The Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

What happens when your capacity changes—but the demands of being alive don’t?

In this vulnerable solo episode, Patrick Casale talks about the exhaustion of navigating chronic illness, chronic pain, Autistic burnout, and being neurodivergent while still needing to work, make money, create, maintain relationships, and find meaning in life.

It’s an honest conversation about changing capacity, invisible disability, grief, pacing, and learning to be gentler with yourself when simply existing requires more energy than most people can see.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Capacity and necessity don’t always match. Having less energy doesn’t make financial responsibilities, healthcare, work, or the need for meaning disappear.
2. Invisible struggles still have a very real cost. Chronic pain, executive dysfunction, medical appointments, accommodations, and constantly managing your energy can become exhausting in ways others may never see.
3. You don’t have to turn every hard season into inspiration. Sometimes acknowledging the grief, frustration, and reality of what you’re experiencing can be validating and humanizing.

This episode is a reminder to surround yourself with people who believe you, respect your changing capacity, and can sometimes simply say, “This really sucks. I’m here.”

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What if your career could be bigger than the path you originally imagined?

In this solo episode, Patrick Casale shares lessons from building businesses, hosting retreats, podcasting, speaking, and leading a group practice—and why self-doubt, perfectionism, or waiting until you feel ready shouldn’t keep your ideas stuck in your head.

He also introduces his Beyond Private Practice intensives, designed to help therapists and entrepreneurs take those ideas and turn them into something real.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Your career doesn’t have to follow a predetermined path. There are countless ways to build meaningful, creative work around your skills, values, and lived experience.
2. Ideas need action, not certainty. Self-doubt and fear don’t have to disappear before you take the first step.
3. Build what actually fits you. Whether it’s a podcast, retreat, speaking career, group practice, or something entirely different, sustainable entrepreneurship should align with your values, capacity, and goals.

Patrick’s Beyond Private Practice intensive will cover retreats, podcasting, paid speaking opportunities, and group practice ownership through live coaching, practical resources, and lessons learned from doing all four.

Choose from October 23 or October 30, from 12–4 PM Eastern. You'll get access to four unique crash course topics all in one afternoon, priced at only $99. You'll also get 4 NBCC CEs.

Join the Intensive: https://atppod.com/beyond

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What if caring for your mental health isn’t just about what’s happening in your head?

Patrick Casale sits down with holistic therapist and educator LeNaya Crawford to rethink what therapy can look like when we consider the whole person. They explore how movement, breathwork, mindfulness, spirituality, and other practices can complement traditional talk therapy—and why integrating them responsibly matters.

The conversation also touches on burnout, hustle culture, self-worth, and the importance of finding approaches to healing that actually fit the individual.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Healing can involve more than talking. The body can play an important role in how we process, regulate, and reconnect with ourselves.
2. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Different people may need different tools, modalities, and forms of support.
3. Holistic therapy still requires responsibility. Expanding the therapeutic toolbox means having the appropriate training and understanding when and how to use different practices.

More about LeNaya:

LeNaya Smith Crawford, The Holistic Therapist™, is a Licensed Therapist, Holistic Mental Health Educator and Expert, Business Mentor, International Teacher, and Wellness CEO on a mission to make holistic mental health and healing accessible, inclusive, and relatable by training and empowering the therapists, healers, and organizations that make this work possible. Her work is rooted in taking a holistic approach to mental health, self-care, and entrepreneurship.

She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology with honors from Spelman College and holds a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in trauma and spiritual integration. She is also an advanced certified yoga, breathwork, and meditation teacher (ERYT-500+) and a sound healer.

With over a decade of experience in the mental health and wellness space, LeNaya is a sought-after mental health expert and space holder. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Essence, The Huffington Post, Healthline, and on national television, including Bravo.

As a leader in the holistic mental health space, LeNaya created The Holistic Therapist™ Academy, a globally recognized certification and immersion program that trains therapists, healers, and mental health professionals in the ethical and confident integration of holistic trauma-informed modalities.

Through her company, LSC Wellness, LeNaya supports women therapists, healers, leaders, and ambitious women entrepreneurs in prioritizing their self-care, expanding their toolbox, and building impactful, sustainable businesses—without burning out.

In addition to LSC Wellness, she is also the Founder of Kaleidoscope Therapy and Holistic Wellness, a trauma-informed group therapy practice serving clients across Georgia, Florida, and virtually nationwide, and the Co-Founder of Seviin Yoga Studio + Yoga School, a trauma-informed heated yoga studio and community healing space based in Atlanta.

