Embracing Intensity

Seeing Life Differently In this episode, Zaakirah Muhammad joins us to discuss mindfulness, gratitude and how these practices can help to craft a more meaningful life in her talk on Seeing Life Through a Different Lens: Mindfulness and Gratitude as a Creative. She talks about how one can use visualizing, setting goals and forming a strong support system to help achieve their dreams. Zaakirah also shares some of her personal stories and how she has worked to create meaningful relationships and find her true self. In addition, she talks about the role of culture and how one can use their cultural values and traditions to drive their motivation and set SMART goals that are qualitative and quantitative. Ultimately, this podcast episode encourages listeners to take small steps, stay mindful of their wants and needs, and form relationships with both family, friends and even strangers, to ultimately achieve a life of purpose and passion. By engaging in the practices of mindfulness and gratitude, one can find a clearer understanding of their purpose and lead them each step of the way to a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life. About Zaakirah Zaakirah has more than 10 years of professional photography and branding experience. She empowers people to step outside of their comfort zone through her gift of visual storytelling. Zaakirah is also the CEO and founder of Phocused Media Group which empowers and supports the growth of minority-owned businesses. She has overcome many challenges, including cancer, and autoimmune disease to establish herself as an innovative voice in the marketing industry. Zaakirah is the author of Seeing Life Through a Different Lens: A Survivor's Memoir on Overcoming Adversity with Resilience. She also hosts the podcast called See Life Different. Goal Setting Planner and Guide The Goal Setting Planner Tools and Setting Purposeful Goals Quick Guide are perfect for anyone who wants to take their personal and professional lives to the next level. Our user-friendly resources provide step-by-step guidance on how to set effective SMART goals, create tangible action plans, and stay motivated and focused on your pursuits. With tailored activities, create achievable objectives, envision purpose, and explore core values for an enriching life experience. Find purpose and vision, set specific, achievable goals, and break them down into manageable steps for an effective plan towards success. Reach your aspirations, form strong relationships, and make time for yourself for a happy and meaningful life. Meaningful Life Goals Zaakirah's encourages listeners to create and achieve their own personal or professional goals within their own unique way. By utilizing her advice and tools, such as setting specific goals, creating tangible action plans, ensuring SMART goals, visualizing, and finding motivation in family, friends and spiritual values, they can live a more meaningful, prosperous and satisfying life. Taking the first step towards one's goal is the most crucial part, and with effort and dedication, they can one day reach the finish line. In this episode: Zaakirah is an Arabic name for the Hereafter, which is fitting for someone who survived retinoblastoma, a childhood eye cancer, detected by the bright light of a photograph. Zaakirah is also living with PTSD and an autoimmune condition, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and has pursued both entrepreneurship and part-time work with a positive impact. Zaakirah focuses on increasing awareness of ethnicities, religious faiths, geniuses, and disabilities, in order to create equitable education opportunities and personal growth. Establishing a positive mindset as soon as you wake up through free form journaling and speaking into future tense. Fueling your body with proper nutrition, e.g. fiber-rich meals and lots of water. Utilizing technology to time block specific tasks and set reminders. Remaining mindful and shifting negativity by listening to a focus-specific playlist. Journaling and goal setting as powerful tools for personal development and finding your life purpose. Prioritizing Self-Care Taking time for self-care, such as music, meditation, nutrition, exercise, and art can help support and remind people of their sense of purpose. Healthy eating habits help provide nurturance and energy for the day and improve physical health. Affirmations are personal mantras that can be uplifting and empowering when spoken to oneself. Zaakirah encourages listeners to reflect on their goals and purposes for their actions towards a fulfilling life. Sign up for her email list for vision-boarding tips and more. Utilizing the smart method (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) for visualizing yourself and your meaningful goals. Zaakirah has a podcast with almost 100 episodes with topics ranging from education and advocacy around BIPOC communities to creative workspaces and morning routines. She is planning an in-person event called "See Life Different" to help participants explore purpose-building and develop skills for working in their businesses. Visualizing the future helps participants recognize and seize opportunities, and it is also important to be conscious of signs of burnout and know when to say no. Resources: Zaakirah's Website See Life Different Live Event March 11th Join our Community & Check out our calendar of upcoming events! Join the monthly Planner Club!

