Divergent Conversations Podcast

11/07/2025

Navigating Autistic burnout can feel overwhelming, especially when recovery advice is often oversimplified or disconnected from the realities of daily life. For many Autistic people, finding real, sustainable strategies to move through burnout isn’t just about willpower; it’s about understanding our needs, honoring our limits, and reclaiming a sense of agency.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the full spectrum of Autistic burnout recovery. They openly explore both the practical strategies and deeper psychological work needed to move forward, balancing tangible tools (like strategic withdrawal, boundary scripts, and sensory supports) with the difficult realities of internalized ableism, grief, and navigating a world that often doesn’t accommodate Autistic needs. Drawing from personal experiences, professional insights, and their own journeys of self-awareness, Patrick and Megan Anna provide a nuanced, relatable conversation for anyone experiencing or supporting someone through Autistic burnout.



Divergentpod.com/114

04/07/2025

Living with perpetual Autistic burnout can feel like navigating a world that’s always just a little too overwhelming, exhausting, or out of sync. For neurodivergent people, teasing apart burnout from depression and understanding how chronic sensory and emotional overload shapes daily life is not just challenging but key for self-advocacy and well-being.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the lived experience of Autistic burnout. They share personal stories about perpetual exhaustion, reflect on the nuances that differentiate Autistic burnout from depression, and illustrate how life stressors, health challenges, and environmental demands converge to create what they jokingly call “perpetual sensory hell.” With humor and candor, they explore how burnout can signal deeper misalignment and the importance of understanding personal triggers, as well as highlight why these conversations matter so much for late-identified Autistic adults.

27/06/2025

Navigating higher education as a neurodivergent student can often feel isolating and overwhelming in a system not designed for neurodivergent minds. For many, finding an affirming academic environment that truly recognizes and supports neurodivergent strengths, and not just challenges, can be life-changing.

In this episode, Patrick Casale, an AuDHD mental health professional, sits down with Dr. Adam Lalor, educational psychologist and Vice President for Neurodiversity Research and Innovation at Landmark College — the first college in the world designed solely for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and executive function challenges. They explore what makes Landmark’s approach to neurodiversity-affirming education unique, discuss the limitations of traditional post-secondary institutions, and share tangible insights about fostering inclusive, supportive environments that honor neurodivergent culture and identity.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Gain a firsthand look inside Landmark College, a groundbreaking institution built for neurodivergent students, and learn practical ways higher education can shift toward inclusivity, including sensory accommodations and universal design.
Hear vulnerable, relatable stories from Patrick and Adam about the often-traumatic realities of navigating college as a neurodivergent person and how trauma-informed, affirming spaces can help restore the joy of learning.
Discover actionable advice for families, educators, and neurodivergent students on self-advocacy, accessing accommodations, and nurturing strengths—not just remediating deficits—in academic and personal growth.
If you or a loved one has struggled to fit into traditional education or wondered what truly affirming, neurodivergent-centered learning can look like, this episode will inspire and empower you to seek out or create spaces where neurodiverse minds can thrive. Gain insight, validation, and hope for a more inclusive academic future.

About Adam Lalor:

Adam R. Lalor, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist and Vice President for Neurodiversity Research and Innovation at Landmark College. His research focuses on the college success and transition of neurodivergent and disabled college students. Dr. Lalor is co-author of the book From Disability to Diversity: College Success for Students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-editor of the forthcoming book The New Accessibility in Higher Education: Disrupting the System for an Inclusive Future, scheduled to be released this summer by Oxford University Press. He serves in leadership capacities within the Association on Higher Education and Disability, College Autism Network, Learning Disabilities Association of America, and National Center for Learning Disabilities.

LC Online’s Learning Differences and Neurodiversity (LDN) certificate is an online, postbaccalaureate professional development program for educators and professionals who work with students with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, or executive function challenges.

The program uniquely integrates current research findings with evidence-based practices, classroom strategies, and technologies. Courses offer graduate credit and the convenience of online learning, as well as the opportunity to interact with an engaged cohort through video conferences and discussions. Learn more here: landmark.edu/certificate

Learn more about Landmark College here: landmark.edu

Full episode Divergentpod.com/112

20/06/2025

Navigating wellness advice as a neurodivergent person can often feel invalidating, overwhelming, or just plain inaccessible. So much of what’s recommended—from meal prep to journaling—assumes executive function, sensory profiles, or social fluency that simply aren’t universal. However, the right adaptations not only make wellness more achievable but also help us honor our genuine needs instead of internalizing shame or “shoulds.”

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, ask their audience and discuss the kinds of health and wellness advice that often fall flat for neurodivergent people, then share creative, compassionate alternatives that are more likely to work. Drawing on their clinical expertise and lived experience, they discuss executive functioning challenges, accessible food routines, setting up effective self-care practices, and the emotional impact of receiving (often unsolicited) advice. This collection-finale episode of the worn-down and worthy series is a candid, practical, and validating deep dive into taking care of ourselves in ways that feel right, not just prescribed.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Learn specific, neurodivergent-friendly adaptations for wellness routines—like low-executive-function food prep, sensory-aware shopping tips, and realistic self-care strategies—that move far beyond generic advice.
Get honest insights as Patrick and Megan Anna explore the emotional realities of shame, independence, attachment, and accepting help, with stories that will feel familiar and validating to many listeners.
Discover actionable ways to create routines, boundaries, and community resources that fit your actual life, whether you’re navigating burnout, chronic illness, or just tired of toxic “positivity” culture.
If traditional wellness tips have ever left you feeling worn out or unseen, this episode is a resource for finding new ways to advocate for yourself, honor your needs, and reimagine what well-being looks like on your terms. Listen now for practical adaptations and heartening perspectives tailored for the neurodivergent community.



Divergentpod.com/111

13/06/2025

Typical wellness advice is often made to sound simple on the surface, but it can feel alienating, frustrating, or downright unhelpful in real life for many neurodivergent people. For many Autistic and ADHD adults, tips like “just relax,” “try meditation,” or “write in a gratitude journal” can miss the mark, complicating our efforts to find meaningful self-care and regulation.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, ask their audience to join in on the worn-down and worthy conversation, exploring why so much mainstream wellness advice doesn’t work for many neurodivergent folks. They invite their community’s feedback, break down common “wellness” suggestions that actually cause stress or shame, and offer authentic, adapted strategies that respect neurodivergent needs and differences. You’ll hear personal stories, practical alternatives for things like mindfulness and “positive thinking,” and relatable honesty about everything from sensory baths to the pitfalls of forced gratitude practice.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Discover why classic self-care advice—like meditation, yoga, or gratitude journals—so often backfires for Autistic and ADHD adults, and get expert-backed adaptations that actually make sense for neurodivergent bodies and minds.
Learn how to reframe “don’t worry,” “just relax,” and other well-meaning but minimizing messages, with concrete scripts and possibility-focused responses that parents, clinicians, and peers can use right away.
Connect with candid, compassionate stories from Patrick and Megan Anna as they share their lived experiences with sensory overload, masking, and shifting toward wellness practices rooted in real agency, accessibility, and joy.
If you’re tired of being told to “just be positive” or have struggled to find self-care practices that truly fit, this episode offers honest validation, community-sourced wisdom, and neurodivergent-friendly alternatives you can try today, as well as a refreshing take on what real, sustainable wellness can look like—on your own term

06/06/2025

Finding joy and playfulness can feel complicated when the world feels heavy and overwhelming. For neurodivergent people, accessing moments of laughter and lightness—especially while navigating guilt or social pressure to be productive—becomes an essential, yet nuanced, form of self-preservation and resistance.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the vital importance of play, laughter, and connection for neurodivergent well-being. They candidly discuss their personal struggles and breakthroughs with accessing joy, examine the intersection of play with heavy emotions, and share how dark humor, rituals, and community banter can help neurodivergent people process pain, release shame, and hold complexity. From the guilt often tied to playfulness during difficult times to the healing power of connection and humor, Patrick and Megan Anna offer both real talk and creative strategies for bringing more lightness into your everyday life.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Discover accessible ways to bring more laughter and play into your day, even if you struggle with traditional hobbies or feel weighed down by the world’s pain.
Gain insight into the intersection of play, cultural resistance, and advocacy, with reflections on how joy can be both a survival tool and a form of empowerment for marginalized communities.
Hear honest, relatable stories from Patrick and Megan Anna about dealing with shame, executive dysfunction, and neurodivergent awkwardness—and learn how humor can be a bridge for connection and healing.
If you’ve ever felt guilty about seeking joy or struggled to figure out how to let playfulness back in, this episode will encourage you to embrace laughter and lightness as essential parts of the neurodivergent experience. Explore what it means to hold the heavy while still making room for play.

