Nobody talks about how painful nostalgia can be when you’re neurodivergent.

Not because you miss the past more than anyone else—but because so much of your life was spent just trying to get through it.

When your nervous system is constantly in survival mode, it’s hard to be fully present. Even in the moments you’ve waited for, dreamed about, or thought would finally make everything feel okay.

Then years later, you find yourself desperately trying to remember them. Trying to hold onto moments that never had the chance to fully sink in because your brain was focused on surviving, not storing memories.

That’s the heartbreak.

It’s not just grieving the past.

It’s grieving the version of you that never got to fully experience it.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. ❤️

Why do so many of us find ourselves repeating the same relationship patterns? How do we recognise red flags, recover from narcissistic abuse, and learn to trust ourselves again?

Due to internet signal issues during recording, this conversation had to be split into two parts. We kept getting cut off, but the discussion was far too important not to share, so we’ve released it as Part 1 and Part 2.

In Part 1, I’m joined by Dave Kopney, alongside the brilliant Man on Pause, who asks some incredibly thoughtful and insightful questions throughout the conversation.

Together we explore addiction, harm reduction, recovery, lived experience, and the realities behind substance use without judgement or stigma.

Topics include:

• Harm reduction

• Addiction & recovery

• Mental health

• Trauma

• Lived experience

• Neurodivergence

• Compassion over judgement

Find out more about Dave’s work:

🌐 ASAP Community: https://asapcommunity.org/

Welcome to Part 2 of my conversation with Dave Kopney.

Unfortunately, our recording kept being interrupted by poor internet signal, so we decided to split the interview into two parts rather than lose such an important discussion.

In this episode, we continue talking about addiction, harm reduction, recovery, trauma, stigma, hope, and the lessons Dave has learned through his own lived experience.

If you haven’t already, I’d recommend listening to Part 1 first, where Dave is joined by the fantastic Man on Pause, whose thoughtful questions helped shape the conversation.

Find out more about Dave’s work:

🌐 ASAP Community: https://asapcommunity.org/

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some, I sit down with accredited psychotherapist Robert Rackley, who specialises in ADHD, autism, and neurodivergent mental health.

We explore why boundaries can feel so difficult for neurodivergent people, the reality of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), masking, emotional overwhelm, and how growing up misunderstood can shape the way we experience relationships and ourselves.

Robert shares compassionate, practical insights that help make sense of the neurodivergent experience, while we have an honest conversation about the challenges—and strengths—that come with living as an AuDHD adult.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, questioning whether you’re neurodivergent, or supporting someone who is, this episode is full of validation, understanding, and practical takeaways.

In this episode we discuss:

• ADHD and autism

• AuDHD

• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

• Boundaries and people-pleasing

• Emotional regulation

• Masking and unmasking

• Neurodivergent mental health

• Late diagnosis

• Self-understanding and self-compassion

If this conversation resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Why does a delayed text, a change in someone’s tone, or a small piece of feedback feel so overwhelming for so many neurodivergent people?

In this episode of AuDHD… And Then Some, Ellie is joined by licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist Becca Gregory to explore rejection sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, people-pleasing, shame, and why so many ADHD and autistic adults struggle to stop taking things personally.

Together they discuss why rejection can feel physically painful, how childhood experiences shape our inner beliefs, why insight alone isn’t always enough to create lasting change, and practical ways to begin recovering from rejection without spiralling.

Whether you’re ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, or simply recognise yourself in perfectionism, overthinking, and people-pleasing, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical hope.

In this episode:

* What rejection sensitivity really is

* Emotional dysregulation in ADHD and autism

* Why neurodivergent people often carry shame

* The link between people-pleasing and fear of rejection

* How to stop taking things so personally

* Practical strategies for recovering from rejection

* Why healing is different from simply coping

Find Becca Gregory and learn more about her work at flowforwardcounseling.com.

#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #RejectionSensitiveDysphoria #RSD #EmotionalDysregulation #PeoplePleasing #MentalHealth #LateDiagnosis #ExecutiveFunction #Therapy #SelfCompassion #Neurodiversity #Podcast

Have you ever found yourself saying “yes” when you really wanted to say “no”?

🎙️ New Episode: Rebuilding Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse with Skye Bellarmine

Content note: This episode includes discussions of narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, trauma, emotional manipulation, and recovery.

In this episode of AuDHD… And Then Some, I’m joined by Skye Bellarmine for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about surviving narcissistic abuse, learning to recognise the warning signs, and rebuilding your life after years of self-doubt.

Together, we discuss:

💜 What narcissistic abuse can look like in everyday life.

💜 How gaslighting slowly makes you question your own thoughts, memories, and instincts.

💜 Why leaving isn’t always as simple as people think.

💜 Rebuilding trust in yourself after emotional manipulation.

💜 Setting healthy boundaries without guilt.

💜 The long journey of healing and discovering who you are again.

💜 Why taking recovery one small step at a time can be life-changing.

We also talk about Skye’s personal journey through trauma and resilience, and how she found the strength to rebuild a life that felt authentic and hopeful.

Whether you’ve experienced narcissistic abuse yourself, you’re supporting someone who has, or you’re trying to make sense of a relationship that doesn’t feel right, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

Thank you, Skye, for sharing your story with such honesty, compassion, and courage.

If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review if you’d like to support the show, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

💜 Happy listening.