Finding real connection and community as a neurodivergent person can be both beautiful and complicated. We often long for community that gets us, but knowing where to look or how to show up as ourselves can feel uncertain. Having spaces where we feel seen, supported, and not too much isn’t just affirming — it’s important for our well-being.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the complexities of finding, building, and sustaining community and connection as neurodivergent people. They candidly share personal experiences of seeking meaningful relationships, discuss the unique benefits and pitfalls of digital communities, explore the emotional nuances of online versus in-person connection, and offer practical ideas and resources for those looking to cultivate neurodivergent-positive spaces.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Explore practical ways to find neurodivergent community—whether you're looking for free or paid spaces, online or in-person—and hear ideas for navigating the relational dynamics that help support connection and belonging.
2. Hear honest reflections from Patrick and Megan Anna as they share their own experiences with online engagement, friendship, demand avoidance, and the realities of community burnout. It's a conversation that feels real, relatable, and encouraging.
3. Learn why community matters not just for connection, but for identity, advocacy, and healing. In a world that can be overwhelming and isolating, shared spaces offer protection, meaning, and a way to grow forward together.

If you’ve ever felt worn out but still longed for connection with a community that truly gets you, this episode offers both honest reflection and tangible support. We talk about what it means to find—or help create—spaces of real belonging.

Resources

• THE NOOK: neurodivergentinsights.com/membership
• Autastic: autastic.com/resources-for-bipoc-communities
• NEUROKINDNESS COMMUNITY Waitlist: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefQlLquFvaMB7ZY7dkSumrKhtP7WBGQLHAb0Rkfzzy_UN6Gg/viewform
• DIVERGENT CONVERSATIONS UNDERGROUND: divergentconversations.substack.com

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Navigating constant news cycles and the pressure to engage with digital content that often changes by the minute and is expressed with different narratives can be uniquely challenging for neurodivergent individuals. Finding authentic ways to support your mental health, honor limited energy reserves, and cultivate meaningful community has never been more crucial.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the realities of digital overwhelm, mindful media consumption, and the importance of authentic connection in turbulent times. They share lived experiences of navigating privilege, public visibility, community trauma, and creative coping strategies—from intentional content curation to using humor as resistance.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Learn practical tools for mindful digital consumption, including how to notice your nervous system’s responses to online content, create healthy boundaries with technology, and cultivate empowering rather than overwhelming media habits.
2. Hear honest discussions about privilege, vulnerability, and advocacy in the neurodivergent community—offering validation, solidarity, and ideas for slow, metabolized advocacy rather than reactive posting.
3. Discover the power of laughter, joy, and authenticity as essential components of neurodivergent wellness, with examples of how embracing dark humor and playful connection can be a form of resistance and healing.

If you’re feeling the weight of current events and content consumption overload, this episode offers tangible ways to care for your nervous system, maintain boundaries, and honor your unique needs and limits.

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✨ Jane:

Jane is a clinic management software and EMR designed to be an extra set of helping hands in your health and wellness business. Available online and on any device, Jane has branded online booking, scheduling, insurance billing, customizable documentation templates and online forms, integrated payments, telehealth, and more — wrapped up in one beautiful package that even your patients/clients will love. Backed by our unlimited human support available by phone, email, and chat (even on Saturdays!), Jane is here to help you get back to the work you love. Get 2 months off new Jane subscriptions when you use code DCPOD at signup. Visit:

Grieving the loss of a beloved pet or navigating collective trauma can feel overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent individuals who experience heightened attachment and sensitivity. This episode highlights the raw realities of grief, loss, and emotional processing, and explores the complexities unique to neurodivergent wellness journeys.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the challenges of navigating grief—particularly pet loss—while managing the heightened sensitivities and emotional intensity common among Autistic and ADHD adults. They talk about how grief impacts daily life, the importance of ritual, attunement in relationships, the role of animal companionship, and how the neurodivergent experience can complicate or intensify the grieving process.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Understand the unique ways neurodivergent grief manifests, including sensory and attachment factors, and gather validation for experiences that may not be widely recognized or understood by neurotypical circles.
2. Learn pragmatic strategies for processing grief—including rituals, attunement with supportive friends, setting boundaries, and balancing self-compassion with the demands of social expectations.
3. Explore the intersection of collective trauma, emotional wellness, and coping in a world full of ongoing stressors, with candid advice on when to lean into hard feelings and when to step back for necessary self-preservation.

For individuals navigating loss, especially through a neurodivergent lens, this episode offers insight, solidarity, and practical support. Remember that honoring your unique grief journey is vital—and that connection, self-compassion, and community are essential parts of healing.

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🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast

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🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

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💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground

————————————————————————————————

✨ Jane:

Jane is a clinic management software and EMR designed to be an extra set of helping hands in your health and wellness business. Available online and on any device, Jane has branded online booking, scheduling, insurance billing, customizable documentation templates and online forms, integrated payments, telehealth, and more — wrapped up in one beautiful package that even your patients/clients will love. Backed by our unlimited human support available by phone, email, and chat (even on Saturdays!), Jane is here to help you get back to the work you love. Get 2 months off new Jane...

