On this week’s episode we chat with Sari González and Becka Koritz – co-founders of Radical Learning – about unschooling and alternative models of education. Sari and Becka are mums to neurodivergent unschoolers, youth rights advocates, and agile learning facilitators who challenge conventional education and parenting. Through their business, Radical Learning, and their podcast, Radical Learning Talks, they support parents and educators in unlearning control-based approaches to education and embracing trust, consent, and youth agency - especially when supporting neurodivergent kids.

On this episode we cover:

• How Becka and Sari think about neurodivergence.
• Becka and Sari’s paths to alternative education.
• What’s the difference between homeschooling and unschooling?
• Concepts in unschooling, including de-schooling, consent-based learning, and understanding how power manifests in mainstream ideas of teaching and learning.
• How can we teach our kids if we aren’t teachers?
• Navigating our inner ‘Mrs. Trunchbull’ and the internal work of de-schooling.
• Neurodivergence and learning; honouring our unique talents and skills.
• Unpacking the concept of ‘resilience’.
• The Shift Retreat from Radical Learning

Sari and Becka are coming to us from Mexico, so listeners may occasionally hear the sounds of nature in the background!

Connect with Sari and Becka through their podcast, their website, or their Instagram @radical_learning.

Plus, books that Marie recommends in this space:

• Unschooling To University: Relationships matter most in a world crammed with content by Judy Arnall
• Homeschool Gone Wild: Inspired Learning Through Living by Karla Marie Williams
• College Without High School: A Teenager’s Guide by Blake Boles
• The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
• Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work by Akilah S. Richards  

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We’re kicking off Season 7 with a deep dive into learning and memory – this one’s for the nerds out there!

We cover:

• Four stages of memory: perceiving, encoding, retaining, and retrieving.
• What can affect perceiving and encoding; the ‘front end’ of memory.
• Different types of memory, including working memory, short term memory, long term memory, and different kinds of long-term memory.
• What can affect our longer-term memory.
• Learning and memory in neurodivergent brains.
• The impact of hormonal changes for women and AFAB folk on memory.
• Tips and strategies for supporting memory.

Here's the study (by Rassovsky & Alfassi, 2019) on ADHD, attention, and movement that we mentioned.

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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We are back with Season 7 of the podcast on March 24th!

In the meantime, we both have some online training for professionals. Check out Michelle’s training on providing meaningful and theraputic Assessment Feedback for psychologists, running online on the 28th Feb, and Monique’s training on the Square Model – Supporting Neurodivergent Folks in Therapy, running online on the 12th-14th March. Both trainings can be attended live or watched later.

See you in a month for Season 7!

~ Michelle and Monique  

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For our final episode of Season 6 we are thrilled to welcome Australian actor and vocalist Clare Bowen to the podcast, to chat with us about her experiences as an Autistic and ADHD woman. Clare has been in a number of wonderful films, series, and theatre productions both here in Australia and internationally, with her most recognizable role being Scarlett O’Connor in the American TV series, NASHVILLE. Clare is also a globally touring musician, and she currently makes music with her husband, Brandon Robert Young, as the duo – BOWEN YOUNG. The soul mates split their time in a tear in the fabric of reality, between Nashville, Tennessee and Yuin Country, Australia.

This episode is a winding route through Clare’s experiences as a neurodivergent woman, from a childhood coloured by cancer treatment to working as an internationally acclaimed actor and musician, we cover a lot of ground! Including:

-       What neurodivergence means to Clare.

-       Her path to discovering her neurodivergence.

-       Navigating the neurodivergent duality of having areas of extreme strength and gifts and other areas of significant challenge.

-       Understanding why her response to stress and trauma may be different to others.

-       Finding deep connection with others and the power of nourishing relationship.

-       What identification of her neurotype has meant for Clare.

-       Clare’s special interests in music and medicine, and role these interests have served for her throughout her life.

-       Clare’s message for others who may resonate with her story.

You can find Clare on Instagram @clarembee and @bowenyoungofficial, or through her website - www.clarebowenofficial.com. You can find her music under BOWEN YOUNG on Spotify or wherever you get your music.

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here. 

