What if the mood swings, burnout, and sudden sensory overwhelm aren’t just “hormones” — but a neurodivergent brain reacting to perimenopause?

In this powerful episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we unpack the science, the stats, and the very real lived experience of perimenopause in women with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivity — especially moms. You’ll learn:

🌀 What perimenopause actually is (and what it’s not)
🧠 How hormonal shifts like estrogen withdrawal impact neurotransmitters
🔥 Why PMDD is more common in neurodivergent women
👩‍👧 How parenting becomes exponentially harder during this phase
📊 The shocking stats on late ADHD/autism diagnoses in women
🗣️ Real quotes from women who thought they were “losing it” — until it all made sense

This isn’t just a biology lesson. It’s a compassionate, science-backed call to stop gaslighting ourselves and start honoring the unique way our brains and hormones interact.

Whether you’re in your late 30s, early 40s, or just beginning to question what’s going on with your mind and body — this episode will give you clarity, hope, and tools to support yourself better.

🎧 Tune in, share with a friend, and remember: you’re not broken. You’re just overdue for real answers.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

👀 Ever feel like a totally different person the week before your period?

Not just moody — but anxious, ragey, shut down, or like you want to quit your job, run away, or scream into a pillow...
Then your period starts, and suddenly… you’re okay again?
Yeah. This one’s for you.

💥 In this episode, we unpack:

🧠 Why monthly hormones hit harder when you're neurodivergent (think: ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivity)
🌀 How dopamine, estrogen & serotonin impact your mood, focus, and parenting capacity at certain times of the cycle
📅 What each phase of the cycle does to your brain (and why some moms thrive while bleeding 😳)
🔥 The real signs of PMDD and why up to 92% of autistic women may have it
🙈 How it can feel like an outer-body experience — seeing yourself unravel, but not being able to stop it
👩‍👧 Why motherhood makes this all more intense (and more invisible)

💡 Whether you’re diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or just relate a little too much, this episode will help you:

✔️ Understand your cycle through a neurodivergent lens
✔️ Learn what’s actually happening in your brain
✔️ Ditch the shame and start tracking patterns instead of blaming yourself

🎧 Listen in if you’ve ever said:

“I feel like a different person every week.”
“My PMS feels like I’m losing my mind.”
“I get ragey, overwhelmed, and disconnected — then totally fine again.”

You’re not dramatic. You’re not unstable.
This is real, it’s biological, and it’s more common than anyone talks about.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

If you’ve ever felt like alcohol affects you differently — the next-day anxiety, brain fog, guilt, emotional spirals, or sensory overwhelm — you’re not imagining it. In this episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we’re unpacking the unique relationship between neurodivergent women and alcohol.

We explore why women with ADHD and autism are more likely to develop substance use struggles — not out of recklessness, but often from a deep desire to self-soothe, cope, and fit in. You'll learn how alcohol interacts with our already sensitive brains, hormones, and nervous systems, and why “just one glass” can have a bigger impact on moms like us.

I also share my own story of quitting alcohol in 2018, and why that decision became one of the most powerful acts of generational healing in my life.

You’ll walk away from this episode feeling informed, validated, and most importantly — not alone. Whether you’re sober-curious, reevaluating your relationship with alcohol, or just want to understand your neurodivergent brain better, this one’s for you.

🎧 Topics we cover:

• ADHD, autism & substance use: what the research says
• Why neurodivergent moms drink: the 6 biggest reasons
• How alcohol affects your hormones, dopamine & sensory system
• My personal journey with quitting drinking
• Gentle steps if you're rethinking alcohol — without shame

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Is it ADHD, unresolved childhood trauma—or both?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of *Quirky Moms Matter*, we’re unpacking the complex relationship between adult ADHD and childhood adversity. 

* Can childhood trauma lead to ADHD symptoms in adulthood?

* Are ADHD diagnoses sometimes a misinterpretation of trauma responses?

* What are the overlapping traits, and why does understanding them matter so much—especially if you're a mom?

Whether you’re navigating motherhood with late-diagnosed neurodivergence, healing from an upbringing that lacked the emotional support you needed, or simply trying to make sense of your inner world—this episode is for you. Because you deserve to understand your mind, not just for your own healing, but so you can show up with compassion, intention, and authenticity.

💡 *Remember: You can’t change what you don’t understand—and this is where change begins.*

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

You don’t need to overhaul your life to support your hormone and neurotransmitter health—especially if you’re neurodivergent, or just feeling stretched thin. 

In this episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we're breaking down the science into real-life, manageable actions that actually fit your brain and your season.

You’ll learn:
🧠 The mechanisms and reasoning behind common advice you may already have heard.
💥 How hormones and neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol interact (and why it matters)
🍳 Easy, neurodivergent-friendly strategies to regulate your system—without needing a rigid routine or perfect diet
🌱 Small things that make a big difference.

If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should feel better by now, but I don’t”—this episode is for you.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

What if what looked like postpartum depression… wasn’t?

In this heartfelt and research-backed episode, I open up about my personal experience of being misdiagnosed with postpartum depression — when in reality, I was navigating undiagnosed ADHD in the whirlwind of new motherhood.

We’ll explore:

✨ The hormonal shifts that mimic or magnify ADHD in the postpartum
✨ Why so many neurodivergent women are overlooked or misdiagnosed
✨ What the science says about ADHD, autism traits, and PPD risk

Whether you’re deep in the fog, looking back on a confusing time, or preparing for motherhood with a neurodivergent brain — this episode is here to say: you’re not broken, you’re not failing, and you’re not alone.

