Different, Not Broken

The Black Neurodivergent ExperiencePeople say things like "just be yourself" with the expectation that you’ll just snap your fingers and turn the volume down on generations of pressure to fit in.But what does that even mean when your existence as 'yourself' stops conversations cold? When walking into every room means holding your breath, trying to shrink for comfort, or shapeshifting for someone else’s peace of mind? When you’re told your needs... your honest-to-goodness, human, biological and psychological needs... are either too much or entirely invisible?This week, we’re going in. All the way in.I sat down with Dr Carl Frizell, a phenomenal clinician, with his lived expertise in internal medicine, oncology, mental health and, yes, the absolute truth about thriving as a Black neurodivergent professional. Carl joined me for a conversation about what it means to fight for belonging, to crave quality over quantity, to be different—and not broken—in every aspect of his life.Want to talk intersectionality? Carl brings the receipts. Want to explore why so many Black and BIPOC kids are mis-labeled as “difficult” (or worse) instead of autistic? Or what happens when advocacy is weaponized against you? Want to hear the story of a patient—"The Difficult One"—who was never the problem, but simply demanded her humanity be respected?We’re covering all of it. (And, yes, Carl really did become a better clinician because he lived every single word he now tells his patients.)If you’ve ever questioned whether there’s space for your whole self, especially in systems built for someone else’s definition of acceptable—this is your episode.Love you. Mean it.Dr Carl Frizell's links:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/cafrizell_pac/Timestamped summary00:00 Embracing Autism: My Turning Point03:10 Neurodivergent Advocacy and Speaking Journey08:01 Seeking Acceptance by Mimicry12:55 Redefining "Normal" for Health15:04 Clinical Judgment in Autism Diagnostics19:20 Patient-Centered Caregiver Approach23:10 Advocacy in Healthcare Matters27:00 Supportive Parents Foster Success29:30 Misdiagnosis Due to Cultural Bias33:51 Humanizing Lived Experiences Validates Life34:56 Embracing Whole Identity Acceptance39:16 Embrace Self-Compassion and Growth41:17 "Transparent Living on Instagram"Have you joined our Patreon yet?https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonWant to learn to write like me?https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/courseMentioned in this episode:Wanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing CourseWanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

Nobody Knows What They’re DoingHave you ever found yourself glancing around a room (or a Zoom meeting, or a group chat, or the chaos of your living room) and wondered, “Who put me in charge—don’t they know I still feel sixteen most days?” Yeah, me too. In this episode of “Different, Not Broken,” I, Lauren Howard—L2 for the cool kids —am letting you in on the messiest, most liberating secret of adulthood: nobody, and I mean nobody, actually knows what they’re doing.This isn’t some polished, performative encouragement to “fake it ‘til you make it.” I am talking about pulling back the curtain on why even the experts you look up to are mostly winging it. I share my real experiences from the trenches—whether that’s running a telehealth company (where people call me for the right answer and I’m hunting for the adult in the room just like you), navigating ultra-complex compliance laws (with the help of attorneys who actually give me more “choose your own adventure” than clear answers), or trying to make sense of parenting a tiny human who bites (and I mean literally bites—this is not a metaphor).So why should you listen? Because if you’ve ever felt the crushing weight of thinking you’re the only one improvising—newsflash, you aren’t. I talk through the reality that none of us are actually the “adultier adult” we’re desperately searching for. So, if you want to hear the truth about life behind the curtain—about what really happens when everyone is supposedly “adulting”—come hang out with me. We’ll laugh, we might cry, but we’ll definitely call B.S. on the myth of the perfectly composed grown-up.And if you somehow find that mythical actual adult who has it all figured out, send them my way. Until then, I’ll be right here, fumbling forward, and inviting you to do the same.Love you, mean it.Timestamped summary00:00 Unfiltered Expertise and Telehealth Insight05:11 Imposter Syndrome Amid Experienced Peers08:12 Indecision in Legal Consultations12:40 Embracing Uncertainty and Growth16:00 "Vacation with Kids: Not Restful"16:46 "No Obligation to Perform"Mentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not BrokenWanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing Course

