In this impactful episode of Surviving Parenthood: Neurodivergent Edition, Vida sits down with Jon Foote, high school English teacher, parent, and mental health advocate, for a raw and relatable conversation about therapy, depression, and the power of taking proactive steps toward healing.

Together, they unpack the challenges neurodivergent individuals face when seeking support, the importance of mental health education, and why even the smallest proactive action can be transformative during depressive episodes. Jon shares his personal experiences with therapy, loneliness, and motivation, offering insight into how hope—no matter how elusive—can be the anchor that pulls us forward.

This episode is a reassuring reminder that therapy is worth the investment, knowledge is power, and reaching out for help can change everything.

Takeaways

• Therapy is consistently worth the emotional and financial investment.
• Knowledge empowers neurodivergent individuals to better understand themselves.
• Being proactive is crucial—especially during depression when motivation is low.
• Finding the energy to take action can feel impossible, but small steps matter.
• Hope is a powerful motivator, even when it feels out of reach.
• Believing in your ability to improve is essential to mental wellness.
• Therapy offers structure, insight, and validation that many neurodivergent adults were never given.

Keywords
therapy for neurodivergent adults, mental health tools, depression support, motivation during depression, hope and healing, proactive mental health strategies, benefits of therapy, mental health education, neurodivergent mental wellness, Jon Foote interview

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode, Vida sits down with Luna Hande—comedian, creator, co-host of the Hacking Hypermobility podcast, and the beloved “Luna the Zebra Mom” across social media. Luna shares her late-diagnosis journey with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), autism, ADHD, lipedema, dysautonomia, and what it’s like parenting a neurodivergent teen while navigating disability, medical gaslighting, and generational trauma.

This conversation is full of honesty, humor, science, lived experience, and heart—especially for neurodivergent parents who are fighting to advocate for both their children and themselves.

In This Episode We Discuss:

✨ Luna’s Story & Late Diagnosis

• Her journey to discovering she had hypermobile EDS, autism, ADHD, and other comorbid conditions in her 40s
• How her daughter’s 10-month intractable migraine led to uncovering their shared genetic conditions
• Navigating complex comorbidities: lipedema, dysautonomia, chronic pain, fatigue, OCD, anxiety & depression

✨ Neurodivergent Parenting & Identity

• Why parenting as a neurodivergent person is both uniquely challenging and uniquely powerful
• Raising neurodivergent teens to advocate for themselves—without abandoning our own needs
• The reality of sensory differences inside the home and how they impact parent-child dynamics

✨ Community, Culture & System Barriers

• Why neurodivergent and disabled families need community—not self-sacrifice
• What past generations had (community) that many parents today are missing

Who This Episode Is For

✔ Neurodivergent parents
✔ Parents raising autistic/ADHD teens
✔ Anyone exploring late diagnosis
✔ People with chronic illness, pain, or hypermobility
✔ Caregivers navigating medical bias
✔ Anyone seeking compassion, humor, and validation


About Luna Hand

Luna Hand is a comedian, creator, hypermobility educator, and co-host of the Hacking Hypermobility podcast. Known online as Luna the Zebra Mom, she uses humor and research to bring awareness to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, neurodivergence, and the complexities of disability.

Find Luna on TikTok & Instagram: @LunaTheZebraMom
Listen to the Hacking Hypermobility Podcast wherever you get audio.


Connect With Us

Follow Vida for more conversations on neurodivergent parenting, advocacy, and living authentically. Have questions about coaching, parenting, raising kids, or interested in being a guest? Connect with me on socials or send me an email.

TikTok @theneurodivergentteacher

Instagram @the.neurodivergentteacher

Email Vida@theneurodivergentteacher.com

In this episode of Surviving Parenthood: Neurodivergent Edition, host Vida Carey — a neurodivergent parent and educator — sits down with Dr. Jessica Myszak, a neuroaffirming psychologist, for an insightful and compassionate conversation about the realities of parenting while neurodivergent.

Together, they explore the unique challenges and triumphs that come with neurodivergent parenting, from managing parent guilt to learning how to set healthy boundaries and reparent the inner child. Dr. Myszak shares expert insights on how parents can support neurodivergent children with patience, understanding, and authenticity while also supporting themselves.

This heartfelt episode reminds listeners that there’s no such thing as perfect parenting — only growth, creativity, and resilience. By embracing imperfection and leaning into community, neurodivergent parents can find healing, balance, and deeper connection with their children and themselves.

Key Takeaways

• Parenting is challenging for everyone, but especially for neurodivergent individuals.
• Community and mutual support are vital for neurodivergent parents.
• Perfection isn’t the goal — authenticity is.
• Healthy boundaries create space for balance and calm.
• Reparenting your inner child can lead to healing and growth.
• Supporting neurodivergent children requires empathy and patience.
• Self-compassion helps manage parent guilt and burnout.
• Letting kids experience failure helps them build confidence and resilience.
• Neurodivergent parents bring unique insights, creativity, and strengths to their families.

Keywords: neurodivergent parenting, community support, parent guilt, setting boundaries, reparenting, neuroaffirming care, resilience, creativity, embracing imperfection, supporting children