At just 22, Ward Thomas made history as the first UK country act to reach number one. Twin sisters Lizzy and Catherine have firmly established themselves as trailblazers in the British country music scene, but the journey to the top wasn't always smooth.

In this chat with Ben, Lizzy and Catherine reflect on how neurodivergence has shaped their identities, creativity, and music. They discuss Lizzy’s feelings of inadequacy as the "dyslexic twin," the struggles of ADHD decision paralysis, the importance of creating space for one another, and the challenges of sibling comparison in a neurodivergent family. The sisters also share why Dyslexic thinkers often thrive as singers and songwriters.

Stick around until the end—you might just be treated to a special a cappella performance!

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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

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

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Follow & subscribe…

Website: www.hidden20.org

Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcast

Ben Branson @seedlip_ben

Ward Thomas @wardthomasmusic

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.

From West London roots to becoming the first Black CEO of Island Records in the UK and US, Darcus Beese has shaped the music industry, launching stars like Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Shawn Mendes, and Demi Lovato.

He shares the challenges of being a CEO with ADHD, the dangers of relentless work, and how medication brought clarity—allowing him to see the world "in HD" for the first time. Darcus also reflects on growing up as a Black neurodivergent boy in 1970s Britain and unveils the reality of success in the music industry, from Sabrina Carpenter to Chappell Roan.

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To celebrate the end of our first year at The Hidden 20%, we’re bringing back a familiar face from day one: Carrie Grant!

This time, Carrie is joined by her husband, David Grant — the legendary vocal coaches from Pop Idol and Fame Academy. But beyond their iconic careers, the Grants are parents to four neurodivergent children, making them the perfect guests to explore what a neurodivergent Christmas looks like.

In this chat with Ben, Carrie and David share why Christmas should come with zero expectations, the importance of unmasking as neurodivergent parent, why they allow their children to “walk away” on Christmas Day, the reality of gift-giving to neurodivergent children and the changes they hope to see in 2025.

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Josh Hughes, aka The Tourettes Barber, has turned his experience with Tourettes into a powerful story of resilience and inspiration. With over a million TikTok followers, he uses humour and honesty to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and show that hands-on work is possible with severe tics.

In this conversation with Ben, Josh opens up about the real dangers he’s faced, including being attacked for involuntary outbursts, his struggles with social media censorship, battling depression, and finding his purpose. He also explores how is Tourettes and Dyslexia intersect.

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

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas, a neuroscientist, applied microbiologist, and holistic health expert with over two decades of experience. Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas has developed a unique expertise in the fascinating connections between neurodivergence, mental health, and the gut microbiome.

In this chat with Ben, Dr. Miguel uncovers some of the latest and, at times, unsettling discoveries in neuroscience. From exploring the risks of psychosis linked to ADHD medication to discussing a revolutionary imaging technique that identifies autism with 95% accuracy. this episode is a deep dive into the cutting-edge science shaping our understanding of the brain.

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

CW: mental health & suicide

Forensic psychologist Ali Bromley made history as the first lesbian to win Big Brother UK. In this candid chat with Ben, Ali reflects on her journey in the house—proudly representing the ADHD, Autistic, and LGBTQIA+ communities, grappling with sensory overwhelm, and navigating the autistic drive for unyielding authenticity. She also shares insights from her time assessing autism in prisons and finding new purpose after the tragic loss of her neurodivergent brother.

Plus, a SURPRISE GUEST joins Ali for the neuroqueer collaboration of the century. You won’t want to miss this iconic duo.

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

In this episode, Ben is joined by Dr. Nancy Doyle, a renowned ADHD organisational psychologist, founder of Genius Within, and creator of The Genius Finder™. Nancy has been a leading voice in transforming how companies support neurodivergent employees and is the mind behind the BBC series Employable Me.

In this chat with Ben, Nancy opens up about the ND unemployment crisis, the risks of hyper-policing language, the challenges of disclosing neurodivergence at work, and the lasting impact of school trauma. She also shares a deeply personal insight into her past, explaining why her friends once doubted she’d make it this far.

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

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, alcohol use, and mental health challenges. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Samaritans at 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org.

In this eye-opening episode, counsellor and CBT therapist Sarah Templeton reveals why she believes the true rate of ADHD in UK prisons is far higher than current estimates. With years of experience in the prison system, Sarah created the first ADHD screening checklist for detainees, helping make the City of London Police the first to screen for ADHD.

Joining Sarah and Ben is an ex-offender with over 500 convictions, who shares how undiagnosed ADHD fuelled his cycle of re-offending. This conversation sheds light on the often-overlooked link between neurodivergence and the criminal justice system.

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

Host: Ben Branson

Producer: Bella Neale

Video Editor: Tom Forrister

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

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

CW: This episode includes discussions of suicide, addiction, and pornography. If these topics may be triggering, please listen with care and reach out for support if needed.

This week’s guest is actor, writer, and one of the most familiar faces in British comedy—Marcus Brigstocke. You’ve probably seen him cracking jokes on QI, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You or Live At The Apollo.

Marcus credits dyslexia for his “Comic Super Brain”. But it’s not all laughs—in a raw conversation, Marcus talks about his struggles with alcohol, drugs, and, for the first time, porn addiction. He also shares the journey of overcoming shame after infidelity in his past marriage. This candid conversation is a powerful look at neurodivergence, addiction, and personal growth.

Host: Ben Branson

Producer: Bella Neale

Video Editor: Tom Forrister

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

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