Well done, you've decided to escape MAGA. Here's the learning moment.Your trauma is not an excuse to create more trauma It finally happened. Someone said it out loud. Someone from the inside. Not in a viral Twitter thread or anonymous Reddit post, but right here, in full view and full voice.Most of us have our ideas — the way we imagine 'the MAGA community'. We picture the caricature: all bluster and bravado, insulated in an impenetrable echo chamber, barking at the world. But do we ever ask, “How does someone end up there?” Or what it feels like from the inside, when you aren’t just reading headlines, but living — or surviving — through them?On this episode of Different, Not Broken, we break open the familiar narratives to let the real, messy, complicated humanity step into the light. Hi, I'm Lauren "L2" Howard, and in this episode I spend time with Beckie Eckhart — a member of our quirky, unhinged community online — who, in passing, mentioned something I never expected: she came from the MAGA world. Like, really from it. And she got out.This conversation isn’t a confessional. It isn’t an indictment. It’s somewhere in between — the untangling of shame, the naming of trauma, and a determination not to let that pain become an inheritance for others.Beckie tells us what it means to be groomed by the people and systems you’re supposed to trust. She shares what it feels like when religiosity wraps up with white supremacy and fear, and how the hooks get in so deep you can’t even see the cage around you. She opens up about living in a state of crisis, the steep price of breaking away, and what healing really looks like when you’re holding a hundred kinds of regret in one hand and picking up hammers to build something better with the other.If you want to know why MAGA is both a cult and a symptom — and why sometimes compassion is harder than criticism — Beckie’s story will stop you in your tracks. If you’re looking for hope that people can wake up, change radically, and fight for something better… well, she’s proof, stubborn and scrappy and full-hearted.If you’ve ever wanted to understand — really understand — why so many Americans are still stuck, how indoctrination works on the brain (and heart), and what it takes to walk out of the fire, this is one episode you don’t want to skip. We’re not promising easy answers. But we are opening a door.Thanks for being here and being open to the hard things. We’ll keep shoving the door wider, together.Join our Patreon - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonSign up for our newsletter - http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

Have you ever caught yourself rehearsing your 'acceptable' self before walking into a room full of strangers? You know — slapping on that thin, artificial smile, smoothing out every quirk for the comfort of everyone else, and realizing you’re running a (very professional) version of a one-person Broadway show called, “Make Me Palatable”?Hi, I’m Lauren Howard (People call me "L2"), and this week on "Different, Not Broken", we’re pressing record on a conversation most of us never have out loud: Do you find yourself needing to wear a mask?In this episode, I admit something that surprised even me: I almost never have to mask anymore. Freedom, right? But — plot twist — it turns out that’s not because I’m some brave authenticity unicorn. So, what happens when a self-declared, professional non-masker lands in the exact kind of 'grown-up' cocktail hour her younger self would’ve run from? Let’s just say it involves neurodivergent pre-planning, existential dread, and exactly zero interest in “introducing myself to some stranger just because that’s what adults do.” If you’ve ever felt like the real you is just a bit too much (or not enough) for the room, this one’s for you.(P.S. If you find a secret trick for ordering drinks like a normal adult at a work party, please message me. For science.)Useful linksJoin our Patreon community - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonSign up for our updates - http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterTimestamped summary00:00 Selective Social Engagement05:04 "Fashionably Late Party Entrance"09:24 First Impressions Evolve Quickly10:57 "Obligations and Friendship Dynamics"15:16 Ending Calls Unconventionally17:06 "Ending Conversations Simply"Mentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not BrokenWanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing Course

