedicalGaslighting. We understand chronic pain, chronic illness, and the #NEISvoid “No End In Sight Void”. We know what it's like to be disabled and different in our systems. We know what it is like to live with barriers and what it means to not fit in and have to forge our own community. Disabled and neurodivergent people are always edge cases, and edge cases are stress cases. We can help you design for the edges, because we live at the edges. We are the canaries. We are “the fish that must fight the current to swim upstream.“And that's just the opening statement on Stimpunks.org.Stimpunks has been among HRP's closest allies over the years, and I am so grateful to be joined by an amazing cross section of Stimpunks today -- Ryan Boren, Chelsea Adams, Norah Hobbs, and Helen Edgar, who also runs Autistic Realms – to speak to their roll your own, DIY, Mutual Aid and Human-Centered Learning for Neurodivergent and Disabled People.Chelsea had to step away during recording so you'll hear her voice just in the first half. This episode was a long time coming, and I hope you enjoy it. You can connect with Stimpunks and find all of the resources mentioned in this episode at Stimpunks.org.Mentioned in this episode:Stimpunks WebsiteCommunity DiscordMutual-AidMap of Monotropic ExperiencesThe Five Neurodivergent Love Languages/Locutions10 Obstacles to Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
Authentically ADHD – ADHD, Alexithymia, and Anhedonia: Understanding Emotions and MotivationHello and welcome to Authentically ADHD! I'm Carmen, your host. Today, we're diving into a topic that might hit very close to home for a lot of us: the confusing intersection of ADHD, alexithymia, and anhedonia. Now, those are some big, clinical-sounding words – but don't worry. We're going to break them down in plain language and talk about how they can overlap in real life. If you've ever thought, “Why can't I figure out what I'm feeling?” or “Why don't I enjoy things the way I used to?”, or if you find yourself emotionally drained after a long day of masking your ADHD traits, then this episode is for you.In this 25–30 minute journey, we'll mix a bit of neuroscience (in a friendly, non-intimidating way) with personal storytelling. I'll share some of my own experiences, and we'll explore what research says about why these experiences happen. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of what ADHD, alexithymia, and anhedonia really mean, why they often go hand-in-hand (especially in neurodivergent folks like us), and what we can do to cope and thrive. We'll also bust some common myths and misunderstandings – including why these issues often get overlooked or dismissed, especially in women and people diagnosed later in life. And as always, we'll wrap up with strategies and a big dose of validation and hope. So, get comfy (or start that task you've been putting off and take us along!), and let's get started.Understanding ADHD, Alexithymia, and AnhedoniaBefore we delve into how these things intersect, let's clearly define each of these terms. They each describe a different piece of the puzzle of our emotional and mental life. Understanding what they are will help us see how they connect. In a nutshell:ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention (difficulty focusing, forgetfulness), hyperactivity (restlessness, fidgeting), and impulsivity (acting without thinking) that interfere with daily functioningneurolaunch.com. In adults, ADHD can look like struggling to stay organized, constantly losing your keys, jumping from one idea to another, or even feeling emotionally impulsive. It's not just “kids being hyper” – it's a lifelong brain-based condition affecting how we concentrate, manage time, and regulate behavior and emotions.Alexithymia: Alexithymia is not a disorder but a personality trait or profile, often described as having difficulty identifying and describing your emotionsneurodivergentinsights.com. The word literally means “without words for emotion.” If you have alexithymia, you might feel strong emotions physically (like a racing heart or a knot in your stomach) but struggle to pinpoint what the emotion is (is it anxiety? anger? hunger?) and find words to express it. Alexithymia exists on a spectrum – some people have mild trouble with emotions, others have it to a more severe degreeneurodivergentinsights.com. It frequently co-occurs with neurodivergent conditions; in fact, research suggests that a significant subset of people with ADHD (estimates range from about 20% to over 40%) also have alexithymianeurodivergentinsights.combhcsmt.com. So, if you have ADHD and you've always felt “out of touch” with your emotions, alexithymia might be a concept that resonates with you.Anhedonia: Anhedonia means an inability or reduced ability to experience pleasure. It's like the volume knob for enjoyment is turned way down. People with anhedonia struggle to feel joy or interest in activities that used to be fun or rewardingneurolaunch.com. This term is often discussed in the context of depression (since losing pleasure is a core symptom of depressive episodes), but it's not exclusive to depression. As we'll explore, anhedonia can also show up in ADHD. If you find that hobbies, socializing, or accomplishments don't light you up the way they do for others (or the way they once did for you), anhedonia could be at play. It can feel like emotional flatness or being chronically “uninspired” – you want to want things, but the feeling isn't there.Each of these three – ADHD, alexithymia, and anhedonia – is distinct. ADHD is an officially recognized neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention and self-regulation. Alexithymia is a descriptive trait about emotional awareness. Anhedonia is a symptom state of not experiencing pleasure. Yet, despite their differences, these experiences often overlap and tangle together, especially for neurodivergent individuals. When someone has ADHD, they're more likely to also experience traits of alexithymianeurodivergentinsights.com, and they may be more prone to anhedonia or “low hedonic tone” (low baseline ability to feel reward) than the general populationen.wikipedia.org. Why is that? Let's dig into the brain science to find out.The Neuroscience Behind the OverlapSo, why do ADHD, alexithymia, and anhedonia so often form a trio? To answer that, we need to talk about how our brains process emotions and rewards. Don't worry – we'll keep it conversational. Imagine your brain as an orchestra: different sections handle different parts of the music. When everything's in tune, you get a harmonious experience of life – you feel emotions, you find joy in activities, you focus when you need to. With ADHD, alexithymia, and anhedonia, some sections of the orchestra are either playing off-key or playing too quietly to hear.One key player here is dopamine, a neurotransmitter often nicknamed the “reward chemical.” Dopamine is heavily involved in motivation, pleasure, and attention – basically the brain's way of saying “Hey, this is important/fun, focus on this!” In ADHD brains, dopamine signaling doesn't work typically; it can be underactive or dysregulatedneurolaunch.comneurolaunch.com. Think of it like a weak Wi-Fi signal in the reward circuits of the brain – messages about reward and pleasure just aren't getting through fast or strong enough. Because of this, everyday tasks might not feel as rewarding to someone with ADHD as they do to someone without ADHD. Science actually shows that ADHD-related dopamine impairments can dysregulate the brain's reward processing and lead to anhedonia (difficulty feeling pleasure) in some individualsen.wikipedia.org. In other words, the same brain chemistry quirk that makes it hard to concentrate can also turn down the volume on enjoyment and motivation.Now, what about alexithymia? While dopamine is more about the reward system, alexithymia has a lot to do with our brain's emotional awareness and interoception (a fancy word for sensing the internal state of your body). Some researchers believe alexithymia is essentially a problem with how the brain's insula and related regions process internal signalsbhcsmt.com. The insula is like the brain's monitor for bodily and emotional sensations – it helps you notice a fast heartbeat and connect it to “I feel anxious,” for example. In alexithymia, that monitoring system might be glitchy. Emotions are still happening under the hood (we still produce the bodily reactions and basic emotional responses), but the translation of those signals into conscious awareness and labels doesn't work well. It's as if the brain doesn't label the emotions correctly or at all. This is why someone with alexithymia can seem calm or unaffected externally while internally their heart is pounding – they truly might not recognize what they're feeling, or they might just register a vague discomfort without an emotional label. Interestingly, alexithymia has been called a “disconnect between the emotional and thinking parts of the brain.” The emotional signals are there, but the cortex (thinking brain) can't interpret them properly.So, how do these tie together? ADHD and alexithymia share some overlapping brain differences. For one, both are linked to difficulties in emotional regulation. ADHD isn't just about attention – many experts now recognize that emotional impulsivity and difficulty regulating feelings are core aspects of ADHD for many peopleneurodivergentinsights.com. If you have ADHD, you might feel things more intensely but also more fleetingly, and you can struggle to manage those feelings (for example, quick frustration, or being easily hurt by criticism, then rapidly switching to another mood). Now add alexithymia