AuDHD Flourishing

Men are not the enemy...Some thoughts on identity, community, and responsibility.Big shout-out to Devon Price's new book, Unlearning Shame: How We Can Reject Self-Blame Culture and Reclaim Our PowerResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail NewsletterLove Your Brain course Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"felt vulnerable, may delete later"Quick story/update and to validate that communication is so hard... and so are transitions!Full audio direct link for Patreon folksTranscript doc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AuDHD brains face many challenges when it comes to projects. It's something I've put a great deal of time and learning into, both personally and professionally.This episode covers many ideas and approaches that tend to work for us.Key Takeaways:We usually learn to use what I call the Adrenaline-Anxiety Approach. While effective short-term, it can lead to burnout and other issues.A monotropic approach is more sustainable and individualized... and it can feel slow at first.Experimentation as a core toolCreating just enough structure and safety to get going, without getting bogged down (loose planning)Working with the brain states you haveManaging interruptions, inputs, and daily lifeFinding the balance that works for youThe episode also walks through the Love Your Brain course, designed to help AuDHDers understand their mind-body system, work with brain states, and navigate project challenges. The course emphasizes self-compassion, experimentation, and building processes tailored to individual needs.Links:Devon Price's Laziness Does Not Exist article, and a PDF if you're not on MediumThe transcript may be especially useful for this episode! (It'll take a few seconds for the link to fully load to this episode)Love Your Brain courseLearn more about Love Your Brain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pawel, a former middle school teacher in an alternative school, lays out how most of our adult problems were ones we first encountered in middle school. From social groups to complex problem solving, they show up again and again in life.He also talks about how being a high-masking AuDHDer showed up in life.Books mentioned: The Anxious Generation* by Jonathan HaidtRight Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy Edmondson*And if you're skeptical of Haidt because of his terrible 2018 book, here's a podcast episode that fact checks and brings nuance to claims in The Anxious Generation: If Books Could Kill episodeResources:Like Your Brain community space (Pawel's not sharing social media links but is over here with us)Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLove Your Brain now has three elements you can choose from for more accessibility:Love Your Brain course contentGroup coaching and co-working callsDirect support from Mattia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Achievements often feel tied into personal identity. AuDHD folks in particular struggle with achievement pressures, even with just regular neurodivergent demand avoidance.A few core topics:The joy of supporting others' work and stepping back from being the primary creatorAchievements often don't provide the emotions we expect, so it's meaningful to focus on making the process feel better insteadCreativity requires boredom and restAnd the very surprising thought I had that led to this episode...Episodes mentioned:Andrew Simonet on creating supportive feedback convos as a creativeWhen Dreams Feel Impossible (last week's episode)Autistic Stereotypes with Thomas HenleyResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail NewsletterLove Your Brain now has three elements you can choose from for more accessibility:Love Your Brain course contentGroup coaching and co-working callsDirect support from Mattia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every creative and interesting person has experienced the feeling that at least some of their big dreams are impossible. And when the current big dream is just surviving, that can be especially challenging.  I share about the emotional side of the ten years when my composition career had an almost 100% rejection rate. And why I'm giving this unusual advice... It can be healthy to temporarily let go of dreams that are stressing you out!  Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor on a wide variety of topicsOriginally episode 61 on The Longer Road podcast (with minor edits) Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Henley educates, normalizes, and actively pushes back against autistic stereotypes and stigma. Check out his highly rated podcast, Thoughty Auti - The Autism Podcast (on which I talked about AuDHD). Thomas has made multiple decisions in his life to combat stereotypes, including months of backpacking, and becoming a world-class martial artist, both of which he talks about today. We also touch on what some of the lingering stereotypes are, and what helps!More from Thomas:Thoughty Auti - The Autism Podcast@thomashenleyUK on Instagram & TikTokWebsite: thomashenley.co.ukThis is a slightly edited podcast that was recorded about a year ago for The Longer Road. Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You may have internalized the message as a child that there was something wrong or bad about you. Even if it was not explicit, you probably didn't receive some of the attention and delight that would have sent the strong message that your way of being in the world is valid.Today's message is simple: You were not a bad child. You deserved love and support in a way that made sense to you. Thank you to the therapist who walked me through this concept! Thank you to Linda Thai for providing such amazing emotional support through the courses and group coaching I've taken with her. I credit both of them with helping me learn how to reparent myself in a more deep way.Resources:Like Your Brain community space (where the picture is that I mentioned in the episode... it's visible to all members including free members)Transcript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rest is not something to be made up for later with productivity. Whether it was forced by the body or not. We deserve to have energy to do what we love!Love Your Brain now has three elements you can choose from for more accessibility:Love Your Brain course contentGroup coaching and co-working callsDirect support from Mattia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Tivers has shared 10 years of helpful content on his podcast, ADHD reWired. He's also built multiple careers helping neurodivergent folks: from therapy, to teaching high support need kids, to the current ADHD group programs. It's a never-ending journey of discovering what works for his current needs and capacity. And the relatively recent discovery of... oh... maybe there's something to this autism thing. Find Eric and his work at adhdrewired.comResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple times in the past week or two, clients have felt like they're failing miserably. But it turns out they're in complex, difficult, multifaceted situations that don't have an easy answer. Plus, it's easy to feel like we're never doing enough, or the right thing. If we're solving personal problems, world events loom large. If we're addressing world events, it feels like a drop in the bucket. Capitalism tells us that there's a straightforward, purchasable solution for every problem. That's a lie. You're probably doing really well relative to all the complicated issues you face, and the overall lack of support and resources most of us encounter. And if you really believe that's not true... this episode is especially for you! Link: Sign up for General Strike in US!Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 & Physiology 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.

There are three interrelated concerns that I hear over and over from AuDHD folks:They don't see a clear pathway from what they love or are good at to making enough money.Strong ethics and values make it difficult to imagine a sustainable life, i.e. making enough money to let things be easier.Undervaluing the things that are easy for them (while feeling a lot of guilt or shame about struggling with the things that are hard for them: didn't talk about this half much) They are not necessarily AuDHD-specific concerns, but we have some unique needs around resolving them.This episode shares personal examples (including talking about my 2023 earnings) to build out a holistic picture of what it looks like to be in the process with all of these concerns.Here are some conversation prompts if you want to talk to someone about #3:Let the person know that you're trying to sort out what skills and talents you have that you might be overlooking or undervaluing. I recommend both recording the conversation and asking the other person to take notes so you can get their perspective. Talk through (or write out if this is via email, though I recommend a live conversation if possible) your history with work and/or creative practice, and ways you've helped people. This can include free things such as volunteering. Make sure you also talk about what you've loved and what has felt easy and fun! Start turning this into a list of skills.Ask the other person for feedback on what stands out, and how they might describe or add to your list of skills. Have them ask you questions to draw out more information!Go back and forth adding to that list of skills, getting as specific as both of you can. Then get that person's opinion on what stands out as anything you might be undervaluing.Mentioned book The Art of Impossible by Steven KotlerFrom Burnout to Flourishing training for organizations, email [email protected] for more infoEpisode 10: Money & Surviving CapitalismNew Year: Map Your Intention sessionResources:Like Your Brain community spaceResources Blog & Contact FormTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're not paying your business coach from ample profit in your business, it's likely not worth it. Especially when the book Profit First + a free accountability buddy can get you there instead. My biggest regret in my business was not implementing the profit first system when I first read the book in 2021, the first year I made good money in two businesses. I subsequently wasted a bunch of that money on expensive courses and coaching that weren't a good fit, because I was trying to find "the answer." If you'd like support either implementing in your business or creative practice over the next few weeks, I'm going to be scheduling coworking hours (and probably a chat space) over the next few weeks. This is free, by the way...not sure if I said that in the episode! If you'd like that, please send me your email & what you'd like to work on here. If at least five people sign up I'll get that going officially and email y'all. And if you'd like to share your experiences buying courses and/or coaching, I made an anonymous survey here. The first section is general and should take less than 5 minutes to fill out. The second section could take longer if you really want to dig into details and share more. But anything is interesting and useful, and I'll share those results on a future episode (again, anonymously). Mentioned in episode: Contact form for coworking starting mid-Jan Survey about having bought courses/coaching Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

