In this deeply moving episode of I'm in Control, Emmilia sits down with the multitalented Chiara Gizzi—award-winning actress, writer, and director—to explore her extraordinary journey of creativity, diagnosis, and self-discovery. Chiara shares how her viral YouTube series Solo Stories came to life, reaching millions worldwide, and how her late diagnoses of autism and ADHD completely reframed her understanding of self.

Chiara opens up about the emotional toll of neurodivergent burnout, the challenges of masking, and the grief that can come with realising you’ve lived most of your life performing a version of yourself just to fit in. We also dive into the release of her children's book The Too Much Girl, inspired by her own sensory experiences and the neurodivergent children in her life.

Together, Emmilia and Chiara unpack the power of storytelling, community support, and the courage it takes to be truly seen.

00:00 – Meet Chiara Gizzi: actress, writer, producer & viral storyteller

05:00 – Behind Solo Stories: turning short scripts into global success

10:00 – Autism, ADHD & the journey to late diagnosis

15:00 – Neurodivergent burnout and the unravelling of daily life

20:00 – The grief, anger and relief of being seen—for real

25:00 – Navigating masking, sensory overload and self-worth

30:00 – How The Too Much Girl was born and what it means

35:00 – Embracing visibility, vulnerability and finding community

This episode is a raw and enlightening conversation about living authentically, embracing difference, and pushing back against society’s narrow view of what “normal” looks like. Chiara's honesty and artistic spirit remind us that while the path to self-understanding may be complex, it is also powerful and profoundly freeing.