Divergent Conversations Podcast

24/10/2025

The language we use to describe Autistic experiences can shape not only how we see ourselves, but how our needs are understood — or overlooked — by others.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the topic of functioning labels in Autistic spaces. Through direct exploration of their own journeys, they unpack the reasons behind the prevalence of labels like “high” or “low” functioning, discuss the roots in societal values around productivity and worth, and offer thoughtful alternatives such as support-needs-based language. They also reflect on the challenges of unlearning internalized ableism, fostering compassion for different arcs of discovery, and addressing community tensions in regards to Autistic people with varying support needs.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:
Gain clarity on why functioning labels are widely criticized and how they fail to capture the lived realities of Autistic people—especially when support needs, communication, and daily functioning can vary and intersect in complex ways.

Hear candid discussion about the emotional impact of language—how shame, internalized ableism, and gatekeeping in neurodivergent spaces can affect community, self-advocacy, and the willingness to seek help.

Discover practical, affirming alternatives to functioning labels and why evolving our language helps build more inclusive, supportive, and respectful Autistic and neurodivergent communities.

If you’ve ever wondered about the impact of functioning labels or struggled with finding the “right” language to describe your or your loved ones’ experiences, this episode will challenge, encourage, and inform you about language, identity, and what it means to create more supportive Autistic spaces.



Divergentpod.com/129

Explore new perspectives and engage in thought-provoking discussions with Dr. Megan Neff and Patrick Casale who are neurodivergent therapists in a neurotypical world.

17/10/2025

Autistic people are often stereotyped as uninterested in social connection, but the reality is far more nuanced, and longing for connection can coexist with the need for isolation or sensory protection. Understanding your own capacity and motivation for relationships isn’t just helpful, it’s often a key part of self-acceptance.
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the misconception that Autistic people don’t want connection. They talk about the nuances of social motivation, energy, and capacity; share candid stories about their own friendship, relational differences, and how the neurodivergent community feels different than neurotypical interaction; and offer insight into parallel play, the importance of rhythmic attunement, and what actually makes friendship feel sustainable and authentic.
Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:
Challenge myths and stereotypes about Autistic social motivation and capacity — this conversation provides context, nuance, and real-life examples from Patrick and Megan Anna’s own experiences.
Discover what makes neurodivergent connections uniquely rewarding (and sometimes difficult), including honest reflections on friendship maintenance, the metaphor of “cactus” versus “Venus flytrap” personalities, and the power of finding your rhythm with others.
Learn ways to build and sustain relationships that honor your needs, including adaptive strategies for digital, parallel, and deep connections—and why unmasking and attunement matter in making friendship work.
If you’ve ever wrestled with wanting connection but feeling like social energy is limited—or if you’re searching for friendships that honor your neurodivergent rhythms—this episode is full of empathy, insight, and practical ideas. Deepen your understanding of what authentic connection looks like and how to find it in your own life.

03/10/2025

Unmasking can feel like digging through layers of yourself, wondering: Am I still me?

When masking has shaped so much of your life, it’s normal to question what’s authentically you — your hobbies, your friendships, even your sense of self.

Have you felt this way? Join the conversation in the comments!

🎙️ Tune into the Divergent Conversations Podcast podcast this week as we talk about the post-discovery identity shame spiral.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.divergentpod.com/126

19/09/2025

After discovering you’re Autistic or have ADHD, you most likely started to re-examine the past—and the realization of missed cues or misunderstood moments can bring up nostalgia, relief, and even regret. Revisiting friendships, relationships, and life events through a newly understood neurodivergent lens is often emotional but also essential for self-understanding.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the emotional journey that comes after Autism and ADHD discovery. They share how new self-knowledge reshapes memories, relationships, and the way they relate to themselves and others. Through candid stories about dating, friendships, family dynamics, and personal growth, Patrick and Megan Anna unpack the joys and heartaches of looking back, recontextualizing the past, and navigating big feelings that surface post-diagnosis.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Gain insight into the emotional rollercoaster many neurodivergent people experience after a new diagnosis or self-identification, including “aha” moments and the complex process of reframing past experiences with new understanding.
Hear personal stories about dating, friendship, and family dynamics that will resonate if you’ve ever wondered why life felt “off”—and how the right framework changes everything.
Find compassionate guidance on repairing relationships, managing nostalgia or regret, and embracing self-compassion during a sometimes messy process of self-discovery.
Whether you’re in the midst of self-discovery or supporting someone who is, this conversation brings real-life honesty and practical wisdom to a journey that can be both destabilizing and transformative

15/08/2025

ADHD and Autistic burnout can feel like an endless cycle of overwhelm, exhaustion, and frustration—especially for those who live at the intersection of both identities. Many AuDHD individuals struggle to distinguish between ADHD burnout and autistic burnout, but understanding their overlap and unique challenges is crucial to finding compassionate, practical ways to support our mental health.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the unique qualities of AuDHD burnout. They reflect on their own lived experiences, explore the differences and intersections between ADHD and Autistic burnout, discuss why traditional accommodations often fall short, and share insight on how burnout can lead to shame, depression, and executive function collapse. Through vulnerable storytelling, tangible metaphors, and thoughtful humor, they invite listeners to rethink both self-care and community support in navigating burnout.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Gain clarity on the nuances between ADHD burnout, Autistic burnout, and their combined impact for AuDHD burnout—plus learn why academic literature often overlooks the lived reality of those with dual neurotypes.
Hear relatable and honest discussions about executive dysfunction, shame spirals, depression risk, and the paradox of needing energy to recover from exhaustion, especially within the context of daily life and work.
Take away practical frameworks and metaphors (including animal critter analogies and the “burnout city”) that offer new language for self-understanding, along with concrete ideas for future-proofing your life against burnout as an AuDHD individual.
If you’re navigating the relentless push-pull of ADHD and Autistic traits, or supporting someone who is, this conversation will help you feel seen and provide tools for building more resilient self-care. Listen now for validation, empathy, and practical insight on surviving—and even softening—the cycle of AuDHD burnout

