Spicy Brain

Lara Sullivan
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Spicy Brain is the podcast host Lara Sullivan wished existed when she was diagnosed with autism as an adult. Each week, Lara welcomes guests from across the neurodivergent community for thoughtful conversations that challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and highlight the humour and joy that only come from shared life experiences. Spicy Brain is for those diagnosed later in life, those still seeking clarity, or allies of neurodivergent children who want to better understand the world around them.

  1. hace 5 días

    Anna Archer: Late Diagnosed Autistic & ADHD | Unmasking, Regression & Life After an AuDHD Diagnosis

    Spicy Brain Season Two kicks off with Anna Archer!  Host Lara Sullivan sits down with vlogger, business owner, investor and running community favourite Anna Archer, who spent 24 years not knowing she was autistic and ADHD. From the outside, Anna's life looked sorted. The vlogs, the running community, the friendships, the business. Underneath it was a very different story. Anna opens up about growing up online, rewatching her old videos for signs she missed, and what it's been like looking back at her whole life through a completely new lens. The episode explores: 🌶️ Growing up online, work-life balance and female friendships 🌶️ Getting diagnosed with both autism and ADHD 🌶️ Social stigma, telling friends and going quiet on social media 🌶️ Being vulnerable with an online audience and showing up as yourself 🌶️ The push and pull of being AuDHD 🌶️ ADHD medication, the hormonal cycle and lifestyle regulation 🌶️ Skill regression, unmasking and taking steps before you feel ready This conversation is an honest look at post-diagnosis self-doubt, what's still hard, and why not having it all figured out is a normal part of the process.Tune in for a real conversation about late diagnosis, identity, and what life actually looks like after finding out you're AuDHD. Timestamps00:00:00 How Lara and Anna Met00:06:07 Rewatching Old Videos for Signs of Autism and ADHD00:09:45 Growing Up Online, Work-Life Balance and Female Friendships00:24:42 Getting Diagnosed with ADHD and Autism00:37:34 Autism Stigma, Telling Friends and Going Quiet on Social Media00:46:05 Vulnerability Online and Being More Yourself00:56:28 The Opposites of Being AuDHD01:03:01 ADHD Medication, Hormonal Cycles and Regulation01:14:24 Regression, Unmasking and Starting Before You Feel Ready01:24:42 Spicy Fire Round Contact Spicy Brain: Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara: Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara  Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/ Follow Anna: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaarcher/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnaArcherFitness

  2. 2 oct

    Season Two Teaser | Behind the Scenes with Producer Vickey

    Spicy Brain Season Two Teaser | Behind the Scenes with Producer Vickey Spicy Brain is back! In this Season Two teaser, host Lara Sullivan is joined by Spicy Brain producer Vickey from Voices & Visuals for a behind-the-scenes chat about how the podcast came together, how they met, what Season One taught them both, and what listeners can expect from the brand-new season. From the very first nervous studio session to a growing community of autistic people, ADHDers and neurodivergent listeners who finally feel seen, Lara talks about the importance of building a neurodiverse team and what's on the horizon for Spicy Brain. In this trailer:🌶️ Growing a neurodivergent team🌶️ What it's like making a neurodivergent podcast from behind the mic🌶️ How Lara and Vickey met 🌶️ How the Spicy Brain community has grown🌶️ A first look at what's coming in Season Two New episodes land very soon. Hit follow so you don't miss the first one. Contact Spicy Brain:Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com Follow us on social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara:Website: linktr.ee/SullivanlaraInstagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

  3. 21 ago

    Spicy Brain Season 1 Finale! What We've Learned About Neurodiversity

    In this special season one finale of Spicy Brain, host Lara Sullivan reflects on the journey of creating the podcast, from overcoming her own fear of being in the studio to building a community where neurodivergent people can share their experiences openly and without judgement. Lara revisits the conversations and key lessons from guests exploring everything from workplace accommodations and late diagnosis to relationships, nutrition, OCD, ADHD, autism and the realities of living as a neurodivergent person. In this season finale, Lara explores:🌶️ What she learned from each guest throughout Season One🌶️ Why workplace accommodations should be based on individual needs🌶️ The different realities and support needs within the autistic community🌶️ ADHD, hormones, OCD and other co-occurring experiences🌶️ Why lived experience matters when understanding neurodivergence🌶️ How the Spicy Brain community has grown beyond the podcast🌶️ Why neurodivergent people should be at the centre of conversations about neurodivergence🌶️ What’s coming next! Tune in for a heartfelt look back at season one, the lessons Lara has taken from her guests, and the community that has made Spicy Brain what it is. Contact Spicy BrainThanks for tuning in to Spicy Brain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected. Find out more:Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com    Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara:Website: https://www.linktr.ee/SullivanlaraInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

