Neurodivergent Report

Sarah Russell & Hind AlEnezi
  • 4.0 (3)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Neurodivergent Report is a podcast for ADHDers, autistic adults, and anyone navigating life through a neurodivergent lens. We blend expert interviews, personal storytelling, and research/evidence-based insights to explore the realities of living with invisible disabilities. Whether you’re seeking support for executive dysfunction, emotional regulation, trauma healing, or just looking for real conversations about neurodivergence, identity reconstruction, and mental health... this space is CREATED FOR YOU! Thank you for being here!

  1. 60: ADHD, Burnout & Chronic Pain: How the Nervous System Lives in the Body

    MAY 13

    60: ADHD, Burnout & Chronic Pain: How the Nervous System Lives in the Body

    This episode really made me think about my bendy body in a new way. We got into how the body and mind are connected through fascia, and honestly it transformed how I understand things like stress, ADHD, and nervous system healing. We talk about fascia, embodiment, and neurodivergence, especially for people who feel stuck in their heads or overwhelmed by their feelings. Curious what else is inside: Why “just breathe” advice does not always work on its own How ADHD brains need physical action to understand and process things The idea that your body is more fluid than solid, and why that mattersThere is a moment where we realize that mental overwhelm might actually be unprocessed physical tension in the body. And another where it clicks that movement is not just exercise, it is a way to process emotions. This episode might resonate if you: Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts or emotions Struggle to stay consistent unless something works right away Deal with chronic pain, fatigue, or symptoms that feel unexplained This is something I see a lot in coaching too. People try to solve everything in their minds and keep collecting information, but they do not have a way to actually use it to move forward. If that is you, you are not failing nor are you broken. You might just need a more body based way to approach life. If you're looking for compassionate support with that: 👉https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching Website: gstbody.comInstagram: @gstbody & @annarahe

    53 min
  2. 59: Meditation 101 for Neurodivergent Minds: How to Start + Why It Works w/ Kelly Smith

    APR 29

    59: Meditation 101 for Neurodivergent Minds: How to Start + Why It Works w/ Kelly Smith

    Featuring: Kelly Smith, meditation teacher, author, and host of Mindful in Minutes We've all been told to try meditation. But some of our brains rebel against us when we try: your brain won’t slow down, your thoughts get louder, and it feels impossible. What if the problem isn’t you… but how meditation has been taught? In this episode, we explore: The “I Can’t Meditate” Moment: Sarah and Kelly reflect on initially rejecting meditation as something their brains couldn’t do. The “Workaround / Framework”: Meditation as single-pointed focus (not “emptying your mind”) — and why short, guided practices work best for neurodivergent brains. Protecting Your Peace: How the nervous system, the 90-second stress response, and constant stimulation keep us stuck in fight-or-flight. The Unexpected Human Detail: Goat cheese metaphors, self-doubt, and a real conversation about learning to be kinder to yourself. Key Questions Answered in the Audio: How to build a meditation practice for ADHD brains?What actually happens in your brain when you meditate for 8 weeks?What is the purpose of meditation for neurodivergent people? Resources Mentioned: Kelly Smith’s podcast, Mindful in Minutes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyuAzAFsNzcypnAa1XSlnog Kelly’s Website: http://yogaforyouonline.com/ Connect With Us! ndreportpod.com/contact Follow us on all the socials @NDreportpod

    59 min
  3. 58: Neurodiversity at Work: A Clinician Explains Why Workplace Accommodations Go Wrong & How to Do Better

    APR 8

    58: Neurodiversity at Work: A Clinician Explains Why Workplace Accommodations Go Wrong & How to Do Better

    Featuring: Matthew Seneshen, clinical counselor & educator specializing in neurodiversity and workplace mental health How do you survive at work when the system expects you to prove you’re struggling before it offers help? In this episode, we explore: Neurodiversity & Identity Early diagnosis, dysgraphia, and processing differences Shifting from “broken” to understanding neurodivergence as natural variation Workplace Reality Why accommodations often fail in real-world settings The gap between inclusive policies and actual day-to-day experiences Stigma, “othering,” and the pressure to self-disclose Systems & Models Medical model vs. social model of disability Introducing the biopsychosocial approach to workplace support Why workplaces struggle to implement meaningful change Universal Design & Solutions Moving from individual accommodations to universal workplace design Collaborative, proactive support instead of reactive gatekeeping Why supporting all workers improves outcomes (and retention) Self-Advocacy & Boundaries How to communicate needs without over-pathologizing yourself Knowing your “line” at work before burnout hits Navigating conflict with managers and systems Mental Health & Meaning Separating your worth from productivity Values-based work and identity outside of your job Grief, burnout, and rebuilding a sense of self Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Why do workplaces require proof of struggle before offering support? How do you know in advance if an accommodation will be helpful or sustainable? How do you advocate for yourself without oversharing or stigmatizing yourself? https://walktalkcounselling.com/aboutEmail: Contact@walktalkcounselling.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-seneshen-5347ab172/ Connect With Us! ndreportpod.com Follow us on all the socials @NDreportpod

