The Neurodivergent Experience

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott respond to the killing of a mother by an ICE agent in the United States — and the wider political climate that made it possible.Speaking from a neurodivergent perspective shaped by heightened justice sensitivity and pattern matching, Jordan and Simon unpack how state violence, misinformation, and authoritarian language are being normalised, and why this is especially terrifying for autistic, ADHD, disabled, trans, and other marginalised people. The conversation widens to examine the psychological toll of witnessing global injustice with no power to intervene — a familiar experience for many neurodivergent people. They reflect on how masking, meltdowns, and misunderstood behaviour could place neurodivergent individuals at serious risk in heavily militarised policing systems, and why the threat isn’t hypothetical.Drawing on history, pop culture, pattern matching and lived experience, Jordan and Simon connect current events to patterns of dehumanisation, eugenics-adjacent rhetoric, and the dangerous framing of people as “undesirable” or expendable. The episode ends with a reminder to stay informed without burning out, protect your mental health, and prioritise safety — especially for listeners in the US.They discuss:The killing of a mother by an ICE agent and the official responseHow video evidence is dismissed to uphold political narrativesNeurodivergent justice sensitivity and emotional overloadWhy meltdowns and misunderstood behaviour can be dangerous under militarised policingThe fear facing disabled, trans, and marginalised communities in the USState violence, propaganda, and authoritarian languageHistorical parallels and warning signsStaying informed without burning outA heavy but necessary conversation about power, truth, and why neurodivergent people often feel the weight of injustice more intensely than others. Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by Jordan’s wife, Sylvia, to reflect on 25 years of marriage as a neurodivergent couple.This is an honest account of what a long-term partnership looks like when autism, ADHD, burnout, emotional regulation, and differing communication styles are part of everyday life. They speak openly about misunderstandings, meltdowns, shutdowns, conflict, repair, and the work it takes to keep choosing each other over decades.Sylvia shares her perspective on supporting a neurodivergent partner through diagnosis, anger, burnout, and personal growth — while also holding boundaries and protecting her own wellbeing. Together, they explore how their relationship has changed over time, what nearly broke it, and what ultimately helped it survive and grow stronger.This episode focuses on realistic relationship success: not perfection, but commitment, adaptation, humour, accountability, and learning how to come together after meltdowns and shutdowns. It’s a rare, grounded look at what a long-lasting neurodivergent marriage actually requires — and why longevity is possible without masking, fixing, or sacrificing your needs.They discuss:What 25 years of marriage has really looked like as a neurodivergent coupleNavigating autism, ADHD, burnout, and late diagnosis within a relationshipConflict, emotional regulation, and repairing after difficult momentsHow communication styles have changed over timeSupporting each other without losing yourselvesWhy commitment matters more than perfectionWhat has kept the relationship going — and growing — after two and a half decadesA deeply honest, warm, and validating conversation about love, partnership, and what it takes to build a neurodivergent marriage that lasts.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Mindful Mondays, we continue our January series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, turning our attention to the first and most essential element of change: your state.Before we can rewrite our stories or find the right strategy, we need to understand the condition of our nervous system - because when we’re dysregulated, overwhelmed, or operating from threat, meaningful change simply can’t take root.In this episode, we explore nervous system regulation through a neurodivergent lens, including the often-overlooked (and heavily tied to masking) fawn response, the difference between reacting and responding, and why so many well-intentioned changes fall apart when our state isn’t supported.You’ll learn practical, body-based ways to regulate yourself - through breath, posture, movement, sensory input, and pace - and why working with the body is often far more effective than trying to think your way into calm.The episode closes with a gentle, grounding guided breathwork meditation, designed to help you settle your nervous system, return to safety, and reconnect with your capacity to respond to life with clarity and agency.Whether you’re neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or simply feeling stretched thin, this episode offers a steady reminder: real change begins not with effort, but with regulation.