Navigating Emotions and Communication in Neurodiverse Relationships

❓ What happens when two people fall in love and one is neurodivergent? They go viral on social media! 📈

In this episode, Jodi chats with Adam and Becca, a neurodiverse couple whose viral TikToks have racked up millions of views. Their videos offer an unfiltered look into the realities of a neurodiverse relationship—and their honest, often hilarious conversations have helped hundreds of thousands of viewers feel less alone.

Together, they share what it’s really like navigating marriage with autism and ADHD in the mix: from sensory overload and autistic burnout to faith deconstruction, parenting struggles, emotional disconnects, and wildly mismatched love languages.

Becca opens up about her late autism diagnosis, how masking nearly broke her, and why even small moments of affection can feel overwhelming. Adam reflects on how being a neurotypical husband has challenged him to rethink communication, connection, and what support truly looks like.

💬 You’ll hear about:

-How they met and fell in love despite major differences
-Becca’s late autism diagnosis and what finally made everything click
-How masking, meltdowns, and burnout shaped their early years of marriage
-The tension between physical touch and sensory boundaries
-Why Adam’s humor is more than just comic relief—it’s a lifeline
-The role faith and religious deconstruction played in reshaping their connection -What it means to truly be seen—and chosen—by someone wired differently

If you've ever wondered what "opposites attract" looks like in a neurodiverse relationship, this episode is a must-listen!

📍 Episode Timestamps:

0:00 – Season 5 Intro: Can Neurodiverse Relationships Really Work?
01:00 – Meet Adam & Becca: A Quirky First Encounter
03:00 – Burnout, Meltdowns & the Cost of Masking
06:00 – Autism, Sensory Overload & the Need for Space
10:40 – Parenthood, Shutdowns & Surviving the Early Years
18:55 – Late Diagnosis, Big Realizations
20:45 – From Toxic Church Culture to Mental Clarity
25:00 – How Opposites Communicate (and Miscommunicate)
28:50 – Choosing Each Other, Every Day
34:25 – Why Laughter Helps More Than You Think 

✨ About Adam & Becca: Adam and Becca James are a neurodiverse couple living in Georgia who’ve built a community of over 205K followers on TikTok (@studiesshow) by sharing the everyday realities of their relationship—equal parts insightful, awkward, and hilarious.

Their content went viral after one clip, now with over 32 million views, showing the wildly different ways they wind down at night. Since then, they’ve continued to open up about the challenges and gifts of navigating life, love, and parenthood with ADHD and autism in the mix. Adam is a home health physical therapist, musician, and lifelong Braves fan. Becca, a nurse with experience in both hospital and home healthcare, brings her dry wit and deeply self-aware reflections to their videos, offering a perspective that resonates with both neurodivergent and neurotypical viewers alike.

Together, they use their TikTok platform to normalize neurodivergence, dismantle stigma, and remind their audience that even opposites can thrive—with the right mix of humor, honesty, and headphones. Adam and Becca also co-host The Poisoner’s Almanac, a podcast exploring poisons (one of Becca's special interests) through history, culture, and modern science.

💬 NEW! Try the NeuroTranslator App Want help understanding each other’s neurotypes in everyday situations? The NeuroTranslator app offers on-demand explanations to help reduce conflict and increase connection. Built by an autistic husband to bridge communication gaps between neurotypes. Save 30% with promo code JODI.

🔗 https://www.neurotranslator.ai 

👩‍💼 About Your Host:

Jodi Carlton, MEd Jodi Carlton is a neurodiverse relationship coach with over 20 years of experience as a therapist, coach, author, and educator. She’s also neurodivergent herself—diagnosed with ADHD as an adult—and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. After 19 years in a marriage with an autistic partner and raising neurodivergent children, Jodi developed a deeply personal understanding of what it takes for relationships like yours to work—and the pitfalls that can derail them. She now coaches individuals, couples, and families around the world using a solution-focused approach that delivers real clarity and lasting change.

👉 Explore more episodes, free resources, quizzes, and courses: https://jodicarlton.com  

🔔 Don’t Forget to Like, Subscribe & Share! Your support helps us reach more people navigating life in neurodiverse relationships.