Divergentpod.com/119

04/08/2025

Huge thank you to Landmark College and Success Center for sponsoring our podcast, Divergent Conversations! 🎙️

🎓 Looking for a college that really understands how you learn? Landmark College is the first accredited college in the world designed specifically for neurodivergent students. With in-person and online options, small class sizes, and research-informed support, Landmark helps students thrive both academically and personally.

📍If you’re on the West Coast, The Landmark College Success Center in San Mateo, CA, offers academic coaching, executive function support, and college readiness programs for neurodiverse learners. In-person and online options are available here, as well.

✨ Learn more about both the college and success center at http://landmark.edu

02/08/2025

🥄 Ever heard someone say “I’m out of spoons” and wondered what spoons have to do with energy?

The Spoon Theory was created by Christine Miserandino, a lupus patient, to help explain what it’s like to live with a chronic illness or disability. Sitting in a diner with a friend, she grabbed all the spoons on the table to show how each daily task costs a “spoon” — a unit of limited energy. Once you’re out of spoons, you’re out of energy for the day.

It’s become a powerful metaphor and term of connection in the disability and chronic illness communities. So next time someone says they’re a “spoonie,” you’ll know why 🥄💙

🎙️ Full episode is out now: divergentpod.com/117

01/08/2025

Autistic burnout can feel like you’re running on empty—emotionally, physically, or both. Managing energy, burnout, and self-acceptance in a neurotypical world can be exhausting, especially for neurodivergent people navigating chronic fatigue, sensory overload, and internalized expectations.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the lived experience of burnout, depleted energy, and the ongoing struggle to honor personal limits. Through honest dialogue, they dig deep into pacing systems like spoon theory, the boom-and-bust recovery cycle, and the strategies (and grief) involved in energy management for neurodivergent folks. They also share laughter, relatable moments, and useful frameworks for understanding and advocating for your energy needs.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Gain a practical understanding of energy pacing systems—including spoon theory and chronic illness frameworks—and hear how these concepts can help you manage your day-to-day life.
Learn why naming and honoring your energy limits is inseparable from self-compassion, grief work, and dismantling internalized ableism, with candid stories straight from Patrick and Megan Anna’s lived experiences.
Discover actionable strategies for mapping your energy rhythms, advocating for your needs, and building routines that recognize both what drains and what restores you—so you can move toward a more sustainable life.
If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, chronic fatigue, or simply wished for more permission to rest, remember that honoring your energy needs is not weakness—it’s a vital act of self-respect

25/07/2025

Burnout can feel relentless for Autistic people, especially when our bodies and minds seem to react more intensely to stress than those around us. Understanding how our nervous systems work—and why we may struggle with regulation—can transform self-blame into self-compassion and change the way we approach mental health, relationships, and daily life.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the neurodivergent nervous system as they continue their burnout series. They candidly discuss the science behind nervous system regulation, heart rate variability, and why trauma, sensory sensitivity, or even daily disruptions can have a bigger impact for neurodivergent folks. Drawing from both research and personal experience, Patrick and Megan Anna explore concepts like self-compassion, co-regulation, and practical interventions (including nervous system “mapping,” movement, and completing the stress cycle).

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Learn the physiology behind neurodivergent nervous systems—including why stress responses can feel so overwhelming, and how understanding the difference between a character flaw and neurology can lead to greater self-acceptance.
Gain practical tools and self-reflection ideas for mapping your own nervous system responses, recognizing triggers, and building a personalized toolkit for self-regulation and burnout resilience.
Hear compassionate, real-world stories from both hosts about managing stress, dealing with chronic pain, navigating trauma, and the ongoing process of building self-knowledge in support of mental health and well-being.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated or ashamed about how you react to stress—or just want to better understand the “why” behind nervous system dysregulation—this episode offers insight, validation, and strategies you can start using today.

18/07/2025

Burnout isn’t just about exhaustion—it’s a sensory experience that can leave neurodivergent people feeling stretched to the breaking point. When every sound, smell, or texture feels overwhelming, how do we navigate recovery and build resilience in a world that rarely slows down?

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the connection between sensory processing and autistic burnout. They share candid reflections on their personal burnout cycles, explore how sensory overwhelm shapes emotional and cognitive well-being, and highlight the critical need for understanding individual sensory profiles. This conversation unpacks the realities of living through burnout—including the constant to-do lists, the elusive pursuit of “just right” sensory environments, and the importance of community support—while providing practical strategies for recovery and prevention.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

Discover how sensory overload and sensory needs play a major role in burnout for Autistic and ADHD people, and pick up strategies for managing sensory overwhelm even when "rest" isn’t an option.
Hear honest, relatable insights from Patrick and Megan Anna about identifying sensory triggers, living with constant overwhelm, and unlearning narratives around "not being content"—plus the validating realization that everyone’s sensory profile and needs are truly unique.
Get practical tools to help you map your own sensory landscape, communicate your needs, and take actionable steps toward burnout recovery and prevention—grounded in real-life experiences and evidence-based wisdom

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.