Neurodivergence Matters

Stephen Harrison
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This show is for anyone who knows that brains don’t all work the same—and that this is a strength, not a flaw. It blends lived experience, coaching practice, and current thinking on neurodiversity to make sense of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Each episode breaks big ideas into grounded, practical steps that real people can use at home, at work, and in relationships and is designed for both neurodivergent people and the people around them: partners, parents, managers, colleagues, and helping professionals. You’ll hear tools for communication, energy management, masking and burnout, feedback that doesn’t backfire, and micro-accommodations that make a real difference. The tone is compassionate and clear—no fluff, no pathologizing—just honest conversations, perspectives, and strategies you can put to work in your life and teams. Visit your hosts website, https://thrivalcoaching.nz open a conversation with him, obtain supporting resources, and explore further ideas!

Episodes

  1. FEB 4

    Neurodivergence Matters - Feedback without Fallout-Scripts that Work

    Giving feedback—even positive feedback—can trigger defensiveness, shutdown, or misunderstanding, especially for neurodivergent people. In this episode, Stephen Harrison explores how to give feedback without fallout by focusing on safety, clarity, and choice. You’ll learn why feedback can feel threatening, how language and structure influence nervous system responses, and how simple scripts can dramatically improve outcomes. Stephen introduces practical feedback models, including Intent–Impact–Invite, and walks through real examples from workplaces, relationships, and teams. Whether you’re a leader, parent, partner, or helping professional, this episode offers grounded, usable strategies for feedback that support growth rather than resistance. Visit Stephen’s website (https://thrivalcoaching.nz/neurodivergence-matters-podcast/) for some resources that support this episode.

    26 min

  2. JAN 14

    Neurodivergence Matters - Meeting Makeover: From Overwhelm to Outcomes

    Meetings are one of the most common—and most exhausting—workplace experiences for neurodivergent people. Ambiguity, fast turn-taking, sensory overload, and hidden rules can turn even short meetings into a draining exercise in masking and survival. In this episode, Stephen Harrison explores why meetings fail neurodivergent participants and how small, practical changes can dramatically improve participation and outcomes. Drawing on over 30 years of project and change leadership, Stephen shares clear frameworks, scripts, and micro-fixes that facilitators can apply immediately. This is not about slowing meetings down or lowering expectations. It’s about lowering the cognitive waterline so people can think, contribute, and be heard—benefiting neurodivergent and neurotypical participants alike. For practical tools, thoughtful reflections, and support for neurodivergent people and those who care about them, visit https://thrivalcoaching.nz

    22 min

  3. 12/31/2025

    Neurodivergence Matters - Myths & Evidence

    Neurodivergence is surrounded by myths—some dismissive, some harmful, and some stubbornly persistent despite substantial scientific evidence. In this episode of Neurodivergence Matters, Stephen Harrison explores where these myths come from and why they continue to shape public attitudes toward autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions. Drawing on research, real-world examples, and his own lived experience as a neurodivergent person and parent, Stephen challenges ideas such as “we’re all like that,” “autism is rare,” “ADHD is laziness,” and “autistic people lack empathy.” He also explains why neurodivergence is not a mental illness, why “neurotypical” is an ideal rather than a reality, and how better diagnostics explain rising identification rates. This episode is for neurodivergent adults, parents, educators, leaders, and helping professionals who want a grounded, evidence-based understanding—without hype, blame, or oversimplification. If this episode resonated with you, you’ll find additional neurodivergence-related resources and ways to connect with Stephen at https://thrivalcoaching.nz

    23 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Neurodivergence Matters - From brain surgery to AuDHD: how neurodivergence shaped my life and coaching.

    What happens when you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, quietly struggling yourself, and the systems around you don’t yet have language for your brain? In this honest conversation, I share my own story—from being reported for abuse because my child screamed for hours at bedtime, through early ADHD and Asperger’s diagnoses, to finally recognising that I am both autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) decades later. I talk about how a benign brain tumour and emergency surgery stripped away my masking, left me emotionally raw, and forced me to relearn what it meant to feel, connect, and belong. You’ll hear how fixation, intensity, and structure helped me build a successful career in software and project management, and how those same traits made reinvention and sales as a coach much harder than they look from the outside. This episode sets the scene for Neurodivergence Matters: a space for neurodivergent adults, parents, leaders, and helping professionals who want to understand autism, ADHD, masking, and neuro-inclusiveness in real life—not in theory. If you see yourself or someone you love in this story, you’re in the right place.

    28 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    Neurodivergence Matters - Meet Stephen Harrison, Host of Neurodivergence Matters

    Episode 0 of Neurodivergence Matters introduces your host, Stephen Harrison—a neuroinclusive and change coach whose path ran from software development and project management into coaching, and eventually into recognising his own neurodivergence. Stephen shares how his eldest child’s diagnoses first opened the door to ADHD and autism, and why it took the updated diagnostic criteria for co-occurring autism and ADHD to finally “click” for him. You’ll hear the origin story of his book, Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergence, which started life as an appendix for two other books: one for partners of neurodivergent people and one for leaders of neurodivergent teams. Stephen explains how the book outlines 17 neurodivergent conditions in accessible language—covering history, societal bias, observable traits, and practical strategies at home, at work, and in relationships—without attempting diagnosis. Stephen also reflects on writing in a time of backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion, and why he believes people who care about neurodivergent minds don’t need a mandate to keep learning. You’ll get a taste of upcoming episodes on myths about neurodivergence, workplace and relationship strategies, and interviews with neurodivergent people and their families—all grounded in lived experience, curiosity, and a hopeful, neuro-inclusive lens.

    15 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

This show is for anyone who knows that brains don’t all work the same—and that this is a strength, not a flaw. It blends lived experience, coaching practice, and current thinking on neurodiversity to make sense of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Each episode breaks big ideas into grounded, practical steps that real people can use at home, at work, and in relationships and is designed for both neurodivergent people and the people around them: partners, parents, managers, colleagues, and helping professionals. You’ll hear tools for communication, energy management, masking and burnout, feedback that doesn’t backfire, and micro-accommodations that make a real difference. The tone is compassionate and clear—no fluff, no pathologizing—just honest conversations, perspectives, and strategies you can put to work in your life and teams. Visit your hosts website, https://thrivalcoaching.nz open a conversation with him, obtain supporting resources, and explore further ideas!

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Harrison
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C)Coast Access Radio
  • Show Website
    Neurodivergence Matters