into the mix: you have big emotions (possibly ADHD-related) but poor insight into them. That's a challenging combo! In fact, having alexithymia can make it even harder for ADHDers to understand and regulate their emotional ups and downsneurodivergentinsights.comneurodivergentinsights.com. It's like trying to drive a car with a super sensitive gas pedal (ADHD emotions) but a foggy windshield (alexithymia blocking your view of what's happening inside you).Neuroscience also hints at other overlaps. Both ADHD and alexithymia have been associated with atypical functioning in the prefrontal cortex (the brain's executive control center) and in connections between the cortex and deeper emotional brain regions. ADHD's executive function challenges mean the brain can struggle to pause and reflect – which might also affect the ability to reflect on and name emotions. If you're constantly chasing the next stimulus or fighting to focus, you might not have the bandwidth to analyze “What am I feeling right now?” Similarly, alexithymia may involve less activation or connectivity in areas that integrate bodily states into emotional awareness (like the anterior insula, for those who love brain specifics). There's even some evidence pointing to dopamine's role in emotional awareness: conditions with dopamine dysfunction (like Parkinson's disease and yes, ADHD) show high rates of alexithymiabhcsmt.com. Fascinatingly, one study found that when ADHD patients with alexithymia were treated with stimulant medication (which boosts dopamine), their alexithymia scores improved and they became more emotionally aware over six monthsbhcsmt.combhcsmt.com. That's a neat clue that brain chemistry ties these experiences together. Dopamine doesn't just help you focus; it also might help you feel.In summary, the brain's reward and emotion systems are interconnected. ADHD's neurochemistry (like low dopamine) can set the stage for anhedonia – the brain isn't signaling “reward!” as it should, so you might not feel the pleasure or motivation that others do from the same eventneurolaunch.comen.wikipedia.org. Meanwhile, ADHD's cognitive and emotional dysregulation can set the stage for alexithymia – life is fast, attention is scattered, emotions swing, and the self-reflection wires get crossed, leaving you unsure of what you feel. And of course, alexithymia itself can contribute to anhedonia: if you struggle to recognize feelings, you might also have trouble recognizing pleasure or excitement. In fact, one hallmark of alexithymia is an externally oriented thinking style and little attention to inner feelings, which has been linked to a reduced ability to experience positive emotionsneurodivergentinsights.com. That sounds an awful lot like blunted pleasure. So these three concepts feed into each other in a cycle. Next, let's talk about what that cycle feels like in everyday life.When These Worlds Collide: Emotional Regulation, Motivation, and Daily LifeLiving with any one of these — ADHD, alexithymia, or anhedonia — can be challenging. But when they overlap, it can feel like a perfect storm. Let's paint a picture of how that overlap can complicate emotional regulation, motivation, and just day-to-day functioning:1. Emotional Regulation Woes: With ADHD, emotions can be intense and quick to change, but also quick to be forgotten. Add alexithymia, and you might not even know what you're feeling until it boils over. Many of us with ADHD have been told we're “too sensitive” or “overreacting,” when in reality we felt an emotion suddenly and strongly, and it was hard to modulate it. Now imagine not having a good handle on what that emotion was – that's the alexithymia piece. You might go from zero to sixty (calm to furious or panicked) without recognizing, “I'm getting upset” until you're at the breaking point. Afterwards, you might struggle to explain to someone (or to yourself) why you reacted that way, because you lack words for those internal states. This overlap often leads to feeling out of control or ashamed of one's emotions. It can also lead to something I call emotional whiplash: you're overwhelmed by feelings in one moment, and utterly numb the next. That numbness can be a form of anhedonia or emotional shutdown – a brain response where, after so much intense feeling and confusion, you kind of just go blank. Over time, experiencing this rollercoaster can make you anxious about your own emotional reactions (“What if I explode or break down and I don't even know why?”).2. Motivation and Reward: A common ADHD experience is struggling to start or finish tasks that aren't inherently interesting – our brains crave stimulation (the “interest-based nervous system,” as it's sometimes called). Now tack on anhedonia. If you don't feel much pleasure or reward even when you complete something or do something fun, it's doubly hard to motivate yourself. It becomes a vicious cycleneurolaunch.comneurolaunch.com: ADHD makes it hard to stick with activities (so you might impulsively seek something new or get distracted), and anhedonia makes it unrewarding to do so (so even if you stick to it, you feel like “meh, that was pointless”). Picture trying to play a video game where every time you accomplish a mission, the game doesn't give you any points or fanfare – you'd probably lose interest quickly! That's what the ADHD-anhedonia combo can feel like in real life. Even hobbies you know you used to love might not give you the dopamine hit they once did, which is deeply frustrating. You might cycle through activities or careers or relationships, always searching for that spark of joy or interest, but finding that your brain's reward system isn't lighting up as expected. People around you might label you as flaky or lazy, when in truth your brain is under-stimulated and under-rewarded, making sustained effort feel like running a marathon with ankle weights on.3. Daily Functioning and Executive Function: Executive functions (things like planning, organizing, time management) are already a challenge in ADHD. Combine that with these emotional and motivational difficulties, and daily life can get chaotic. For instance, say you have an important project to do. ADHD might have you procrastinating until the last minute because, well, focus is hard until urgency kicks in. Anhedonia means even the reward of “I'll feel proud when this is done” or “I'll enjoy doing this piece I usually like” doesn't register strongly, so there's not much internal pull to start the task. Meanwhile, alexithymia means you might not realize how anxious it's making you to leave it so late – you just feel a vague tension or you get irritable without connecting it to stress. All of this might result in a last-minute panic, tears of frustration you didn't see coming, or even a shutdown where you just can't do it at all. Daily tasks like household chores or self-care can similarly fall apart. You know on some level that you'll feel better if you shower or clean the kitchen, but you don't feel that reward normally (anhedonia), and you don't really register how crummy it feels to be unwashed or in a mess until it's extreme (alexithymia's lack of internal cues), and ADHD has you distracted by a million other more interesting things in the moment. It's easy to see how this trio can impact routines, health, work performance – basically any aspect of daily living.4. Social and Relationship Impact: Emotions and enjoyment are huge parts of how we connect with others. When you have alexithymia, people might perceive you as distant, cold, or uninterested because you don't express emotions in a typical way or struggle to empathize verbally. You might care deeply, but you don't show it with “I'm so happy for you” or “I'm upset about this” because you can't quite identify those feelings in the first place. With ADHD, you might interrupt or space out in conversations, or you feel emotions so strongly that you come on too intense, which can be hard for others to navigate. Now, add anhedonia – maybe you stop wanting to go out with friends or initiate activities because you just don't find joy in them, so people think you're avoiding them or being negative. Misunderstandings abound. A friend might think you don't care about their troubles because you didn't show much emotion when they were sad (when in fact you did care but couldn't express it). A partner might feel hurt that you never seem excited about doing things together anymore, or that you're disengaged. Daily life with others becomes a minefield of potential misinterpretations, where your internal state and your outward actions don't line up in the “expected” way.Everything we just described can seriously affect one's self-esteem and mental health, too. It's common for people in this overlap to start thinking, “What's wrong with me?” or to assume they're just bad at life or broken. Let me assure you right now: you are not broken, and you're not alone in this. There are explanations for why you feel the way you do, and with understanding comes the ability to find new strategies. But before we get to coping strategies, it's important to address some of those misunderstandings from the outside world in a bit more detail – especially how they play out for women and late-diagnosed adults.Misunderstandings and Missed DiagnosesWhen you're dealing with ADHD, alexithymia, and anhedonia, other people in your life (and even some professionals) might not “get it.” These conditions – particularly alexithymia and anhedonia – are often invisible. To someone on the outside, your behaviors might be misread in a bunch of uncharitable ways. Let's clear the air on some common misunderstandings:“You're just being lazy/unmotivated.” How many of us with ADHD have heard that one?