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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This week Monique interviews Dr. Jamie Marich (she/they) about dissociation. Jamie is a clinical trauma specialist, EMDR Consultant, expressive artist, recovery advocate, and author of many excellent books, including ‘Dissociation Made Simple’, and their latest book ‘You Lied to Me About God’ – a memoir of spiritual abuse and recovery. She is a queer woman in long-term recovery from an addictive disorder and lives with dissociative identities. Jamie unites all of these elements in their mission to redefine therapy.

Monique and Jamie cover:

1. What is dissociation and what is its purpose.
2. What are the different forms of dissociation and why does Jamie tend to avoid using a ‘continuum of severity’ framework when thinking about dissociation.
3. The history of ‘dissociation’ as a diagnostic concept.
4. What is dissociative amnesia.
5. Myths about dissociative conditions.
6. Jamie’s lived experience of dissociative identities and the role that expressive and martial arts has played in their own journey and in their therapeutic work.
7. How does dissociation fit under the neurodivergence umbrella, and what is the overlap of dissociative conditions with Autism and ADHD?
8. Ways that people can reduce the stigma of dissociative conditions and support others experiencing dissociative conditions.

See more of Jamie’s work through their website – www.jamiemarich.com. You can access their professional trainings through The Institute for Creative Mindfulness and resources of professionals and the public through Redefine Therapy.

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here. 

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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Announcing our first bundle sale!!

From Friday 29th of November to Monday 2nd of December you can access all 30 of our transcript articles for 50% off! (or 75% off if you’re part of our Patreon community).

So... what's a transcript article??

The transcript articles are about enhancing the accessibility of our content – we know that some people much prefer to read information rather than listen to it, and so these articles are fully edited and readable copies of our episodes, with hyperlinks to the research and key concepts we mention, space for reflections and notes, and a list of reflection questions at the back (from Season 6) to support you to think deeply about the content. Written resources like this are also an easier way of sharing our content with family, or your health care team, or with your clients / in trainings if you’re an allied health professional!

Mark your calendars for the 29th November—this offer is only available for a few days, and we’re so excited to share it with you!

Check out our socials or sign up to our mailing list to get notified as soon as the sale is live!!

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On today’s episode we’re excited to welcome Dr. Megan Anna Neff to the podcast to chat with us about neurodivergence and self-care. Megan is a clinical psychologist, author, and the founder of Neurodivergent Insights. She’s written Self-Care for Autistic People and has a new book on autistic burnout coming soon. Megan discovered her own neurodivergence at 37, which sparked her passion for raising awareness around non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Through her work, she creates resources to support the neurodivergent community and co-hosts the Divergent Conversations podcast. 

On this episode we cover:

1. How Megan thinks about neurodivergence, including side quests into right brain / left brain ideas and the concept of time. (Trust us, it’s relevant!)
2. Megan’s path to discovering her own neurodivergence, and the relief and grief associated with that.
3. Understanding self-care within our socio-cultural context.
4. A re-imagined definition of self-care.
5. Examples of self-care strategies and ways that we can embed self-care into our everyday functioning.
6. Common blocks to self-care experienced by neurodivergent women, AFAB, and parents.
7. The experience of transitional identity for late diagnosed folks.
8. De-shaming from self-care strategies that may be perceived negatively or have unwanted unintended consequences.

Find Dr Neff’s work at her website - https://neurodivergentinsights.com/ - or listen to her on the Divergent Conversations podcast. She is also on Instagram @neurodivergent_insights. Follow her through your preferred medium to be notified when her new book on autistic burnout is released!

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here. 

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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This week on the pod we chat with Marie Masse (pronounced ‘moss’) about special interests and creativity. Marie is part of our little ND Woman Pod team, and she has been the creative genius behind pretty much everything except the actual episodes themselves, so if you follow us on socials, or you’ve checked out our website, or you’ve downloaded one of our gorgeous PDF episode articles, you’ve definitely seen her work!

Marie is a late-identified 2e AuDHDer with two neurodivergent kids, navigating life with OCD and chronic health conditions —mostly from her creative sanctuary: a little cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the USA. During a period of trauma and burnout, Marie lost access to her most sacred interest—her creative process—but has since reclaimed it, proving that healing and recovery are possible. Since 2013, she has crafted over 300 creations—articles, digital tools, guides, books, podcast episodes, and transformative programs centred around story work. Her creations invite others to stay awake to the tiny stories that shape their lives and use them as opportunities to heal, thrive, and live fully expressed.

