The Neurodivergent Woman

The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast

A podcast for neurodivergent women, hosted by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Michelle Livock. Covering Autism to ADHD and everything in between, we aim to educate and inspire women who think differently.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Entrepreneurship and Neurodivergence with Dr Hayley Kelly

    This week Monique chats with Dr Hayley Kelly about entrepreneurship. Hayley is a clinical psychologist, CEO, and Founder of Therapists Rising. Her goal is to transform the mental health landscape by helping therapists build sustainable and impactful businesses. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD later in life, she brings a unique, neuroaffirming approach to entrepreneurship, inspiring mental health professionals to embrace innovation, creativity, and resilience in their practices.   This episode is jammed with incredible insights on how to leverage your neurodivergent strengths as a business owner – it’s a must listen for any ND folks thinking of launching themselves into the world of entrepreneurship and business ownership (or for those who are there already!).   In this episode Monique and Hayley cover:   Hayley’s conceptualisation of neurodivergence and the identity shifts she experienced through late diagnosis. How Hayley’s knowledge of her own neurodivergence helped her to understand the past challenges as well as the strengths she’d experienced in the workforce over her career. Her path to entrepreneurship and finding her ‘zone of genius’. The strengths of ADHD in entrepreneurship and business ownership. Strategies for managing rejection sensitivity and feeling like an imposter in this space. Strengths of the Autistic brain, and the AuDHD brain, in entrepreneurship and business ownership. Hayley’s tips for neurodivergent folk working in (or moving toward) this space.   You can find Hayley through her website, Therapists Rising, or on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 10m
  2. 15 SEPT

    Being Childfree

    We kick off Season 6 with a chunky episode about being childfree, and share our personal experiences on this topic. This was a really meaningful and important topic for us – we hope you find it useful!   We cover: The cultural and normative context of motherhood Understanding your desire for or against motherhood and what are the complexities and nuances in this. Ruby Warrington’s ‘Motherhood Spectrum’ Reasons why you might not want to be a mother – both in general and factors specific to neurodivergent folk. Finding meaning in life outside motherhood and exploring alternate archetypes for different stages of life.     Things we mentioned plus other good resources: Women without Kids – by Ruby Warrington, the book and podcast Goddesses in Everywoman; Powerful Archetypes in Women’s Lives – by Jean Shinoda Bolen Awakening Shakti – by Sally Kempton Women Who Run with the Wolves; Contacting the power of the Wild Woman – by Clarissa Pinkola Estes The Wife Drought – by Annabel Crabbe Regretting Motherhood; A Study – Orna Donath   Our astute listeners might notice the cacophony of crows occasionally kicking off in the background of this ep – imagine yourself in the Australian bush if it helps!!   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 24m
  3. 2 JUN

    The Future of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice with Sonny Jane Wise

    For our final episode of the season we welcome Sonny Jane Wise to the podcast, to share their wisdom on all things neurodivergence. This is a fabulous ep to start with if you’re new to the neurodiversity affirming model, and also if you’ve been here a while!   Sonny Jane is a trans, multiply neurodivergent & disabled public speaker, advocate and author. Sonny was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD as a child and grew up only hearing a deficit narrative about their neurodivergence. Since then, they have gone on to build an audience of over 100, 000 people online, have written The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills and We’re All Neurodiverse and has worked with organisations and services around Australia and the world to help change the narrative around neurodivergence and create a more neurodiversity affirming society.   In this episode we cover: Key definitions of neurodiversity affirming practice, including the difference between ‘neurodiverse’ and ‘neurodivergence’ and between the pathologising / medical model of practice and the neurodiversity affirming model. Sonny Jane’s experience of being early diagnosed under a pathologising model and the lifechanging impact of discovering neurokin and the neurodiversity affirming community. Disability and ableism and neuronormativity (oh my!) The intersectional impact of different aspects of Sonny Jane’s identity, their neurodivergences, and their disabilities, and how this intersectionality impacts their access to services. The future of neurodiversity affirming practice.     You can find out more about Sonny Jane and access their content through their website.    Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 11m
  4. 19 MAY

