Thick No More

Jay Giddens
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated weekly

They called us thick. We weren’t. Thick No More: The Neurospicy 🌶️ Podcast is about neurodiversity, real people, real stories and real change. Hosted by Jay Giddens, each episode brings honest conversations with neurodivergent people, parents, educators, campaigners and changemakers. From dyslexia, ADHD and autism to education, parenting, careers and everyday life, nothing is off the table. No jargon. No pretending everything is a superpower. Just real conversations about different brains, the systems that don’t always work for them, and the people trying to change things. Neurodiversity. Real People. Real Stories. Real Change.

  1. 27 Aug

    Nobody Joined the Dots | Adam Petrie on ADHD, School & the Signs We Miss

    What happens when the signs were always there, but nobody joined the dots? Adam Petrie grew up knowing there was a gap between what he was capable of and what he actually produced at school. He was monitored, labelled and struggled with impulsivity, but it wasn't until the age of 35 that he finally received an ADHD diagnosis. His reaction? “YES!” Because suddenly, decades of his life started to make sense. In this episode of Thick No More, Adam talks openly about his experience at school, the impact of going unidentified for so long, becoming a teacher himself and recognising the same patterns in the children sitting in front of him. We talk about why ability and performance are not the same thing, why parents and teachers often hold different pieces of the same puzzle, the children who quietly slip through the cracks, and why waiting until a child reaches crisis before offering support simply isn't good enough. Adam also shares the story behind Early Signals, the system he's developing to help schools capture those small observations, join the dots earlier and build a clearer picture around a child before those signals become something much bigger. This is a conversation about ADHD, SEND, education, confidence and what can happen when somebody finally looks beyond the behaviour. 🎙️ Nobody Joined the Dots | Adam Petrie on ADHD, School & the Signs We Miss Because what a child produces on paper should never define what they're capable of. Thick No More.

  2. 13 Aug

    “The Exam System Is Failing Our Children” — Hannah Gee & The Fight for Fair Exams

    What happens when a child fails the same exam again… and again… and again? Hannah Gee knows exactly what that looks like. After watching her son struggle through repeated GCSE Maths and English exams, Hannah recorded an emotional video from her car that resonated with thousands of parents. But she didn’t stop at sharing her frustration. She decided to fight for change. Hannah is the founder of the Fair Exams Campaign, and in this episode of Thick No More, we ask whether our current examination system is really measuring intelligence and ability or simply measuring which young people are best able to succeed within that system. Hannah shares the reality of watching her son’s confidence disappear, the experience of having to persuade him to attend yet another exam, and why she believes repeatedly putting young people through the same system and expecting a different outcome has to stop. We also discuss: 🎓 Why Hannah believes exams need to become fairer, not easier 📚 Functional Skills and why Hannah believes they could offer a genuine alternative for some young people 💷 Fair Exams’ calculation that around £338 million is spent each year on GCSE resits 📊 Why Hannah says the average GCSE resit pass rate over the last five years has been around 21% 🧠 The huge disparity Hannah highlights between SEND and non-SEND young people achieving English and Maths GCSEs ❤️ The impact repeated failure can have on confidence, self-esteem and a young person’s relationship with education 📻 Hannah and her son’s appearance on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour 🏛️ What Hannah wants politicians and the Department for Education to do differently ✊ And, most importantly, what we can all do to support Fair Exams This isn't about lowering standards. It's about giving young people a fair opportunity to demonstrate what they actually know. As Hannah says in our conversation: “We’re trying to make them fairer, not easier.” SIGN THE PETITION:Create an applied pathway within GCSE English and Maths, like Functional Skills - Petitions FAIR EXAMS WEBSITE:Fairer exams. Fairer futures. — Fairer Exams FOLLOW FAIR EXAMS ON INSTAGRAM: Please don't just listen. Sign the petition. Share it with your school WhatsApp groups. Send it to another parent. Talk about it. The more people who get behind this campaign, the harder this conversation becomes to ignore. If this episode resonates with you, please follow Thick No More on Spotify and share this episode with one person who needs to hear it. Instagram: Every follow, share and listen helps us take these conversations further. Because a grade on a piece of paper should never determine a young person's belief in their own intelligence. You were never thick. You deserved to be understood. 🎙️ Thick No More with Jay Giddens ✍️ SUPPORT THE FAIR EXAMS CAMPAIGN🎙️ FOLLOW THICK NO MORE

