Episodes
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,...
Published 02/02/24
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...
Published 01/26/24
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...
Published 01/19/24
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...
Published 01/13/24
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...
Published 01/12/24
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 about the 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...
Published 01/05/24
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...
Published 01/04/24
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.
Published 01/01/24
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...
Published 12/28/23
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...
Published 12/22/23
Alternate title: AuDHD Unmasking & Activism Artist, 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...
Published 12/15/23
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...
Published 12/14/23
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...
Published 12/13/23
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...
Published 12/08/23
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...
Published 12/01/23
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 space Transcript Doc Email Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Published 11/23/23
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...
Published 11/17/23
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 space Transcript Doc Email Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Published 11/08/23
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 space Transcript Doc Email Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Published 11/03/23
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...
Published 10/27/23
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...
Published 10/20/23
An AuDHD therapist! Danielle Aubin (she/they), LCSW, works with neurodivergent clients and has expertise in trauma.  We talk about why trauma is such a big deal for ND clients. And the title of the episode comes from their amazing take on why having safe therapy is especially important for ND people, and what that looks like.  If you're in therapy or considering it, this episode is for you! (Also if you've experienced trauma from therapy, because this conversation totally validates that...
Published 10/13/23
Optimizing (and the related bio-hacking) are really popular... but why? Who are we doing this for, and who really benefits? This episode spans the last several years of my life starting with my first coaching certification that was literally called Optimize at the time. There were some positive benefits such as better sleep, which on the whole improved my mood. But in the long run, there's a potential negative side to the advice to optimize. And at the same time, many AuDHD people will...
Published 10/06/23
Thanks to Amelia Hruby at the Off the Grid podcast for this lovely interview! Here are her show notes: Today I’m joined by coach & composer Mattia Maurée to talk about running a business & navigating social media in a way that supports your unique brain & lived experience. Tune in to our conversation to hear about— Common ADHD, Autistic & AuDHD struggles with workHow to quit overworking as a coping strategyEmbracing a cyclical relationship to social mediaThe importance of...
Published 09/29/23
Task bracelets can be a task per tag or written really small like I did below... then they stay on your wrist to walk you through the task. Thanks to Caitlin Fisher for the idea! The first half of the episode covers how to make them and how I'm using them. Then it's about the launch of Like Your Brain, an ongoing community space for integration and gentle support. Do less, feel better! The welcome calls are Fri Sep 29 2023 2p EST, and Mon Oct 2 5p EST... hop in if you want to help shape what...
Published 09/27/23