For many neurodivergent folks, personal hygiene isn’t about laziness—it’s about overwhelm.

In this warm and wonderfully real Waking Up Neurodivergent Wednesday episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, therapist and neurodivergent coach Barbara Blaze Lazarony, LMFT, explores the sensory and executive function challenges behind one deceptively simple question: To shower or not to shower?

You’ll hear the story of one client’s radical honesty—“I take a shower every three weeks, whether I need it or not”—and why embracing our truth with humor can be the start of self-compassion and nervous system care.

This episode is an invitation to:

• Reframe hygiene struggles through a trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming lens
• Let go of shame around executive dysfunction and sensory overload
• Explore self-care rituals that feel doable, flexible, and kind

Whether you’re sitting on the edge of your bed whispering, “Not today,” or you’re learning to celebrate the little wins, this episode will meet you with empathy, insight, and a smile.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodivergentHygiene #ExecutiveDysfunction #SensoryOverload #ShowerStruggles #SelfCompassion #NeurodivergentSelfCare #WakingUpNeurodivergent

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

Misunderstandings are inevitable. Repair is what makes the relationship strong.

In this episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, Blaze explores why repair is one of the most essential practices in neurodiverse relationships. Not just as a way to clean up after a fight—but as the foundation for trust, connection, and emotional safety. This is Part 3 in a 3-part series on healing in relationships.

You’ll hear the story of a couple who redefined what repair looked like in their relationship—moving from mismatched expectations to a co-created rhythm that honored both neurotypes.

This episode validates both the partner who initiates repair and the one who struggles with it. You'll learn how different nervous systems experience conflict, how repair can happen through action and words, and why showing up—even imperfectly—matters more than getting it right.

💡 Includes a practical Home Play prompt to explore and share your unique repair needs.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to make repair a living, breathing part of your relationship—one that holds you both with care.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodiverseCouples #RelationalRepair #NeurodivergentCommunication #AutismAndLove #ADHDCouples #RelationshipHealing #EmotionalRepair

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

In this hilarious and totally relatable Waking Up Neurodivergent Wednesday episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, host Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, explores seasonal shifts' emotional and sensory chaos, especially for neurodivergent folks.

From Grey May and June Gloom to No Sky July and the ever-tragic Fogust, Blaze shares how changes in barometric pressure, light, and humidity can completely hijack your mood, your energy, and your carefully made plans. You’ll hear how she migrates between California and Ohio not for fun—but for emotional climate control.

With warmth and humor, she validates the neurodivergent experience of being “climate-responsive,” not dramatic. This episode will make you laugh, nod in recognition, and rethink how weather, sensory overwhelm, and nervous system care intersect.

You’ll also receive a reflection-based Home Play invitation to start noticing your environmental triggers and maybe create a “fog-friendly” self-care kit.

If you’ve ever said, “I was fine until the sun touched me,” this one’s for you.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodivergentHumor #SensorySensitivity #SeasonalOverload #NervousSystemCare

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

“I’m sorry” doesn’t always equal repair.

In neurodiverse relationships, words alone often miss the mark—especially when one partner needs emotional presence, and the other leans on logic, quick fixes, or shutdowns under pressure.

In this episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, Blaze explores why standard apology scripts often fail in neurodiverse partnerships—and how to create moments of repair that actually land. This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on healing in neurodiverse relationships.

You’ll hear the story of a couple who learned to slow down, communicate their repair needs, and stop missing each other in the moments that mattered most. You’ll also receive a reflection-based Home Play exercise to help you and your partner unpack your own repair patterns and build safety through presence, not perfection.

Whether you’re the one offering “I’m sorry” or the one aching for something deeper, this episode will help you rethink repair and reconnect from a place of mutual understanding.

🎧 Tune in now for grounded insights, real tools, and deep validation.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodiverseCouples #RelationalRepair #NeurodivergentCommunication #AutismRelationships #ADHDCouples #EmotionalRepair #NeurodivergentLove

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

In this quiet and deeply moving Waking Up Neurodivergent Wednesday episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, host Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, reflects on Portia Nelson’s beloved poem Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.

With warmth and clinical insight, Blaze walks listeners through the metaphor of “the hole in the sidewalk”—a powerful illustration of why we repeat emotional patterns, especially in neurodiverse relationships, and how healing doesn’t happen all at once, but one chapter at a time.

This episode is a balm for anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or exhausted by their own cycles of overwhelm, shutdown, or miscommunication. Blaze normalizes the process of growth, celebrates small awareness shifts, and offers gentle Home Play to support continued progress.

A must-listen for anyone in Chapter Two or Three, yearning for Chapter Four, and beginning to imagine Chapter Five.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodivergentHealing #PortiaNelson #EmotionalGrowth #PatternBreaking #NeurodiverseRelationships

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

Have you ever apologized just for being you?

In neurodiverse relationships, shutdowns and self-blame can quietly erode emotional safety, but they often come from deeper survival strategies.

In this episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, Blaze explores what’s really happening when one or both partners begin to apologize for existing, whether through words, silence, or emotional withdrawal. You’ll hear the story of a couple navigating this dynamic and how they learned to slow down, name their patterns, and reconnect without shame. This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on healing in relationships

This episode is for both of you—the partner who shuts down and the partner who feels abandoned. You’ll learn how trauma, masking, and emotional overwhelm contribute to this pattern, and how to begin healing it through small, honest shifts in communication and pacing.

