Differently Brained

Buckle up benevolent audience and listen to us get a little hot under the collar in this episode. This time we've talking about the "Neurodivergent Tax" and how it affects us and makes us more than a bit cranky at times. This is one of those times. The Neurodivergent Tax is, to be very brief, the extra cost involved in simply existing as a member of society when you are neurodivergent. Things such as paying for medication and therapy are obvious things, but what about buying obsolete things because you forgot you already had the same thing at home? Or having to pay late fees for things that you rented or borrowed that completely went out of your mind? Jacinta and Lachlan also discuss the ways they personally handle dealing with this tax. Enjoy! Resources mentioned: The National Debt Helpline Ph: 1800 007 007

Hello friends, welcome to the Differently Brained Masquerade! We are delighted to have your attention while we ramble on about something very common amongst neurodivergent folks: Masking! We've mentioned it in episodes before, but haven't ever dedicated a whole episode - UNTIL NOW! Jacinta and Lachlan talk about why they mask, how they mask, what they mask, when they mask, and where the mask - the full gamut, really. Enjoy and watch out potentially for another episode on the topic in the future!

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan chat with occupational therapist and neurodiversity advocate Frances McCafferty about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), autonomy, and what it means to create truly neurodiversity-affirming spaces. Frances, who founded Embrace Neurodiversity with her husband, shares her personal perspective as an autistic PDAer, what PDA actually feels like from the inside, how demands can show up in surprising ways, and why safety and choice matter so much. Frances talks about how she balances her roles as a peer researcher, therapist, and advocate — and how we, at large, can all do better to support PDAers at home, school, work, and beyond! You can find more about Embrace Neurodiverity here. The website for PDA Society can be found here. We couldn't find the exact clip from "Everything's Gonna Be Okay" by Josh Thomas, so here's a trailerfor the first season of the show. It is currently no longer streaming on iview or any other service, but may be available elsewhere.

This week Jacinta and Lachlan talk to artist and academic Drew Pettifer. As an austistic ADHDer, Drew chats about growing up queer and neurodivergent, finding connection through creativity, and why telling overlooked stories—especially queer ones—matters so much (as well as the intersections between queer identity and neurodivergent identity). It's a fascinating interview and was a pleasure talking with Drew. You're bound to learn something along the way! You can find Drew's website here, as well as his RMIT profile here. Resources: websiteRMIT profile"Queering the Paradigm" - Talking Pictureswebsite"Neuroqueer Artists with ADHD Gain Visibility in a Photo Series" - ADDitudewebsite"Neuroqueer Heresies""Defiant" by Athena Lynn Michaels Dillon & Michael Scott Monje Jr.

It's getting colder out there, listeners, so why not curl up with an episode of Differently Brained and a cozy video game? Lachlan and Jacinta chat about what a cozy game is (and what it isn't), how they help us regulate and feel safe and calm, and some recommendations for you to try out. Resources: Gaming statistics in Australia - Australia Plays 2023 Report - Interactive Games and Entertainment Association Reuters article - Cozy comfort: new research backs up what games have thought for years: video games can be an antidote to stress and anxiety Önnberg, M. (2024). Cozy games and their impact: An exploration study of coziness in games. - http://his.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1881616 Bowdidge, S. (2024). Cosy games: How games such as Animal Crossing help mental health, BBC News - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglk8wl3lylo https://wholesomegames.com/

You must listen to this podcast episode before venturing forth! Gather one and all and listen as Lachlan interviews Jess C. Wheatley and Declan Nathan about a hobby that is growing seemingly exponentially in popularity and accessibility - Dungeons and Dragons (or, more broadly, tabletop roleplaying games). We discuss how these games have helped people to express their creativity, explore their personalities, develop social skills and provide a safe space for many neurodivergent folks. BIOGRAPHIES: Declan Nathan Declan has been dealing with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD for his entire life. However, in the last ten years he got involved with his local tabletop role playing game community, and it has changed how he approaches stress and social anxiety. Jess C Wheatley Jess was raised in the Hinterland behind Byron Bay. She is a regional writer and director who revels in rip roaring stories with supernatural twists and heart. Her award-winning short script, The Call Out, led to a spot in 2023’s WeScreenplay’s Shorts Lab, while her TV pilot Alternate was awarded an Ian Potter Emerging Artist Grant to attend the 2024 Stowe Lab Writers Retreat in Connemara, Co. Galway. In 2020 Wheatley was selected for Screenworks Career Pathway Program ‘Inside The Writers Room’ and the ‘Write From Home’ initiative run by Screenworks and the AISF. A production designer, illustrator and storyboardist, Jess also holds 1st class honours in her Masters of Screenwriting. When not writing, she works in disability education support and runs D&D on weekends for kids through an NDIS social hub. Check out Jess's Portfolio here! Also check out her Instagram! RESOURCES: AusCare Social Clubs A brief primer if you want to know more about D&D

