Different, Not Broken

Lauren "L2" Howard

You’ve spent your whole life feeling like something’s wrong with you. Here’s a radical thought: what if you’re not broken - just different? Welcome to Different, Not Broken, the no-filter, emotionally intelligent, occasionally sweary podcast that challenges the idea that we all have to fit inside neat little boxes to be acceptable. Hosted by L2 (aka Lauren Howard), founder of LBee Health, this show dives into the real, raw and ridiculous sides of being neurodivergent, introverted, chronically underestimated - and still completely worthy. Expect deeply honest conversations about identity, autism, ADHD, gender, work, grief, anxiety and everything in between. There’ll be tears, dead dad jokes, side quests, and a whole lot of swearing. Whether you're neurodivergent, neurotypical, or just human and tired of pretending to be someone you’re not, this space is for you. Come for the chaos. Stay for the catharsis. Linger for the dead Dad jokes.

  1. Sudoku Shame, Sandwich Logic and Ridiculous Brains

    2 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    Sudoku Shame, Sandwich Logic and Ridiculous Brains

    I didn’t plan to talk about sandwiches this much. Or water. Or Sudoku. But here we are. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I talk about the strange, often ridiculous ways our brains create shame out of absolutely nothing. Eating the “wrong” food. Convincing yourself you hate water even though you love it. Feeling mortified because you’re slow at a logic puzzle no one else can see. I unpack why our brains invent rules that don’t exist, why invisible judgement feels so real, and why being seen trying can feel worse than actually failing. This episode is about shame that doesn’t make sense, fear of looking ridiculous, and the quiet pressure to only be visible once you’re already good at something. Later in the episode, for "Small Talk", I respond to a listener question about the fear of being seen trying, and why vulnerability feels so exposing even when no one is actually paying attention. You’ll hear: Why your brain makes up rules it then punishes you for How harmless things turn into sources of shame Why being slow doesn’t mean being broken Why feeling ridiculous is often a sign you’re doing something new How to stop letting imagined judgement run your life Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Sudoku shame and the nonsense our brains create 01:12 – Sandwich logic and internalised rules 03:32 – Why I pretend I hate water 06:08 – Invisible judgement and made-up leaderboards 09:14 – Listener question: fear of being seen trying 12:32 – Getting comfortable feeling ridiculous 15:40 – Why most people are not paying attention 18:05 – What I actually want you to hear before you go Mentioned in this episode: Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Join Quirky

    20 phút
  2. ICE Raids, Queer Faith and Why Injustice Feels So Personal

    4 THG 2

    ICE Raids, Queer Faith and Why Injustice Feels So Personal

    I didn’t want to have this rant. I’m tired of needing to have this rant. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I talk about ICE raids, fear, and what it feels like when people are genuinely afraid to exist in their own communities. I tell a personal story about someone I rely on every day being too scared to drive six minutes across her own neighbourhood — despite being a citizen — because ICE was crawling the area. And I unpack why “just comply” is a lie that doesn’t protect people when power isn’t being exercised responsibly. This episode is about fear that makes sense, exhaustion that isn’t a personal failure, and why mental health can’t be separated from the political reality we’re living inside. Later in the episode, I’m joined by Myah Knight for a deeper conversation about queer faith, religious trauma, and the kind of community people need when institutions become unsafe. You’ll hear: Why fear is a rational response to what’s happening right now Why “just comply” doesn’t actually keep people safe How power shifts the goalposts until you’re always in the wrong What allostatic load is and why you’re exhausted even when you’re not doing much How queer faith and community can exist alongside religious trauma Why needing support doesn’t mean you’re broken Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Why I’m talking about ICE and fear 01:06 – Being too scared to drive six minutes 03:20 – Why “just comply” doesn’t protect you 06:37 – What federal overreach actually looks like 10:00 – Fear, abuse dynamics, and moving goalposts 15:45 – Why you’re exhausted even when you’re doing nothing 19:50 – Why I wanted Myah in this conversation 20:30 – Queer faith, religious trauma, and healing 37:25 – Small Talk listener question: dissociation or burnout? 40:15 – What I want you to hear before you go Mentioned in this episode: Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better Join Quirky

    44 phút
  3. I recognized him instantly. (My Reality TV → Real Life Nightmare)

    28 THG 1

    I recognized him instantly. (My Reality TV → Real Life Nightmare)

