What is it like to be diagnosed with a Neurodivergent condition later on in life? And how do you process a new label which arguably has a list of potential connotations with it? 

We're back! A few small changes have been going on at Conscious Being Magazine, behind the scenes - and plus, we were also locked out of our podcast editing software. (Eek!) For today's episode, we have 2 guests on to discuss what it was like to be diagnosed later in life - and a range of themes are also discussed, such as grieving on finding out (not in a tragedy was - more that you're processing), why the superpower narrative can be doing more harm than good, and more. 

This is a love letter to being neurodivergent by 2 women - our guests are: 

Sara Gibbs - Sara Gibbs is a writer, and has recently published her debut book, a memoir, called Drama Queen. She largely works in the comedy sector, and her credits include writing for Dead Ringers, The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Mash Report, and many others. Sara is also a diagnosed Autistic individual.  

Hester Grainger - Hester Grainger is a freelance writer and PR expert. (She has also previously written for Conscious Being Magazine!) Alongside her husband Kelly, Hester co-founded and also runs Perfectly Autistic, a neurodiversity consultancy business. She was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 43.  

We will be back next week with a roundtable discussion of what it means to be a content creator while also being disabled; 4 guests discuss their respective experiences, such as by using TikTok, building their own platform, and more.  

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PLEASE NOTE: The Disabled Debrief With Conscious Being Magazine is a safe and free space for guests. This means that guests are unhindered in what kind of language they use - such as if they prefer to call themselves disabled, use person first language, etc. This does not necessarily always reflect the viewpoint of Conscious Being Magazine or the host of this podcast. This podcast episode also contains reference to some subjects that guests may find distressing or upsetting at times - such as when it comes to the subject of 'curing' Autism, a sense of grief on being diagnosed later in life, etc. Please exercise caution when listening. 

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Series 1 of The Disabled Debrief is sponsored by Diverse Educators. Co-founded by Bennie Kara and Hannah Wilson, #DiverseEd began as a grassroots movement that has the mission to celebrate the diversity, as well as to amplify the voices of those in education. It has evolved into a training provider for the school system on all things DEI. Find out more at diverseeducators.co.uk. Join the conversations on Twitter @DiverseEd2020 https://twitter.com/DiverseEd2020 

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Further reading of subjects mentioned in the podcast:  

Where to buy Drama Queen: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drama-Queen-Autistic-Unhelpful-Labels/dp/1472274369/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10J28T35831N&keywords=drama+queen&qid=1644802104&sprefix=drama+queen%2Caps%2C308&sr=8-1 

Perfectly Autistic's website: https://www.perfectlyautistic.co.uk 

It's a big question, but is always worth asking anyway; just what do we do about Eco Ableism, and what can we also do to help tackle environmental issues? This episode is a rapid fire conversation starter about just what to do and how to go about it - all the while staying hopeful about the state of the planet. 

Today's guests are:  

Elizabeth Wright, disability ally ship consultant, speaker and editor of Conscious Being Magazine.  

Anna Turns, a environmental freelance journalist and journalism lecturer. Anna's first book, Go Toxic Free, is out now.  

Content note: please be advised that this episode does contain reference to upsetting topics and viewer discretion is advised.  

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Series 1 of The Disabled Debrief is sponsored by Diverse Educators. Co-founded by Bennie Kara and Hannah Wilson, #DiverseEd began as a grassroots movement that has the mission to celebrate the diversity, as well as to amplify the voices of those in education. It has evolved into a training provider for the school system on all things DEI. Find out more at diverseeducators.co.uk. Join the conversations on Twitter @DiverseEd2020 https://twitter.com/DiverseEd2020

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Further reading of things mentioned on this podcast:  

Go Toxic Free by Anna Turns: https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/go-toxic-free-the-biggest-chemical-pollutants-on-the-planet-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/anna-turns/hardback/9781789293432.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQiKk8IVzcwCGbNC7rYSbbagBvUJQbWfGjt4S354oTx9QrglIQYTDAhoCDY8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds  

Anna's website: https://www.environmentaljournalist.co.uk 

Climate change, disability, and eco ableism: why we need to be inclusive to save the planet, by Elizabeth Wright: https://www.inspirationalspeakers.co.uk/climate-change-disability-and-eco-ableism-why-we-need-to-be-inclusive-to-save-the-planet/  

Elizabeth's website: http://www.elizabethwright.net

The official Conscious Being magazine website: https://www.consciousbeingmagazine.com 

If you liked this episode, please consider tipping us here: https://ko-fi.com/lydiawilkins

Chronic illness is something that we have all likely heard about, or at least seen on social media - but what is it like to have a Chronic Illness in the workplace? This episode is a roundtable discussion that deals with themes such as productivity, reasonable adjustments, freelance work vs traditional employment, benefits vs drawbacks, and more.  