Writer Alaina Dean joins Jacinta and Lachlan in "the studio" to talk about her approach to literary rejections. She has been undertaking a years long project to get her writing out to as many publications as possible and, in the meantime, accrue 100 rejections! Somehow Alaina managed to find a secret cheat code that allows her to re-frame what it means to succeed. Listen to find out! Resources: https://www.instagram.com/alainaddream/?hl=en https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/alaina-is-aiming-for-100-rejections-she-says-we-should-all-embrace-our-failures-20250402-p5logt.html https://lithub.com/why-you-should-aim-for-100-rejections-a-year/ https://www.clippings.me/users/alainadean https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/21194493.Alaina_Dean https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-dean-93867b196/?originalSubdomain=au https://www.goodfriendresumes.com.au/about-1

Welcome back to the Differently Brained soapbox! We have started releasing these on a fortnightly basis, but it seems right to share this one with you all right off the back of part 1. We hope you didn't actually dump your smartphones after listening to the last episode. Especially because in this one Jacinta and Lachlan discuss how they might actually be, you know, kinda good for mental health. Maybe? Just a little? From accessibility, sensory regulation, and connecting to people when you feel isolated - many of these things are made so much easier with smartphones. Let us know what you think!

It's the 21st Century and Smartphones are commonplace. Perhaps TOO commonplace! In part one of this "deep dive" (into their own personal relationships with smartphones), Jacinta and Lachlan chat about just how much smartphones suck and what they do to their mental health. But we like to be fair (and balanced) at Differently Brained), so make sure to tune in next time for counterarguments to our own arguments. And if you're listening to the episode on your smartphone, wait until after you have finished listening before dumping it!

This is fine. Everything is fine. Doomscrolling -- the very contemporary phenomenon that so many of us just can help but fall victim to! Jacinta and Lachlan chat about what Doomscrolling is, why we do it, what it does to the brain, and maybe how we can mitigate it. RESOURCES: Doomscrolling: Stop the scroll, protect your mental health - Alisa BowmanHow to Stop Doomscrolling—With Psychology - Kenneth R Rosen Sharma B., Lee, S. S., & Johnson, B. K. (2022). The Dark at the End of the Tunnel: Doomscrolling on Social Media Newsfeeds. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 3(1: Spring 2022). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000059Dr. A. Shaji George, A.S. Hovan George, Dr. T. Baskar, & Dr. M. M. Karthikeyan. (2024). Reclaiming Our Minds: Mitigating the Negative Impacts of Excessive Doomscrolling. Partners Universal Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 1(3), 17–39. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13737987

Sorry for the delay with this one! Today, Jacinta and Lachlan are joined by two guests, the inimitable Clem Bastow and Jo Case! They have just released a beautiful new anthology titled Someone Like Me, which showcases works of creative nonfiction and memoir of Autistic women and gender-diverse people. It was a pleasure to chat with them, and we hope to have them back on the show some day! Resources: Clem's Bio Jo's Bio Blindboy Podcast (Episode featuring Paddy Considine) Heartbreak High The Boy Who Could Fly Autistic Culture Podcast (Episode on Hans Christian Andersen) Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery Little Women - Louisa May Alcott The Good Place Parks and Recreation

Are you in need of some education on ADHD? Or perhaps some advocacy and youth work? Or maybe even a DJ for your event? Well look no further - in today's episode Jacinta talks to Georgia Zentrich, The ADHD Educator. They discuss ADHD stigma, managing schedules, the challenges posed by the mental health care system, and more (including DJing) Georgia has an Instagram And you can find the resources mentioned in the episode below. REFERENCES: It's A Lot Podcast with Abby Chatfield Interview with G-Flip William Dodson - Interest Based Nervous System How Simone Biles Turned ADHD into Her Superpower Heartbreak High Geek Girl

This one is a bit late, apologies all! In today's episode, Jacinta tells us all about her recent journey through Europe. How did it affect her? How can neurodivergent people prepare themselves for travel? Was it worth it? Are Jacinta and Lachlan the most beautiful singers you've ever heard? Jump aboard and find out!

Join us in welcoming back Ashley Kalagian-Blunt - author, podcaster and friend of the show. In this episode we chat about her brand new book, 'Cold Truth', a tech-noir crime thriller. The conversation delves into the writing process, cybersecurity, technology anxiety, crypto-currency warnings, and more! ASHLEY'S BOOKS: COLD TRUTH — Ashley Kalagian Blunt DARK MODE — Ashley Kalagian Blunt HOW TO BE AUSTRALIAN — Ashley Kalagian Blunt MY NAME IS REVENGE — Ashley Kalagian Blunt Also, check out the podcast James and Ashley Stay at Home REFERENCES: The Age of Magical Overthinking | Book by Amanda Montell | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