  3. 30 Jul

    Millions Still Believe They're the Problem | Natalie Brooks

    Millions of adults with dyslexia still believe they're the problem. Not because they aren't intelligent. Because nobody ever explained how their brain actually works. In this deeply honest conversation, dyslexia coach and author Natalie Brooks joins Jay Giddens to unpack the realities of adult dyslexia—from working memory and masking to confidence, executive function and why so many people spend decades believing they simply aren't good enough. This isn't another conversation about famous entrepreneurs or "superpowers." It's about understanding yourself. Inside this episode you'll discover: 🧠 Why working memory affects conversations, meetings and everyday life 💜 Why confidence isn't just emotional—it changes how your brain functions 🎭 What masking really looks like in adults with dyslexia 💡 Why "picture thinking" can be one of your greatest strengths 📖 The inspiration behind Natalie's new book, Dyslexia Unlocked Whether you're dyslexic, neurodivergent, a parent, teacher or employer, this episode will leave you understanding dyslexia in a completely different way. 🎙️ Guest: Natalie Brooks 📚 Book: Dyslexia Unlocked If this conversation resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

  4. 16 Jul

    You Were Never Broken | Carrie Grant MBE on Autism, Education & Finding Hope

    What happens when one of Britain's most recognisable TV personalities becomes one of the country's most powerful voices for neurodivergent families? In this deeply personal episode of Thick No More, Jay sits down with Carrie Grant MBE to explore autism, education, parenting and the fight for a more inclusive future. Known by millions from Fame Academy, Pop Idol and decades in television and music, Carrie opens up like never before about receiving her own autism diagnosis later in life, raising neurodivergent children and why she believes our education system is still failing too many families. Together, Jay and Carrie discuss: Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adultWhy so many autistic girls and women have been overlookedThe emotional toll carried by SEND parentsWhy schools need a complete rethinkThe power of music and creativityHope, resilience and building communities that truly include everyoneWhy labels should never define potentialThis is an honest, emotional and hopeful conversation that every parent, teacher, educator and neurodivergent adult should hear. If you've ever felt misunderstood, labelled or underestimated, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Don't forget to Follow Thick No More so you never miss an episode.

  5. 2 Jul

    When the Headteacher Becomes the SEND Parent | Kate Manning on Dyslexia, Inclusion & Fixing Education

    🎙️ When the Headteacher Becomes the SEND Parent | Kate Manning on Dyslexia, Inclusion & Fixing Education What happens when the person leading a school suddenly finds themselves fighting the education system as a parent? In this episode of Thick No More, I sit down with headteacher, SEND advocate and founder of Edgewood School, Kate Manning, for one of the most honest conversations we've had about education. Kate shares the deeply personal story of supporting her daughter Annie through dyslexia and additional learning needs, while balancing the pressures of leading a school herself. We discuss why so many parents feel lost in the SEND system, why education often measures compliance instead of capability, and why Kate believes it's time to stop trying to "fix" children and start building schools around how they actually learn. This conversation also explores AI in education, accessible technology, the future of learning, and Kate's vision for a completely different kind of school designed around inclusion rather than conformity. If you're a parent, teacher, school leader or simply believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, this is an episode you won't want to miss. • Life as both a headteacher and a SEND parent• Dyslexia, additional needs and the reality families face• Why so many parents struggle to access the right support• The emotional impact of raising a neurodivergent child• AI, accessibility and the future of education• Why schools should prepare children for life, not just exams• Building a truly inclusive education system• Why it's time to celebrate strengths instead of labels Kate's message is simple but powerful: "It's not about fixing the child. It's about changing the system around them." 🎙️ Follow Thick No More for more conversations challenging labels, celebrating different ways of thinking and sharing the stories that deserve to be heard. 🔗 Follow Thick No More:https://linktr.ee/nomorepod 📲 Follow Jay Giddens:https://www.instagram.com/thicknomorepod If this conversation resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. In this episode we discuss:

  6. 25 Jun

    Heidi Mavir: Your Child Is Not Broken | The Truth About SEND, School Refusal & Why Parents Are Blaming Themselves

    What happens when a parent is made to believe their child is the problem? In this powerful episode of Thick No More, I sit down with bestselling author, SEND advocate and campaigner Heidi Mavir to talk about the reality facing thousands of families across the UK. We discuss why so many parents are left feeling like they've failed, why children are being labelled instead of supported, and why Heidi believes the education system is failing some of the very children it was designed to help. From school refusal and mental health struggles to SEND reforms, class sizes and the future of education, this is an honest and emotional conversation that every parent, teacher and policymaker should hear. Heidi also shares the deeply personal story behind her bestselling book, Your Child Is Not Broken, and explains why so many families need to hear that message right now. Topics covered: • School avoidance and emotionally based school non-attendance• Autism, ADHD and neurodiversity• Why parents blame themselves• SEND support in UK schools• Mental health and family wellbeing• School reform and government policy• The future of education• Why community matters for struggling families If you're a parent fighting for support, a teacher trying to make a difference, or someone who has ever felt labelled, judged or misunderstood, this episode is for you. 🔗 Follow Heidi MavirInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidimavirWebsite: https://www.heidimavir.com 📖 Buy "Your Child Is Not Broken"https://www.amazon.co.uk 🎙️ Follow Thick No MoreInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thicknomorepod 🔗 All podcast links:https://linktr.ee/nomorepod #ThickNoMore #HeidiMavir #SEND #Dyslexia #ADHD #Autism #Neurodiversity #Education #SchoolRefusal #Parenting #MentalHealth

