Better Being Me

Joanne Hatchard

Welcome to the Better Being Me Podcast, a celebration of finding the EASE… an essential life pillar for host Joanne Hatchard. Our bodies can often be a temple of stress, seeking tension release through unhealthy and unproductive ways - it is here that Jo uses her incredibly canny and candid awareness of living life awkward, to gift you permission to leave behind the things that aren’t serving you and explore the seriousness of life’s big cosmic body slams. Discover how our executive functioning, neural pathways and brain mapping open up new, innovative ways of BE-ing that will forever change the way you relate to yourself and the world around you. This neurodivergent Mum with her infectious chuckle, self-deprecating humour and sarcasm will help you create a better connection to self and cut through the shitshow of life to uncover the simplest workaround!

  1. Cassie Day on Unmasking, Burnout & Belonging

    2025/12/04

    Cassie Day on Unmasking, Burnout & Belonging

    🎙️ Episode TitleLate Diagnosis, Loud Identity: Cassie Day on Unmasking, Burnout & Belonging ✨ In This EpisodeThis episode, Joanne sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse human Cassie Day for an unfiltered chat about late-diagnosed neurodivergence, unravelling identity, and rebuilding from burnout. Cassie shares with raw honesty what it felt like to be diagnosed with ADHD (and a “side-serve” of autism) at 47 — and how she's still finding her place in a world that’s only just catching up. 🧠 What We Talk About 00:05 – Cassie’s late-diagnosis story and slipping through the cracks 09:00 – Parenting neurodivergent children while realising your own traits 14:00 – Processing diagnosis shame and the internalised “not enough” 22:00 – Imposter syndrome, self-trust, and deciding not to justify yourself anymore 27:00 – Burnout, business, and rediscovering identity beyond being a carer 35:00 – Neurodivergent communication quirks in relationships (kitchens beware) 42:00 – Cassie’s biggest message to other late-diagnosed women 💬 Memorable Moments “I’m just me. This is how the world works, right? How can I be different when I’ve always just been... me?” “I get to say no. I get to draw the line. I get to choose different.” “Don’t second guess yourself. You already have everything you need — and you’re okay exactly as you are.” 📚 Resources + Mentions Cassie Day’s website: www.cassieday.com Instagram: @days_of_cassie Cassie on LinkedIn Joanne’s programs & offerings: https://betterbeingme.com.au 🎧 Listen + Subscribe Follow the show so you never miss an episode — and share with a fellow late-diagnosed legend who needs to hear it. 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: @betterbeingme_bbme Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au BBMe Completely: https://go.betterbeingme.com.au/bbmecompletely295544 ✍️ Share Your Thoughts💭 What part of Cassie’s story hit home for you?👇 Drop us a DM or comment on Insta — we’d love to know. 🧡 Support the ShowIf this episode sparked something for you, please leave a review or share it with someone who might need it. You can also sign up for updates and deeper reflections at betterbeingme.com.au.

    49分
  2. Talking Twaddle with Katie Price

    2025/09/21

    Talking Twaddle with Katie Price

    🎹 Episode TitleParenting, Burnout, and Finding Justice: Katie Price on Neurodivergence and the Innocence Project ✨ In This EpisodeThis is one of those episodes that sits in your body long after listening. Joanne chats with the passionate, hilarious, and no-BS Katie Price about late diagnosis, parenting four neurodivergent kids, and shifting from burnout to purpose. They unpack everything from the medical model to the prison system—and why Katie's now helping wrongfully convicted people through the Innocence Project. It's big-hearted, wide-ranging, and full of truth bombs. 🧠 What We Talk About 00:02 – Why Katie resisted a diagnosis and what finally changed her mind 00:14 – Raising four neurodivergent kids in rural Australia 00:30 – Rejection of the medical model and the harm of deficit-based labels 00:42 – The complicated relationship with NDIS and service providers 01:10 – Burnout, breakdown, and why hospital was the turning point 01:28 – How chickens (yes, really) and social justice shaped her career path 01:50 – From social work dropout to criminology and the Innocence Project 02:05 – Miscarriage of justice, systemic bias, and finding your purpose 💬 Memorable Moments “You have to ride your worst day to get help. And even then, they make you prove it.”“We're allowed to be shit at some things. It doesn't mean we're broken. It means we're human.”“I was trying to fill holes in a bucket that was exploding. And then they gave me a sieve.” 📚 Resources + Mentions Katie Price on LinkedIn Edith Cowan University – Criminal Justice Review Project Law Society WA: Interview with John Button Innocence Network Australian Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (NetK) Joanne's Program: Be Me Completely 🎰 Listen + SubscribeFollow the show for more real, raw, and radically validating conversations. 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: @betterbeingme_ Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au BBMe Community Group or Program: BBMe Completely ✍️ Share Your Thoughts💭 What part of Katie's story lit something up in you?👇 Tell us in the comments or DM Joanne on Insta. 🧡 Support the ShowLove this ep? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to our newsletter at betterbeingme.com.au

