The Hidden 20% From Viral Fame to Late AuDHD Diagnosis: Holly Morris on Masking, Burnout & Identity
Comedian, presenter and creator Holly Morris joins Ben for a candid conversation about living with AuDHD, the hidden cost of masking, and why being “funny” is often a survival strategy rather than a personality trait.
Holly shares how her comedy career grew out of lifelong hyper-vigilance - constantly scanning rooms, people and conversations and how that same awareness fuels both her humour and her exhaustion. She opens up about navigating networking, friendships and online spaces as a neurodivergent adult, and why masking can feel automatic, ingrained, and hard to switch off.
They explore Holly’s later diagnoses of ADHD and autism, imposter syndrome, her experience of Emetophobia, and how her Autism and ADHD overlap and show up in daily life.
If you’ve ever felt socially switched on but internally depleted, this episode will feel quietly familiar.
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Host: Ben Branson
Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné
Video Editor: James Scriven
Social Media Manager: Charlie Young
Music: Jackson Greenberg
Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller
00:00 Introduction & AD
1:48 Holly Morris’ AuDHD Comedy Journey
5:04 Masking as an AuDHD Comedian & Networking Pressure
8:36 How Masking Shapes Holly’s Online Content
13:14 Discovering AuDHD & Living With Emetophobia
17:25 Hypervigilance, Anxiety & the AuDHD Nervous System
21:50 ADHD vs Autism: How AuDHD Shows Up Day to Day
27:30 Being Open About Neurodivergence: Online vs In-Person
30:39 Adult Friendships, Social Energy & Neurodivergence
44:40 Masking vs Unmasking: What Actually Helps
46:48 The Hidden Cost of Being a Neurodivergent Creator
50:09 AuDHD, Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt
51:30 Thinking Differently: Strengths, Creativity & Hope
1:02:00 What’s Next for Holly Morris
1:10:30 Holly’s Green Dot Badge
The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.
Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.
No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.
1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.
To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.
With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.
Join us at hidden20.org/donate.
Become a monthly donor.
Be part of our community where great minds think differently.
Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348
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Ben Branson @seedlip_ben
Holly Morris @hollymorrisss
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