Divergent Conversations
Megan Anna Neff & Patrick Casale
Dr. Megan Neff and Patrick Casale are two Neurodivergent therapists in a neurotypical world. During this podcast, they’ll talk about their own personal experiences as Autistic-ADHDers. They will reflect on their lived experience as AuDHD mental health professionals, and entrepreneurs, as well as offer clinical guidance, and support. Episodes will be conversational in nature, and they’ll interview other ND Folx to amplify the voices of other neurodivergent advocates and individuals as they share their authentic stories. New episodes will come out weekly, on all major platforms. Megan told Patrick, ”I’ll bring the chaos, You organize it.” This perfectly sums up their working relationship and friendship. Reflections of two neurodivergent clinicians. Raw, Vulnerable, Affirmative As Hell. Follow on instagram.com/divergentconversations
Topics include Autism, ADHD, Sleep struggles, Chronic Illness, RSD, Alexithymia, Autistic burnout, Intersectionality, Neuroqueer, Creativity, OCD, Neurodivergence, Affirming Language, Small business ownership, Unpacking Internalized Ableism, and so much more.
If you love the podcast, please leave us a 5 star review https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divergent-conversations/id1662009631
Visit our website for all podcast episodes and sponsorship opportunities divergentpod.com
Legal Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or medical professional for personalized advice regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Topics include Autism, ADHD, Sleep struggles, Chronic Illness, RSD, Alexithymia, Autistic burnout, Intersectionality, Neuroqueer, Creativity, OCD, Neurodivergence, Affirming Language, Small business ownership, Unpacking Internalized Ableism, and so much more.
If you love the podcast, please leave us a 5 star review https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divergent-conversations/id1662009631
Visit our website for all podcast episodes and sponsorship opportunities divergentpod.com
Legal Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or medical professional for personalized advice regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 12, 2025 • 53min
Episode 136: FLASHBACK — Autistic Burnout City: How Sensory Input Impacts Burnout
Explore the intricate relationship between sensory processing and autistic burnout. The hosts share personal stories of burnout, discussing how sensory overload impacts emotional well-being. They emphasize the importance of understanding unique sensory profiles and offer practical strategies for managing overwhelm. Listeners will benefit from insights on creating soothing environments and the significance of community support. Discover how everyday experiences like smells can trigger shutdowns, and learn to navigate your own sensory landscape.
8 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 48min
Episode 135 (Season 4): Neurodivergent Identity Arc for Later-in-Life Discovery
Explore the emotional journey of discovering a neurodivergent identity later in life. The hosts share personal stories of burnout and the challenges of masking before diagnosis. Learn about the four stages of identity development, from confusion to integration, and how privilege and support play a role in this arc. Insights on managing sensory overload and fostering community pride highlight the transformative power of acceptance. Practical advice on self-compassion emphasizes the importance of individual pacing in this unique identity journey.
Nov 28, 2025 • 40min
Episode 134 (Season 4): Navigating Suicidality and Safety for Neurodivergent Minds
This discussion dives deep into the challenges of suicidality faced by neurodivergent individuals. The hosts share personal stories, shedding light on the stigma surrounding suicidal thoughts. They explore the difference between chronic and acute ideation and critique standard mental health responses. Practical tools for creating safety plans and identifying warning signs are offered. The importance of community support and aftercare strategies is emphasized, along with creative resources like hope boxes to provide comfort during tough times.
Nov 21, 2025 • 35min
Episode 133 (Season 4): Is Everyone a Little Bit ADHD?
The discussion dives into the phrase "everyone's a little bit ADHD" and its potential to minimize the experiences of those with actual ADHD. The hosts explore societal distractions versus the reality of living with ADHD, emphasizing the dangers of undiagnosed conditions. Personal stories shed light on late diagnoses, the grief of self-discovery, and the myths surrounding impulsivity and gendered patterns in misdiagnosis. They also address the impact of modern life on ADHD traits and the importance of understanding true disabilities.
Nov 14, 2025 • 33min
Episode 132 (Season 4): Is Everyone a Little Bit Autistic?
The conversation dives into the problematic phrase, "everyone is a little bit Autistic" and how it can undermine the unique experiences of Autistic individuals. The hosts discuss empathic misattunement and the real impact of such statements. Personal stories reveal the challenges of disclosure and masking, shedding light on microaggressions. They explore context sensitivity as a critical factor in identifying Autism and debunk misconceptions about traits versus the full Autistic experience, emphasizing the importance of precise language in advocacy.
Nov 7, 2025 • 39min
Episode 131 (Season 4): Why ADHD Isn’t About Being Lazy or Unmotivated
Struggling with ADHD? Explore the misconceptions surrounding laziness and motivation. The hosts share personal experiences of shame tied to diagnosis and delve into the everyday challenges of executive functioning. Discover how passion can clash with routine tasks, and gain insights on the nuances of motivation. Plus, a candid discussion on the interplay between ADHD and Autism highlights the complexities of self-understanding. Expect empathy and practical reflections that help reframe the ADHD journey!
Oct 31, 2025 • 30min
Episode 130 (Season 4): Intelligence Myths About ADHD and Autism
This discussion tackles the harmful myth that intelligence and neurodivergence are mutually exclusive. The hosts highlight how executive functioning challenges are misinterpreted as a lack of intelligence, especially for Black and Brown children facing racial bias. Personal stories reveal systemic disparities in outcomes for neurodivergent individuals. The notion that all Autistic people are savants is debunked, emphasizing the wide spectrum of autistic experiences. The conversation promotes understanding and acceptance, revealing that ADHD and Autism can coexist with intelligence.
Oct 24, 2025 • 35min
Episode 129 (Season 4): Breaking Down Language and Labels in Autism Advocacy
The conversation dives into the significance of language in the Autistic community, specifically critiquing functioning labels. Hosts share personal journeys and discuss the societal pressures tied to productivity that fuel these labels. They explore how such language can provoke shame and internalized ableism, stressing the need for compassion. The duo presents support-needs-based alternatives that better reflect individual experiences. Lastly, they tackle community tensions and the importance of inclusive advocacy across varying support needs.
21 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 45min
Episode 128 (Season 4): Do Autistic People Want Social Connection?
Autistic individuals often face misconceptions about their social desires. The hosts explore the nuanced relationship between wanting connection and sensory overload. Using plant metaphors, they discuss varying social needs and how rhythm impacts friendships. They highlight the challenges of initiating connections when capacity is low and delve into the rewarding aspects of shared neurotype interactions. Authenticity in communication helps ease relational friction, while the importance of depth in relationships is emphasized for meaningful connections.
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 127 (Season 4): Landmark College: Neuro-Inclusive College to Career Transitions [featuring Jan Coplan]
In this conversation, Jan Coplan, Senior Director at Landmark College, shares her expertise on transitioning neurodivergent individuals into the workforce. She emphasizes the unique barriers they face, such as inaccessible application processes and the challenge of masking during interviews. Jan discusses innovative, low-cost accommodations employers can implement, including flexible interview formats and supportive hiring practices. The dialogue highlights the importance of neurodiversity as a strength, urging employers to reconsider traditional recruitment methods for a genuinely inclusive workplace.