  7. 4 Jun

    The School System Failed My Son | ADHD, Autism & the Fight for Support with Danielle Broadbent

    In this powerful episode of Thick No More, Jay Giddens is joined by parent advocate Danielle Broadbent to discuss the reality facing thousands of families navigating ADHD, autism, school exclusions, EHCP applications, and a system many believe is failing neurodivergent children. Danielle shares her deeply personal journey supporting her son through years of struggles in secondary school, repeated exclusions, isolation, delayed assessments, and the battle to secure the support he needed. Together, Jay and Danielle explore the emotional impact on families, why so many children are falling through the cracks, and the urgent need for education reform. The conversation also shines a light on alternative pathways such as Functional Skills qualifications, challenging the belief that GCSEs are the only route to success. This episode is essential listening for parents, carers, educators, SEND professionals, and anyone passionate about creating a more inclusive education system. Topics covered: • ADHD and Autism diagnosis journeys• School exclusions and isolation rooms• EHCP applications and tribunals• SEND support and education reform• Functional Skills and alternative pathways• School attendance and school refusal• Neurodiversity in education• The impact on parents and families• Why GCSEs are not the only measure of success If you've ever felt unheard, exhausted, or frustrated while fighting for your child, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone.

  8. 21 May

    Not Good Enough" to Unstoppable | Andy Vincent on Dyslexia, Trauma & Transformation

    Season 3, Episode 1 – Andy Vincent | Thick No More Season 3 kicks off with one of the most honest, emotional and inspiring conversations we’ve had yet. In this episode, Jay sits down with Andy Vincent a man whose story of dyslexia, childhood trauma, survival and personal transformation will resonate deeply with parents, neurodivergent adults and anyone who has ever felt “not good enough.” Growing up in Portsmouth during the 70s and 80s, Andy struggled through a school system that didn’t understand dyslexia. Labelled, misunderstood and pushed into “special reading classes,” he carried the same painful words many neurodivergent people know all too well thick, lazy, not smart enough. But school wasn’t even the hardest part. Andy opens up about growing up in a deeply dysfunctional home, dealing with poverty, alcoholism and childhood sexual abuse — experiences he kept hidden for over 30 years. This episode is raw, powerful and incredibly human. Jay and Andy connect over shared experiences of growing up neurodivergent in a world that simply didn’t get them. Together, they explore how those labels can follow you into adulthood, shaping confidence, careers, relationships and mental health. Andy speaks openly about failing exams, struggling to fit into traditional systems and battling the constant internal voice saying, “I’m not good enough.” But this is not a story about giving up. It’s a story about belief, resilience and rebuilding yourself from the ground up. Andy shares how personal development and self-education completely changed his life, taking him from construction work and financial collapse during the 2007 recession to becoming a coach, mentor and advocate for using AI to empower neurodivergent people. One of the most fascinating parts of this episode is Andy’s approach to artificial intelligence. Rather than fearing AI, he explains how it became a life-changing tool that gave him confidence, clarity and a voice. From helping him communicate more effectively to building courses, creating content and organising his ideas, Andy believes AI can become a powerful support system for people with dyslexia, ADHD and other neurodivergent challenges. The conversation dives deep into: Growing up dyslexic in the 70s and 80sTrauma, shame and survivalMental health and self-beliefThe impact of labels on neurodivergent childrenWhy traditional education fails so many peoplePersonal development and breaking limiting beliefsAI tools for confidence, learning and communicationWhy “progression over perfection” mattersThe importance of courage, consistency and changeAndy also shares his “4 Cs” philosophy: Change. Courage. Confidence. Consistency. A message that perfectly captures the heart of Thick No More. As always, this episode is about more than storytelling. It’s about helping people feel seen, understood and hopeful. If you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, someone struggling with confidence, or simply trying to find your place in a system that never seemed built for you — this episode will hit home. And yes… Andy’s entrance song choice is an absolute belter. 🎵 Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey 🎵 Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough starts with finally believing in yourself.

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About

They called us thick. We weren’t. Thick No More: The Neurospicy 🌶️ Podcast is about neurodiversity, real people, real stories and real change. Hosted by Jay Giddens, each episode brings honest conversations with neurodivergent people, parents, educators, campaigners and changemakers. From dyslexia, ADHD and autism to education, parenting, careers and everyday life, nothing is off the table. No jargon. No pretending everything is a superpower. Just real conversations about different brains, the systems that don’t always work for them, and the people trying to change things. Neurodiversity. Real People. Real Stories. Real Change.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Giddens
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jay Giddens
  • Show Website
    Thick No More

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