The Hidden 20%

What really goes on behind closed doors in neurodivergent relationships? Psychosexual Therapist and ND Relationship Coach Karen Doherty brings 20+ years of experience to this eye-opening episode on late diagnosis, emotional dysregulation.In this chat with Ben, Karen unpacks why neurodivergent couples often struggle, and more importantly, how they can thrive. From the "code word" method to breaking the trigger cycle, Karen shares practical tools that help make strong ND couples. She also reveals hard truths about unmet needs, communication breakdowns, and the dangers of fast-moving, intense connections.__________00:00 Introduction1:44 20 Years of Neurodivergence in a Relationship: What’s Changed?7:11 Late Diagnosis VS Relationships8:44 Post ADHD & Autism Diagnosis VS Relationships13:33 The #1 Struggle Most ND Couples Face14:02 Increased Communication Challenges: RSD & Emotional Dysregulation22:20 The Danger of Unavailability: Karen’s Top Tips27:24 ND VS Dating Apps: Karen’s Top 3 Tips30:07 The Neurodivergent Intense Connection: From 0-10033:58 Keeping The Magic Alive: Karen’s Top Tips40:55 The Biggest Unmet Needs in Neurodivergent Relationships44:16 The Impact of Neurodivergence On People’s Individual Lives45:55 The Biggest Transformations of ND Couples in Therapy47:33 Noticing Signs of Neurodivergence: Karen’s Advice for Couples52:11 Neurodivergence and Integration55:15 Should You Disclose Your ND Whilst Dating?57:08 Shutting Down ND Myths58:39 If ND Couples Therapy Resonates: What Next?1:00:35 Karen’s Green Badge Choice_____On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benKaren Doherty Relationship Therapist @karendohertycoachingIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Adrian James is NHS England’s first Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, addressing critical issues like medication shortages and long waitlists. He shares insights on the pressing need for systemic change in mental health services. Key discussions include the overlooked autism diagnosis in women, the obstacles in accessing assessments for conditions like ADHD, and the importance of early intervention. Adrian emphasizes integrating lived experiences into policy for a more inclusive healthcare approach that prioritizes real patient needs.

Today, Ben is joined by two unforgettable voices from Big Brother UK 2024: show winner and forensic psychologist Ali Bromley, and her fellow housemate Lily Benson. Both Ali and Lily live with ADHD, but the way the public saw them couldn’t have been more different.In this powerful conversation, Lily reveals why she chose to hide her diagnosis from the Big Brother team. Ali opens up about the not-so-subtle ways she witnessed Lilly being misunderstood and othered, and why some of the reactions inside the house still haunt her.Together, they confront the uncomfortable truths about how neurodivergence is perceived by the wider public, especially when it doesn’t fit expectations. They unpack the emotional toll of being made to feel “different” or “odd”, and the quiet strength that comes from finding an ally when the world feels stacked against you.__________00:00 Introduction1:40 How Ali & Lily Describe Their Brains2:11 ADHD Meds VS The Brain5:53 The ADHD Daydreamers6:06 When Lily Was Diagnosed With ADHD6:32 ADHD Diagnosis VS The School System9:30 Why Ali Encouraged Lily to Share her ADHD Journey11:10 ADHD VS The Big Brother House14:43 Why Ali & Lily Clicked15:07 Why Lily Wishes She’d Listened to Her Mum16:36 Big Brother House: What Would Lily Do Differently17:15 Why Ali’s Protection of Lily is Personal21:40 Public Reaction: The Cost of “Othering”22:38 Neurodivergent People: The Social Disrupters23:52 Do Ali & Lily Regret Going in The Big Brother House?27:12 ADHD Diagnosis: Why Lily Decided To Go Public28:49 ADHD Sisters: Why Ali & Lily Love Spending Time With Each other30:03 Why Lily Loves Having ADHD & The Most Challenging Parts31:28 Lily: What ADHD Means To Younger People32:15 ADHD is Not An Adjective33:52 Ali on Her Potential Autism Assessment37:43 Lily: Growing Up in The Digital World Was Normal38:30 Ali & Lily’s Thoughts on Social Media Neurodivergent Content39:47 Lily & Ali’s Advice to The Next Generation of Neurodivergent Reality Stars41:45 Managing Public Reaction & Online Trolls44:04 Trolling: The Real Dangers on the ND Community46:37 Lily & Ali’s Best Piece of Advice for Supporting Someone With ADHD48:12 Lily’s Superwoman Mum: Linda49:30 Lily’s Green Badge Choice__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benLily Benson @_lily.bensonAli Bromley @_ali.bromleyIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Murray-Serter, founder of Heights and mental health advocate, dives into the powerful connection between brain health and mental wellness. He shares his personal journey with insomnia and ADHD, revealing how understanding neuroplasticity transformed his life. Dan highlights gratitude as a game-changer and discusses the unique advantages neurodivergent entrepreneurs often possess. He emphasizes simple daily habits to combat burnout and offers actionable tips for building mental resilience, making this a must-listen for anyone navigating similar challenges.