Spin the Spectrum is an innovative, strength-based program music and DJ program for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Developed by speech language pathologist Courtney Willis, in collaboration with Jay Clipp, a renowned DJ, and Jah born, a Grammy award-winning producer, opportunities are provided for autistic and neurodivergent individuals to engage in music production and creative self expression. Barry and Dave chat with the Spin the Spectrum team about the development and the impact of this program.Learn more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
I used to freeze at the thought of “marketing my school.” I'm not naturally outgoing. I've always been more of a behind-the-scenes, let-me-do-the-work-in-peace kind of woman. And for a long time, I thought that meant I wasn't cut out to grow a successful microschool. All I kept hearing was: “You need to network more,” “You need to post every day,” “You have to sell yourself,” and honestly... I just wanted to crawl into a hole. If you've ever felt like that—if you're introverted, neurodivergent, shy, or just burned out by the pressure to show up all the time—I made this episode just for you. You don't need to change who you are to lead a thriving microschool. You don't need to fake confidence or become someone else to market well. You just need aligned systems and support that work with your personality, not against it. In this episode, I'll walk you through how I market my school quietly but powerfully, how I connect with families in a way that feels authentic, and how you can protect your peace while still building a sustainable school. You'll learn that you're not broken—you're built for this. And you can lead from a place of calm, clarity, and conviction. Need support mapping it all out? Grab the Microschool Marketing Blueprint: bit.ly/tlyls-blueprint Join our community inside Microschool Masterminds: bit.ly/mmasterminds Or work with me 1-on-1 through Clarity Coaching: bit.ly/tlyls-clarity You don't have to shout to be seen. You just have to shine—in your way. Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching We also invite you to join your new FAVORITE online community full of resources, templates, videos, LIVE Q and A, Group Coaching and New Monthy Content Centered around your Educational Entrepreneurship Needs! Microschool Masterminds, designed to help you start or grow your micro school by maximizing your time, optimizing your finances, and mastering your marketing. Whether you are a seasoned microschool owner or a teacher with a dream, Microschool Masterminds provides a dedicated space to share resources, collaborate with fellow educators, and access expert guidance. Join us as we embark on this journey together. Your dreams are about to take flight. No more fears, no more hesitations. Microschool Masterminds is here to fuel your journey. It's your time. Your destiny awaits. Let's soar together into a future of limitless possibilities. VELA Organization: VELA Education Fund Join our Mastermind Program! Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success! Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet” Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook Book a Clarity Coaching Session: Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students! Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You'll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
What if your brain's unique wiring isn't a flaw… but your secret advantage? That's exactly what we explore in my conversation with Molly McCauley. Molly's neurodivergent diagnosis became the lens through which she redesigned her business, team, and teaching. Growing up in a family of educators and artists, she used art and design to navigate a traditional education system that didn't always support her learning needs. That same creativity eventually turned into a thriving photography and education business. Listen in as we discuss what it really looks like to build a successful business as a neurodivergent entrepreneur. Find It Quickly00:28 - Meet Molly McCauley00:58 - Molly's Journey into Photography05:28 - The Stigma of Creative Businesses06:41 - Molly's Talk at Creative Educator Conference07:32 - Understanding Neurodivergence in Business09:28 - Reflections on Teaching and Learning17:16 - Molly's Business Systems and Outsourcing25:14 - The Importance of Outsourcing27:02 - Finding the Right Virtual Assistant29:29 - Challenges in Early Business Years31:57 - Embracing Systems and Specialists36:39 - The Evolution of Make Pretty Workshops44:19 - The Value of Styled Shoots and WorkshopsMentioned in this EpisodeEpisode 25: Sarah Potts: BTS of Hiring My VACreative Educator ConferenceConnect with Mollymollymccauley.cominstagram.com/mollymccauley_photoinstagram.com/makeprettyworkshopmakeprettyworkshop.com/the-vault
I'm honored to interview Jan Stewart, author of "Hold on Tight." In today's episode, she shares her powerful journey raising two neurodivergent children and provides five essential tips that every parent of ADHD and autistic kids needs to hear. Jan's wisdom comes from decades of advocacy, partnership-building, and learning to trust her instincts while navigating systems that often misunderstand our children. After you take a listen, please share:) Sincerely, Holly Blanc Moses - The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist ⭐️ Click here for free resources, trainings, and continuing education- ⭐️ Get your FREE BEHAVIOR DETECTIVE GUIDE To support neurodivergent children and teens, we need to understand their unique needs and honor their experiences. The Behavior Detective Guide breaks down information to help identify barriers and patterns, leading to neurodiversity affirming approaches. • Parents click here • Therapists click here • Educators click here ⭐️ Get your FREE SOCIAL SUCCESS GUIDE Social interaction can be confusing and anxiety-provoking for neurodivergent children and teens. The Social Success Guide provides practical strategies to support social confidence and authenticity. • Parents click here • Therapists click here • Educators click here ⭐️ Hey Therapists! Come on over for NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING CONTINUING EDUCATION Enhance your therapeutic approach with our affirming and engaging trainings while earning CE credits to fulfill your professional development requirements, as our courses are approved by the NBCC. Therapists click here ⭐️ Welcome to our PARENT MASTERCLASSES WITH Q&A Each live class is packed with supportive strategies on the topics parents want most. Can't make it live? No worries, because you'll get the replay. Sign up to be the first to know when the next masterclass is scheduled. Parents click here for your masterclasses ❤️ You're invited to my FACEBOOK GROUPS. Can't wait to see you there:) ➡️ Parents, come on over and join the Autism ADHD Facebook Group for Parents ➡️ Therapists & educators, join the Facebook Group for professionals ❤️ Thanks for sharing this episode and supporting The Autism ADHD Podcast!
Our Guest today is Rosie Elvin, an ADHD coach, trainer, and educator who champions neurodiversity and inclusive design. Rosie, diagnosed with ADHD later in life, as she teaches architecture. Our discussion centers on the importance of Inclusive design, and naturally working with, rather than against neurodivergent brains. A little more about Rosie: Rosie Elvin is an ADHD coach, trainer, and educator passionate about helping individuals and workplaces embrace neurodiversity. Following her own late ADHD diagnosis at 43, Rosie founded ADHD Focus, where she provides coaching for adults with ADHD and delivers engaging training sessions on neurodiversity in the workplace. Her work blends lived experience with professional insight, supporting clients to understand their unique strengths, navigate challenges like executive functioning and emotional regulation, and build strategies that work with their brains, not against them. Rosie also teaches architecture part-time at Nottingham Trent University, where her interest in social justice and inclusive design shapes both her teaching and advocacy. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, she challenges outdated narratives around ADHD and champions a strengths-based, human-centered approach. Whether she's coaching, writing articles, or leading workshops, Rosie's mission is clear: to create environments where neurodivergent people are understood, empowered, and celebrated. Enjoy! [You are now safely here, feel free to breathe] Intro and Welcome Rosie Elvin! 01:10 - So, what is inclusive design? 02:57 - Coaching Strategies for Neurodivergent individuals 03:20 - We don't often consider design's role in neurodiversity or ADHD, similar to how the world is designed for right-handed people; it seems designed for "normal brains." 04:12 - When coaching, how do you incorporate design, and what key strategies work for both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals? 04:30 - If someone comes to you feeling lost or stuck, how do you help them shift their perspective? 05:47 - Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Impact 08:06 - Much of the problem stems from being told we're "broken" or "not good enough" for so long. 08:39 - On the journey of Self-Acceptance and Advocacy 11:20 - It's difficult to un-ingrain lifelong beliefs. 11:43 - When you were growing up, neurodiversity "didn't exist"; it meant being disruptive. 12:33 - Many first-world countries still don't discuss it. 13:13 - You're so talented and good at what you do. 14:48 - This seems like a classic ADHD response: identifying a problem and immediately fixing it without overthinking. 15:00 - Rosie, where can everyone find you? 16:55 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon! Rosie Elvin: LinkedIn: ADHD Focus, Rosie Alvin Website: www.adhdfocus.co.uk Instagram: @rosie.adhdfocus (Less active, as mentioned in the interview, but her LinkedIn and website are preferred contact methods) Peter Shankman: Email: peter@shankman.com Podcast: Faster Than Normal Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain? We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you're looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman
What if your child's struggle in school isn't about effort—but about how they're wired to learn? So many students (and their parents) assume academic challenges stem from laziness, distraction, or not trying hard enough. But what if the real issue is that their learning style simply isn't being supported—or even understood? In this episode, Dr. Samantha, a clinical psychologist and Educational Architect breaks down how we're missing the mark when we try to fit all students into one academic mold. She shares why identifying a student's learning profile is the secret sauce to unlocking potential, reigniting passion, and guiding students toward futures that actually excite them. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why students don't need to “fix” their weaknesses—but double down on their strengths The powerful role learning profiles play in navigating school and life How passion + perseverance is a formula for real-world success What Taylor Swift, LeBron James, and a tree-obsessed philanthropist can teach us about grit and purpose If you've ever worried your child isn't reaching their full potential, this conversation is your permission slip to reimagine success, education, and what it really means to thrive. Are you ready to help your student find what lights them up? TAKE ACTION
