Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast AuDHD and Then Some™ | Hosted by Ellie AuDHD Capstick

# Navigating Grief and Resilience with Caron Grossman

> A heartfelt conversation on loss, recovery, and self-discovery.

Caron Grossman’s journey weaves through the threads of grief, addiction, and recovery, offering profound insights on how to rebuild when life takes unexpected turns.

## The Essence of Caron

In a candid conversation, Caron reflects on her identity beyond her titles. "I truly think I am the same person I was when I was two," she shares, emphasizing that her core essence remains unchanged despite life’s challenges. This perspective invites us to explore our own identities through the lens of our experiences.

## A Life Marked by Loss

Carons life took a pivotal turn at the age of 13 when she lost her mother suddenly to a heart attack. This loss shaped her understanding of grief, but she insists, "I was me before my mom died." The suddenness of her mother's death left a void, one that she grappled with in solitude as her family struggled to communicate their grief. Despite this, Caron highlights the importance of being seen: "I lost that feeling of being seen... I love to offer people that option of being seen."

## The Power of Boundaries

In discussing her past, Caron acknowledges the challenges of accepting others' behaviors due to her empathetic nature. "It’s gotten me in a lot of trouble," she admits, but emphasizes how establishing boundaries has been crucial for her well-being.

## Learning from Grief

Carons ability to process grief was shaped by the lessons imparted by her mother before her passing. "She helped us go through that grief... but nobody else took that lesson," she reflects, highlighting the isolation that can accompany profound loss.

Through her story, Caron invites listeners to find strength in their vulnerabilities and to embrace the journey of healing, no matter how daunting it may seem.

As we close this chapter of Caron's story, consider the moments in your own life that have reshaped your identity. How do you see yourself amidst your experiences?

For a deeper dive into Carons journey and insights, listen to the full episode.

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains frank and detailed discussions about addiction, drug and alcohol use, cocaine, relapse, overdose, mental health, unhealthy relationships, shame and experiences during active addiction. Please listen with care and look after yourself if any of these topics may be difficult for you. ❤️

What happens when you stop using drugs or alcohol, but realise the addiction was only part of the story?

In this honest and deeply relatable conversation, Ellie is joined by Dr Sarah Michaud, a clinical psychologist, author and recovery advocate who has worked in addiction and codependency recovery for more than 30 years. Sarah has also been sober from alcohol and cocaine since 1984.

Together, Ellie and Sarah speak openly about their experiences of addiction, sobriety and what comes afterwards. They explore codependency, people-pleasing, unhealthy relationships, boundaries, self-worth and the emotional work involved in rebuilding your life.

They discuss why getting sober does not automatically resolve the patterns underneath addiction, how shame and guilt can keep us trapped, and why we can become consumed by trying to manage, rescue or change other people.

Sarah also shares her thoughts on dating and relationships after addiction, recognising what somebody’s behaviour is showing you and learning to trust yourself again.

One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation is:

“Pay attention to what somebody shows you, not just what they tell you.”

Topics include:

• Cocaine and alcohol addiction
• Sobriety and relapse
• Codependency and people-pleasing
• Shame, guilt and self-worth
• Boundaries and unhealthy relationships
• Emotional regulation
• Dating after addiction
• Rebuilding your identity and life
• Recovery beyond simply stopping the substance

Dr Sarah Michaud is the author of Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction and co-host of Leaving CrazyTown.

Find Dr Sarah Michaud:

Website:
https://drsarahmichaud.com

Leaving CrazyTown on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZDG7qs6C97F4jxVoszDeg

Leaving CrazyTown on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKllJMadLN1qB7YmeR_cxw

Book, Co-Crazy:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Co-Crazy-Psychologists-Recovery-Codependency-Addiction/dp/1736720430

Instagram and TikTok:
@LeavingCrazyTown

Find Ellie AuDHD:

https://www.ellieaudhd.com

⚠️ Content warning: This episode includes conversations about anxiety, panic attacks, trauma and mental health. Please listen with care and choose what feels safe for you.

Can psychics and intuitive practices change how we understand anxiety, healing and ourselves?

In this episode, Ellie is joined by Lisa Van Zuylen, also known as Soul Design Lisa. Lisa is an intuitive guide, energy practitioner and certified trauma practitioner who has spent more than 17 years helping people transform spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Lisa shares how experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks led her to explore meditation, spirituality and energy-based practices. Together, Ellie and Lisa discuss intuition, trauma, nervous-system regulation, holistic healing and what it can mean to reconnect with ourselves beyond conventional approaches.

Ellie also talks honestly about her previous understanding of psychics and how speaking with Lisa opened her mind to the many different ways intuition and psychic practices can be viewed.

This is a grounded, open-minded conversation about anxiety, spirituality, personal transformation and healing, with plenty of warmth, laughter and possibly the best bouncy blow-dry Ellie has ever seen, even though Lisa insists it isn’t a bouncy blow-dry.

Topics include:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Meditation and nervous-system regulation
• Intuition and psychic practices
• Trauma and emotional healing
• Spirituality and energy work
• Learning to trust yourself
• Finding hope through different approaches

This podcast shares personal experiences and general information only. It is not a replacement for professional medical or mental-health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Find Lisa Van Zuylen:

Website:
https://www.souldesignlisa.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/souldesignlisa/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/lisa.zuylen/

Book a consultation:
https://souldesignlisa.as.me/?appointmentType=26765679

Find Ellie AuDHD:

https://www.ellieaudhd.com

When Ellie and Jax get talking, the conversation quickly becomes raw, honest, funny and beautifully unfiltered.

In this episode, they explore neurodivergence, trauma, relationships, healing and the complicated journey towards accepting yourself as you are.

Ellie shares her lived experience of ADHD and autism, commonly known together as AuDHD, and reflects on the unexpected journey that led her into podcasting. What began with a humorous social media mishap has grown into a thriving platform and a Facebook community of more than 50,000 people, all centred around education, connection and support.

Jax opens up about their personal healing journey, including their experiences with trauma therapy, learning to establish healthier boundaries and navigating relationships while carrying the effects of past experiences.

Together, Ellie and Jax discuss:

• The realities of living with a neurodivergent mind
• Trauma, therapy and the ongoing process of healing
• Learning to recognise and establish healthier boundaries
• Navigating relationships while protecting your wellbeing
• The importance of community, authenticity and feeling understood
• How humour and vulnerability can help us connect

This conversation is a reminder that understanding neurodivergence is about far more than recognising a list of traits. It means listening to lived experiences, questioning harmful assumptions and creating space for people to be fully themselves.

Expect laughter, vulnerability, emotional honesty and plenty of wonderfully chaotic conversation. If you are navigating neurodivergence, trauma, difficult relationships or your own healing journey, this episode will remind you that you are not alone.

Content warning: This episode includes discussions about trauma, mental health and difficult relationship experiences. Please listen with care.

🐺 Find Jax and listen to Black Wolves Confessions with Jax on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6NHRtVKaaAyXKotzY2T61X

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes conversations about childhood and adult trauma, cancer, chronic illness, mental health and emotional distress. Please listen with care and choose what feels safe for you.

Can emotional trauma affect our physical health, and what role does the nervous system play in healing?

In this episode, Ellie is joined by Dr Noushin Izadifar Hart, a board-certified radiation oncologist with more than three decades of medical experience. Dr Hart brings together conventional medicine, trauma-informed care and a whole-person approach to health and wellbeing.

Together, they explore the connection between emotional stress, unresolved trauma, nervous-system dysregulation and physical health. Dr Hart discusses the importance of looking beyond symptoms, reducing fear around illness and helping people feel informed and empowered within their own healing journey.

They also talk about cancer, chronic illness, prevention, lifestyle, emotional regulation and why caring for the mind, body and nervous system can be such an important part of supporting our overall wellbeing.

This is an open and thought-provoking conversation about trauma, health, resilience and hope.

