Sometimes the hardest thing about being neurodivergent isn’t the challenges themselves, it’s the people who think they’re being helpful but really… aren’t. In this episode, Nic and Kate talk about the red flags to look out for, from outdated language like “with autism” to tokenistic “neurodiversity light” initiatives, and the all-too-familiar superpower clichés. They share their own experiences of what actually feels supportive, what definitely doesn’t, and why good intentions aren’t enough without genuine understanding. Reminder: we’re now on a monthly schedule, with new episodes out on the last Thursday of every month. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.
In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Nic and Kate talk frankly about the feeling that life is held together with wobbly scaffolding and what happens when it all falls down. It’s also about recognising when the systems that are meant to help often just add to the load and how hard it is to keep advocating when you're already running on empty. Important note: we’re moving to a monthly schedule, with new episodes released on the last Thursday of each month. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next one.
We're back with another slice of beautifully chaotic honesty from Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws. This week, Nic and Kate get stuck into the world of beauty practitioners, from eyebrow appointments to small talk, and why some environments just aren’t set up with neurodivergent brains in mind. It’s very funny, very real, and might just make you feel a bit more seen.
Some shows are more than just telly. They’re our background noise, our wind-down routine, or our way of shutting the world out when it’s all a bit much. In this episode, Nic and Kate chat about comfort shows, why they matter, what counts as one, and how they serve a bigger purpose than people often realise.Think you’ve got a ‘weird’ comfort show? You’re in good company.
Are you an HSP? Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) get a mixed reception in online neurodivergent spaces. Some say it’s just unspoken autism. Others say it’s a valid identity in its own right. In this episode, Kate and Nic dig into what being an HSP actually means, whether it's its own neurodivergence, why some HSPs feel in-between and why the "quiet person with a book" isn't always autistic. There’s nuance. There’s self-identification. There’s trauma-informed thought, and a healthy dose of “You know yourself better than anyone else.
What is potential anyway? Is it four A grades and an S-Level in English? Is it memorising 15 poems, even if you’re a poet who wouldn’t answer a single exam question on your own work? Is it going to Oxford? (Or deliberately not going to Oxford?) This week’s episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws is about education, potential, class, memory tests, teenage poetry, and why we don’t all peak in Year 11.
Hands up if you’ve ever apologised for your tone in a three-line email. Or assumed a stranger’s silence meant they hate you. Or spiralled for hours over a “no.” Yep, us too. In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate and Nic dig into rejection sensitivity: the life experiences that wire us for it, why it shows up so strongly in neurodivergent folks and what helps. If you’ve ever thought “it’s not about you”… but still felt like it was: this one’s for you.
Is it resilience, or is it just surviving a broken system? In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate and Nic are joined by special guest Anna Knight, a former speech therapist turned coach for world-changers (and dungaree-lovers). They explore why 'resilience' gets weaponised (especially in schools), what true resilience actually looks like and the liberating power of and. There’s also chat about value pie charts, custard mishaps, and the joy of being bluntly honest in neurodivergent relationships. Find more from Anna at www.theaudaciousand.com
Can what you wear change how you feel? In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate and Nic get into the joy of dopamine dressing, from rainbow trousers and sunflower dungarees to sequins, shiny shoes, and novelty ties. There’s talk of goths, grief, rainbows, resistance, and a fair bit about pockets. Whether you’re fully sequinned or just testing out a colourful earring, you’re invited.
This one’s for the animal lovers and the animal needers.Kate and Nic explore how animals can calm, support, and connect us, especially if you're neurodivergent. From alpaca walks to ex-therapy pets, dog reading, and fox neighbours (yes, really), it’s a warm, funny episode about the very real emotional support that animals can bring.Includes: cats with opinions, therapy owls, and a red panda with boundaries.
It's time for episode 42.This one’s about AI...again. But can you blame us? From helping with legal letters and holiday hot tub instructions, to identifying flowers mid-walk and giving specific, heartfelt compliments on funeral outfits, AI’s proving oddly perfect for neurodivergent brains. We talk friendship, therapy, ethics, awkward Roman queens, and what happens when AI gets philosophical about the meaning of life (spoiler: it’s still 42).
In this episode, Kate and Nic talk about death - how we process it (or don’t), how society expects us to react, and why it can feel particularly complex for neurodivergent people.They cover everything from scripts that don’t land, to overwhelming grief etiquette, to why “I’m sorry for your loss” sometimes just doesn’t cut it.It’s honest, thoughtful, awkward in places, and quietly funny in others - just like real conversations about death often are.
In Episode 40 of Neurotypicals: Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, we explore the idea that things like truth, justice, and mercy aren’t just abstract ideals, they’re deeply felt emotions for many neurodivergent people.Kate and Nic reflect on the strong sense of right and wrong that so often shapes autistic identity, activism, and everyday life. From personal ethics to social expectations, this episode gets right into what drives us and why it matters.
In this week’s Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Nic and Kate take on the nonsense so you don’t have to. From the latest nonsense to paracetamol panic and vaccine conspiracies, they call out the wildest (and most persistent) myths about the cause of autism.Expect proper facts, sharp wit, and the kind of laughter you need when the world keeps asking the wrong questions.🧬 Spoiler alert: it’s genetic.
This week on Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate and Nic take on the tricky topic of friendship. What does it mean to be a good friend as a neurodivergent adult? Why is it so hard to make new ones? And is it OK to just want low-maintenance WhatsApp friendships and heated car seats?Expect honest chat, gentle humour, and some very relatable reflections on energy, expectations, and why being “undemanding” might just be the dream.
In the second part of our special episode with Fergus Murray and Sonny Hallett, we focus on the practical aspects of living as a neurodivergent individual, including the challenges and strategies related to neurodivergent privilege, identity construction, and community support. Fergus and Sonny share their insights on creating supportive environments through counselling, advocacy, and mutual aid, which facilitate better understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent identities.
This week, we’re talking memory—and how it can affect relationships, expectations, appointments, and everything in between when you’re neurodivergent.Kate and Nic explore forgetfulness that’s not personal, missed calendar dates, and why reminders aren’t about assuming incompetence, they’re about care.We get into prompting culture, inconsistent systems, and how many of us are walking around with brains too full to remember it’s Thursday.
In the final part of our conversation with the brilliant Kieran Rose, we continue exploring the deep stuff—trauma, safety, diagnosis, and the stories that shape how autistic people are seen, treated, and understood. We talk about the real impact of unsupported neurodivergence across a lifetime, what’s missing in many professional approaches, and why pushing for understanding isn’t just about “awareness”—it’s about challenging systems. Expect compassion, realism, and a healthy dose of challenge to the status quo. Because, as Kieran puts it, you can’t separate autism from the world it exists in—and the stories we tell matter.
Pain can be hard to describe, hard to measure—and even harder to manage when you’re neurodivergent. This week, Kate and Nic dive into the realities of pain, fatigue, and how it shows up (or doesn’t) for autistic people. From hot water bottles for your soul to boiling showers, we’re sharing the warmth, the honesty, and a few laugh-out-loud moments along the way.
In the second part of our special with Dr. Amy Pearson, we’re focusing on the practical challenges and societal expectations faced by autistic individuals, particularly autistic women and mothers. Dr. Pearson elaborates on the concept of 'masking' and its profound effects on personal and professional life, emphasising the intense pressures and unrealistic standards imposed on autistic mothers. This episode sheds light on the need for greater understanding and support for the autistic community, discussing how societal norms and gender roles significantly impact the mental health and well-being of autistic individuals.