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott open up about imposter syndrome — the belief that you’re never good enough, never qualified enough, and that one day everyone will “figure you out.”With humour and honesty, they share personal stories of childhood bullying, masking, perfectionism and self-doubt, and how growing up misunderstood leaves many autistic and ADHD adults feeling like their achievements aren’t real. From turning down opportunities to assuming every success is luck, they explore why confidence is so difficult for neurodivergent minds.They discuss how imposter syndrome shows up in work, relationships, creativity and social media — and how therapy, self-compassion and supportive people can slowly rewrite the story.They explore:Why imposter syndrome is so common for autistic & ADHD adultsGrowing up hearing you’re “lazy,” “too much,” or “not trying”How masking and people-pleasing destroy self-worthThe fear of failure — and the fear of successSocial media, comparison and anxietyWhy confidence takes time and why small wins matterWhen self-criticism becomes self-harmWhy reaching out can save people from spiralling aloneThis is a raw, validating conversation for anyone who has ever worked twice as hard and still felt like a fraud. If you struggle to believe in yourself, this episode is proof that you’re not alone — and that healing is possible.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.This episode isn't just good, it's sofa king good!Ever catch yourself - or someone else - repeating the same phrase again and again? Why do Neurodivergent people repeat words or phrases over and over? Is it just mimicry or something more meaningful? In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott are once again joined by in-house therapist Ashley Bentley to dive into the fascinating world of echolalia, the often misunderstood speech pattern based on mimicry and repetition, a common autistic trait that relates to early language development, and is the backbone of neurodivergent communication.Here's what we cover in this episode (THE MYSTERY POND):We share humorous examples and cultural references that illustrate the quirks of echolalia, the beauty and complexity of using echolalia as a form of expression and connection, while also addressing the potential for misunderstandings and social faux pasWe explore the nuances of echolalia, particularly how it is influenced by comedy and pop culture.We share personal anecdotes about our favourite TV shows , catchphrases, and family dynamics, highlighting how these elements shape our communication styles but create complexities in social interactions with neurotypicals.From immediate repetition to delayed scripting, echolalia can serve important roles in learning, self-regulation, and expression for Autistic people and be a relief from when Alexithymia hits!SUPPORT US THROUGH OUR SPONSERS:Work with Ashley Bentley at Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy to break free from old patterns and start living with more clarity, confidence, and connection - https://bit.ly/ashleyndeGet an Autism and ADHD assessment in the UK with https://www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.com/ Use the Discount Code RTN23 when you make your initial enquiry through the RTN website or the website portal.Follow NDE on social media:Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperienceIf you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could we please ask that you consider leaving a short a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.Struggling with everyday tasks as a neurodivergent adult? In this candid and insightful episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack the lived reality of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — a form of demand sensitivity often misunderstood, dismissed, or mislabelled as laziness.From dodging the dishwasher to putting off doctor’s appointments, and from procrastinating over paperwork to resisting even self-imposed goals, we explore:What PDA really is — and why the NHS still doesn’t formally recognise itHow demands (even ones we place on ourselves) trigger an instant “no” responseThe link between PDA, trauma, anxiety, and the obsessive need for autonomyWhy even fun things can feel impossible once they become obligationsPractical examples: chores, eating, car washes, and the endless hurdle race of daily lifePartner strategies — how reframing demands as favours can unlock cooperationWhy small wins matter: celebrating every task completed as a genuine victoryHow to create accommodations that turn mountains back into molehillsWhether you’re living with PDA yourself, raising a neurodivergent child, or just want to understand why “simple” tasks aren’t simple at all, this conversation blends raw honesty, humour, and real-world strategies for navigating life when demand avoidance touches everything.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)→ Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January often invites us to push harder, fix ourselves, or finally “get it right.” But for the neurodivergent brain and nervous system, real change requires a very different starting point.In this opening episode of our January series, Ashley Bentley introduces a compassionate, neuroscience-informed framework for breakthrough inspired by Tony Robbins’ work and refined through years of therapeutic practice.You’ll discover why lasting change doesn’t begin with strategy, willpower, or self-criticism — but with your inner state, your nervous system, and the stories you’re living inside. This episode gently reframes breakthrough as a learnable process, one that works with your sensitivity, depth, and pattern-recognition rather than against it.The episode closes with a richly immersive guided meditation designed to help your system soften, settle, and prepare the ground for meaningful change.This is the beginning of a different kind of January — one rooted in safety, self-trust, and real transformation.