Send us a textIn this eye-opening episode of Make Your Mark, Kay Suthar welcomes the unapologetic, dynamic, and multi-talented Maddy Alexander-Grout — the voice behind “Mad About Money.” From building a thriving franchise business to facing £80,000 in debt, navigating burnout, and ultimately receiving an ADHD and autism diagnosis, Maddy's journey is anything but ordinary.She opens up about how being neurodivergent shaped her business journey, why she speaks out against injustice on social media (even when it costs her income), and how she turned her struggles into fuel to build an inclusive empire. You'll hear the raw truth behind building a business as a neurodivergent entrepreneur, how Maddy grew a membership of nearly 400 people, and why visibility and values go hand-in-hand. If you've ever felt “too much” for the business world or worried about being fully seen — this episode is for you.Episode Highlights with Timestamps:00:00 – Kay introduces Maddy and the story behind their first meeting01:08 – What being a “multi-potentialite” really means and how Maddy shows up in business02:54 – Helping marginalized entrepreneurs build visible, values-led businesses04:00 – How redundancy led to Maddy's first business — and how she scaled it to 27 franchises06:13 – The pandemic hits — and her thriving business collapses overnight07:33 – Building an £80K app that became a “money pit”08:44 – Burnout, ADHD diagnosis, and the business that nearly killed her10:50 – The lightbulb moment: How her son's diagnosis revealed her own neurodivergence13:46 – Choosing between ADHD chaos and autistic clarity with medication15:02 – Living with the “fruit bowl” of neurodivergent traits — and making peace with it16:10 – Writing her first book Mad About Money as a dyslexic entrepreneur18:57 – Lessons learned from a failed business, and how they shaped her new one19:46 – Building her £20/month membership to 400+ people and becoming a visibility strategist21:17 – How her brand now reflects her story — tattoos, hair, book, and all22:50 – Launching a second podcast, Mad About Business, for neurodivergent entrepreneurs25:06 – Geƫng banned from TikTok's Creator Program for supporƟng the trans community27:00 – Being wrongly targeted by the press and turning hate into visibility30:08 – How to connect with Maddy and get her book Mad About Money31:25 – Final words of encouragement for entrepreneurs struggling with identity and visibilityAbout Maddy Alexander-Grout:Maddy is a neurodivergent business strategist, visibility coach, and author of Mad About Money. She helps underrepresented and marginalized entrepreneurs grow bold, values-driven businesses by showing up fully as themselves — neurodivergence, queerness, ADHD, tattoos, and all. She's also the founder of a thriving online membership and host of two podcasts: Mad About Money and Mad About Business. Her mission? To help others feel seen, celebrated, and supported — while making more money in the process.Connect with Maddy:Website: https://stan.store/MadAboutMoneyOfficialInstagram: @maddietalksmoneyTikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficialFacebook: Maddy Alexander-GroutLinkedIn: Maddy Alexander-GroutConnect with Kay Suthar!Website: https://makeyourmarkagency.com/Podcast: https://www.makeyourmarkpodcast.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-suthar-make-your-mark/Facebook Group: Podcast PowerHouseEmail: kay@makeyourmarkagency.comFREE Gifts from Kay Suthar:3 Ultimate Secrets to Getting Booked on Podcasts: https://getbookedonpodcast.com/5 Simple Steps To Launch Y
Send us a textWe discuss some of the reasons that your dyslexic child might be more likely to be in a bad mood after school and how to handle it.Dyslexia Journey has conversations and explorations to help you support the dyslexic child in your life. Content includes approaches, tips, and interviews with a range of guests from psychologists to educators to people with dyslexia. Increase your understanding and connection with your child as you help them embrace their uniqueness and thrive on this challenging journey!Send us your questions, comments, and guest suggestions to parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.comAlso check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney
In this powerful conversation, Heidi Steel and Alice Bramhill dive deep into the transformative world of self-compassion, unschooling, and neurodivergent family life. They explore how breaking free from traditional educational and societal expectations can lead to more authentic, compassionate living.Key Highlights:The challenges of unschooling neurodivergent children.Deconstructing, deschooling, and decolonising societal expectations about education and success.Practical strategies for developing self-compassion.The importance of curiosity and permission in personal growth.Guest Bio:Alice Bramhill - Psychotherapist, mental health nurse, and unschooling parent specialising in neurodivergent can be found atAliceBramhill.co.uk and on Instagram: @AliceBramhillTop Takeaways:Practice daily self-check-insChallenge your inner criticGive yourself permission to be curiousRecognise that personal growth is non-linear"The way we show up at home is how we change the world."
Lessons From the Past and Moving Forward In this episode, Patricia reconnects after a long break to discuss personal growth through relationships, dealing with OCD, and navigating self-disclosure. Patricia shares experiences with past friendships, lessons learned, and the journey of forming new connections while managing neurodivergence. Tips for content creation and future podcast plans are also highlighted. HIGHLIGHTS · Patricia's return to podcasting after a long hiatus. · Struggles with OCD and its impact on relationships. · The emotional journey of navigating challenges in a significant friendship. · The importance of respecting privacy and boundaries in self-disclosure. · Learning from past relationships and embracing outcomes. · Reconnecting with old friends and forming new connections at 61. · The impact of neurodivergence on forming and maintaining relationships. · The significance of reciprocal relationships and understanding others' limitations. · Realizing the need for balanced expectations in friendships. · Reflections on societal pressures for lifelong friendships. · The role of stress and personal triggers in relationship dynamics. · Exploring new creative projects and podcast collaborations. · The challenges and rewards of working with a co-host on a new podcast. · Differences in preferences and vision while designing a new podcast logo. · Plans for shorter, more manageable podcast episodes moving forward. · The importance of embracing vulnerability and authenticity in content creation. · Steps taken to ensure the sustainability of the podcast. · Emphasizing self-acceptance and the value of personal growth. · Encouragement to reach out for personal coaching and share feedback on the podcast. SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT'S HOW YOU'RE WIRED It's okay to have hard times. It's okay to feel lonely. It's okay to feel lonely when you're with a bunch of people. It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to be happy, joyful, and stimmy. It's okay to be quiet and reserved. It's okay to want to be out and doing things. It's okay to want to be in your bed, in your home where it's cozy and comfy. There is no way that you can screw up being who you are because who you are is really okay. It's even when it feels like you're not okay. You are enough. You are perfect as you are. You're wired differently and finding people that are wired like you can really make a difference. If you have that great and if you don't have it PODCAST HOST Patricia was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it's like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller. Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion. She created the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren't alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges. Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you LINKS Neurodivergent Online Course-- https://unapologeticallysensitive.com/neurodivergent-online-courses/ Receive the top 10 most downloaded episodes of the podcast-- https://www.subscribepage.com/e6z6e6 Sign up for the Newsletter-- https://www.subscribepage.com/y0l7d4 To write a review in itunes: click on this link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-sensitive/id1440433481?mt=2 select “listen on Apple Podcasts” chose “open in itunes” choose “ratings and reviews” click to rate the number of starts click “write a review” Website--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/Unapologetically-Sensitive-2296688923985657/ Closed/Private Facebook group Unapologetically Sensitive-- https://www.facebook.com/groups/2099705880047619/ Instagram-- https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallysensitive/ Youtube-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber Tik Tok--https://www.tiktok.com/@unapologeticallysensitiv e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive Music-- Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com
An episode that isn't about making art that's palatable—it's about making art that's true. In Episode 145 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture as we move onto Pillar 7 — Boldly Creating with Nina Danon, Composer, Sound Artist, and Doctoral Researcher, whose work explores the rich intersections between autism, music, creativity, and sensory experience.Nina's work on Musical Neuroqueering will be published in 2026 in Neuroqueer Theory and Practice, edited by Dr Nick Walker, providing the first draft of her toolkit to empower anyone to expand their neurodivergence through music, and music through neurodivergence.Autistic creativity is deeply rooted in our sensory experiences, emotional intensity, and need for authentic self-expression.Boldly Creating is the autistic drive to express truth through movement, sound, pattern, and special interest, using creativity as connection, regulation, and radical self-expression. So much of boldly creating comes from stimming and sensory experiences that are core to music and the heart of your work.Here's what defines this core Autistic trait:* Boldly Creating isn't about making art that's palatable—it's about making art that's true. * We don't wait for permission to make art, to move, to stim, or to build new worlds. We create in ways that often defy convention—through rhythm, repetition, structure, texture, sound, and story. * Autistics' creative work is fueled by special interests, hyperfocus, and bottom-up processing. We invent new forms when existing ones don't fit, building from the ground up, not following someone else's form.* Whether it's knitting, composing, coding, dancing, designing, scripting, or sound-building, autistic people boldly create because that's how we process, regulate, connect, and express our deepest selves.* Autistic creativity is sensory-rooted, emotionally rich, and self-expressive, often expressed through movement (like stimming), sound, visuals, and texture.Key Concepts:* Stimming is performance. Fandom is creation. Knitting is structure, roller derby is choreography.* Bold creation resists perfection—it values expression over conformity.* Autism-centered creativity often dismantles genre boundaries.* It's embodied, synaesthetic, non-linear: world as your playground.