Please remember that this podcast is for information and lived-experience discussion only. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Find Dr Noushin Hart:

Healing by Hart:
https://healingbyhart.com

Hart to Heart Cancer Consultants:
https://h2hcc.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dr.hart2heart/

Find Ellie AuDHD:

https://www.ellieaudhd.com

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes detailed and potentially distressing conversations about school shootings, childhood sexual abuse, trauma, grief and other sensitive experiences. Please listen with care and choose what feels safe for you.

Author, entrepreneur and Jess Saying podcast host Jessica Danel joins Ellie AuDHD for one of the most unfiltered, shocking and unexpectedly funny conversations yet.

Jessica shares raw stories from her no-filter memoir, Bucket List from a Redneck Girl, including childhood trauma, motherhood, marriage, raising children with additional needs, building a million-dollar preschool business and finding the strength to begin again.

Despite the difficult subjects, Jessica brings warmth, honesty and humour to every story. The conversation feels less like an interview and more like two friends chatting at a bar about the experiences that shaped them.

Find Jessica, her podcast, book and social-media links at:

https://jesssaying.net

Find Ellie AuDHD:

https://www.ellieaudhd.com

Content note: This episode includes conversations about trauma, emotional overwhelm and mental health.

What does it really mean to be a highly sensitive person, and how can we learn to treat ourselves with greater compassion?

In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Cush, a licensed clinical professional counsellor, women’s life coach and highly sensitive person. We explore high sensitivity, anxiety, trauma, nervous-system overwhelm and the importance of learning to understand your own needs.

Elizabeth shares her personal and professional insight into why deeply feeling people can become overwhelmed, how past experiences affect the way we respond to the world, and why self-compassion is so important. We also discuss boundaries, people-pleasing, rest and learning to be kinder to ourselves instead of constantly believing we should be coping better.

This is a warm, honest conversation for anyone who feels deeply, becomes easily overwhelmed or has spent years believing they are simply “too sensitive.”

Topics include:

• What it means to be a highly sensitive person
• Anxiety, trauma and nervous-system overwhelm
• People-pleasing and boundaries
• Recognising your emotional needs
• Practising self-compassion
• Learning to work with your sensitivity rather than fighting it

Please follow AuDHD and Then Some for more honest conversations about ADHD, autism, trauma, mental health and the beautifully complicated reality of being human.

Find out more about Ellie AuDHD:
https://www.ellieaudhd.com

Find Elizabeth Cush:

Website: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenyourwisewoman/
Podcast: Awaken Your Wise Woman
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/64SRf073AoPVAAg8TEyc4i

Find Ellie AuDHD:

Website: https://www.ellieaudhd.com

The Great ADHD Myth: An AuDHD Panel Discussion on ADHD, Diagnosis, Medication & Lived Experience

What happens when the people actually living with ADHD get a seat at the table?

In this special panel episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie AuDHD Capstick is joined by her co-host Daran, aka Man on Pause, and a diverse panel of voices to discuss and respond to Channel 4’s The Great ADHD Myth.

Together, the panel explores some of the biggest and most controversial conversations surrounding ADHD today, including ADHD diagnosis, late diagnosis, ADHD medication, overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, neurodivergence, mental health, stigma, access to assessment and the reality of living with ADHD and AuDHD.

Rather than reducing ADHD to statistics, headlines or a television debate, this conversation puts real lived experience at the centre.

The panel shares personal perspectives on what ADHD actually looks and feels like, the impact of spending years without understanding your brain, the barriers people face when seeking diagnosis and support, and why conversations about ADHD need nuance, compassion and the voices of neurodivergent people themselves.

Expect disagreement, honesty, humour and some very big conversations.

Whether you're ADHD, AuDHD, autistic, questioning whether you might be neurodivergent, supporting someone with ADHD, or simply interested in the debate surrounding ADHD diagnosis in the UK, this episode offers perspectives that often get lost in the headlines.

With so much thanks, gratitude, kindness and appreciation to Chloe-Louise, Abdul-Ahad, Chris Anderson, Mick Miller, and, of course, our fabulous Daran Man on pause.

And last but absolutely not least, Angie Rhys.

Thank you all so much for giving your time, your voices, your experiences and your perspectives to this conversation. It genuinely wouldn’t have been the same without you. ❤️🌈

🎙️ AuDHD and Then Some, hosted by Ellie AuDHD Capstick

Topics include: ADHD, AuDHD, autism, ADHD diagnosis, late-diagnosed ADHD, ADHD medication, neurodivergence, ADHD assessment, ADHD stigma, mental health, lived experience, Channel 4's The Great ADHD Myth, and the ADHD diagnosis debate.

In this episode, I speak with the inspirational entrepreneur Joshua Griffin about everything from ADHD, school and diagnosis to business success, burnout, debt and starting again.

We talk about Joshua’s belief that ADHD can be a superpower when it is harnessed correctly. I agree, but with a very important emphasis on the words “harnessed correctly”, because ADHD can bring incredible drive, creativity and determination, while also making life and business incredibly difficult without the right understanding and support.

Joshua shares the honest story behind building a successful company, experiencing major losses and finding himself £35,000 in personal debt. We discuss what that level of debt does to you emotionally, how it can affect your confidence and decisions, and how you begin rebuilding when it feels as though everything you worked for has fallen apart.

We also talk about Joshua’s journey back from that point, co-founding his agency Intrinzi and writing his upcoming book, Built It. Nearly Lost It. Built It Again.

This is an honest, natural conversation about ADHD, entrepreneurship, resilience and the version of business success that people rarely post online.

Nervous System Regulation, Sensory Overload & AuDHD Burnout | Ellie & Tasha

This month, Ellie and Tasha are back together for their monthly AuDHD & Then Some catch-up — and this one is very real, very candid, and recorded while both of us are feeling a little bit frazzled ourselves.

Our theme this month is nervous system regulation, sensory overload and overwhelm in AuDHD, and we're talking openly about what that actually looks like in everyday life.

We chat about our own experiences of feeling close to burnout, recognising when our nervous systems are overloaded, what helps us regulate, and the small things we can do when our brains and bodies are screaming, "ENOUGH."

We cover:

🌈 AuDHD and nervous system regulation
🧠 ADHD, autism and sensory overload
🔥 Recognising neurodivergent burnout
😵‍💫 Overwhelm, exhaustion and feeling frazzled
💚 Ways we can support ourselves when we're dysregulated
🫶 Recovering from periods of burnout
🎧 Sensory needs and understanding your own nervous system
💬 Our own very real experiences this month
✨ Practical tips and ideas that may help
🌱 What we're working on ourselves — because we definitely don't have it all figured out either!

We also talk about what's coming this month inside the AuDHD & Then Some Membership, including our resources around nervous system regulation, sensory overwhelm and understanding your individual needs.

Members can access resources through our website and our Facebook Subscribers Hub, with resources designed to be downloadable, printable and fillable, so you can actually use them in whatever way works best for your brain.

And yes… we were BOTH slightly dreading recording this episode because we're tired, frazzled and feeling the effects of a very busy month.

But we showed up.

And actually? We're bloody glad we did. 💚

This is what our monthly episodes are about — no pretending we've mastered neurodivergence, no perfect morning routines and no telling you to simply "regulate your nervous system."

Just two AuDHD women having an honest conversation about what life looks like when your nervous system has had quite enough, thank you very much.

🎧 AuDHD & Then Some

Explore our membership, downloadable resources, tools, information, merchandise and more at audhdandthensome.com.

Topics: AuDHD, ADHD, autism, neurodivergence, nervous system regulation, sensory overload, sensory overwhelm, autistic burnout, ADHD burnout, AuDHD burnout, emotional regulation, dysregulation, overstimulation, executive dysfunction, neurodivergent women, ADHD women, autistic women, burnout recovery, sensory processing, mental health, self-regulation, neurodivergent support.

Childhood Trauma, Emotional Healing and Learning to Love Yourself with Danielle Bernock

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie is joined by Danielle Bernock, an author, speaker, trauma-informed self-love coach, relationship repair specialist, childhood trauma survivor and founder of 4F Media.

