Neurodivergent Report

Featuring: Janet Jay, writer and advocate exploring intersection of chronic pain, ADHD, and community careHow do you navigate life when your body and your brain aren’t cooperating & there’s no system in place to provide support?In this episode, we explore:Chronic Pain & ADHDOverlap between chronic pain and ADHDAdult ADHD diagnosis and identity shiftNavigating SystemsBarriers within the healthcare systemUsing technology/AI to manage care and informationCommunity & SupportCommunity as a survival toolFinding and building supportive networksCoping & RegulationPractical coping tools and workaroundsCreative practices as regulation (knitting, art, movement)Life IntegrationParenting, emotional regulation, and nervous system supportGrief, resilience, and meaning-makingBuilding a life that works with your limitations, not against themKey Questions Answered in the Audio:How do you build a meaningful life when your body and brain both create barriers?What actually helps when the healthcare system fails you?How do you find (or build) community that truly gets it?Resources Mentioned:JanetJay.com (blog, tools, and upcoming projects)The US Pain Foundation + The Invisible Project magazine: https://uspainfoundation.org/Our Painful Truth: https://www.youtube.com/@OurPainfulTruthConnect With Us!ndreportpod.comFollow us on socials @NDreportpod

What happens when your softness isn’t perceived as a weakness but your strategy for sustainability? This episode challenges the idea that activism has to be loud, dangerous, or perfect to make a difference.In this episode, we explore:Women’s Work is Political: Jocie breaks down how reclaiming knitting as activism is both intentional and disruptive.Small Impact Still Counts: From classrooms to community hats, we assert that changing even one life is meaningful & why quantitative scale isn’t the only measure of impact."Everyone is big enough to do something" Framework from Mister Rogers: Craftivism becomes an accessible entry point for people who can’t engage in traditional activism but still want to contribute in tangible ways.Protecting Your Peace: We talk about perfectionism, the “digital HOA,” and how fear of doing it wrong stops people from doing anything at all.Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Is craftivism “enough” to make a real difference? How do you contribute to change if your body/brain/nervous system can’t tolerate traditional activism? What does a sustainable craftivism practice actually look like?Resources Mentioned:CVNT Collective – https://cvntcollective.orgInstagram: @cvnt.collectiveJoin our crafting community >>>https://www.facebook.com/groups/1827428261337223Donate, shop, craft, or share to support the mission!Connect With Us!The Neurodivergent Reportndreportpod.comFollow us on all the socials @NDreportpod

Featuring:Peter Shankman, entrepreneur, founder of Source of Sources, and early architect of the AOL newsroomBefore the internet became corporate and slow, it was chaos... and a lot of it was built by neurodivergent brains moving fast and breaking things. Peter Shankman joins Sarah to talk about helping build the AOL newsroom, quitting the corporate meeting machine, and accidentally creating one of the most powerful media networking tools on the internet.In this episode, we explore:The First Real Job:Peter lands at America Online in the 90s (back when AOL was the internet) and helps create the AOL Newsroom by experimenting & moving fast.The Identity Shift:Next, Peter tries a traditional media job and immediately hits a wall: endless meetings, zero momentum, and a structure that was never gonna work for him.Protecting Your Peace:Find the workaround for you: if the system isn’t working, try something new.Unexpected Details:Peter grew up in NYC, went to a performing arts high school, and sang for decades?! Key Questions Answered in the Audio:Why do so many ADHD people end up building companies or working in startups?What was it actually like inside AOL when the internet was first exploding?How can creators, podcasters, and entrepreneurs get press and media attention without hiring a PR firm?Resources Mentioned:Source of Sources (SOS) – connect journalists and expertshttps://sourceofsources.comPeter's Website https://www.shankman.comFollow Peter on social (@petershankman)