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to the news that Tom Holland is neurodivergent, and why that kind of representation actually matters. They discuss Tom Holland’s openness about dyslexia and ADHD, his experiences with creativity, and how embracing his inner child has helped him navigate both life and his craft.The conversation also explores why characters like Spider-Man resonate so strongly with neurodivergent audiences, how many iconic characters are coded as neurodivergent, and why seeing well-known figures talk honestly about neurodivergence can be validating without tipping into toxic positivity.They discuss:Tom Holland’s dyslexia and ADHDCreativity, acting, and neurodivergent thinkingEmbracing your inner child without infantilising yourselfNeurodivergent-coded characters in film and TVWhy Spider-Man resonates with neurodivergent audiencesHealthy representation vs “inspiration” narrativesSobriety, coping, and self-awareness under pressureWhy balanced conversations about neurodivergence matterA warm, affirming Hot Topic about visibility, creativity, and why it matters when neurodivergent people see themselves reflected — without being turned into a headline or a stereotype.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott reflect on the past year — sharing personal wins, hard-earned growth, and the moments that changed how they see themselves as autistic adults.Together, they explore how connection, shared lived experience, and honest conversation have helped them move forward — both personally and through the podcast itself. They also reflect on the growth of The Neurodivergent Experience, the power of community, and what it means to advocate without toxic positivity.They discuss:Releasing long-held anger and emotional regulationImposter syndrome and learning to acknowledge achievementsBuying a home, building stability, and redefining successThe power of community and shared lived experienceAdvocacy, self-belief, and breaking limiting narrativesPDA, alexithymia, and personal growth through conversationHow the podcast has supported both hosts and listenersWhy neurodivergent people are more capable than they’re toldA reflective, hopeful conversation about growth, healing, and why believing in yourself can change everything.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the year draws to a close, many of us feel the pull toward change - resolutions, goals, and the quiet pressure to become someone “better” next year. But what if real change begins with meeting yourself differently?In this final Mindful Monday of the year, Ashley Bentley explores why self-acceptance - not self-criticism - is the true foundation for lasting transformation. Through grounded psychology, gentle neuroscience, and the wisdom of Ram Dass, this episode invites you to step out of self-judgement and into appreciation for your full humanity.You’ll hear why New Year’s resolutions so often fail, how the neurodivergent nervous system responds to pressure and demand, and why acceptance is not giving up - but creating the conditions where change becomes possible.The episode closes with a deeply nourishing loving-kindness (metta) meditation, offering compassion and care to all parts of you - the seen and unseen, the strong and the tender - just as you are.This is an invitation to end the year softly, and to begin again from a place of kindness, honesty, and self-respect.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott examine how age limits, apprenticeships, and “youth-focused” career pathways quietly exclude neurodivergent adults — particularly those diagnosed later in life or whose paths didn’t follow a linear timeline.They explore why these systems penalise late bloomers, how autistic and ADHD people are expected to “get it right” the first time despite growing up unsupported or misunderstood, and why burnout, delayed development, and real-world capacity are so often ignored in favour of rigid age-based judgments.They discuss:Apprenticeship age limits and youth-only career schemesLate diagnosis and delayed life milestonesWhy neurodivergent development isn’t linearBurnout, missed opportunities, and starting again later in lifeWhy inclusion must account for neurodivergent timelinesA grounded, validating conversation about work, access, and why it’s never “too late” — even when systems pretend it is.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack what it means to be a passionate neurodivergent person in a world that often mistakes intensity for arrogance, aggression, or rudeness.Drawing on stories from work, friendships, family life, advocacy, sport, pop culture, and online spaces, they explore how Autistic and ADHD traits like directness, honesty, and emotional investment are frequently misunderstood — by neurotypical people and other neurodivergent people alike. They discuss:Why neurodivergent passion is often misread as aggressionBeing “too intense,” oversharing, and stating opinions like factsMisinterpretation in texts, messages, and online spacesRejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional mismatchAnger vs passion, expectations, and emotional regulationWhy being misunderstood hurts more than being disagreed withA reflective, funny, and deeply human conversation about living with passion — without apologising for it or being punished for it.