Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay

During this episode, Mona and Manecia talk openly and honestly about some of the unintentional hurt and pain that they have both caused in their relationships, as well as what their partners may have done in past or present relationships.  When you don't know you are in neurodiverse relationship, or you know, but don't have the skills and tools needed to navigate the challenges and differences between the two different neurotypes, lots of arguments, disagreements, meltdowns and shutdowns can lead to unintentional hurt, pain and trauma.  None of these create harmony and peace in any relationship, however in a neurodiverse relationship, having the same fight over and over again, without learning any new skills to navigate this path, can create so much unintentional trauma for both partners.  Finding resources and/or a counselor, or coach ,who has expertise in translating both partners  experiences through a neurodiverse lens, can help change "barely surviving" to "thriving".  However it is also important to remember that the journey to "thriving", is often filled with lots of patience, compassion and a desire to understand yourself and your partner! If you are interested in learning more about "Neurodiverse Love" relationships, check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to join one of our free "Neurodiverse Love" peer support groups, please send us an e-mail at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love If you would like to be a guest on the "Neurodiverse Love" podcast, please send us an email or a DM on Instagram. Please subscribe to the podcast or follow us, so that you don't miss any of the upcoming episodes. Thanks for being a part of the "Neurodiverse Love" journey.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kim Bolling, a couples therapist with expertise in neurodiverse counseling, shares her transition from software engineering to therapy. She explores the Internal Family Systems framework, helping couples understand their emotional 'parts' to enhance communication and resolve conflicts. Listeners learn about the importance of explicit communication, coping mechanisms like masking in relationships, and practical tools to foster empathy and intimacy. With a focus on self-awareness and emotional validation, Dr. Bolling provides valuable insights for nurturing neurodiverse love.

A transformative journey unfolds as Alina navigates her 24-year marriage after her husband's recent ASD diagnosis. She shares how understanding neurodiversity has clarified longstanding communication barriers, leading to forgiveness and healthier dialogue. The couple's experience highlights the challenges and joys of raising five sons, emphasizing teamwork and structure. Alina's reflections reveal the profound impact of empathy and patience in cultivating a thriving partnership amid the complexities of neurodiversity.

We are issuing a "trigger warning" for this episode, as we are talking about food addictions and other addictions that some of our listeners may be dealing with and may be very sensitive about.   During this episode, Mona and Manecia talk with an anonymous guest who has been dealing with food addiction issues and has recently realized that she was using food to fill voids in her life and her neurodiverse relationship.  Mona and Manecia also share how they have used food as their "drug of choice", as it brings instant gratification and helped increase dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, the "happy hormones".  Understanding why we  become addicted to food and other substances (or activities like sex, porn, shopping, exercise, gambling) can help us all lead a healthier life, however facing those issues that have led us to the addiction can be a challenge. For those dealing with a food addiction, Mona recommended the book "Bright Line Eating" by Susan Peirce Thompson, Ph.D. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you are interested in learning more about Neurodiverse Love Relationships please check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to join one of our free Neurodiverse Love peer support groups you can e-mail us at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com or you can DM us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, please feel free to e-mail us or send us a DM. Thank you for listening to this episode and we hope you  follow us or subscribe and that you will share this podcast with others who may be interested in this topic. Thank you for joining us on the Neurodiverse Love journey.