Prioritizing wellness and authentic connection is essential for neurodivergent individuals, especially during times of low energy or change. This episode highlights how embracing interdependence, rest, and honest communication can support deeper well-being and resilience within both friendships and professional collaborations.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, candidly discuss what led them to take a break from the podcast and how that pause deepened their understanding of self-care, boundaries, and the value of neurodivergent connection. Together, they share personal experiences of attachment wounds, rupture and repair, community building, and new season plans—without guest speakers, focusing on honest, relatable conversations between friends and colleagues.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Discover a realistic and neurodivergent-affirming approach to wellness that acknowledges low energy periods, demand avoidance, and the vital importance of community and interdependence.
2. Learn practical tools for navigating and repairing relationship ruptures, including how to get beneath content-driven arguments to the underlying attachment needs and emotions.
3. Find validation and actionable self-care frameworks, from balancing self-soothing with self-nourishment to reimagining community as “mile deep, inch wide”—especially relevant in the current climate of heightened stress and activism.

While reflecting on your own wellness and connections, consider how you might honor your needs for both rest and community support. Listen to this episode for an open, compassionate look at what real, sustainable neurodivergent wellness can look like.

Articles and essays mentioned in this podcast:

• Dr. Neff’s article on rupture repair (written shortly after the experience discussed in this episode): https://neurodivergentinsights.com/rupture-repair
• Identity Development Model Article (also discussed in this episode): https://neurodivergentinsights.substack.com/p/neurodivergent-identity-arcs
• Two Forms of Self-Care by Dr. Daniel Wendler: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/two-forms-self-care

Divergent Conversations Underground (a space to continue and deepen the conversation together)

• Divergent Conversations Underground: If you’d like to go deeper with us this season, we’re excited to stretch into more nuanced, searching conversations in community. https://divergentconversations.substack.com

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Struggling with feelings of not being “good enough” or questioning your legitimacy, even as your achievements grow, is a common but often isolating experience for neurodivergent professionals.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the complexities of “not good enough” schemas, imposter syndrome, and the compulsive drive for achievement, especially within neurodivergent communities. They examine how these beliefs can shape careers, relationships, and self-perception, while sharing personal experiences about preparing for significant milestones (like TEDx talks), returning to therapy, and the ongoing process of emotional growth and acceptance.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Hear honest, relatable examples of how neurodivergent professionals navigate impostor syndrome and self-doubt in both personal and professional contexts, highlighting that these struggles are shared, even by those seen as accomplished or confident.
2. Learn about concrete strategies, from parts work (IFS) to timeline exercises, that Megan and Patrick use to ground themselves when imposter feelings or perfectionism threaten to take over, along with reflections on identifying core drives beneath anxiety and workaholism.
3. Discover how vulnerability and shared human experience can undo the isolation that comes with not feeling “enough,” and explore the value of seeking help, building supportive relationships, and allowing for imperfection within neurodivergent journeys.

If you’ve ever felt like you have to prove yourself or questioned your worth, this episode offers new insights to approach those persistent, deeply rooted beliefs.

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💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground

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✨ iACTcenter:

The iACTcenter is an elite global ICF-accredited coach education and training program designed to train people to become confident, skilled, professional ADHD life coaches. They prepare aspiring coaches to make a living while making a difference in the lives of ADHDers and other neurodivergent people. Learn more at iactcenter.com.

Julien Mussi, our student, passed away unexpectedly during our inaugural class in 2015. We offer Julien Mussi Scholarships to honor his passion for helping...

Navigating the healthcare system and advocating for needs can be a frustrating and invalidating experience, especially for neurodivergent individuals who exhibit interwoven behaviors associated with OCD, autism, or Tourettes.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, and Dr. Stacy Greeter, an AuDHD and OCD child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist, discuss the multi-faceted challenges of accessing appropriate healthcare, the nuances of differentiating between behaviors related to OCD, Austim, and Tourettes, and the significance of authenticity in professional environments.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Gain valuable insights into how to navigate the healthcare system more effectively by preparing questions, bringing an ally, and scheduling frequent consultations, emphasizing the importance of patient self-advocacy in medical appointments.
2. Understand the distinctions among stimming, tics, and OCD compulsions, and learn to differentiate value-driven actions from fear-based compulsions, helping to provide clarity and reduce pathologizing behaviors that bring joy.
3. Discover the importance of authenticity and individuality in both medical and therapeutic fields, hearing firsthand experiences from professionals who embrace their neurodivergent identities to foster better client outcomes and work cultures.

As you reflect on this episode, consider the importance of advocating for your needs within the healthcare system. Remember, your voice and experience are crucial in navigating these complex environments.

