The Hidden 20%

CW: This episode includes discussions of suicide, addiction, and pornography. If these topics may be triggering, please listen with care and reach out for support if needed.This week’s guest is actor, writer, and one of the most familiar faces in British comedy—Marcus Brigstocke. You’ve probably seen him cracking jokes on QI, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You or Live At The Apollo.Marcus credits dyslexia for his “Comic Super Brain”. But it’s not all laughs—in a raw conversation, Marcus talks about his struggles with alcohol, drugs, and, for the first time, porn addiction. He also shares the journey of overcoming shame after infidelity in his past marriage. This candid conversation is a powerful look at neurodivergence, addiction, and personal growth.______________________________________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. Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 Host: Ben BransonProducer: Bella NealeVideo Editor: Tom ForristerSocial 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_benMarcus Brigstocke @marcusbrigstockeIf 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 enlightening discussion, Sarah Ann Macklin, a former Burberry model turned nutritionist, shares her expertise on the intriguing connections between diet and neurodivergence. She highlights the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and the gut-brain relationship, emphasizing nutrition's role in supporting individuals with ADHD and dyslexia. Sarah reflects on her personal journey with dyslexia, providing insights into embracing learning differences as strengths. She also explores how pets can benefit mental health and the necessity of tailored dietary strategies for neurodivergent individuals.

CW: Please note, this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. While ongoing research explores the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics and cannabis, these substances remain illegal in the UK, and psychedelics are not yet approved treatments for mental health or neurological conditions.Dr. Rayyan Zafar is a leading neuropsychopharmacologist and a postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College London. In this chat with Ben, Dr. Zafar discusses how different substances, from Adderall to psychedelics, impact the neurodivergent brain, offering insights into the complex relationship between drugs and ADHD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To mark Dyslexia Awareness Week, we knew our guest would need to be an absolute "bombshell".Georgia Steel, rose to fame on Love Island in 2018 for her bold personality and trademark "loyalty." But Georgia is much more than a reality TV star. As a proud dyslexic, she uses her platform to challenge the stigma around learning difficulties.In this chat with Ben, she opens up about facing online abuse for being Dyslexic, being vulnerable to manipulation, and the reality of life as a model, influencer, and TV personality.________________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. Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 Host: Ben BransonProducer: Bella NealeVideo Editor: Tom ForristerSocial 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_benGeorgia Steel @georgiasteelxIf 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.

Bradley Riches first communicated through sound and movement, but after his autism diagnosis at age 9, he found his voice through acting. Now, he stars as James in Netflix's Heartstopper, a character who, like Bradley, is both queer and autistic. Recently, he won over audiences on Big Brother by sharing his journey with autism.In this episode, Bradley talks with Ben about being non-verbal, experiencing Big Brother through an autistic lens, finding his voice, and his recent engagement.________________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. Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 Host: Ben BransonProducer: Bella NealeVideo Editor: Tom ForristerSocial 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_benBradley Riches @brad_richesIf 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.

Mae Stephens went from working at ASDA to becoming a TikTok sensation with her hit "If We Ever Broke Up," securing a major record deal, performing at Glastonbury, and racking up over 500 million streams worldwide.In this episode, Mae opens up to Ben about how her ADHD fuels her songwriting, the transformative power of therapy, and why she embraces the "weird and wonderful." Plus, don’t miss an EXCLUSIVE listen to the original recording of "If We Ever Broke Up."________________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. Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 Host: Ben BransonProducer: Bella NealeVideo Editor: Tom ForristerSocial 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_benMae Stephens @maestephens_If 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. Tony Lloyd, CEO of the ADHD Foundation, shares his extensive experience in ADHD research and support. He discusses the diagnostic criteria, emotional regulation, and the societal stigma, especially affecting women. Dr. Lloyd tackles gender bias in ADHD diagnoses and highlights the importance of therapy for navigating personal and workplace challenges. He also debunks myths about ADHD, emphasizing its recognition as a valid neurotype, and encourages celebrating individuality while providing resources for continued education and community engagement.

CW: Suicide & Mental HealthOn World Suicide Prevention Day, we wanted to talk more openly about the links between suicide and Autism.When Jonathan Scott Lee, a senior officer at one of the largest bank in the world was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, he became a neurodiversity advocate and champion for inclusivity.But, after the tragic loss of his 16-year-old autistic daughter, Caitlyn, to suicide, he now focuses on raising awareness of the increased suicide risk within the autistic community.If you or someone you know needs help, contact Samaritans at 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org.________________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. Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348Follow & subscribe… Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benJonathan Scott Lee @myjonathanleewww.memoriesofcaitlyn.com If 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.

Join us for an unscripted, unedited bonus episode with our host, Ben Branson, as he shares his candid thoughts.In this exciting and evolving time for the neurodivergent community, change is happening rapidly. Each week, we encounter incredible stories and important news, and we want to keep you in the loop.In this episode, Ben covers top headlines, from the alarming bullying rates affecting neurodivergent children to a high-profile political family bringing neurodiversity into the spotlight, and an autism-friendly production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.Plus, we have a special contribution from one our listeners._________________________Articles mentioned in this episode:How To Approach Addressing Bullying Of Neurodivergent ChildrenAll About Tim Walz's Son, Gus WalzThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is about an autistic boy. But it hasn’t always been autism-friendly.Richard Branson’s advice to parents with Neurodivergent children_________________________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. Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348Follow & 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.

Rich, a viral content creator, and Rox, a passionate advocate for neurodivergence, dive into self-acceptance and healing the negative internal voices that often accompany ADHD. They discuss reframing ADHD as both a superpower and a challenge, emphasizing the importance of support systems. Rich and Rox share their experiences with self-medication and the emotional complexities of neurodivergent relationships. With humor and sincerity, they highlight the value of kindness in communication and celebrate the unique strengths of neurodiversity.