In this episode, Ben sits down with consultant osteopath, author of The Meaning of Pain, and pioneer in understanding how body, brain, and pain are deeply connected.

With over 25 years in clinical practice, Nick has worked with everyone from elite athletes to hedge fund traders, helping them manage pain, stress, and performance under pressure. 

Together they unpack the link between Hypermobility, ADHD, and anxiety, why pain is often misunderstood, and how the body tells the story the brain can’t.

From insights on interoception, stress and breathing, to myths about chronic pain and “bendy bodies,” Nick shares practical tools for tuning into your body, managing stress, and finding balance.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

_________

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller

The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson.

Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.

No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.

1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.

To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.

With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

Become a monthly donor.

Be part of our community where great minds think differently.

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Nick Potter @backboneclinic

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben sits down with Rory the Vet - veterinary surgeon, TV presenter, author, and ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association.

Diagnosed with dyslexia late during his veterinary studies, Rory is now a passionate advocate for early identification, school support, and embracing ND brains.

They explore the realities of dyslexia in high-pressure work environments, the mental health crisis among vets, and the therapeutic (and often overlooked) role of animals in wellbeing.

Rory also shares practical tips for revision and ND brains, insights from his charity work, and gives a playful way to find out how you might discover if your dog thinks differently…!

CW: This episode contains references to mental health and suicide.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

_________

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller

The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson.

Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.

No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.

1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.

To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.

With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

Become a monthly donor.

Be part of our community where great minds think differently.

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Rory The Vet @rorythevet

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second part of the conversation, Ben is joined again by Cathy Wassell - CEO of Autistic Girls Network, founder of The Haven online school, and author.

The focus shifts to solutions: changing education, understanding the hidden side of emotions, and tackling the mental health risks autistic girls face. Cathy brings clarity and compassion to topics like Alexithymia, Interoception, and the realities of school life.

She also answers listener questions on EHCPs, burnout, school refusal, and diagnosis, before closing with her vision for a fairer future rooted in authenticity and the joy of autistic brains.

CW: This episode contains references to mental health and suicide.

NB: All information was relevant at the time of recording.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

_________

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller

The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson.

Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.

No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.

1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.

To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.

With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

Become a monthly donor.

Be part of our community where great minds think differently.

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Cathy Wassell @autisticgirlsnetwork

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first of a two-part episode, Ben is joined by Cathy Wassell - CEO of Autistic Girls Network, founder of The Haven online school, and successful author.

Neurodivergent herself and mum to two autistic children, Cathy is at the front line supporting autistic girls, women, and families, while campaigning for earlier diagnosis and a more up-to-date education system.

With both lived experience and a Masters in Autism, Cathy brings honesty and expertise to a conversation that busts myths, challenges stigma, and shines a light on what’s really going on for autistic girls and non-binary young people today.

00:00 Introduction

1:17 On the Frontline: Supporting Girls with Autism

7:30 Autism: How It Presents in Boys VS Girls

10:00 Why Situational Mutism VS Selective Mutism?

13:03 Masking & Sensory Differences: The Danger of Gender Bias in Autism

19:46 Neurodivergent Children: Navigating the Secondary School Transition

23:07 ND Passionate Interests: Explained

26:33 Why Are Autistic Girls Diagnosed Later than Boys?

32:30 Parent Groups for ND Children

35:00 Autistic Girls and Navigating Puberty

38:57 If Cathy Had a Magic Wand: Her Vision for ND Change

43:28 Spotting Autism in Girls: Cathy’s Checklist

45:24 Coming Up in Part Two

_________

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson.

Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.

No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.

1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.

To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.

Join us at hidden20.org/donate.

Become a monthly donor.

Be part of our community where great minds think differently.

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Cathy Wassell @autisticgirlsnetwork

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Refocus series rewinds the moments too good to miss. Short takes. Big takeaways. No attention span required.

In this episode, Ellie Middleton shares her journey through late diagnosis, ADHD medication, and the burnout cycle - and why language, community, and finding your people matter more than ever.

_________

On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Ellie Middleton @elliemidds

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two, Ben and sleep expert Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan dive into the practical side of sleep. They discuss how parents of neurodivergent children can better support rest, the most common questions on sleep, and why it’s the “golden thread” that unites everything.

Nerina unpacks the science of dreams, the role of our senses, and shares practical tips - from sleeping in new places to strategies for emotional regulation. With warmth and wisdom, she reveals how small, intentional choices can transform the way we rest.

CW: Mental health and abuse

00:00 Introduction

1:05 Sleep Tips for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids

2:46 The Corporate World & Creating a Safe Nervous System

3:31 The Most Common Questions About Sleep Answered

5:08 How to Change Unhealthy Sleep Behaviours

6:29 Sleep as the Golden Thread That Unites Everything

7:58 Why Do We Dream? The Science Behind It

9:12 How Long Do Dreams Actually Last?

10:16 Dreams vs. Nightmares: What’s the Difference?

11:07 How Sights, Sounds & Smells Impact Sleep

15:40 Touch & Sleep: Best Accessories for Better Rest

16:50 Dr. Nerina’s Top Tips for Sleeping in a New Place

19:43 Emotional Regulation & Setting Boundaries for Better Sleep

22:41 Dr. Nerina’s Green Dot Badge

_________

On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan @drnerina

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first of a two-part episode, Ben sits down with Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan - a Neurophysiologist, Author and Sleep Expert with over 25 years experience in the field, whose work is shaped by both science and lived experience.

She shares her personal journey, from early struggles with insomnia and being sectioned at 31, to later returning as a practitioner in the very same psychiatric unit. Nerina brings rare honesty and depth to the conversation about why humans sometimes find it difficult to sleep.

Together they explore the hidden science of sleep, how neurodivergent brains seek safety and rest, and reveal why the choices we make every day can dramatically improve the quality of our sleep.

CW: Mental health and abuse

_________

On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan @drnerina

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Refocus series rewinds the moments too good to miss. Short takes. Big takeaways. No attention span required.

In this episode, Kit Harington opens up about the reality of multitasking with a neurodivergent brain - from overwhelm and social anxiety, to addiction, labels, and the unexpected power of a shower.

CW: references to addiction

_________

On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Head of Production: Bella Neale

Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Kit Harington

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben is joined by Dr. Samantha Friedman, a researcher exploring the intersection of autism, human–nature relationships, and wellbeing. Together they discuss how natural environments can offer calming, non-judgmental spaces that support regulation, curiosity, and connection.

Dr. Samantha shares how autistic people connect with nature in ways that reflect their individual needs - from immersive outdoor experiences to more accessible, sensory-based encounters. With a PhD from Cambridge and a current Lecturer in Applied Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, her work is helping reframe how we understand autism’s unique and powerful relationship with the natural world.

_________

On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Head of Production: Bella Neale

Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Dr. Samantha Friedman

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing our Re‑Focus series, where we rewind the moments too good to miss. Short takes. Big takeaways. No attention span required.

In this episode, Ben sits down with BAFTA Award winning broadcaster, vocal coach & author, Carrie Grant. They dive into her late autism diagnosis, shifting perspectives, the importance of overcoming internalised phobias and her four neurodivergent children.

_________

On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Head of Production: Bella Neale

Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

______________

Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Carrie Grant @carriegrantsays

If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.