Gifted Kid, Messy Adult

Producer Mat comes back to the show and completely derails the episode within the first minute. Jessica and Ellie answer Mat's questions about pronoun usage and Ellie's experiences as being a trans woman. Diving deep into these worlds--mainly about being Ellie being trans--we all learn a bit more about these worlds and take a walk in someone else's shoes. Mat Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.co...

Both Jessica and Ellie grew up as gifted kids, but how did that label affect them growing up, and more importantly, how did that label affect them as adults? The hosts talk about their experiences and where they are now, thinking back to their childhood. Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheNeurodiverseWorkplace YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiftedKidMessyAdult/featured Facebook: https:/...

Jessica and Ellie explain what "stimming" is--it's basically an action that stimulates your brain that's soothing to the person doing it. While it is a trait that neurotypical people may do from time-to-time, it is something neurodivergent people do quite a bit. The hosts discuss the finer points of stimming and how each of them stim in their day-to-day lives and how it helps them. Links: Patreon:...

What are autoimmune challenges and how they do effect the neurodivergent community? Jessica opens up about her own recent autoimmune conditions and her diagnosis. Her journey to figure out why these symptoms affect her life. While neither Ellie or Jessica are medical professionals, their stories about dealing with these challenges and their journeys are important for the neurodivergent community....

Jessica talks about building a community of neurodiversity professionals. Growing up, Jessica knew her experiences as a child weren't like others. Later in life, she realized she wasn't the only person who felt like this. How does this professional community come together and why does it matter? Jessica explains everything about this growing community, who is involved, and what neurodiverse people...

As you grow older, the relationship between sleep and yourself becomes more complicated. For those in the neurodivergent community, it can be a bit more of a journey. Jessica and Ellie discuss their relationships with sleep and why many neurodiverse people deal with problems trying to get to sleep each night. The Catieosaurus video that kicked off this episode: https://www.tiktok.com/@catieosaurus...

Ever feel tired, lackadaisical, or maybe you just don't feel like engaging with the outside world? There's a good chance you could be feeling burnout. Everyone can experience this, and on this week's episode Carole Jean Whittington of Whittington Well-Being discusses burnout and how it affects people alongside Jessica and Ellie. Learn more about the ins and outs of this feeling and how it affects...

When it comes to ADHD, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. One of the things that have been more recently discussed is the link between ADHD and obesity. At times, a coping mechanism with the chaotic world around neurotypical people is eating, which, in turn, can lead to obesity. On this episode Jessica and Ellie discuss these links and how it has affected their lives. Disclosure: Jessica a...

When does a hobby or something you enjoy lean into the neurodivergent trait of a hyperfixation? Well, the answer is pretty clean, as on this episode of Gifted Kid, Messy Adult, Jessica and Ellie discuss Ellie's hyperfixation on Star Trek. Jessica explains how aspects of Ellie's love for everything Star Trek fits into the neurodivergent column, and Ellie really goes in deep into everything a Trekki...

Sometimes, you have to pretend to be ok or pretend you fit in, in order to make yourself feel like a normal, neurotypical in public. This is the idea of masking. Everyone does it, but neurodiverse people tend to do it a lot more. This week, Jessica explains what masking is, and Ellie talks about her experiences as well. Additionally, producer Mat Elfring comes on to discuss his experiences with ma...

For everyone, deciding which battles are worth fighting and which ones aren't worth your time, can be a daunting task. For those in the neurotypical community, it can be a tougher decision, and many times, we decide to take up the challenge, even if it's not worth our time or will get us into a bit of trouble. This week, Jessica and Ellie explain what Picking Your Battles means and tell some stori...

Why even go to sleep when you can be up doing stuff? When you work hard during the day, sometimes you want to stay up and socialize and get things done around the house--or just relax. It's tough to balance work and life, and for those with ADHD (and other neurodivergent folks), it can be even tougher. Instead of going to bed, you read a book or watch a YouTube video about potatoes. Jessica and El...

We're not even good enough to talk about the topic of imposter syndrome. See what we did there? The feeling of having accomplishments in something but feeling "not worthy" of that praise is a tough pill to swallow for many people, not just neurodivergent folks. Jessica and Ellie discuss the ways they don't feel important enough to talk about things they're talented in and their thoughts on imposte...

Living with autism, ADHD, or the various other types of neurodiversity can mean your brain doesn't function the way a neurotypical brain would. Tasks, day-to-day stresses, and minor obstacles can accumulate for someone struggling in the neurodiversity community. That brings us to the idea of being and feeling overwhelmed. Things pile up over time, and how do they all get accomplished? Hosts Jessic...

While a lot of this podcast has focused on how neurodivergent people deal with things neurotypicals don't have to endure on a day-to-day basis, there is one element of all of this that hasn't been fully discussed yet: being a Gifted Kid. Jessica Michaels discusses her time growing up as a Gifted Kid and just what she experienced in that walk of life. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.c...

Doompiles. The term isn't as scary as it sounds, but the concept can be overwhelming to the neurodivergent community. Jessica and Ellie Michaels discuss what doompiles are and how they play a role in neurodiversity. How do doompiles affect the hosts in their day-to-day lives. This is all explained and discussed in this episode. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gifted-ki...

What does it mean to be neurodivergent and who do many people consider to be neurodivergent? This week, Jessica and Ellie discuss this with Gifted Kid, Messy Adult producer Mat Elfring, as he discusses being epileptic and how that affects his mood and emotions. Jessica gives greater insight into how emotions and neurodivergence connect, along with categorizing who is considered neurodivergent now...

For neurotypical people, making and keeping friends is a far different experience than those who are neurodivergent. From communication to maintaining friendships to expressing empathy, there's lots of difference between the groups. Jessica and Ellie discuss how friendships for the neurodivergent manifest and how they are maintained. Just because a neurodivergent person hasn't talked to you in a d...

Habits may not be something neurotypical people notice in every day life. However, habits can become problematic for the nuerodiverse. From diving into hobbies that can become something that takes over your life to obsessing over the tiniest thing, those with ADHD, austism, and others can find that habits can take over their lives. In this week's episode, Jessica and Ellie discuss their habits, bo...

Hosts Jessica and Ellie Michaels discuss the world of neurodiversity in this opening episode. What is neurodiversity? How does it affect people's lives? These topics are delved into this week, which serves as an introductory look at the hosts and the world they live in. Links: Coach Jessica Michaels : https://coachjessicamichaels.com/

Here's what you can expect from Gifted Kid, Messy Adult, hosted by Jessica and Ellie Michaels, a podcast about Neurodiversity. New episodes of Gifted Kid, Messy Adult drop on Wednesdays. Links: Coach Jessica Michaels (https://coachjessicamichaels.com/)