Featuring: Cate Osborn & Eric Gude, authors of The ADHD Field Guide for AdultsWhat happens when you finally get the thing you’ve worked toward for years before you suddenly realize you can’t sustain it? This conversation explores the grief, identity shifts, and radical self-honesty at the heart of the ADHD experience.In this episode, we explore:The Tower Moment: Cate’s 2018 medical crisis and late ADHD diagnosis reframed her entire life, while Eric’s teenage realization that effort alone couldn’t override his brain shattered his “mind over matter” narrative.The Identity Grief Spiral: From Shakespeare professor dreams to professional sourdough baker pivots, we unpack the heartbreak of loving something deeply — and still having to let it go.The Field Guide Framework: Their book is designed as a non-linear, shame-free resource that teaches readers how to name their wants, needs, strengths, and limits instead of prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions.Protecting Your Peace: We talk about radical patience — with yourself, with neurotypicals, and with the parts of you that are still learning — plus the power of asking directly for what you want without apology.The Very Human Stuff: Wednesday Addams airport pickups, Renaissance festivals, ungraded papers from 10 years ago, sourdough at 3am, touching grass and trees to regulate, and the fear of liking something too much.Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Why does life with ADHD feel like an ongoing cycle of grief and reinvention? How do you tell the difference between “this is hard” and “this isn’t for me”? What does it actually mean to be a fearless student of your own brain?Resources Mentioned: The ADHD Field Guide for Adults by Cate Osborn & Eric GudeWebsite: Catieosaurus.com + national tour info @Catieosaurus & @HeyGude (Erik) on TikTok/IGCate and Eric’s Infinite Quest (podcast): https://infinitequestpodcast.com/Sorry, I Missed This (podcast): https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/sorry-i-missed-this

Featuring: Dr. Melisa Moore, licensed psychologist & board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialistIf you’ve ever whispered “why can’t I get my kid to sleep?” at 10:47 p.m., this episode dismantles the guilt and replaces it with biology, nuance, and real-life flexibility.In this episode, we explore:You’re Not a Bad Parent: Is there a rational reason why I struggle with sleep routines as a parent?“Adolescent Circadian Shift”: What do child development studies tell us about early morning wake-ups for adolescents?The Five S’s to Sleep Routines: What does it actually take to build a nighttime routine for neurodivergent kids?Protecting Your Peace: How to make sure we don’t sacrifice connection for perfection at bedtime? Unexpected Human Detail: This sleep specialist tells the story of supporting her AuDHD son & his late-night snacking habit... sometimes its ok to leave your kids lemon Oreos on the nightstand .Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Why does traditional sleep hygiene advice often fail neurodivergent families? Is screen time always the villain at bedtime or does distraction sometimes help a busy brain fall asleep? How do sleep associations (like co-sleeping or listening to videos) affect middle-of-the-night wakeups?Resources Mentioned: The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids by Dr. Melisa Moore [https://newworldlibrary.com/product/the-good-sleep-guide-for-neurodivergent-kids]drmelissamoore.com​ ⁨@drmelisamoore⁩ ​ ⁨@NewWorldLibrary⁩ Connect With Us!ndreportpod.comFollow @NDreportpod on all the socials!

Diagnosed at four. Told what she “wouldn’t” do. Now she’s training for triathlons while juggling college, sensory needs, and full-time endurance sport.In this episode, we explore:Importance of Parental Support: Doctors predicted limits. Her parents built a support network instead.Running Changed My Life:  Medication made her feel flat and lethargic. Running regulated her nervous system & finally changed everything.Color-Coded Chaos:  Google Calendar. Daily check-ins. Flexible rescheduling. Protecting Your Peace:  tips for managing sensory overwhelm Plastic Feet Totem: cute story about how movement + tangible goals = motivation.Key Questions Answered in the Audio:How do you train for Ironman without burning out?What does early autism support actually look like?How do you juggle school, sport, and sensory regulation without melting down?Resources Mentioned:TriGirlAdrienne.comIG: trigirl_16Connect with us!NDReportPod.com

