Divergent Conversations

By Megan Anna Neff & Patrick Casale

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Category: Mental Health

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Subscribers: 125
Reviews: 1
Episodes: 135

J m
 Jul 19, 2025
Thank you so much for talking through the blurry confused connection between long covid and autistic burnout! It speaks to so much of what I've been going through over the last year and I'm very validated to hear someone else relate.

Description

Dr. Megan Neff and Patrick Casale are two Neurodivergent therapists in a neurotypical world. During this podcast, they’ll talk about their own personal experiences as Autistic-ADHDers. They will reflect on their lived experience as AuDHD mental health professionals, and entrepreneurs, as well as offer clinical guidance, and support. Episodes will be conversational in nature, and they’ll interview other ND Folx to amplify the voices of other neurodivergent advocates and individuals as they share their authentic stories. New episodes will come out weekly, on all major platforms. Megan told Patrick, ”I’ll bring the chaos, You organize it.” This perfectly sums up their working relationship and friendship. Reflections of two neurodivergent clinicians. Raw, Vulnerable, Affirmative As Hell. Follow on instagram.com/divergentconversations Topics include Autism, ADHD, Sleep struggles, Chronic Illness, RSD, Alexithymia, Autistic burnout, Intersectionality, Neuroqueer, Creativity, OCD, Neurodivergence, Affirming Language, Small business ownership, Unpacking Internalized Ableism, and so much more. If you love the podcast, please leave us a 5 star review https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divergent-conversations/id1662009631 Visit our website for all podcast episodes and sponsorship opportunities divergentpod.com Legal Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or medical professional for personalized advice regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Episode Date
Episode 136: FLASHBACK — Autistic Burnout City: How Sensory Input Impacts Burnout
Dec 12, 2025
Episode 135 (Season 4): Neurodivergent Identity Arc for Later-in-Life Discovery
Dec 05, 2025
Episode 134 (Season 4): Navigating Suicidality and Safety for Neurodivergent Minds
Nov 28, 2025
Episode 133 (Season 4): Is Everyone a Little Bit ADHD?
Nov 21, 2025
Episode 132 (Season 4): Is Everyone a Little Bit Autistic?
Nov 14, 2025
Episode 131 (Season 4): Why ADHD Isn’t About Being Lazy or Unmotivated
Nov 07, 2025
Episode 130 (Season 4): Intelligence Myths About ADHD and Autism
Oct 31, 2025
Episode 129 (Season 4): Breaking Down Language and Labels in Autism Advocacy
Oct 24, 2025
Episode 128 (Season 4): Do Autistic People Want Social Connection?
Oct 17, 2025
Episode 127 (Season 4): Landmark College: Neuro-Inclusive College to Career Transitions [featuring Jan Coplan]
Oct 10, 2025
Episode 126 (Season 4): Am I Still Me? Post-Diagnosis Identity Spiral
Oct 03, 2025
Episode 125 (Season 4): Hidden Shame of ADHD: Restlessness, Relationships, and Post-Discovery Impact
Sep 26, 2025
Episode 124 (Season 4): Epiphanies and Apologies: Processing Life After Autism and ADHD Discovery
Sep 19, 2025
Episode 123 (Season 4): Not an Epidemic: Behind the Rise in Autism Diagnoses [featuring Dr. Donna Henderson]
Sep 12, 2025
Episode 122 (Season 4): Claiming Your Neurodivergent Identity: Discovery and What Comes Next
Sep 05, 2025
Episode 121 (Season 3): Burnout City: Burnout Symptoms at a Cellular Level [featuring Dr. Mel Houser]
Aug 29, 2025
Episode 120 (Season 3): Burnout City Finale: Boundaries, Self-Advocacy, and Accommodations
Aug 22, 2025
Episode 119 (Season 3): AuDHD Burnout City: How Autistic and ADHD Burnout Collide and Compensate
Aug 15, 2025
Episode 118 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: Life When the Mask Comes Off
Aug 08, 2025
Episode 117 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: Energy Limits and Management
Aug 01, 2025
