Different, Not Broken

Lauren "L2" Howard
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You’ve spent your whole life feeling like something’s wrong with you. Here’s a radical thought: what if you’re not broken - just different? Welcome to Different, Not Broken, the no-filter, emotionally intelligent, occasionally sweary podcast that challenges the idea that we all have to fit inside neat little boxes to be acceptable. Hosted by L2 (aka Lauren Howard), founder of LBee Health, this show dives into the real, raw and ridiculous sides of being neurodivergent, introverted, chronically underestimated - and still completely worthy. Expect deeply honest conversations about identity, autism, ADHD, gender, work, grief, anxiety and everything in between. There’ll be tears, dead dad jokes, side quests, and a whole lot of swearing. Whether you're neurodivergent, neurotypical, or just human and tired of pretending to be someone you’re not, this space is for you. Come for the chaos. Stay for the catharsis. Linger for the dead Dad jokes.

  1. Arguments with dudes on the internet: LinkedIn/Facebook edition

    1 DAG GELEDEN

    Arguments with dudes on the internet: LinkedIn/Facebook edition

    I've been doing the internet antagonizing. I apologize. Not to the people I'm doing it to — they deserve it — but to the universe in general. Last week I got into two arguments with dudes on the internet. It's like a thing I do. These are always cantankerous dude bros, and they always get what they deserve. The argument is almost always the same. I have one question. I ask it every time. It brings their very bullish "I know everything about running a workplace" energy down to a full Porky Pig real fast. I also bring receipts. Because of course I do. Plus: I got mad about the Turning Point USA halftime show in a business group on the internet, which is exactly where that conversation belongs if you ask me. And in Small Talk, I answer a question from Nate in Provo, Utah, who doesn't trust compliments but believes every piece of criticism — and I explain why imposter syndrome might actually be the most arrogant thing you can carry around. Boop. TIMESTAMPS 00:37 — I got into two arguments with dudes on the internet last week 01:04 — It's almost always the same argument about remote work and micromanagement 02:16 — The call center manager who had a lot to say 02:45 — The one question I have for them 03:57 — I worked at a call center. The best one in the world. It was still awful. 07:21 — If you can only run your business by underpaying people, your business is failing 08:41 — Don't wrestle with pigs. They enjoy it. (I did it anyway.) 09:18 — The Turning Point USA halftime show got me. I tried not to. 12:34 — I'm going to find a different plumber 13:55 — Small Talk: Nate from Provo, Utah on compliments vs. criticism 14:41 — 10,000 compliments: "yeah maybe." Someone says your feet smell: "that HAS to be true." 16:36 — Why imposter syndrome is actually a form of arrogance Mentioned in this episode: Join Quirky Sponsor the show https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken

    21 min
  2. The Little Extra Hug (And Other Things My Brain Needs)

    18 FEB

    The Little Extra Hug (And Other Things My Brain Needs)

    I didn’t plan to talk about George Carlin. Or mascara. Or why I apparently cannot send a calendar invite without causing structural damage. But here we are. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I talk about why I can speak into a microphone for 100,000 strangers… and feel deeply uncomfortable when someone I actually know tells me they listened. I unpack the idea of the “little extra hug” you can only get from strangers. Why performing publicly can feel easier than being known privately. Why validation from the internet feels different than validation from your neighbour. We also take a very sharp turn into hyperfixation. Makeup hyperfixation, specifically. What it feels like when your brain latches onto something and turns it into a full-blown research project. How dopamine gets mined in drawers full of blush and setting spray. And why sometimes that joy is less frivolous than it looks. Then we talk about the contradiction that lives underneath all of it. Being wildly capable in a crisis. Building businesses in your head in seconds. And being absolutely useless at routine admin. This episode is about uneven capability. The shame that can creep in when you’re brilliant in one arena and chaotic in another. And the possibility that maybe nothing is wrong with you. Maybe you’re just built for different things. For Small Talk, I respond to a listener question about being great in emergencies but struggling with everyday adulting. Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Doomscrolling and documentary spirals 01:29 – George Carlin and the “little extra hug” 04:20 – Why strangers feel easier than real life 07:23 – Makeup hyperfixation and dopamine mining 13:30 – The Sephora return that proved my point 17:29 – Listener question: crisis queen, admin disaster 19:00 – Why I pay people to manage my calendar 20:50 – Maybe you’re just built differently Mentioned in this episode: Sponsor the show https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Join Quirky

    22 min
  3. People still use these?

