What if the mood swings, burnout, and sudden sensory overwhelm aren’t just “hormones” — but a neurodivergent brain reacting to perimenopause? In this powerful episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we unpack the science, the stats, and the very real lived experience of perimenopause in women with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivity — especially moms. You’ll learn: 🌀 What perimenopause actually is (and what it’s not) 🧠 How hormonal shifts like estrogen withdrawal impact neurotransmitters 🔥 Why PMDD ...
👀 Ever feel like a totally different person the week before your period? Not just moody — but anxious, ragey, shut down, or like you want to quit your job, run away, or scream into a pillow... Then your period starts, and suddenly… you’re okay again? Yeah. This one’s for you. 💥 In this episode, we unpack: 🧠 Why monthly hormones hit harder when you're neurodivergent (think: ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivity) 🌀 How dopamine, estrogen & serotonin impact your mood, focus, and parenting c...
If you’ve ever felt like alcohol affects you differently — the next-day anxiety, brain fog, guilt, emotional spirals, or sensory overwhelm — you’re not imagining it. In this episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we’re unpacking the unique relationship between neurodivergent women and alcohol. We explore why women with ADHD and autism are more likely to develop substance use struggles — not out of recklessness, but often from a deep desire to self-soothe, cope, and fit in. You'll learn how alcohol i...
Is it ADHD, unresolved childhood trauma—or both? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of *Quirky Moms Matter*, we’re unpacking the complex relationship between adult ADHD and childhood adversity. * Can childhood trauma lead to ADHD symptoms in adulthood? * Are ADHD diagnoses sometimes a misinterpretation of trauma responses? * What are the overlapping traits, and why does understanding them matter so much—especially if you're a mom? Whether you’re navigating motherhood with l...
You don’t need to overhaul your life to support your hormone and neurotransmitter health—especially if you’re neurodivergent, or just feeling stretched thin. In this episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we're breaking down the science into real-life, manageable actions that actually fit your brain and your season. You’ll learn: 🧠 The mechanisms and reasoning behind common advice you may already have heard. 💥 How hormones and neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol interact (...
What if what looked like postpartum depression… wasn’t? In this heartfelt and research-backed episode, I open up about my personal experience of being misdiagnosed with postpartum depression — when in reality, I was navigating undiagnosed ADHD in the whirlwind of new motherhood. We’ll explore: ✨ The hormonal shifts that mimic or magnify ADHD in the postpartum ✨ Why so many neurodivergent women are overlooked or misdiagnosed ✨ What the science says about ADHD, autism traits, and PPD risk Wheth...
If you've ever feared your thoughts meant something terrible, or that you were alone in having them — this episode is for you. In this personal and research-backed episode, I open up about one of the hardest parts of motherhood that many moms silently struggle with — intrusive thoughts. From postpartum balcony fears to late-night anxiety spirals, I share my own maternal OCD experience and the science behind why neurodivergent mothers, especially those with ADHD or autism, are more prone...
Struggling to bond after birth? Feeling disconnected during breastfeeding? You’re not alone—and there’s a reason. In this powerful episode, we explore why ADHD, sensory sensitive, anxious and autistic mothers often feel overwhelmed postpartum, and how hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and prolactin affect bonding, mood, and sensory overload. Learn how neurodivergent traits show up in early motherhood and why your bonding moment will come—even if it takes time. This episode is packed with scie...
If you've ever felt like motherhood is harder for you than it should be, this episode is for you. In this powerful first episode, we introduce the concept of the neurodivergent mom—what that means, how it shows up in everyday motherhood, and why your struggles are real, valid, and rooted in neurology, not failure. Whether you're diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or still wondering, this episode will help you feel seen. Dani dives into real-life experiences, emotional truths, and new research on ...
Welcome to Quirky Moms Matter – A space where neurobiology meets the messy reality of motherhood. Are you a neurodivergent mom, or do you suspect you might be? This podcast is here for you. I’m a late-diagnosed neurodivergent mom and researcher, and I created this show to share the knowledge I wish I had when I first started navigating motherhood with a neurodivergent brain. In this podcast, we dive into the science behind neurodivergence and how it shapes our experiences as mothers. You’l...