Episode 116 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: The Sensitive Nervous System
Jul 25, 2025
Episode 115 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: How Sensory Input Impacts Burnout
Jul 18, 2025
Episode 114 (Season 3): Building Burnout Recovery City: When Your Dog Pees on You and You Don’t Care
Jul 11, 2025
Episode 113 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: Perpetual Sensory Hell
Jul 04, 2025
Episode 112 (Season 2): Rethinking Higher Education for Neurodivergent Learners [featuring Adam Lalor]
Jun 27, 2025
Episode 111 (Season 2): Not Your Neurotypical Wellness: Adaptations and Reflections
Jun 20, 2025
Episode 110 (Season 2): Neurodivergent Wellness Tips That Backfire and How to Adapt Them
Jun 13, 2025
Episode 109 (Season 2): The Power of Play: Holding the Heavy with Laughter and Connection
Jun 06, 2025
Episode 108 (Season 2): Using Creativity to Anchor into Aliveness and Humanity
May 30, 2025
Episode 107 (Season 2): Curating Connection: Neurodivergent Communities Online and In-Person
May 23, 2025
Episode 106 (Season 2): Not Your Neurotypical Wellness: Connection, Consumption, and Self-Care
May 16, 2025
Episode 105 (Season 2): Autistic Grief and Wellness: Holding Space for Hard Emotions
May 09, 2025
Episode 104 (Season 2): Neurodivergent Realities, Rupture & Repair, and Podcast Updates
May 02, 2025
Episode 103: Navigating Core Beliefs and Self-Worth
Apr 25, 2025
Episode 102: FLASHBACK — OCD (Part 3): Differentiating OCD, Autism, and Tourettes Behaviors and Enhancing Healthcare [featuring Dr. Stacy Greeter]
Apr 18, 2025
Episode 101: FLASHBACK — Chronic Health (Part 1): Biopsychosocial Approach to Chronic Health Issues
Apr 11, 2025
Episode 100: FLASHBACK — Chronic Health (Part 4): All Brains Belong [featuring Dr. Mel Houser]
Apr 04, 2025
Episode 99: FLASHBACK — Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (#4): Rewiring Beliefs to Face Your Inner Critic [featuring Yunetta Smith]
Mar 28, 2025
Episode 98: FLASHBACK — In-Between Phase of an Autism Diagnosis: From Asking to Assessment [featuring Jak Levine-Pritzker]
Mar 21, 2025
Episode 97: FLASHBACK — Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Crafting Safe Spaces [featuring Lyric Rivera]
Mar 14, 2025
Episode 96: FLASHBACK — Sensory Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Navigating Neurodivergent Experiences
Mar 07, 2025
Episode 95: FLASHBACK — “What is Autism?” (Part 4): Special Interests and Complex Sensory Experiences
Feb 28, 2025
Episode 94: FLASHBACK — “What is ADHD?” (Part 1): Personal Stories and Professional Insights
Feb 21, 2025
Episode 93: FLASHBACK — ADHD Interest-Based Nervous Systems
Feb 14, 2025
Episode 92: FLASHBACK — Understanding ADHD Tax: Impact, Personal Stories, and Management Strategies
Feb 07, 2025
Episode 91: FLASHBACK — ADHD & Romanticism: Reconciling Fantasies with Reality
Jan 31, 2025
Episode 90: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: Our First Meeting and The Belize Retreat Experience
Jan 24, 2025
Episode 89: Reflections and Insights From 2024
Jan 17, 2025
Episode 88: Psychoanalysis (Part 3): Impact of Childhood Trauma on Autistic Adults [featuring Debra Brause]
Jan 10, 2025
Episode 87: Psychoanalysis (Part 2): ADHD Ways to Focus Without Force [featuring Kourosh Dini]
Jan 03, 2025
Episode 86: Psychoanalysis (Part 1): Bridging Science With Soul [featuring Dr. Karissa Burnett]
Dec 27, 2024
Episode 85: Giftedness (Part 6): Series Reflections and Insights
Dec 20, 2024
Episode 84: Giftedness (Part 5): Navigating Giftedness in Marginalized Communities [featuring Sheldon Gay]
Dec 13, 2024
Episode 83: Giftedness (Part 4): Parenting 2e Kids: High Standards and Emotional Needs [featuring Dr. Danika Maddocks]
Dec 06, 2024
Episode 82: Giftedness (Part 3): Deconstructing Giftedness: Life Beyond The Label [featuring Katy Higgins Lee]
Nov 29, 2024
Episode 81: Giftedness (Part 2): You’re a Zebra, Not a Weird Horse [featuring Dr. Matt Zakreski]
Nov 22, 2024
Episode 80: Giftedness (Part 1): Defining Giftedness: Beyond High IQs [featuring Emily Kircher-Morris]
Nov 15, 2024
Episode 79: OCD (Part 5): Bridging Mental Health and Comedy [featuring Samuel Silverman]
Nov 08, 2024
Episode 78: OCD (Part 4): I-CBT and Neurodivergent Approaches to OCD [featuring Brittany Goff]
Nov 01, 2024
Episode 77: OCD (Part 3): Differentiating OCD, Autism, and Tourettes Behaviors and Enhancing Healthcare [featuring Dr. Stacy Greeter]
Oct 25, 2024
Episode 76: OCD (Part 2): Exposure Therapy—You Don’t Have to Lick Toilets [featuring Aiden Reis]
Oct 18, 2024
Episode 75: The Neurodivergent Experience of Hurricane Helene
Oct 11, 2024
Episode 74: OCD (Part 1): An Introduction to OCD
Oct 04, 2024
Episode 73: Chronic Health (Part 4): All Brains Belong [featuring Dr. Mel Houser]
Sep 27, 2024
Episode 72: Chronic Health (Part 3): Megan’s Biopsychosocial Assessment
Sep 20, 2024
Episode 71: Chronic Health (Part 2): Patrick’s Biopsychosocial Assessment
Sep 13, 2024
Episode 70: Chronic Health (Part 1): Biopsychosocial Approach to Chronic Health Issues
Sep 06, 2024
Episode 69: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (#5): Unmasking The Person and Professional [featuring Maureen Werrbach]
Aug 30, 2024
Episode 68: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (#4): Rewiring Beliefs to Face Your Inner Critic [featuring Yunetta Smith]
Aug 23, 2024
Episode 67: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (#3): Balancing ADHD and Entrepreneurship [featuring Gabrielle Juliano-Villani]
Aug 16, 2024
Episode 66: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (#2): The Psychology of Entrepreneurship [featuring Corey Wilks]
Aug 09, 2024
Episode 65: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs (#1): An Introduction
Aug 02, 2024
Episode 64: Ask The Audience (#2): Language for Autism, and Neurodivergent Therapists
Jul 26, 2024
Episode 63: Ask The Audience (#1): Adult Autism, Identity Shifts, and Podcast Insights
Jul 19, 2024
Episode 62: In-Between Phase of an Autism Diagnosis: From Asking to Assessment [featuring Jak Levine-Pritzker]
Jul 12, 2024
Episode 61: ADHD & Romanticism: Reconciling Fantasies with Reality
Jul 05, 2024
Episode 60: Understanding ADHD Tax: Impact, Personal Stories, and Management Strategies
Jun 28, 2024
Episode 59: ADHD Interest-Based Nervous Systems
Jun 21, 2024
Episode 58: “What is ADHD?” (Part 4): Unpacking ADHD Impulsive Traits
Jun 14, 2024
Episode 57: “What is ADHD?” (Part 3): Unpacking ADHD-Hyperactive Traits
Jun 07, 2024
Episode 56: “What is ADHD?” (Part 2): Unpacking ADHD-Inattentive Traits
May 31, 2024
Episode 55: “What is ADHD?” (Part 1): Personal Stories and Professional Insights
May 24, 2024
Episode 53: The Intersection of Autism and Eating Disorders [featuring Livia Sara]
May 10, 2024
Episode 52: Understanding PMDD: The Link Between Hormonal Imbalances and Neurodivergence [featuring Jes Hagen]
May 03, 2024
Episode 51: “What is Autism?” (Part 4): Special Interests and Complex Sensory Experiences
Apr 26, 2024
Episode 50: “What is Autism?” (Part 3): The Complex Interplay of Routine, Control, and Flexibility
Apr 19, 2024
Episode 49: "What is Autism?" (Part 2): Navigating the Social Labyrinth
Apr 12, 2024
Episode 48: “What is Autism?” (Part 1): Understanding Autistic Communication
Apr 05, 2024
Episode 47: Autistic Burnout (Part 2): A Deep Dive Into The Diversity of Burnout
Mar 29, 2024
Episode 46: Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Crafting Safe Spaces [featuring Lyric Rivera]
Mar 22, 2024
Episode 45: The Creative Sides of Autism + Advocacy Through Art [featuring Bret Malley]
Mar 15, 2024
Episode 44: Sensory Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Navigating Neurodivergent Experiences
Mar 08, 2024
Episode 43: The Relief and Grief of Later-in-Life Diagnosis [featuring Jamie Roberts]
Mar 01, 2024
Episode 42: Let The People Feel What They Need To Feel [featuring Tiffany Hammond]
Feb 23, 2024
Episode 41: Unfortunate Coping: Neurodivergence, Addiction, and Recovery
Feb 16, 2024
Episode 40: Bridging the Gap: Empowering Neurodivergent Families [featuring Dayna Abraham]
Feb 09, 2024
Episode 39: Reflection and Intention: Mapping Energy, Setting Boundaries, and Finding Balance
Feb 02, 2024
[FLASHBACK] Episode 25: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask a Neurotypical [featuring Jennifer Agee]
Jan 26, 2024
[FLASHBACK] Episode 24: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask an ADHDer [featuring Dr. Donna Henderson]
Jan 19, 2024
[FLASHBACK] Episode 15: Exploring the Intersection: Neurodivergent Experiences and Chronic Health Conditions featuring Dr. Mel Houser
Jan 12, 2024
[FLASHBACK] Episode 7: Finding a Neurodivergent Affirmative Therapist
Jan 05, 2024
[FLASHBACK] Episode 4: Diagnosis Stories (Part 1) — The Impact of Understanding
Dec 29, 2023
[FLASHBACK] Episode 2: Autistic Burnout
Dec 22, 2023
Episode 32: Navigating Neurodivergent Attachment: Unraveling Complex Relationships
Dec 15, 2023
Episode 31: Releasing Expectations Around The Neurodivergent Holiday Experience
Dec 08, 2023
Episode 30: Rewriting Neurodivergent Narratives: Navigating Labels, Trust, and Healing through Somatic Work [featuring Sandra Coral]
Dec 01, 2023
Episode 29: Unmasking Rejection: Answering Questions About RSD
Nov 24, 2023
Episode 28: RSD and Social Media: Exploring the Complex Relationship and Nurturing Mental Wellness Online
Nov 17, 2023
Episode 27: Inside Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria: Insights on RSD, Mental Health, and Relationships
Nov 10, 2023
Episode 26: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask an Autistic [featuring Amanda Diekman]
Nov 03, 2023
Episode 25: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask a Neurotypical [featuring Jennifer Agee]
Oct 27, 2023
Episode 24: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask an ADHDer [featuring Dr. Donna Henderson]
Oct 20, 2023
Episode 23: Challenging Stereotypes About Autism and Narcissism
Oct 13, 2023
Episode 22: Autism and Pregnancy Loss: An Autistic Journey of Grief and Identity (featuring Dr. Kiley Hanish)
Oct 06, 2023
Episode 21: Taking Up Space: Navigating Social Interactions as a Neurodivergent Individual
Sep 29, 2023
Episode 20: Embracing Neuroqueer Identity: Queerness Explored Through the Lens of Autism and ADHD
Sep 22, 2023
Episode 19: Questions and Answers: Redefining Identity Through Autism Discovery
Sep 15, 2023
Episode 18: Autistic Unmasking: Redefining Identity and Authentic Self-Discovery
Sep 08, 2023
Episode 17: Autistic and ADHD Self-Identification and Misinformation
Sep 01, 2023
Episode 16: Autism and Healthcare: The Impact and Challenges of Self-Disclosure
Aug 25, 2023
Episode 15: Exploring the Intersection: Neurodivergent Experiences and Chronic Health Conditions featuring Dr. Mel Houser
Aug 18, 2023
Episode 14: Autistic Masking: The Impact on Mental Health, Identity, Safety, and Privilege
Aug 11, 2023
Episode 13: When Little Things Feel Huge: Neurodivergent Perspectives on Routine Disruptions
Aug 04, 2023
Episode 12: Demand Avoidance and PDA: Exploring the Overlap and Difference [Featuring Tara Holmquist]
Jul 28, 2023
Episode 11: Sensory Overload and Social Engagement — The Autistic Experience in Group Settings
Jul 21, 2023
Episode 10: Understanding Alexithymia — Exploring the Complexities of Emotion
Jul 14, 2023
Episode 9: Travel and Autism — Exploring the World with Heightened Senses
Jul 07, 2023
Episode 8: Autistic Emotions
Jun 30, 2023
Episode 7: Finding a Neurodivergent Affirmative Therapist
Jun 23, 2023
Episode 6: Challenging Stigma Around Autistic Therapists
Jun 22, 2023
Episode 5: Diagnosis Stories (Part 2) — Early Signs and Misdiagnosis
Jun 09, 2023
Episode 4: Diagnosis Stories (Part 1) — The Impact of Understanding
Jun 02, 2023
Episode 3: The Relationship Between Sleep & Neurodivergence
May 26, 2023
Episode 2: Autistic Burnout
May 12, 2023
Episode 1: I’ll Bring The Chaos & You Help Organize It
Dec 28, 2022