Yep, I'm back, caffeinated and undeterred, ready to take on the swirling mess of “autism registries,” junk science, and that perennial fixture of Twitter meltdowns: RFK Jr. himself. This week’s episode - “Autism Registry - RFK can suck a lawnmower.” It's not for the faint of heart—or for anyone who thinks the federal government has a “big red medical record button” (newsflash: it doesn’t).Are you exhausted by the flood of misinformation around autism and tired of policymakers who couldn’t diagnose a runny nose, let alone understand complex neurodiversity? I've got your back. I've been running national mental and behavioral health organizations, helping autistic folks get real, accessible diagnoses, and pushing for patient-first, clinician-also-first, accessible-always care. And I'm not here for the fantasy that “good autistics” and “bad autistics” are some kind of moral spectrum, or to let anyone label people as “burdens” because a guy with a microphone doesn’t understand science.This episode pulls back the curtain on why the proposed national “autism registry” isn’t just misguided, but fundamentally impossible. Listen as I call out the shadow incentives behind these political crusades—why it’s less about public health than…well, padding the pockets of a few very persistent anti-vaxxers. It’s market research, not science, dressed up like a crusade. And it comes directly at the expense of real autistic people who are already fighting for space, resources, and dignity.If you’re wondering how these hot takes at the top reach deep into everyday community life—shaping infighting, stoking fear, and making the realities of being autistic even harder—you'll be wanting to listen. And, as always, we'll answer a question from our community in our "Small Talk" segment.Ready? Press play. Spark some hope. And get the real story.Ready to join our Patreon community? - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonSigned up to our newsletter yet? - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterTimestamped summary02:00 Eugenics Rhetoric - Ugh!05:17 Autism Registry Data Mismanagement07:36 Inaccessible Universal Medical Data13:11 Flawed Data Sharing Assumptions Exposed15:33 Debunking Autism-Vaccine Myth17:40 RFK's Vaccine Injury Profit Motive21:41 Handling Unwanted Job Discussions25:23 "Truck Driver's Evasive Answer"Mentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

I’m obsessed with my own podcast stats.There! I said it. If the first step is admitting you have a problem, then…well, consider this episode my very public confession.But here’s the real kicker: I never saw this coming. I didn’t realize hitting 'refresh' on the analytics page of my podcast hosting dashboard would become my new form of adrenaline. Or that watching the listener count go up (or, terrifyingly, down) would trigger a rollercoaster of feelings straight out of a neurotic coming-of-age movie starring a main character who really needs to learn to enjoy the ride.If you’ve been following along on Threads or ever found yourself spiraling because you suddenly cared way too much about something you didn’t even know you could care about? This episode is about stats, ego, validation, self-doubt, and, yes, generational trauma—all tangled up with the anxious humor only someone with a dedicated “kinahura” detector can provide.I talk about what it’s like to watch the numbers climb (and sometimes fall), and how ego, imposter syndrome, and a hefty sense of “why are you all here again?” combine to create the weirdest kind of nervous excitement imaginable. Thanks for being here, friends (repeat listeners, you’re my favorite kind of statistical anomaly).Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to refresh the analytics—again.Love you, mean it.Mentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

Why is behavioral health so impossibly hard to access, navigate, and survive—especially if you’re wired a bit differently? Maybe you’ve asked yourself that before. We have too. Heck, we’ve made a whole business (and apparently, a whole podcast) out of asking exactly that: Why does it have to be so hard?Welcome to “Different, Not Broken”—the podcast where bureaucratic tangles, soul-draining waitlists, and “bring your own magic decoder ring” healthcare red tape get ripped apart, re-examined, and (when possible) outsmarted. I’m Lauren "L2" Howard and I can promise you this: In this episode, I peel back the curtain and share how a simple (if stubbornly repeated) question—"Why does this have to be so difficult?"—became the engine for everything I do. Clinical dead-ends? Check. Six-month waits and insurance mazes for autism and ADHD care? Rechecked. People winding up in the ER instead of finding someone who could actually help, before the crisis boiled over? Double-checked and regrettably, deeply familiar.But what if you didn’t have to run that gauntlet? What if someone just built a bridge? When my team and I ran face-first into the “that’s impossible” wall, we started looking for secret doors. Sometimes, all it took was radical honesty and a burning refusal to accept the status quo. PLUS: In this week’s small talk, the community asks, “How do I answer, ‘Tell me about yourself?’ without feeling like I’m humble-bragging my way to nowhere?” Hit that follow button, share with your friends, or drop us a note about your own impossible-seeming battle with the system. Every listen helps us make it just a little less hard for the next person.And if you need daily reminders that you’re good enough, weird enough, and human enough—even without a signed diagnosis? You know where to find us.Let’s make behavioral health make sense… for all of us.I'll talk to you as soon as you click play...Timestamped summary00:00 Access Barriers in Mental Health04:32 Simplifying Crisis Care Access07:19 Streamlining Adult Autism Testing10:23 Streamlining Healthcare Processes14:44 "Rethinking Autism Diagnosis Necessity"17:11 "You Deserve Softness and Light"20:17 "Championing Self-Accomplishment Over Stereotypes"Links to all our goodies:Patreon - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonNewsletter - http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Sign Up For Our NewsletterStay updated on all the things! Get added to our newsletter mailing list.NewsletterWanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing CourseWanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

