As we round out 2021, this is an episode not to be missed! Jodie is a parent coach, passionate about emotional awareness, communication skills and questioning the things we often take for granted in our society.  These themes are weaved throughout our conversation, as we dive into the following topics: * key tips and strategies for the upcoming holiday season, in particular navigating extended family relationships * working with and through different perspectives and opinions between...

This episode is the audio from a Facebook Live hosted on Sammy's page, Map the Maze, titled "From Busy to Being".  Michelle Heriot from E-Gen joins Sammy for an insightful conversation full of tips and strategies you can utilise for yourself and for your children, all about emotional intelligence, becoming aware of your "stuff", discovering your values and strategies for regulating ourselves, so we can then be more effective at supporting our children to regulate. Michelle has had a diverse...

April Mack is a Strategic Business Consultant, a Trainer and Mentor, who lives in Canberra, Australia. Just as importantly, she is a parent to two beautiful people aged 11 and 9. Join Patricia and Sammy as they dive into April's journey through the assessment process, diagnosis and beyond for her 9 year old son. We cover a range of topics, many of which will be familiar to our listeners who have also been through this journey, including: managing different expectations and approaches amongst...

***CONTENT WARNING: In this episode we discuss child abuse, exploitation and predatory behaviour. Please use caution when considering if this episode is right for you. We believe it's vital to discuss these issues and bring them into our collective awareness, in order to better protect our children. We do cover key child safety themes and strategies, and we also encourage you to reach out for professional support.*** Caroline Ellen is a social worker and parenting coach, who believes all...

Joanne Holbrook is an author, professional keynote speaker, parenting advocate and entrepreneur. Through her friendships, book and speaking events, she shares parenting stories to help build positive, values-based families around the world. Having lived in 5 different countries and across several states in the U.S., Joanne has a broad range of experiences and immense wisdom to share, especially when it comes to how much our similarities as parents outweigh our differences. Join us in this...

Bec McFarland is a career and business coach and the owner of Pop Your Career and Pop Your Business. She is passionate about helping you find your own personal flavour of fulfilment, whether you’re a business owner or in a more traditional career. It was our absolute pleasure to welcome Bec to our podcast and explore a previously (publicly) unspoken part of her story; her diagnosis and journey with ADHD. We also explore "Imposter Syndrome" and it's widespread effects, in particular how it...

In this episode we meet Natalie Charlotte, Paediatric OT and Piano Teacher for neurodiverse and highly sensitive and/or energetic children. Our conversation is jam-packed full of wisdom and learnings from Natalie, who shares her experience following many breadcrumbs over the years from music student to now changing the game in allied health service delivery. We delve into what's beneath not only our children's behaviour, but our own, and how being continually curious about the why behind it...

Jonathan is the founder and CEO of Self Plus Plus, a coaching and mentoring service for people 15 years or older seeking employment, housing or other life skills support. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey to self diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, and how, along with supporting a young person with autism, it inspired him to create Self Plus Plus.  We also cover a myriad of topics ranging from finding our place in the world, teaching people how they need to learn, finding your "ikigai"...

Yenn is a generous, open-hearted truth teller; and the depth of our conversation in this episode will attest to that. Exploring topics from function labels, masking, rejecting diagnoses to embracing discovered identities, gender diversity and the correlation to neurodiversity, to the myth of autistics being "rule followers" - this episode is jam packed with wisdom and thought provoking ideas. Yenn combines their lived experience and personal journey with years of working with and listening...

This episode explores listening therapy with the learning difficulty expert, Harry Armytage.  In case you haven't heard of listening therapy before, we dive into who and how it can help; it is a brilliant option for those facing difficulties with auditory processing. We also delve into Harry's ways of being with his clients, with his motto being "start from safe". He describes listening as a pathway to the brain. As some added inspiration, we get to hear Harry's journey from economist to...

In this episode we have a deeply thought provoking conversation with the wonderful Carlie Maree, which can be best summarised with her brilliant quote "the land of plenty lies outside the cage of conditioning." Carlie is a writer of world-changing words, leader of life-changing online experiences and personal mentor to a select few superstars. She is also an incredible mother to two children, one of whom is neurodiverse, and they home educate. Sammy and Patricia dive into everything with...

With estimates of 50-70% of autistic people also experiencing mental health conditions, this episode centres around the individual, diagnostic and systemic reasons this may be. Initially delivered live on Facebook, Patricia and Sammy have a passionate discussion exploring both what may be causing such a high rate of mental health conditions and also, how we can move towards greater support of our neurodiverse people.  Noting that, by creating a world where neurodiverse people are loved and...

CONTENT WARNING: During this episode the topic of "conversion therapy" comes up, in relation to LGBTQIA+ people and their mistreatment. We send our love to those who are not able to engage in this content at this time, and encourage you to reach out to Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 if you are in Australia (or your country's equivalent service). One of the more controversial topics of conversation in the neurodiverse space, this episode dives into the opposing arguments both for and against...

TRIGGER WARNING: Towards the beginning of this episode the conversation turns to discussing sexual abuse. We send our love and compassion to you and understand if this is something you may not wish to hear. We encourage you to reach out to Lifeline 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) if you are in Australia, or your country's equivalent. Diving into the topic of Social Skills sounds a little different to what you might "typically" expect! Initially delivered live on Facebook, Patricia...

This episode explores the topic of Empathy, busting the myth that neurodiverse people do not have the capacity to experience empathy. Initially delivered live on Facebook, Sammy & Patricia discuss some common reasons why empathy may look different on the outside for our neurodiverse population, to what we might generally expect.  Including bonus tangents into the systems that continue to perpetuate this stereotype! Let us know what you think. . Join Sammy Anne (Map the Maze) and...

Our first episode delves deeper into the movement that is "Neurodiversity", as opposed to the medical model of "Autism Spectrum Disorder", amongst other "disorders".  Initially delivered live on Facebook, Patricia & Sammy share details about what the medical model really means, as well as our reasons behind subscribing to the neurodiverse view of the world. As is our way, there's a few tangents thrown in for good measure! We'd love to hear from you so feel free to send us your...

Join Sammy Anne (Map the Maze) and Patricia Falcetta (Social Living Solutions) as they introduce themselves and their "why" behind their new podcast, "Nurturing Neurodiversity". Our passion lies in supporting whole families to navigate the challenges and revel in the joys of their neurodiverse children. A big part of this support entails advocating for changes within our systems and society, to ensure our children grow up knowing and loving who they are. No matter our ability, race, gender,...