AuDHD Flourishing

This is a mind-expanding episode! Cassandra Idris recently founded an organization built around neurodivergent brains at every level, and mutual aid for some of the most marginalized populations in Philadelphia.She speaks eloquently about mental health, being a trans woman and the inherent social betrayals in that experience, and how the system isn't going to pay us to bring it down. Because she's seen the systems from many perspectives (including from the inside as an HR professional), she has a detailed understanding of what it takes to create true change.One of those changes is to create more organizations by us and for us!If you'd like to learn more about the Philadelphia Mutual Aid collective, or donate, you can do that here. And if you're generally curious about how Open Collective works, that's here.You can connect with Cassandra on Instagram hereCassandra's SoundCloud (techno mixes)Transcript DocEmail Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feelings, emotions, sensations in the body... We've all received confusing messages around what they mean and what they are. And many autistic folks have trouble connecting to their emotions and related body sensations.They're also important and potentially useful messages from our body as it attempts to stay safe. This episode covers one compelling theory of what feelings (sensations and emotions) are, as well as a variety of tools to get through the day no matter where you are in your journey. Also, just a reminder that whatever you're doing to get through the day right now is okay. You don't owe anyone—including yourself—a specific amount of healing or performing wellness. Book mentioned is How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett. I also mention Linda Thai and Resmaa Menakem. Episode originally published as 009 Feelings: Why?? on The Longer Road podcastLinks:Transcript Doc Email Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is an AuDHD content creator (with a huge audience) and coach who runs a free AuDHD peer support group. He shares his formula for feeling better, which includes removing negative stimuli to reach neutral, rather than trying to leap straight to happiness. And shares beautifully about how he finds peace in the neutral, since even happiness is a fleeting feeling.You can connect with Michael at the links below:Peer Support GroupAll of Michael's linksInstagram @ADHDruidsTranscript Doc Email Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meltdowns and shutdowns appear to be a natural release valve for an overwhelmed autistic brain. They feel out of control and can be quite distressing.While there are ways to push them off, I experience a "point of no return" after which I need some big release or I'm going to feel terrible for days.Learning your triggers, as well as planning ahead for a safer experience if you do have a meltdown or shutdown can lessen our overall stress and shame.(One thing I forgot to record in the episode is that for me, shutdowns are almost always low-verbal or I can't speak at all.)Links:1. Meltdowns & Shutdowns* https://embrace-autism.com/meltdowns-and-shutdowns/2. How it feels to have an autistic meltdown and how you can help* https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/38f5MsC2mB5fnmCr5v77zDn/how-it-feels-to-have-an-autistic-meltdown-and-how-you-can-help3. All About ‘Autism Meltdowns’: Why They Happen and How to Cope https://psychcentral.com/autism/autism-meltdowns4. Autism Shutdown Vs Meltdown: What's the Difference? https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2022/06/autism-shutdown-vs-meltdown.htmlEmail list: https://mattia.ck.page/a6b7c9bf09Episode Transcript*autistic writer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jes Diverges (she/they) helps fellow autistic ADHDers and has a fascinating background. We dive into how they ended up coaching rather than finishing their therapy degree... and in the process touch on how messed up some of our culture's attitudes are toward mental health!While we certainly don't solve the issue of AuDHD mental health, we talk aboutwhen to take a break from trauma healinghow entrepreneurship has been a surprising part of our trauma healingwhy insistence on one modality such as CBT doesn't serve ushow to balance individual and community healingFrom Jes' website:As an auDHD coach, I empower fellow autistic ADHDers to understand the unique interplay of the auDHD “combo meal” within their minds, and to let go of perfectionism, people pleasing, and unrealistic neurotypical expectations.By embracing radical self-love in place of shame, I guide individuals on their journey to confidently navigate the chaotic intricacies of auDHD life and become the audaciously authentic auDHDers they were meant to be.Resources mentioned:Jes' Instagram & TikTok @jesdivergesjesdiverges.comEmail Jes at jes@jesdiverges.comJes' Linktree with all the thingsEpisode TranscriptAuDHD Flourishing Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the key to feeling better by identifying your core self-care needs, which often simplify everything else in life. Learn to tune into your body's signals and explore how past experiences influence your needs. There's a caution against one-size-fits-all self-care advice, emphasizing that personal experiences shape what works best for you. Recognize how different needs can fluctuate, especially in varying contexts. Lastly, hear practical prompts to help you uncover what your unique self-care essentials are.

How do we survive capitalism while navigating the ethical dilemmas of making money within this broken system?There's no one right answer, but this episode breaks down my thoughts about it over the past few months.The problem isn't simply the exchange of goods or services for money, it's how late-stage capitalism seeks short-term profits above all else, extracting all the excess labor of the "lower classes" for profit.Ultimately I want more of us to be able to survive capitalism so we can build something better.Resources mentioned:The Moneyless Society podcast & bookThe AuDHD Entrepreneurs & Creatives free facebook group (I no longer am in the group bc I deleted Facebook, and a friend is running it) Podcast transcript doc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's easy for AuDHD brains to latch onto one concept of a solution, and believe it has to happen that way. But sometimes there's a deeper question or problem underneath that.As one example, many neurodivergent folks want a morning routine... but the real question under that could be "How do I feel good in the morning," or "How do I get my day started?" How do we ask the right questions to make sure we're not wasting our energy? One way to know that part of you believes you're asking the wrong question is if you're experiencing "self-sabotage" when trying to achieve the solution you have in mind. A few potential ways to reframe your question/problem: Take time with it & take a step backExternally process with someone elseCome up with at least 3 different ways this could go down, or different scenarios, that might solve the question/problem (to get your brain thinking creatively, and get another perspective) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a meta-episode about how I think about and approach the science around autism and ADHD (as well as other neurodivergences).While I do my best to do additional research, there are so many things that no one knows about AuDHD brains!One tool to improve this podcast is the Transcript doc linked below, which is publicly available for comments. If you have any questions or comments, you can leave them on the file and I'll try to answer them there and/or in the podcast!Full Transcript hereAuDHD Flourishing Newsletter signup& this week's* newsletter if you wanna check one out * No, I don't send newsletters weekly... yay doing what works for our own brain instead of arbitrary rules/schedules :) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm a naturally growth-oriented person... however, I often find myself changing or "fixing" things that others think are a problem. What happens when I reorient to what's actually important to me?The self-help industry will happily sell us solutions, whether or not the problem was actually bothering us before we heard about it.Many of us feel like we're struggling alone. But not only are most people silently struggling, many neurodivergent folks feel that they're uniquely broken. It's such a common experience!It's totally fine to choose to change something about your life. However, it can be helpful to check in with yourself to make sure it's really what you want.The questions I offered around choosing to change something (and especially purchasing a self-help product):Is this actually causing me any harm?Is it harming anyone at all? If yes, is that harm actually meaningful, or am I mostly being harmed by the shame around it?If I changed this about myself, what might "better" look like? Is that definition or desire coming from me, or suggestions outside of myself?Is paying attention to this popular "problem" keeping my attention away from anything deeply important to me? If I didn't put time, attention, or money into this, what might I want to do instead?If I never changed again, would I (still) love and accept myself?Here are the messages I need to hear:It's okay to take breaks from personal growth.It's okay to give up on changing things about yourself just because they might make other people more comfortable.It's okay to focus on what your body and mind actually want and need, whether or not those line up with messaging from people around you.I bet you're actually doing a great job with the circumstances you've been given.Even if you never change or fix another thing, I love and accept you.Full Transcript hereAuDHD Flourishing Newsletter signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.