Thoughty Auti - The Autism & Mental Health Podcast

What is behind the 'profound Autism' backlash towards the ASD-1 adult community? What unique challenges face low support needs Autistic adults?

In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to  @NeurodiverJENNt  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCL6kqyAWBYc3lMGS3bUSTwg]  about low support needs autism, the unique challenges it presents, and the conflict between the autistic adult and parenting spheres.

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@NeurodiverJENNt  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCL6kqyAWBYc3lMGS3bUSTwg] - https://www.youtube.com/@NeurodiverJENNt

Chapters: 

00:00 - 05:15 Introduction 

05:15 - 15:36 Jenns Diagnosis Journey 

15:36 - 32:30 Unique Challenges Of ASD-1 

32:30 - 44:37 Autistic Masking 

44:37 - 01:04:54 ASD-1 Adults VS Autism Parents 

01:04:54 - 01:08:49 Jenns Takeaways

In this live podcast episode, Thomas Henley and NeurodiverJENNt discuss lower support needs autism. They talk about their experiences with caffeine and how it affects their ADHD. They also discuss looking younger than their age and the challenges it can bring. The conversation touches on topics such as live streaming, the pressure of being on camera, and the trial and error process of creating content on YouTube.

Thomas introduces the episode and explains why they chose to focus on lower support needs autism. They also mention a previous episode about autism and sleep with Dr. Megan Neff. In this part of the conversation, NeurodiverJENNt and Thomas Henley discuss the challenges of communication and social interaction for autistic individuals, particularly those with lower support needs. They talk about the difficulty of initiating and reciprocating social interaction, the energy and mental effort required to respond to messages, and the feeling of being stuck in the middle and not fitting in anywhere. They also touch on the impact of a late diagnosis and the process of self-discovery. The conversation then shifts to the topic of masking and its effects on well-being, self-perception, and social interactions.

In this final part of the conversation, Thomas and NeurodiverJENNt discuss the challenges of unmasking and the perception that unmasking is an act or performance. They also address the controversy between autistic adults and autism parent advocates, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding between the two groups. They highlight the importance of listening to the experiences of lower support needs autistic adults and dispel the misconception that autism has a specific look or set of traits. They conclude by encouraging patience, kindness, and collaboration in advocating for the needs of all autistic individuals.

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Subscribe to the channel to get notified when I next go live 🙌  

🗣️ My Socials and Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

🐰 My Favourite Energy Drink Powder (with L-Theanine) - https://affiliates.sneakenergy.com/s/thomashenleyuk   

💻  My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk  

🎧 Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% Off with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/bntvs5

Why do autistic people struggle with sleep? Do autistic people have a different sleep cycle? How can we fix autism sleep issues?

In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Dr. Megan Neff from Neurodivergent Insights about the sleep issues autistic people face and how to fix them.

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Megan Neffs Links: https://linkin.bio/neurodivergent_insights/

Chapters: 

00:00 - 01:10 Introduction 

01:10 - 04:09 Catch Up With Megan 

04:09 - 5:03 Alexithymia In Therapy 

05:03 - 09:00  The Importance Of Sleep 

09:00 - 21:31 Autistic Issues with Sleep 

21:31 - 34:29 Autistic Strategies To Fix Sleep 

34:29 - 40:42 The Vagus Nerve & Breathing Techniques (Q&A) 

40:42 - Pain, Sleep and CBi Therapy (Q&A) 

42:04 - 45:07 Sleep Supplements (Q&A) 

45:07 - 46:37 Conclusion

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Subscribe to the channel to get notified when I next go live 🙌

 🗣️ My Socials and Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🐰 My Favourite Energy Drink Powder (with L-Theanine) - https://affiliates.sneakenergy.com/s/thomashenleyuk

💻  My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk

🎧 Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% Off with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/bntvs5

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER?

🎙️ Podcast, TV and Radio Guest

🗣️ Public Speaking For Events

📸 Neurodiverse Modeling (Contact for details)

 📧 CONTACT: https://www.thomashenley.co.uk ([email protected])

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FOLLOW MY SOCIALS ♥:

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Linkedin - Thomas Henley 

All my links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyuk

What are the stigmas and stereotypes attached to cerebral palsy? What is daily life with dystonia like? What is cerebral palsy and how does it develop?