grace allerdice shares about her passions for whales. Their place in myth, their role as bridge creatures, and how they are composers who sing a grid around the world every year.We dive into whale song, how terrifying and mesmerizing whales can be, and how deeply we both connect with the ocean and these huge mammals. First of hopefully many special interest episodes, when a guest talks about their passion and we go with the flow! If you'd like to share about a special interest or recommend a topic, please reach out.Mentioned in podcast: grace's main website and home—body podcast websiteRick Rubin's book The Creative ACTgrace's podcast episode that talks about whales (episode is mostly about astrology) grace also recommends Something Large & Wild, episode on This is Love about an encounter with a baby whaleResources:Like Your Brain community spaceAuDHDFlourishing.comTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Simonet is a Philadelphia-based dancer/choreographer and now novelist who has been massively influential in my own life. His Artist's U and book/workbook Making Your Life As An Artist helped me build the foundations of the business side of my music career.We talk aboutthe design problems in our liveshow many things are blamed on character flaws that are actually design issuesthe liberatory nature of not only the artist's life, but a well-designed lifehow designing your life to meet your own needs liberates youAfter we spoke, Andrew wanted to add: "However you have worked out your ability to create, to make things, to get things done, to get through your day, know that there are a lot of other artists and creatives out there who might benefit from hearing your solutions. Not only are your tools and rhythms and strategies valid, they’re hugely valuable. All of us are figuring out how to nourish our spirits and bodies and minds in this strange techno-capitalist world, and we could learn a lot from hearing how you do it."And in the extended full interview (we talked for another 20 minutes) here, Andrew asked about how my partner and I navigate our relationship since they do so much for me. He also asked about spaces for AuDHD teens, and personally I don't know of any that are BOTH youth-led/accepting AND have very accurate info. (TikTok for example has the former but a good amount of misinformation.) If you have recommendations for AuDHD teen spaces, let me know at [email protected]!Andrew's links: Artist's U: Making Your Life As An ArtistAndrew's amazing email list (one of my faves)Andrew's novels: Wilder, and A Night Twice as Long (the one we talked about in the episode)AndrewSimonet.comResources:Like Your Brain community spaceAuDHDFlourishing.comTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No, more "good rich people" are not going to save the world. Not the least because the amount of money required to create systemic change (i.e. being a billionaire) seems to make one uninterested in systemic change... I wonder why? p.s. the real answer is community organizing: power and strength in numbers! The main problem with this idea is that if you try to massively redistribute wealth, at least in the USA the government will come down hard on you. For example, I once read that the Black Panthers were much more heavily targeted by the US government after they started providing large numbers of free meals to Black children. (p.s. the link there is to a generally good source, but I can't remember the book I read the actual idea in, unfortunately)This is also NOT an admonition not to become financially stable! I want more financial stability for all of us... but that doesn't require buying into shitty ideas.If you like the Mini episode format or have a topic idea, please say so here!Mentioned in Episode: Episode 10: Money & Surviving CapitalismEpisode 20: Poverty is Not Your Fault!Sam Pollack's Substack post "Conventional Marketing Ain't Workin' Anymore," and my take on itMy Book recommendation for Get Good With Money by Tiffany Aliche, and the direct link to the bookHow Trauma & CPTSD Cause UnderearningResources:Like Your Brain community spaceAuDHDFlourishing.comTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you for listening. Knowing you get me is very meaningful, and I'm sure it is for the other neurodivergent folks in your life. Thanks for being you!Keep it up, you're doing great, and see you in the new year :) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AuDHD folks have a complicated relationship with the idea of doing our best, because of our spiky profiles and cyclical energy. Also, we often seem to be trying harder than the people around us...whether or not that results in getting anywhere.There are many reasons that the brain might "hit a wall" and be unable to continue.Defining our best as "a bit better than average" is one approach (though I haven't convinced my own brain of that one yet).Some potential questions for reflection:What does doing your best mean to you? How do you know when you’re doing your best? How would it feel to know that