The Neurodivergent Experience

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss new research exploring how autistic people feel about genetic research—and why many support the science itself while remaining deeply concerned about how those discoveries could be used in the future. The conversation explores fears around genetic screening, prenatal testing, and the possibility that...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott begin by chatting about football, late-night World Cup matches, and the challenge of following a special interest that's happening in a completely different time zone. But the conversation quickly evolves into something much bigger: our relationship with our phones. From doom scrolling and revenge bedtime procrastinati...

What happens inside us when pressure rises? We may become more precise. More agreeable. More determined. More self-reliant. Faster. In Transactional Analysis, these largely unconscious responses are known as the five drivers: *Be Perfect. Please Others. Try Hard. Be Strong. Hurry Up.* In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the five TA drivers through a neurodivergent lens - and explai...

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Simon Scott is joined by neurodivergent mentor Sophie James to discuss a worrying trend emerging in schools and online: the word "autistic" being used as an insult. Drawing on Sophie's experiences mentoring young neurodivergent people, they explore why many autistic children and teenagers are now reluctant to disclose their diagnosis to...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Simon Scott is joined by neurodivergent mentor and advocate Sophie James for an inspiring conversation about building a career that works with your brain rather than against it. From late diagnosis and school struggles to launching her own mentoring business, Sophie shares how understanding herself changed the direction of her life. Together, Simo...

Why can we know exactly what we need to do, genuinely want to do it, and still feel unable to begin? In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley explores the shame-heavy labels of procrastination and laziness, alongside the qualities our culture tends to praise: motivation, willpower, discipline and commitment. Rather than treating difficulty beginning as a character flaw, Ashley asks a more useful...

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss a growing trend in the United States where families are paying tens of thousands of dollars for unapproved stem cell treatments that claim to help autistic children. Drawing on a recent investigation by The Guardian , they unpack the science behind these therapies, the lack of convincing evidence that...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Simon Scott shares some exciting personal news — he's engaged! What begins as a conversation about the proposal quickly evolves into a wider discussion about milestones, traditions, social expectations, and what happens when neurodivergent people choose to do things their own way. Simon reflects on planning a proposal that worked for both him and...

Advice culture is filled with memorable instructions: do the hard thing, get comfortable being uncomfortable, follow your passion, try your hardest, live a life of service, and remember: no pain, no gain. Each phrase carries potential wisdom. Each one also carries assumptions about the body, nervous system, health, capacity, and circumstances of the person receiving it. In this episode of Mindful...

Hi folks! There won’t be a new episode of Neurodivergent Experience this week. We’re taking a short break, but we’ll be back soon with more conversations, insights, and stories from the neurodivergent community. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to bringing you our next episode next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley continues the From Mask to Map series by exploring the neurodivergent nuance of Mel Robbins’ Let Them theory - a powerful idea rooted in acceptance, non-attachment, and the release of control. At its best, Let Them invites us to stop exhausting ourselves by trying to manage other people’s choices, opinions, priorities, and reactions. But for neurodivergen...

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott explore a new study analysing 14 million Reddit posts and comments , revealing a major shift in how we talk about mental health online. Once dominated by discussions around depression and anxiety, platforms like Reddit are now seeing autism and ADHD take centre stage. Article: https://theconversation.com/we-a...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott return after an unexpected break to talk honestly about something many neurodivergent adults know all too well: what happens when life leaves you with nothing left in the tank.  From 72-hour work weeks and launching new projects to forgetting to record the podcast altogether, they reflect on the mounting pressure...

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley continues the From Mask to Map series with an exploration of taking things literally - and why this familiar neurodivergent trait deserves far more nuance, compassion, and understanding. Ashley introduces the idea of "Neurodivergent Nuance": the missing translation layer that helps us understand why everyday advice, social rituals, reassurance, and cultur...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott open up about imposter syndrome — the belief that you’re never good enough, never qualified enough, and that one day everyone will “figure you out.” With humour and honesty, they share personal stories of childhood bullying, masking, perfectionism and self-doubt, and how growing up misunderstood leaves many autistic an...

Resilience is often misunderstood. It’s not about pushing through at all costs, pretending you’re fine, or never getting overwhelmed — especially if you’re sensitive or neurodivergent. Real resilience is something far more human, far more embodied. In this episode of Mindful Mondays, we explore what resilience actually looks like in the nervous system — the ability to move through challenge, to fe...

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott react to controversial headlines claiming people with ADHD and anxiety “shouldn’t automatically get blue badges” — and unpack the wider stigma surrounding invisible disabilities. The discussion explores the public backlash around disabled parking permits for hidden disabilities, including ADHD, autism, anxiet...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the exhausting reality of procrastination, executive dysfunction, and navigating deadlines as neurodivergent adults. From forgotten weddings and last-minute panic buying to missed emails, time blindness, and overwhelming admin tasks, they unpack how procrastination is rarely about laziness — and far more often...

In this final episode of our rerun of our January series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, we arrive at strategy - not as hustle, force, or rigid self-improvement, but as a creative, embodied collaboration with your own life. Throughout the month, we’ve explored how real change unfolds when state comes first, story begins to soften, and strategy is allowed to emerge from alignment rather than pres...

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss a new study exploring whether magnetic brain stimulation could help autistic children with communication difficulties. The conversation dives into the complicated ethical questions surrounding emerging neurodivergent research: where is the line between support and “fixing”? Can new technologies genuin...

In this Neurodivergent Reddit Stories episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack three relatable neurodivergent struggles: dyspraxia and coordination issues, the confusing world of neurotypical “social greasing,” and the never-ending battle with sleep. Funny, chaotic, emotional, and painfully relatable — this episode is a deep dive into the everyday realities of...

In this rerun of our January series, we continue our series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, we explore the second pillar in the anatomy of a breakthrough: story - the inner narratives that quietly shape our identity, behaviour, and sense of what’s possible. You’ll discover: Why the brain naturally operates in stories and metaphors How stories form through safety, repetition, and meaning Why chan...

The Hot Topic is back! In this return episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to actor Tom Hardy publicly revealing that he is neurodivergent. The conversation explores why representation matters, especially when someone as widely respected and traditionally “masculine” as Tom Hardy openly discusses being on the spectrum, as well as Tom Hardy’s collaboration with Tatami Fightwear on a new neur...

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience , Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by author, advocate, and lived experience ambassador Paul Stevenson for a powerful conversation about Tourette’s Syndrome, ADHD, late diagnosis, masking, trauma, and finding strength through neurodivergence. Paul reflects on growing up in a time when neurodivergence was misunderstood and punished, sharing ho...

In this rerun of our January series, we continue our series on The Anatomy of a Breakthrough, turning our attention to the first and most essential element of change: your state. Before we can rewrite our stories or find the right strategy, we need to understand the condition of our nervous system - because when we’re dysregulated, overwhelmed, or operating from threat, meaningful change simply ca...