The Hidden 20%

Will Chase is best known as the man who turned potatoes into gold, first with Tyrrells crisps, then with Chase Vodka. But beneath the branding genius and business triumphs lay decades of inner chaos he couldn’t explain. In this chat with Ben, Will opens up about the high-octane ambition that built his empire, and the internal battles that nearly undid it all. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism in his...

Lucinda Miller is a leading naturopath and functional medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience supporting children’s health. She’s the founder of NatureDoc, a nationwide clinic helping families navigate everything from gut and sleep challenges for neurodivergent children. Her expertise isn’t just clinical, it’s personal. As a late-diagnosed ADHD’er and mum to a neurodivergent fa...

Life changed for James Hunt when he became a father to two non-verbal autistic sons. Now, through his platform Stories About Autism, James offers a raw and honest look at raising children with high support needs. In this chat with Ben, he shares invaluable insights on creating consistent routines, the importance of self-care as a parent, minimising triggers, and calming strategies during meltdowns...

CW: This episode contains offensive language which is involuntary aspects of Tourettes, as well as discussions of mental health and suicide. After a seizure and a brain tumour in 2019, Luke Manton was diagnosed with adult-onset Tourette Syndrome- plunging him into a turbulent period of unemployment, stigma, and mental health challenges. After being fired and rejected by countless employers, Luke c...

The average person makes around 35,000 decisions a day, but for neurodivergent minds, even the smallest choices can feel overwhelming, often leading to anxiety and decision paralysis. This week we’re joined by Adrienne Adhami, podcaster, business advisor, keynote speaker, and author of  Decisions That Matter . Adrienne has helped global giants like Microsoft, Spotify, and Range Rover empower...

What really goes on behind closed doors in neurodivergent relationships? Psychosexual Therapist and ND Relationship Coach Karen Doherty brings 20+ years of experience to this eye-opening episode on late diagnosis, emotional dysregulation. In this chat with Ben, Karen unpacks why neurodivergent couples often struggle, and more importantly, how they can thrive. From the "code word" method to breakin...

For Mental Health Awareness Week, Ben chats with Dr Adrian James, one of the UK’s most senior psychiatrists and NHS England’s first Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity. Adrian takes on this role at a crucial time, with rising waitlists, overwhelmed services turning away new referrals, and medication shortages forcing patients to ration. They delve into the postcode lottery of wai...

Today, Ben is joined by two unforgettable voices from Big Brother UK 2024: show winner and forensic psychologist Ali Bromley, and her fellow housemate Lily Benson. Both Ali and Lily live with ADHD, but the way the public saw them couldn’t have been more different. In this powerful conversation, Lily reveals why she chose to hide her diagnosis from the Big Brother team. Ali opens up about the not-s...

In this episode, Ben chats with leading nutrition entrepreneur and founder of Heights, Dan Murray-Serter about the link between brain health and mental health. Dan shares how discovering neuroplasticity changed his life, why gratitude can be a superpower, and how ADHD and entrepreneurship often go hand in hand. From simple daily habits to building mental resilience, Dan’s insights reframe how we l...

Autism is back in the political spotlight in the U.S., as Donald Trump and his Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announce a major study to “find the cause” of autism — reviving the long-debunked claim that vaccines may be to blame. The move has sparked concern among scientists, advocates, and the autistic community. In this episode, Ben is joined by Independent journalist, Washington corres...

If you’ve binge-watched a British teen classic, you’ll know Kimberley Nixon — from Wild Child to Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging and Fresh Meat . But it’s her off-screen honesty that’s truly resonated. In this chat with Ben, Kimberley shares her raw and harrowing journey through perinatal OCD — a time when she felt trapped in “the Upside Down from Stranger Things ,” her mind flooded with the...

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity. Together, they dive into some of the most hotly debated aspects...

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity. They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has...

