PODCAST · health
Differently Brained
by differentlybrainedpodcast
Differently Brained is an own voices podcast where each fortnight we interview a neurodiverse guest or a guest who has lived experience with mental health challenges. We talk to a diverse range of people with a focus on telling individual stories and championing the different ways we all exist in the world. We hope that these discussions will help to break down the stigmas and misconceptions around neurodivergence and mental health, and normalise these conversations in our community.
Episodes
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Ranting about the Neurodivergent Tax: the EXTRA costs of living
Buckle up benevolent audience and listen to us get a little hot under the collar in this episode. This time we've talking about the "Neurodivergent Tax" and how it affects us and makes us more than a bit cranky at times. This is one of those times. The Neurodivergent Tax is, to be very brief, the...
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Masking: Hiding, Performing, Surviving
Hello friends, welcome to the Differently Brained Masquerade! We are delighted to have your attention while we ramble on about something very common amongst neurodivergent folks: Masking! We've mentioned it in episodes before, but haven't ever dedicated a whole episode - UNTIL NOW! Jacinta and...
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Public Demand Avoidance: Autonomy and Care with Frances McCafferty
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan chat with occupational therapist and neurodiversity advocate Frances McCafferty about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), autonomy, and what it means to create truly neurodiversity-affirming spaces. Frances, who founded Embrace Neurodiversity with her…
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Neuroqueer Histories: Art, Identity & the Power of Representation with Drew Pettifer
This week Jacinta and Lachlan talk to artist and academic Drew Pettifer. As an austistic ADHDer, Drew chats about growing up queer and neurodivergent, finding connection through creativity, and why telling overlooked stories—especially queer ones—matters so much (as well as the intersections...
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Snuggle up with Cozy Gaming
It's getting colder out there, listeners, so why not curl up with an episode of Differently Brained and a cozy video game? Lachlan and Jacinta chat about what a cozy game is (and what it isn't), how they help us regulate and feel safe and calm, and some recommendations for you to try out....
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Dungeons and Dragons and Differently Brained (oh my!): Tabletop Roleplaying Games with Jess C Wheatley & Declan Nathan
You must listen to this podcast episode before venturing forth! Gather one and all and listen as Lachlan interviews Jess C. Wheatley and Declan Nathan about a hobby that is growing seemingly exponentially in popularity and accessibility - Dungeons and Dragons (or, more broadly, tabletop…
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Reframing Success: Rejoicing in Rejection with Alaina Dean
Writer Alaina Dean joins Jacinta and Lachlan in "the studio" to talk about her approach to literary rejections. She has been undertaking a years long project to get her writing out to as many publications as possible and, in the meantime, accrue 100 rejections! Somehow Alaina managed to find a...
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Smartphones: Keep 'em or Dump 'em? Part 2
Welcome back to the Differently Brained soapbox! We have started releasing these on a fortnightly basis, but it seems right to share this one with you all right off the back of part 1. We hope you didn't actually dump your smartphones after listening to the last episode. Especially because in…
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Smartphones: Keep 'em or Dump 'em? Part 1
It's the 21st Century and Smartphones are commonplace. Perhaps TOO commonplace! In part one of this "deep dive" (into their own personal relationships with smartphones), Jacinta and Lachlan chat about just how much smartphones suck and what they do to their mental health. But we like to be fair...
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Doomscrolling: The Brain on Bad News
This is fine. Everything is fine. Doomscrolling -- the very contemporary phenomenon that so many of us just can help but fall victim to! Jacinta and Lachlan chat about what Doomscrolling is, why we do it, what it does to the brain, and maybe how we can mitigate it. RESOURCES: Mayo Clinic Article:...
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Someone like Clem Bastow & Jo Case
Sorry for the delay with this one! Today, Jacinta and Lachlan are joined by two guests, the inimitable Clem Bastow and Jo Case! They have just released a beautiful new anthology titled Someone Like Me, which showcases works of creative nonfiction and memoir of Autistic women and gender-diverse...
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Attention Surplus Hyperactivity Awesomeness with Georgia Zentrich, the ADHD Educator
Are you in need of some education on ADHD? Or perhaps some advocacy and youth work? Or maybe even a DJ for your event? Well look no further - in today's episode Jacinta talks to Georgia Zentrich, The ADHD Educator. They discuss ADHD stigma, managing schedules, the challenges posed by the mental...
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NeuroTrip: Jacinta's travels in Europe
This one is a bit late, apologies all! In today's episode, Jacinta tells us all about her recent journey through Europe. How did it affect her? How can neurodivergent people prepare themselves for travel? Was it worth it? Are Jacinta and Lachlan the most beautiful singers you've ever heard? Jump...
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The Cold Truth about tech, anxiety and writing with Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Join us in welcoming back Ashley Kalagian Blunt - author, podcaster and friend of the show. In this episode we chat about her brand new book, 'Cold Truth', a tech-noir crime thriller. The conversation delves into the writing process, cybersecurity, technology anxiety, crypto-currency warnings…
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Welcome to Season 3! Word of the Year 2025
It's a new year, friends, and a brand new season of Differently Brained! We're really excited to get back into the swing of things and give you all a year's worth of podcast goodness with different brains aplenty. Just like in 2024 we've come up with two new 'guiding words/intentions' for 2025…
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Lachlan's 2024 Wrapped: Salty, Disappointing, Hopeful
Who's that guy? Who's that guy? It's Rutho! Welcome to the second of our wrap up episodes for 2024. This time, Lachlan looks back on the year and his intention of "RECALIBRATING". Some of the resources mentioned: The Pulling | Book | Scribe Publications (Adele's Book) WISE Employment | Disability...