    14 FEB · BONUS

    People still use these?

    We had a hell of a week last week. But let me tell you this one story....

    4 min
  4. Sudoku Shame, Sandwich Logic and Ridiculous Brains

    11 FEB

    Sudoku Shame, Sandwich Logic and Ridiculous Brains

    I didn’t plan to talk about sandwiches this much. Or water. Or Sudoku. But here we are. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I talk about the strange, often ridiculous ways our brains create shame out of absolutely nothing. Eating the “wrong” food. Convincing yourself you hate water even though you love it. Feeling mortified because you’re slow at a logic puzzle no one else can see. I unpack why our brains invent rules that don’t exist, why invisible judgement feels so real, and why being seen trying can feel worse than actually failing. This episode is about shame that doesn’t make sense, fear of looking ridiculous, and the quiet pressure to only be visible once you’re already good at something. Later in the episode, for "Small Talk", I respond to a listener question about the fear of being seen trying, and why vulnerability feels so exposing even when no one is actually paying attention. You’ll hear: Why your brain makes up rules it then punishes you for How harmless things turn into sources of shame Why being slow doesn’t mean being broken Why feeling ridiculous is often a sign you’re doing something new How to stop letting imagined judgement run your life Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Sudoku shame and the nonsense our brains create 01:12 – Sandwich logic and internalised rules 03:32 – Why I pretend I hate water 06:08 – Invisible judgement and made-up leaderboards 09:14 – Listener question: fear of being seen trying 12:32 – Getting comfortable feeling ridiculous 15:40 – Why most people are not paying attention 18:05 – What I actually want you to hear before you go Mentioned in this episode: Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Join Quirky

    20 min
  5. I Hate The New England Patriots. But Al Michaels?...

    6 FEB · BONUS

    I Hate The New England Patriots. But Al Michaels?...

    Happy Superbowl... to everyone but the New England Patriots because f**K them guys.

    4 min
  6. ICE Raids, Queer Faith and Why Injustice Feels So Personal

    4 FEB

    ICE Raids, Queer Faith and Why Injustice Feels So Personal

    I didn’t want to have this rant. I’m tired of needing to have this rant. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I talk about ICE raids, fear, and what it feels like when people are genuinely afraid to exist in their own communities. I tell a personal story about someone I rely on every day being too scared to drive six minutes across her own neighbourhood — despite being a citizen — because ICE was crawling the area. And I unpack why “just comply” is a lie that doesn’t protect people when power isn’t being exercised responsibly. This episode is about fear that makes sense, exhaustion that isn’t a personal failure, and why mental health can’t be separated from the political reality we’re living inside. Later in the episode, I’m joined by Myah Knight for a deeper conversation about queer faith, religious trauma, and the kind of community people need when institutions become unsafe. You’ll hear: Why fear is a rational response to what’s happening right now Why “just comply” doesn’t actually keep people safe How power shifts the goalposts until you’re always in the wrong What allostatic load is and why you’re exhausted even when you’re not doing much How queer faith and community can exist alongside religious trauma Why needing support doesn’t mean you’re broken Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Why I’m talking about ICE and fear 01:06 – Being too scared to drive six minutes 03:20 – Why “just comply” doesn’t protect you 06:37 – What federal overreach actually looks like 10:00 – Fear, abuse dynamics, and moving goalposts 15:45 – Why you’re exhausted even when you’re doing nothing 19:50 – Why I wanted Myah in this conversation 20:30 – Queer faith, religious trauma, and healing 37:25 – Small Talk listener question: dissociation or burnout? 40:15 – What I want you to hear before you go Mentioned in this episode: Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better Join Quirky