    1時間5分
  3. Talking Twaddle with Danielle Baker

    2025/09/07

    Talking Twaddle with Danielle Baker

    🎙️ Episode TitleADHD, Anger & Authentic Parenting: Danielle Baker on Reclaiming Her Neurodivergence ✨ In This EpisodeWhat happens when the therapist gets diagnosed? In this deeply real and refreshingly honest chat, Joanne sits down with Danielle Baker—play therapist, psychotherapist, mum, and founder of The Nurtured Village. Danielle shares her journey of late ADHD diagnosis, what it’s like to parent while healing, and how perfectionism, nervous system dysregulation, and unmet needs show up in daily life. If you’ve ever felt like you were doing it all and still falling short, this one will land hard—in the best way. 🧠 What We Talk About 04:30 – The ADHD diagnosis that changed everything 08:55 – Why becoming a mum was the unraveling (and the awakening) 15:10 – Heavy lifting, high-pressure jobs, and the need for stimulation 23:45 – Creating a neuro-affirming workplace at The Nurtured Village 30:20 – Parenting while re-parenting yourself 41:40 – Sensory needs, perfectionism, and asking for help 51:00 – The power of play therapy and non-verbal emotional processing 1:10:00 – Literal thinking, self-soothing, and letting go of parenting guilt 💬 Memorable Moments “We parent the way we do with the knowledge and the skills we have at the time. That’s all we can do.” “I created a workplace I wish existed—for neurodivergent mums, by neurodivergent mums.” “Being a therapist didn’t mean I didn’t yell. It meant I had the awareness to apologise.” 📚 Resources + Mentions Danielle’s Website: www.thenurturedvillage.com.au Instagram: @thenurturedvillage Personal IG: @__daniellebaker Circle of Security Parenting BBMe Programs & Resources: https://betterbeingme.com.au 🎧 Listen + SubscribeDon’t forget to hit follow so you never miss an episode. 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: @betterbeingme_ Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au ✍️ Share Your Thoughts💭 Did Danielle’s story mirror parts of your own?👇 Let us know in the comments or DM us on Insta—we’d love to hear from you. 🧡 Support the ShowLove what you’re hearing? Leave a review or share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Sign up for the newsletter at betterbeingme.com.au for more real, neuro-affirming content.

