The Unedited Self: Dropping the Script on Late-Diagnosed Autism w/ Kristin Walker

Mike and Chaya sit down with Kristin Walker, founder and CEO of Mental Health News Radio Network, who returns to the show to share the profound impact of receiving an autism and ADHD diagnosis in her 50s. Kristin opens up about the strange and beautiful work of unmasking after a later-in-life autism and ADHD diagnosis, shedding old survival patterns, and rejecting the deficit mindset often placed on neurodivergent minds. We Also Cover: The grief, relief, and disorientation of late-diagnosed autism and ADHD Building the Mental Health News Radio Network across 12 years while fully masked and unaware Why neurodivergent masking can hide your strengths, not just your struggles How relationships can help us find our way back to ourselves Slow processing and the exhaustion of performed competence Learning boundaries without abandoning connection How threat-mapping shapes neurodivergent relationships Letting go of scripts, shortcuts, and conversational over-prep The difference between living from self-protection and living from self-trust How deficit-based views of neurodivergence are a trap Quotes: "I got diagnosed with autism and ADHD right after I turned 54… that has been a really trippy ass journey." — Kristin Walker "I’m done editing myself. I’m done. The best parts of me are the unedited parts." — Kristin Walker "That’s not Mike that’s talking. That’s scripts that are talking, and I don’t really script so much anymore." — Mike "Every time I peel back something else and bring something out into the open... every time I say no, another chamber opens that I get to explore." — Kristen Walker About Kristin Walker: Kristin Walker is the founder and CEO of Mental Health News Radio Network, a platform for conversations about mental health, trauma, neurodivergence, behavioral health, and lived experience. She is also connected to everythingEHR, where her work bridges behavioral health, technology, and systems-level support. As an Electronic Health Records Expert for Behavioral Health Organizations, she regularly speaks at healthcare conferences and consults with hospital systems across the country. Kristin's unique approach emphasizes collaborative leadership and creating inclusive spaces for different perspectives on mental health, making her a respected voice in both the technology and mental health communities. Connect with Kristin Walker: Mental Health News Radio Network: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradio.com/ Mental Health News Radio Podcast: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradionetwork.com/our-shows/mental-health-news-radio/ Lawn Chairs in Space Podcast: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradionetwork.com/our-shows/lawn-chairs-in-space/ Kristin Walker on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristinswalker Mental Health News Radio Network on Instagram: @mhnrnetwork Mental Health News Radio Network on Facebook: facebook.com/MentalHealthNewsRadioNetwork Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds https://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/ All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803 Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/ As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.