• Free Intro to Holistic Mental Health: https://lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/become-a-holistic-therapist-generator1
• Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/holistictherapycommunity
• Holistic Therapist Academy info page: https://lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/holistictherapistacademy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenayascrawford
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lenaya.smith
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lenayascrawford
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0AH5hqOQdS_JRHqlwTO3dQ

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What happens when your brain wants creativity, stimulation, and momentum—but your body is telling you to stop?

In this personal solo episode, Patrick Casale reflects on navigating Autistic burnout, chronic illness, and the uncomfortable reality of entering a season where pushing harder simply isn’t an option.

He explores the complicated relationship between productivity and self-worth, why slowing down can feel so threatening for an ADHD brain, and what it means to trust that creativity will return without forcing it.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Rest doesn’t mean you’re failing. Sometimes stepping back is exactly what your brain and body need.
2. Your worth isn’t determined by your productivity. Achievement can feel validating, but it doesn’t define your value.
3. Creativity can’t always be forced. A quiet season may be an opportunity to recover, plant new seeds, and allow inspiration to return naturally.

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What happens when the chaos you spent years trying to understand becomes the fuel for something meaningful?

Patrick Casale sits down with artist, musician, tattoo artist, and creator Bre (professionally known as BR3) for a raw conversation about neurodivergence, creativity, sensory seeking, Autistic burnout, representation, and the complicated relationship between pain and art.

BR3 reflects on behaviors he once understood as recklessness or destruction—including an intense encounter with police—and what it has been like to recognize those experiences through the lens of neurodivergence and sensory seeking. He and Patrick also explore an important complication in conversations about unmasking: being visibly neurodivergent isn't equally safe for everyone, particularly when race and policing enter the picture.

The conversation also turns toward creativity and purpose. BR3 shares how Autistic burnout affected his work, why Patrick's vulnerability helped him put language to his own experience, and how that understanding contributed to the creation of Bops Playland.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. What looks like recklessness may have something deeper underneath it. Between impulsivity and sensory seeking, it can be difficult to understand your behavior when you don't yet have language for what's happening inside your brain and nervous system.
2. Unmasking isn't equally safe for everyone. Race, privilege, policing, and how neurodivergent behavior is perceived can dramatically change the consequences of openly stimming, melting down, or behaving outside social expectations.
3. Creativity can turn pain into connection—but creating from pain has a cost. BR3 describes how artists immerse themselves in difficult emotions to create something relatable, while Patrick shares why he talks publicly about his own struggles: giving other people language for their experiences can help them feel less alone.

More about BR3:

Bre, professionally known as BR3, is a 36-year-old Black music producer, engineer, and tech founder from Macon, Georgia. A Georgia Tech graduate with a degree in Software Engineering and Computer Science, he uniquely bridges the worlds of hip-hop production and enterprise-grade technology.

BR3's commercial breakthrough came with "Forever Dancing In The Rain (Santaze Tribute)" which peaked at #44 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Chart in 2023. His first charting success "Used to This" feat. Jacquees, charting at #134 on Apple Music R&B in 2018 is still on charts consistently, and "Skuba 3" feat. Sada Baby (Nov 2024).

Bre owns and operates Third District Enterprise, anchored by his Georgia Tech-honed technical expertise.

Bre's empire is built on a deeply personal foundation: his autistic son, Bop. Everything Bre builds—from Bops Playland TV to BopVerse games—is designed to create heroes who look like his son and provide safe, sensory-friendly experiences for neurodivergent children.

"We don't ask permission. We ask forgiveness, or we just win anyway." — Bre's philosophy

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/br3music
• Website: https://bopsplaylandtv.com
• https://trifectatattoos.zo.space/bops-playland-tv

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What happens when neurodivergent burnout, chronic illness, stress, and medical trauma all start colliding?

Patrick Casale sits down with Dr. Zachary Spiritos for an in-depth conversation about complex chronic illness and why conditions like POTS, dysautonomia, ME/CFS, mast cell activation, hypermobility, and unexplained GI symptoms can be so difficult to navigate.

They explore the potential roles of stress, trauma, environmental exposures, illness, and nervous system dysregulation—and why so many Autistic and ADHD people find themselves struggling with both neurological burnout and worsening physical symptoms at the same time.

Dr. Spiritos also shares a more realistic approach to navigating complex illness: stop expecting everything to be solved in one appointment. Instead, identify what is affecting your life most, understand your triggers, find providers who take your experience seriously, and start accumulating small wins.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Stress and trauma aren't “just in your head.” Dr. Spiritos explains how stress can interact with neurological and immunological processes, and why trauma and medical PTSD can add another layer of complexity when someone is already chronically ill.
2. You don't have to solve everything at once. When symptoms include fatigue, pain, brain fog, food intolerances, insomnia, GI problems, and more, trying to tackle everything simultaneously can become overwhelming. Start with what's affecting you most and build from there.
3. Being believed matters. A provider doesn't need to have every answer to make a difference. Finding someone who listens, understands complex chronic illness, helps you make sense of your symptoms, and works collaboratively with you can be incredibly valuable.