📲 Come join the community on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter — your story might echo in the comments.

🛑 This episode is for informational purposes only. Please speak to a licensed mental health provider for diagnosis or treatment.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

If you've ever felt like motherhood is harder for you than it should be, this episode is for you.

In this powerful first episode, we introduce the concept of the neurodivergent mom—what that means, how it shows up in everyday motherhood, and why your struggles are real, valid, and rooted in neurology, not failure. 

Whether you're diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or still wondering, this episode will help you feel seen.

Dani dives into real-life experiences, emotional truths, and new research on ADHD, autism, and maternal mental health. You’ll learn why your challenges may have intensified during pregnancy and postpartum—and why masking no longer works after motherhood begins.

Expect a blend of raw storytelling, science-backed insight, and encouragement to embrace your unique brain and redefine what “being a good mom” really means.

🌿 Topics covered:

• What it really feels like to be a neurodivergent mom
• The emotional cost of masking in motherhood
• Late diagnosis of ADHD & autism in mothers
• How hormones, overstimulation, and sensory overload impact your experience
• Why motherhood is different for the neurodivergent brain
• The power of self-advocacy, reframing, and embracing your ND strengths

✨ Plus: A look at groundbreaking 2024 research on perinatal neurodivergence that will validate your entire motherhood experience

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Struggling to bond after birth? Feeling disconnected during breastfeeding? You’re not alone—and there’s a reason. In this powerful episode, we explore why ADHD, sensory sensitive, anxious and autistic mothers often feel overwhelmed postpartum, and how hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and prolactin affect bonding, mood, and sensory overload.

Learn how neurodivergent traits show up in early motherhood and why your bonding moment will come—even if it takes time. This episode is packed with science, compassion, and validation.

In this deeply personal and educational episode, we explore the often unspoken struggles of bonding and breastfeedingas a neurodivergent mother. 💬

So many women today are receiving late diagnoses of ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences, and for many, these traits are only fully revealed through the intense transformation of motherhood. Hormonal shifts, sensory overload, and emotional dysregulation can make bonding and breastfeeding feel confusing, overwhelming—or even impossible.

I open up about my own experience with feeling disconnected after birth and the intrusive thoughts that followed, and we unpack the real science behind it all: from oxytocin and dopamine to serotonin, prolactin, estrogen, and cortisol. You’ll learn why your brain might be responding the way it is—and that you are not alone.

This episode is for the mama who feels like something’s missing, who’s wondering why everyone else makes it look so easy. This is your reminder: your bonding moment will come, and you are exactly the mother your child needs.

✨ Listen in for validation, science-backed insights, and a gentle reminder that understanding your neurodivergent brain is the first step toward healing and embracing your unique motherhood journey.

🎧 Topics covered:

• ADHD, autism, and the postpartum experience
• The role of oxytocin and dopamine in bonding
• Hormonal shifts & sensory sensitivities after birth
• Intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, and the truth behind them
• Why breastfeeding can feel overwhelming for ND moms
• How late diagnosis is often tied to the motherhood transition

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Welcome to Quirky Moms Matter – A space where neurobiology meets the messy reality of motherhood.

Are you a neurodivergent mom, or do you suspect you might be? This podcast is here for you. I’m a late-diagnosed neurodivergent mom and researcher, and I created this show to share the knowledge I wish I had when I first started navigating motherhood with a neurodivergent brain.

In this podcast, we dive into the science behind neurodivergence and how it shapes our experiences as mothers. You’ll find discussions on:

The Latest Research: ADHD, autism, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and all related to motherhood

Managing Everyday Struggles: Anxiety, mom guilt, intrusive thoughts, burnout, and how to navigate them with a neurodivergent brain.

Strengths of Neurodivergence: How our unique brains help us thrive as mothers.

Neurobiology of Motherhood: How your brain works differently and why that’s okay.

Practical Tools & Strategies: Brain rewiring exercises, coaching tips, and actionable steps to better understand your brain and improve your mothering journey.


Why This Podcast Is For You:

Whether you’re feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or like something’s just not quite “right” in your experience of motherhood, this space is for you. I’ll share my personal journey as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent mom and provide you with the resources, support, and tools that I wish I had when I was first starting out. 

You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of your brain, increased self-compassion, and practical strategies to become the best, most confident version of yourself as a mother.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

If you've ever feared your thoughts meant something terrible, or that you were alone in having them — this episode is for you.

In this personal and research-backed episode, I open up about one of the hardest parts of motherhood that many moms silently struggle with — intrusive thoughts. 

From postpartum balcony fears to late-night anxiety spirals, I share my own maternal OCD experience and the science behind why neurodivergent mothers, especially those with ADHD or autism, are more prone to these unwanted thoughts.

We'll break down:

• The differences between intrusive thoughts, trauma responses, and maternal OCD
• Why saying something out loud does not manifest it
• The link between hormonal shifts, neurotransmitters, and postpartum anxiety
• What the research really says about OCD, ADHD, and intrusive thoughts
• Gentle, practical coping strategies to help you feel safe and seen

This episode includes a trigger warning, as we gently discuss themes like fears around harm and mental health challenges in early motherhood. Please take care while listening.

If you've ever feared your thoughts meant something terrible, or that you were alone in having them — this episode is for you.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.