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December has a way of pulling us back into old roles, familiar dynamics, and unspoken expectations - especially around family, work, and social obligations. For many neurodivergent people, this can quietly activate stress, self-doubt, and the urge to explain or perform.In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley explores Radical Permission - the practice of doing December your way. We look at why certain relationships bypass logic and go straight to the body, how childhood conditioning and masking resurface during the holidays, and why releasing the need to justify yourself can be deeply regulating.This episode also gently touches on relational tension, emotional fatigue, and the cost of people-pleasing at this time of year, offering a compassionate reframe for staying true to yourself without abandoning connection.The episode closes with a deeply empowering guided meditation, blending poetry and presence, designed to help you inhabit your inner truth, reconnect with self-trust, and move through the season with greater ease and integrity.A grounding invitation to release expectations - and reclaim your peace.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore why Autistic and ADHD people continue to face systemic discrimination when looking for work — even in industries that quietly depend on neurodivergent talent.Responding to recent reporting on neurodivergent employment discrimination, they share personal experiences of job interviews, disclosure, workplace bullying, infantilisation, and being punished for mistakes while their strengths are ignored. Jordan and Simon question whether disclosure is ever truly safe, and explain how fear, burnout, and past trauma — not lack of ability — keep capable people out of the workforce.They unpack the double bind many neurodivergent people face: judged for being unemployed, then discriminated against again when trying to work, and highlight the irony that creative, technical, and production industries are built on neurodivergent skills, while the people providing that labour remain undervalued and excluded.They discuss:Why do autistic and ADHD people struggle to get hired despite being capable?The risks and realities of disclosing neurodivergence at workInfantilisation, stigma, and being defined by mistakesWorkplace culture, office politics, and unspoken biasHow burnout and mistreatment create a genuine fear of employmentWhy neurodivergent-friendly workplaces should be the default“Nothing about us without us” in hiring, policy, and workplace designA raw, angry, and deeply validating conversation about work, worth, and why neurodivergent people aren’t locked out of employment because they can’t work — but because the system refuses to change.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the powerful role animals play in neurodivergent lives — from emotional regulation and routine to responsibility and companionship. Sparked by Simon adopting a dog, the conversation moves through childhood memories of pets as lifelines, the unique bond many Autistic and ADHD people form with animals, and why pets often provide connection without judgment when people cannot. They also speak honestly about the realities: financial strain, PDA, sensory triggers, burnout, and the unavoidable heartbreak of loss. Rather than romanticising pet ownership, the episode balances warmth with realism — acknowledging both the regulation animals bring and the responsibility they demand.Together, they discuss:Why pets are so common in neurodivergent livesAnimals as emotional regulation, comfort, and routineBeing alone without being lonelyHow pets support motivation, structure, and daily functioningPDA, autonomy, and responsibility of pet ownershipGrief, anticipatory loss, and loving animals through ageingWhy understanding your own neurodivergence matters when choosing petsThis episode is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply human reflection on why animals mean so much to neurodivergent people — not as therapy tools, but as companions, family, and anchors in an overwhelming world.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley explores the Circle of Control - a simple yet deeply regulating framework that helps neurodivergent nervous systems find steadiness in moments of anger, overwhelm, and emotional overload.Building on themes from recent episodes on December fatigue and nervous system regulation, Ashley shares how learning to release what is outside our control can radically change how we experience stress, reactivity, and burnout. Drawing on a powerful conversation from Episode 75 of The Neurodivergent Experience Podcast, she reflects on how the Circle of Control became one of the most effective tools her co-host Jordan has ever used for regulating anger - especially in high-stress moments like driving.This episode gently unpacks the paradox of control: how gripping too tightly to ourselves can create anxiety, while letting go of what was never ours restores clarity, agency, and calm. Through story, metaphor, and nervous-system wisdom, listeners are invited to rethink control not as domination, but as a compassionate way of choosing where attention and energy truly belong.The episode closes with a soothing Yoga Nidra–inspired practice, guiding listeners into deep rest and embodied focus - a way of experiencing the Circle of Control not just as an idea, but as a felt sense of inner steadiness.A grounding companion for anyone feeling stretched thin, reactive, or overwhelmed - and a reminder that peace often begins by carrying less.