Danielle, known as “that lady on the internet who loves you,” helps people understand childhood trauma, emotional neglect, shame and the lasting effects unresolved trauma can have on our self-worth, identity, nervous system and relationships.

Together, Ellie and Danielle explore childhood and emotional trauma, trauma recovery, self-love, people-pleasing, shame, feeling unseen or unworthy, repairing your relationship with yourself and moving from survival mode towards genuine healing. Danielle also answers some deeply personal questions Ellie had wanted to ask, offering an incredibly enlightening, refreshing and compassionate perspective.

This is an honest and supportive conversation for trauma survivors, neurodivergent adults and anyone trying to understand their past, develop self-compassion, rebuild their confidence or begin healing their relationship with themselves.

Danielle was an absolute pleasure to have on the podcast. She shared her experience and wisdom so openly and generously, and Ellie would love to welcome her back again.

Find Danielle Bernock:

Website: https://www.daniellebernock.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbernock/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellebernock/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebernock

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanielleBernockLovesYou

Find Ellie and AuDHD and Then Some:

https://linktr.ee/Ellieaudhd

Topics include: childhood trauma, emotional trauma, emotional neglect, trauma recovery, self-love, self-worth, shame, relationship repair, nervous system healing, people-pleasing, neurodivergence, autism, ADHD, AuDHD, mental health, self-compassion and moving from surviving to thriving.

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains sensitive discussions around child loss, accidental overdose, grief, trauma and bereavement. Please listen with care.

This was an incredibly moving and meaningful conversation with Malisa Hepner, LCSW, author, podcast host and speaker, and I cannot thank her enough for joining me and sharing so openly.

At the heart of this episode is Malisa’s beautiful son, Jake, who tragically died at just 18 years old following an accidental overdose. Malisa speaks about Jake, motherhood and navigating unimaginable grief with such love and honesty. I am incredibly grateful to Malisa and her family for allowing us to hear part of Jake’s story and for using their experience to raise awareness and help others.

We also explore motherhood, mum guilt, spirituality, trauma, healing, perfectionism, self-compassion and what it means to keep moving through life when your world has fundamentally changed.

Unfortunately, technology was absolutely NOT on our side! One of our connections struggled throughout the interview, resulting in several technical difficulties, and after around 52 minutes we eventually had to admit defeat. 😂 We gave it everything we had, though, and what we managed to capture was far too important and beautiful not to share.

Malisa, thank you profusely for your patience, your honesty and your willingness to share such a deeply personal part of your life with AuDHD and Then Some.

We hold Jake, Malisa and her family in our thoughts, and I sincerely hope Malisa will come back for another conversation. Next time, preferably with the internet behaving itself! 💜

🎧 AuDHD and Then Some
Conversations about neurodivergence, trauma, grief, mental health, motherhood, healing and the beautifully complicated reality of being human.

Some podcast interviews feel like interviews. This one felt more like a night out. 😂

I genuinely could have spoken to Nikki Allen forever.

Nikki is the author of Loved You, Hated You, but her story goes far beyond the book. She has lived through heartbreak, betrayal, relationships that changed her, and some genuinely crazy experiences along the way. But rather than allowing those experiences to become the end of her story, Nikki has taken them and turned them into something else entirely: a rebirth.

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, we talk about losing yourself in relationships, emotional betrayal, starting again, reclaiming your identity, choosing yourself and finding the courage to turn painful experiences into something creative.

We also talk about how Loved You, Hated You began as a song, became a screenplay and eventually found its home as a novel, allowing Nikki to tell emotional truths through fiction.

But this conversation is definitely not all serious.

Nikki is hilarious, candid, down to earth and completely herself. We laughed, we went off on tangents, and at times I genuinely forgot we were recording a podcast at all.

What struck me most about Nikki is that she hasn’t allowed the difficult chapters of her life to define the rest of the book. She keeps reinventing herself, keeps creating, keeps getting back up and, quite frankly, keeps going and going and going.

And she’s amazing.

This is a conversation about heartbreak, relationships, emotional healing, self-love, identity, resilience, personal growth, women rebuilding their lives and what can happen when the ending you never wanted becomes the beginning of something completely different.

Nikki, I wish you every bit of luck and success with Loved You, Hated You and everything that comes next.

Here’s to the next 27 years. ❤️

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Can an App Really Spot Relationship Red Flags? | Justin Smith, Founder of Cray

This was a REALLY interesting one, and I genuinely want to know what you all think. 👀

Today I'm joined by Justin Smith, founder of Cray, a dating safety app he created following his own experience of an eight-year relationship that he describes as emotionally abusive and incredibly traumatic.

Justin took that experience and turned it into something designed to help other people recognise potential red flags, manipulation and unsafe patterns earlier.

Now, I went into this conversation with QUESTIONS. 😂

Because who actually decides what a red flag is?

Is something that's unhealthy in one relationship necessarily unhealthy in another?

How much does circumstance matter?

And can an app really account for all of that?

I want to make something clear because I think it's important: Justin and I didn't agree on absolutely everything in this conversation.

There were opinions and generalisations I questioned, and you'll hear me offer different perspectives throughout. But that's exactly what I want this podcast to be.

I don't want to only interview people who think exactly like me.

I want to be able to sit across from someone, hear their story, respectfully question things, disagree where appropriate and let YOU make up your own mind.

And I have to give Justin a massive thank you for that. 💜

I threw some pretty challenging questions at him, including questions that could easily have felt like criticism of something he's spent 18 months building, and he took every single one like an absolute trooper. He explained his reasoning, answered openly and never shied away from the conversation.

Thank you, Justin, for trusting me with your story and for being willing to have a genuinely open conversation rather than expecting me to simply nod along.

🎧 Have a listen and then PLEASE come back and tell me what you think.

Can an app really help us identify relationship red flags? And who gets to decide what a red flag actually is?

I'm genuinely interested to see where you lot land on this one. 👀💜

🎧 Spotify link below 👇

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses trauma, human trafficking in Mexico, addiction, abuse and CPTSD.

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie speaks with registered nurse, CPTSD survivor, trauma-informed coach and author Carrie Davidson about complex PTSD, trauma recovery, self-worth, addiction, survival and learning to rebuild your life after profound trauma.

Carrie shares parts of her extraordinary story, including her experience of human trafficking in Mexico and the impact trauma has had on her life.

We explore how Carrie's career in nursing and her ability to hyperfocus helped carry her through periods of trauma, while also discussing the reality that achievement, knowledge and professional success cannot necessarily allow someone to escape CPTSD.

Carrie talks openly about doing the work on yourself, rebuilding self-worth, understanding trauma responses and learning practical strategies to live alongside CPTSD while continuing to hope for further healing in the future.

This is a powerful and honest conversation about what happens when survival is no longer enough and you begin the difficult process of taking your life back.

Topics include: CPTSD | Complex PTSD | trauma recovery | human trafficking | addiction and trauma | nursing | hyperfocus | self-worth | nervous system | survival responses | healing after trauma | mental health | personal growth

Carrie's memoir, Addicted to Trauma: A Memoir of CPTSD, Addiction, and Taking My Life Back, is available through her website.

What happens when you finally achieve the dream you’ve spent years working towards… and discover it hasn’t made you happy?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I’m joined by former National Geographic photographer and conservation scientist turned transformational coach, Jen Guyton.

Jen spent years building an extraordinary career, eventually reaching a milestone most photographers could only dream of: having her incredible infrared photographs of spotted hyenas featured on the cover of National Geographic.

But instead of feeling like she had finally "made it", Jen found herself asking a much bigger question: Is this actually the life I want?

We talk about success, fulfilment, identity, career changes and those moments in life when everything looks right from the outside but something inside you is asking for more.

Jen shares how she began exploring who she was beyond her achievements, why what we sometimes call a "midlife crisis" can actually be an invitation to reassess our lives, and how choosing to pivot opened doors she might never have discovered otherwise.