Featuring: Struan Mackenzie, former UK civil servant & creator of the YouTube channel Am I Neurodivergent?This is a conversation about burnout, identity collapse, and rebuilding from the inside out.In this episode, we explore:The Late Diagnosis: From stress breakdown to rabbit-hole of autism research... suddenly realized his entire life made sense.The Identity Reformation: Another non-linear story of diagnosis. From ASD, to combined-type ADHD, to discovering AuDHD; Struan shares how each diagnosis both clarified and destabilized his sense of self... including deconstructing internalized ableism.Protecting Your Peace: From scripting work meetings for hours during COVID to redefining his relationship with alcohol and social energy, Struan shares how he’s learning to honor his nervous system instead of pushing through it.The Unexpected Human Detail: Childhood quirks (i.e. lining up toy cars in perfect order, or hiding inside a bookcase) behavior no one recognized at the time, but now reads like a neon sign for autism.Key Questions Answered in the Audio:Why were  so many high-achieving neurodivergent adults missed in childhood, especially in the 70s, 80s, and 90s?What does cyclical burnout actually look like & where does it come from? How does alcohol uniquely affect autistic and ADHD nervous systems & why does the crash hit so hard?Looking for Struan?youtube.com/@amineurodivergentConnect With Us:ndreportpod.com@NDreportpod on all the socials!

Featuring:Jonathan Katz-Ouziel, autistic accessibility consultant and founder of Opossum House AccessibilityWhat happens when autism is diagnosed early, supported well, and allowed to stay joyful — and how OCD complicates (and sometimes sharpens) everything that comes afterIn this episode, we explore:Early Diagnosis Moment: what it was like being diagnosed autistic at age three in the 1990s, and how access, parental belief, and early support shape sense of selfThe Identity Shift: From masking in a conformist school system to reclaiming autism as something fun, social, and deeply human — while naming the privilege baked into his journeyCreating Workarounds & Framework: How OCD-driven rituals around time, sleep, and lists evolved into autistic-friendly executive function systems that actually support his workCalming Sensory Needs: Why unmet sensory needs can amplify OCD, how light and heat regulation matter, and what it means to design life around nervous system safetyRandom moments: Eggplants are botanically berries, opossums are the ultimate autistic mascot, and leaning into “cringe” is a survival strategyKey Questions Answered in the Audio:How do autism and OCD interact — and when does one help or hinder the other?What does accessibility actually look like beyond ramps and compliance checklists?Is starting a business as a neurodivergent person empowering or a fast track to burnout?Resources Mentioned:Opossum House Accessibility (Jonathan’s consulting practice) >>>https://www.opossumhouseaccessibility.com/Jonathan Katz-Ouziel on LinkedIn >>>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-katz-ouziel-cpacc-6b098334/Connect With Us>>>⁠https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠Follow @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice

Ft:  Karen Kossow, disability advocate, neurodivergent parent, and co-founder of Faircare IdahoWhat happens when parenting, disability, hormones, and burnout collide — and the systems meant to support you quietly disappear?In this episode, we explore:Brain Fog + Burnout = Breaking PointSarah gets vulnerable about worsening brain fog and fatigue, opening a larger conversation about perimenopause, disability, and survival under constant strain.Late Recognition & Reframing ExpectationsKaren talks parenting autistic kids, navigating Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and the loss of access of familiar coping mechanisms during perimenopause.The Reality of Caregiving Without Support:Why paid family caregiver programs matter, what happens when they’re cut, and how unpaid labor props up broken socioeconomic systems.Develop Self-Care Rituals:Learning to read non-verbal body signals, prioritize finite energy, and practice nervous system rest & regulation instead of pushing through.Key Questions Answered in the Audio:1. How do I know I’m doing too much?2. Why are families expected to survive without real systemic support?3. What practical nervous system grounding tools actually help when you’re already overwhelmed & over-scheduled?Resources Mentioned:Karen Kossow’s Substack — Self-Care Support Squad https://karenkossow.substack.com/Faircare Idaho (family paid caregiving advocacy) https://faircareidaho.substack.com/Connect With Us⁠https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠Follow @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice

Featuring: Lucy — Art therapist based in Melbourne, Australia, working at the intersection of creativity, neurodivergence, sensory regulation, and relational healing.People rarely heal by talking alone; this week, Lucy joins me to explain that slow and soft sensory practices can be the most powerful tools for nervous system repair, especially for neurodivergent people who’ve built up trauma just trying to survive without proper self-understanding.Curious What’s Inside?Crafting for Nervous System Repair: how slow, tactile art forms like embroidery can support regulation, agency, and self-worth when words and traditional therapy fall short.Craft as stimming: How hand-crafting creates felt-safety through rhythm, repetition, and choice.Animals & Co-Regulation: Exploring how animals can buff your restoration scoreSensory Awareness & Grounding: Low-demand grounding practices that don’t rely on breathwork or visualization techniquesQuestions We Answer:Why do some people heal more through creating art than in talk therapy?How can craft support executive function and emotional regulation?What makes breathwork grounding inaccessible for many neurodivergent people?How do animals support co-regulation in therapy and daily life?What does low-demand grounding actually look like in practice?Guest & LinksLucy, Art TherapistInstagram: @embrace.this.spaceWebsite: https://embracethisspace.com.auPencil Dust — an animated podcast about art, neurodivergence, and late diagnosis @pencildustpod Connect With Us⁠https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠Follow @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice

Featuring: Ryan Baker-Barrett, BCBA — ADHD clinician, parent of neurodivergent kids, and adult diagnosed with ADHD later in life.I keep hearing stories of adults who don’t receive diagnosis until after their relationships fall apart.   In this episode, Ryan Baker-Barrett shares his late ADHD diagnosis, experience with inattentive ADHD, barriers to medication access, and what it’s like to parent neurodivergent kids while managing his own nervous system.Curious What’s Inside?Late ADHD Diagnosis Why inattentive ADHD is often missed in childhood.Inattentive ADHD (What Is It Actually Like) Time blindness, hyperfocus, weak interoception, and fatigue.Medication Access & Gatekeeping Long waitlists, neuropsych requirements, stigma, & shortages.Parenting With ADHD Naming overstimulation, modeling boundaries, and letting kids see adults rest.Questions We're Answering:Why does inattentive ADHD often go undiagnosed?What stops adults from accessing ADHD medication?How does ADHD affect parenting and emotional regulation?How to practice self-compassion with ADHD?Guest & LinksRyan Baker-Barrett, BCBA Founder, Applied Behavioral Health PracticeInstagram: @adhd_by_abhpWebsite: appliedbehavioral.healthConnect With Us! ⁠https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠@ndreportpod on your social platform of choice!

Most neurodivergent people have a story of collapse before success. Neurodivergent Rebel - Lyric Rivera - joins me to talk about the rite-of-passage crises that force us to confront burnout, identity, capitalism, and the quiet self-abandonment we were taught to survive with.Curious what’s inside?The “Rite of Passage” Crisis: Why so many neurodivergent people hit collapse?The “Queer-Adjacent Without Language”: Growing up in the Texas Bible Belt feeling out of place without ever having the words to name non-binary identity.The Capitalism Lie: How destroying your body, your boundaries, and even the planet gets framed as “success” & why we're refusing that narrative.Protecting Your Peace: Unlearning performative identity, setting boundaries, and choosing emotional safety over productivity theater.Lavender Gelato & Feeling at Home: talk of cozy thingsKey Questions Answered in the Audio:Why do so many neurodivergent people experience an identity collapse before healing can begin?How does discovering autism open the door to questioning gender, capitalism, and self-abandonment?What happens when racism, colonial thinking, and “just a difference of opinion” shape parenting, education, and mental health systems?Resources Mentioned:Lyric Rivera — The Neurodivergent Rebel & published author - https://neurodivergentrebel.com/Autism Identity in Me — Lyric’s latest book Connect With Us! https://www.ndreportpod.com/@ndreportpod on your social platform of choice!