Overcome Burnout Welcome to From Burnout to Brilliance, a talk that explores the best ways to manage work-related stress and overcome burnout. In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Zarya Rubin, a Harvard trained MD turned functional medicine health coach, who will be sharing her insights and expertise on this important topic. With the World Health Organization recognizing job burnout as a medical diagnosis, it's more important than ever to pay attention to the signs of burnout, particularly for those in stressful jobs such as health care workers and first responders. With long hours, heavy workloads, unreasonable time pressures, and a lack of self-care, it's not surprising that many people experience burnout. But it's not just work-related stress that can contribute to feelings of burnout. The household chores, long shifts, and a lack of much free time can also play a role. How to Deal With Burnout We will take a closer look at the effects of burnout, including physical symptoms, mental exhaustion, and emotional exhaustion. We will also discuss the early signs of burnout and what you can do if you feel like you're experiencing burnout. From the importance of self-care habits, such as a healthy diet, spending time with family members, and deep breathing, to seeking professional help, Dr. Rubin will provide guidance on how to address burnout and begin the recovery process. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by work stress, or if you're just curious about the topic, be sure to tune in. The good news is, it's never too late to take the first step towards improving your mental and emotional health. Whether you're dealing with burnout for the first time or have been struggling for a long time, this podcast will provide you with the tools and insights you need to feel better and regain your quality of life. You can find the full discussion and video presentation in the Embracing Intensity Guest Call Library. In this episode: Dr. Zarya Rubin introduces herself as a physician, functional medicine coach, and speaker Healing from burnout is crucial so people can share their gifts with the world Dr. Zarya shares her personal experience with burnout and the symptoms she experienced, such as exhaustion, anxiety, panic attacks, and irritability Burnout is more than just a stressful job, it can be caused by a lack of control and tasks that compete with one's sense of self, as well as issues with the company, goals, supervisors, or managers Compassion fatigue and its relationship to burnout The difference between stress and burnout Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress and can lead to chronic health concerns Personal factors, environmental factors, and work-related factors can all contribute to burnout Neurodivergent burnout and the impact of masking and executive dysfunction The prevalence of burnout during and after the pandemic Burnout is not the fault of individuals and steps can be taken to prevent and manage it, such as improving sleep and food, avoiding going from one high stress job to another, setting boundaries, reaching out for help, building resilience, and seeking help from a qualified professional Zarya discusses the reasons why people avoid seeking help and the high rate of physician and educator burnout Final thoughts from Zarya, "(Life's) not a dress rehearsal, it's the real deal." * Transcript Available * Resources: Get your FREEGuide to go from Burnout to BRILLIANCE! Dr. Zarya's website Email: hello@drzarya.com Follow Dr. Zarya on Instagram! 4-7-8 Breath Video Book: Thriving After Burnout Join our Community & Check out our calendar of upcoming events!

Exploring Gifted Kid Burnout Gifted kid burnout affects many smart kids and former gifted students who were once in gifted programs. As young adults, they often share a common theme of feeling burnt out and struggling with unrealistic expectations. The pressure to always achieve gold star grades and be at the top of the class can be overwhelming. Gifted programs, often found in grade schools and even at the national level, focus on high achievement and a fixed trait of being "gifted." But what happens when these young adults, who were once in gifted classes and AP classes, are faced with the reality of adult life and the expectations of society? They may struggle with a lack of motivation and a harmful perfectionism that can lead to chronic stress. This phenomenon, known as "gifted kid burnout," was first identified by Professor Carol Dweck, author of "Mindsets," and has been studied by the National Association for Gifted Children. It is a result of the fixed trait mindset that is often placed on gifted children, believing that their intelligence and abilities are innate and cannot be improved upon. This belief leads to unrealistic expectations and a lack of emphasis on the development of a growth mindset and good study habits. Manifestation of Gifted Kid Burnout This burnout can manifest in a variety of ways, such as a lack of motivation, harmful perfectionism, and chronic stress. For twice exceptional adults, who also have a neurodivergent condition, the experience can be even more challenging as they may have unique sources of stress in their daily lives and emotional needs. School systems and the current educational environment may contribute to this issue. Gifted education programs and advanced classes may not always take into account the social-emotional needs and unique sources of stress for these students. This can lead to lack of study habits and a type of mindset that is not sustainable in the long-term, resulting in burnout. About Cate Our guest today is Cate Osburn, also known as Catieosaurus on social media. She is an ADHD educator, a certified sex educator, and a disability advocate. Cate will share her personal experience with burnout as a twice exceptional adult and discuss her journey to finding balance and harmony in her passions and interests. Cate will also talk about how her experience in a gifted program, advanced classes, and the pressure to