Crazy Together

Have you ever felt like you’ve changed so much you barely recognize yourself? If so, you might be experiencing an identity crisis. Identity crises are pretty common, but they might be an indicator that you could benefit from some professional medical assistance. In this episode, Marcus and Esme discuss the concept of identity and why having a strong, continuous sense of identity is important to our mental health and well-being. They share their own experiences navigating identity crises and the types of interventions they found most helpful (hint: it rhymes with “sherapy”). They also identify additional activities people can try if they feel like they are losing (or have lost) their sense of identity. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: “Identity.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/identity.  Korfmacher, Carsten. “Personal Identity.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/person-i/  Olson, Eric T. “Personal Identity.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Edward N. Zalta, 20 Aug. 2002, substantive revision 30 June 2023, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/identity-personal.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In honor of Mother’s Day and his dad’s birthday, Marcus shares some fond remembrances of his parents. It’s an important reminder that we all end up talking about the people we love in therapy. It’s only natural, because they’re usually the ones who have made the biggest impacts on our lives. Life is complicated that way. But, if we’re lucky, we also have a lot of uncomplicated memories of those people that make us smile and remind us how fortunate we are to have had them in our lives. Marcus also takes a moment to reassure his audience that he and his daughter will be doing their part to make sure Esme has a very special Mother’s Day. She’s really freaking good at being a mom, so they’re happy to do it. He also pushes back on those fathers who opt out of the big day by saying, “She’s not my mother.” Maybe so, but if you’re in a relationship with your kids’ mother, or if your kids are too young to handle things themselves, you might consider doing something nice for her anyway. Chances are, she deserves it. So, get off the couch, Gerald! Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this episode, Marcus and Esme ask a very important question: can’t we be optimistic about the future AND do something about the man-eating tiger that’s stalking us? It’s a metaphorical tiger, but it’s an important question, nonetheless. Marcus and Esme continue their exploration of bottom-up thinking (a cognitive style more prevalent among neurodivergent people) and top-down thinking (a cognitive style more prevalent among neurotypical people). They begin by taking some time to reassure their top-down thinking listeners that they are loved and that no one at Crazy Together Industries thinks they are monsters. They then explore why American society and corporate culture are so heavily biased towards top-down thinking and management models. Specifically, they reveal the links between top-down thinking and optimism bias, and discuss how one sweaty, annoying economist in the 1970s created a new model for corporate governance that supercharged the dominance of top-down models in the workplace. Marcus and Esme then close the episode by affirming that, yes, we can balance our tendency towards unrealistic optimism and deal with the many metaphorical tigers in our midst. However, they caution that it will only work if we can figure out how to balance the influence of our top-down and bottom-up thinkers. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: McCann, Sam. “Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Thinking: Why Autistic Brains Process the World Differently.” Green Coast Counseling, 2026, https://www.greencoastcounseling.com/green-coast-counseling-therapy-blog/top-down-vs-bottom-up-thinking-why-autistic-brains-process-the-world-differently.  Lee, Crystal I. “Bottom-Up Thinking and Autism: A Different Way of Processing the World.” LA Concierge Psychologist, 2020, https://laconciergepsychologist.com/blog/bottom-up-thinking-and-autism.  Blackmore, Laura. “Top-Down Vs Bottom-Up Approach In Management: Key Differences.” Cascade, 17 Mar. 2025, https://www.cascade.app/blog/top-down-vs-bottom-up.  Josephs, Leslie, and Thomas Franck. “Boeing Survey Showed Employees Felt Pressure from Managers on Safety Approvals.” CNBC, 20 Oct. 2019, updated 21 Oct. 2019, https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/20/boeing-survey-shows-safety-workers-felt-pressure-from-managers-report.html.  Singh, Laura, et al. “The Effect of Optimistic Expectancies on Attention Bias: Neural and Behavioral Correlates.” Scientific Reports, vol. 10, article no. 6495, 2020, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61440-1.  Sharot, Tali. “The Optimism Bias.” Current Biology, vol. 21, no. 23, 6 Dec. 2011, pp. R941–R945. ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982211011912.  Suster, Mark. “The Benefits of Top-Down Thinking & Why It Is Critical to Entrepreneurs.” Both Sides of the Table, 14 July 2010, https://bothsidesofthetable.com/the-benefits-of-top-down-thinking-why-it-is-critical-to-entrepreneurs-bec7789659a7.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus reveals that he used to be a pretty big fan of post-apocalyptic movies. They were a lot more fun in his youth, when he could more easily ignore the many real-world fears and anxieties that were the constant sub-text of the genre (e.g., nuclear holocaust, fossil fuel scarcity, climate change, etc.). The movies were fun, and there was always a glimmer of hope in each one. For example, the Road Warrior reassured us that quality leather goods and hair products will remain in abundance in the future. And Waterworld aptly demonstrated that Kevin Costner can not only survive making a really bad post-apocalyptic movie, but he can also still convince people to give him millions of dollars to make another really bad post-apocalyptic movie just a few years later.  Marcus and Esme then discuss how it became more difficult for them to enjoy the genre as they entered adulthood and the underlying fears became a little more real for them.  Marcus then reveals why he has been thinking about these movies recently, and how they tie in to a sad scene he observed while taking a walk one day. But! He and Esme then close on a high note by discussing actions we can all take to make this world a little less apocalyptic.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