you’re doing your best most or all of the time? Did this awaken a critical voice in your mind? Does that feel like your voice or someone else’s? Is this voice actually helping you, and either way, is this the main voice you want to live by? When have you felt compassion for someone else who is obviously trying their best? This could be a child, or someone in the process of learning something. Why do you feel driven to do your best, if that’s something you often feel? New Year: Map Your Intention sessionBonus: for folks who check out by Dec 31st, I'll also be providing a bonus follow-up email with suggested resources that I'll research for you after our call.If you have questions about whether your specific project or situation fits, you can email [email protected]:Like Your Brain community spaceAuDHDFlourishing.comTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becoming the next version of ourself isn't about forcing. It's about that natural process of embodiment when suddenly, this is who we are now. Usually by the time we've fully embodied something, it kind of feels like we've always been this way.It's a difficult process to describe from inside it... but understanding the process you're in can be a relief!(And first 3.5 minutes are talking about the ADHD meds shortage and letting my brain do things that are easier for it)New Year: Map Your Intention sessionBonus: for folks who check out by Dec 31st, I'll also be providing a bonus follow-up email with suggested resources that I'll research for you after our call.Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceAuDHDFlourishing.comTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternate title: AuDHD Unmasking & ActivismArtist, skateboarder, special ed teacher, and AuDHD activist my world iz blue talks about his recent Autism and ADHD diagnoses... and the burnout that led to them.He originally learned how to live unmasked by being labeled as an artist, i.e. someone who will be themselves regardless. However, that way of life directly clashes with what's required in the professional world.We talk about how neurodivergent kids (and adults) are treated in school, what elements of a better world would look like, movement and mental health, and how collective action is our main option if we want to make the world better for all of us.Connect & find his art on Instagram @myworldizblueNew Year: Map Your Intention sessionBonus: for folks who check out by Dec 31st, I'll also be providing a bonus follow-up email with suggested resources that I'll research for you after our call.Resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocAuDHDFlourishing.comEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus workshop from Like Your Brain (with client speaking cut out for privacy) on setting a personal intention or three for the new year that feels motivating and interesting to you. Of course you can use this method for any area of your life such as career. Traditional goal-setting starts with where you want to "arrive." We start with how you want to FEEL, and what helps you feel that way. The reason I'm focusing on feelings and personal aims is that we often put our best energy into professional life, relationships, other people, and generally things we think we're supposed to do. If there's something that makes you feel REALLY REALLY GOOD, I want that to be elevated to the status of Annual Goal ;) (if you want that... we'll talk about ways to approach this without the goal word also)The questions if you want to write about them:What makes you happy, feel good, etc (or however else you want to feel)? Or what kinds of experiences do you enjoy (what brings you pleasure or is interesting to you)? When you think about times you feel good, or like the way you're feeling, how might you describe that? What activities, situations, people etc support you in experiencing or feeling that way? Are there any patterns you notice when you think about the times that you've felt this way?What are some potential goals that might move you toward that?Is there one that stands out that you'd like to work with? What might this look like for next year? What's feeling like something you could feasibly start moving toward soonish?What do you need to support this? What do you already have at your disposal that might support it? What would you need to add to your life in terms of people, resources, learning, time, actual physical objects, etc to support this potential intention or desire?New Year: Map Your Intention session Bonus: for folks who check out by Dec 25th, I'll also be providing a bonus follow-up email with suggested resources that I'll research for you after our call.Full call including everyone's comments over on the Like Your Brain community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're struggling, whether that's just a bad day, a longer stretch, or that very relatable feeling that all of life has been irredeemably difficult and that no one understands or can help... I just wanted to take a moment to validate and make space for those feelings.You're not alone... and at the same time we can end up feeling very alone. If you need to numb out from these feelings, it can help to acknowledge that it feels unbearable and that you're choosing temporary escape. We all do it and it can be a healthy coping mechanism!Binaural music is the tool I suggested searching free versions of online. What are some free and easy ways that you can feel a bit better, to get out of your head a little bit, to help the body get what it needs? What are some accessible resources already at your disposal that have made you feel better in the past? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neurodivergent folks may not experience habits in the way they're traditionally talked about. Specifically, they may never become truly "background," and instead we remain in the active decision-making mode.To that end, I've personally found it much more helpful to create rituals rather than habits. It explicitly acknowledges that this is an active process as opposed to a background habit, which is more honest about how our brains work. It also triggers my PDA (demand avoidance) far less!This episode suggests some starting points, including:Choosing a task or time of day to build ritual aroundFinding your "why" and brainstorming possibilitiesPare down to an initial ritual of a few stepsGather materialsOther podcasts/episodes mentioned: AuDHD: The Science of Autism & ADHD on Sci Guys Divergent Conversations podcastResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail NewsletterAuDHDFlourishing.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt made a career as a lawyer that worked for his brain... then found out he's AuDHD. He shares some of the challenges and strengths that have shaped his career. This is helpful for any AuDHDer with professional struggles, and especially if you're in or are considering a client-facing career. Note that we're not using his last name in the show notes or description for SEO reasons at his request, but he's happy to connect with young or aspiring AuDHD lawyers who are looking for mentorship or advice! You can also connect with Matt on Twitter at matt_camLike Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A simple practice blending honesty with your current feelings plus any gratitude that may arise. Including how to use this to smooth over social or family concerns... good luck with any holidays you celebrate!p.s. there's a new website up at audhdflourishing.com! It's still under construction so please pardon any broken links... should be spruced up within the next week :) Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to Chris Hale for this cross-posted episode from his podcast, You Need a Coach B*tch! We talk about: Building businesses that work for our AuDHD brainsWhat we don't see when looking at the external success of othersWhy so many people who achieve creative success young have wealthy backgrounds Questioning WHY you want your big goals so you can aim towards the ones that will really fulfill your desiresWhy it can be extra tough to start a small business and/or creative business right now How our brains get stuck and...The state changes in the body that can help us get unstuckYou can find Chris Hale On Instagram @theonlychrishaleAll the links on LinkTreeWebsite theonlychrishale.comOther resources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of a meltdown. For me these days, that includes some intrusive thoughts around being a burden.You are not a burden. And even if we are sometimes, that's okay. I want to be a part of communities that can carry each other sometimes. Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diagnoses and labels can be really helpful to explain our experiences. We finally have a "because" to explain why we do the things we do! And also... that same "because" sometimes starts to feel like it's holding us back. It's possible to acknowledge limitations while also leaving space for growth and inevitable change. Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda Thai is a therapist, educator, and storyteller. She has been one of the most important people in my own healing journey, especially her focus on somatic embodied integration. Feeling safe enough to work with what the body holds was a turning point for both of us. Linda shares about her own healing journey and how key the body was for her own process.She drops countless pieces of wisdom in her gentle yet direct style.You'll also hear me laugh a lot more than usual, in part because of how comfortable I feel in her presence!Resources mentioned:The January 2024 round of the Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies: Not only one of the best courses I've ever taken, but by FAR the best value for the cost (plus, scholarships available). I took this course twice and recommend it most highly!! Linda's website: https://www.linda-thai.com/If you scroll down on Linda's website you can sign up for her newsletter, which she usually sends monthly and is always informative. That's where you can find out about her new content for next year, including something called Trauma & The Voice that I'm very excited about!Originally published on The Longer Road as a two-part seriesTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poverty is not your fault. Debt is not your fault. And you don't have to find solutions alone!This episode talks about the systemic side, the AuDHD-specific elements such as impulsive shopping, and how screwed up debt is historically and currently. Note: This episode is quite USA-centric. While there are mentions of ways this might affect people in other countries, growing up here is my main context on this topic.Resources mentioned: Simone Seol's episode Debunking the idea of a "Scarcity Mindset"Article The Cognitive Burden of Poverty the above episode was based onDavid Graeber's book Debt: The First 5000 YearsLike Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.