Embracing Intensity 285: The Power of Mirroring with Sheldon Gay
In this thought-provoking episode of Embracing Intensity, Aurora sits down with Sheldon Gay, host of the I Must Be BUG'N podcast, which amplifies the stories and voices of Black, unidentified, underrepresented, gifted, and otherwise neurodivergent people. Sheldon is deeply insightful, warm, and grounded in his advocacy to humanize the neurodivergent experience. Together, they dive into the power of mirroring—that magical moment when we see ourselves reflected in others—and how it plays a crucial role in identity, belonging, and connection.
Sheldon shares his personal journey discovering his giftedness later in life and how joining neurodivergent spaces offered a profound sense of home and validation. He speaks candidly about emotional giftedness, navigating systems that often don’t recognize or affirm difference, and the importance of compassion, boundaries, and self-trust.
✨ In this episode:
-
What mirroring means and why it’s vital for neurodivergent people
-
How Sheldon discovered his giftedness and launched I Must Be BUG'N
-
Why IQ tests don’t tell the whole story of intelligence or giftedness
-
Emotional giftedness, self-doubt, and how we process emotions
-
Compassion and boundaries in spaces where we feel misunderstood
-
Recognizing our gifts even when others don’t
-
The power of community connection and storytelling
-
Insights into upcoming collaborative projects with Sheldon, including neurodivergent-friendly apps
-
Reflections on Aurora’s recent blog post on neurodivergent relationships
🔗 Resources & Links:
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or deep into exploring your neurodivergent identity, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone—and that your experiences, brilliance, and emotions are valid and worthy of being seen.
🎧 Listen now and feel seen.