In this podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Emma Stone, a cerebral palsy advocate (dystonia) and decorated horseriding athlete, currently studying a variety of Work Preparation modules in college and working in a local cafe.

Within this podcast, Emma aims to dispell stigma and stereotypes around cerebral palsy and bring more awareness to them and share the more intimate negative experiences they've gone through in daily life, school, physio, surgery and healthcare. She also highlights the life lessons she's picked up and details her top tips for other individuals with cerebral palsy.

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Emma's Blog: https://estoneblogersa.blogspot.com/?m=1

Chapters: 

00:00 - 01:24 Introduction

01:24 - 05:09 Surgery and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

05:09 - 08:24 Who Is Emma Stone?

08:24 - 10:55 What Is Cerebral Palsy?

10:55 - 14:19 Developing Cerebral Palsy

14:19 - 21:27 Living With Dystonia

21:27 - 32:36 Escaping Isolation With Cerebral Palsy

32:36 - 37:02 Navigating Healthcare with CP

37:02 - 39:38 Horse riding Achievements

39:38 - 46:45 Tips for Living With Cerebral Palsy

46:45 - 49:08 Identity vs Person first language

49:08 - 56:05 Stigma and Stereotypes

56:05 - 01:02:56 Final Thoughts

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the channel to get notified when I next go live 🙌  

🗣️ My Socials and Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🐰 My Favourite Energy Drink Powder (with L-Theanine) - https://affiliates.sneakenergy.com/s/thomashenleyuk

💻  My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk

🎧 Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% Off with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/bntvs5  

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER?

🎙️ Podcast, TV and Radio Guest

🗣️ Public Speaking For Events

📸 Neurodiverse Modeling (Contact for details)

📧 CONTACT: https://www.thomashenley.co.uk ([email protected])

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

FOLLOW MY SOCIALS ♥:

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All my links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyuk

What are the challenges autistic people experience with pets and how can you manage them? How can pets benefit autistic and disabled people? WHY does Mike have 2 therapy peacocks?!

In this podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Mike from  @Autistic_AF  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCVdE2LIYHS-ozeO2yPr3OqA] about his experiences owning and managing a large number of animals or pets, why Autism makes pet ownership difficult, what benefits pets can offer autistic people, and which strategies he uses to maintain his sanity long-term.  

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

@Autistic_AF  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCVdE2LIYHS-ozeO2yPr3OqA] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Autistic_AF

Chapters: 

00:00 - 02:47 Introduction 

02:47 - 14:00 Who Is Autistic AF? 

14:00 - 24:43 Mikes Home Zoo! 

24:43 - 44:34 Benefits Of Pets For Autistic People 

44:34 - 55:23 Overcoming Autistic Challenges With Pets 

55:23 - 01:09:49 Community Q&A

01:09:49 - 01:20:31 3 Top Tips For Pet Management

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the channel to get notified when I next go live 🙌  

🗣️ My Socials and Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

🐰 My Favourite Energy Drink Powder (with L-Theanine) - https://affiliates.sneakenergy.com/s/thomashenleyuk   

💻  My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk  

🎧 Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% Off with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/bntvs5  

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER?

 🎙️ Podcast, TV and Radio Guest

 🗣️ Public Speaking For Events 

📸 Neurodiverse Modeling (Contact for details)

 📧 CONTACT: https://www.thomashenley.co.uk ([email protected]) 

 ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

 FOLLOW MY SOCIALS ♥: 

Instagram - @thomashenleyuk

 TikTok - @thomashenleyuk

Facebook - Thomas Henley

Twitter - @thomashenleyuk

Linkedin - Thomas Henley 

All my links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyuk

What are the benefits of martial arts for autistic people? How far should we push autistic people out of their comfort zone? How can YOU start martial arts training?

In this podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Sensei Al Loren about his experience in martial arts and his unique approach to coaching autistic children and adults.