Episode Summary Welcome to the art room today! In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, host Janeen Herskovitz welcomes Kelly DeSousa, a skilled art therapist from Jacksonville, Florida. Together, they explore the transformative power of art therapy, its methodologies, and its unique support for the neurodivergent population. This heartfelt episode is a celebration of […] The post Art Therapy | Exploring the Benefits for Neurodivergent Individuals | A conversation with Kelly DeSousa appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.
Do you ever feel like you've tried everything—and yet nothing seems to help your neurodivergent family?In this quick video, Emily Hamblin, neurodivergent mom of four, certified teacher, and emotional health coach, shares the truth every neurodivergent family needs to hear: You're not broken. Your child's not broken.If you're feeling overwhelmed, second-guessing yourself, or just wondering if there's another way — this is for you.You CAN have the parenting experience you've always longed for - you may just need a different path to get there.
The Awareness Space - Health & Wellbeing - Podcast and Movement
In this Sixthteenth episode of the Me, Myself and ND series Owen sits down with Tattoo Artist, father and AuDHD'er Daniel Katona. An inspiring ND advocate and overall awesome guy. Dan shares how discovering he was AuDHD (Self-Diagnosed) made his life make sense. We unpack how his ND brain affects his overall mental health and how that played out pre Self-Diagnosis. We talk about fatherhood, creativity and how to honor our truth and do what we care about. Thank you to Dan for being on our show. Follow Dan's journey on Social media. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/audhdan_/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@audhdan_ More about the show 'Me, Myself and ND. We dive into conversation with a guest on all things ADHD and other Neurodivergent brain presentations (should they be part of their experience). We will cover the run up to diagnosis, the diagnosis experience and how life unfolded afterwards. Including looking at the guests' passions and how they thrive. ND AND FREE AND ANKHWAY MUSHROOM GUMMIES ND & Free is in partnership with Ankhway Mushroom Gummies. A tasty supplement with 10 functional mushrooms bundled in a gummy. They can help with gaining sharper focus, a clearer mind, a more balanced mood, a natural energy boost and so much more. Enjoy 15% of your order at checkout with code 'OWEN15'. Find out more about the gummies at www.ankhway.com More about 'the ND & FREE' Podcast series Welcome back to the ND & FREE podcast brought to you by the Awareness Space Network. A podcast and social media platform that explores how ADHD'ers and other neurodivergent brain types can live their truth and feel free in their lives. We hear from inspiring COACHES, THERAPISTS, EXPERTS AND FELLOW ND'ers from all over the world, who sit down with me Owen Morgan to share their wisdom with us. Our mission is to explore how the human spirit and understanding our whole self can bring us a life full of possibilities Follow our instagram and TikTok for information, facts and useful content in and around Adhd, Autism and AuDHD. - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nd_and_free/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nd_and_free?_t=8scJhGZ4Sp6&_r=1 These conversations are not a substitute for professional medical or therapeutic support. Please seek support of professionals trained within Neurodiversity support. Listen to episodes with care. Keep up to date with our latest posts on Instagram. Thank you for supporting the show,
Debbie talks with singer and songwriter Laurie Berkner (The Laurie Berkner Band) about writing music that connects with all kids, why Laurie's music so powerfully resonates with differently wired children, her mission of inclusivity, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The ONE thing that made the biggest difference to my plants across nearly 30 years of houseplant tending is consistency - and when you have late-diagnosed AuDHD, it's extra apparent. Listen in for practical tips to get you more consistent, plus extras: discussion of subirrigation, spider mite treatment, soil nutrients and nitrogen-induced tip burn, self-forgiveness when caring for plants in early widowhood, and more. Also, for the next two weeks, get a FREE quart of V's Mix for every $50 spent at https://ohhappyplants.shop - this soil is absolutely MAGICAL and I'd love for you to have some!
My special guest on this episode of the 21andsensory Podcast is the wonderful Georgia De Gidlow. Georgia is an actor who is based both in Belfast and in London. She made her on-screen debut in a lead role in the BBC's 'A Kind of Spark', which was nominated for a number of awards, including an Emmy nomination for casting. It won “Best Children's Programme” at the 2024 Broadcast Awards. Georgia has also played Wendy in the Watford Palace Theatre's production of Peter Pan, proving her strong ability on stage. Something you may not know about Georgia is that she has a degree in Politics and International Relations, and continues to have an aptitude for writing and journalism. Georgia's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiadgA Kind of Spark on BBC iPlayer (also on BYUtv)Head2Head Sensory Theatre (Georgia is an ambassador and will be running summer drama workshops soon!): https://h2hsensorytheatre.com/Links to things mentioned:Sing Sing FilmNetflix documentary on prison craft group (also Emily meant to say Quilting not Knitting!)Neurodivergent wing at Pentonville PrisonMy 21andsensory links: 21andsensory on Instagram: www.instagram.com/21andsensory@21andsensory on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory21andsensory on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory21andsensory Blog: https://21andsensory.wordpress.com @21andsensory on Twitter: twitter.com/21andsensory
Visit my Substack. Wanted to hop on and share this in real-time—today, I'm going through a *RUMINATION SPIRAL* on my day off! Related to not very fun hotel and insurance and post-hurricane things. I'm catching myself feeling like, if I could just 'close the loop', get to the end, and fix it—then, I won't have to feel this way anymore. I'm also feeling like, "I must be bad. I must have done something wrong. If I hadn't done anything wrong, then this wouldn't have happened." It's bringing me back to feeling like a little kid—scared and worried. In this episode, I'm sharing what I'm realizing as I experience it, and talking about a neurodiversity-affirming framework of compassionate understanding, reflective questions, and values-aligned actions that help support me through these moments.
Send us a text✨ What if the way your brain works isn't a challenge to fix—but a gift to lean into?This week on the Unleashed and Unstoppable Podcast, we're joined by the powerhouse Jen Buzza—founder of Work Elevation and champion for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Jen's story is one of alignment, support, and massive clarity that came after attending one of Alex's neuroscience-infused workshops.In this episode, we explore how embracing the way your brain naturally works can lead to exponential growth—not burnout.
Join Chase and Courn as we close out pride month to chat about our own queer experiences, terminology, and the connection between trans and disability liberation all year round!Watch on Youtube! Instagram: @neurotakespod Contact us: Hello@neurotakespod.comEpisode Transcripts: www.neurotakespod.com
Our experts discuss the convergence of technology and social inclusion, examining innovative methods and tools designed to assist neurodiverse employees, while emphasizing the significance of accessibility features, data analytics, and remote work solutions. The discussion also highlights the benefits of partnerships with tech firms, digital training initiatives, and technology-driven strategies that improve the everyday work experience for neurodiverse individuals.Our guests weigh in on how they are leveraging technology to foster a supportive and empowering work environment. Featured expertsGert Vanhaecht, Director of Technology, Belfius BankDirk Rombaut, CMO and New Business Development Director, Passwerk
Send us a textHow many times has your child been told something like, “Just try this test without the extra time first and see how you do?” That's not okay! So how do we help our dyslexic kids hold the line?Dyslexia Journey has conversations and explorations to help you support the dyslexic child in your life. Content includes approaches, tips, and interviews with a range of guests from psychologists to educators to people with dyslexia. Increase your understanding and connection with your child as you help them embrace their uniqueness and thrive on this challenging journey!Send us your questions, comments, and guest suggestions to parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.comAlso check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney
Welcome to my comedy special. Save this episode for a long walk or drive or when you just feel like having a laugh. It is unfiltered AF and I cried from laughter more than once while editing it. Screenshot the HOBBY HOPPING template on IG and tag me so I can see allllllll the hobbies you've explored as a neurodivergent adult. Embrace the tangents and side quests. Oh, and you're welcome to listen in 2x speed. Don't worry, I do it too xx Tune in, subscribe, share with a friend to hear all about: Joy Journal Issue #1 coming soon This ADHD gals hobby hopping history Persistance is over-rated (hahaha) Wylde Flowers - 44.35 to 48.45 Quickfire Hobby Hopping Round Skincare MELAAAAASMAAAAA Pottage 'Paint Your Pottery' Events in Ballarat: https://forms.gle/RBzox8fuZNpXmfW89 Subscribe on Instagram for: Hobby and Habit Building Weekly Live Subscribe to my newsletter:
An episode that didn't just think outside the box—it questioned why there's a box in the first place!In Episode 143 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture as we move onto Pillar 6 — Game Changing Innovation. Autistic innovation isn't about trends or flash. It's about paradigm shifts. It's about seeing what no one else is looking for, hyperfocusing on what matters, and rebuilding the world, system by system.Dr Angela looks deep into the game-changing transformations developed by Autistic game changers, such as Sir Isaac Newton, who invented Calculus, Sir Richard Branson's out-of-the-box business models, and Angela's father's innovations in creating build-your-own Hot Rod kit cars.Here's what defines this core Autistic trait:* Autistic people challenge assumptions, not to be difficult, but because we can see the assumptions in the first place.* Neurodivergent people innovate through sensory truth, emotional intensity, and process precision.* Autistic people don't disrupt the status quo to seek attention. We disrupt because the system doesn't make sense, and we can't unsee that.* Game changers in autistic culture often challenge capitalist efficiency with a call for meaning, integrity, and alignment.* Many autistic innovators aren't seen as leaders until the world catches up to their vision.* Historical and modern change agents in autistic culture often operate without blueprints, forging their own.Key Concepts:* Game-changing is not about chasing disruption for its own sake. It's about building entirely new paradigms based on noticing what others overlook.* Autistic game changers are pattern-breakers and system rewriters — not trend-followers.* Our deep focus and drive for autonomy let us find wholly new approaches to enduring problems.* Emotional intensity and sensory insights fuel world-building innovation.* It's often misunderstood or resisted because the new paradigm doesn't fit existing frameworks.
