The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

I Threw My Mask Away: Living AuDHD Out Loud with Nick PaganoMasking nearly cost my guest his life — and his honesty about it changed everything. In this episode I talk with Nick Pagano about what happens when you stop pretending and start living as AuDHD.I’ll share why this conversation matters: you’ll hear how chronic masking, suicidal thoughts, and unmasking intersect with work, relationships, and identity. Nick reveals the personal rules and small practices that helped him move from constant masking to steady growth — and I ask the hard questions that most people avoid.You’ll discover one surprising habit that helped Nick survive the worst moments, one place masking shows up most in daily life, and how reclaiming authenticity affected his job and relationships. I tease the frameworks and strategies we discuss, but I leave the “how” for the episode — because you need to hear Nick’s voice to feel it.About the GuestNick Pagano (Real Conversations with Neurodivergent Nick) is a creator and host who speaks openly about living AuDHD, masking, and mental health. He uses candid storytelling and practical rules to help others recognize and grow from their neurodivergent traits.Timestamps0:02 – Welcome and intro to Nick0:55 – Nick’s turning point: depression and unmasking3:39 – Realization at a basketball game: how his mind works7:01 – Music, masking, and emotional expression12:48 – Masking at work and being fired for honesty21:02 – Self-diagnosis and responding to pushback35:29 – Growth rule: “grow every day” and neuroplasticity47:06 – Nick reads the poem that changed everything52:50 – What Nick refuses to apologize for: existing53:09 – Where to find Nick’s podcast and channelsListen to the full episode to hear Nick’s poem, the strategies he used to ask for help, and how he balances masking with being true to himself. If this resonated, subscribe and share — someone in your life might need to hear it.Find Nick: YouTube & Spotify — Real Conversations with Neurodivergent Nick (@therealconvoswithNDNick)Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When Mental Health Recovery Needs More Than RestWhat if burnout, brain fog, and mood swings aren’t just “in your head” but signs your body is asking for help?In this episode, I sit down with Mick Pozin to talk about a side of mental health recovery that many people rarely hear about. We get into burnout, mental health leave, ADHD, food sensitivities, blood sugar, and why rest alone may not be enough when your system is already running on fumes.Mick shares how undiagnosed gluten and dairy issues shaped his mood, focus, and sense of self for years. Then we talk about the deeper thread behind it all: how energy, environment, and physiology can affect everything from irritability and procrastination to sleep and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered why therapy helps but still feels incomplete, this conversation will give you a new lens to consider.You’ll hear why some people miss the signs until they crash, what often gets overlooked during mental health leave, and why recovery may need more than a break from work. There’s a lot here for neurodivergent people, caregivers, and anyone trying to make sense of burnout without shame.About the GuestMik Pozin studies the connection between metabolism, energy, and mental health. His work focuses on helping people recover from burnout, especially during mental health disability leave.Timestamps0:42 - How food sensitivities changed Mick’s mood and focus7:23 - What people misunderstand about mental health leave10:05 - Why a vacation or job change may not fix burnout14:47 - The moment blood sugar changed how Mick viewed mental health28:32 - Realizing “this isn’t just who I am”50:37 - Why burnout can hit especially hard for people with ADHD55:07 - The one thing I want you to remember about recoveryMik’s Website: https://www.feelsila.com/Show Affiliate: https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTIONHelp Bring Fearless Footsteps in the World: https://paypal.me/fullconversation?locale.x=en_US&country.x=USIf this episode speaks to you, listen through and share it with someone who needs a more compassionate way to think about burnout, ADHD, and mental health recovery.#MentalHealth #BurnoutRecovery #ADHD #Neurodivergent #MentalHealthLeaveHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected] on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What ADHD Costs Us Quietly, and Why Your Real Story Still MattersIf you’ve ever wondered why small tasks can carry such a heavy price with ADHD, this conversation will likely hit close to home.In this episode, I sit down with Jill Ivey to talk about late-realized ADHD, masking, distraction, and the hidden costs that many neurodivergent people carry without anyone seeing them. We also get into something just as important: how our lived experience shapes the stories we tell about ourselves, at work and in life.Jill shares what changed when she spoke publicly about her ADHD, why so many women miss the signs for years, and how everyday systems often fail neurodivergent brains. Then the conversation shifts into storytelling, identity, and why a polished bio can miss the most human part of who we are.We also touch on AI, writing, and the big question many people are asking right now: can a tool really capture your voice, or does it miss the part that matters most?If you’re neurodivergent, support someone who is, or you’re still finding the words for your own story, I think this episode will leave you feeling seen.About the GuestJill Ivey is a writer, content strategist, and story expert who helps people find the personal stories that set them apart. She’s also spoken openly about her own ADHD experience and the real-life impact it can have.Timestamps0:01 - I welcome Jill Ivey and we begin with her ADHD story0:27 - How late-realized ADHD showed up during the pandemic7:49 - The hidden financial and daily costs of ADHD12:54 - What happened after Jill shared her story publicly21:25 - How Jill helps people find the story behind their work29:30 - The small details that reveal a bigger story33:17 - Why AI can’t fully capture lived experience43:44 - How your story can stay honest as you change50:35 - The story Jill is still learning to tellJill's Resources:Website: https://jilletante.com/Website: https://www.jillianivey.com/Show Affiliate:https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTIONHelp Bring Fearless Footsteps into the World:https://paypal.me/fullconversation?locale.x=en_US&country.x=USIf this conversation resonates, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs clearer, kinder language around ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence.#ADHD #Neurodivergent #LateDiagnosis #Storytelling #AutismAcceptanceHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected] on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What Freedom Costs: My Conversation with Zulal Habibi on Iran, Loss, and ResistanceWhat happens when freedom isn’t an idea, but something your family has paid for in blood? In this episode, I sit down with Zolal Habibi for a powerful conversation about Iran, grief, courage, and why real change must come from the people themselves.Zolal shares how activism shaped her life from childhood, how personal loss changed her path, and why silence can carry its own cost. As we talk, she helps me see the human side of headlines that are often reduced to politics, numbers, or quick opinions.You’ll hear why she believes Iran’s future can’t be reduced to war or acceptance, what younger generations are showing the world right now, and why the role of women matters far beyond what most people hear in the news. There’s also a deeper question running through this whole conversation: what responsibility do we carry when we live in freedom while others are still fighting for it?About the GuestZulal Habibi is an Iranian human rights advocate and longtime supporter of the Iranian Resistance. Her work focuses on raising awareness of the people of Iran, political repression, and the ongoing fight for democratic change.Timestamps0:46 - I welcome Zolal and begin with her earliest connection to Iran6:54 - When fear became part of everyday life15:18 - Why she says the solution is not war or appeasement27:46 - How her life became tied to the Resistance35:53 - The personal cost of speaking publicly for Iran47:26 - One story of courage she has never forgotten54:50 - The central role of women in Iran’s Resistance66:57 - Why Iran’s future must come from its own people73:30 - What younger Iranians are doing differently now79:10 - What she hopes to do the day Iran is freeZolal's Resources:ncr-iran.orgMaryamMajaviForChange.comoiac.orgiranfreedom.orghttps://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTIONIf this conversation moved you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs a more human picture of Iran, resistance, and freedom.#Iran #HumanRights #Freedom #WomenInResistance #TheCuriousStorytellerHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected] on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What Happens When Autism, C-PTSD, and Self-Worth Finally Start to Make SenseWhat if the hard parts of your past finally started to make sense—and you realized you still had a say in what comes next?In this episode, I sit down with Lawrence Harris for an honest conversation about autism, C-PTSD, emotional regulation, and what it takes to rebuild self-worth when life has taught you to question it. We talk about what it feels like to grow up misunderstood, how trauma can shape relationships and daily life, and the quiet shift that happens when surviving turns into something more intentional.Lawrence shares parts of his story with real honesty, from childhood abuse and abandonment wounds to the tools that helped him start seeing himself more clearly. We also talk about why journaling became such a powerful practice for him, what progress actually looked like, and how he turned painful experiences into work that now helps young people feel less alone.If you've ever wondered why certain patterns keep showing up—or how healing can begin to feel possible—this conversation will give you a lot to think about. And there are a few moments in this episode that may stay with you long after it ends.About the GuestLawrence Harris is a speaker and content creator who shares his lived experience with autism, C-PTSD, healing, and emotional growth to support young people who are still finding their footing.Timestamps0:02 - I welcome Lawrence and ask what life felt like before he had words for autism and C-PTSD3:21 - The moment therapy began helping things click into place6:44 - What C-PTSD looked like in everyday life, emotionally and physically14:03 - When Lawrence realized he wanted more than just getting through16:41 - The first real step he took toward healing17:28 - How journaling helped him build emotional awareness24:59 - Rebuilding self-worth after years of feeling misunderstood33:25 - What Lawrence does when old fears still show up43:03 - How his story became a way to help others50:36 - What lasting growth really looks like in real lifeLawrence's Links:LawrenceCMpowers.comShow Affiliate https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTIONIf this episode speaks to you, listen to the full conversation and share it with someone who needs the reminder that they are not alone.#NeurodivergentConnection #AutismAwareness #CPTSDHealing #MentalHealthSupport #SelfWorthHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected] on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.