Disclaimer: This episode discusses medical conditions, symptoms, and approaches to care based on the conversation and should not be treated as individualized medical advice.

More about Zachary:

Dr. Zachary Spiritos, MD, MPH, is a neurogastroenterologist who specializes in treating patients with complex and chronic conditions, including disorders of the brain-gut interaction (DBGI), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and gastrointestinal dysmotility.

He earned both his medical degree and Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he developed a passion for addressing the systemic challenges faced by patients with underrecognized illnesses. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Emory University and went on to complete his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Duke University, where he focused on neurogastroenterology and disorders of gut-brain interaction.

Dr. Spiritos is particularly dedicated to supporting patients who have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or lost in the medical system. He takes a whole-person approach to care, combining the best of conventional medicine with targeted interventions aimed at regulating the nervous system, improving sleep and movement patterns, addressing nutritional imbalances, and managing stress physiology.

He works primarily with patients whose symptoms span multiple systems and don’t fit neatly into one diagnosis—individuals who require time, nuance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Spiritos partners closely with his patients to build individualized, sustainable care plans that address both symptoms and root causes—helping them reclaim their health and quality of life.

• Practice website: https://everbettermedicine.health
• Instagram: @drzacspiritos
• TikTok: @dr.zac.spiritos

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What if neurodivergent people aren't failing the systems around them—what if those systems are failing them?

Patrick Casale sits down with Autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) physician Dr. Mel Houser, founder of All Brains Belong, to explore why navigating healthcare, employment, chronic illness, and burnout can be so exhausting for neurodivergent people—and what it could look like to build something better.

From advocating for yourself in medical appointments to understanding the connections between neurodivergence and complex health conditions, Patrick and Dr. Houser discuss why so many people spend years believing they're the problem. They also explore universal design, workplace accommodations, community, internalized ableism, and why entrepreneurs need to be careful not to recreate the exact working conditions they left behind.

Dr. Houser also shares the ideas behind their upcoming book, The Failure of Imagination: How the Healthcare System Fails Neurodivergent People — And What We're Doing Instead.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. You are not a problem waiting to be solved. Difficulties navigating healthcare, work, and everyday life aren't automatically evidence of a personal or moral failing; inaccessible systems can create and amplify those struggles.
2. Leaving a broken workplace doesn't help if you recreate it in your business. Entrepreneurship gives neurodivergent people an opportunity to redesign work around their actual access needs, capacity, communication style, and energy.
3. Better systems are possible. Universal design, clearer healthcare communication, flexible pathways to participation, and neurodivergent community can move us beyond simply identifying what's broken toward creating environments where more brains can belong.

More about Dr. Houser:

Dr. Mel Houser is a family physician and Founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit organization in Montpelier, VT, with a mission to support the health and belonging of people with all types of brains. All Brains Belong has pioneered an innovative model that integrates medical care with social connection, employment support, and community education. Dr. Houser provides neurodiversity training to healthcare practices and workplaces around the country about how to create environments where people with all types of brains can get their needs met and thrive.

• Book pre-order link: https://allbrainsbelong.org/book
• Social media: @allbrainsbelongvt on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-houser-652505212

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What happens when a TV show, book series, fictional universe, or character becomes so much more than entertainment?

Patrick Casale is joined by returning guest and ADHD Executive Function Coach Mandi Dixon for a deep dive into Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the powerful role special interests can play in neurodivergent lives.

From favorite characters and dragons to Autistic-coded characters, PDA, hyperfixation, and the emotional devastation of a terrible series finale, Patrick and Mandi explore why fictional worlds can become sources of joy, nervous system regulation, connection, belonging, and escape. They also unpack something that isn't discussed nearly enough: the genuine grief that can happen when a special interest ends or suddenly stops providing the comfort it once did.

And yes—there are major Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon spoilers, so consider yourself warned.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Special interests can be much more than hobbies. For neurodivergent people, they can provide regulation, connection, belonging, predictability, and a place to experience genuine unmasked joy.
2. Losing a special interest can create real grief. Finishing a beloved series, losing connection with an interest, or watching a fictional world come to an end can leave a surprisingly significant emotional void.
3. Shared interests can transform neurodivergent connection. When people are given space to enthusiastically discuss what they love without masking or judgment, perceived "social deficits" can look very different—revealing connection, depth, and genuine enthusiasm instead.