    44 min
  7. I recognized him instantly. (My Reality TV → Real Life Nightmare)

    28 JAN

    I recognized him instantly. (My Reality TV → Real Life Nightmare)

    I recognised him instantly. I’d never met him before. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I tell the story of going to a startup funding event in Miami and unexpectedly sitting down next to someone I knew far too much about… despite never having spoken to him in my life. It turns out reality TV, social conditioning, and a neurodivergent brain make for a very specific kind of social experience. This episode is about what it’s like to hold a straight face while your brain is doing cartwheels, why masking often looks like politeness, and how much effort goes into pretending you don’t know what you know. You’ll hear: Why recognition doesn’t always come from real relationships What masking actually looks like in everyday social situations Why being “polite” is often a survival skill How neurodivergent brains process people and patterns differently Why explaining yourself gets exhausting fast Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – I recognized him instantly 01:12 – Reality TV, hate watching, and accidental expertise 04:06 – Going to an event alone (never again) 06:48 – Sitting down next to someone I shouldn’t know 09:02 – Knowing too much and saying nothing 12:31 – Masking as politeness 15:18 – Why pretending not to know is exhausting 18:44 – Listener brag: feeling hopeful about 2026 20:02 – A very important question for sleep scientists 23:10 – Small Talk Listener Question: communicating needs without feeling difficult Mentioned in this episode: Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Join Quirky Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better

    22 min
  8. Simplify My Soda: A Crispy Coke RTO Love Story

    21 JAN

    Simplify My Soda: A Crispy Coke RTO Love Story

    I have a habit of saying the obvious things most workplaces avoid. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I break down why basic human standards at work get treated like radical ideas, why return to office policies are deeply ableist, and why so much “innovative leadership” is really just common sense wrapped in better language. This episode is about simplifying what’s been overcomplicated for years. You’ll hear: Why psychological safety isn’t a perkHow bad management hides behind complexityThe real reason companies are pushing return to officeWhy clarity often gets mistaken for controversyWhat actually changes when you treat people like humans Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Why saying the obvious sounds “radical” 02:08 – The bare minimum we’ve stopped expecting at work 03:47 – Psychological safety isn’t a perk 04:38 – Why return to office is deeply ableist 06:36 – The real reason companies want people back in offices 07:46 – Bad management disguised as productivity 09:05 – Treat people like humans and they quit less 10:36 – Listener brag: feeling on top of life 11:15 – Why I hate “love languages” 11:49 – The science and art of a crispy Coke 13:49 – Big bubbles, bad Coke, and betrayal 15:31 – Freestyle machines are not acceptable 17:59 – Small Talk Listener Question: grieving a late neurodivergent diagnosis Mentioned in this episode: Join Quirky Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken

    26 min
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You’ve spent your whole life feeling like something’s wrong with you. Here’s a radical thought: what if you’re not broken - just different? Welcome to Different, Not Broken, the no-filter, emotionally intelligent, occasionally sweary podcast that challenges the idea that we all have to fit inside neat little boxes to be acceptable. Hosted by L2 (aka Lauren Howard), founder of LBee Health, this show dives into the real, raw and ridiculous sides of being neurodivergent, introverted, chronically underestimated - and still completely worthy. Expect deeply honest conversations about identity, autism, ADHD, gender, work, grief, anxiety and everything in between. There’ll be tears, dead dad jokes, side quests, and a whole lot of swearing. Whether you're neurodivergent, neurotypical, or just human and tired of pretending to be someone you’re not, this space is for you. Come for the chaos. Stay for the catharsis. Linger for the dead Dad jokes.

Informatie

  • Maker
    Lauren "L2" Howard
  • Jaren actief
    2025 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    55
  • Beoordeling
    Expliciet
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lauren "L2" Howard
  • Website van aflevering
    Different, Not Broken