    50分
  4. Amy Hourigan Talking Twaddle

    2025/06/07

    Amy Hourigan Talking Twaddle

    Finding Peace in a Noisy World: Amy Hourigan on Late Diagnosis, PDA Parenting + Nervous System Healing ✨ In This EpisodeThis week, Joanne sits down with digital marketing expert and neurodivergent powerhouse Amy Hourigan (@amywhodigital) for a no-holds-barred, deeply human conversation. They cover the messy beauty of late-diagnosed autism, the raw truth of parenting PDA kids, and what it means to reclaim your nervous system after a lifetime of internalised chaos. It’s vulnerable, witty, and refreshingly real. 🧠 What We Talk About 00:03 – Late autism diagnosis at 41 and what sparked the self-discovery 06:40 – Parenting PDA kids, misdiagnosis, and the sideways approach to advocacy 14:05 – Early life trauma and the nervous system's long memory 24:30 – Shame, guilt, and birth stories that shape self-worth 36:15 – Internal meltdowns, masking, and the hidden labour of survival 48:45 – How SEO became a special interest and turned into Amy Who Digital 58:00 – Rewiring the nervous system and the magic of neuro-affirming therapy 💬 Memorable Moments “I survived it. I didn't cope with it. And now I get to learn how to live, not just exist.”“Your nervous system doesn’t care where you go—it comes with you. You can’t outrun it, but you can learn to befriend it.”“I built an empire out of spite. But mostly out of self-belief I didn’t even know I had.” 📚 Resources + Mentions Amy Who Digital – Amy's website for SEO + digital marketing @amywhodigital on Instagram Alison Davies on emotions + nervous system regulation Nikki Vox (mentioned for rapid processing therapy) 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: @betterbeingme_bbme Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au BBMe Completely: Link Here to Book A Chat ✍️ Share Your Thoughts💭 What part of Amy’s story felt familiar to you?👇 DM us or join the conversation on Instagram. 🧡 Support the ShowIf you loved this episode, leave a review or share it with a friend who gets it. Sign up for Joanne's newsletter at https://betterbeingme.com.au.

    49分
  5. Talking Twaddle with Amelia Wright

    2025/03/30

    Talking Twaddle with Amelia Wright

    From Burnout to Belonging: Amelia Wright on Late Diagnosis, Self-Acceptance + Neurotopical Therapy ✨ In This Episode Joanne sits down with the beautifully insightful Amelia Wright (@neurotopicaltherapy), a late-identified autistic ADHDer and social worker who's carved a neuro-affirming path through therapy and lived experience. Together, they unpack what it really feels like to go from “something’s wrong with me” to full-blown self-understanding—and how that led to the creation of *Neurotopical Therapy*. If you’ve ever felt like you were faking being human, this one’s for you. --- 🧠 What We Talk About - 00:05 – The COVID-era collapse that led to Amelia’s diagnosis - 12:30 – “What’s actually wrong with me?” – navigating misdiagnoses and the search for clarity - 25:40 – Autism, ADHD and identity: from compartmentalising to integrating - 39:50 – What it’s like to mask while being the “chatty” twin - 46:15 – Starting Neurotopical: building a practice that *feels* right - 01:06:00 – Wisdom for the next gen of neurodivergent folk (spoiler: fight back!) --- 💬 Memorable Moments > “I just felt like I’d been pretending to be human—and the pandemic broke the mask.” > “You’re not a struggling neurotypical. You’re a perfectly fine autistic person.” > “Nothing isn’t autistic. You are autistic—and that’s a good thing.” --- 📚 Resources + Mentions - Amelia’s Practice: [neurotopicaltherapy.com.au](https://www.neurotopicaltherapy.com.au) - Instagram: [@neurotopicaltherapy](https://www.instagram.com/neurotopicaltherapy/) - Joanne’s 8-week program BBMe Completely for late-identifying women: [betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au) --- 📲 Connect With Us - Instagram: [@betterbeingme_bbme](https://www.instagram.com/betterbeingme_) - Website: [https://betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au) ✍️ Share Your Thoughts 💭 What part of Amelia’s story mirrored yours? 👇 Drop us a DM or tag @betterbeingme_bbme on Insta—we love hearing your reflections. 🧡 Support the Show Feeling seen? Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. It helps us reach more amazing humans. Sign up to Joanne’s newsletter at [betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au) to stay in the loop.

