Emergent Divergents

In today's episode, we look at the neurological condition known as 'aphantasia'- the inability to conjure mental images. For the vast majority of the human population, picturing an image in mind is just a normal thing. So normal in fact that it probably hasn't even occurred that there are those of us who are, by and large, cognitively blind. The surprising reality is that many people who are cogni...

Our final instalment of a 3-part series looking at the 7 types of ADD (ADHD) as described by Dr. Amen of Amen Clinics. Today, we examine Type 7, Anxious ADD, and follow with a recap of the 7 types and how treatment may vary for each. We also cover topics of coaching, therapy and other ways to counter the challenges of ADHD, such as exercise, diet and medication. All this is explored with a broad o...

In today's episode, part 2 of a 3-part series, we continue exploring the 7 types of ADD (ADHD) as described by Dr Amen of Amen Clinics. We had covered types 1 to 4 in our previous episode, and today we are taking a look at types 5 and 6. Type 5 is known as 'Limbic ADD' - named as such due to the neural over-activity in the deep limbic area of the brain. Type 6 is known as 'Ring of Fire ADD', named...

Today's episode is the first of a short series where we take a look at the Amen Clinic's 7 types of ADHD. We cover types 1 to 4, and the rest we will cover in the next episode. We take a look at the neurology of each ADHD type and how they differ on a neurological level, and some of the divergences between them are significant. Identifying with a specific type might benefit the methods we use to d...

We've brought an end to Season 1 after 22 episodes and have some news we'd like to share about the podcast– and more. Sometimes, just changing things up is also the very thing we need to keep enough motivation to keep on keeping on. There are a few changes in the pipeline and some bigger offerings coming down the track. So enjoy this short little episode and get in touch. questions.free2be@gmail.c...

Today's episode looks at emotional regulation and ways to help... well, regulate them. But we also explore how we operated as parents when helping our own neurodivergent children develop their emotional regulation. You'll find some helpful bits of information and you'll likely question some of our parenting methods (trigger warning). Of course we speak from personal experience so this is not offic...

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a well known concept in the field of psychology and for good reason. We need to feel secure in our foundations, such as secure housing, adequate finances, or employment, if we hope to attain, let alone secure other fundamental needs like self-esteem, respect or healthy relationships. But Maslow's hierarchy of needs fails to take into account something rather signific...

.Steve Rothwell is a man of many talents– a writer, a travel journalist, an engineer, public speaker, mental health advocate, and the list keeps going on. Hailing from one of England coal mining town he found his way to the tropical north of Australia where he took to exploring those vast coastlines on a motorbike and a paraglider (spoiler alert, we don't find out if he tried them at the same time...

.Steve Rothwell is a man of many talents– a writer, a travel journalist, an engineer, public speaker, mental health advocate, and the list keeps going on. Hailing from one of England coal mining town he found his way to the tropical north of Australia where he took to exploring those vast coastlines on a motorbike and a paraglider (spoiler alert, we don't find out if he tried them at the same time...

Steve Rothwell is a man of many talents– a writer, a travel journalist, an engineer, public speaker, mental health advocate, and the list keeps going on. Hailing from one of England coal mining town he found his way to the tropical north of Australia where he took to exploring those vast coastlines on a motorbike and a paraglider (spoiler alert, we don't find out if he tried them at the same time)...

If we're all travelling our own path in life, then why do they all seem to basically have the same destination? Have we been sold a dream? You'd think that being neurodivergent would provide us with a unique perspective, one free of the typical cognitive dissonance imbedded in the typical among us. But we have been sold a dream– the dream that once we reach the end of the rainbow and finally get s...

.Today's episode explores odd facts & random stuff that we don't typically know about ADHD. Grab a note pad and take score– how many do you know? And don't think that because we haven't focused on one specific topic you'll not find useful information in this episode. Far from it. We were both surprised at how much we didn't know beforehand.

In today's episode we take a look into a therapeutic concept often utilised in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies– Core Beliefs. Our Core Beliefs are the deep seated beliefs we have about ourselves, others, and the world at large. Do we live in a safe world, a fair world? Are people inherently kind or malicious? Are you able, worthy or even loveable? The answer you have is often a reflection of your...