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Jacinta's 2024 Wrapped: Gloomy, vibrant shenanigans
We're back baybeeeeeeee! And not a moment too soon (considering the end of the year is hurtling towards us). In this, our first of two wrap-up episodes, Jacinta reflects on the year that was. Has she, indeed, "BUILT"? Some of the resources mentioned: The Pulling | Book | Scribe Publications...
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Representations and Resources SUPERCUT!
Okay, we know, this one is a bit late and hastily edited, but nevertheless it is here! A supercut of many of our guest episodes from series 1 of Differently Brained sharing their favourite resources and representations dealing with mental health and neurodivergence. Of course, if you want…
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Side effects may include...
DISCLAIMER: As always it's important to state that we at Differently Brained are not medical professionals, and this episode contains our personal testimonies of being on medication. Furthermore, we have always been staunchly in favour of treatment for mental illness. The experiences in this...
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Jacinta's NDIS Troubles
DISCLAIMER: All information presented in this episode was correct at the time of recording in July of 2024. Since then, some circumstances have changed, namely the Minister for the NDIS. ____________________________________________________________ The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) -...
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Idioms are not everyone's cup of tea
It's been discussed before that some neurodivergent folks don't really vibe with idioms. Either they don't understand them, find them frustrating and trite, or don't parse the context together. Jacinta is one such neurodivergent person with this particular pet peeve (is that an idiom?) and…
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Top 3 Favourite Rewatches (for when we need a bit of comfort)
One of our favourite things to ask our guests on Differently Brained is what resources or media show quality representation. This time, however, the discussion is all about what shows or movies make us feel comfy and a bit more regulated. In this very short episode you'll hear Jacinta and Lachlan...
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Podcasting is Weird - a "Meta-episode"
It's been roughly 18 months since we started this podcast, and we thought it'd be high time to reflect on the process, what we've learned and what we've struggled with. A behind-the -scenes look at Differently Brained. But more than that, this is an episode in which we hype each other. Love us....
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Neurodiverging with the one and only (literally) Beau Windon
Beau Windon is a neurodivergent author of Wiradjuri heritage who, in a first for Differently Brained, joined us in person for a chat! Beau talks to us about his identity, the creative process as a neurodivergent writer, and his PhD focus on Neurodivergent Aesthetics. Check out Beau's website,...
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Michael Coles Pt.2 - Schooling, Parenthood, and Autism
Michael is back this week to talk about his 6-year-old daughter who also has an autism diagnosis. He shares the challenges she faced in the schooling system, and the journey to finding a supportive and accommodating school.
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Top 3 things we 'can't live without'
Here at Differently Brained we sometimes make hyperbolic statements. This time is different! Jacinta and Lachlan list their top 3 things (it's a broad category) they can't live without as neurodivergent/mentally ill individuals. It's a short episode this week, but a fun one! Tell us your top three!
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Rutho in the Big City
This episode is all about a small rural city boy making his way in the big smoke of Melbourne. Lachlan and Jacinta record for the first time in person and talk all about what the trip has been like so far. Talking points: -Public Transport -Grace Cummings -Cold Weather -Smiling and waving at people
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Jacinta Dietrich is, like, so hot (desk) right now
For those who don't know, Jacinta Dietrich, 50% of the hosting apparatus comprising 'Differently Brained' is a writer. Not only that, she's writing a YA Novel! But wait, there's more -- she was also awarded a fellowship at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne to use one of their hot desks to work on…
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Hey, June - Community Episode
As the month of June draws to a close and the year relentlessly lurches forward, Jacinta and Lachlan look back at their wins and losses of the month, as well as the wins and losses of the community. Other discussion points include: -Substituting ingredients in recipes -New Zealand Souvenirs...
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Mother's Day with Paula (Mumma P, That Lady Over There, Jacinta's Mum!)
We know, we're a bit late to the party with this one! In this episode we chat with Paula, otherwise known in certain circles as Jacinta's mum! Paula tells us about C-PTSD and her wonderful work as a Lived Experience Worker.
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Differently Brained goes to the dentist with Dr. Romi Fried
Jacinta and Lachlan chat with Dr. Romi Fried, an autistic dentist passionate about making dentistry more accessible! This is Dr Trudy Lin who I mentioned during our chat: https://trudysmile.net/about-dr-trudy-lin/ & as promised, some accounts that I'd recommend from the gram (in the…
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Simon McCarthy is figuring things out
Regional journalist and writer Simon McCarthy drops by to talk about anxiety, work, and trying to figure out his different brain. Simon McCarthy is a journalist working at the Newcastle Herald in NSW. He writes news, features and produces video and multimedia for the Herald and the Weekender...
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Encore: Jordon Steele-John gives us the lowdown on the ADHD Senate Report
Another one from the archive! Jacinta and Lachlan were lucky enough to chat with Greens senator Jordon Steele-John not once but twice last year! In this episode, the ins and outs of the ADHD Senate Report are discussed (and despite the findings, ADHDers are still facing a slew of issues in 2024!)...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Differently Brained is an own voices podcast where each fortnight we interview a neurodiverse guest or a guest who has lived experience with mental health challenges. We talk to a diverse range of people with a focus on telling individual stories and championing the different ways we all exist in the world. We hope that these discussions will help to break down the stigmas and misconceptions around neurodivergence and mental health, and normalise these conversations in our community.
HOSTED BY
differentlybrainedpodcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Differently Brained have?
Differently Brained currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Differently Brained about?
Differently Brained is an own voices podcast where each fortnight we interview a neurodiverse guest or a guest who has lived experience with mental health challenges. We talk to a diverse range of people with a focus on telling individual stories and championing the different ways we all exist in...
How often does Differently Brained release new episodes?
Differently Brained has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Differently Brained?
You can listen to Differently Brained on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Differently Brained?
Differently Brained is created and hosted by differentlybrainedpodcast.
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