This is the episode Marcus has been dying to make for a long time now (at least three weeks). Marcus and Esme discuss bottom-up and top-down processing: two different thinking styles that influence how people take in information and make sense of the world around them. Even though most people are capable of both styles, neurodivergent people are more likely to engage in bottom-up processing, while neurotypical people are more likely to employ a top-down approach. At first glance, it might appear the differences in the two styles are a matter of personal preference. But Marcus and Esme take a deeper dive to explore how these differences impact communications between neurodivergent and neurotypical people, and contribute to some of the biases and misconceptions about neurodivergent students and workers.  They also discuss the benefits of bottom-up thinking, and describe their experiences (some successful, some not) trying to position these benefits to their employers and coworkers. And, because this is top-down world, they share practical recommendations for developing skills across both thinking types. Be sure to come back next week for Part 2: Saving top-down thinkers from themselves. Marcus and Esme will discuss the societal impacts of top-down thinking and its relation to both confirmation and optimism bias. They’ll also make the case for a world that values both thinking styles, and consider what it would take to enable such a world. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: McCann, Sam. “Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Thinking: Why Autistic Brains Process the World Differently.” Green Coast Counseling, 2026, https://www.greencoastcounseling.com/green-coast-counseling-therapy-blog/top-down-vs-bottom-up-thinking-why-autistic-brains-process-the-world-differently.  Lee, Crystal I. “Bottom-Up Thinking and Autism: A Different Way of Processing the World.” LA Concierge Psychologist, 2020, https://laconciergepsychologist.com/blog/bottom-up-thinking-and-autism.  Main, Paul. “Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Processing: How Learners Think.” Structural Learning, 2026, https://www.structural-learning.com/post/top-down-processing-and-bottom-up-processing.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

As a follow-up to the “Very Special and Horrifying Announcement” released earlier this week Esme provides some much needed perspective. According to her, there’s a slight possibility that Marcus was misrepresenting the immediate danger to Crazy Together studios and the family as a whole. It turns out, the walls of their house might not be teeming with bats. That said, there’s no way to tell exactly what was crawling around behind the walls that night, and she is unable to disprove the possibility of interdimensional demons. Esme then provides a quick update of her gardening/dopamine management wins. Then, she and Marcus discuss why the world needs a little more Elisabeth Shue.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Something is lurking within the walls of the O'Kayvius household. Neither Marcus or Esme has spotted the beast yet, but they have heard it's frantic scratching. While Esme isn't prepared to hazard a guess as to the genus or species of their wall-dwelling intruder, Marcus is almost certain it's a bat (but he's also not willing to rule out the possibility of an interdimensional traveller with nefarious intent). The problem is, the scratchy tresspasser is slowly making its way through the walls to the basement, where there are multiple egress points for the creature to emerge and take over the O'Kayvius's recording space. As a consequence, the Crazy Together podcast will be going on a brief hiatus until the appropriate pest removal experts can be brought in to reclaim the space, ethically displace the offending creature, and, if necessary, exercise any offending demons. May God have mercy on us all.

