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!

  1. 5d ago

    From Inner Critic to Inner Ally, Part 2: Learning to Meet Yourself With Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness

    For many neurodivergent people, the inner critic can be loud, persistent, and convincing. In this episode, Stephen Harrison explores why that voice may have developed as a learned protector shaped by correction, masking, rejection sensitivity, and ableist expectations. Rather than going to war with the critic, Stephen invites a different approach: changing its role. Through self-love, self-acceptance, and self-forgiveness, he offers practical ways to speak to the critic differently, reshape self-talk, ask better questions, receive compliments, and practise meeting yourself with more care. This is a reflective and practical conversation about inner change, innate worth, trusted support, and learning to live from love rather than fear. This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

    28 min

  2. Jun 10

    From Inner Critic to Inner Ally, Part 1: Why Your Inner Critic Is So Loud

    Most people have an inner critic, but for many neurodivergent people, that voice can feel especially loud, targeted, and relentless. It may replay small mistakes, dismiss positive feedback, or turn moments of being out of sync into evidence of personal failure. In this episode, Stephen Harrison explores where the critic may come from, why it can become so intense, and how it often acts as a misguided protector rather than a true enemy. The conversation looks at masking, repeated correction, ableism, rejection sensitivity, and the pressure to appear acceptable in neurotypical environments. Stephen introduces the “inner orchestra” metaphor as a practical way to reduce the critic’s dominance, give it a more limited role, and begin hearing other inner voices such as curiosity, compassion, courage, discipline, and kindness. Most people have an inner critic, but for many neurodivergent people, that voice can feel especially loud, targeted, and relentless. It may replay small mistakes, dismiss positive feedback, or turn moments of being out of sync into evidence of personal failure. In this episode, Stephen Harrison explores where the critic may come from, why it can become so intense, and how it often acts as a misguided protector rather than a true enemy. The conversation looks at masking, repeated correction, ableism, rejection sensitivity, and the pressure to appear acceptable in neurotypical environments. Stephen introduces the “inner orchestra” metaphor as a practical way to reduce the critic’s dominance, give it a more limited role, and begin hearing other inner voices such as curiosity, compassion, courage, discipline, and kindness.

    28 min

  3. May 27

    Navigating Turbulence, Part 3: Growing Through Change, Not Around It

    Change often feels disruptive, especially when it exposes patterns, challenges expectations, or creates uncertainty. For neurodivergent individuals and those who support them, this experience can be more intense and persistent. This episode explores how to engage with that turbulence in a way that supports growth rather than avoidance. The focus shifts from perfection—meeting external expectations—to essence—aligning with your natural wiring, needs, and ways of functioning. Growth is reframed as layered and non-linear, with familiar challenges reappearing with new insights and capacities rather than signalling failure. Through practical examples and reflective questions, this episode offers a grounded approach to moving from confusion to action. It emphasises responsibility without self-blame, small aligned steps, and the importance of asking better questions to support meaningful change. This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

    27 min

  4. May 13

    Navigating Turbulence, Part 2: Turning overwhelm into information

    Many people are taught to distrust their emotions—especially when they feel intense, confusing, or overwhelming. For neurodivergent people, this experience can be even more pronounced. Emotions may arrive more strongly, last longer, or be triggered in ways others do not understand. This episode reframes painful emotions as information rather than failure. Anger can highlight boundaries or values being crossed. Frustration can signal that effort is being applied to a strategy that is not working. Confusion can indicate that learning is taking place, even when clarity has not yet emerged. Worry and anxiety often reflect repeated questions that can be changed. By learning to interpret emotions rather than suppress them, it becomes possible to take small, intentional actions that shift experience. The goal is not to eliminate difficult feelings, but to use them as a guide for experimentation, adjustment, and growth. This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

    23 min

  5. Apr 29

    Navigating Turbulence, Part 1: Change Through a Neurodivergent Lens

    Change is rarely the hardest part—the internal process that follows is where most people struggle. When a diagnosis, realisation, or shift in understanding occurs, it creates a gap between the old story and the new one. That gap can feel uncertain, confusing, and deeply unsettling. This episode explores what is actually happening during that period. It introduces the distinction between change and transition, reframes turbulence as part of meaning-making, and walks through the emotional responses that often arise, including shock, grief, relief, fear, and guilt. It also offers practical ways to navigate this space—through recognising emotional patterns, understanding the pendulum effect, and using simple anchoring questions. For additional support, resources aligned with this approach are available through Thrival Coaching. This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

    26 min

  6. Apr 15

    Dyslexia, Difference, and the Power of the Right Support (Interview)

    Dyslexia is often misunderstood as a narrow set of reading difficulties, yet lived experience reveals something much broader. In this conversation, Sarah Davies shares how dyslexia showed up through misinterpretation, effort without matching results, and navigating systems that did not fit how she naturally processes information. Her journey reflects the impact of misunderstanding and the shift that becomes possible when understanding and practical support are introduced. The episode explores how education and workplaces can unintentionally reinforce struggle when they rely on one way of thinking, learning, or communicating. It also highlights the importance of recognising patterns, supporting individual differences, and creating environments where strengths can emerge alongside challenges. If you are seeking grounded, strengths-based perspectives on neurodivergence, this episode offers practical insight. You can explore more resources and articles through Thrival Coaching, designed to support understanding, reflection, and meaningful change. Visit https://thrivalcoaching.nz/neurodivergence-matters-podcast/ for resources related to this and other episodes. This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

    27 min

  7. Apr 1

    Masking in Neurodivergence: Energy Mapping and Burnout Prevention

    Masking is a common strategy many neurodivergent people use to navigate environments that were not designed with their needs in mind. While masking can support participation in workplaces, schools, and social settings, it often requires sustained cognitive, emotional, and sensory effort. In this episode of Neurodivergence Matters, Stephen Harrison introduces a practical framework called energy mapping. The approach helps people recognise patterns in their daily activities, identify where energy is restored or depleted, and make small changes that reduce the risk of burnout. The aim is not to remove challenge from life, but to build awareness and create days that include both effort and restoration. If you’re exploring ways to better understand neurodivergence in yourself or others, Thrival Coaching provides resources designed to support curiosity-led learning and practical understanding. Visit https://thrivalcoaching.nz/neurodivergence-matters-podcast/ for resources related to this and other episodes. This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

    26 min

  8. Mar 18

    Masking in Neurodivergence: Why It Happens and What It Costs

    Masking involves adjusting behaviour, communication, and self-presentation to appear more typical or acceptable. For many neurodivergent adults, it develops early as a response to criticism, confusion, or rejection. While masking can demonstrate adaptability and awareness, it often carries emotional, cognitive, and physical costs over time. This episode explores masking through the lens of regulation, identity vs pathology, and recognising patterns. It examines the internal “moderator,” cognitive load, sensory processing strain, and burnout risk. Practical support strategies and accommodations are outlined for neurodivergent adults and for those in workplace, relationships, parenting, and leadership contexts. Thrival Coaching resources expand on understanding neurodivergence, voluntary learning, and practical support approaches that reduce strain while preserving autonomy and choice." This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua, proudly supported by NZ On Air. Learn more at www.coastaccessradio.org.nz

    22 min
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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
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C)Coast Access Radio
  • Show Website
    Neurodivergence Matters