On this episode we cover:

1.  How Marie thinks about neurodivergence and her path to discovering her own neurodivergence.
2. How ‘special interests’ manifest for Marie.
3. The difference between Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD special interests.
4. The centrality of special interests as an ‘organising force’ for autistic folk.
5. Marie’s experience of losing access to her creative process (her special interest).
6. The difference between living a ‘balanced’ life for neurotypicals, versus what ‘balance’ can look like for neurodivergent people.
7. Marie’s experience of her special interests in childhood.
8. How the internet has made interests and interest-based connections more accessible for neurodivergent folk.
9. Neurotypical special interests.
10. Marie explains ‘story work’.  

You can find Marie’s work through her website – www.dangerouslygoodstories.com – on Instagram @dangerouslygoodstories and @myneurodivergentjoy, or through her Substack (Live Like You Mean It).

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here. 

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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Today’s guest is Jess Rowlings. Jess is the CEO and co-founder of Next Level Collaboration, as well as a qualified speech and language therapist. She also works as a researcher at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, and previously Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Jess is an adult diagnosed AuDHDer and has a lifelong love of games, both of which inform her work and research. As a researcher, she is passionate about the use of digital games-based learning to promote inclusion and a sense of belonging, and her work has included developing and running a dedicated Minecraft server to support neurodivergent girls and women.

Monique and Jess cover:

1. Jess’ path to identifying her own neurodivergence.
2. Her research on gaming and neurodivergence.
3. How gaming can support both sides of the AuDHD brain, what it can tell us about a person’s problem-solving style, and how it can promote collaborative problem-solving skills.
4. Jess’ relationship to gaming throughout her life, and the purpose gaming has served for her.
5. Gender in gaming, including the popularity of gaming amongst adult women, blocks to gaming accessibility for girls, women, and AFAB folk, and Jess’ suggestions around what parents and adult gamers can do to have safer and more accessible gaming spaces.
6. The huge variety of experiences and play options that come under the ‘gaming’ umbrella and how this has evolved over time.
7. Discussion on the potential negative effects of gaming, including recognising active vs. passive screen time, the balance of gaming with other life activities, and what parents and adult gamers can do to support healthy gaming activity.
8. The importance of taking kids’ interest and strength in gaming seriously.
9. The many benefits of gaming for neurodivergent folk.

You can find Jess on LinkedIn or Twitter @JessRowlings, or through Next Level Collaboration. Jess has also co-written a book with Matthew Harrison - Press B to Belong – on creating inclusive Esports programs for school communities.

This episode with Jess is kicking off a little mini-series we have planned for you on neurodivergent joy; next week we’ll be talking about special interests and creative expression, followed by self-care and self-nurturance. We hope you enjoy!

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here. 

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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This week Monique interviews Professor Sandra Thom-Jones about aging as an autistic person. Sandra is an autistic author, artisan, academic, and advocate. She provides consultancy services to education, employment, and healthcare providers, and supports for autistic people, through her consultancy ‘Autistic Professor’. Sandra is the author of Growing in to Autism, and she has undertaken numerous research projects­ in partnership with the autistic community on the experiences of autistic people and the knowledge and attitudes towards autism in the community; including research that won the Autism CRC’s 2019 and 2021 awards for research translation and the 2022 award for inclusive research. 

Monique and Sandra cover:

• Sandra’s experience of her neurodivergence throughout her life and her path to identifying her autistic neurotype.
• Why do older autistic adults tend to be ‘invisible’ to society at large, and what factors contribute to the support needs of this population?
• Generational trends in the understanding of and meaning associated with an autism diagnosis, and the implications for disclosure and self-advocacy.
• The unique needs of autistic folk when navigating later stages of life like menopause, increasing healthcare needs, aged care, retirement, and managing family changes and transitions.
• The importance of discarding neuro-normative expectations about what aging or retirement ‘should’ look like, and Sandra’s tips for a joyful retirement as an autistic person.

You can find more of Sandra’s work through her website – www.autisticprofessor.com – or follow her on Facebook (@autisticprofessor) or Instagram (@sandrathomjones_au_author).

Get a copy of Sandra’s book, Growing in to Autism, and pre-order her upcoming book, Autistics in Academia, through Cambridge University Press.

Follow Sandra on socials to stay updated on her next book, on the experiences of autistic people in the workplace!

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here. 

Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

Contact us at [email protected], or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.com

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