Our favourite Christmas tradition is of course Christmas dinner. Yet the food coma experienced this year was unprecedented and with it looking like we would never get up off the lounge again, it was decided to turn off the life support. That's when it happened– a Christmas miracle. We came back to life. And so with our feet now stomping their way into 2025 we are ecstatic to be dropping more episo...

In this episode we discuss forgiveness and how it can play a significant role in living a happy and authentic life. Forgiveness is a difficult virtue for many, which few of us give any meaningful consideration of. It can be an even greater difficulty when we add being neurodivergent to the mix. We take a personal dive into this deeply transformative virtue and look at ways we might help us unlock...

Living with ADHD is dichotomous experience to say the least and if our brain were a planet, rather than typically having only two poles, north and south, it would likely have several, sending any reasonable compass into all sorts of irregular manic swings- which as it turns out is quite an apt metaphor. The term divergent is generally used to refer how we function differently from our neurotypical...

Society today can seem rather illogical or outright bewildering. By and large everyone has a sense that something is amiss, that perhaps we, as a collective, aren’t exactly living up to our full potential. Then add being neurodivergent into the mix and you’ve set the stage for all manner of stumbling blocks to functioning in life. It may simply be a generalised feeling of isolation as we scratch o...

So today’s episode is the final instalment of our three part conversation with Andrea Luzon Coates- Legacy Liberator. We continue learning of Andrea’s personal journey towards reconnecting with her Legacy as she exemplifies the spirit of self-liberation and empowerment, and all in the positive and nurturing manner which she naturally exudes. Andrea offers 1 on 1 coaching in a manner that we know i...

Interview with Andrea: pt2 In today’s episode we carry on from our conversation in Episode 8 with the fabulous Andrea Luzon Coates. Although our conversation with Andrea has aimed at focussing on the issues neurodivergent men face in today’s ill society, what we do explore is still relevant to anybody. Sometimes in life we hit rock bottom. And for those of us living with neurodivergence, that migh...

We are thrilled to be talking again with Andrea Luzon Coates- Legacy Liberator. Andrea is the founder of Legacy Liberation Coaching in Missouri, USA, offering private 1 on 1 coaching with an emphasis on ADHD. In addition to this Andrea is also an intuitive energy healer, author, public speaker and an all-round inspiration, especially for those of us who feel we may not be getting the best out of l...

Life is full of ‘How To’ for ADHD, or any Neurodivergence. I’m not being rude, I can only speak personally of ADHD, and personal is what you get. It’s a great thing that there is so much information available. Help & guidance is much easier to access, but what are we doing, if ultimately, it isn’t to simply be making a better life for ourselves? Of course this includes a better life for those we l...

We’re very excited to present a conversation all the way from Missouri in the United States of America with ADHD Empowerment Coach, founder of Legacy Liberation Coaching & host of Living Limitless Retreat: Andrea Luzon Coates- Legacy Liberator! Andrea brings a much needed energy to the neurodivergent community with her authentic, warmth and empathic demeanour; such that she naturally conveys a sen...

Although we don’t always give much attention to intersectionality, if we even know what it is, how we see ourselves in relation to our others has a significant role in shaping our lives. Intersectionality covers many of societies broader diversities from race, religion, ethnicity, gender and of course, neurodivergence and how issues of power and inequality might be advantageous to one whilst a dis...

Wherever you are and whatever you’re up to, we welcome you to Emergent Divergents. Thankfully, with all the research of late and the growth in public awareness, it’s not hard at all to find out what ADHD is. Yet, for the many of us who align with the older demographics, that’s right, you know who you are, listening to what the professionals tell us ADHD is, doesn’t exactly help us in knowing what...

This week’s episode was recorded back in June but given that it was Father’s Day here in Australia, it seems more relevant now. We began this conversation with the intent on exploring the topic of masculinity in our pathologically ill, modern world; of how masculinity has evolved over the generations and what masculinity even means or looks like nowadays. Masculinity is a broad topic in dire need...