Safely Divergent: Embracing Neurodivergence and Accommodating Our Needs

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor break down something that sounds clinical on paper but feels wildly personal in real life: the biopsychosocial model — aka why your body, brain, and relationships are always messing with each other. If you’ve ever tried to “fix” one area of your life only to feel more off than before, this episode is for you. Using a three-legged stool (and...

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor get wildly honest about something that might sound silly until you realize… oh wait, that’s me too. We’re talking about empathy for inanimate objects. From childhood stuffed animals that needed tornado evacuation plans, to shampoo bottles that got equal turns in the shower, to sweaters that can’t be left behind at the store — this one hits...

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor trade their summer farmer’s market standoffs and couch-glued nights for the practical side of routines: the how . If you’ve ever sworn you’d start a morning workout again “tomorrow,” felt buried under clutter and decision fatigue, or wondered why habit trackers and alarms sometimes feel like lifesavers — this episode is your permission slip...

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor swap their summer detours and crispy-dry skin confessions for a much-needed conversation about routines. If you’ve ever spiraled into “analysis paralysis” over dinner choices, found yourself craving sameness while also rebelling against monotony, or wondered why summer break leaves you both free and fried — this one’s for you. They dig into...

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor swap gym drama and snappy comebacks for a deeper dive into the not-so-obvious ways our nervous systems respond to life: the polyvagal ladder. Ever spaced out mid-conversation? Snapped on your partner and instantly regretted it? Or found yourself calmly people-pleasing while your insides scream? That’s not a personality flaw—it’s your body’s...

This week on Safely Divergent , we’re talking about one of our favorite ways to explain burnout, energy crashes, and why getting dressed sometimes feels like climbing Everest: Spoon Theory. Originally created by Christine Miserandino to describe life with chronic illness, this metaphor has become a lifeline for neurodivergent folks, especially when the world expects us to just “push through.” We s...

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor trade last week’s meltdown tales for a quieter—but no less intense—survival strategy: shutdown. What does it actually mean when your brain goes blank, your body stills, and suddenly you’re horizontal on the couch thinking about everything and doing… absolutely nothing? They explore the neuroscience behind the freeze response, from Sue Johns...

In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor get personal about what it’s really like to hit your limit—and what happens when your nervous system says “nope” in the form of a meltdown. From the infamous egg incident to navigating hormone storms, they break down how and why meltdowns happen, and why they’re not something to fear. You’ll hear about the internal symptoms and external sig...

Feeling Stuck? You Might Be in a Stress Cycle and Not Even Know It! In this episode of Safely Divergent , Eleanor and Kirstie take you behind the scenes of a real-time stress cycle—because, yep, they’re living it. Instead of slapping on a productivity hack or pretending everything’s fine, they break down what stress actually is (spoiler: it’s not just a feeling), and how it builds up when multiple...

If you’ve ever had a “just take a shower” moment spiral into a full blown breakdown… this one’s for you. In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor dig into the very real reasons hygiene can feel like an uphill battle—especially for neurodivergent folks. They unpack a listener’s heartfelt question about parenting around hygiene resistance, and get honest about their own experiences...

What if success wasn’t just about showing up—but actually feeling good while doing it? In this episode of Safely Divergent , Kirstie and Eleanor break down the massive shift from deficit-based models (like the medical model) to strength-based approaches rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm. They get personal about what it actually feels like to mask your needs just to meet made-up "normal&qu...

Do crossed arms mean you’re closed off? Can a resting face cause social chaos? And how close is too close when someone’s talking to you? This week, we’re decoding nonverbal communication—body language, tone of voice, and proximity—and why your nervous system might be screaming even when no one’s said a word. Plus, Eleanor drops some bed bug facts that Kirstie definitely didn’t ask for. Timestamps:...

Join us in this episode of Safely Divergent as we break down the concept of executive functioning and explore how it shapes our daily lives. Whether you're managing tasks at work, navigating social situations, or simply trying to stay organized, executive functioning is at the core of it all. We'll dive into six key categories of executive functioning:~Inhibition Control~Working Memory~Cognitive F...

You know that moment when the room’s too bright, your shirt feels wrong, and someone dares to talk to you before caffeine? Yeah, that’s not a personality flaw—that’s stress. This week, we’re diving into what’s really draining us (spoiler: it’s not always what you think) with help from the Self-Reg framework by Dr. Stuart Shanker. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro silliness and fake-out ending 00:34 – Real...

Join us as we unravel the complexities of sensory overwhelm. We start by defining it as the brain receiving more sensory input than it can process, leading to stress, anxiety, and disorientation. Through personal anecdotes, we illustrate the everyday challenges of living in a sensory-rich world. The constant bombardment of stimuli often leaves us craving moments of quiet to recharge. Together, we...

Welcome back to Safely Divergent! In this episode, we dive into the powerful concepts of internal vs external safety, and how our nervous system respond to perceived threats. The conversation explores how things like visible security measures, while intended to make us feel safe, can sometimes have the complete opposite effect. Pulling from Dr. Stephen Porges' groundbreaking work, we discuss how o...

this episode dives into what it means to be "safely divergent”—a space where authenticity and meeting your unique needs take center stage. we get real about the process of owning our differences.we explore neurodiversity, busting myths around labels, and stressing the importance of personal, tailored support. oh, and an unexpected detour into the world of pigeons—once majestic, now misunderst...