Today, Jen is a transformational coach while continuing her photography work, helping other ambitious people step away from the achievement trap and create lives that actually feel like their own.

A beautiful conversation about reaching the dream, discovering it isn't the destination you expected, and having the courage to ask: What now? 💜

What if your intuition isn’t something mystical that only certain people have, but something you can actually learn to reconnect with and trust?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I’m joined by the wonderful Janna Holterman, an ICU nurse, coach, mentor and trained intuitive who brings together neuroscience, nervous system regulation, emotional processing and intuition in the work she does with her clients.

And this conversation went in some BEAUTIFUL directions.

We touch on Janna’s own story and the devastating loss of her husband, Shane, and how that experience changed the course of her life. But our conversation is also very much about the woman Janna is today, the work she now does, and what she has learned about herself along the way.

We talk about intuition and what it actually feels like, learning to hear and trust yourself, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and how our brains and bodies can influence the way we move through the world.

Janna also shares how she works with her clients, combining practical understanding of neuroscience with intuition and helping women move towards lives that feel sustainable, successful and, most importantly, like their own.

We explore what happens when you stop living according to all of the things you think you should be doing and start asking what you actually want your life to look like.

And despite touching on some deeply emotional subjects, this conversation was full of laughter.

Honestly, talking to Janna felt like catching up with an old friend over coffee. She’s funny, clever, warm and incredibly easy to talk to, and I could genuinely have carried on chatting to her for hours.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Intuition and learning to trust yourself
• Neuroscience and the nervous system
• Nervous system regulation
• Emotional processing
• Recognising what your body is trying to tell you
• Moving away from the life you think you “should” have
• Janna’s work with her clients
• Rebuilding and rediscovering yourself after life changes
• Creating sustainable success
• What Janna’s life looks like today

We also briefly discuss the loss of Janna’s husband, Shane, to suicide. Please listen with care if this is a sensitive subject for you.

Thank you so much, Janna, for such a beautiful, funny, open and genuinely fascinating conversation. ❤️

Why do two people experience the same world completely differently? Why do some personality types naturally click while others clash? And how much of who we are comes down to personality, life experience, evolution… or simply being human?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie is joined by Arky Jones, creator of PersonalityPeek, for a conversation that very quickly becomes about MUCH more than personality tests.

We explore different personality types and personality assessments, how personality tests are created, what they can actually tell us about ourselves, and why they should be used as tools for self-discovery rather than boxes we squeeze ourselves into.

But, in true AuDHD and Then Some fashion, we also disappear down some pretty spectacular rabbit holes. 😂

From Homo sapiens and human evolution to relationships, compatibility, self-awareness, behaviour and why certain personalities seem to naturally mesh, this becomes a much bigger conversation about what actually makes us human.

We talk about how our personalities develop, why humans behave so differently from one another, what makes certain people connect, the patterns we repeat throughout our lives, and whether understanding ourselves can help us understand the people around us too.

Arky also takes us behind PersonalityPeek, explaining the thinking behind personality assessments and how understanding your own patterns, strengths and tendencies can become a starting point for personal growth.

And yes… Ellie took the personality assessment herself. 👀

The result was surprisingly bloody accurate.

This is one of those conversations that starts with “What personality type are you?” and somehow ends up asking “Why are human beings like this in the first place?”

If you’re interested in personality psychology, personality types, human behaviour, self-discovery, relationships, personal growth, evolution or simply understanding yourself and other people a little better, this one’s for you.

🎧 Featuring Arky Jones, creator of PersonalityPeek

🔗 Take the PersonalityPeek assessment and learn more about Arky’s work at:
https://personalitypeek.com/

Topics include:
Personality types • Personality tests • Human behaviour • Homo sapiens • Human evolution • Psychology • Relationships • Personality compatibility • Self-awareness • Self-discovery • Personal growth • Identity • Why people behave the way they do

What actually IS hypnotherapy — and no, does it involve being hypnotised into thinking you’re a dog? 😂

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie Capstick sits down with therapist, clinical hypnotherapist, coach, trainer and author Andrew Parr to get underneath the myths, misconceptions and slightly bonkers image many of us have of hypnosis.

Andrew explains what therapeutic hypnotherapy actually is, what happens during a session and why the problem someone walks through the door with isn’t always the real problem underneath.

We talk about the deeper beliefs, experiences and emotional patterns that can sit beneath the surface of the things we’re struggling with — and why simply trying to tackle the obvious symptom doesn’t necessarily address what’s driving it.

Andrew also shares his journey into hypnotherapy, what more than three decades of working with people has taught him, and the ideas behind his book The Real You.

And, importantly, we answer the question we’re all secretly wondering…

Can a hypnotherapist actually make you believe you’re a dog? 😂🐶

A fascinating, refreshingly down-to-earth conversation about what hypnotherapy really is, what it isn’t, and what might actually be going on underneath the problems we think we’re trying to solve.

🎧 Topics include: hypnotherapy, hypnosis, subconscious beliefs, emotional patterns, behaviour, anxiety, habits, therapy, self-understanding and The Real You.

Is It Trauma… or Is It Neurodivergence? ADHD, Autism & the Nervous System | Elizabeth Ormes

Is it trauma? Is it ADHD or autism? Or can neurodivergence and trauma become so intertwined that it’s difficult to know where one ends and the other begins?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie Capstick is joined by psychotherapist, trauma specialist and neurodivergent professional Elizabeth Ormes for an incredibly insightful conversation about AuDHD, ADHD, autism, trauma, masking and the neurodivergent nervous system.

Elizabeth brings nearly 30 years of experience in mental health — alongside her own lived experience of neurodivergence — and this turned into such a warm, fascinating and genuinely thought-provoking conversation.

We explore the huge overlap between trauma responses and neurodivergent traits, and what happens when a person has spent years masking, adapting, people-pleasing or living in survival mode without understanding why.

We talk about:

🧠 ADHD, autism and AuDHD⚡ Trauma and the neurodivergent nervous system🎭 Masking and losing your sense of identity❤️ People-pleasing and survival responses🫠 Emotional dysregulation, overwhelm and shutdown👩 Why neurodivergent women can be missed for so long🔍 Discovering your neurodivergence later in life🌱 Healing, self-understanding and learning who you are underneath the mask

We also ask an important question:

When you’ve spent your whole life believing something is “wrong” with you, what happens when you finally begin to understand your brain instead?

This episode isn’t about fixing neurodivergent people.

It’s about understanding ourselves — our brains, our bodies, our nervous systems and the experiences that have shaped us.

Whether you’re diagnosed with ADHD, autism or AuDHD, self-identifying, exploring whether you may be neurodivergent, or simply trying to understand yourself a little better, there is so much in this conversation to take away.

And yes… Elizabeth’s cat even makes a little appearance. 🐱❤️

🎙️ AuDHD and Then Some — real, honest conversations about ADHD, autism, AuDHD, late diagnosis, masking, mental health and life inside a neurodivergent brain.

Guest: Elizabeth Ormes — psychotherapist, trauma specialist, neurodivergent professional and founder of Actualizing Your Best Self.

Topics: AuDHD • ADHD in women • autism in women • neurodivergence • trauma • PTSD • complex trauma • nervous system regulation • autistic masking • ADHD masking • people-pleasing • emotional dysregulation • late diagnosed ADHD • late diagnosed autism • neurodivergent women • identity • healing

When betrayal shatters your world, where do you begin rebuilding?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I sit down with author, speaker and betrayal trauma advocate Roxanna Johnson to explore the devastating impact of discovering a partner’s sexual addiction, pornography addiction or infidelity—and, most importantly, how healing is possible.

Roxanna shares her own deeply personal story after discovering her husband’s secret sexual addiction after almost 24 years of marriage. Together we discuss betrayal trauma, trust, boundaries, forgiveness, detaching with love, people-pleasing, shame, rebuilding your identity, and what recovery can look like whether your partner chooses healing or not.

