This is the most emotionally honest episode I’ve ever recorded.

In today’s conversation, Shaun Arora returns to The Neurodivergent Report to discuss Microsoft research on work–life balance, but the fullness of what really happened is way more useful.

Listen now to co-regulate with me from all things overwhelm, chronic illness, and executive dysfunction.

If you feel dizzy surviving a world that won’t slow down for you, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

*TRIGGER WARNING; crying*

Curious what’s inside:

• Why Microsoft’s “time spent = goal acheived” model falls apart for ADHD and chronic illness

• Why rigid systems don’t work for brains that fluctuate

• The somatic signs of emotional overload

• How to transition after a moment of dysregulation

• Vulnerability as leadership: find the courage to let yourself be witnessed

However you are able to engage, thanks for being here!

With love, Sarah 💜

Looking for Shaun?Shaun Arora Neurodiversity advocate, coach, and founder at braintypes.org

Connect With Us

Find The Neurodivergent Report on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky, and Substack: @ndreportpod

Want to support the show?

Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, or visit ndreportpod.com to learn more or apply to be a guest contributor.

Until next time—

Be well. Do good.

Jonathan Bernstein [investigative journalist, crisis-management expert, and founder of The Snark Knight] joins us to talk late-life autism diagnosis, justice-driven activism, intuition as a superpower, and why everyone is “big enough to do something.”

Jonathan shares his unconventional path—from military intelligence to investigative journalism to 40 years in crisis-management PR—before receiving an autism and bipolar diagnosis in his 70s. He reflects on growing up as a diplomat’s child, navigating shame, and developing hyper-intuition.

Jonathan reminds us that “inaction is also action” and everyone can do something.

Curious what’s inside?

• Recovering from shame via compassionate adult identity repair
• Justice sensitivity & responding to political crisis’
• Launching The Snark Knight and related media projects
• Why compassion matters in cult recovery and de-radicalization
• How neurodivergent people “feel” social climate shifts

• 
  

However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!

With love, Sarah

Looking for The Snark Knight?

⁠https://snarkknight.com/⁠

Connect with us!

https://www.ndreportpod.com/

@NDreportpod on the socials

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Report, we had an energetic chat with Ryann from @Support_The_Spectrum, a speech-language pathologist specializing in neurodivergent communication!

Curious what’s inside?

• What is Gestalt Language Processing? & how is it different from analytic language processing?
• What does PDA [Persistent Drive for Autonomy | aka Pathological Demand Avoidance] have to do with nervous-system dysregulation?
• What impacts neurodivergent communication? The intersection of executive function, emotional regulation, sensory processing and memory
• What educators, therapists and families should be asking the learner

• 
  

Do you help support learners, young or old? This episode will help you find the language skills you are looking for to best facilitate communication and promote understanding!

However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!

Love, Sarah 💜

Looking for Ryann?

Website: [https://www.support-the-spectrum.com/]

https://linktr.ee/support_the_spectrum

Socials: [@support_the_spectrum]

Connect With Us

Follow us on Socials: [@ndreportpod]

Apply to be a guest on The Neurodivergent Report: [NDReportPod.com]

Meet Rebecca Irby, Founder of PEAC Institute!

What can we learn from her story of cross-cultural connection?

Together, we chat about cultural identity, empathy, and the neurodivergent experience through her lens as educator and UN peace advocate. (Peace, Education, Art & Culture).

Curious what’s inside?

- Empathy must be taught — but how?

- Psychological safety is the foundation for growth and collaboration.

- Storytelling and community are catalysts for peace and progress.

We also talk about what it means to create psychological safety, the power of storytelling, and why real social change always begins in community.

However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!

With love, Sarah

Looking for Rebecca?

🌍 peacinstitute.org

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccairby/

📸 (@equity.doula on socials)

Connect with us!

Follow 👉 @ndreportpod

Apply to be a guest 🎤⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ndreportpod.com⁠

Do our brains and guts actually talk to each other???

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Annika from Nutrimind Lab to unpack how nutrition plays a pivotal role in ADHD & behavioral health. We explore everything from omega-3s and inflammation to interoception and hunger signals.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with ADHD or have been navigating this your whole life, this conversation is for you.

