In this episode of Unlearning Autism, I sit down with Laura Guckian ā host of the award-winning MomFessions podcast and one of the UK and Irelandās most recognised voices in maternal mental health and neurodivergent motherhood.
Laura shares her deeply personal journey from severe maternal mental health challenges, including a psychiatric hospital stay, to becoming a coach, advocate, and storyteller supporting mothers across the world.
Together we explore what happens when the idealised cultural story of motherhood doesnāt match reality, and why many women only begin to recognise their neurodivergence after becoming mothers themselves.
I love this episode. It is unmasked, beautiful, passionate Autistic conversation. I am so proud of this and it is in here, in this vulnerable space that I share something I have never spoken about.
This conversation touches on:
ā¢ the intersection of autism, ADHD and motherhood
ā¢ why the wellbeing industry often fails neurodivergent mothers
ā¢ maternal mental health and the loneliness many women experience
ā¢ how motherhood can expose masking and nervous system overwhelm
ā¢ why late identification can radically change how we parent
ā¢ rewriting the rules of motherhood on our own terms
Laura speaks with honesty, warmth and courage about her experience and the powerful work she now does supporting mothers to understand themselves more deeply.
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About LauraLaura Guckian is a motherhood coach, speaker and advocate specialising in maternal mental health and neurodivergent motherhood. She is the host of the award-winning MomFessions podcast, which was recently named Best British Parenting Podcast 2025.
Following her own experience of severe maternal mental health challenges after becoming a mother, Laura has become a powerful voice in conversations about the realities of motherhood that are rarely spoken about openly. Through her coaching, podcast and advocacy, she supports mothers around the world to better understand their mental health, identity and nervous system.