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Al Lorens Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martial-Arts-Autism-Spectrum-Practical/dp/B0BZ6KG43P

Starting off with Al's history of fighting, the two share fond memories of their respective fighting careers and connect on their love for the original Karate Kid movie series.  Al Loren shares his challenges and success with teaching autistic individuals, highlighting the important mindset to have when coaching children and adults on the spectrum.  They wrap up debating the balance between challenging autistic people and being compassionate towards their difficulties.

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

Interview me, 1:1 Talk With Thomas, public speaking for events & workplace training - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Why are 70% of daily marijuana users Autistic? How can medical marijuana be used by Autistic or ADHD adults to support them? What are the negative impacts of marijuana on neurodivergent or neurotypical individuals?

DISCLAIMER: This information should NOT be viewed or used as medical advice, rather an exploration of data, science and experiences of neurodivergentand neurotypical individuals with Marijuana usage.

Dr. Miyabe Shields ( @miyabephd  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCVM_hgKzfDgElL5IbRHSXtg]) has a PhD in endocannabinoid pharmsci and is co-creator of 'Network of Applied Pharmacognosy' with Dr. Riley Kirk, a non-profit contributing to education and destigmatising of emerging medicinal natural products. Miyabe is also a thriving queer and neurodivergent Instagram personality with over 40K followers, which is often used to promote 'Project Chronic' from 'Dose Like A Scientist', a community-based educational platform for neurodivergents providing a network, teaching them about pharmacology and advocacy.

My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // Miyabe's Links - https://projectchronic.com/links/ Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Introducing Season 3 of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas explains the new upload schedule of the podcast before pivoting to the episode topic... Marijuana and Autism. Miyabe gives a brief background to why she chose to pursue Pharamacological research into endocannabinoids before highlighting the differences in the legality and prescription of consumable hemp, recreational, and medical marijuana between the USA and the UK. Two big distinctions were product diversity and black market prevalence in obtaining marijuana. Thomas highlights his introduction to recreational drug users at university, sparking an interest in the physiological and experiential elements of alternative medicine and drug use. He had a very bad association with drug use, personality, work ethic, and intelligence, common to many proclaimed 'tea-total' individuals. Miyabe describes the Stoner Archetype and how it influences public perspectives on marijuana use as opposed to the use of legal highs like alcohol and tobacco. Miyabe explains the Triad Of Suffering, three issues common to neurodivergent individuals, but also something treatable with medical marijuana. Listing off the immediate and long-term potentials of THC and CBD through a medical lens, it's clear this medicine has a lot of therapeutic potential for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. A clear advantage to recreational use through the heightening of social rewards and reduced discomfort with eye contact through an oxytocin mediator seemed to explain the positive regard towards marijuana testified by neurodivergents in a social setting. Marijuana is not without potential risks, being linked to triggering schizophrenia, an array of mental illnesses, and neuronal changes in users under the age of 25; although correlation does not always equal causation, it's a clear concern for medical professionals and the public. Touching on the history of hemp and marijuana use, Miyabe details the many reasons why she is fighting for more widespread legalisation of both medicinal and recreational marijuana use. Ignoring its potential benefits, it proves to be a relatively lower toxicity and crime-facilitating option than the socially accepted recreational use of ethanol and nicotine. Whether you agree with legalisation of such a plant, you'll surely take away a lot of new perspectives and information about marijuana use for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5

How did Paul develop speech after 7 years of being non-verbal? What visual and speech disorders occur in Autistic people? What is it like to have a visual disorder?

Paul Isaacs (@staypuft12) is an autistic public speaker who was late diagnosed with autism and OCD at the age of 24 in 2010. Paul was functionally non-verbal till the age of 11, suffering from a brain injury from cerebral hypoxia before birth. Within this podcast, Paul details his life with visual and speech disorders, and how others can better understand the experience.

My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Paul's Blog - https://theisaacs22.wordpress.com/

Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast]

Kicking off the episode, Paul explains his history with Autism and OCD. Diagnosed at the late age of 24 he was gifted with a very positive experience, something not common to many.