For her doctoral dissertation, Dr. Pnina Arad conducted ground-breaking research with women in neurodiverse relationships and published her book, "When Your Man is On the Spectrum-To Know, Understand and Transform Your Relationship" to share all that she learned during her research.  During this episode, Pnina provides us with insightful information that will help provide neurodiverse couples with ways in which they can better understand each other and begin to build a healthy neurodiverse relationship.    Our discussion about some of the key differences and misunderstandings that neurodiverse couples may be experiencing can help both partners navigate their different social, emotional and thinking world that they both may find confusing.  In addition, we talk about the "Lost Generation" of autistic adults that never received supports they may have benefited from, because when they were growing up in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, at a time when Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder were not diagnoses in the DSM. One of the many important lessons that listeners can take away from this episode is that each partner has strengths, needs to work to understand their triggers and opportunities for improvement, and that both partners can work together to make accommodations and changes to create a healthy "Neurodiverse Love" relationship. Pnina lives in Israel where many autistic people are not diagnosed and she is one of the only professionals in Israel providing coaching to neurodiverse couples. We hope that after you listen to this podcast you will purchase Pnina's phenomenal book, "When Your Man is On the Spectrum-To Know, Understand and Transform Your Relationship".   You can contact Pnina at pninacoaching@gmail.com or check out her "Lead Up"  website at: www.lp.vp4.me Check out more information on Neurodiverse Love relationships on our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to join one of our free peer support groups for the neurotypical or autistic partner in a Neurodiverse Love relationship, please feel free to e-mail us at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com or send a DM on Instagram @neurodiverse_love  Please subscribe to the Neurodiverse Love podcast and share this episode (or others) with people you know who may be in a Neurodiverse Love relationship. Thanks for being a part of the worldwide "Neurodiverse Love" journey:-)

During this episode you will hear from two of the four co-founders and coaches in the "Loving Difference" on-line community.  This site was created to help individuals and couples learn how to thrive in life and in their neurodiverse relationships. Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks share some of the lessons they have learned in their neurodiverse relationships and provide insightful information and strategies on how they have managed and worked through the ups and downs in their neurodiverse marriages.  Their honesty, sense of humor and passion for helping others thrive is both inspirational and educational. You can join the "Loving Difference" on-line community at www.lovingdifference.net and you can reach Natalie and Heather through the site. In addition, you can following Natalie on Instagram @neurodiverserelationshipcoach or contact her through her website at: www.natalieroberts.com-The Asperger's Relationship Coach. If you would like to get more information on neurodiverse relationships please check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com You can also follow us on Instagram@neurodiverse_love If you would like to join one of our free Neurodiverse Love Peer Support Groups for the neurotypical or autistic partner you can send an email to neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com or send a DM on Instagram. Thanks for listening to the podcast and for being a part of the Neurodiverse Love community.  

During this episode, Sarah and Larry Nannery share the lessons they have learned during their 10 year Neurodiverse Love relationship. Their motto is "Better Together" and it is clear that they personify this motto.  Sarah sought a diagnosis after she became a parent and realized that managing all of her new responsibilities was more then she was prepared for, and at 31 she received a formal ASD diagnosis.  She has now taken some of the lessons she has learned on her journey and partnered with Larry to write "What to Say--Successful Communication in Work, Life, and Love with Autism Spectrum Disorder". Throughout their relationship, both Sarah and Larry have worked hard to become a better version of themselves, individually and as a couple,. After hearing a piece of their story, it is clear that that may be one of the most important factors in a successful neurodiverse relationship.  They both share great insight about the ways in which they address their social and emotional differences, as well as the ways in which they think about and process their family life and their relationship. Larry shared how he believes that we are all different in some way and we should focus on our unique traits and strengths, so that we can learn who we are and how those traits are presenting in all the relationships we are in.  In addition, we had a great discussion about parenting and family life and how important self-care, structure and knowing what the plan is are for Sarah.  Several things that were said during the podcast showed the genuine compassion, love and respect that Sarah and Larry have for each other. Sarah shared that when she is on emotional or sensory overload she knows that she can come home and "Larry will take care of her" and those words were such a wonderful expression of the trust and safety that their relationship provides.  In addition, when Sarah was talking about the challenges of parenting, Larry stopped and said "Sarah you are a wonderful mother" and although we couldn't see Sarah's face, she probably had a big smile when he said that.  This is a part of what makes their neurodiverse love so special.  Sarah and Larry share the way in which Neurodiverse Love can thrive and how each partner in the relationship can feel safe to be themselves and be supported and understood.  We know you will really enjoy meeting Sarah and Larry:-) You can follow Sarah on Instagram or Twitter @sarahnannery or you can check out her website at sarahnannery.com We also hope you will buy their new book.  It provides excellent insight and strategies on how to communicate effectively in all types of relationships. If you would like to join one of the free Neurodiverse Love Peer Support Groups for the neurotypical or autistic partner, you can send us an email at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com or send us a DM on Instagram @neurodiverse_love For more information on neurodiverse relationships please check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you are a neurodiverse couple or one of the partners in a neurodiverse relationship and would like to be a guest on the podcast, please send us a DM or e-mail. Thanks for being a part of the Neurodiverse Love journey.  Please subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with others who you know who might benefit from hearing it.

