07/15/2025

Episode 26: Aphantastic Mind

In today's episode, we look at the neurological condition known as 'aphantasia'- the inability to conjure mental images. For the vast majority of the human population, picturing an image in mind is just a normal thing. So normal in fact that it probably hasn't even occurred that there are those of us who are, by and large, cognitively blind. The surprising reality is that many people who are cognitively blind, or aphantasic, don't even know it themselves. We rarely question how our 'internal' experience may differ from other people. We may have asked ourselves questions like whether we see the same colours as each other or know that words might have different meanings to different people, but rarely do we consider how varied our ability to visually imagine might be. For some people, imagining something does not include an internal visual image, which means they are aphantasic, and this can have striking implications on many of their cognitive functions, such as memory and learning. Aphantasia has only recently begun to receive attention in the fields of research, even though it has been known about for over a century. But what does it mean if you are cognitively blind? Well, a lot really. It may affect a number of things, but that doesn't normally equate to being a problem, for those who are, have usually found various alternative strategies to manage. More often than not, these alternatives aren't even recognised as alternatives, but rather just the way they've always been. Take memorising directions, for example- where one person might picture the directions, someone with aphantasia might memorise the street names or rely on GPS. Aphantasia changes the way we think, learn and create and all this we explore in today's episode. Enjoy the show.

1h 12m

07/06/2025

Episode 25: Amen to That! Pt3

Our final instalment of a 3-part series looking at the 7 types of ADD (ADHD) as described by Dr. Amen of Amen Clinics. Today, we examine Type 7, Anxious ADD, and follow with a recap of the 7 types and how treatment may vary for each. We also cover topics of coaching, therapy and other ways to counter the challenges of ADHD, such as exercise, diet and medication. All this is explored with a broad overview of self-development as being the most effective practice to not only address ADHD or other neurodivergences, but in being able to live a good life. If you wish to dive deeper into the 7 types of ADD, you can do so at https://www.amenclinics.com/conditions/adhd-add/ And if you would like to speak with us, contact us at questions.free2be@gmail.com

1h 2m

06/30/2025

Episode 24: Amen to That! Pt2

In today's episode, part 2 of a 3-part series, we continue exploring the 7 types of ADD (ADHD) as described by Dr Amen of Amen Clinics. We had covered types 1 to 4 in our previous episode, and today we are taking a look at types 5 and 6. Type 5 is known as 'Limbic ADD' - named as such due to the neural over-activity in the deep limbic area of the brain. Type 6 is known as 'Ring of Fire ADD', named after the way this type of ADD looks on SPECT scans. What makes Dr. Amen's 7 types of ADD unique is that the individual types are categorised using the differences found in the results of the SPECT scans, unlike the DSM-V (the current diagnostic bible), which determines a diagnosis based on behaviour, but behaviour is not the best defining factor of a neurological condition. SPECT = single photon emission computed tomography. It's a relatively new(ish) tool used in the field of neurodivergence specifically, but it may turn out to become a commonly used tool in the treatment and diagnosis of ADD/ADHD- fingers crossed. We're hoping it will happen sooner rather than later. Did we give out any wrong information? Do you have anything you would like to comment on? Would you like to come on board and join us for an episode? Well, we would love to hear from you. Get in contact with us, you can do so at questions.free2be@gmail.com If you would like to dive even deeper than we do, you can go to the source at https://www.amenclinics.com/conditions/adhd-add/

1h 19m

06/26/2025

Episode 23: Amen to That! Pt1

Today's episode is the first of a short series where we take a look at the Amen Clinic's 7 types of ADHD. We cover types 1 to 4, and the rest we will cover in the next episode. We take a look at the neurology of each ADHD type and how they differ on a neurological level, and some of the divergences between them are significant. Identifying with a specific type might benefit the methods we use to deal with the challenges of being ADHD, as anyone with ADHD can testify that there's a lot more going on than merely hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. The types we look at today are: 1- Classic ADD (ADHD) 2- Inattentive ADD 3- Overfocussed ADD 4- Temporal Lobe ADD Next week, we take a look at the remaining 3 types of ADHD: 5- Limbic ADD 6- Ring of Fire ADD 7- Anxious ADD If you would like to know more, get in touch at questions.free2be@gmail.com.au or check out the source for this episode at www.amenclinics.com Enjoy the show.