achieve good results in school led to unhealthy coping mechanisms and a lack of motivation in her daily life. We hope that her story will be a first step in understanding the experience of gifted kid burnout and the unique challenges faced by twice exceptional adults. In this episode: Cate Osborne, also known as Catieosaurus, is an ADHD educator and advocate, as well as a disability advocate who focuses on the connection between neurodiversity and sex and intimacy in relationships. Cate splits her time evenly between her interests in ADHD and inclusivity in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, making a career out of connecting seemingly unrelated things that overlap or are related. Cate's personal brand of intensity results in burnout and struggles with balancing intensity of passion as a full-time content creator discussing serious topics like mental health, sex, and intimacy. Cate's struggle with intensity is heightened as a neurodivergent person with ADHD and recently diagnosed with autism, and Difficulty in achieving balance is a myth, instead it's about finding harmony. Cate's intensity in childhood was characterized by intense curiosity and ADHD contributed to an interest in trying new things and having different hobbies. Cate's hobbies can be valuable in learning and leading to change in one's life. Cate started talking about the experience of being a gifted kid who is now burned out because of the pressure to always be the best. Aurora and Cate discuss how giftedness is often associated with being successful, but it can also result in burnout. Cate struggled with mixed messages about her self-worth and value as a gifted student growing up, and placed a lot of her self-worth in her academic success and being involved in activities and clubs. Cate's tendencies switched over to unhealthy coping mechanisms like people pleasing and perfectionism once she left school and had to start "living a life." * Transcript Available * Resources: Cate's Website Sign up for our Free Resource Library Join our Community & Check out our calendar of upcoming events!

The importance of neurodivergent community Neurodivergent individuals are those who think, process information, and experience the world in ways that differ from the neurotypical (i.e., not neurodivergent) population. The neurodiversity movement advocates for the recognition and celebration of neurodiversity as a natural and valuable form of human diversity, similar to cultural, racial, or gender diversity. Neurodivergence is an important facet of the human race. It seeks to create a more inclusive and accepting society for neurodivergent people. Finding neurodivergent community can play a crucial role in connecting with other like-minded folks. There are many different ways to be neurodivergent, and neurodivergent people may have unique ways of perceiving, learning, communicating, and interacting with the world. Neurodivergence can affect various brain functions such as attention, memory, and executive function, and can manifest in neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and more. These neurodevelopmental differences can also provide unique perspectives that can lead to creative problem-solving. Dominant societal standards have traditionally prioritized neurotypical values and perceptions, which can often leave out the rich perspectives of what neurodivergent people experience. The diversity of human brains and the ways in which they function can lead to new ideas and perspectives that can benefit society as a whole. By fostering an environment that is inclusive and accepting of neurodiversity, we can tap into the unique abilities and potential of neurodivergent people and create a more diverse and innovative society. Building a solid neurodiversity network can help others connect over their common traits, and explore their own style of neurocognitive functioning. Finding neurodivergent community The Embracing Intensity Community is a supportive online space for gifted, creative, and neurodivergent individuals. It is a place where members can connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges, and find support and understanding. The community is designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where members can discuss their unique perspectives, share their insights and skills, and explore their full potential. The goal of the Embracing Intensity Community is to empower gifted, creative, and neurodivergent individuals to embrace their intensity and to live fulfilling and meaningful lives. Other neurodivergent community resources There are a number of other ways that neurodivergent adults can find and connect with their neurodivergent community. Some options include: Online communities and forums: There are many online groups and forums specifically for neurodivergent people, where individuals can connect with others who share common experiences and challenges. Local support groups: Many cities and towns have support groups for neurodivergent people and their families. These groups can provide a sense of belonging, as well as practical advice and resources for navigating daily life as a neurodivergent person. Neurodiversity-focused events: There are often events and conferences focused on neurodiversity and the neurodiversity movement, where neurodivergent individuals can meet and connect with others. Professional organizations: There are professional organizations that advocate for and support neurodivergent individuals, such as CHADD, the Neurodiversity Project and the Dyslexia Foundation. You can also find local resources in many areas. College campuses: Colleges and Universities often have groups not only for neurodivergent students, but events for the larger community surrounding the school. By finding and connecting with other neurodivergent people, individuals can find support, validation, and a sense of belonging. Neurodivergent people may also be able to share their experiences and offer insights and advice to others. Additionally, the neurodiversity movement promotes greater understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent people within society, which can help create a more inclusive and equitable world for all. Neurodiversity advocates Neurodiversity advocates play an important role in promoting the acceptance and celebration of neurodevelopment differences and the unique ways in which people experience and perceive the world. They often share their personal experiences as neurodivergent individuals and work to educate others about the concept of neurodiversity. They may also work to highlight the strengths and abilities of neurodiverse people, as well as the challenges they face. By sharing stories and experiences, neurodiversity advocates can help to build understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals within society. The neurodiversity movement is often seen as a social justice movement, as it seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable society for neurodivergent people. Neurodiversity advocates work to raise awareness about the infinite variation in the way people's brains function and the diverse ways in which people experience the world. One of the key roles of neurodiversity advocates is to connect neurodivergent individuals with the various neurodiversity resources that are available. This may include information about support groups, educational resources, and professional organizations that can help neurodiverse individuals navigate their daily lives and achieve their goals. In addition to advocating for neurodiversity within society, neurodiversity advocates may also work to build strong and supportive social relationships within the neurodivergent community. By connecting with others who share common experiences, neurodivergent individuals can find support, validation, and a sense of belonging. Overall, the role of neurodiversity advocates is to promote understanding, acceptance, and celebration of the unique ways in which people's brains function and the diverse ways in which people experience the world. By doing so, they help to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. About Marc Marc Almodovar is a neurodiversity advocate, and the cofounder of the ADHD Men's Support Group, a group specifically for men who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Marc founded the group after his own personal experience with ADHD led him to feel isolated and misunderstood. He saw a need for a safe space where men with ADHD could connect with others who shared common experiences and challenges. Through the ADHD Men's Support Group, Marc aims to provide a sense of belonging and support for men with ADHD. He believes that by sharing stories and experiences, men with ADHD can find validation and understanding, and build strong and supportive relationships. Marc also hopes to raise awareness about the unique ways in which people's brains function and the diverse ways in which people experience the world, as part of the larger neurodiversity movement. Marc recognizes that mental illness can be stigmatized within society, and he hopes that the ADHD Men's Support Group can be a place where men with ADHD can feel safe and supported, regardless of their unique ways of thinking and experiencing the world. He believes that by fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance within the group, men with ADHD can work together to advocate for neurodiversity awareness and acceptance within society as a whole. He strikes a unique balance between positive feel-good stories and authenticity, without resorting to toxic positivity. ADHD Men's Support Group The ADHD Men's support group is a group specifically for men who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The group provides a space for men with ADHD to connect with others who share common experiences and challenges. One of the main goals of the ADHD Men's support group is to provide a sense of belonging and support for men with ADHD. Many men with ADHD may feel isolated or misunderstood due to the unique way in which their brains function and the neurodevelopment differences they experience. The ADHD Men's support group can provide a safe and supportive environment where men can share their experiences and find validation and understanding. In addition to providing support and a sense of belonging, an ADHD Men's support group can also serve as a resource for men with ADHD. Group members may share information about treatment options, coping strategies, and other resources that can help men with ADHD navigate their daily lives. The ADHD Men's support group can also be a place for men with ADHD to connect with others who share common interests and goals. Through group discussions and social interactions, men with ADHD can build strong and supportive relationships and work together to advocate for neurodiversity awareness and acceptance. Overall, the ADHD Men's support group can be a valuable resource for men with ADHD, providing support, validation, and a sense of belonging, as well as an opportunity to connect with others who share common experiences and goals. It can also be a place for men with ADHD to work towards social change and advocate for neurodiversity acceptance within society. In this episode: Marc Almodovar is a coach, speaker, and has ADHD He is passionate about community building and helping men with ADHD feel seen Marc started an online support group for men with ADHD and it has grown into a nonprofit organization The organization is the largest online community for men with ADHD It's goal is to educate, empower, and inspire men with ADHD through community Marc enjoys chatting with other people with ADHD He struggled with understanding and managing his ADHD and had low self-confidence as a result Cultural factors, including a lack of awareness, education and understanding about ADHD, affected Marc's ability to express himself and understand his own brain Marc did not have behavioral or impulsive issues, but he was often "toned out" or distracted He learned to tone himself down by learning