AuDHD Flourishing

Big feelings may be harder for monotropic people to handle. And if you have significant sensory sensitivity, the physical sensations can be overwhelming as well. This episode covers some of the ways I've been approaching grief and helplessness about Gaza. Links mentioned in show: Episode 15, How Feelings WorkLisa Feldman Barrett's book How Emotions Are MadeAl Jazeera article, ‘It’s not human’: What a French doctor saw in Gaza as Israel invaded RafahMacklemore song Hind's HallSign up for General Strike in US!Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You'll rarely catch me using the term "hack." But this concept around demand avoidance is working great for me, so far... TLDR: Shortcutting the PDA brain's ability to use pattern recognition to avoid tasks early in a sequence. Here's the Instagram video by Kristy Forbes that inspired this episode. While she suggests introducing new sensory details, I'm going the route of sincerely telling myself that we don't need to do the final thing. We're just gonna do this step. Note: even if this or Kristy's suggestion works for you, there's a good chance you'll get used to it in some form eventually! And that's okay. Sometimes we just have to keep finding new ways to work with our pattern-seeking brains. Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wow, over 100K listens! People talk a lot about feeling safe being visible—being seen and heard either literally or through putting your work into the world. While I've done a lot of personal work being comfortable while visible, the Guardian article was a huge bump in visibility. To be fair, the "bad day" I reference was also the kidney infection kicking into full gear (see "Don't Die" a couple episodes ago). It's also a lot easier to be "brave" being visible when you get almost entirely positive feedback! That usually changes with more visibility. Enjoying this particular phase and trying not to worry about the next one. The Guardian article, "The sudden rise of AuDHD" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Answering a listener question about how to handle meltdowns and shutdowns at work, and around people you don't trust. This episode covers a few ways to both plan for, push away, and handle meltdowns once they're happening in a public place. Previous episodes about meltdowns: 13 Autistic Meltdowns & Shutdowns23 You Are Not a Burden (Mattia talking about a specific meltdown they had)6 Healing Relational Trauma (guest Pasha and Mattia talk about recent meltdowns around our partners)Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I almost died two weeks ago. It's easy to miss symptoms when one has low interoception and a high pain tolerance. Episode is around the difficulties seeking care... and why it's very worth it sometimes!p.s. episodes are coming out on Saturdays nowResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail NewsletterUK study questioning the oft-quoted statistic about autistic people living 16 years less long than allistic people. TLDR: Autistic people do seem to live less long on average, but as many people are undiagnosed, it's hard to get an accurate number. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, still on about money. In this case, how we're sold the idea that it will exempt us from human suffering... but it will not! What would you do with your time if money truly were not an issue? Do you have any access to that now? Even if it looks different than you think it's supposed to? What's enjoyable, outside of the paradigm of earning or mastery? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Genevieve Joy and I have a lot in common, including excruciating childhoods that led to chronic pain. Both of us also healed that chronic pain through hypnosis and are now enthusiastic about the possibilities of working with the unconscious.Content note: There are no graphic depictions of trauma in this episode! However, the way we talk about our own healing journey could be triggering to someone who's in extreme pain at the moment. This is in part because we don't go into the nitty gritty details... it could sound dismissive because we're focusing on the "after." Please trust your body and stop listening if it's not for you at the moment.Connect with Genevieve: Her website, iamgenevievejoy.comHer podcast, Become Your Own SaviorResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail NewsletterHuberman Lab podcast about Placebo Effect on Biology & PhysiologyTry Hypnosis / Learn Self-Hypnosis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fixing can be a trauma response. You don't need to heal everything! Especially in our very fixing-oriented culture that will sell you a solution to problems you didn't even realize you had.Body-based modalities and working with the unconscious (including hypnosis) are just tools. Just because the tool exists doesn't mean you have to use it. Because someone else healed from something doesn't mean you have to. This episode touches on some issues around working with the unconscious, including: You can work with your unconscious on your own Self-trust can be complicated if you have sensory issues or traumaExpectations matter a lot, including the vibe with the practitioner Demand avoidance and "tricking" the unconscious ND traits are not blocks to be fixed!Try Hypnosis / Learn Self-HypnosisResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie loves connection at a nervous system level. How do we have agency with that even when it's beyond our control? We talk about challenges around connection, in-person vs. online, the power of being around a regulated nervous system, and the power of community.Connect with Natalie: Her website, natalie.netHer podcast, Noticing With NatalieFormer podcast, Earth SpeakResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating the Dual Diagnosis of AuDHD. Thanks to William Curb for hosting on the Hacking Your ADHD podcast, and providing the audio to share directly. You can read the full show notes and transcript here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Success is a complicated topic for AuDHD folks. We're often not praised for what feels the most difficult. Then sometimes told we did an amazing job for something that didn't feel like a big deal. AuDHD folks often also struggle to achieve traditional success in the workplace and relationships, in large part due to stigma and being disabled by societal factors. Then, once we actually achieve some kind of success, it can feel way less good than we expected.It's totally okay to have dreams (big or small)! And it's also useful to ask better questions about why and what we're hoping for once we get there. Mentioned in episode:Andrew's first email/post: "the No"Followup: "after the No"Andrew Simonet interview (episode 31)ep 9 Asking the Right QuestionsResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does one continue to make art while depressed? Artist Kal Anderson (he/they) has created a large body of work through the ups and downs.Topics include:Questioning the value of artThe process of creating many things you don't likeAsking for helpPerspective on your work and practiceWhether depression is artistically "useful" (spoiler alert: mostly, no)Connect with Kal: kalanderson.com for fine art, leather, creative coachingInstagram @kalandersonartResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Energy doesn't always feel good. Sometimes it leads directly into overwhelm! 