Divergentpod.com/109

01/06/2025

This week on the Divergent Conversations Podcast we’re talking about creativity!

Creativity often needs a spark 💥

In seasons of fatigue or low energy, inspiration doesn’t always come from within—it can come from outside. Sunshine, fresh air, a change of scenery, or even a meaningful conversation can reignite that sense of connection and creativity ☀️

For many neurodivergent folks, external cues—like green space or a shift in environment—can be the difference between feeling stuck and feeling sparked.

Knowing what those creative catalysts are can be a powerful tool for self-regulation and expression.

🎙️This weeks episode is out now on all listening platforms.
Listen here: https://www.divergentpod.com/blog/ep-108

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss what creativity truly means as neurodivergent people navigating complex feelings of energy, burnout, connection, and disconnection.

30/05/2025

This week on the Divergent Conversations Podcast we’re talking about creativity in our Worn Out & Worth series.

🎨 Creativity is a form of metabolizing emotion!

When the world feels heavy and overwhelming, creativity can help us hold onto our humanness.

Whether it's painting, writing, music, or movement, creative expression lets us process what words sometimes can’t 🌿

If you’re feeling saturated by everything right now, this is your reminder: even one small creative act can help you move through it.

🎙️This weeks episode is out now on all listening platforms.
Listen here: https://www.divergentpod.com/blog/ep-108

09/05/2025

Grieving the loss of a beloved pet or navigating collective trauma can feel overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent individuals who experience heightened attachment and sensitivity. This episode highlights the raw realities of grief, loss, and emotional processing, and explores the complexities unique to neurodivergent wellness journeys.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the challenges of navigating grief—particularly pet loss—while managing the heightened sensitivities and emotional intensity common among Autistic and ADHD adults. They talk about how grief impacts daily life, the importance of ritual, attunement in relationships, the role of animal companionship, and how the neurodivergent experience can complicate or intensify the grieving process.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Understand the unique ways neurodivergent grief manifests, including sensory and attachment factors, and gather validation for experiences that may not be widely recognized or understood by neurotypical circles.

Learn pragmatic strategies for processing grief—including rituals, attunement with supportive friends, setting boundaries, and balancing self-compassion with the demands of social expectations.

Explore the intersection of collective trauma, emotional wellness, and coping in a world full of ongoing stressors, with candid advice on when to lean into hard feelings and when to step back for necessary self-preservation.

For individuals navigating loss, especially through a neurodivergent lens, this episode offers insight, solidarity, and practical support. Remember that honoring your unique grief journey is vital—and that connection, self-compassion, and community are essential parts of healing.

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In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the challenges of navigating grief while managing the heightened sensitivities and emotional intensity common among Autistic and ADHD adults.

29/04/2025

We discuss one woman's poignant question about pursuing an autism diagnosis at 70 after a lifetime of feeling unseen. Find out why understanding yourself matters.

18/04/2025

Navigating the healthcare system and advocating for needs can be a frustrating and invalidating experience, especially for neurodivergent folx who exhibit interwoven behaviors associated with OCD, autism, or Tourettes.

In this weeks episode of the Divergent Conversations Podcast, we talk with Dr. Stacy Greeter, an AuDHD and OCD child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist, about the challenges of accessing appropriate healthcare and the nuances of differentiating between behaviors related to OCD, Austim, and Tourettes.

We dive into:

➡️ The distinctions among stimming, tics, and OCD compulsions

➡️ Navigating the healthcare system more effectively by preparing questions, bringing an ally, and scheduling frequent consultations

➡️ Differentiating between value-driven actions and fear-based compulsions

Listen to the full episode available now at the links below or on your favorite podcast platform 🎙️

www.divergentpod.com
go.divergentpod.com/apple
go.divergentpod.com/spotify

16/12/2024

We are so grateful to have had so many incredible guests join us on the podcast this year and share their stories, insights, and expertise with our community 💚

Swipe to look back on all the amazing people who were part of Divergent Conversations in 2024 👉

In the comments, let us know a favorite episode, guest, or topic covered from this year!

To listen to the podcast, visit:
www.divergentpod.com
go.divergentpod.com/apple
go.divergentpod.com/spotify