Welcome back to another episode of F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grown-ups. After a whirlwind week at Sydney Mardi Gras, Callie and Jayne are back on the mics, feeling a little wrecked but ready to decompress. From the adrenaline of dancing up Oxford Street to the physical and emotional hangover that follows a massive neurodivergent project, this episode dives deep into the post-event blues.

We’re getting vulnerable about rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), the sting of unsolicited opinions, and what happens when you feel like you’re sitting at the intersection of not being neurodivergent, queer, or disabled enough.

In This Episode:

• Mardi Gras Post-Mortem: The highs of performing for 300,000 people (move over, Taylor Swift) and the fatigue that follows
• Being Rejected: Jayne shares a painful moment of perceived rejection from the crowd and how RSD can hijack a celebration
• Accessibility Fails: A look at what went wrong behind the scenes, from the removal of wheelchair ramps to the lack of support for disabled marchers.
• The ‘Not Enough’ Trap: Callie opens up about the struggle of feeling not gay enough, not AuDHD enough, or not disabled enough while occupying those spaces.
• Navigating Online Criticism: How to handle the gatekeepers on social media who try to police how we talk about our own neurodivergence.
• Parenting & Music: Answering a listener's question about bonding with a baby in utero through music

Key Takeaways

• RSD is Real: Rejection sensitivity can turn a small interaction into a major emotional wound, especially when you are already physically exhausted.
• Impact over Intent: Even if someone didn't mean to be hurtful, the impact on a neurodivergent person can be significant. Kindness in public spaces matters.
• Advocacy is Messy: Driving change and asking for better accessibility often means ‘bleeding’ a little for the cause, but it’s vital for the community.
• Music as a Anchor: Whether it’s Jack Johnson or bagpipes, music remains one of the most powerful tools for emotional regulation and bonding across generations.

Neuro-Inclusion Guide: Check out the resources at ndwild.org/inclusion which saw a 1700% increase in traffic following the march!

Got a curly question or a scandalous AuDHD tax story to share? We want to hear it!

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @fthemfish_audhdforgrownups

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Callie and Jayne check in on their current energy levels (feeling knackered and like total goblins).

01:10 Post-Mardi Gras Reflections: The emotional and physical crash following Sydney Mardi Gras, moving from high-adrenaline performance to post-event exhaustion.

03:10 The Physical Toll of Oxford Street: A look at the physical demands of the parade, including DJ BJ pulling a heavy music cart and Callie’s unexpected sciatica injury.

05:53 Rejection Sensitivity (RSD) at the Parade: Jayne shares a vulnerable story about interacting with a crowd member that triggered a deep spiral of rejection sensitivity.

10:38 Navigating Public Perception and Not Enough-ness: Exploring intersectionality and feeling judged in public spaces.

15:37 Performance: Callie masks through physical pain during the parade and the internal struggle of maintaining a public face while suffering.

18:30 Accessibility Fails and Advocacy: A critical look at the removal of accessibility supports during the event and the impact on disabled participants.

26:14 Online Criticism Callie recounts a recent experience on LinkedIn and why it is important to lead with kindness rather than policing language.

32:15 Listener Q&A: Parenting, Music, and Belly Raspberries We answer a listener's question about bonding with a baby in utero through music

38:43 Outro

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