Why you have to ask the 'stupid' questions. Seriously.And, Freud's boring. Not opinion. Actual science.Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But, L2, I’d rather set my hair on fire than look clueless in front of a room full of people (or, for that matter, one person I secretly—or not-so-secretly—want to impress).”  Hi! I’m Lauren Howard (but you can call me L2—everyone does), and this is Different, Not Broken—the podcast for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re the only person who can’t quite read between the lines. Spoiler: you’re not alone, and you definitely aren’t broken.Today, we’re taking on one of the stickiest, sweatiest, most universal social anxieties: the fear of looking 'dumb' by asking questions everyone else must already know the answer to. (You know, the questions you furiously Google at 1am because—let’s be honest—Google is not here for your nuanced, deeply personal, extremely context-specific conversational crisis.)We’re talking about the actual reason it feels like everyone else in the room knows what’s expected. Except you. And more importantly, why the people who seem the smartest might actually be as confused as you are.Come for the reminders that communication isn’t one-size-fits-all; stay for the dead dad jokes, the unfiltered storytelling, and the small but mighty nuggets that might just make life make a little more sense. Plus—Patreon insiders get access to our text line for real-time social script help. It’s a thing. It’s working. You’re invited.Here's the link - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonIf you’ve ever second-guessed yourself out of asking for what you need, or just want to feel less alone in a world full of unsaid rules, press play on this episode. P.S. Oh yeah... if you want to learn how trauma, grief, and novelty work in your brain—and how repetition is the magic ingredient for making even the worst things boring in the end—don’t skip the final ten minutes. For the Freud stuff. Plus, you might catch a glimpse of the Dungeons & Dragons/DSM-5 crossover you never knew you needed. IYKYK.Hit play. You have questions. So do we. Turns out, that’s actually the point.Timestamped summary03:13 Just Ask08:47 Encourage Open Communication09:48 Embrace Reactions, Clarify Boundaries15:04 Wartime Child Evacuations in WWII17:28 Brain Processes Trauma Repetitively21:40 Dungeons and Dragons? WTF?Want in on our mailing list so you can keep updated on all the cool stuff we're doing? (I can't promise I won't just email you about Marvel stuff) - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Wanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing CourseWanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

I'm saying it out loud - a paycheck is not a permission slip for abuse.I added some bullhorn for effect.Hey, It’s "Different, Not Broken", and I’m Lauren Howard — "L2" if you’re friendly or just prefer to keep things efficient. And I’m here to shatter one of the workplace’s worst-kept secrets: the idea that a direct deposit into your bank account means you have to swallow abuse, keep quiet, and thank your lucky stars someone’s tolerating you. Spoiler alert — it doesn’t.But it’s not all righteous fire and rage-quits around here. I’ve been there—trapped, anxious, warped by a job that paid my rent but cost me chunks of my mental health. If you’re reading this, odds are, you’ve been there too, or you’re not sure if you have…which, as I’ll tell you, is usually its own answer.So, what’s in this episode? If you’re tired of advice that boils down to “just quit!” (as if you can pay your landlord in righteous anger), or if gut-level honesty about workplace dysfunction is your jam, you’re in the right place. We’ll cover survival tactics for the in-the-trenches folks, whether you’re just trying to outlast management’s latest round of corporate "Hunger Games" or you’re documenting every microaggression just in case you need to lawyer up. You’ll hear how to find and fortify your safe spaces (even if one is just the friend who knows exactly what your "dunk” is), and why no, actually, you shouldn’t have to choose between sanity and survival.It’s not just you. You deserve to feel safe at work—like, day-one safe, “where’s the fire exit” safe, not “will HR gaslight me if I bring this up” safe. Because most of us need our jobs, but none of us need to be broken by them. And because finding one small, practical step of control can be the thing that gets you through another day (or the thing that lights the spark that starts real change).Oh, and if you needed one more reason? If you’ve ever needed to scream into the void that you really, truly deserve better—or just want to hear me call out corporate bullsh*t with the gusto it deserves—you’re our people.Hop in. As always, we’ll be loud. We’ll be real. We’ll be here—different, not broken. And by the end of the episode, you might just believe it a little more.(PS: If you know where to find a magical “donk” for your phone charger, or a support group of people who just get your weird sound-laden language, don’t keep it to yourself. Some of us are still looking.)Listen now. Let yourself feel seen. And remember: A paycheck is not a permission slip for abuse. Ever.Timestamps:04:05 You're Entitled to Safety at Work07:14 Navigating Job Mobility and Abuse10:13 Document Your Experiences, Consult Legal Help15:21 You Deserve Better: Recognize AbuseMentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not BrokenWanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing Course