We also explore whether neurodivergent people, including those with ADHD and autism, may experience betrayal, rejection and uncertainty differently, and how emotional regulation, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), hypervigilance and black-and-white thinking can influence the healing journey.

Whether you’re recovering from betrayal, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand the psychology of trust and trauma, this conversation offers compassion, practical insights and hope.

In this episode we discuss:

• What betrayal trauma is and why it hurts so deeply

• Sexual addiction, pornography addiction and partner betrayal

• Healthy boundaries vs trying to control someone else

• Detaching with love

• Forgiveness and rebuilding trust

• People-pleasing and shame

• Rebuilding your identity after betrayal

• Betrayal trauma in ADHD and autistic adults

• Finding hope after heartbreak

Connect with Roxanna Johnson:

https://forgottenspouse.com

If this episode helped you, please follow AuDHD and Then Some, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need to hear this conversation.

Trigger warning

Can childhood trauma shape the person we become? Can healing rewrite the story we’ve spent a lifetime believing? In this powerful episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie sits down with Simone Boyer, author of Chasing Light and founder of The Light Within Collective, for an honest conversation about trauma, addiction, survival, recovery, and finding hope after profound loss.

Simone shares her remarkable journey from childhood trauma, addiction, and near-death experiences to discovering purpose, self-worth, and healing. Together, Ellie and Simone explore how trauma creates survival responses such as hypervigilance, people-pleasing, codependency, and perfectionism—and why understanding the language of survival is the first step towards lasting change.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• ​How childhood trauma influences adult relationships and behaviour.
• ​Why survival mechanisms aren’t personality flaws.
• ​The power of inner child work and reparenting.
• ​Breaking free from toxic family dynamics.
• ​Finding compassion for yourself after trauma.
• ​Hope, resilience, recovery, and rebuilding a meaningful life.

Whether you’re healing from childhood trauma, navigating addiction recovery, living with neurodivergence, or supporting someone you love, this conversation offers practical insights, validation, and a powerful reminder that your past does not have to define your future.

If you’ve ever wondered whether healing is possible, this episode is for you. Your story isn’t over yet—and neither is your light.

Why does rejection feel so overwhelming? Why do so many AuDHD people apologise constantly, struggle to say no, and put everyone else’s needs before their own?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie is joined by Tasha for an open and honest conversation about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), people pleasing, masking, and the emotional impact of growing up feeling misunderstood.

Together, they explore why rejection can feel physically painful, how people pleasing often develops as a survival strategy, and why setting boundaries can be one of the hardest—but most important—things neurodivergent people learn to do.

Whether you’re autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, or simply relate to the fear of letting people down, this episode will help you understand that you’re not “too sensitive”—your experiences make sense.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

• People pleasing and trauma responses

• ADHD, autism and AuDHD

• Masking and self-abandonment

• Boundaries without guilt

• Fear of rejection

• Emotional regulation

• Self-worth and healing

If this conversation resonates with you, this month’s workbook in the Ellie AuDHD Subscribers Hub explores RSD and people pleasing in more depth, with practical exercises and gentle reflections to help you understand yourself with greater compassion.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow AuDHD and Then Some, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that they were never “too much”—they were simply trying to survive in a world that didn’t always understand them.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #RSD #PeoplePleasing #Boundaries #Masking #MentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s behaviour is typical development or a sign of ADHD, autism or another neurodevelopmental difference, this episode is for you.

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I sit down with Dr. Inyang Takon, Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician with over 30 years of clinical experience, to discuss the early signs of ADHD and autism, why early intervention matters, and how parents can access the right support.

Together, we explore:

• The early signs of ADHD and autism in children

• When parents should seek an assessment

• What happens during the diagnostic process

• ADHD medication and non-medication support

• Practical strategies for families and schools

• Common myths about neurodivergence

• The impact of culture and stigma on diagnosis and support

• How parents can move from confusion to clarity

Dr. Takon shares compassionate, evidence-based advice that empowers parents, carers and professionals to better understand and support neurodivergent children.

Whether you’re raising a neurodivergent child, working in education, or simply want to learn more about ADHD, autism and early intervention, this conversation is packed with practical insights and reassurance.

🔗 Find Dr. Inyang Takon:

Website: https://www.drtakon.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow AuDHD and Then Some, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful. Your support helps more people discover honest conversations about AuDHD, ADHD, autism and neurodiversity.

🎙️ Trauma, Masking & Addiction in AuDHD | Susan Eileen on Healing, Identity & Unmasking

What if the masks you’ve worn your whole life weren’t your personality, but survival strategies?

In this thought-provoking episode of AuDHD and Then Some, Ellie is joined by author Susan Eileen to explore the complex relationship between trauma, ADHD, autism, AuDHD, masking, addiction and healing.

Together, they discuss the differences between neurodivergent masking and trauma masking, why so many late-diagnosed adults struggle to know who they really are, and how unresolved trauma can shape our relationships, behaviours and sense of self.

Susan also shares her perspective on addiction, explaining why she believes trauma often sits at the heart of addictive behaviours, and introduces the concept of survival masks such as the people pleaser, the martyr and the loner. The conversation also explores boundaries, self-compassion, generational wounds, and what healing can look like for neurodivergent adults.

Whether you’re autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, a trauma survivor, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, this episode offers an honest, compassionate conversation that encourages reflection and curiosity.

In this episode:

• ADHD, autism and AuDHD

• Trauma vs neurodivergent masking

• Addiction and the neurodivergent brain

• People pleasing and survival responses

• Generational trauma and healing

• Boundaries and self-compassion

• Late diagnosis and identity

• Unmasking your authentic self

If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need to hear this conversation today. 💜

What if the goal wasn’t to fit into a neurotypical world, but to build a life that actually works for your brain?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I’m joined by neurodivergent coach, educator, and founder of Neurodiverging, Danielle Sullivan. We explore how autistic and ADHD people can stop fighting their brains and start building lives around their unique strengths, needs, and ways of thinking.

We discuss:

• Building a life around your strengths instead of your struggles

• ADHD, autism and AuDHD

• Burnout and why it happens

• Reducing shame and embracing self-acceptance

• Emotional regulation and practical strategies

• Late diagnosis and understanding yourself

• Danielle’s new book, Embracing Your ADHD Brain

This is a compassionate, practical conversation for anyone wanting to better understand their neurodivergent brain and create a life that feels sustainable, authentic, and fulfilling.

#ADHD #Autism #AuDHD #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #AutismPodcast #Burnout #ExecutiveFunction #SelfAcceptance

What if there were ways to spot potential warning signs before a relationship causes lasting damage?

In this episode, Ellie sits down with Justin Smith, founder of Cray, a dating safety app created following his own experience of an eight-year relationship that he describes as emotionally abusive and deeply traumatic.

Justin shares the story behind Cray, how his experiences affected his physical and emotional wellbeing, and why rebuilding his life led him to create a tool designed to help others think more carefully about red flags, manipulation and relationship safety.

But this isn't simply a conversation about an app.

Ellie asks some challenging questions along the way. Who decides what counts as a red flag? Can something considered unhealthy in one relationship be completely acceptable in another? How much does circumstance matter? And how do we make sure our own experiences don't become the standard by which everybody else's relationships are judged?

Justin openly explains his thinking and the reasoning behind Cray, while Ellie offers alternative perspectives and questions some of the broader assumptions surrounding relationships, dating and modern culture.

They discuss:

• How childhood experiences can influence adult relationships

• Recognising potential warning signs and manipulative behaviour

• Why context matters when discussing relationship red flags

• Justin's experience of rebuilding after relationship trauma

• How Cray's scoring and safety features work

• Online dating, catfishing and AI

• The difference between personal boundaries and universal red flags

• Why Justin believes education around dating safety needs to start earlier

• Cray's work with colleges and students

• Whether technology can really help us make safer relationship decisions

It's an open, sometimes challenging and thought-provoking conversation in which host and guest don't automatically agree on everything, and that's exactly what makes the discussion interesting.