    I recognised him instantly. I’d never met him before. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I tell the story of going to a startup funding event in Miami and unexpectedly sitting down next to someone I knew far too much about… despite never having spoken to him in my life. It turns out reality TV, social conditioning, and a neurodivergent brain make for a very specific kind of social experience. This episode is about what it’s like to hold a straight face while your brain is doing cartwheels, why masking often looks like politeness, and how much effort goes into pretending you don’t know what you know. You’ll hear: Why recognition doesn’t always come from real relationships What masking actually looks like in everyday social situations Why being “polite” is often a survival skill How neurodivergent brains process people and patterns differently Why explaining yourself gets exhausting fast Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – I recognized him instantly 01:12 – Reality TV, hate watching, and accidental expertise 04:06 – Going to an event alone (never again) 06:48 – Sitting down next to someone I shouldn’t know 09:02 – Knowing too much and saying nothing 12:31 – Masking as politeness 15:18 – Why pretending not to know is exhausting 18:44 – Listener brag: feeling hopeful about 2026 20:02 – A very important question for sleep scientists 23:10 – Small Talk Listener Question: communicating needs without feeling difficult Mentioned in this episode: Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Join Quirky Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better

    22 phút
  4. Simplify My Soda: A Crispy Coke RTO Love Story

    21 THG 1

    Simplify My Soda: A Crispy Coke RTO Love Story

    I have a habit of saying the obvious things most workplaces avoid. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I break down why basic human standards at work get treated like radical ideas, why return to office policies are deeply ableist, and why so much “innovative leadership” is really just common sense wrapped in better language. This episode is about simplifying what’s been overcomplicated for years. You’ll hear: Why psychological safety isn’t a perkHow bad management hides behind complexityThe real reason companies are pushing return to officeWhy clarity often gets mistaken for controversyWhat actually changes when you treat people like humans Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Why saying the obvious sounds “radical” 02:08 – The bare minimum we’ve stopped expecting at work 03:47 – Psychological safety isn’t a perk 04:38 – Why return to office is deeply ableist 06:36 – The real reason companies want people back in offices 07:46 – Bad management disguised as productivity 09:05 – Treat people like humans and they quit less 10:36 – Listener brag: feeling on top of life 11:15 – Why I hate “love languages” 11:49 – The science and art of a crispy Coke 13:49 – Big bubbles, bad Coke, and betrayal 15:31 – Freestyle machines are not acceptable 17:59 – Small Talk Listener Question: grieving a late neurodivergent diagnosis Mentioned in this episode: Join Quirky Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken

    26 phút
  5. You're Not Broken. You Were Taught Harmful Theology!

    14 THG 1

    You're Not Broken. You Were Taught Harmful Theology!

    You’re not broken. But a lot of us were taught to believe we were. Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do. And in this episode of Different, Not Broken, I’m talking with Libby Alders, a pastoral chaplain who works at the intersection of faith, trauma, and identity, about what happens when religion stops being a source of comfort and starts quietly doing damage. We get into how harmful theology gets lodged in your nervous system, why so many neurodivergent and LGBTQIA people grow up feeling fundamentally wrong, and how community can heal or harm depending on who’s allowed to show up fully. This isn’t a debate about belief. It’s a conversation about safety. About moral injury. About certainty being weaponised. And about finding ways to make meaning without being told who you’re allowed to be. There’s swearing. There’s honesty. There’s a surprising amount of warmth for a conversation that doesn’t pull its punches. Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it! https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail Useful stuff Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/ Timestamped summary 00:00 “You’re Not Broken. You Were Taught Harmful Theology” 04:18 Certainty, faith, and why curiosity matters 09:32 Religion, trauma, and moral injury 14:41 Neurodivergence, queerness, and conditional belonging 20:06 Losing faith without losing yourself 26:55 Finding safer community and meaning Mentioned in this episode: Build Your Better course Build your better course - https://stan.store/elletwo/p/build-your-better Wanna sponsor this podcast http://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/sponsors Sponsor Different Not Broken

    41 phút
4
/5
20 Xếp hạng

Giới Thiệu

You’ve spent your whole life feeling like something’s wrong with you. Here’s a radical thought: what if you’re not broken - just different? Welcome to Different, Not Broken, the no-filter, emotionally intelligent, occasionally sweary podcast that challenges the idea that we all have to fit inside neat little boxes to be acceptable. Hosted by L2 (aka Lauren Howard), founder of LBee Health, this show dives into the real, raw and ridiculous sides of being neurodivergent, introverted, chronically underestimated - and still completely worthy. Expect deeply honest conversations about identity, autism, ADHD, gender, work, grief, anxiety and everything in between. There’ll be tears, dead dad jokes, side quests, and a whole lot of swearing. Whether you're neurodivergent, neurotypical, or just human and tired of pretending to be someone you’re not, this space is for you. Come for the chaos. Stay for the catharsis. Linger for the dead Dad jokes.