The four guests in this episode are:  

Pippa Stacey, a writer/blogger and speaker based in Yorkshire, and founder of Life With Pippa. Pippa is also a member of the charity ASTRID.   

Sophie B, a chronically ill and neurodivergent artist, content creator and writer, with bylines in Ablezine, PosAbility Mag, Vogue Italia, among other places. 

Punteha van Terheyden, a freelance journalist, and founder of ethical journalism platform Lacuna Voices.   

Please note that this episode was beset with technical difficulties, and while this podcast has been edited, there may be the occasional technological glitch. This issue will be resolved in future episodes.   

Content warning: please note that this podcast episode may contain upsetting subjects. 

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Series 1 of The Disabled Debrief is sponsored by Diverse Educators. Co-founded by Bennie Kara and Hannah Wilson, #DiverseEd began as a grassroots movement that has the mission to celebrate the diversity, as well as to amplify the voices of those in education. It has evolved into a training provider for the school system on all things DEI.

Find out more at diverseeducators.co.uk. Join the conversations on Twitter @DiverseEd2020 https://twitter.com/DiverseEd2020

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Further reading of things mentioned in this podcast:  

ME: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/

Endometriosis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/  

Autism: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/   

Action For ME Booklet: https://www.actionforme.org.uk/uploads/pdfs/employers-guide-to-me-booklet-2016.pdf    

Astriid charity information: https://astriid.org/   

Pippa’s blog, Life Of Pippa: https://www.lifeofpippa.co.uk/  

Punteha‘s ethical platform: https://www.lacunavoices.com/   

Visit the official Conscious Being Magazine website: https://www.consciousbeingmagazine.com/   

If you liked this episode, please consider leaving a tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/lydiawilkins 

"Ableism is one unifying adversary for our community and I believe that when we come together beautiful things happen." 

"Get yourself a drink because it’s about to be a bumpy ride." 

"I also believe that silence is complicity" 

Here at Conscious Being Magazine we believe heavily in making space for everyone - and that includes handing the mic over when it's appropriate to do so. This special episode - to kick season 1 off - is The Dope Black Disabled Takeover episode. Kimmy, the host for this episode, talks through a multitude of different topics, including privilege, experiences with biases in healthcare, intersectionality, allyship and more.  

Trigger warning: please note that this episode may contain references to upsetting topics. 

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[AD - sponsored advert.] Series one of the Conscious Being podcast is sponsored by Diverse Ed. Diverse Ed is a grassroots movement who's mission is to celebrate the diversity and amplify the voices of those in education. Find out more here: https://www.diverseeducators.co.uk. #DiverseEd

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Further reading and links mentioned in this episode

Follow the Dope Black Disabled community on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DbDisabled  

And also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dopeblackdisabled/?igshid=18052z47ex072  

Subscribe to the Dope Black Disabled podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dope-black-disabled-podcast/id1570488035  

Get to know the family: https://dopeblack.org  

Visit our website: https://www.consciousbeingmagazine.com 

For the pilot episode of The Disabled Debrief With Conscious Being Magazine, we chat to a true force of nature. Gemma Louise Stevenson is a freelance broadcaster and journalist; she is also a ICU World Champion and an ambassador for Dystonia UK. She is also the host of sports podcast The Constant Cheerleader.  In this episode we talk about the world of sporting while disabled, media diversity and the need for better disabled representation, witching from theatre work to sports journalism, being called "inspirational" for small acts like ordering a cup of coffee, the concept of mourning for an acquired disability such as after a traumatic accident, and more.  

Please note that this episode was recorded on so called 'Freedom Day' in the UK - therefore it may contain the occasional dated reference to the Covid 19 pandemic, which may not necessarily be reflective of the current situation at the time of release. Please always consult local restrictions and guidelines where you live.   

TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that this episode does make reference to eating disorders and a very brief mention of suicide.   

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Links referenced in the show and for your leisure:   

Dystonia UK website: https://www.dystonia.org.uk  

The Constant Cheerleader: https://theconstantcheerleader.podbean.com   

Gemma on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gstevensonsport   And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gstevensonsport/   

Background to Six The Musical: https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/six-criticised-for-transferring-to-west-end-theatre-without-disabled-access  

Conscious Being on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConsciousBMag   

And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciousbeingmagazine/   

Our glossy new website: https://www.consciousbeingmagazine.com If you liked this episode, please consider donating a tip to our podcast host, as right now we don't have a sponsor: https://ko-fi.com/lydiawilkins 

"Intersectionality is a view of everyone's identity being equal.." 

"It's not inspirational because that's what everybody's doing, whether they're non disabled or disabled." 

Right now we are missing stories by disabled women that are written and retold by disabled women. The Disabled Debrief With Conscious Being Magazine podcast aims to change that. Coming soon.