Lara Sullivan

Spicy Brain

Health EN ↓ 7 episodes

Spicy Brain is the podcast host Lara Sullivan wished existed when she was diagnosed with autism as an adult. Each week, Lara welcomes guests from across the neurodivergent community for thoughtful conversations that challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and highlight the humour and joy that only come from shared life experiences. Spicy Brain is for those diagnosed later in life, those still seeking clarity, or allies of neurodivergent children who want to better understand the world around them.

Author

Lara Sullivan

Episodes

Gina Rippon: HIDDEN AUTISM IN WOMEN | Why Women Are Diagnosed So Late (Part 1) 07.07.2026 41:56

Why are girls and women with autism so often diagnosed late? In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan sits down with renowned neuroscientist and author of ‘ The Lost Girls of Autism’ , Professor Gina Rippon , to explore why so many autistic girls and women have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed far later in life. Together, they unpack how decades of autism research...

Tom Gilding: UNMASKING THE NEURODIVERGENT MAN | Autism, ADHD, Mental Health & Masculinity 30.06.2026 1:08:06

Late Diagnosis, Masking & Redefining Neurodivergent Masculinity In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan sits down with Tom Gilding , a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD man, to explore the realities of discovering your neurodivergence later in life and what it means to rebuild your identity after diagnosis. Tom shares his personal journey of seeking answers after a rise...

Kyra Hall-Gelly: THERAPY FOR NEURODIVERGENTS | Why Traditional Therapy Doesn’t Always Work 23.06.2026 1:15:04

Building Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy: Identity, Masking & Mental Health In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan sits down with Kyra Hall-Gelly , founder and CEO of Neuro Tribe , to explore what truly neurodivergent-affirming mental health support looks like—and why so many traditional therapy models fall short. Drawing from both personal and professional experience...

Ali Bromley: NEURODIVERGENT WOMEN | Stories of Adult ADHD, Struggles, Burnout & Triumph 16.06.2026 1:00:03

Living with ADHD as an Adult: Insights, Strategies, and Neurodivergent Representation In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan is joined by forensic psychologist and 2024 Big Brother winner Ali Bromley for an in-depth conversation about adult ADHD, her personal journey, and her experiences in the public eye. Lara and Ali explore how ADHD can present differently in adults, pa...

James Hunt: PARENTING NON-SPEAKING AUTISTIC CHILDREN | Finding New Forms of Connection 09.06.2026 1:06:17

Navigating Non-Speaking Autistic Children, Parental Grief, and Finding Connection Beyond Words In this episode of the Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan is joined by author of Love Needs No Words and founder of Stories About Autism , James Hunt . He shares his deeply personal journey as the father of two non-speaking autistic sons, Tommy and Jude , opening up about the emotional complexity...

Dr Luke Beardon: AUTISM AT WORK | Autistic Understanding, Adjustments, & Courtesy 02.06.2026 1:16:07

Rethinking Autism at Work: Accommodations, Inclusion, and “Autistic Courtesy” In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan welcomes Dr. Luke Beardon , a leading autism expert, for a focused conversation on autistic experiences in education and the workplace, and what meaningful inclusion actually looks like in practice. Lara and Dr. Beardon explore how understanding of autism ha...

Could You Be AUTISTIC? Navigating Life Before & After a Late Adult Autism Diagnosis at 27 26.05.2026 45:08

Late Autism Diagnosis in Women: Identity, Burnout, and Finding Your Voice In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast , host Lara Sullivan shares her deeply personal story of being diagnosed with autism at the age of 27, reflecting on the experiences that led her to seek answers and how that diagnosis reshaped her life. Lara begins by exploring her time during the COVID-19 lockdowns, where she foun...