Paul found a role model in a woman named Donna Williams, who shared many of his experiences in life, recounting her inspiring yet tragic life in great detail.

Starting work at 15 due to his parents increasing concern about Paul's isolation in his room, he had a very ego-centric approach to communication with many processing delays. The two bond over their shared confusion and difficulty identifying bullying, gossiping, and gaslighting within the school system and workplace.

Non-verbal until age 7, Paul describes the numerous visual and speech disorders he was afflicted with due to brain damage inflicted during a placental abruption and consequent cerebral hypoxia. Doctors originally believed he was blind, but eventually identified a few causes of his social, kinaesthetic, and sensory-sampling behaviours.

Paul is hemiplegic, which impacts his visual perception, language, proprioceptive awareness, and some of his motor functionality. His visual agnosia left him unable to register anything he wasn't directly focused on, like extreme tunnel vision... meaning his ability to create word associations to objects in childhood was difficult.

In terms of speech, Paul was 80% meaning deaf. The experience was described as perceiving large amounts of fragmented information, and couldn't interpret language as anything but meaningless phonics. His anomic aphasia made it difficult to find words to say, which resulted in him becoming highly echolalic.

Paul and Thomas describe their shared difficulty with Alexithymia in childhood and how their feelings manifested as physical illness. Paul describes the idea of mergence, something common in infants who are in a state of sensing, rather than interpretation... this mergence was remarked by Thomas as being eerily similar to goals of meditation and the experience of ego-death many chase.

Paul and Thomas do differ in some respects. Thomas describes his default mode network or baseline activity of his brain as being constant and often stressful; Paul doesn't tend to think at all unless baited by OCD

Why do ADHD and Autism get misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder? What impact does bipolar medication have on someone? How do Brandon and Thomas process anger differently?

Brandon Christ (@autistically_b) was diagnosed with Autism (ASD-2) and ADHD recently after a long life of being misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Working in physiotherapy with a passion for baseball and fitness, Brandon seeks to open up about his experiences with late-diagnosed life and how fitness has shaped him as a person.

My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Brandon's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/autistically_b/

Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast]

The conversation commences on the topic of neurodiversity, looking at the differences between inherent and acquired neurodiversity, as well as the fine lines between viewing some neurodivergencies as good, neutral, or inherently bad.

On the topic of masking in adolescence, Thomas tended to be quiet and blended in as much as he could... whilst Brandon became hyper-verbal and highly social.

Thomas dives deeper into Brandon's difficult childhood, highlighting the behavioral training he received due to stimming, meltdowns, and attention problems. Brandon reflects on life before the People's First movement and how his early adulthood influenced his life outcome.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is best characterised as a sensitivity to expectations, not defiance, and is fairly common in autistic people. The two talk about their experiences with PDA and aggression at school, at work, and within sports. Highlighting the silly online culture around things such as the Alpha Male, Thomas postulates that the idea of the Sigma Male likely comes from the existence of confident autistic men with PDA.

It can be hard being autistic in a neurotypical world; Thomas and Brandon connect on the negative experiences that shaped their prior negative mindset towards neurotypicals... and how they shifted their perspective to forgiveness in later adulthood.

Sport and exercise is a big part of both Brandon and Thomas' life... it's regulating, a great social lubricant, helps develop grit, and can temper you against sensory overload in the long term. Autistic people can struggle with instinctual movements and hypermobility, but have a lot of strengths in sports too!

Brandon directs a question to the host about the struggles he faces most often as an autistic person. Thomas highlights it was once alexithymia and other people which were the biggest factors, with executive functioning and transition difficulties being a close second. Being autistic often comes with unfavorable life experiences and co-occurring conditions, and for Thomas mental illness is the biggest difficulty in life.

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5]

Why are Autistic people more prone to addiction? What is the difference between substance addiction and process addiction? How can you recover from addiction?

Patrick Casale (@allthingsprivatepractice) is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and addiction specialist in Asheville North Carolina (USA), diagnosed Autistic at the age of 35 years old. Patrick runs group psychotherapy sessions and retreats for LGBTQIA+ and Autism individuals but also coaches mental health practitioners on how to grow their businesses.