Superpowers School Podcast - Productivity Future Of Work, Motivation, Entrepreneurs, Agile, Creative
In this episode, agile coach and creative facilitator Laura Re Turner shares how her neurodivergent traits have shaped her facilitation style—and what every product person should do to make workshops more inclusive, energising, and effective.00:00 Introduction02:19 Exploring Neurodivergence03:54 Facilitation and Coaching Insights05:24 Writing 'Becoming Agile' During the Pandemic13:00 Impact of Neurodivergence on Work25:11 Facilitation Techniques and Neurodiversity31:34 Understanding Zoom Fatigue32:04 The Impact of Resting Face33:10 The Joy of In-Person Workshops34:06 Exploring Creativity Through Sketching37:56 Rediscovering a Passion for Art43:19 Advice for Tech Newcomers45:48 Fun and Serious Superpower Wishes49:30 Connecting and Upcoming EventsGuest: Laura Re TurnerLaura Re Turner is an experienced coach and facilitator who blends professional coaching, expert facilitation, and Lean-Agile principles to support organisational change. As the founder of Future Focus Coaching, she helps leaders and teams thrive in complex environments through one-to-one coaching and dynamic group facilitation. Known for creating psychological safety and fostering deep collaboration, Laura draws on a wide range of approaches including systemic coaching, applied positive psychology, and Nancy Kline's ‘Time to Think'. She is the author of Becoming Agile: Coaching Behavioural Change for Business Results and a regular speaker on the intersection of coaching and Agile.Website: https://futurefocuscoaching.org/Book: https://futurefocuscoaching.org/about-us/laura-re-turner/becoming-agile/ISC25 Event: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/visualjam/1480999 Get full access to Superpowers School at www.superpowers.school/subscribe
During this podcast episode you will have an opportunity to listen to one of the 30+ amazing sessions from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference. You will hear from Dr. Grace Malonai as she explores the impact of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in neurodivergent relationships. She provides a comprehensive understanding of how PDA manifests in neurodivergent partnerships, and offers practical work-around strategies. Grace also includes a brief introduction to PDA, how PDA can complicate expectations and trust in relationships, and the impact of burnout. She also addresses communication and emotional regulation needs and coping strategies. Lastly, she provides practical insights and strategies to build reslience, a sense of support, and mutual understanding.Learn more about the presenters and sessions from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference or click here and use code Podcast50 to get $50 off the regular price of $97. You will get immediate access to the 30+ amazing conference sessions. In addition, when you buy access to the 2025 conference presentations you will also get several valuable BONUSES:The digital versions of the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards ($11 value) and Workbook ($12.97 value) and lifetime access to the 27 sessions from the 2023 Neurodiverse Love Conference ($97 value).If you want to learn more about the resources Mona has available for non-autistic partners or neurodiverse couples click here.
In this Parent Lean In episode, I'm talking with Margaret Webb about a question I hear often—how can we support our neurodivergent kids in connecting with neurotypical peers, especially when social skills don't quite align? We unpack one listener's situation with her sweet, social autistic son and talk about managing our own worries as parents, scaffolding playdates so they feel more successful, and finding the right playmate fit. It's all about creating safe, supportive opportunities for connection—without putting too much pressure on anyone involved. Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of TiLT Parenting, a resource, top-performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. A regular contributor to Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine, and the author of more than a dozen books for children and teens, Debbie's most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent's Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope. Margaret Webb is a certified Master Life Coach, parenting coach, nature-based coach, former teacher, wife and mother. As a life and parenting coach, she weaves together her experience as an elementary education teacher with the tools she's learned in Martha Beck's Life Coach Training, Sagefire Institute's Nature-Based Coach Training, and what she's applied to her own life as a mom of a now 20-year-old autistic son. Her most recent book is Hero's Journey in Parenting: Parenting the Child You Didn't Expect While You Were Expecting. Things you'll learn from this episode Why understanding the root causes of a child's behavior helps parents respond with empathy and effectiveness How dysregulation often stems from overwhelming emotions and energy that need safe release Why co-regulation and physical activity are powerful tools for helping children return to a calm state How a parent's calm presence can de-escalate emotional intensity and offer safety Why knowing when to step in and when to hold space without reacting is key to supporting regulation How keeping a long-term perspective can help parents navigate tough moments with more resilience and hope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Adult ADHD ADD Tips and Support Podcast - A Podcast for Neurodivergent Creatives. Navigating Uncertainty as a Neurodivergent Person. This podcast is an audio companion to the book "The Drummer and the Great Mountain - A Guidebook to Transforming Adult ADD / ADHD." Dealing with uncertainty can be immensely triggering -- inducing anxiety, challenges with focus, and ultimately distracting us from what actually needs to get done. Uncertainty can manifest as disturbing world events, family health issues, financial fears, work setbacks... The list goes on and on. And, our brain does not like uncertainty. In this episode we'll explore practical techniques for navigating uncertainty -- getting ourselves out of the spin of tunnel vision, into greater emotional regulation, perhaps even finding real well-being in the face of external chaos. We may not be able to change the external in the moment, but we can fortify our nervous system to be more calm, even in the midst of uncertain outcomes. Links Mentioned in this Episode: (WORKSHOP) ADHD Mind Mapping (EPISODE) Mindfulness (EPISODE) The Science of Nature Connection (EPISODE) The Importance of Self-care Don't see a player? Click this link to download the MP3 file. If you have an Apple device (iPhone/iPad), you can download the podcast (and subscribe) for free at this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adult-adhd-add-tips-support/id988935339 Visit the podcast web page to listen to all 116 episodes: http://www.drummerandthegreatmountain.com/adult-adhd-add-podcast >> Take the ADHD Hunter-type Quiz Outro voice over by Lauren Regan. Intro and outro music by Bahman Sarram For more info, visit: http://www.DrummerAndTheGreatMountain.com
It's the final episode of the series/season and we have a fantastic guest in Heidi Mavir.We talked about her experiences as a neurodivergent parent of a neurodivergent child as well as her work supporting parents to ensure that their children have the right support in their education.Heidi has written a book for parents of neurodivergent children called Your Child's Not Broken. Available in all good (and some bad) bookshops.Follow Heidi on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/seNDSupportAlso check out Joe's tour (including a London date next month), tickets are on sale here:https://www.livenation.co.uk/artist-joe-wells-1394683Rate, Review and Subscribe and we'll see you again in two weeks with a wonderful special guest or if you can't wait two weeks there'll be a bonus episode on our Patreon next week (www.patreon.com/neurodivergentmomentspod ).If you've had a Neurodivergent moment you're happy to share with us then email neurodivergentmomentspod@gmail.comMusic by Savan De Paul check out their work on Bandcamp! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this insightful episode, we talk with Nicole Stewart, BCBA, about her personal and professional journey supporting gifted children with ADHD and Autism. Nicole shares how raising her own neurodivergent child shaped the innovative, non-traditional work she does today. We explore why traditional talk therapy often misses the mark, how she uses creative tools to build emotional regulation and working memory, and why giving families a shared language is so transformative. Nicole also explains how she weaves principles from ACT and ABA into her sessions—without sticking rigidly to either—and offers powerful advice for parents just starting out on this path. If you're looking for a fresh, honest perspective on supporting neurodivergent kids, this conversation is not to be missed.