🔍 Curious what’s inside:

• Managing physical health through nutrition

• We talk about managing hunger signals & interoception (that internal sense of what your body needs)

• What does chronic stress have to do with nutrition?!

• Ultimately: it’s not just about “fixing” something. It’s about understanding, acceptance, and building your community and tools so you can feel better in your brain, body, and day-to-day life.

However you are able to engage, thank you for being here!

With Love,
Sarah

Connect with us:

Socials: @NDreportpod

Apply to be a guest: NDreportpod.comLooking for Annika?Website: nutrimindlab.com

https://www.youtube.com/@nutrimindlab

🎧 Podcast: The Nutritional Mental Health Podcast

🧩 Keywords for SEO

neurodivergent · ADHD · nutrition · gut-brain connection · mental health · inflammation · omega-3 · diagnosis · health challenges · personal stories · neurodiversity · interoception · gut health · chronic stress · coping strategies · hunger signals · self-acceptance · ADHD nutrition · holistic health

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Report, Sarah and JQ welcome back Sol Smith, certified autism specialist, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and founder of the NeuroSpicy Community!

Curious what’s inside:

• Autonomy and choice are essential for neurodivergent learners

• PDA as a drive for autonomy rather than “demand avoidance”

• “There’s no such thing as an academic emergency…”

• Supporting kids’ special interests as pathways to motivation and resilience

• Importance of self-advocacy skills

However you are able to engage, thanks for being here!

With love, Sarah 💜

Looking for Sol?

🌐 professorsol.com

🌐 neurospicycommunity.com

📘 The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery – available wherever books are sold

📱 Instagram: @theprofessorsol

📱 TikTok: @professorsol

Connect with us!

Follow 👉 @ndreportpod

Apply to be a guest 🎤⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ndreportpod.com⁠

Keywords (we've gotta please the SEO) AuDHD, ADHD, autism, PDA, Pervasive Demand for Autonomy, neurodivergent students, school accommodations, emotional regulation, executive function, SEL, autonomy in education, self-advocacy, parenting neurodivergent kids, classroom strategies, masking, burnout, neurodiversity, Sol Smith, Sarah Russell, The Neurodivergent Report

Come meet Brett, the AuDHD Boss!

We’re talking about workplace accommodations; both how to ask for them and what to even try!!!

Curious about what's inside:

• The realities of neurodivergence in professional spaces, namely the impacts to the way we show up at work.

• Unpacking the importance of accommodations and how/what to ask for

• Why open communication and psychological safety are essential for neurodivergent success.

Through personal experiences and practical strategies, we discuss self-regulation, emotional triggers, burnout prevention, and how to ask for clarity without feeling “difficult.”

Whether you are a neurodivergent in the workplace, or hold a position in management - this episode has something to offer you!

Looking for Brett?

Website: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettwhitmarsh/

Podcast: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/audhdboss-podcast/

Connect with Us!

✨ Follow us @NDreportpod on socials for more

🎤Apply to be our guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠NDreportpod.com⁠

Dr. Kristen Eccleston is known online as The Neurodiverse Teacher, and we are digging back in to accommodations at school for our neurodivergent kids!

Curious what's inside:

• Schools over-discipline instead of supporting the mental health of EVERY child
• What undiagnosed mental health issues (ADHD, autism, OCD, and anxiety) look in the classroom

• What parents and students can ask for (but don’t know they can!)

Kristen is passionate, funny, and radically student-centered. This episode is a MUST for parents, teachers, therapists, school leaders, and anyone who wants a future where neurodivergent brains are supported instead of punished.

However you are able to engage, thanks for being here!

Love, Sarah

🔍 Major Themes & Keywords (SEO)

• Neurodiversity in education

• ADHD & autism in the classroom

• Executive dysfunction & regulation

• Mental health support vs discipline

• Masking, burnout & misdiagnosis

• Late diagnosis in high achievers & girls

• Inclusive teaching strategies

• Advocacy for neurodivergent students

• Coaching in entertainment industry

• School accommodations & IEPs

• Shame-free learning environments

Connect with Dr. Kristen Eccleston:

🌐 Website: www.theneurodiverseteacher.com

📱 Instagram/TikTok: @the.neurodiverse.teacher

Connect with Us!

✨ Follow us @NDreportpod on socials for more

🎤Apply to be our guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠NDreportpod.com⁠