  4. 4 ago

    Amber Macintosh: NUTRITION AND NEURODIVERGENCE | Understanding Safe Foods

    Why are safe foods so often beige, and what does that tell us about neurodivergence? In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with ADHD nutrition coach Amber Macintosh to explore the complex relationship between neurodivergence, food and nutrition. As an autistic and ADHD woman herself, Amber shares her journey to diagnosis and how understanding her own sensory needs shaped the way she now supports other neurodivergent people. Together, they explore why safe foods are so often carb-based, how sensory sensitivities and dopamine-seeking behaviours can influence what we eat, and why nutrition advice needs to be practical and tailored to each person's individual needs. They also discuss blood sugar, the gut-brain connection, the importance of protein and key nutrients, and how to approach food during periods of autistic burnout. This episode explores: 🌶️ Why food and nutrition can be particularly complicated for neurodivergent people 🌶️ The connection between ADHD, autism and sensory sensitivities around food 🌶️ Why safe foods are often carb-based 🌶️ How dopamine and blood sugar interact with food cravings 🌶️ The importance of protein and key nutrients for neurodivergent brains 🌶️ The gut-brain connection and supporting gut health 🌶️ How to navigate selective eating and texture sensitivities 🌶️ Making food more accessible during autistic burnout 🌶️ The relationship between neurodivergence, disordered eating and eating disorders 🌶️ Why ‘fed is better than not fed’ when capacity is low Tune in for a compassionate conversation about nutrition and neurodivergence, and how small, realistic changes can help us better support our brains and bodies without getting lost in the nutrition rabbit hole. Contact Spicy Brain Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Brain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected. Find out more: Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com  Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara:Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/ Follow Amber: Website: https://www.ambermacintosh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberscoaching

  5. 28 jul

    Ria Lina: WHAT’S FUNNY ABOUT AUTISM? | Comedy, Late Diagnosis & Autism in Women

    Can you still be autistic if you're the funniest person in the room? In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with award-winning comedian, writer, neuroscientist and late-diagnosed autistic woman Ria Lina for an honest and hilarious conversation about what autism really looks like beyond the stereotypes. Together, they explore why comedy can be the perfect home for neurodivergent minds, and how learning you're autistic can completely reshape the way you understand yourself. This episode explores: 🌶️ Why autistic women are often missed or misunderstood 🌶️ How comedy and dark humour can be a natural fit for autistic minds 🌶️ The hidden dynamics of female friendships and relational bullying 🌶️ Why autistic women often appear socially confident while struggling internally 🌶️ The identity shift that comes with a late autism diagnosis 🌶️ Why self-understanding matters more than the diagnosis itself 🌶️ Parenting, relationships, and challenging society's expectations as an autistic woman Tune in for a funny, heartfelt, and validating conversation that challenges outdated ideas about autism and celebrates the individuality and humour of autistic women. Contact Spicy Brain Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Brain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected. Find out more: Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com  Follow us on social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara:Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/ Follow Ria Lina: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rialina_ Website: https://rialina.com