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Kate Moryoussef, host of the award-winning ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, to discuss the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent mothers. Both diagnosed in their 40s, Kate and I share authentic insights about self-acceptance, burnout prevention, and how to be the calm anchor for our families. Key Topics Discussed The grief and relief that comes with a late ADHD diagnosis Why self-compassion must come before self-acceptance Recognizing the subtle signs of approaching burnout How ADHD presents differently across life stages and hormonal changes The importance of being the calm anchor in dysregulated family moments Practical burnout prevention strategies for ADHD women Breaking free from societal expectations and "shoulds" The ripple effect of self-care on family dynamics Sincerely, ❤️ Holly Blanc Moses, The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist ⭐️ Click here for free resources, trainings, and continuing education- ⭐️ Get your FREE BEHAVIOR DETECTIVE GUIDE To support neurodivergent children and teens, we need to understand their unique needs and honor their experiences. The Behavior Detective Guide breaks down information to help identify barriers and patterns, leading to neurodiversity affirming approaches. • Parents click here • Therapists click here • Educators click here ⭐️ Get your FREE SOCIAL SUCCESS GUIDE Social interaction can be confusing and anxiety-provoking for neurodivergent children and teens. The Social Success Guide provides practical strategies to support social confidence and authenticity. • Parents click here - https://www.hollyblancmoses.com/pl/276666 • Therapists click here - https://www.hollyblancmoses.com/pl/271718 • Educators click here - https://www.hollyblancmoses.com/pl/271424 ⭐️ Hey Therapists! Come on over for NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING CONTINUING EDUCATION Enhance your therapeutic approach with our affirming and engaging trainings while earning CE credits to fulfill your professional development requirements, as our courses are approved by the NBCC. Neurodiversity therapists click here ⭐️ Welcome to our PARENT MASTERCLASSES WITH Q&A Each live class is packed with supportive strategies on the topics parents want most. Can't make it live? No worries, because you'll get the replay. Sign up to be the first to know when the next masterclass is scheduled. Parents click here for your masterclasses ❤️ You're invited to my FACEBOOK GROUPS. Can't wait to see you there:) ➡️ Parents, come on over and join the Autism ADHD Facebook Group for Parents https://www.facebook.com/groups/WiredDifferentlyGroup ➡️ Therapists & educators, join the Facebook Group for professionals https://www.facebook.com/groups/professionalsforwdchildren ❤️ Thanks for sharing this episode and supporting The Autism ADHD Podcast!
So with news articles and headlines about how folks with ADHD need to get off their meds or go outside or be 'cured', there's something of a big misunderstanding and gaps in perspectives on ADHD and what it actually means. Including our shared values as a real ADHD culture, especially around how people or authority figures will relate to us. David and Isabelle describe some of the shared values in neurodivergent or ADHD culture, including ideas around masking, disclosing, lateral thinking, and questioning authority--and whether you believe that others, particularly those in power, will help you or understand you. Exploring many aspects of the neurodivergent community--and how groups form--ADHDers (more likely than the average bear) identify as members of LGBTQ+ communities, members of nontraditional or non-dominant faith groups, entrepreneurs, tech-friendly folx, and members of the military, to start. From recognizing that there are stages and phases to feeling like you can both belong and be unique, to the power of community in developing a sense of self-esteem, the need to have metacognition (or an understanding of WHY a thing is or how it works for you). --David starts by naming that within a neurodivergent or ADHD culture, there are shared values. And what we believe might be impacted by our approach to masking and our context—did we have to mask a lot? Do we need masking or not? But it also asks us: do we believe that people will help us? That schools will help us? That people with power or systemic power will support us or understand us? David doesn't think that trust in these systems is high in the ADHD population. A lot of people don't feel like they can trust the system and it might be why we don't disclose, we don't share, we don't ask. We are a subgroup, but we are not substandard. Lots of wars being waged on ADHD, and that entire perspective ignores the things that are important. Since David joined Eye to Eye years ago and joined the ND community, he watched graduation rates go up, he'd give talks in a room and ask “who has adhd?” And no one would raise their hand. “Does it feel wrong to be asked?” And now when you talk about it in a group, people raise their hands right away. There is the good work. There is a cultural war on ADHD. Isabelle names that one of the strengths of ADHD, which is important to include in any future articles, is that we think ‘creatively,' also known as lateral or divergent thinking. We don't necessarily follow a linear thought process and skip around think laterally or divergently. For her fellow AuDHDers, Isabelle recognizes that she does want clarity and often tries to go back to a linear though process to make sure she's understanding something clearly. But in general, the lateral thinking—lends itself to questioning authority, taking multiple perspectives, playing devil's advocate, which doesn't necessarily mean that people feel comfortable sharing this. There's a larger percentage of us that identify as queer or LGBTQ+ communities, nonbinary, gender fluid—there's also a larger percentage of us that its int he military, tech community, entrepreneurs. We tolerate risk differently. David names that this allows us a different way of recognizing our needs. If the rest of the world tells you something should meet your needs but it doesn't, you're going to maybe go back to the drawing board and start to think about things a little differently. You may be a more natural out of the box thinker, because of a lack of neural pruning. More doesn't mean better, and it doesn't mean worse. It's not a a hierarchy. Just acknowledging it exists gives people a place to belong. Isabelle describes the stages of building a group—we first debate if we want to join, we norm and create a share a set of values and create a cohesion, and then the strength of the group's cohesiveness is tested and retested with storming and questioning and then you come to the place where you are both an individual and belong, that both can coexist dynamically. Even in Isabelle's own process of joining this group of neurodivergence, when she cried at the mailboxes with David, she is feeling this with the autistic side of her, and she's seeing it everywhere and she deeply wants to belong, and then she's questioning or noticing the differences, and then she's cozy in being different and yet belonging. David names how important self esteem is for us; and we can't really develop self esteem alone, it helps you to see others who get it and can resonate with you. Three most important factors: self esteem, ability to advocate for your needs, and metacognition (understand we do what we do). You shouldn't have to try so hard to ‘fit into' a culture, it should be more natural. Isabelle names how metacognition, or changing your operating instructions, gives you a chance to reframe your own history, your present and your plans, and your needs are different than what you realized. Referencing the NYT article about ADHD meds—if you have no concept of what medication is doing for you or connecting with your medication, it's like you're fueling yourself up with a really good fuel source and you have no direction to put it in. David wants a formalized response to the NYTimes article. A formal round table. The strengths of ADHD — see Dr. Holly White's work at the University of Michigan (Scientific American article)Divergent or lateral thinking - probably most commonly called "brainstorming," it's when you generate multiple ideas, applications, solutions, problems, and hop around instead of just focusing on one answer--see this interesting guide from the University of Texas at Austin that helps teachers learn how to ENCOURAGE divergent thinking in their students. How divergent thinking is connected to creativity (study)As well as addressing self esteem and practicing self-advocacy, work with ADHD means developing:Metacognition — thinking about your thinking, or why you do what you do. It's like understanding you've been handled incorrect or inapplicable instructions. Knowing why you need an accommodation and why it helps. It involves an awareness as well as an ability to regulate/choose a strategy (eg. changing how you study for a particular test). (source: Wikipedia).------Cover Art by: Sol VázquezTechnical Support by: Bobby Richards------Cover Art by: Sol VázquezTechnical Support by: Bobby Richards------Cover Art by: Sol VázquezTechnical Support by: Bobby Richards------Cover Art by: Sol VázquezTechnical Support by: Bobby Richards------Cover Art by: Sol VázquezTechnical Support by: Bobby Richards------Cover Art by: Sol VázquezTechnical Support by: Bobby Richards