to manage his time and energy, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care Marc has also learned to embrace his intensity and use it to his advantage by finding ways to channel it into his work and passions He has found that learning to manage his intensity has helped him to be more present and engaged in his relationships and activities Creating neurodivergent community: Marc uses his intensity to create a space for others to be themselves and feel seen His personal brand is built on transparency and listening to others Marc has harnessed the power of his intensity by being true to himself and embracing his strengths He has found that by putting himself in spaces where he can be himself, he is able to use his speaking and active listening skills to connect with others and make a positive impact. Marc uses affirmations to hype himself up and boost his confidence before speaking events He helps others use their fire by sharing his own experiences and learning openly and transparently Marc believes that honesty and transparency are important and encourages others to embrace their intensity and not worry about pleasing everyone Marc emphasizes the importance of self-care and setting boundaries to manage intensity He advises others to embrace their passions and find ways to channel their intensity into their work and hobbies Marc encourages others to be kind to themselves and remember that it's okay to not have everything figured out * Transcript Available * Resources: Join the Embracing Intensity Community & Check out our calendar of upcoming events! Join the ADHD Men's Support Group Follow the ADHD Men's Support Group on Twitter Follow Marc on Twitter

As neurodivergent creatives, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with too much stuff both in our environment and in our minds. We may be overrun with office supplies, craft supplies, and/or miscellaneous things that support our hyperfixations or latest hyperfocus. The ADHD brain is especially prone to mental clutter, and when our environment is a mess it's even harder to quiet our thoughts. On our last guest call, Nadja Carghetti shared how you can use Marie Kondo's approach to tidy your brain! Many people think you are either tidy or untidy, but the good news is that tidying is something you can learn! In Marie Kondo's book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she shares how we can systematically tidy our space by getting rid of things that don't spark joy. Marie Kondo's method of tidying can be applied to your mind as well as your stuff and help prioritize the things we spend our mental energy on. On this episode of Embracing Intensity, we share our talk with Nadja Carghetti, former tidying coach and host of the Unleash Monday Podcast, on Tidying Up Your Brain, Marie Kondo Style! In this episode: Why people's homes reflect their life. Nadja's experience of being a multipotentialite and interested in many things. How growing up messy in her tidy parents' house led her to believe you were either tidy or untidy. It took a long time to realize that tidying was something you could learn. The systematic decluttering process that can help you clear your space and mind. How learning the KonMari tidying method led to diving deeper into what brought her joy! Finding yourself through the process of tidying. Why tidying is considered a festival rather than a party. The 5 categories of things and the best order to sort them. Sorting through information overload to find the important bits. * Transcript Available * Links: Join Our Community! Embracing Intensity Membership

Building Self-Advocacy This week on Embracing Intensity, we share our talk with Dr. Matt Zakreski on self-advocacy skills. Self-advocacy is an important skill that can help you take charge of your own life and move toward greater freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. In this episode, we'll explore the concept of self-advocacy and how it can help us feel more empowered in our own daily life. The goal of self-advocacy is to actively advocate on your own behalf to get your needs met. To be a strong self-advocate, you have to have a clear understanding of your own needs. This is important because it will determine your goals and how you will achieve them. If you have a goal in mind, you need to have a plan to get there. The first step to positive change is to know what you are good at and what you are not good at. Explore how you can use your strengths to your advantage, and use your weaknesses as opportunities for growth. When you're trying to make a change, bringing in allies is powerful because it can give you insight into the world that you don't have. They can help you see things that you wouldn't have thought about. Gifted and neurodivergent folks often feel like they have to go it alone in their adult life. Self advocates use their support system such as colleagues, service providers, family members, or peer support. They aren't afraid to ask for help! Setting the Stage! It is very important to set the stage and prepare yourself for the conversation ahead of time so that you can be as successful as possible. The best way to do that is to set aside time to prepare and to have all of your notes and your ideas and your facts ready. This way you will be able to focus and be more effective during the conversation. Also, consider doing it at a time and in a place where you can expect to have success. Set up a good place and time to talk about your needs, but give enough context of what you'd like to discuss so the other person doesn't assume the worst. Before we start with self-advocacy, we also need to consider the person we are advocating to and understand that their strengths and challenges might not be the same as ours. We need to be specific and tangible and help them take ownership and buy into the solution. By taking on a leadership role in the conversation we can help guide its direction. In order to give yourself the best chance possible to succeed, you have to be prepared to be flexible and let go