✨ Includes a reflective Home Play exercise to help both partners recognize when the urge to apologize is a signal for support.

🎧 Listen now to understand how to stop apologizing for who you are and start building a relationship that allows you to express your full humanity.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodiverseCouples #EmotionalShutdown #NeurodivergentHealing #AutismAndLove #ADHDCouples #TraumaInRelationships #RelationshipRepair

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

Why I Own 5 of the Same Skort: A Neurodivergent Story About Sensory Comfort & Spring Cleaning

In this cozy Waking Up Neurodivergent Wednesday episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, therapist and neurodivergent host Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, shares a funny, all-too-familiar story about sensory preferences, spring cleaning, and why five identical knit skorts absolutely belong in your closet.

This isn’t about fashion—it’s about nervous system regulation. From sensory-friendly clothing to the comfort of sameness, Blaze invites listeners to rethink self-care through the lens of wardrobe rituals. If you’ve ever stocked up on soft pants or clung to your perfectly worn-in hoodie, this episode will feel like a warm exhale.

You’ll also receive a playful Home Play invitation to honor what feels good on your body and release what doesn’t—with no shame, just kindness.

Come for the spring cleaning, and stay for self-acceptance.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodivergentLife #SensoryFriendlyFashion #SpringCleaningWithCompassion #NeurodivergentComfort #SoftSkortsForever #NervousSystemSupport

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

When Empathy Looks Different: Understanding Neurodivergent Love and Connection

In this heartfelt Therapy Insights Tuesday episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, therapist and neurodivergent coach Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, invites you to rethink what empathy really looks like—especially in neurodiverse relationships.

Many autistic and ADHD individuals feel deeply—but express empathy in ways that aren’t always recognized by neurotypical standards. When empathy doesn’t come with eye contact, a hug, or perfectly timed words, it’s often misunderstood as emotional disconnection. But Blaze is here to set the record straight.

You’ll learn:

• Why neurodivergent empathy often shows up differently (and beautifully)
• How sensory needs, processing time, and communication styles affect connection
• How to shift from misunderstanding to mutual appreciation in your relationship

Whether you’re neurodivergent, in a neurodiverse partnership, or supporting ND clients, this episode expands your definition of empathy—and offers practical ways to connect more deeply without forcing yourself (or your partner) into someone else’s script.

Listen now for an inclusive, affirming take on love, empathy, and emotional safety.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodiverseLove #NDEmpathy #EmpathyRedefined #NeurodivergentRelationships #EmotionalConnection #NDCommunication #DifferentNotLess #SensoryAwareLove #NeurodivergentSupport

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

“Stop It!”: What Bob Newhart Got Right (and Wrong) About Mental Health and Neurodivergence

In this lighthearted Waking Up Neurodivergent Wednesday bonus episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, therapist and neurodivergent coach Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, explores a surprising mental health insight hidden inside a classic Bob Newhart comedy sketch. In it, Newhart plays a therapist who tells his anxious client to simply: “Stop it.”

While the line is played for laughs, Blaze unpacks how this moment actually mirrors a valid therapeutic concept: pattern interruption. For many neurodivergent individuals, stopping a spiraling thought—even briefly—can bring a return to clarity, safety, and presence.

You’ll hear:

• Why humor can be a healing tool for neurodivergent anxiety
• How to use a gentle “stop it” to break internal loops without shame
• A short grounding breath practice and reflective prompt to help you pause and reset

This episode reminds us that while healing is real, it doesn’t always have to be heavy. Simple strategies can create powerful shifts, especially when offered with warmth and self-compassion.

📺 Watch the original sketch on YouTube

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NeurodivergentAnxiety #PatternInterruption #MentalHealthHumor #BobNewhartTherapist #AnxietyTools #HealingWithHumor #NeurodivergentSupport #StopItTechnique

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**

The Intimacy Dance in Neurodiverse Relationships: Push, Pull, and the Power of Pause

In this Therapy Insights Tuesday episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, therapist and neurodivergent coach Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, explores the often-misunderstood dynamics of intimacy in neurodiverse relationships—especially the push-pull experience of wanting connection but needing space.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by closeness or unsure about how much space you need—or how to interpret your partner’s retreat—you’re not alone. Blaze unpacks this emotional tension through the lens of sensory needs, communication differences, nervous system regulation, and attachment patterns.

You’ll learn:

• What drives the push-pull dynamic in neurodivergent couples
• Why some individuals crave closeness one moment and withdraw the next
• How to navigate these patterns with curiosity, compassion, and clarity
• 
  

Whether you’re the one who pulls away or the one left feeling confused, this episode helps both partners understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. Blaze offers practical tools and trauma-informed strategies to create safety, respect, and deeper connection—without shame or blame.

Tune in for grounded guidance that honors your nervous system, your relationship needs, and your right to boundaries and closeness.

#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NDIntimacy #PushPullDynamic #NeurodiverseLove #AttachmentAndAutism #EmotionalCloseness #RelationshipBoundaries #NeurodivergentConnection #NDRelationshipSupport

Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:

🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com

For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:

📸 @BlazeLazarony

✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.

**This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is a licensed therapist in California, but this content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. For personalized support, consult a qualified professional. If you're in crisis, call 988 or seek local emergency services.**