4m mini episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autism "Levels" (1, 2, or 3 in current diagnostic terminology) are not necessarily an accurate reflection of our lived experience.Reflecting on last week's guest and what "subclinical" autism even means.How monotropism may, yet again, explain what's going on.What actually works for us and what supports we need.Mentioned in episode:Monotropism.org ExplanationsMonotropism QuestionnaireFergus Murray's 6 Starting Points for Understanding AutismResources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog & Contact FormTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A question I hear a lot: Should I just push through? It's not all or nothing. Feeling unable to do something right now doesn't mean that all is lost and the day is a complete wash. It's safe to switch to something else. It's safe to change your mind. It's safe to need rest and recovery time.There is nothing wrong with us. But damn do we need more rest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Curb hosts the Hacking Your ADHD podcast. We dive into what it means to have a "subclinical" autism diagnosis, and what that implies in the context of having a completely different brain. Other topics include: The medical model vs. lived experienceHandling children's vs. parents' sensory needsNeurodivergent children/household Formal diagnosis process How we view ourselves through this lens Which ND is driving the bus right now?Complicated diagnosis with multiple potential options Mentioned in the podcast: The Hacking Your ADHD website (also contains the podcast linked above)Will's Twitter @HackingYourADHDResources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog & Contact FormTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we delve into ethical considerations around marketing coaching, including MLM-like tactics, pricing, and the pressure to charge high fees to recoup investments in programs teaching coaches how to market.One particular thing I learned recently about this history of the coaching world is changing how I think about my own business. Even if you're not a coach, this will be an interesting episode!Topics include:Following up about last week's conversation with Samantha Pollack about ethics in marketingWhy some of the MLM accusations feel true (marketing coaches teaching coaches how to market to other coaches, etc)Courses focused on marketing and selling over coaching skillsWhy the industry doubled its prices some years ago due to JV/affiliate modelsAccessibility not just in terms of money but also how AuDHD folks consume content and integrateLinks mentioned in episode: Survey about having bought courses/coachingContact form The four video podcasts by Rachael Kay Albers: Thomas Edison to Tony Robbins: The Online Business Family Tree, Six Figure Masterminds, Marie Forleo, and The Syndicate, ClickFunnels, Fake it 'til you make it, & Moneyball, Fix From Within or Burn It All Down? What Next? Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog & Contact FormTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marketing ends up relevant to many AuDHD people at some point, in part because many of us end up freelancing at some point out of desire or necessity. Many of us end up resisting it because of our strong ethics.I'd already blogged Samantha's amazing Substack article, "Conventional Marketing Ain't Workin' Anymore." And was ecstatic when she said yes to a deep dive on why making friends with marketing is important for any small business owner or service provider. We talk about:How making friends can be a (chill) marketing activityDrawing in the people you like working withWhy a lot of B2B marketing is dishonest at heartEvaluating whether social media is working for youA super simple approach to marketing that feels ethicalHow as a consumer, a lot of marketing is just noiseThis episode is interesting from the consumer side, even if you don't ever create marketing!Connect with Sam: Substack: The Cult of Personality SoapboxInstagram @cultofpersonalitySales Page Framework (50% discount for podcast listeners is reflected when you click to buy)Email list signup (scroll down)Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog & Contact FormTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first of at least two follow-up episodes about monotropism responding to the work of Fergus Murray, interview guest in episode 034 Monotropism Might Explain Everything.If you base your ideas about how long it should take to create on societal messages, you might be trying to "squeeze it in" around all your other obligations. But monotropic brains (which AuDHD brains typically are) might need more transition time to get into the right frame of mind. Not only to get things done, but for the process to be more enjoyable, which is a major goal for me creatively. You can learn more about the Monotropism Questionnaire here, and take the quiz here (checkbox near top of page lets you save your results and come back later). If you're in Like Your Brain, come tell us your score! We've been talking about it :) p.s. I'm very proud of myself for practicing what I preach. While working on this episode, I'd told my partner I was recording. Then as I was 75% done with editing, they tried to interrupt me to come do a house task with no warning. I said no! That felt like a big deal because letting myself follow this task to completion felt really good, and I would have been battling dysregulation if I'd gone to do something completely unrelated. Some links Fergus recommended for further reading on monotropism: ADHD and MonotropismMonotropism in Practice Loops of Concern (self-help for autistic rumination)Autism Tips for TeachersResources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog & Contact FormTranscript Doc (as of posting this episode in early Feb 2024, I'm a few episodes behind & hoping to catch up soon!) Email Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monotropism is a powerful description of a narrowed field of attention and interests that, for many, explains much of the autistic experience. Fergus Murray (they/them) shares about this topic both from personal experience, and as the child of Dinah Murray, one of the people who developed the term and theory.Healing from neurodivergent burnout requires understanding your monotropic brain and avoiding monotropic split as much as possible. And fun fact, as Fergus points out: in the original validation study, AuDHD people were the most monotropic!The title reflects both monotropism as an excellent theory about potentially multiple neurodivergences, as well as the tendency of monotropic people to end up seeing connections between diverse fields.Mentioned in episode:Fergus's website: oolong.co.ukMonotropism QuestionnaireAutism and Mental Health free course (free for first 90 days)Connect with Fergus & learn more about monotropism:Fergus's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/0olongMonotropism: https://monotropism.orgADHD and MonotropismResources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog Transcript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.