Whether you're navigating online dating, rebuilding after a difficult relationship, or simply interested in how we decide what healthy relationships actually look like, this episode offers plenty to think about.

Find out more about Cray at cray.app or search “Cray – Dating Safety” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Nobody talks about how painful nostalgia can be when you’re neurodivergent.

Not because you miss the past more than anyone else—but because so much of your life was spent just trying to get through it.

When your nervous system is constantly in survival mode, it’s hard to be fully present. Even in the moments you’ve waited for, dreamed about, or thought would finally make everything feel okay.

Then years later, you find yourself desperately trying to remember them. Trying to hold onto moments that never had the chance to fully sink in because your brain was focused on surviving, not storing memories.

That’s the heartbreak.

It’s not just grieving the past.

It’s grieving the version of you that never got to fully experience it.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. ❤️

Why do so many of us find ourselves repeating the same relationship patterns? How do we recognise red flags, recover from narcissistic abuse, and learn to trust ourselves again?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I’m joined by relationship pattern coach, dating coach, and narcissistic abuse recovery coach Virginia McConnell. We explore why unhealthy relationship dynamics can repeat, how manipulation affects our self-trust, the warning signs many people miss, and what healing can look like after a toxic relationship.

We also discuss the possible crossover between neurodivergence and unhealthy relationship dynamics, including why some autistic and ADHD individuals may struggle with boundaries, people-pleasing, or recognising manipulation.

Whether you’re recovering from a toxic relationship, interested in narcissistic abuse recovery, or simply want to build healthier relationships, this conversation is packed with practical insights and compassionate advice.

You can learn more about Virginia, explore her coaching, and take her free relationship quizzes at breakthepatterns.net.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow AuDHD and Then Some, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #NarcissisticAbuse #ToxicRelationships #RelationshipPatterns #MentalHealth #Healing #Boundaries #SelfTrust #Podcast

Due to internet signal issues during recording, this conversation had to be split into two parts. We kept getting cut off, but the discussion was far too important not to share, so we’ve released it as Part 1 and Part 2.

In Part 1, I’m joined by Dave Kopney, alongside the brilliant Man on Pause, who asks some incredibly thoughtful and insightful questions throughout the conversation.

Together we explore addiction, harm reduction, recovery, lived experience, and the realities behind substance use without judgement or stigma.

Topics include:

• Harm reduction

• Addiction & recovery

• Mental health

• Trauma

• Lived experience

• Neurodivergence

• Compassion over judgement

Find out more about Dave’s work:

🌐 ASAP Community: https://asapcommunity.org/

Welcome to Part 2 of my conversation with Dave Kopney.

Unfortunately, our recording kept being interrupted by poor internet signal, so we decided to split the interview into two parts rather than lose such an important discussion.

In this episode, we continue talking about addiction, harm reduction, recovery, trauma, stigma, hope, and the lessons Dave has learned through his own lived experience.

If you haven’t already, I’d recommend listening to Part 1 first, where Dave is joined by the fantastic Man on Pause, whose thoughtful questions helped shape the conversation.

Find out more about Dave’s work:

🌐 ASAP Community: https://asapcommunity.org/

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I sit down with accredited psychotherapist Robert Rackley, who specialises in ADHD, autism, and neurodivergent mental health.

We explore why boundaries can feel so difficult for neurodivergent people, the reality of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), masking, emotional overwhelm, and how growing up misunderstood can shape the way we experience relationships and ourselves.

Robert shares compassionate, practical insights that help make sense of the neurodivergent experience, while we have an honest conversation about the challenges—and strengths—that come with living as an AuDHD adult.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, questioning whether you’re neurodivergent, or supporting someone who is, this episode is full of validation, understanding, and practical takeaways.

In this episode we discuss:

• ADHD and autism

• AuDHD

• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

• Boundaries and people-pleasing

• Emotional regulation

• Masking and unmasking

• Neurodivergent mental health

• Late diagnosis

• Self-understanding and self-compassion

If this conversation resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Why does a delayed text, a change in someone’s tone, or a small piece of feedback feel so overwhelming for so many neurodivergent people?

In this episode of AuDHD… And Then Some, Ellie is joined by licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist Becca Gregory to explore rejection sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, people-pleasing, shame, and why so many ADHD and autistic adults struggle to stop taking things personally.

Together they discuss why rejection can feel physically painful, how childhood experiences shape our inner beliefs, why insight alone isn’t always enough to create lasting change, and practical ways to begin recovering from rejection without spiralling.

Whether you’re ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, or simply recognise yourself in perfectionism, overthinking, and people-pleasing, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical hope.

In this episode:

* What rejection sensitivity really is

* Emotional dysregulation in ADHD and autism

* Why neurodivergent people often carry shame

* The link between people-pleasing and fear of rejection

* How to stop taking things so personally

* Practical strategies for recovering from rejection

* Why healing is different from simply coping

Find Becca Gregory and learn more about her work at flowforwardcounseling.com.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #RejectionSensitiveDysphoria #RSD #EmotionalDysregulation #PeoplePleasing #MentalHealth #LateDiagnosis #ExecutiveFunction #Therapy #SelfCompassion #Neurodiversity #Podcast

Have you ever found yourself saying “yes” when you really wanted to say “no”?

Do you worry about upsetting people, feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions, or struggle to put your own needs first?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I’m joined by Barb Nangle for a thoughtful conversation about boundaries, people-pleasing, self-worth, and why learning to set healthy boundaries can completely change your life.

We explore why boundaries can feel especially difficult for neurodivergent people, how trauma and past experiences influence the way we relate to others, and practical ways to begin protecting your time, energy and wellbeing without feeling guilty.

Whether you’re living with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, or you’ve simply spent years putting everyone else first, this episode is packed with insights that may help you build healthier relationships—with others and with yourself.

Topics include:

* Healthy boundaries

* People-pleasing

* ADHD & AuDHD

* Autism

* Neurodivergence

* Self-worth

* Emotional regulation

* Trauma

* Relationships

* Burnout

* Personal growth

* Mental wellbeing

💜 If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

#ADHD #AuDHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #Boundaries #PeoplePleasing #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #SelfWorth #Burnout

🎙️ New Episode: Rebuilding Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse with Skye Bellarmine

Content note: This episode includes discussions of narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, trauma, emotional manipulation, and recovery.

In this episode of AuDHD… And Then Some, I’m joined by Skye Bellarmine for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about surviving narcissistic abuse, learning to recognise the warning signs, and rebuilding your life after years of self-doubt.

Together, we discuss:

💜 What narcissistic abuse can look like in everyday life.

💜 How gaslighting slowly makes you question your own thoughts, memories, and instincts.

💜 Why leaving isn’t always as simple as people think.

💜 Rebuilding trust in yourself after emotional manipulation.

💜 Setting healthy boundaries without guilt.

💜 The long journey of healing and discovering who you are again.

💜 Why taking recovery one small step at a time can be life-changing.

We also talk about Skye’s personal journey through trauma and resilience, and how she found the strength to rebuild a life that felt authentic and hopeful.

Whether you’ve experienced narcissistic abuse yourself, you’re supporting someone who has, or you’re trying to make sense of a relationship that doesn’t feel right, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

Thank you, Skye, for sharing your story with such honesty, compassion, and courage.

If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review if you’d like to support the show, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

💜 Happy listening.

Why are so many neurodivergent people driven by justice? Why is there such a strong overlap between neurodivergence and the LGBTQIA+ community? And what does it really mean to live authentically?

In this episode of AuDHD… And Then Some, I’m joined by Gazit Chaya Nkosi for one of my favourite conversations I’ve had on the podcast so far.

We explore the relationship between ADHD, autism (AuDHD), identity, justice sensitivity, authenticity, the nervous system, burnout, masking, and belonging. We also discuss why so many LGBTQIA+ people identify as neurodivergent, what it means to question cultural expectations, and how listening to your body can help you build a life that truly fits who you are.