of rigid expectations. If you are getting resistance from your boss or others, it's a good idea to ask yourself, what do I need to do to get to the thing I want? Let them play a meaningful role in shaping what you need to do next. What new things can you try to improve the lives of people you're working with? What employment opportunities might forward your career? Supporting Long Term Success It is also helpful to consider the benefits to everyone and make it a win-win. Explore how you both get the most out of the situation, help build and strengthen relationships and improve the lives of others. Getting what you want in the moment may not pay off in the long run if it means burning a bridge. Communicating clearly and assertively can help get our own needs met without compromising the needs of others. It's important to be specific with your plan for following up or life might get in the way. Self-Advocacy is a lifelong process of constantly setting and re-setting boundaries. This process helps you to move forward in a positive way, towards being more successful as a self-advocate. Join us to learn more about self-advocacy with Dr. Matt! In this episode Good self-advocates get super clear on what they need. Tips for playing to your strengths, using your weaknesses as opportunities for growth, and taking steps to overcome them. Exploring your resources, connecting with allies, and recognizing the kind of help that's available. The importance of timing and coming prepared to set yourself up for success. Setting clear goals to improve our own lives and the lives of others. Developing meta-communication and self-determination skills. How flexibility can help us get what we need in the long run. Meeting in the middle to set up a win-win solution. Getting buy-in and setting everyone up for success. Communicating assertively instead of passively or aggressively. The importance of specific, tangible, and direct communication. Setting a clear plan to follow up for success. Resources: Matt's website Embracing Intensity Course Membership Join our Community & Check out our calendar of upcoming events! * Transcript Available on EmbracingIntensity.com *

I am so thrilled to get to share Dr. Kimberly Douglass' talk on Decolonizing Neurodivergence! From Violence to Love Do you ever wonder why we get into loops on social media platforms when we talk about neurodivergence? We have convinced ourselves this conversation is just about validating each other and understanding the traits of various conditions. The very definition of what it means to be neurodivergent is rooted in colonialist thinking and behavior. It's clear to me: we don't want to talk about the hard changes we have to make to ourselves, to our self-image; the hard changes we should demand from our society. We keep the conversation at the level of defining a problem; defining ourselves as the problem. We are willing to be the problem as long as we don't have to challenge ourselves, other people, our families, our employers, our communities, our worlds. You are not a problem!!! Write this down: YOU ARE THE WAY!!! But, you know we talk about neurodivergence in ways that allow the powerful to hold on to their power. We are more comfortable with this than risking being disliked, having things taken from us or feeling powerful inside our own skin. Even the word power makes us uncomfortable. These are the ways we have been taught. This is colonization.Regardless of what you have been taught, YOU are the way to transformation for yourself and for others. With guidance on how to think about neurodivergence, we can help see yourself just as you are! YOU are the way to this new understanding…. for yourself, for your team, for your community. Let's discuss here on my weekly blog: bit.ly/decolonizingndblog. About Kimberly: Dr Kimberly Douglass is the full-time owner of Kimberly Douglass, PhD, LLC. Dr Douglass and her team are designing a world in which neurodivergent people feel they belong. The team fuses disability advocacy with design thinking. Douglass' team designs digital and paper content, such as courses, ebooks, journals, workbooks and the Neurodivergently Thinking cards. Also, the team offers premium 1 to 1 coaching services. Dr Douglass' signature product is her Decolonizing Neurodivergence course. Dr Douglass and her team design tools that validate the neurodivergent experience. The team's content and services challenge everyday processes that marginalize and shame neurodivergent people. Dr Douglass became a full-time business owner after working as staff, peer-reviewed researcher, faculty and administrator in higher education for over 17 years. She began the advocacy work over 12 years ago, when she became the chief advocate for her Son who is neurodivergent. She has since gotten more in touch with her own neurodivergence. Dr Douglass is married to Dean Tate and lives in Tennessee. Douglasskimberlylynn@gmail.com In this episode, Kimberly Shares: Her thoughts on growing up neurodivergent and breaking from the system. Moving from seeking validation to examining systems. Some common threads of neurodivergence. How we are living in a culture of consumption. Why no one wins under the current capitalist paradigm. Creating an agenda to make change. Why neurodivergence often comes with trauma. Examining how do we know what we think we know? The focus on compliance in our schools. Why we accept less, and deserve ease & flow. What neurodivergence Brings to the table. Supporting each other & building relationships. Examining our own systems we live in. Moving away from defensiveness & denial to make positive change. The elements of white supremacy culture. How you can support Kimberly's work! Resources: Transcript Available on Embracing Intensity's Website Support Kimberly's work and receive the first Decolonizing Neurodivergence Book! Join our Community & Check out our calendar of upcoming events! Access our Course and Content Membership including our past Guest Call Library

Taking a little pause to focus on moving & back end stuff.