More about Stacy:

Dr. Stacy Greeter is an AuDHD and OCD child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist in Sarasota, FL. Her autistic special interests include fantasy creatures and everything psychiatry. She uses metaphors from fantasy universes such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and The Little Mermaid to make complex psychiatric concepts more relatable and advocate for autistic patients and other autistic doctors.

• Website: stacygreetermd.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@stacygreetermd
• Psychiatry Boot Camp: stacygreetermd.com/psychiatry-boot-camp
• Free Resource on Healthcare Advocacy

***This episode is a re-release episode of Divergent Conversations selected for our 2025 break. Please enjoy, and we'll be back with new content, resources, and guests in a couple of months.

• ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re extending our break a few additional episodes. If you want more information on what is happening with Dr. Neff and Neurodivergent Insights, you can read about it using the following link, as well as learn how to connect with and support their work: notion.so/neurodivergentinsights/Thank-You-For-Supporting-Our-Work-1aaa17a4bb8b80c790abfa4a08231b7a

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Dealing with chronic health issues can often feel like a neverending battle, especially when it seems like there’s no clear path to improvement.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss their personal battles with chronic health conditions. They provide an insightful analysis using the biopsychosocial model, share their experiences, and introduce this new series on chronic health issues for neurodivergent individuals.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Gain practical insights into managing chronic health struggles through the biopsychosocial model, which considers the interconnected biological, psychological, and social factors affecting well-being.
2. Discover the power of setting concrete, manageable goals to tackle issues such as sleep, depression, and chronic pain, and learn strategies to cultivate self-efficacy and align your actions with your values.
3. Learn how diet, exercise, and behavioral health perspectives play crucial roles in managing complex medical conditions, and hear about the hosts' personal plans to focus on movement and diet for improved health.

As you embark on your own journey to better health, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Identify one tangible goal you can work on today, and consider the broader biopsychosocial factors influencing your well-being. Reflect on how you can take actionable steps, no matter how small, towards living a more value-aligned life.

***This episode is a re-release episode of Divergent Conversations selected for our 2025 break. Please enjoy, and we'll be back with new content, resources, and guests in a couple of months.

• ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re extending our break a few additional episodes. If you want more information on what is happening with Dr. Neff and Neurodivergent Insights, you can read about it using the following link, as well as learn how to connect with and support their work: notion.so/neurodivergentinsights/Thank-You-For-Supporting-Our-Work-1aaa17a4bb8b80c790abfa4a08231b7a

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🎙️Spotify

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🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

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✨ iACTcenter:

The iACTcenter is an elite global ICF-accredited coach education and training program designed to train people to become confident, skilled, professional ADHD life coaches. They prepare aspiring coaches to make a living while making a...

Neuroimmune systems often intertwine with chronic health and neurodivergence, leaving neurodivergent individuals grappling with things like energy management, chronic fatigue, or other long-term health conditions.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Dr. Mel Houser, an Autistic family physician, about the intricate dynamics of chronic health, energy management, and the often-overlooked connection between neuroimmune systems and neurodivergence.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of post-exertional malaise (PEM) and how recognizing one's limits can help in avoiding the debilitating crash that often follows overexertion.
2. Using real-life experiences, understand the systemic challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals within a traditional healthcare model, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and community support.
3. Discover practical strategies and tools from Dr. Houser on identifying environmental triggers and making manageable adjustments to improve health, particularly for autistic and ADHD adults.

As you navigate your own healthcare journey, remember to honor your limits, seek out community, and advocate for the care you deserve.

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not intended as medical advice.

More about Dr. Mel Houser:

Dr. Mel Houser (she/they) is an Autistic family physician with a clinical focus on providing primary care for neurodivergent patients across the lifespan. She is the Founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Montpelier, Vermont that uses universal design principles to provide neurodiversity-affirming medical care, social connection opportunities for all ages, and neurodiversity-related educational training. At age 37, Dr. Houser was diagnosed as autistic, ADHD, dyspraxic, dyslexic, and dyscalculic. She is also the parent of an autistic 6-year-old, who is her guru of so many keys to the universe.

• Website: allbrainsbelong.org
• Get Connected: allbrainsbelong.org/get-connected
• Clinician Resources: allbrainsbelong.org/clinician-resources
• Instagram: @allbrainsbelongvt
• Bateman Horne Center Website: batemanhornecenter.org

Check out All Brains Belong’s project: Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Healthcare of Autistic & ADHD Adults provides health education resources to support people with this constellation of intertwined conditions, as well as strategies for discussing the project with medical providers. There is also a Clinician Guide with a combination of evidence-based practice and the lived experiences of more than 100 Autistic and ADHD community members.

Here's the link to the project: allbrainsbelong.org/all-the-things

***This episode is a re-release episode of Divergent Conversations selected for our 2025 break. Please enjoy, and we'll be back with new content, resources, and guests in a couple of months.

• ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re extending our break a few additional...