1h 25m

Trailer

Season 2: Trailer

We've brought an end to Season 1 after 22 episodes and have some news we'd like to share about the podcast– and more. Sometimes, just changing things up is also the very thing we need to keep enough motivation to keep on keeping on. There are a few changes in the pipeline and some bigger offerings coming down the track. So enjoy this short little episode and get in touch. questions.free2be@gmail.com.au

26 min

05/27/2025

Episode 22: Emotions & How They Suck.

Today's episode looks at emotional regulation and ways to help... well, regulate them. But we also explore how we operated as parents when helping our own neurodivergent children develop their emotional regulation. You'll find some helpful bits of information and you'll likely question some of our parenting methods (trigger warning). Of course we speak from personal experience so this is not officially professional advice, but our kids turned out OK. We cover topics from bullying, discipline, internet & connectivity, loss and others.

1h 32m

05/25/2025

Episode 21: Maslow's Divergent Hierarchy

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a well known concept in the field of psychology and for good reason. We need to feel secure in our foundations, such as secure housing, adequate finances, or employment, if we hope to attain, let alone secure other fundamental needs like self-esteem, respect or healthy relationships. But Maslow's hierarchy of needs fails to take into account something rather significant– neurodivergence. Anyone who is neurodivergent knows just how much extra effort is needed to function well in life for too many reasons to list here. How can we hope to achieve the higher tiers of Maslow's hierarchy when we fail to hold down a job, or manage our finances, or keep relationships? For the non-neurodivergent population climbing this hierarchy of needs may be as clear cut as climbing a ladder neurodivergence is akin to throwing a bag of snakes into the mix– two step up, one step down/one step up, three steps down. In this episode we build a new hierarchy– a neurodivergent one. We look at some of the common challenges faced with ADHD and how they often affect other aspects of our lives, and with some surprising revelations. It's too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we just get it right we will somehow live free from the trappings of neurodivergence but if that was actually possible, we would already be doing it. Creating our own hierarchy of needs can turn neurodivergence into neuro-divulgence.

1h 15m

05/22/2025

Episode 20: With Steve Rothwell Pt3

.Steve Rothwell is a man of many talents– a writer, a travel journalist, an engineer, public speaker, mental health advocate, and the list keeps going on. Hailing from one of England coal mining town he found his way to the tropical north of Australia where he took to exploring those vast coastlines on a motorbike and a paraglider (spoiler alert, we don't find out if he tried them at the same time). But as with many of us who take on life with such vigour, the struggles with mental health caught up. So what did Steve do? After finding his feet again he chose to face his recent challenge head on by sharing his experiences with others so that the taboos that continue to silence mental health issues cease to be the barrier to help that too many fail to find. WARNING: This episode explores issues of suicide, In our three part conversation we explore many facets of mental health, from the factors that exacerbate the issue to our personal ways of working with them. We might not be able to completely overcome every battle we face in life, but we can find ways to grow stronger because of them. Join us as we drop the façade and get real with some of the more challenging issues of mental health.

32 min

Emergent Divergents

Episode 26: Aphantastic Mind

Episode 25: Amen to That! Pt3

Episode 24: Amen to That! Pt2

Episode 23: Amen to That! Pt1

Season 2: Trailer

Episode 22: Emotions & How They Suck.

Episode 21: Maslow's Divergent Hierarchy

Episode 20: With Steve Rothwell Pt3

Trailer

Season 2: Trailer

About

Information

Emergent Divergents

Episodes

Episode 26: Aphantastic Mind

Episode 25: Amen to That! Pt3

Episode 24: Amen to That! Pt2

Episode 23: Amen to That! Pt1

Season 2: Trailer

Episode 22: Emotions & How They Suck.

Episode 21: Maslow's Divergent Hierarchy

Episode 20: With Steve Rothwell Pt3

Trailer

About

Information