Welcome to "Different, not broken." I’m Lauren Howard—most people call me L2—and I’m here to shake up everything you think you know about 'professionalism'. In this episode, I’m explaining why professionalism, as it’s sold to us, is pretty much bullshit. We’re told we have to fit this narrow, stuffy standard to survive in the workplace, but let’s be real: that standard was designed to exclude anyone who isn’t a 45-year-old white guy.I talk about how, especially in mental health and helping professions, there’s this weird expectation that you should be neutral and never challenge harmful ideologies—even when those beliefs are actively hurting people and keeping them from accessing care. Spoiler alert: I don’t subscribe to that. You’ll hear stories from my own life—yes, including plenty more 'dead Dad jokes' around my memories of running my Dad’s practice.Also, for our little side-quest, I'll talk about why imposter syndrome creeps up on us, and why you’re probably a lot more qualified than you feel. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, that you’re making it up as you go, or that your path wasn’t 'professional' enough, you’re in good company. Let’s throw out the old rules together and celebrate exactly who we are—tabs open, messy stories, and all.Companies mentioned in this episode: Toyota Hyundai Honda Elon Musk Newsletter In case the link is broken, you can hop on our newsletter at https://www.lbeehealth.com/ and I really think you should.Mentioned in this episode:Wanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing CourseWanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

The world often feels rigged. And this episode is a wake-up call to recognize the barriers that exist for those who don’t fit the traditional mold. In this episode, which is a kind of tribute to my dear departed Dad, I recount some powerful lessons from the man who was a brilliant psychiatrist and my biggest champion. He taught me that if something feels off about the environment you’re in, it probably is—and it’s absolutely hella-not your fault. We dare to break into the uncomfortable truth that many workplaces are designed for a very specific demographic, leaving neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, feeling excluded. I share three stories in which my Dad imparted to me more than my fair share of his wisdom, and I'm hoping you to can feel empowered. You'll learn that we can advocate for ourselves and others to create a more inclusive work culture. Newsletter Paste this into your browser if the newsletter link is broken - https://www.lbeehealth.com/Join our Patreon - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreonMentioned in this episode:Sign Up For Our NewsletterStay updated on all the things! Get added to our newsletter mailing list.NewsletterWanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

I have two cousins. Two. And I didn’t even meet them until we were all adults.So, yeah—when people talk about the support they get from big, extended families, it’s not exactly the world I know.The importance of chosen familyYou want to talk about family? Mine has never really fit the greeting-card mold. Forget the idea that blood is always thicker than water. Turns out, the people who pick up the phone, drive hours at the drop of a hat, or tell you that you’re not the crazy one? Sometimes, they’re not even related to you. Sometimes, they are a middle school friend of your mom’s.Let’s get real: not every family is safe. Not everyone gets the shining, warm, leave-it-to-beaver home life you see on TV. (If you’re sitting there thinking, “well, my nuclear family is...fine?”—hold onto that. There are therapists out here with new boats thanks to all of us with tricky dynamics.)So, what do you do when your 'people' aren’t your people? What does it mean to build and value chosen family—for neurodivergent folks, folks on the margins, and, well, anyone who’s ever needed someone on their side when the world doesn’t play fair?In this episode of "Different, not broken", I’m sharing real, maybe-too-honest stories about losing someone who was never 'official family' but was instrumental to my life. About generational differences in holding onto friends, about the random soulmates and honorary aunts you collect along the way. The secret sauce of having someone who just believes in you—often long after you stop believing in yourself. About how you can cobble together your own safety net when the original factory settings are...suboptimal, at best.If you’ve ever wondered where you fit, or have mourned the distance (or absence) in your 'real' family, or want practical hope that you can find your people, this one is for you.Consider this your permission slip: family isn’t always about who shares your last name, but about who shows up, sees you, and gives you space to be exactly who you are—even if that means starting a new job at 69 or reminding you to tell the world to get lost when you need it most.Hit play to find your new favorite survival strategy for living different—not broken. Because you deserve more than 'good enough'—you deserve family that’s actually safe. (And maybe a few wild stories about just how weird and wonderful that can look.)As always, your support helps keep the podcast going, keep assessments accessible, and keep a whole lot of therapists’ kids in college. Every listen and share goes further than you think.Let’s take down the 'real family only' myth, together.And then be sure to get yourself signed up for all our updates!Newsletter In case the link is broken - http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterOur Patreon In case the link is broken - https://www.patreon.com/elle_twoMentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