Today's episode is a recording of our talk with Leela Sinha on the intersection of neurodivergence and gender. This is definitely not an "inside-the-box" topic. You can find the full discussion in the Embracing Intensity community at community@embracingintensity.com. Show Highlights: The overlap between autism and gender diversity How neurodivergence is defined as a very broad umbrella term for the different ways that people's brains function Why the definition of queerness has changed over time but is still used as an umbrella term The overlap between queerness and neurodivergence How growing up with a different sense of known reality will cause attitudes and moves of self-protection How deconstruction occurs in society and feels "right" to stigmatized people Why identifying as non-binary or trans has become trendy as people have become more aware of their options for exploration Challenges in the non-binary gender spaces because of bias even in inclusion views How a fully nourishing environment helps neurodivergent kids understand their options and feel safe to express themselves How the progression occurs in media representation for queer representation and non-binary representation How pathologizing neurodivergence or queerness can affect a person's ability to access resources and care Why accessibility is often not accounted for in the help and support spaces Resources: Connect with our community: community@embracingintensity.com Connect with Leela Sinha: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and www.leelasinha.com

We all have our "beyond our wildest imagination" dreams that we never realistically hope to achieve. This is not true for today's guest. She truly is living her dream in a place she never thought possible, and she's teaching others to reach for the unimaginable also. Join us to learn more! Sadie Smiley created Passive Income Pathways, where she gives expert advice about online businesses and how passive income can help achieve your wildest goals. She pushes people to learn how to make full-time money with part-time work, teaching them to "create, sell, kick ass, and repeat." Show Highlights: Why Sadie is intensely passionate about helping people make money beyond their wildest dreams The key to Sadie's success: networking with others with different superpowers as a trade-off for the things she doesn't love to do How Sadie's personal brand of intensity in being "too much" means that she submerges herself 100% into whatever she does Why a time audit color code can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs How to charge your "happy price" and feel good about it How Sadie, with ADHD and autism, was a gifted student with good grades who had problems following rules How Sadie helps clients make money, no matter what barriers they have How Sadie learned where she was "masking" herself and learned to feel loved, cared for, and respected through the love of her husband How Sadie's intensity has felt out of control many times because of her neurodiversity and personality issues, but she has learned to "grow through" the intensity How Sadie uses her fire for good in channeling her intensity into coaching and helping others How Sadie feels safe in her life now and doesn't worry about doing things wrong "according to the experts" Why showing up consistently for her family, clients, and readers has helped Sadie manifest everything she has achieved How to focus on something small that is within your control when you feel the "shame spiral" Why Sadie loves helping others identify their passions and interests to give them what they need Sadie's parting advice: "Work hard on showing up authentically and with consistency. Do something every day to move your business forward, and success will be the only option. Picture your wildest, craziest dream–and then work backward from it to show up every day to make it happen." Resources: Connect with Sadie at www.sadiesmiley.com or here to learn about the Passive Income Pathways membership program. Visit www.embracingintensity.com/community for more information and to learn about future events!