This is a thoughtful, compassionate, and deeply honest conversation that covers:

* Justice sensitivity in neurodivergent people

* ADHD, autism and the drive for fairness

* Neurodivergence and the LGBTQIA+ community

* Queer and gender-expansive identity

* Masking and authenticity

* Nervous system regulation and burnout

* Living in alignment with your values instead of other people’s expectations

This episode genuinely became one of my favourites. I learned so much from Gazit, and I found myself completely absorbed in the conversation. Whether you’re neurodivergent, questioning your identity, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about the intersection of neurodiversity and gender, I think there’s something here for you.

If this episode resonates with you, please consider following AuDHD… And Then Some, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who might benefit from hearing this conversation.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #LGBTQIA #NonBinary #JusticeSensitivity #Authenticity #Burnout #Masking #NervousSystem #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity

🌈 New Podcast Episode Out Now! 🎙️

Ever wonder why starting a simple task can feel impossible… yet you can spend three hours researching something completely random? 😅

In this episode, Natasha and I have a completely honest, funny, and very real conversation about executive function and executive dysfunction. We talk about the everyday struggles, the unexpected laughs, and why this month’s theme inside our AuDHD… And Then Some Subscribers Hub is all about executive functioning.

It’s a relaxed chat with plenty of relatable moments (and yes… a little bit of swearing from me 🤭).

If you’ve ever thought…

🧠 “Why can’t I just get started?”

🧠 “Why does my brain work like this?”

🧠 “Is anyone else like this?”

…this one’s for you.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood trauma, abuse, human trafficking, addiction, and suicide. Please listen with care.

Oh my goodness… where do I even begin?

Dr. Lisha has taught me so much about myself, healing, and perspectives I’d never even considered before—particularly around the more spiritual and energetic aspects of healing. Whether or not every idea resonates with every person, our conversation genuinely challenged me to think differently, and I’m so grateful for that.

I will absolutely be recommending Dr. Lisha’s courses and website to anyone interested in exploring her approach to trauma recovery and personal transformation. She has opened my mind to looking at healing from a completely different perspective.

Thank you, Dr. Lisha, for your openness, your wisdom, and such a fascinating conversation. You’re not only beautiful—you are incredibly intelligent too. It was an absolute pleasure to have you on the podcast.

🎙️ Victim 2 Victor: Trauma, Relationships and Learning That Love Doesn’t Have To Be Earned | Anu Verma

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with trauma recovery coach, therapist, author, podcaster and filmmaker Anu Verma to explore the lasting impact of childhood trauma and what healing can really look like.

Together we discuss how traumatic experiences can shape our relationships, self-worth, nervous system and sense of identity long into adulthood. Anu shares her personal journey of recovery and offers insight into trauma bonds, people-pleasing, unhealthy relationship patterns, emotional healing and nervous system regulation.

We also explore whether trauma can be stored in the body, how childhood experiences can influence the partners we choose later in life, and why so many survivors feel they need to earn love rather than simply receive it.

This episode includes an important discussion inspired by Anu’s conversation with Hannah Shewan Stevens on sexual violence against women, the lack of support available to many survivors, and the long-term effects trauma can have on both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Topics covered include:

✨ Childhood trauma and its lasting impact

✨ Trauma stored in the body

✨ Sexual violence and recovery

✨ Trauma bonds and relationship patterns

✨ People-pleasing and the “fixer” role

✨ Self-worth and validation

✨ Nervous system healing

✨ Fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses

✨ Emotional resilience and recovery

✨ Learning that love doesn’t have to be earned

Whether you’re navigating your own healing journey, supporting someone who has experienced trauma, or simply wanting to better understand the connection between trauma, relationships and recovery, this episode offers compassion, insight and hope.

📌 Connect with Anu Verma:

https://victim2victor.net/

Have you ever had a great day out, enjoyed yourself, laughed, socialised, and then felt completely exhausted afterwards?

In this episode, I talk about why so many AuDHD and neurodivergent people need recovery time after social events, busy weekends, and even enjoyable experiences.

From masking and sensory overload to social exhaustion and nervous system overwhelm, I share my own experiences of attending events, navigating social situations, and dealing with what I jokingly call the “AuDHD hangover.”

If you’ve ever wondered why you need time to recover after being around people, why your social battery drains so quickly, or why enjoyable events can still leave you exhausted, this episode is for you.

Topics include:

• AuDHD and social exhaustion

• Masking and burnout

• Sensory overload

• Recovery time and self-care

• Nervous system overwhelm

• Neurodivergent experiences

🌿 Be gentle with yourself.

recently stopped me in my tracks.

Someone said they hate TikTokers who make fun of ADHD and AuDHD.

It got me thinking about the way I talk about neurodivergence online and why I choose to share not only the funny and relatable moments, but also the difficult realities of living with AuDHD.

In this episode, I talk openly about:

• Living with Autism and ADHD (AuDHD)

• Being sectioned as a teenager before understanding what was wrong

• The impact of executive dysfunction on everyday life

• Debt, relationships, burnout and mental health struggles

• Masking, shame and being misunderstood

• Why awareness needs to include the hard parts, not just the relatable memes

• The importance of honest conversations about neurodivergence

I recently Googled my own name and found a description that said I share my experiences of AuDHD, including “the shit parts” — and honestly, that might be the most accurate thing ever written about me.

This episode is a reminder that AuDHD isn’t quirky, cute or trendy. For many of us, it has shaped every part of our lives. By sharing the reality, I hope to help others feel seen, understood and less alone.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #LateDiagnosis #ExecutiveDysfunction #MentalHealth #AutisticAdult #ADHDAwareness #AutismAwareness #AuDHDPodcast #NeurodivergentWomen #RejectionSensitiveDysphoria #Mas

As an AuDHD woman, I genuinely thought mindfulness was a pile of rubbish.

My brain was too busy, my thoughts moved too fast, and every time someone suggested meditation, I felt like they clearly didn’t understand what it was like to live with a neurodivergent mind.

In this episode, I talk honestly about why I resisted mindfulness for years, why I felt like I was failing every time I tried it, and what finally helped me see it differently.

This isn’t an episode about becoming perfectly calm or clearing your mind. It’s about learning that mindfulness can look very different for neurodivergent people, and how a few small changes helped me become more aware of stress, overwhelm, anxiety and burnout before they completely took over.

If you’ve ever thought mindfulness wasn’t for you, you’re definitely not alone.

Topics include ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, Neurodivergence, Mindfulness, Meditation, Emotional Regulation, Anxiety, Burnout, Overthinking, Mental Health, Self-Awareness and Late Diagnosis.

💜 Ellie

Introducing the AuDHD and Then Some Subscriber Hub | The Stories Behind the Podcast

I’ve spent a lot of time deciding whether to create a subscriber space, and in this episode I explain why I’ve chosen to do it.

Many people know me through my ADHD, autism and AuDHD content, but there are also parts of my life story that have shaped who I am today. Some experiences are funny, some are difficult, some taught me valuable lessons, and some are stories I don’t feel comfortable sharing publicly with the entire world.

The main podcast will continue to be free and accessible to everyone. However, the subscriber hub will give me a space to share some of the more personal experiences, life lessons, challenges and reflections that have influenced my journey.

This isn’t about sensationalising difficult experiences. It’s about sharing lived experience in a way that may help others feel less alone, better understand themselves, or learn from some of the things I’ve experienced throughout my life.

If you’ve ever wondered about the stories behind the podcast, this episode explains what you can expect from the subscriber hub and why I’ve decided to create it.

Topics include ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, Neurodivergence, Late Diagnosis, Family Dynamics, Childhood Experiences with themes of abuse , Personal Growth, Mental Health, substance abuse, Parenting, Resilience, Boundaries, Self-Worth and Lived Experience and unfortunately much more

💜 Ellie

Today I discovered something that filled me with a whole new level of guilt, dread and panic…

A spam message folder.

Now, to most people, that probably doesn’t sound like a big deal. But to a recovering people pleaser with AuDHD, discovering messages from people who thought I’d ignored them has sent my brain into overdrive.

The reality is that I never imagined so many people would reach out to me.