During this episode we talk about whether it's important to have a formal ASD diagnosis to understand the best ways to create a successful relationship.  No one can make this decision for you, however Mona and Manecia discuss how they feel about the different ways to understand that you and your partner have different neurotypes.  They also discuss the value of disclosing that you are autistic while dating.  Whether you or your partner have a formal diagnosis, are self diagnosed or you suspect that one or both of you may be on the autism spectrum, this episode will give you things to think about and consider as you move forward on your neurodiverse journey. If you would like more information about neurodiverse relationships check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to join the Neurodiverse Love peer support groups for the neurotypical or the autistic partner please send us an e-mail at neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com or send a DM on Instagram @neurodiverse_love If you would like to be a guest on the Neurodiverse Love podcast and share your relationship story please send us an email or a DM on Instagram. Thanks for listening and please follow this podcast and share it with others who may be interested in this topic:-)

To celebrate the one year anniversary of the Neurodiverse Love podcast, Mona and Olga are co-hosting this special episode to talk about some of the important lessons they have learned in their various neurodiverse relationships.  During the first season, at the end of each podcast episode, lessons learned have been shared about the topic that was discussed.  During this special episode, some of those important lessons are revisited. Mona and Olga started this podcast a year ago, because they hoped that sharing their stories about their Neurodiverse Love relationships would help at least one person, or one neurodiverse couple.  Knowing that there have been almost 5500 plays of the Neurodiverse Love podcast, Mona and Olga are so thankful that people all over the world are learning that they are not alone and there are others who have been in neurodiverse relationships.  Throughout the last year SO many people have sent emails or DM's on Instagram to say thank you for sharing our lived experiences and lessons learned and Mona and Olga are thankful that Neurodiverse Love is making a difference for so many of you.  Thanks to all of you for your support, we are so proud to be able to be a part of your neurodiverse journey. If you are the neurotypical or neurodivergent partner in a Neurodiverse Love relationship and would like to join one of our free Peer Support Groups please DM us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love or email us at neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com Also, please feel free to check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to be a guest on the Neurodiverse Love podcast please send us a DM on Instagram or an email. Thanks for being a part of the Neurodiverse Love journey.  We are SO glad that our lived experiences and lessons learned have been helpful to hundreds of people all over the world:-)

During this episode, Mona and Manecia have the pleasure of talking with communication expert, Dr. Ali Arena.  Ali has been working for years with autistic children, parents and neurodiverse couples to help them improve their communication skills.  During our conversation, Ali provides so many insightful and helpful strategies for dealing with black and white thinking, different processing styles, and emotional differences that can help neurodiverse couples understand each other better.  We also explore why each neurotype may have so many challenges understanding their partners communication methods and reactions.  This is definitely an episode you don't want to miss! To learn more about Ali, or to schedule an appointment with her, please check out her website at: aliarenacommunications.com (***We apologize for the technical difficulties we had at various times throughout the episode) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For additional resources on neurodiverse relationships  please check out the "Neurodiverse Love" website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to participate in the "Neurodiverse Love" peer support group please send a DM on Instagram @neurodiverse_love or send an e-mail to: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com To listen to the podcast episodes in Season 1 please check out the bio link on the Instagram page. Thanks for listening and please share this episode with others that you think might be interested in learning more about neurodiverse relationships.