  6. 21 jul

    Joe Wells: OCD AND AUTISM | Living with Intrusive Thoughts

    What happens when OCD and autism overlap – and no one recognises either? In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with comedian, author and neurodiversity advocate Joe Wells to unpack the realities of living with OCD and autism. From childhood intrusive thoughts and compulsions to receiving an autism diagnosis later in life, Joe shares his personal journey with honesty and humour. Together, they explore the misconceptions surrounding OCD, the overlap between OCD and autism, and how understanding your brain can lead to meaningful self-accommodations. They also discuss neurodivergent relationships, finding belonging through comedy, and why autistic people often thrive when they can be unapologetically themselves. This episode explores: 🌶️ What OCD actually is 🌶️ How intrusive thoughts and compulsions can impact everyday life 🌶️ The connection between OCD and autism 🌶️ Growing up neurodivergent before mental health was widely understood 🌶️ Why a late autism diagnosis can transform self-understanding 🌶️ Learning to accommodate for yourself before a formal diagnosis 🌶️ Finding belonging through comedy 🌶️ Neurodivergent relationships, communication, and embracing authenticity Tune in for a powerful conversation about mental health, OCD and why understanding your neurodivergent brain can be one of the most freeing experiences of all. Contact Spicy Brain Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Brain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected. Find out more: Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com  Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara:Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/ Follow Joe: Website: https://www.joewells.org.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joewellscomedian/?hl=en

  7. 14 jul

    Gina Rippon: HIDDEN AUTISM IN WOMEN | Life After a Late Diagnosis (Part 2)

    What happens after a late autism diagnosis? In the second episode of this two-parter special of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan continues her conversation with renowned neuroscientist and author of The Lost Girls of Autism, Professor Gina Rippon, exploring what life looks like after a diagnosis and why understanding autistic women goes far beyond outdated stereotypes. Together, they discuss the hidden cost of masking, the emotional impact of receiving a late diagnosis, the importance of finding community, and how autism research and diagnosis could evolve to better support future generations. Part 2 explores: 🌶️ The difference between masking and camouflaging 🌶️ Why masking can lead to burnout and exhaustion 🌶️ The grief and relief that often follows a late diagnosis 🌶️ Why autistic women are especially vulnerable to relational bullying 🌶️ The power of finding community after diagnosis 🌶️ How schools and workplaces can better recognise and support autistic people 🌶️ Why the future of autism diagnosis may be based on support needs rather than stereotypes Tune in for a conversation about identity, belonging, and how we can build a world that better understands and supports autistic people. Part 1 can be found on our channel. Contact Spicy Brain Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Brain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected. Find out more: Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com  Follow us on social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/ Follow Lara:Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/ Follow Gina:Gina Rippon - Chair of Cognitive NeuroImaging https://www.ginarippon.com/ British neurobiologist and feminist. She is a professor emeritus of cognitive neuroimaging at the Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham. Resources: Gina's Book: The Lost Girls of Autism The Autistic Girls Network: https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/

  8. 7 jul

    Gina Rippon: HIDDEN AUTISM IN WOMEN | Why Women Are Diagnosed So Late (Part 1)

    Why are girls and women with autism so often diagnosed late? In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with renowned neuroscientist and author of ‘The Lost Girls of Autism’, Professor Gina Rippon, to explore why so many autistic girls and women have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed far later in life. Together, they unpack how decades of autism research focused primarily on boys, shaping the way autism has been recognised, understood, and diagnosed - and leaving countless girls and women without the answers or support they needed. Part 1 explores: 🌶️ Why autism presents differently in girls and women🌶️ The male bias in autism research and diagnosis🌶️ The mental health impact of late diagnosis🌶️ Why so many autistic women are misdiagnosed🌶️ Workplace support and accommodations that make a difference🌶️ The journey of self-understanding that follows a late diagnosis🌶️ Masking and camouflaging – what they are and why they matter Tune in for a conversation that challenges outdated ideas about autism and asks what needs to change so that autistic girls and women are no longer overlooked. Part 2 is out next Tuesday. Resources:Guardian Article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/05/autism-extreme-male-brain-simon-baron-cohenGina's Book: The Lost Girls of AutismThe Autistic Girls Network: https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/ Contact Spicy Brain:Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com Follow us on social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/Follow Lara:Website: linktr.ee/SullivanlaraInstagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

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Spicy Brain is the podcast host Lara Sullivan wished existed when she was diagnosed with autism as an adult. Each week, Lara welcomes guests from across the neurodivergent community for thoughtful conversations that challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and highlight the humour and joy that only come from shared life experiences. Spicy Brain is for those diagnosed later in life, those still seeking clarity, or allies of neurodivergent children who want to better understand the world around them.

Información

  • Creador
    Lara Sullivan
  • Años de actividad
    2026
  • Episodios
    14
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lara Sullivan

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