In this episode of The Neurodivergent Creative, Caitlin goes full “spicy brains, unpacking all the shame” and dives into why childhood development has its own pace, and why trying to rush it creates more stress for everyone.

Using Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages (Trust vs. Mistrust + Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt), Caitlin connects toddler “purple cup chaos,” risky play, and messy learning to the adult realities of people-pleasing, shame spirals, and inner child repair.

We also get a Caitlin-style tour through special interests (biology, evolution, brains), a candid story about changing majors, and a big, tender reminder: kids learn through experience—and so do we.

💬" We have seriously lost the plot on allowing kids to experience things and learn. We just are like, 'No, I know better. So do it this way!' When like making a fucking mess is part of the process." - Caitlin Liz Fisher

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who’s healing their relationship with trust, autonomy, or creativity.

And remember:
Making a mess is part of learning.
Making mistakes is part of becoming.
Your inner child is allowed to take up space here.

What We Explore in This Episode

• Why parenting requires slowing down to the pace of child development
• Erik Erikson’s Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (and what it teaches us about safety)
• Erik Erikson’s Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
• Risky play, natural consequences, and why “making a mess” is part of learning
• How childhood shame shows up later as overdependence, anxiety, and people-pleasing
• Using Erikson’s stages for inner child work (especially for autistic/ADHD brains)