In this episode, Mandy unpacks the complexity of maintaining healthy relationships as a neurodivergent or highly creative individual, and how the gift of seeing the light in others can become a powerful force when harnessed with empathy and boundaries.

Lisa Lloyd Jones then shares her extraordinary journey from creative teacher to accidental mother, therapeutic art specialist, and founder of a thriving support community for families navigating neurodiversity.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

🔹 Being ‘Hard to Live With’ Can Be a Strength – Mandy discusses how high standards, passion, and directness—often seen as difficult traits—can actually lead to deep, authentic relationships, when managed with self-awareness and empathy.

🔹 Seeing the Light in Others – Creatives and neurodivergent individuals often have a unique ability to see untapped potential in others. Mandy explains how this gift can empower and inspire, but also lead to emotional burnout or disappointment if boundaries aren't respected.

🔹 Lisa Lloyd Jones’ Unexpected Path to Parenthood – Lisa shares how she and her wife became emergency foster carers—and how a three-day-old baby changed their lives forever. Despite never planning to be a parent, Lisa embraced her role wholeheartedly and eventually fought against the system to adopt the child they’d grown to love as their own.

🔹 The Battle for Recognition & Support – Lisa details the emotional, legal, and systemic battles they faced to secure an adoption and the lifelong support needed for their son, who lives with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and developmental trauma.

🔹 Turning Lived Experience into Purpose – Lisa transformed her personal challenges and professional experience into Mindful of Art, a therapeutic art and counselling service for children and young people. She now uses creative expression as a healing tool, helping others process big emotions in healthy, safe ways.

🔹 Supporting the Unsung Heroes: Parents & Carers – Recognising the lack of support for parents of neurodivergent children, Lisa founded The Therapeutic Couch, an online community offering guidance, emotional support, and connection for caregivers who too often feel alone and overwhelmed.

Memorable Quotes from This Episode:

🗨️ “Relationships are built on the foundation of empathy, understanding, and the willingness to see things from another’s perspective.” – Mandy Nicholson

🗨️ “Creativity has always threaded itself through my life’s twists and turns… it’s my reset button, and now I help others find theirs too.” – Lisa Lloyd Jones

Why You Should Listen:

This episode is a must-listen for caregivers, educators, creatives, and neurodivergent individuals alike. It’s a powerful reminder that you don’t need to follow the path you planned to end up exactly where you’re meant to be—and that creativity and compassion can change lives when combined with courage and advocacy.

✨ Tune in now to be inspired by Lisa’s extraordinary journey!

📖 Beyond the Ordinary: Discover the Power of Creative and Neurodiverse Women is available now on Amazon.

Episodes were recorded in the authors own homes on various devices.
Podcast produced by "Your Fairy Podmother" of Voice It Podcast Agency
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