It's a new year, friends, and a brand new season of Differently Brained! We're really excited to get back into the swing of things and give you all a year's worth of podcast goodness with different brains aplenty. Just like in 2024 we've come up with two new 'guiding words/intentions' for 2025 (No Spoilers as to what we chose, you'll just have to listen!) Welcome back, y'all, we missed you! REFERENCED IN THE SHOW: 'Not Perfect' by Tim Minchin 9 Life Lessons - Tim Minchin UWA Address 'You Don't Have to Dream' by Tim Minchin (book)

Who's that guy? Who's that guy? It's Rutho! Welcome to the second of our wrap up episodes for 2024. This time, Lachlan looks back on the year and his intention of "RECALIBRATING". Some of the resources mentioned: The Pulling | Book | Scribe Publications (Adele's Book) WISE Employment | Disability Employment Services | Workforce Australia | NDIS Watch BEEF | Netflix Official Site Lana Eileen (@lana.eileen.art) • Instagram photos and videos | Spotify Profile

We're back baybeeeeeeee! And not a moment too soon (considering the end of the year is hurtling towards us). In this, our first of two wrap-up episodes, Jacinta reflects on the year that was. Has she, indeed, "BUILT"? Some of the resources mentioned: The Pulling | Book | Scribe Publications (Adele's Book) Simply Happy Organisation - Narelle King - Professional Organiser - Yoga Teacher Candles – Lavender Moon Candle Co Mel Watson - Speaker, Mentor, Burnout & HR Expert

Okay, we know, this one is a bit late and hastily edited, but nevertheless it is here! A supercut of many of our guest episodes from series 1 of Differently Brained sharing their favourite resources and representations dealing with mental health and neurodivergence. Of course, if you want something more comprehensive, do go back and listen to the full episodes. In speaking order, the guests you will hear from are: Orion Kelly Kay Kerr Matt Bruyninckx Mel Watson Min Lou Kylie Maslen Suzanna Poredos Claudia-Barriga Larrivière Brandon Harvey Steph Liz Cuthbert Miranda Luby Kirk Cetinic Amanda Tattersall Dani Vee Ashley Kalagian Blunt Davina Bell Alicia Elliott Jess and Bonnie Flint Below are links to as many of the resources and references mentioned that can be found: RESOURCES: Amaze — Creating an autism inclusive AustraliaAlways Angelic Aspie AlicePeer-to-Peer Support - Our Programs - GROW AustraliaPeer CARE Companion Warmline | Roses in the OceanAlternatives to Suicide in Australia – Alt2Su – NSW (alt2su-nsw.net)The Rapids by Sam Twyford-MooreSupport for Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | Butterfly FoundationEating in the Light of the Moon by Anita JohnsonJames Ward-Sinclair, Author at Autistic & UnapologeticScaling Change — On making change big and small | by Amanda Tattersall | MediumAmanda Tattersall – MediumThe School of Life - YouTube ChannelJames and Ashley Stay at HomeYou Are LightUnderstanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness by Teresa M. TwomeyLove & Autism by Kay KerrI Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder: A Memoir by Sarah Kurchakpaige layle - YouTube ChannelDani DonovanBetter Late Than Never by Emma Mahony & Sari SoldenA Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden & Michelle Frank REPRESENTATIONS: Heartbreak HighHelen Hoang'Peta Lyre's Rating Normal'Everything's Gonna Be OkayHannah GadsbySex EducationFiskJulie and JuliaMalcolm in the Middle 'Hal fixing a lightbulb'Modern Family 'Phil's ADHD'Bojack HorsemanMaria BamfordOld Baby'Lady Dynamite'Silver Linings PlaybookCrazy Ex-GirlfriendPlease Like MeBookTV Show'Arm Floaties'Fantasia 'Flamingo Scene''To This Day' TED TalkKelly Clarkson's Spotify discography360 feat Seth Sentry - 'Closer''Alone With You In The Ether' by Olivie BlakeSilver Linings Playbook'Bloodlines' series by Richelle MeadModern Love series 1 episode 3Tim Sharp and 'Laser Beak Man'Kate DiCamilloSaint MaudThe Babadook

DISCLAIMER: As always it's important to state that we at Differently Brained are not medical professionals, and this episode contains our personal testimonies of being on medication. Furthermore, we have always been staunchly in favour of treatment for mental illness. The experiences in this episode have been shared as a means of conversation, and not for the dissemination of advice or education. _________________ Sometimes the best things in life come with terms and conditions. Jacinta and Lachlan chat about their own experiences of side effects of taking medication. And if you're reading this, don't forget to take your meds!

DISCLAIMER: All information presented in this episode was correct at the time of recording in July of 2024. Since then, some circumstances have changed, namely the Minister for the NDIS. ____________________________________________________________ The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) - great idea, almost consistently failing in practice. There are a lot of folks who have had issues trying to get on to the NDIS, receive their entitlements, and generally not feel like they're a 'burden' on society. Jacinta is one such individual, and this week Lachlan asks her about the gauntlet she ran to try to be approved for the NDIS. We know that there are a lot of other stories out there, too.