Lucinda Miller is a leading naturopath and functional medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience supporting children's health. She's the founder of NatureDoc, a nationwide clinic helping families navigate everything from gut and sleep challenges for neurodivergent children.Her expertise isn't just clinical, it's personal. As a late-diagnosed ADHD'er and mum to a neurodivergent family, Lucinda brings a rare combination of lived experience and deep professional insight.In this conversation with Ben, Lucinda shares practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting neurodivergent kids. Plus smart, accessible tips that can supercharge nutrition, even for children with highly restrictive diets.________00:00 Introduction1:26 Lucinda's Brain & ADHD6:05 Why Nutrition?9:16 Lucinda's Clients: Who She Helps and How14:12 What is Naturopathy?17:14 How Long Covid is Linked to Hyper-mobility and Neurodivergence21:37 Accessible Nutrition for Neurodivergent People25:30 Lucinda's Sleep Tips For ND Kids37:04 Balancing Being the Expert & Vulnerable Clients38:34 Does Poor Nutrition Cause Neurodivergence or Enhance Traits?41:33 Hormones and Fluctuations in Traits42:36 Neurodivergent Pre-Puberty Nutrition Tips46:00 What Are Mood Boosting Foods?49:22 ARFID & ND Children: How To Variate Food56:50 ND & Inflammation of the Gut: Why?58:00 What Neurodivergent Children Have Taught Lucinda & What Needs To Change1:02:10 Lucinda's Green Light Badge_______Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benLucinda Miller @naturedockidsIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode: I unpack (get it?) what it means to travel as a neurodivergent person, especially when you've internalized a bunch of rigid “rules” about what travel is supposed to look like. For a long time, I thought travel had to mean a picture-perfect vacation, and I put pressure on myself to pack light, leave comforts behind, and plan for an idealized version of my destination—rather than the reality of my actual needs. Plus, I'm creating a digital course about neurodivergent travel, and your input can help me make sure I'm covering what actually matters to people like us. Send an email with your thoughts and experiences around travel to alotadhdpod at gmail dot com or call the “A Lot Line” and leave a voicemail (347) 674-2201. SHOW NOTES: Special Patreon Offer! 25% off of your first month OR an entire annual membership! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM and use code: 90FFB. Offer expires June 30th, 2025. For bonus episodes, transcripts, video classes, AMA's, a private chat community, and more! 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus! Visit the “You Are A Lot” (an ADHD/AuDHD Podcast) webpage Subscribe to the “This Is A Lot” Newsletter 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals 15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks $50 off Jen's ADHD Coach Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201
The right career isn't just about what you can do—it's about what truly fits. It's about alignment, energy, and authenticity. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon welcomes career coach and entrepreneur Shell Mendelson, whose mission is to help neurodivergent individuals—especially those with ADHD—find work that sparks joy, plays to their strengths, and supports their unique needs. With over 30 years of experience and a background in counseling, Shell has guided hundreds of clients toward careers that don't just make sense on paper, but feel right in practice. Having navigated her own career transformation and built a successful international business, Shell brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her work. Her approach goes beyond personality tests and resumes—it's a deep, reflective process that helps people reconnect with their interests, values, and purpose. Join us as we explore Shell's powerful method for building career clarity, overcoming challenges, and reclaiming confidence—so neurodivergent professionals can thrive not just at work, but in life. For more information about Your Next Move Masterclass, please visit: https://passiontocareer.com/your-next-move-master-class/ For more information about the fillable Ebook “Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for ADHD Adults and Teens” by Shell Mendelson, please visit: https://a93f86-3.myshopify.com/products/fillable-pdf For more information about Shell Mendelson and her ADHD Career Coaching, please visit: https://passiontocareer.com If you are interested in becoming an affiliate and help others find their career path, please visit: https://passiontocareer.com/affiliate-program/ Connect with Shell on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/shell_mendelson/ Connect with Shell on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-coaching-with-shell Connect with Shell on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CareerCoachingwithShell/
Productivity Straight Talk - Time Management, Productivity and Business Growth Tips
In this episode of the Small Business Straight Talk Podcast, I sit down with ADHD Strategist, Coach, and Founder of Unconventional Wisdom, Skye Waterson, to dive into how she manages her ADHD after being diagnosed in adulthood, her work with neurodivergent business owners, and what tools and strategies she suggests trying to manage your systems and attain sustainable success. What You'll Discover In This Episode: ✔ What Executive Functioning Is ✔ The Intersection of ADHD & Executive Functioning ✔ The Link To Dopamine Addiction ✔ The 3 Reasons Business Owners With ADHD Have A Hard Time Starting Tasks ✔ A Reward System That Is Successfully Motivating ✔ How To Make Tasks Less Boring & More Fun ✔ How To Identify The Ideal Environment To Work In ✔ So Much More! To access resources and links from this episode, click on https://AmberDeLaGarza.com/381 P.S. Want to discover what's most holding you back in business and receive a personalized playlist to help you overcome those specific challenges? It only takes a few minutes to take the Next Level Business Owner Quiz and get on the path of taking your leadership and business to the next level! And… If you want help managing your time, creating efficiency, making a new hire, reducing the stress and overwhelm of running a business, or making strategic decisions that will help you level up your business, I'd like to talk to you. Let's discuss how we can partner together to help you get unstuck, reduce stress, and determine a clear path to increased profits! Schedule your Discovery Call
Neurodivergence — The idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many ways, with no one ‘right' way of thinking, learning, and behaving. Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder and other neurological or developmental disorders such as ADHD or dyslexia. For the third video interview release on Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism, we are joined by the insightful herbalist and Tarot reader with a passion for fashion, Brynna Herbener. Take your ears AND eyes along with Tommy and Brynna as they explore the identity of neurodivergence and how different frames of mind lend unique perspectives throughout herbalism that help strengthen our connection and understanding of plants. Be sure to tune in all the way till the end of the episode to listen in to Tommy's first-ever Tarot reading!
An episode that busts the myth of 'perfect' creative processes!In Episode 140 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon speaks with Sol Smith, author of The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery. If you've spent time on TikTok, YouTube, or inside the NeuroSpicy community, you've probably felt the impact of Sol's voice—direct, affirming, and deeply validating. He joins the show to help us rethink our relationship with writing routines, explore the realities of autistic creative rhythms, and bust the myth of 'perfect' creative processes.Plus, we announce our amazing winners from our fifth writing contest!Here are our top two entries.OUR WINNER
Today we're diving into a topic that's sometimes tricky to navigate as parents: consent. My guest for this conversation is educator and consent expert Sarah Casper, founder of Comprehensive Consent and author of The Kids and Consent Curriculum. Sarah has taught thousands of children, teens, and adults how to build healthy, respectful, and joyful relationships through a social-emotional lens. Her approach is as thoughtful as it is practical. In this conversation, Sarah and I explored how consent starts early, with the little, everyday interactions that help kids understand their boundaries, express their wants and needs, and learn to respect others wants and needs. We talked about the challenges of balancing safety with autonomy, especially when it comes to things like hygiene, personal space, and social expectations, and why this balance is nuanced when parenting neurodivergent children. Sarah also shared some real-world strategies for introducing consent language at home, navigating pushback, and supporting kids in building self-awareness and self-esteem. If you've ever wondered how to model boundaries while still honoring your child's agency, I know you will find this episode valuable. And hopefully you'll feel inspired to do the activity Sarah shared at the end of the episode with your family because it's a great way to evaluate how choices are being made at home and it will help you understand each other a little better. About Sarah Casper Sarah Casper is an educator, author of The Kids and Consent Curriculum, and the founder of Comprehensive Consent, a social-emotional learning approach to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy, respectful, and joyful relationships. Through her in-school workshops, online classes, and social media content, Sarah has helped thousands of kids, adolescents, and adults deepen their consent practices. Things you'll learn from this episode Consent begins in childhood through small, everyday practices that honor bodily autonomy, encourage agency, and invite mutual respect Teaching consent means offering choices, being honest about our intentions, and recognizing when to pivot based on our child's cues Healthy relationships are rooted in collaboration, not control, and thrive when power dynamics are acknowledged Navigating consent with kids involves balancing their safety with their right to say no, especially in situations involving hygiene, touch, or personal space Supporting a child's self-regulation and practicing our own helps reduce resentment, foster trust, and model respectful boundary-setting Neurodivergent kids may need extra support in understanding and expressing consent, which makes child-led play and behavior-based communication all the more important Resources mentioned Comprehensive Consent (Sarah's website) The Kids & Consent Curriculum: 25 Whole-Classroom Lessons to Teach Boundaries, Collaboration, and Respect by Sarah Casper Betty Martin's Wheel of Consent Unmasking for Life: The Autistic Person's Guide to Connecting, Loving, and Living Authentically by Dr. Devon Price Dr. Devon Price on the Autistic Person's Guide to Unmasking for Life (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Akilah Richards on Raising Free People (Tilt Parenting Podcast) The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by Dr. David Yeager Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices