In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott open up about imposter syndrome — the belief that you’re never good enough, never qualified enough, and that one day everyone will “figure you out.”

With humour and honesty, they share personal stories of childhood bullying, masking, perfectionism and self-doubt, and how growing up misunderstood leaves many autistic and ADHD adults feeling like their achievements aren’t real. From turning down opportunities to assuming every success is luck, they explore why confidence is so difficult for neurodivergent minds.

They discuss how imposter syndrome shows up in work, relationships, creativity and social media — and how therapy, self-compassion and supportive people can slowly rewrite the story.

This is a raw, validating conversation for anyone who has ever worked twice as hard and still felt like a fraud. If you struggle to believe in yourself, this episode is proof that you’re not alone — and that healing is possible.

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy & https://insighttimer.com/AshleyDupuy

🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring: sophiejamesndmentoring.com

🎧 The Neurodivergent Experience is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

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After several years in which illness and healing necessarily made her world smaller, Ashley is beginning to venture out again - and discovering how readily the outer world begins speaking to the inner one when we are available to encounter it.

In this episode, two recent experiences become unexpected lessons in transformation and creative expression.

At a natural soapmaking workshop led by her friend Tanya Anderson of Lovely Greens, Ashley learns how carefully measured oils and caustic soda undergo saponification to become something entirely new. The process offers a powerful metaphor for the difficult material of our own lives - but also raises an important distinction: harmful experiences do not deserve credit for the meaning we may eventually create from them. The alchemy belongs to us.

A week later, a visit to Lancaster Castle leads to an unforgettable encounter with sculptor Alan Ward inside his working studio. Among clay figures, stone carvings and hidden details known only to the artist, another insight emerges:

Not everything hidden is a mask. Some things are private because they are precious.

Ashley explores why authentic expression does not require complete exposure, what this means for neurodivergent unmasking, and how creativity can give form to experiences that do not always arrive through words.

Along the way, she considers the neuroscience of creative thought, the relationship between spontaneous imagination and conscious discernment, and the Neurodivergent Nuance of creativity when perfectionism, sensory needs or executive dysfunction make “just create” feel like another demand.

There is also a little Bite-Sized Buddhism, exploring karma not as cosmic reward or punishment, but as intentional participation in what becomes possible.

The episode closes with Sculpting the Clouds, a gentle guided visualisation in which each exhaled breath shapes the clouds overhead into small, temporary works of art - giving the inner world space to become visible without needing to be explained.

Find more of Ashley’s meditations, Yoga Nidras, nervous-system practices and Bedtime Alchemy sleep stories on Insight Timer:

https://insighttimer.com/AshleyDupuy

Discover more about Ashley’s work:

https://www.integrativeiom.co.uk

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy & https://insighttimer.com/AshleyDupuy

🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring: sophiejamesndmentoring.com

🎧 The Neurodivergent Experience is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a re-run episode from 2024.

Society's perspective on autism has shifted, but there is still work to be done to combat misinformation and stigma.

In this episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott interview Steve Silberman, the author of NeuroTribes. They discuss the impact of Silberman's book on the neurodivergent community and the importance of embracing neurodiversity. They delve into the history of autism and the misconceptions surrounding Hans Asperger, the legacy of autism, the shift in society's perspective on autism and the importance of finding support within the neurodivergent community. Silberman shares his perspective on the medical model of autism and we explore the impact of the book 'NeuroTribes' in creating advocates for neurodiversity, the concept of the autism spectrum, the need for more frequent and dedicated opportunities for autistic children to engage in their special interests, as these interests can lead to meaningful and successful lives.

Steve Silberman: Award-winning science writer, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity (Avery 2015).

Website: https://www.stevesilberman.com/

Book: NeuroTribes

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy & https://insighttimer.com/AshleyDupuy

🤝 Sophie James - Neurodivergent Mentoring: sophiejamesndmentoring.com

🎧 The Neurodivergent Experience is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.