How does it feel to spend 20 years masking in the corporate world, only to have the rug pulled out the moment you finally ask for help? Romina Massa joins us to discuss her resilience story still being written as we speak.Curious what's inside?The "Reasonable" Request: Romina reveals the shockingly simple workplace accommodation she requested that led to her corporate exit—and why it was seen as "audacity" rather than a tool for success.The Post-Diagnosis "Switch": We discuss the frustrating (and often condescending) way people’s behavior shifts the moment you disclose a neurodivergent diagnosis.The Freedom of the "Outbox": How Romina uses technology to "hide" her non-traditional working hours and why she believes the freelance model is often a necessity rather than a choice for neurodivergent professionals.Protecting Your Peace: Romina shares her personal mantra for setting boundaries and why "I’m sorry" is usually the wrong response to an autism diagnosis.Diplomats & Comic Books: A look into Romina’s childhood as the daughter of a diplomat and how her family navigated her "dramatic" traits before anyone had a name for them.Key Questions Answered in the Audio:What is the one question you should always ask a friend who has just disclosed their diagnosis?Why does the 9-to-5 "creative brain" often feel like it’s whittling away to nothing?How can you tell if you are "masking" your way through your career?Resources Mentioned:https://www.kaboose.app/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rominamassa/https://www.instagram.com/rominamassa/https://www.rominamassa.com/Connect With Us! https://www.ndreportpod.com/@ndreportpod on your social platform of choice!

This is the most emotionally honest episode I’ve ever recorded. In today’s conversation, Shaun Arora returns to The Neurodivergent Report to discuss Microsoft research on work–life balance, but the fullness of what really happened is way more useful.Listen now to co-regulate with me from all things overwhelm, chronic illness, and executive dysfunction.If you feel dizzy surviving a world that won’t slow down for you, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.*TRIGGER WARNING; crying*Curious what’s inside:Why Microsoft’s “time spent = goal acheived” model falls apart for ADHD and chronic illnessWhy rigid systems don’t work for brains that fluctuateThe somatic signs of emotional overloadHow to transition after a moment of dysregulationVulnerability as leadership: find the courage to let yourself be witnessedHowever you are able to engage, thanks for being here!With love, Sarah 💜Looking for Shaun?Shaun Arora Neurodiversity advocate, coach, and founder at braintypes.orgConnect With UsFind The Neurodivergent Report on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky, and Substack: @ndreportpodWant to support the show? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, or visit ndreportpod.com to learn more or apply to be a guest contributor.Until next time— Be well. Do good.

Jonathan Bernstein [investigative journalist, crisis-management expert, and founder of The Snark Knight] joins us to talk late-life autism diagnosis, justice-driven activism, intuition as a superpower, and why everyone is “big enough to do something.”Jonathan shares his unconventional path—from military intelligence to investigative journalism to 40 years in crisis-management PR—before receiving an autism and bipolar diagnosis in his 70s. He reflects on growing up as a diplomat’s child, navigating shame, and developing hyper-intuition.Jonathan reminds us that “inaction is also action” and everyone can do something.Curious what’s inside?Recovering from shame via compassionate adult identity repairJustice sensitivity & responding to political crisis’Launching The Snark Knight and related media projectsWhy compassion matters in cult recovery and de-radicalizationHow neurodivergent people “feel” social climate shiftsHowever you are able to engage, thank you for being here!With love, SarahLooking for The Snark Knight?⁠https://snarkknight.com/⁠ Connect with us!https://www.ndreportpod.com/@NDreportpod on the socials

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Report, we had an energetic chat with Ryann from @Support_The_Spectrum, a speech-language pathologist specializing in neurodivergent communication!Curious what’s inside?What is Gestalt Language Processing? & how is it different from analytic language processing?What does PDA [Persistent Drive for Autonomy | aka Pathological Demand Avoidance] have to do with nervous-system dysregulation?What impacts neurodivergent communication? The intersection of executive function, emotional regulation, sensory processing and memoryWhat educators, therapists and families should be asking the learnerDo you help support learners, young or old? This episode will help you find the language skills you are looking for to best facilitate communication and promote understanding!However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!Love, Sarah 💜Looking for Ryann?Website: [https://www.support-the-spectrum.com/]https://linktr.ee/support_the_spectrumSocials: [@support_the_spectrum]Connect With UsFollow us on Socials: [@ndreportpod]Apply to be a guest on The Neurodivergent Report: [NDReportPod.com]