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott respond to an Independent article exploring whether undiagnosed ADHD increases the likelihood of young people going missing — and why headlines like this often oversimplify a much deeper issue. Jordan shares raw, personal stories of repeatedly running away as a child and how abuse, zero support, and misinterpretation shaped his behaviour — not ADHD itself. Simon unpacks why articles tend to blame neurodivergence rather than the environmental failures, lack of safeguarding, and lack of understanding that actually create crisis responses.Together, they discuss:Why “ADHD made me run away” is an oversimplificationHow unsupported neurodivergent kids end up in crisisSensationalist headlines vs. lived realityThe role of schools, police, and mental health servicesHow mislabelling kids as “naughty” shapes lifelong self-worthWhy early identification and whole-profile neurodivergent understanding mattersThe urgent need for empathy-driven support systemsThis is a validating and eye-opening conversation for anyone who grew up misunderstood — and for anyone working with vulnerable neurodivergent young people today.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this festive episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by hypnotherapist and breathwork practitioner Ashley Bentley for a warm, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about navigating Christmas as autistic and ADHD adults.From sensory overwhelm to social expectations, gift-giving anxiety to family dynamics, they explore why the holiday season can feel like both the best and worst time of year — and how reframing, self-compassion, and realistic expectations can make it easier to handle.Ashley shares practical tools for preventing burnout, managing sensory input, setting boundaries, saying no without guilt, and rediscovering small moments of joy.Whether you love Christmas, dread it, or experience both at once, this episode offers grounding guidance, humour, and permission to do the season your way.They discuss:Why Christmas triggers overwhelm, burnout, and emotional whiplashSensory overload in crowds, shops, lights, and noiseReframing expectations and rewriting old holiday storiesGift-giving anxiety and navigating social pressureBoundaries, saying no, and preserving your peaceFamily dynamics, old roles, and masking at gatheringsChildhood memories, lost traditions, and reclaiming joyApproaching the season with self-kindness and realistic goalsA validating, light-hearted, and insightful look at surviving — and maybe even enjoying — a very neurodivergent Christmas.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley explores the quiet emotional weight that December so often brings - especially for neurodivergent nervous systems. Through gentle storytelling, neuroscience, and ND-affirming insight, she unpacks why this season can feel overwhelming: the sensory demands, disrupted routines, family dynamics, social expectations, and the tender ache of loneliness that December can amplify.Ashley reframes exhaustion as the body’s boundary, loneliness as an emotional truth, and overwhelm as a physiological response rather than a personal failing. The episode includes a Bite-Sized Buddhism reflection on dukkha, a Microdosing Meaning moment for gentle re-framing, and a winter landscape meditation to help listeners find warmth, softness, and inner steadiness in a demanding season.A compassionate companion for anyone feeling stretched thin, out of sync, or quietly overwhelmed this December.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to a recent article claiming dogs can be “autistic” — and unpack why this framing misunderstands both animals and neurodivergence. They discuss how natural behaviours in animals get mislabelled as “autistic traits,” why deficit-based language harms autistic people, and how ableist assumptions shape research across species.Together, they explore:How research bias leads to fear-based language like “risk” and “behavioural problems”Why neurodivergence is a natural evolutionary advantage, not a deficitThe danger of reinforcing stereotypes (e.g., “cats are autistic,” “hyper dogs are ADHD”)Why splitting neurodivergence into strict labels misses the bigger pictureHow science goes wrong when it assumes autism is a negative traitThe importance of autistic-led insight in neurodivergent researchThis is a funny, fiery, and thought-provoking take on what happens when good intentions collide with bad science — and why autistic voices must guide any conversation about neurodivergence, no matter the species.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.