My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Patrick's Links - https://beacons.ai/allthingsprivatepractice

Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast]

Thomas start's the conversation fanboying about the recent Divergent Conversations podcast episode they recorded with Dr. Megan Neff from @neurodivergent_insights where they talked about Thomas' favourite topic... Autistic alexithymia!

Patrick soon goes into the basics behind understanding addiction through a bio-psycho-social lens, highlighting that addiction is caused by a loop of obsessions and compulsions. He provides some clarity by distinguishing between the mechanisms behind process addiction VS substance addiction, and addiction VS dependency.

Thomas speaks on his experience with nicotine addiction and alcoholism which took place during his university years, as well as his rabbit hole of research into the recreational substances that were taken by those around his dormitory. Nicotine and caffeine are perhaps some of the most readily available and addictive substances, being particularly enjoyable at first before becoming an expensive and boring habit.

Many people who become addicted often have a naive illusion of control, hiding their dependency from others due to feelings of shame and making deals with themselves that will soon be broken during the height of addiction. Thomas highlights that motivation is often idolised, but tends to be inherently fleeting in nature... humans are, after all, creatures of habit!

Patrick opens up to Thomas about the destructive nature of his gambling addiction, illuminating that the process or lead-up before placing the bet was the most addictive part for him. The level of shame and depression he felt leaving the casino early in the morning is a common feeling for most addicts and leads to a high rate of suicidality.

Lies, financial destruction, personality changes, impulsive action, desperation, and extreme lows... are all the parts of addiction that ravage the lives of addicts and those around them.

Thomas and Patrick contemplate and discuss the reasons why Autistic people may be more prone to addiction in any form. Some use it as a form of reliable regulation, some seek those good feelings to replace their need for connection, and others lack self-care due to the overlap between <

Why do Autistic people gravitate toward Philosophy? Why did Emily turn from Christianity to Buddhism? What is existentialism and how can it positively or negatively affect someone?

Emily Robyn Clark is a multi-award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, poet, songwriter, and practicing Buddhist under the SGI organisation. Her film 'Love Spell' (which she wrote, produced, and directed) which won 12 awards and nominated 2 major film festivals.

My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Emily's Links - https://linktr.ee/emilyrobynclark [https://linktr.ee/emilyrobynclark⁠]

Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast]

They start off speaking on the stereotype of autistic people being good at maths and computers, before diving into the controversial practice of type-casting Autistic people and women within the film industry.

Meditation isn't only a spiritual practice, but something backed up by science as being beneficial for mental health and wellness. Emily speaks on her own practices of Gongyo and how her meditative Buddist rituals helped improve her life.

Brought up in Tennessee (USA), in a highly conservative, Christian fundamentalist culture, full of homeschooling, homophobia, and church gatherings... Emily explains her negative experiences within the Religious groups she grew up in and when she first identified she was bisexual.

Thomas speaks on his very secular yet existentialist view on life, going into his history with Christianity and his attraction to Buddist tenants and Philosophies.

Since his youth, Thomas has always questioned the meaning of life and the experiences we have as humans... going through multiple existential crises before exploring Philosophy. Diving into his own perceptions and beliefs he entered a rabbit hole of Nihilistic despair, before realising the power and freedom it gave him for creating his own values and meaning through Positive Nihilism.

Emily and Thomas both arrived at similar conclusions about life and people, just from different angles. For Thomas it was purely theoretical and secular, for Emily it was spirituality and Buddhism.

Unconditional love for your 'enemies', healing familial relationships, Carl Jung archetypes, and the identity within passions were all explored in-depth.

Emily explains the ideas and utility behind Astrology and Tarot Cards for her own life, whilst the unconvinced host postures with position through the lens of science.

Ending on an interesting note, they look into the reasons why Autistic people may gravitate towards spirituality, Religion, and Philosophy... looking at pattern recognition or lateral thinking, influential philosophers, the need for certainty, rituals, and developing your own brand of approaching life.

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