Every day I receive messages about ADHD, autism, AuDHD, diagnosis journeys, parenting, relationships, mental health, burnout, masking and life in general. I am incredibly grateful that people trust me enough to share their stories, but if I’m honest, it also comes with a level of pressure that I wasn’t prepared for.

In this episode, I talk openly about the guilt of unread messages, the impossible standards we place on ourselves, people pleasing, rejection sensitivity and what happens when your desire to help everyone collides with the reality that you’re only one human being.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for not replying, struggled to keep up with messages, or felt responsible for everyone else’s feelings, this conversation is for you.

And a quick disclaimer…

If you ever need to speak with me directly and it’s something important, please don’t rely on social media messages alone. The best way to guarantee dedicated time with me is through my website.

You can book:

✨ Discovery Calls

✨ Podcast Features

✨ Brainstorm Sessions

✨ Body Doubling Sessions

✨ Mentoring & Support Appointments

That way, I know you have a dedicated space in my diary and can give you my full attention.

Maybe some of you are reading this thinking, “Why on earth would I want to talk to her?”

Honestly… I still don’t fully understand that either. 😂

But if you do, the option is there.

🌈 Book here:

www.ellieaudhd.com

#AuDHD #ADHDPodcast #AutismPodcast #PeoplePleasing #ADHDWomen #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveDysfunction #RejectionSensitiveDysphoria #AuDHDLife #MentalHealthPodcast #BodyDoubling #ADHDSupport #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity

🌍✈️ New Podcast Episode: Neurodivergent Travel ✈️🌍

Nerodivergent travel

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jemma from who is passionate about making travel more accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive for neurodivergent people and their families.

During our conversation, we explored the unique challenges that many neurodivergent travellers can face, from sensory overwhelm and disrupted routines to the importance of planning, flexibility, and finding environments that truly meet individual needs.

One of the key messages from our discussion was that there is no “one size fits all” approach to travel. Every neurodivergent person is different, and creating positive travel experiences starts with understanding, adapting, and recognising those individual needs.

We also talked about how travel can support confidence, independence, wellbeing, and personal growth when the right support and accommodations are in place.

A huge thank you to Jemma from Nerodivergent Travel for sharing her expertise, experience, and passion for helping neurodivergent people access meaningful travel opportunities. It was an insightful and inspiring conversation, and I know many of our listeners will take away valuable tips, encouragement, and practical advice.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your preferred platform by visiting:

www.ellieaudhd.com

From there, you can choose to listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, Audible, and more the episode is called Neurodivergent Travel: Accessible Holidays for Autistic, ADHD & Neurodivergent Families | With Jemma from NeuroDivergent Travel

If you’ve ever wondered how travel can be made more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for neurodivergent people and their families, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Have you ever been told you’re “obsessed” with ADHD, autism, or being neurodivergent since your diagnosis?

In this episode of AuDHD And Then Some, Ellie explores why so many late-diagnosed ADHD, autistic and AuDHD adults become deeply interested in learning about neurodivergence after receiving a diagnosis.

Is it obsession?

Or is it finally understanding your own brain for the first time?

After years of feeling different, confused, overwhelmed, misunderstood, or wondering why life seemed harder than it appeared to be for everyone else, receiving a diagnosis can feel like finally being handed the missing manual.

In this episode, Ellie discusses:

🌈 ADHD hyperfocus and special interests

🌈 Why late diagnosis can feel life-changing

🌈 Understanding your neurodivergent brain

🌈 The grief and relief that often comes with diagnosis

🌈 Why learning about ADHD isn’t an excuse—it’s self-understanding

🌈 The irony of ADHD becoming a hyperfocus

🌈 Adult ADHD and autism diagnosis journeys

If you’ve ever found yourself researching ADHD for hours, listening to every neurodivergent podcast you can find, watching endless reels, or suddenly seeing your entire life through a different lens, this episode is for you.

Because sometimes we’re not obsessed with ADHD.

We’re fascinated by finally understanding ourselves.

💜

🔗 Find my support groups, podcast links, resources and discovery calls:

linktr.ee/Ellieaudhd

#ADHD #AuDHD #Autism #LateDiagnosis #AdultADHD #AdultAutism #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #AuDHDPodcast #WomenWithADHD #ADHDAwareness #Neurodiversity #ExecutiveDysfunction #ADHDSupport #AutismAcceptance #LateDiagnosedADHD #LateDiagnosedAutistic #MentalHealth #NeurodivergentPodcast

LCan we talk about the fact that I spend most of my life talking to myself?

And I don’t mean the occasional little chat.

I mean full conversations.

With hand gestures.

Facial expressions.

Different voices.

The lot.

The other day I was sat at the traffic lights having a full conversation with myself.

Honestly, it was Oscar-worthy.

I was explaining things.

Arguing points.

Making dramatic gestures.

Basically hosting my own podcast before I’d even got to work.

Then I noticed somebody in the car next to me looking over.

For a split second, my brain went:

“Oh my God, are they checking me out?” 😏

Then I remembered that inside my head live an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old who are largely unsupervised and make most of the decisions.

The confidence lasted about three seconds.

Then reality arrived.

And I realised they were probably looking at me because I’d been performing a one-woman show at a set of traffic lights.

Honestly, if anybody had muted the audio, it probably looked like I was negotiating a hostage situation.

Please tell me I’m not the only neurodivergent person who has entire conversations with themselves in the car.

Because at this point, I spend more time talking to imaginary people than real ones. 😭😂

Ever walked into a room and forgotten why? Opened your banking app and immediately forgotten what you needed? Sat in your car at the petrol station knowing you need to get out… but somehow your brain just buffers?

In this episode of AuDHD And Then Some, Ellie talks about task transition paralysis — that strange neurodivergent experience where switching between tasks feels harder than the task itself.

We’ll explore ADHD, autism, executive dysfunction, mental overload, and why seemingly simple transitions can leave us staring into space wondering what comes next.

If you’ve ever felt like your brain needs a loading screen between activities, this episode is for you.

🌈 Topics include:

• ADHD and task switching

• AuDHD and executive dysfunction

• Task transition paralysis

• Neurodivergent humour

• ADHD overwhelm

• Late diagnosis experiences

• Everyday neurodivergent struggles

🔗 Explore everything, book a discovery call, join the community, and find all resources:

linktr.ee/Ellieaudhd

#ADHD #AuDHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveDysfunction #ADHDPodcast #AuDHDPodcast #MentalHealth #LateDiagnosis #Neurodiversity #TaskTransitionParalysis #ADHDAwareness

This title should be searchable while still sounding like something your audience would actually click on. 💜

Welcome back to Part 2 of this conversation about late diagnosis, ADHD, autism and AuDHD.

In this episode, I share how receiving a diagnosis helped me replace years of self-criticism with self-understanding, why diagnosis can impact entire families, and the surprising ways it helped me build confidence and self-compassion.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to seek an ADHD, autism or AuDHD diagnosis, this episode is for you.

Because sometimes a diagnosis doesn’t change who you are.

It helps you understand who you’ve always been.

#AuDHD #LateDiagnosis #ADHDWomen #AutisticAdults #Neurodivergent #ADHDSupport #AutismAcceptance #AuDHDPodcast #NeurodiversityPodcast #AdultDiagnosis

💜 Bonus Ellie-style title option if you want something a bit more clickable:

In this episode of AuDHD And Then Some, I answer a question that comes up again and again in neurodivergent communities:

“What’s the point of getting diagnosed later in life?”

For years, I felt too much, not enough, too weird, too sensitive, and like I was somehow failing at being a person. As my children were diagnosed with ADHD and autism, I began to recognise myself in their experiences and started my own late-diagnosis journey.

In Part 1, I talk about growing up feeling different, the labels I carried throughout my life, and why seeking an AuDHD diagnosis changed everything.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #LateDiagnosis #Neurodivergent #WomenWithADHD #AdultAutism #Neurodiversity #ADHDPodcast #AutismPodcast