More about Mandi:

Mandi Dixon is a Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR therapist, and ADHD Executive Function Coach specializing in the intersection of ADHD and perimenopause in women. She’s a member of The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and her work has been featured in USA Today and Good Morning America. Mandi is based in Allen, Texas, where she sees clients and is currently writing her first book on ADHD and midlife hormonal health.

• Instagram: @Adhdmenopausetherapist
• Website: https://www.mandidixonco.com
• Website: https://mymenopauserx.com

THE NEUROPAUSE COLLECTIVE is a group of 8 founding members of clinicians, coaches, advocates, and creators who all got tired of seeing the same gap and decided to build what we couldn’t find.

A structured community for neurodivergent people in midlife.

The NeuroPause Collective includes live support calls, monthly webinars and Q&As, practical resources, and access to people who actually understand the intersection of neurodivergence and midlife.

And eight of us means eight different perspectives.

Eight different areas of expertise.

Eight people looking at the same problem from different angles.

Because no single person should be anyone’s only source of information, especially when we’re talking about something as complicated as neurodivergence, hormones, mental health, relationships, work, identity, and midlife.

We built the community we wished existed.

Sign up here or find us on IG @neuropausecollectivehttps://www.theneuropausecollective.com/

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

What if the goal isn't to "fix" your ADHD—but to finally stop fighting yourself?

In this episode, Patrick Casale sits down with mental health advocate, content creator, and digital strategist Kyrus Keenan Westcott, whose honest, anti-toxic positivity approach has resonated with nearly 3 million followers. Together, they explore the realities of living with ADHD, executive dysfunction, burnout, perfectionism, and the lifelong process of self-acceptance.

From navigating corporate life and social media to unpacking internalized ableism and learning to work with your brain instead of against it, this conversation is a grounded reminder that progress isn't about becoming someone else—it's about building a life that fits who you already are.

You'll learn:

1. Why self-acceptance—not perfection—is one of the most powerful tools for navigating ADHD and neurodivergent life.
2. How internalized ableism, unrealistic expectations, and toxic productivity can fuel burnout, shame, and self-criticism.
3. What it really takes to create an authentic life and career, including balancing mental health, content creation, and meaningful work without pretending to have it all figured out.

More about Kyrus:

Kyrus Keenan Westcott, who simply goes by Ky, is a social media content creator, mental health advocate, and digital strategist based in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Diagnosed with ADHD (Inattentive Type) at age 34, alongside Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Existential OCD, Ky has dedicated his platform to making conversations about mental health, burnout, and executive dysfunction highly approachable.

Known for his realistic, optimistic, and anti-toxic positivity approach, he adds a much-needed sense of levity to mental health content, validating the very real struggles of neurodivergence while encouraging personal accountability. When he is not speaking on stages or building his content empire of nearly 3 million followers, Ky is quietly balancing a second full-time career as a Senior Paid Media Strategist, giving him a deep, personal understanding of corporate burnout and the demands of modern professional life. He lives with his two cats and is a massive fan of theme parks, professional wrestling, and musical theater.

Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevibewithky
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thevibewithky
• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thevibewithky
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thevibewithky
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thevibewithky
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyruskeenanwestcott
• Website: https://thevibewithky.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

Building a successful business isn't just about strategy—it's about finding people who truly understand how your brain works.

In this episode, Patrick Casale shares the deeply personal story behind the creation of the NeuroPreneur Circle and why he believes community is one of the most important ingredients for sustainable entrepreneurship. Drawing from his own experiences with autism, ADHD, chronic illness, masking, and searching for belonging, he explains what makes this space different and why connection can be just as transformative as business coaching.

Whether you've struggled to find your place, felt misunderstood in traditional entrepreneurial spaces, or simply want to build your business alongside people who "get it," this episode offers a glimpse into the vision behind a community designed by and for neurodivergent entrepreneurs.

You'll learn:

1. Why belonging and authentic community are essential for long-term success as a neurodivergent entrepreneur.
2. How masking, chronic overwhelm, and feeling misunderstood can impact both your business and your wellbeing—and what supportive community can change.
3. What makes the NeuroPreneur Circle different, including its focus on practical business support, genuine connection, and neurodiversity-affirming resources without replacing therapy.

Learn more about the NeuroPreneur Circle here: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast: https://ndpod.org

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats: https://www.allthingspractice.com/private-practice-retreats

🗨️ Join The NeuroPreneur Circle Community: https://www.allthingspractice.com/neuropreneur-community

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredescape

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.