In this honest and wide-ranging episode, Lois is joined by Claire, Faye, and Ian for a deep dive into the tangled web of neurodivergence and mental health. From school-age trauma and teenage misdiagnoses to adult burnout and recovery, Neurodivergence and Mental Health – Part 1 explores what happens when your brain works differently, and the world doesn’t know what to do with that.

Key themes include:

• Why mental health symptoms often mask underlying neurodivergence

• The overlap between autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression

• How misdiagnosis and medication can delay real support

• The invisible toll of masking and people-pleasing

• Breaking cycles of shame, burnout, and self-abandonment

Whether you’ve been labelled “too much,” “too sensitive,” or “just anxious,” this conversation reminds us that mental health and neurodivergence are deeply connected—and that healing begins with being seen.

In this honest and thought-provoking continuation of Episode 6, Lois and Ian return to explore the second layer of what it means to live in a disabling world. From relentless pain and emergency surgeries to hidden struggles and the need for proof, The Line Between Disabled and Disabling - Part 2 digs into how society often fails to accommodate those who don’t “look” disabled.

Key themes include:

• How chronic pain and sensory issues are often minimized or dismissed

• The emotional toll of constantly having to justify your needs

• Why “functioning” isn’t the same as “not struggling”

• Humor, vulnerability, and chaos with cats and dogs

• Moving toward acceptance, agency, and real support

If you’ve ever felt invalidated, unseen, or exhausted from explaining yourself—this episode is a reminder that your experience is real, and you don’t have to prove your pain to make it matter.

In this unfiltered and thought-provoking episode, Lois and Ian explore the blurry line between being disabled and being disabling—and what it really means to navigate the world as a neurodivergent person. From snowy dog walks and snotty cats to ruptured appendices and medical gaslighting, Disability vs. Disabling – Part 1 is a raw conversation about identity, health, and the systems that often fail to see the full picture.

Key themes include:

• Why “neurodivergent” isn’t always considered a disability—and why that matters

• The social model of disability vs. medical definitions

• Pain perception, masking, and the cost of being “fine”

• Pet stories, leash laws, and what our animals teach us about behavior and safety

• How misunderstanding neurodivergence can be dangerous in medical settings

Whether you’ve ever had your pain dismissed, questioned your diagnosis, or wondered if your difference really counts as a disability, this episode offers validation, nuance, and a few laughs along the way.