I’m all about showing up as my true self, and yeah, that means I drop the F-bomb like it’s confetti at a party. Some folks might be turned off by that, but honestly? I couldn’t give a f...!We need to all be about embracing who we are, flaws and all, and that includes my colorful vocabulary. So in this episode, I want to talk with you about how being authentic can actually draw the right people to you – those who vibe with your unapologetic self. So, kick back, grab your jar of fu*ks, throw one straight into the garbage, and let’s get into the messy, beautiful world of just being real!Takeaways you'll learn from listening: Being unapologetically yourself is powerful, even if it includes a few f-bombs. Using humor and raw honesty in conversations can break down barriers and connect people. Your quirks and differences make you unique; embrace them instead of hiding them away. Cursing can create a sense of comfort in tough discussions about mental health and well-being. And if you offend someone, they probably weren't your vibe anyway.Newsletter If the link didn't display properly, here's the naked link - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletterOur patreon - https://patreon.com/elle_twoMentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not BrokenWanna learn to write like me?Here's how you can!Writing Course

This episode is a rallying cry for empathy and understanding, especially for those who are non-verbal or struggle to communicate. Stop calling the police on Brown and Black peopleDid you catch the story of Victor Perez? If you didn't, I urge you to do so. In this bonus episode of "Different, not broken" I want to explore the layers of miscommunication that led to his death and how society's perception of 'threat' is often skewed by race and misunderstanding. We have an urgent need for crisis intervention resources that do not involve police, but instead spotlight community-based alternatives. The tragic reality is that in just 12 seconds, a life was lost due to a system that is ill-equipped to handle individuals in crisis. This bonus episode intends to share resources and insights that aim to educate and empower you, as a listener, to advocate for change and compassion in your community.Links referenced in this episode:dontcallthepolice.comautismandrace.comMentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not Broken

Hi, I'm Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Everybody does. I'm the CEO who says fuck on the internet a lot. We'll get more into that later...Our podcast "Different, Not Broken" isn't fucking about. We'll explore the often-overlooked dichotomy between being different and feeling broken. It's my jam to recognize individuality, particularly among those who have been systematically marginalized for their unique traits. This episode serves as a foundational exploration of this podcast's ethos: to challenge the pervasive narrative that equates neurodiversity and other forms of individuality with dysfunction or inadequacy.I'm starting as I mean to go on here. I'm owning how mortified I am to be hosting a podcast. I believe we all have this shared human experience of wanting to belong while grappling with the pressure to conform. Anyway, words. I'll explain more in the episode, so time for you to listen.Click play. And please do hit the follow button in whichever app you're listening to this on.Thanks.Love you, mean it.Newsletter Mentioned in this episode:Wanna sponsor this podcasthttp://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsorsSponsor Different Not BrokenSign Up For Our NewsletterStay updated on all the things! Get added to our newsletter mailing list.Newsletter

You are different, not broken! And this podcast is for you.The podcast delves into the profound notion that societal norms often dictate how individuals should perceive themselves and their identities.The speakers assert that the premise of conformity is fundamentally flawed; they challenge the idea that one's inherent characteristics warrant correction or modification.Through candid reflections on personal experiences, they explore the concept of embracing one's 'boring' life as a means of healing.The discussion emphasizes that what might seem unremarkable or mundane can, in fact, serve as a sanctuary for mental wellness. The narrative is anchored in the belief that many individuals have been subjected to the erroneous notion that they must alter their authentic selves to gain acceptance.This podcast serves as a rallying cry for those who have felt marginalized by such expectations, reinforcing the idea that being 'different' is not synonymous with being 'broken.'