    59 min
  4. 57: Chronic Pain & ADHD: Janet Jay Explains How Community Support Makes Life Easier

    APR 3

    57: Chronic Pain & ADHD: Janet Jay Explains How Community Support Makes Life Easier

    Featuring: Janet Jay, writer and advocate exploring intersection of chronic pain, ADHD, and community care How do you navigate life when your body and your brain aren’t cooperating & there’s no system in place to provide support? In this episode, we explore: Chronic Pain & ADHD Overlap between chronic pain and ADHD Adult ADHD diagnosis and identity shift Navigating Systems Barriers within the healthcare system Using technology/AI to manage care and information Community & Support Community as a survival tool Finding and building supportive networks Coping & Regulation Practical coping tools and workarounds Creative practices as regulation (knitting, art, movement) Life Integration Parenting, emotional regulation, and nervous system support Grief, resilience, and meaning-making Building a life that works with your limitations, not against them Key Questions Answered in the Audio: How do you build a meaningful life when your body and brain both create barriers? What actually helps when the healthcare system fails you? How do you find (or build) community that truly gets it? Resources Mentioned: JanetJay.com (blog, tools, and upcoming projects)The US Pain Foundation + The Invisible Project magazine: https://uspainfoundation.org/Our Painful Truth: https://www.youtube.com/@OurPainfulTruthConnect With Us! ndreportpod.com Follow us on socials @NDreportpod

    1h 6m
  5. 56: Jocie & the CVNTs: Craftivism, Crochet, and Coordinating Direct Actions

    MAR 27

    56: Jocie & the CVNTs: Craftivism, Crochet, and Coordinating Direct Actions

    What happens when your softness isn’t perceived as a weakness but your strategy for sustainability? This episode challenges the idea that activism has to be loud, dangerous, or perfect to make a difference. In this episode, we explore: Women’s Work is Political: Jocie breaks down how reclaiming knitting as activism is both intentional and disruptive.Small Impact Still Counts: From classrooms to community hats, we assert that changing even one life is meaningful & why quantitative scale isn’t the only measure of impact."Everyone is big enough to do something" Framework from Mister Rogers: Craftivism becomes an accessible entry point for people who can’t engage in traditional activism but still want to contribute in tangible ways.Protecting Your Peace: We talk about perfectionism, the “digital HOA,” and how fear of doing it wrong stops people from doing anything at all. Key Questions Answered in the Audio:  Is craftivism “enough” to make a real difference? How do you contribute to change if your body/brain/nervous system can’t tolerate traditional activism? What does a sustainable craftivism practice actually look like? Resources Mentioned: CVNT Collective – https://cvntcollective.org Instagram: @cvnt.collective Join our crafting community >>>https://www.facebook.com/groups/1827428261337223 Donate, shop, craft, or share to support the mission! Connect With Us! The Neurodivergent Report ndreportpod.com Follow us on all the socials @NDreportpod

    1h 1m
  6. 55: How an ADHD Entrepreneur Built the AOL Newsroom and Created Source of Sources

    MAR 11

    55: How an ADHD Entrepreneur Built the AOL Newsroom and Created Source of Sources

    Featuring: Peter Shankman, entrepreneur, founder of Source of Sources, and early architect of the AOL newsroom Before the internet became corporate and slow, it was chaos... and a lot of it was built by neurodivergent brains moving fast and breaking things. Peter Shankman joins Sarah to talk about helping build the AOL newsroom, quitting the corporate meeting machine, and accidentally creating one of the most powerful media networking tools on the internet. In this episode, we explore: The First Real Job: Peter lands at America Online in the 90s (back when AOL was the internet) and helps create the AOL Newsroom by experimenting & moving fast. The Identity Shift: Next, Peter tries a traditional media job and immediately hits a wall: endless meetings, zero momentum, and a structure that was never gonna work for him. Protecting Your Peace: Find the workaround for you: if the system isn’t working, try something new. Unexpected Details: Peter grew up in NYC, went to a performing arts high school, and sang for decades?! Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Why do so many ADHD people end up building companies or working in startups? What was it actually like inside AOL when the internet was first exploding? How can creators, podcasters, and entrepreneurs get press and media attention without hiring a PR firm? Resources Mentioned: Source of Sources (SOS) – connect journalists and experts https://sourceofsources.com Peter's Website https://www.shankman.com Follow Peter on social (@petershankman)