    Compassionate Practice

    In this week's episode we chat about compassionate practice. We have both been super keen to do an episode on compassion for a while now, given compassion is a core tenant of our practice. In this ep we went through some of the core features of compassion, how this can be used therapeutically, and developing self-compassion. We loved putting this episode together for you!   We cover: What is compassion and what are the benefits of compassionate practice? What does it mean to be in an active state of compassion. How compassion fits into the ‘haunted house’ of our brain. Working with the inner critic. Compassionate practice and neurodivergence. Strategies for compassionate practice and for activating a state of ‘rest’ in our nervous system.   Resources on compassionate practice: The Compassionate Mind – by Paul Gilbert Fierce Self Compassion – by Kristen Neff Online compassion quiz  Preorder Monique’s book - The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate.  Access Michelle’s three part course on compassionate practice exclusively through our Patreon (‘Buy us a Wine’ tier). Check out the study Monique mentioned mentioned on Autism and self compassion.    Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 9m
  5. 12 MAY

    Minority Stress with Rebecca Gannon

    Today on the show Monique interviews Rebecca Gannon. Rebecca is a Neurodivergent Psychologist with a Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology. Their clinical work focuses on Autism and ADHD assessment for adults as well as supervising other Psychologists and allied health professionals in neuroaffirming practice skills. Rebecca is Aboriginal, a parent, a partner, and their long-standing special interest just happens to be Autism.   On this episode Monique and Rebecca cover: Rebecca’s experience of her own neurodivergence, including the pivotal role of community as part of a healthy self-identity + the importance of understanding all aspects of your neurodivergent identity. The importance of advocacy based on lived experience and community consultation when providing support services to people with a minority identity. The Minority Stress Model. Rebecca’s experience of having both Aboriginal and neurodivergent minority identities. Ways to psychological safety for minority group members in health care settings. Rebecca’s experience navigating the health care system as an ND parent of a child with complex health needs. Heavy Metal Music (it’s relevant, we promise!).     Things we mentioned: Literature on ABA  The Australian Indigenous Psychology Association.   Another Day in the Colony – book by Chelsea Watego Find out more about Dr Tracey Westerman here.    You can contact Rebecca through her website, Kaleidoscope Assessment or on Instagram @kaleidoscopeassessment.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 1m
  6. 5 MAY

    Depression and TMS with Michelle Marques

    In this week’s episode we are thrilled to chat to Michelle Marques about her experience with depression and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, plus a million other things. Michelle is an Autistic and ADHD writer with a background in journalism and a Master’s in African American studies. Her writing and research focuses on gender, sexuality, race, neurodiversity, and pop culture.    We chat about:   Michelle’s experience of learning about her neurodivergence and the hidden cost of ADHD for high achievers. Codeswitching, the privilege of authenticity, and intersecting identities as an Autistic person and as a cultural minority. Michelle’s experience of depression and how she differentiates between depression and burnout as a neurodivergent person. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Things Michelle has found helpful for managing her mental health.   You can find Michelle’s writing on her Substack “Neurodivergent Black Girl” and you can follow her on Instagram @michellemar.ques.    Update! An American psychologist has reached out and let us know that TMS can be covered by Medicare in some cases in the USA. Here's some more information on that.    Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 20m
  7. 28 APR

    Early Identification with Josephine Barbaro

    This week on the podcast Monique interviews the incredible Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro. Josie is a late identified Autistic ADHDer. She is a Principal Research Fellow and Psychologist at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne. She is the Research Director of Identification and Diagnosis of Autism, and Clinical Director of the Victorian Early Assessment Clinic, providing neuro-affirming, transdisciplinary assessments for neurodivergence in children under 3 years. Josie’s research interests are in the early identification and diagnosis of Autism, family health and well-being following a diagnosis, and Neurodiversity Affirming research and practice.   In this episode Monique and Josie cover:   Josie’s path to understanding her own neurodivergence. The heritability of neurodivergence and the importance of taking a whole-family approach to supporting neurodivergent kids. Josie’s work on early identification of Autism and the development of the SACS early identification screening tool and the ASDectect app. Josie’s research and work into closing the gender gap in early diagnosis of Autism. Why early identification is so important and addressing concerns parents can have around ‘labelling’. How to share a diagnosis of Autism with your child. Debunking the myths around overdiagnosis of Autism.   Things we mentioned:   The Victorian Early Assessment Clinic. The SACS early identification screening tool training The ASDectect app Conversation article co-written by Josie and Marie Camin on talking to your child about their diagnosis.  Conversation article co-written by Josie and Dr Nancy Sadka debunking the myth around overdiagnosis of Autism.  Books to use as a conversation starter to introduce neurodivergence to a child include The Brain Forest and The Rainbow Brain, both by Sandyha Menon, and Round World Square Me by Chelsea Luker.    You can contact Josie via email at veac@latrobe.edu.au or find her on her socials here.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 5m

About

A podcast for neurodivergent women, hosted by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Michelle Livock. Covering Autism to ADHD and everything in between, we aim to educate and inspire women who think differently.

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