Eric Garcia, an independent journalist and author of 'We're Not Broken', dives deep into the political landscape surrounding autism. He discusses the worrying rise of anti-vaccine rhetoric linked to autism, emphasizing the dangers of these misconceptions. Garcia sheds light on the billion-dollar autism industry and who truly benefits from it. He shares personal insights about being an openly autistic reporter while highlighting the real fears faced by families of autistic individuals. The conversation stresses the importance of acceptance over a misguided search for a 'cure'.

Kimberley Nixon, a British actress celebrated for roles in Wild Child and Fresh Meat, opens up about her candid struggles with perinatal OCD and neurodiversity. She shares her harrowing experience of battling intrusive thoughts, including dark musings of being a 'secret serial killer.' The conversation dives into the complexities of motherhood paired with autism and ADHD while challenging stereotypes. Kimberley emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and community support for those navigating similar challenges.

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.Together, they dive into some of the most hotly debated aspects of his work, confront some uncomfortable truths, and explore the link between autism and unique talents. They also unpack fascinating research into why women with PCOS are more likely to have autistic children.This is Part 2 of a two-part episode — if you missed it, be sure to catch Part 1 from last week!00:00 Introduction1:54 Can You Become Autistic?3:47 Autism: What Has Simon Proven?4:39 Why Women With PCOS Are More Likely to Have a Child With Autism5:48 The Role of Hormones in Autism6:45 Autism: What Has Simon Changed His Mind On?7:37 Simon’s Thoughts on His Controversial Work: Genetics9:00 What is Mind Blindness?10:58 Why Did Some Not Like This Concept?12:23 How Simon Deals With Criticism13:20 Ben: What Could Have You Done to Improve that Situation & How Much Were Autistic People Consulted?14:26 How Much Do We Know About Autism?15:53 Autistic Statistics: Autism: Some Dark Home Truths19:06 Autism Assessment Waiting List Crisis VS Suffering Adults20:07 Comorbidities VS Neurodivergence21:58 Autism: What Are The Top 3 Questions That We Need To Know?23:05 Mortality Rate VS Autism24:04 Autism VS The Need For Further Research25:22 Ben The Inventor: Unpacking ‘The Pattern Seekers’ & Autistic People31:08 Neurodiversity VS Lack Of Role Models32:40 Autism: Where Will We Be In Ten Years Time?34:20 Simon’s Green Light Choice__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has risen, and the shifting perception from ‘disorder’ to celebrating a different way of thinking. Plus, they dive into some of the most debated topics in autism research - The complexities of empathy and the ethical challenges of genetic studies.This is the First of a Two Part Episode - tune in for some groundbreaking research next week in Part Two!00:00 Introduction2:08 Ben’s Child Asks Simon: 'Are You REALLY the World's Top Autism Expert?'2:50 Back In Time: Autism 40 years Ago4:08 Autism Diagnoses Then vs. Now: How Children & Adults Were Diagnosed 40 Years Ago4:45 The Moment Autism Prevalence Began to Rise5:21 Autism Diagnostic Criteria & Disappearance of Aspergers10:42 The History of Autism11:48 What Sparked Simon’s Interest in Autism?13:44 Societies Beliefs and Understanding of Autism 40 Years Ago15:07 Genetics and The Hidden 20%17:05 Why Autism Isn’t 100% Genetic17:34 Ethical Minefields: Genetics Research VS Autism20:42 Were Scientists Trying to 'Cure' Autism 40 Years Ago?21:57 When We Started Celebrating Autistic Strengths23:23 Brains That Think Differently: The Birth of Neurodiversity24:26 Autism VS Closing The Gender Gap26:39 Brains That Systemise VS Brains That Empathise28:32 Autism & Empathy: Cognitive Empathy VS Affective Empathy35:33 Do Vaccines Cause Autism?36:37 Why Are the CDC Investigating the Correlation Between Autism and Vaccines?39:43 Changing The Way We See Autism: Celebrating the Differences__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millie Mackintosh, a reality TV star and entrepreneur, opens up about her struggle with undiagnosed ADHD and Dyspraxia, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in seeking diagnosis. She explains how alcohol became a coping mechanism and shares her transformative journey to sobriety. Millie discusses the blurred lines between ADHD and autism, her experiences with mindfulness, and the necessity of breaking generational cycles for her daughters. With candor, she offers tips for navigating life with ADHD, emphasizing self-awareness and emotional regulation.

In light of recent government proposals to cut £5 billion annually from disability benefits by 2030 , it might seem like an odd moment to celebrate neurodivergence—but that’s exactly why we must. In a world where neurodivergence is often used as a pawn in culture wars, it’s more important than ever to pause, raise awareness, and share the reality of thinking differently.For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Ben revisits some of the podcast’s most powerful moments—from Kit Harington on ADHD & addiction to Tylan Grant on autism & social anxiety, ADHD Love on relationships, and eye-opening conversations on Tourette’s, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and more. Busting myths, challenging misconceptions, and honouring the resilience of the ND community._____________________________________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently. Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburneVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson Greenberg Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 _____________________________________ Follow & subscribe… Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.