    1時間4分
  6. Talking Twaddle with Victoria Hausler

    2025/03/30

    Talking Twaddle with Victoria Hausler

    Late Diagnosis, Masking & the Motherload with Victoria Hausler This episode is a bit like sitting in on two neurodivergent women unpacking years of “what the actual fuck?” moments—with a side of humour, a splash of parenting honesty, and a big dose of finally feeling seen. I’m joined by the powerhouse that is Victoria Hausler—founder of Dara Disability and Dara Wellness Services. We talk about the moment it all started to click (thanks to her son), the fallout of years of masking, and the unexpected liberation that comes with a late diagnosis. From hypermobility to weighted blankets, eyebrow quirks to literal interpretations of social niceties… this is the conversation that shows you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not weird (or if you are, you’ve got company). Whether you’re fresh to your diagnosis or just starting to question the rules you’ve followed your whole life, there’s something in here for you. And if you’ve ever thought, “am I just making this up?”—this one’s a must. 🧠 What We Talk About 00:00 – Welcome to Talking Twaddle Why we’re sharing these stories—and what they unlock for all of us. 03:12 – Victoria’s late diagnosis & the trigger moment Parenting her son opened the floodgates for her own neurodivergent discovery. 10:30 – Masking, mirroring & the performance of fitting in How childhood habits stuck, and the cost of never showing up fully. 16:40 – Unmasking & what’s been gained (and lost) Letting go of the performance—and what falls apart in the process. 22:15 – Sensory quirks, disordered eating, and the magic of mugs Comfort, regulation, and learning to work with your wiring. 30:45 – Motherhood, marriage & the silent resentment trap What happens when the ‘coping mechanisms’ can’t hold anymore. 42:00 – Literal brains, awkward friendships & social confusion Why “we should catch up” is a dangerous phrase. 52:00 – Building a neuro-affirming business (without knowing it) How Victoria created a safe space for women that reflects her own journey. 59:45 – Final reflections Connection, community, and stepping into your own story—without apology. 💬 Quote of the Episode "Go forth without fear, without judgment of yourself. Step into your power." – Victoria Hausler 🔗 Learn More Guest: Victoria Hausler Founder of Dara Disability & Dara Wellness Services Creating safe, empowering spaces for neurodivergent women. 📸 Instagram: [@victoriahausler_dara] 🌐 Website: [daradisabilityservices.com.au] BBMe Completely : Join Now Better Being Me IG: BetterBeingMe_BBMe 📤 Share the Episode If this episode hit home, send it to someone else who needs to hear it. Tag us on socials and share your favourite quote from the show.

    52分
  7. Talking Twaddle with Leonie Dawson

    2025/03/29

    Talking Twaddle with Leonie Dawson

    Talking Twaddle with Leonie Dawson: Embracing Neurodivergence, Creativity & Life Without a Filter 🌀 Episode Summary: What happens when two unapologetically neurodivergent women sit down and talk about literally everything? This episode is part joyride, part deep-dive into what it means to live, create, and *feel* as a neurodivergent human in a neurotypical world. Joanne Hatchard is joined by bestselling author, artist, entrepreneur, and neurodivergent legend Leonie Dawson for a beautifully meandering conversation about identity, overthinking, internal monologues, toilet logistics, parenting, and creating a life that honours your energy and your weirdness. This isn’t your standard self-development chat—this is two brains syncing up across a thousand tangents, proving (once again) that you’re not alone, you’re not broken, and your journey is more shared than you think. ✨ What We Talk About: - [00:01:00] The myth of the “unique” ND journey - [00:04:30] ADHD + Autism and the creative entrepreneur brain - [00:08:00] Productivity tips that actually work for neurodivergent folks - [00:11:00] Counting brain channels, friendship hierarchies & emotional regulation - [00:21:00] Self-marriage and becoming your own best friend (seriously!) - [00:32:00] Postpartum, shutdowns & the ADHD crash - [00:39:00] Imposter syndrome vs. doing the damn thing - [00:47:00] Farm girls, fandoms & manifesting weird-ass dreams - [00:54:00] Parenting while ND (and trying not to cry in public) 💬 Quote of the Episode: “There are people out there who are thirsty for what you have to offer. So stop fucking thinking about yourself and just do the thing.” — Leonie Dawson 🌿 Learn More: 🎓 Join Be Me Completely – the 8-week program for late-identified neurodivergent women who are ready to drop the mask and reconnect with their true selves. 👉 BBMe Completely 📲 Follow Joanne on Instagram for podcast updates, brain bubbles, and support for ND women and families. 👉 BetterBeingMe_BBMe 🎨 Connect with Leonie Dawson – courses, books, art, and delightfully weird things. IG: Leonie Dawson 👉 Leonie Dawson Website 📣 Share the Episode! If this resonated with you, chances are someone in your life needs to hear it too. Screenshot, share, and tag us so we can say thanks! Or better yet—send it to that friend who still doesn’t understand why conferences ruin you for a month. 🧡 Thanks for listening. Your brain is welcome here.