    43 min
  7. 54: The ADHD Field Guide for Adults: Grief, Identity Shifts, and Radical Self-Acceptance

    MAR 6

    54: The ADHD Field Guide for Adults: Grief, Identity Shifts, and Radical Self-Acceptance

    Featuring: Cate Osborn & Eric Gude, authors of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults What happens when you finally get the thing you’ve worked toward for years before you suddenly realize you can’t sustain it? This conversation explores the grief, identity shifts, and radical self-honesty at the heart of the ADHD experience. In this episode, we explore: The Tower Moment: Cate’s 2018 medical crisis and late ADHD diagnosis reframed her entire life, while Eric’s teenage realization that effort alone couldn’t override his brain shattered his “mind over matter” narrative. The Identity Grief Spiral: From Shakespeare professor dreams to professional sourdough baker pivots, we unpack the heartbreak of loving something deeply — and still having to let it go. The Field Guide Framework: Their book is designed as a non-linear, shame-free resource that teaches readers how to name their wants, needs, strengths, and limits instead of prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions. Protecting Your Peace: We talk about radical patience — with yourself, with neurotypicals, and with the parts of you that are still learning — plus the power of asking directly for what you want without apology. The Very Human Stuff: Wednesday Addams airport pickups, Renaissance festivals, ungraded papers from 10 years ago, sourdough at 3am, touching grass and trees to regulate, and the fear of liking something too much. Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Why does life with ADHD feel like an ongoing cycle of grief and reinvention? How do you tell the difference between “this is hard” and “this isn’t for me”? What does it actually mean to be a fearless student of your own brain?Resources Mentioned: The ADHD Field Guide for Adults by Cate Osborn & Eric Gude Website: Catieosaurus.com + national tour info @Catieosaurus & @HeyGude (Erik) on TikTok/IG Cate and Eric’s Infinite Quest (podcast): https://infinitequestpodcast.com/ Sorry, I Missed This (podcast): https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/sorry-i-missed-this

    48 min

  8. MAR 4

    53: Sleep Isn’t a Parenting Failure: Real Science & Flexible Solutions for Neurodivergent Kids

    Featuring: Dr. Melisa Moore, licensed psychologist & board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist If you’ve ever whispered “why can’t I get my kid to sleep?” at 10:47 p.m., this episode dismantles the guilt and replaces it with biology, nuance, and real-life flexibility. In this episode, we explore: You’re Not a Bad Parent: Is there a rational reason why I struggle with sleep routines as a parent? “Adolescent Circadian Shift”: What do child development studies tell us about early morning wake-ups for adolescents? The Five S’s to Sleep Routines: What does it actually take to build a nighttime routine for neurodivergent kids? Protecting Your Peace: How to make sure we don’t sacrifice connection for perfection at bedtime? Unexpected Human Detail: This sleep specialist tells the story of supporting her AuDHD son & his late-night snacking habit... sometimes its ok to leave your kids lemon Oreos on the nightstand . Key Questions Answered in the Audio: Why does traditional sleep hygiene advice often fail neurodivergent families? Is screen time always the villain at bedtime or does distraction sometimes help a busy brain fall asleep? How do sleep associations (like co-sleeping or listening to videos) affect middle-of-the-night wakeups? Resources Mentioned: The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids by Dr. Melisa Moore [https://newworldlibrary.com/product/the-good-sleep-guide-for-neurodivergent-kids] drmelissamoore.com ​ ⁨@drmelisamoore⁩ ​ ⁨@NewWorldLibrary⁩ Connect With Us! ndreportpod.com Follow @NDreportpod on all the socials!

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Neurodivergent Report is a podcast for ADHDers, autistic adults, and anyone navigating life through a neurodivergent lens. We blend expert interviews, personal storytelling, and research/evidence-based insights to explore the realities of living with invisible disabilities. Whether you’re seeking support for executive dysfunction, emotional regulation, trauma healing, or just looking for real conversations about neurodivergence, identity reconstruction, and mental health... this space is CREATED FOR YOU! Thank you for being here!

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Russell & Hind AlEnezi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Russell & Hind AlEnezi
  • Show Website
    Neurodivergent Report