Meet Rebecca Irby, Founder of PEAC Institute!What can we learn from her story of cross-cultural connection?Together, we chat about cultural identity, empathy, and the neurodivergent experience through her lens as educator and UN peace advocate. (Peace, Education, Art & Culture).Curious what’s inside?- Empathy must be taught — but how? - Psychological safety is the foundation for growth and collaboration.- Storytelling and community are catalysts for peace and progress.We also talk about what it means to create psychological safety, the power of storytelling, and why real social change always begins in community.However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!With love, Sarah Looking for Rebecca?🌍 peacinstitute.org💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccairby/📸 (@equity.doula on socials)Connect with us!Follow 👉 @ndreportpodApply to be a guest 🎤⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ndreportpod.com⁠

Do our brains and guts actually talk to each other??? In this episode, we’re sitting down with Annika from Nutrimind Lab to unpack how nutrition plays a pivotal role in ADHD & behavioral health. We explore everything from omega-3s and inflammation to interoception and hunger signals. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with ADHD or have been navigating this your whole life, this conversation is for you.🔍 Curious what’s inside:Managing physical health through nutritionWe talk about managing hunger signals & interoception (that internal sense of what your body needs)What does chronic stress have to do with nutrition?!Ultimately: it’s not just about “fixing” something. It’s about understanding, acceptance, and building your community and tools so you can feel better in your brain, body, and day-to-day life.However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!With Love, SarahConnect with us:Socials: @NDreportpodApply to be a guest: NDreportpod.comLooking for Annika?Website: nutrimindlab.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@nutrimindlab🎧 Podcast: The Nutritional Mental Health Podcast🧩 Keywords for SEOneurodivergent · ADHD · nutrition · gut-brain connection · mental health · inflammation · omega-3 · diagnosis · health challenges · personal stories · neurodiversity · interoception · gut health · chronic stress · coping strategies · hunger signals · self-acceptance · ADHD nutrition · holistic health

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Report, Sarah and JQ welcome back Sol Smith, certified autism specialist, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and founder of the NeuroSpicy Community!Curious what’s inside:Autonomy and choice are essential for neurodivergent learnersPDA as a drive for autonomy rather than “demand avoidance”“There’s no such thing as an academic emergency…”Supporting kids’ special interests as pathways to motivation and resilienceImportance of self-advocacy skillsHowever you are able to engage, thanks for being here!With love, Sarah 💜Looking for Sol? 🌐 professorsol.com 🌐 neurospicycommunity.com 📘 The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery – available wherever books are sold 📱 Instagram: @theprofessorsol 📱 TikTok: @professorsolConnect with us!Follow 👉 @ndreportpodApply to be a guest 🎤⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ndreportpod.com⁠Keywords (we've gotta please the SEO) AuDHD, ADHD, autism, PDA, Pervasive Demand for Autonomy, neurodivergent students, school accommodations, emotional regulation, executive function, SEL, autonomy in education, self-advocacy, parenting neurodivergent kids, classroom strategies, masking, burnout, neurodiversity, Sol Smith, Sarah Russell, The Neurodivergent Report

Come meet Brett, the AuDHD Boss!We’re talking about workplace accommodations; both how to ask for them and what to even try!!!Curious about what's inside:The realities of neurodivergence in professional spaces, namely the impacts to the way we show up at work.Unpacking the importance of accommodations and how/what to ask for Why open communication and psychological safety are essential for neurodivergent success. Through personal experiences and practical strategies, we discuss self-regulation, emotional triggers, burnout prevention, and how to ask for clarity without feeling “difficult.”Whether you are a neurodivergent in the workplace, or hold a position in management - this episode has something to offer you!Looking for Brett?Website: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettwhitmarsh/Podcast: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/audhdboss-podcast/Connect with Us!✨ Follow us @NDreportpod on socials for more 🎤Apply to be our guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠NDreportpod.com⁠