Divergent Conversations
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.
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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.
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Episode 30: Rewriting Neurodivergent Narratives...
Labels can have a profound impact in the way neurodivergent individuals are perceived by others and themselves. Labels both originate from and shape narratives that can shift the trajectory of how life is experienced.
In this episode, Patrick Casale ...
69 min
52
Episode 29: Unmasking Rejection: Answering Ques...
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) impacts many aspects of your life and can be a driving force in how you manage relationships and internally process the world around you, so there are many nuances for it.
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Me...
43 min
53
Episode 28: RSD and Social Media: Exploring the...
If you struggle with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), navigating social media can be complicated.
Social media is both a place where many neurodivergent individuals are able to find connection and be seen, but it can also be a place where impuls...
43 min
54
Episode 27: Inside Rejection Sensitivity Dyspho...
Do you ever feel like you are more sensitive to rejection, teasing, criticism, or your own perception that you have failed or fallen short? Or maybe you know someone who seems to be particularly hard on themselves and reactive to others?
Everyone exp...
47 min
55
Episode 26: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask...
Do you wonder how life might differ between an Autistic individual without ADHD and an Autistic individual with ADHD?
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Amanda Diekman, mother of ...
65 min
56
Episode 25: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask...
Would you describe the way you feel as you walk through the world as having raw, exposed nerve endings? Or would you say that you just flow through the world able to smoothly transition throughout to day to handle whatever comes your way?
In this epi...
67 min
57
Episode 24: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask...
Ever wonder what the differences are between the ways non-Autistic ADHDers and Autistic ADHDers process and move through the world?
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Dr. Donna He...
54 min
58
Episode 23: Challenging Stereotypes About Autis...
Autism and narcissism can sometimes get lumped together in conversations, but despite there being some seemingly overlapping traits, it is important to not generalize all people with narcissistic traits as individuals with a narcissistic personality ...
41 min
59
Episode 22: Autism and Pregnancy Loss: An Autis...
Pregnancy loss is traumatic and the grief process that follows is complex. And when you are Autistic, the way you express grief and loss might not meet the expectations of society, which can result in feeling ashamed and isolated.
In this episode, P...
65 min
60
Episode 21: Taking Up Space: Navigating Social ...
Taking up space and asking for what you need in social settings and relationships can be particularly challenging for Autistic individuals, especially before Autistic diagnosis or discovery.
It is not uncommon for many Autistic people to respond stro...
34 min
61
Episode 20: Embracing Neuroqueer Identity: Quee...
Statistically, 70% of Autistic individuals identify as non-heterosexual, and genderqueer people are 3 to 6 times more likely to be diagnosed as Autistic than cisgender adults.
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental ...
62 min
62
Episode 19: Questions and Answers: Redefining I...
Many questions around identity often come up for adults who have been masking their whole lives and discover later in life that they are Autistic.
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, answer ...
43 min
63
Episode 18: Autistic Unmasking: Redefining Iden...
Identity is complex and interwoven into the world around us. But as Autistic individuals who wear a mask, identity is often not entirely shaped by ourselves. Late in life discovery of autism or ADHD can set off a cascading journey of self-discovery a...
34 min
64
Episode 17: Autistic and ADHD Self-Identificati...
Lived experience, awareness, self-identification, and self-diagnosis for autism and ADHD can have immense value, allowing us to connect with a community and share experiences that others may not fully comprehend. However, there are also risks of misd...
42 min
65
Episode 16: Autism and Healthcare: The Impact a...
Self-disclosure of an autistic diagnosis in medical situations or even everyday life is a very vulnerable thing to do, and there are so many results that can come from it.
Self-disclosure can result in both negative and positive experiences including...
49 min
66
Episode 15: Exploring the Intersection: Neurodi...
Do you ever feel like your immune system is working against you? You don’t know what’s wrong, no one else knows what’s wrong, you keep doing medical tests and it’s coming back normal or the pieces don’t add up.
Autistic people often experience a myri...
45 min
67
Episode 14: Autistic Masking: The Impact on Men...
There are a lot of nuances of Autistic masking, and it's become a sensitive and polarizing topic these days online and in social media.
With all the various opinions, information, and anecdotes out there, it can be confusing to understand what maskin...
49 min
68
Episode 13: When Little Things Feel Huge: Neuro...
Difficulty with unexpected changes or routine disruptions is a pivotal part of being Autistic and even small changes can result in a surge of irritation.
In regards to routine or plan changes, Dr. Neff described her feelings as an Autistic person: "O...
42 min
69
Episode 12: Demand Avoidance and PDA: Exploring...
In this episode, we explore demand avoidance, a common experience among neurodivergent people. We delve into the factors contributing to demand avoidance, including executive functioning challenges, sensory issues, and a desire for autonomy. Addition...
43 min
70
Episode 11: Sensory Overload and Social Engagem...
Socializing in groups can feel exhausting and often adds an entirely different level of complexity to the sensory experience and challenges for autistic individuals.
Patrick Casale, an AuDHD mental health therapist, shared his thought processes and s...
45 min
71
Episode 10: Understanding Alexithymia — Explori...
Picture the immense amount of energy invested in analyzing your emotional responses to every social interaction, striving to decipher not only your own feelings but also how the other person perceived the conversation. Or imagine navigating through l...
32 min
72
Episode 9: Travel and Autism — Exploring the Wo...
Travel and the act of experiencing people and places is something that is generally talked about with excitement, but for Autistic people, it can be a much more complex experience.
Patrick, who hosts entrepreneurial retreats for therapists all over t...
39 min
73
Episode 8: Autistic Emotions
Being an Autistic human often pairs with a complex relationship with emotions.
Just the question, "How do you feel," can feel so uncomfortable and spark anxiety, panic, and avoidance, often resulting in pre-planned responses or an answer that makes y...
40 min
74
Episode 7: Finding a Neurodivergent Affirmative...
Finding a neurodivergent affirmative therapist is important for individuals who are Autistic, have ADHD, or have another diagnosis.
However, it isn't always easy to connect with a therapist who is willing to explore their client's special interests, ...
52 min
75
Episode 6: Challenging Stigma Around Autistic T...
There can be a lot of stigma around autism and especially being an autistic therapist, which can make it even harder for autistic individuals to step into this career.
They may even be told that they can't be empathetic or relate to others in a way t...
44 min