The Made in Chelsea reality star turned author and entrepreneur, Millie Mackintosh has spent years in the spotlight while secretly grappling with undiagnosed ADHD, Dyspraxia and a complex relationship with alcohol. In this chat with Ben, Millie opens up about late diagnosis, the blurry overlap between ADHD and Dyspraxia, and how alcohol became both a crutch and a crisis to escape from rejection, g...

In light of recent government proposals to cut £5 billion annually from disability benefits by 2030 , it might seem like an odd moment to celebrate neurodivergence—but that’s exactly why we must. In a world where neurodivergence is often used as a pawn in culture wars, it’s more important than ever to pause, raise awareness, and share the reality of thinking differently. For  Neurodiversity C...

Urban gardener, TV producer and author Martha Swales shares how gardening soothes her busy ADHD mind. After producing  MasterChef  and Nigella Lawson’s  Cook, Eat, Repeat , she found viral fame inspiring millions to embrace nature. In this chat with Ben, Martha explores the contrast of her powerhouse producer persona who is always on time and in control VS her messy, sometimes late,...

Best friends and podcast hosts Kat and Jack bring their signature honesty and humour to a candid conversation about ADHD. Jack, founder of Beautiful Strangers—the creative team behind hit podcasts  NewlyWeds  and  The Girls Bathroom , joins Kat to share what they’ve learned in the year since launching their ADHD podcast,  Distracted . In this chat with Ben, they dive into their...

Record-breaking Arctic explorer and ocean conservationist Pen Hadow achieved the impossible—trekking solo to the North Pole . Now, on his 63rd birthday , he bravely opens up for the first time about his ADHD diagnosis , reflecting on how it shaped his risk-taking, resilience, and focus—for better and worse . In this chat with Ben, Pen unpacks the puzzling contradictions of ADHD —being able to lase...

In this episode, Ben sits down with Amanda Perry, ADHD business mentor and author, to discuss the UK government’s Access to Work scheme and the controversy sparked by a recent Daily Mail article. The piece claims that influencers labeled "sickfluencers" are driving a surge in applications, particularly from self-diagnosed ADHD’ers. Amanda, one of the individuals named in the article, joins Ben to...

In this special anniversary episode, Ben sits down with Head of Production, Bella, to reflect on an extraordinary first year of  The Hidden 20% . From the thrill of winning Gold at the British Podcast Awards to unpacking the most raw and emotional conversation on the show, we revisit the moments that shaped us and changed the way we think. In this chat with Bella, Ben unpacks the three words...

Professor Amanda Kirby has been a leading voice in the neurodivergent community for over four decades. With a PhD in Education and a background as a GP, her extensive career spans academic research, medical practice, and consultancy. She’s the author of 10 influential books, including the award-winning  Neurodiversity at Work  and her latest publication,  Neurodiversity and Educatio...

In 2019, Clare Seal hit a breaking point in her life, facing £27K debt with no safety net. But after being diagnosed with ADHD, she rebuilt her relationship with money, becoming a certified financial coach, building a community of over 100k Instagram followers, and writing three books to help others manage their money. In this chat with Ben, Claire opens up about the moment she hit rock bottom, ho...

CW: Mental Health, Gore, Blood Marjolein Robertson, celebrated for her raw, relatable humour has taken the comedy world by storm. With widespread acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a coveted spot on The List Hot 100, she has cemented her place as a rising star in comedy. In this episode, Marjolein opens up about being overlooked in the healthcare system, unpacks the link between neurodiv...

At just 22, Ward Thomas made history as the first UK country act to reach number one. Twin sisters Lizzy and Catherine have firmly established themselves as trailblazers in the British country music scene, but the journey to the top wasn't always smooth. In this chat with Ben, Lizzy and Catherine reflect on how neurodivergence has shaped their identities, creativity, and music. They discuss Lizzy’...

From West London roots to becoming the first Black CEO of Island Records in the UK and US, Darcus Beese has shaped the music industry, launching stars like Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Shawn Mendes, and Demi Lovato. He shares the challenges of being a CEO with ADHD, the dangers of relentless work, and how medication brought clarity—allowing him to see the world "in HD" for the first time. Darcus also...