    1時間4分
  8. Talking Twaddle with Josephine Moon

    2023/06/30

    Talking Twaddle with Josephine Moon

    This month Better Being Me host Joanne Hatchard talks to Josephine Moon, author of The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose.  They kick off their conversation with the topic of names, as they share a birth name, and also talk about preferred names and the names others give us.  Josephine delves into the writing process, and the pressure she felt writing the first book in Australia with an autistic female lead.  Joanne reassures her that there is an understanding that not all experiences can be conveyed in one character, and Josephine reveals that she has had a lot of positive feedback for the book. Finding a balance, as a neurodivergent person who is passionate about everything is discussed.  And this somehow leads onto a discussion of Josephine’s desire to have an equine therapy business one day.  The unique nature of horses for use in therapy is discussed, and this leads onto the topic of energy fields and vibrations.  The pair then discuss dogs, and Joanne explains the difference between assistance dogs and therapy dogs. The expense of caring for animals leads into a discussion on spreadsheets. Josephine is not a fan, however Joanne LOVES them for collating and analysing data.  Josephine confesses that she’ll probably need to learn, if she goes ahead with her equine business.  She then reflects on how being an author has changed so much since she started in 1999.  Once she could close herself away and focus on writing, now it’s talks and publicity and making tik tok videos and almost needing to be a performer. Josephine then talks about the shift in her executive function after the birth of her child.  With driving being one of the main things affected.  And describes an incident where she left the car in drive and with no hand brake on a hill.  Which luckily didn’t end as badly as it could have!  Josephine declares that she couldn’t drive overseas, and Joanne confesses that she waited six months before driving in Canada.  And even then, she had someone with her for quite some time.  Josephine quizzes Joanne as to why she was in Canada, and Joanne talks a bit about her love story with her Canadian partner Brad. The topic of making big decisions comes up, and Josephine declares that she really has an issue with “making the call.”  Joanne talks about moments where big things have changed the trajectory of her life, where she probably would have kept doing what she was doing otherwise.  This then leads in to discussion of black and white thinking, dreams and sleep, sensitivity and then memory. Josephine talks about when her characters take on lives of their own, and describes it as a “writer’s high.”  And that sometimes she feels like she’s writing to keep up with them.  The intelligence of animals beyond what we give them credit for is discussed; including dogs, bees and birds.  How they innately know how to do the things they do.  And how research is wasted on proving that animals are intelligent. Josephine and Joanne come back to the topic of assistance/therapy dogs, and discuss the pros and cons of retrievers v’s border collies.  And Joanne talks about her dog Gilly, who is a maremma/retriever cross.  Josephine then talks about visiting a camel dairy near her, and that merammas are used to guard the babies.  But that they also have guard donkeys, who can be quite deadly around people.  Josephine closes off with some funny stories about a book tour, one involving almost causing the evacuation of her hotel.  Yay executive dysfuntion! Connect with Josephine Moon IG: https://www.instagram.com/josephine_moon/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/JosephineMoonAuthor Website: https://josephinemoon.com Connect with Joanne Hatchard IG: https://www.instagram.com/betterbeingme_bbme/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/Betterbeingme/ Website: betterbeingme.com.au

    1時間18分

番組について

Welcome to the Better Being Me Podcast, a celebration of finding the EASE… an essential life pillar for host Joanne Hatchard. Our bodies can often be a temple of stress, seeking tension release through unhealthy and unproductive ways - it is here that Jo uses her incredibly canny and candid awareness of living life awkward, to gift you permission to leave behind the things that aren’t serving you and explore the seriousness of life’s big cosmic body slams. Discover how our executive functioning, neural pathways and brain mapping open up new, innovative ways of BE-ing that will forever change the way you relate to yourself and the world around you. This neurodivergent Mum with her infectious chuckle, self-deprecating humour and sarcasm will help you create a better connection to self and cut through the shitshow of life to uncover the simplest workaround!