As a thank you to their listeners, Marcus and Esme are celebrating the release of the 100th episode of Crazy Together with a free merch giveaway to five lucky winners. Just go to crazytogetherpod.com and complete the 100th Episode Mug Giveaway form (look for the bouncing mugs). The first five listeners to submit an entry will automatically win! Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Frisson is amazing. It’s a physical response some people experience from exposure to powerful and emotional stimuli such as music and art. While most people are capable of experiencing it from time-to-time, emerging research suggests it may be more common – and more intense – among neurodivergent individuals. In this episode, Marcus and Esme discuss their experiences and history with this incredible phenomenon. They also attempt to explain why frisson is so much more prevalent among neurodivergent people, and how we might use it to enrich our lives.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Partridge, Alex. “ADHD and autistic ‘frisson.’” Instagram Reel, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXBmDF2DcXb.  Saville, Phoebe, et al. “Exploring the Intersection of ADHD and Music: A Systematic Review.” Behavioral Sciences, vol. 15, no. 1, 2025, p. 65, doi:10.3390/bs15010065. PubMed Central, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11762814/.  Enright, Jillian. “ADHD and Autistic Assets.” Neurodiversity Manitoba, 10 Feb. 2022, https://neurodiversitymb.ca/advocacy/f/adhd-and-autistic-assets.  Cherry, Kendra. “How Bottom-Up Processing Works.” Verywell Mind, 26 Feb. 2026, https://www.verywellmind.com/bottom-up-processing-and-perception-4584296.  Haar Horowitz, Adam. “Frisson: Interoceptive Technologies—Inducing Emotions from the Body Up.” MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/frisson/overview.  Westmaas, Reuben. “What Getting Chills from Music Says About Your Brain.” Discovery, 1 Aug. 2019, https://www.discovery.com/science/Getting-Chills-from-Music.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus is absolutely flummoxed by the advertising campaign for a product that is being marketed to people with anxiety issues. Specifically, he can’t figure out why someone would decide the best way to motivate anxious people to buy their product is by creeping them out. Esme is so entertained by Marcus’ musings she forgets her own hyperfocus topic, but contributes gleefully to the discussion. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Hyperfocus can be a strength when it’s being applied to something worthwhile or meaningful. However, even when we’re using it “productively*” it comes at a cost: our energy. In this episode, Marcus and Esme discuss hyperfocus hangovers – the emotional and even physical exhaustion many people with ADHD experience following prolonged periods of hyperfocus. They explain why hyperfocus can be so taxing on our minds and bodies, and the extra energy people with ADHD need to expend to direct our attention to less interesting tasks. They also discuss what we can do to mitigate the effects of hyperfocus hangovers, and how even being aware of the phenomenon might help us let go of some of the shame we constantly carry around.  *Note: “Productive” use of hyperfocus is difficult to define; nevertheless, the various jagweeds who sign our checks will invariably attempt to determine this for us in ways that are both arbitrary and stupid. Therefore, whenever possible, it might be more fruitful to apply our hyperfocus to efforts we find “worthwhile” or “meaningful” rather than efforts someone else deems “productive.”  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Manos, Michael. “Understanding Hyperfocus and ADHD.” Cleveland Clinic, 9 Dec. 2022, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/hyperfocus-and-adhd.  Cootey, Douglas. “After the Thrill: Avoiding a Hyperfocus Hangover.” ADDitude Magazine, 9 May 2025, https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-hyperfocus-crash.  Guy‑Evans, Olivia. “ADHD Hyperfocus: The Phenomenon of Intense Fixation.” Simply Psychology, 26 Jan. 2024, https://www.simplypsychology.org/hyperfocus-in-adhd.html.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Picture this: you’re actively working on something that requires a lot of attention (e.g., homework, an assignment at work, an e-mail to a boss who requires communication that is somehow both succinct and robust, etc.). But then, all of a sudden – whoosh – your mind goes blank. No thoughts. Just blank. It would be a real Zen sound of one-hand clapping moment if the timing wasn’t so inconveniant. Because, eventually, you snap back to attention. You shake your head, bewildered by the experience, and upset that you allowed yourself to lose focus again.  But what if it wasn’t entirely up to you whether you lost focus or not? In this week’s episode, Marcus and Esme review two recent studies that suggest: a) those moments where we lose focus, trail off in thought, or just go blank are a product of naturally occurring phenomena in our brains; and b) there are structural differences in our brains that differentiate our experiences from those of neurotypical people. What does it all mean? Well, maybe we can start by being a little kinder to ourselves.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Pinggal, Elaine, et al. “Sleep-like Slow Waves During Wakefulness Mediate Attention and Vigilance Difficulties in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” Journal of Neuroscience, 16 Mar. 2026, doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1694-25.2025. Currie, Jake. “Adults With ADHD Experience Sleep-Like Brain Waves While Awake.” Nautilus, 18 Mar. 2026, https://nautil.us/adults-with-adhd-experience-sleep-like-brain-waves-while-awake-1279024.  Pan N, Long Y, Qin K, et al. Mapping ADHD Heterogeneity and Biotypes by Topological Deviations in Morphometric Similarity Networks. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online February 25, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.0001 Bradshaw, Helen. “There Might Be 3 Different Types of ADHD, New Brain Study Suggests.” National Geographic, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/adhd-brain-study-three-subtypes.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Esme reaches an important milestone with a new endeavor and shares a few valuable lessons she learned along the way. Marcus attempts to manpower his way through a landscaping task that is best left to machines; and much like John Henry, the "steel driving man" of legend, he pays a price for it. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

October 2023: A TikTok creator uploads a video in which she tearfully recounts her experience asking about the possibility of time blindness accommodations during a job interview and the angry rebuke she received from her prospective employer. And people descended on her comments section like a plague of locusts. “Time blindness isn’t real!” some wrote. Another 30 or so commenters wrote some variation of “what if your employer had paycheck blindness - would that be fair?” The neurodivergent came for her as well. “I have ADHD and terrible time blindness and I’ve learned to deal with it. It’s our problem. Not our employers.”  Why are we so quick to jump on someone who asks about reasonable accommodations for a legitimate issue? American workers make accommodations all the time. The only problem is, we make them for our employers. Salaried workers work 50 - 60 hours a week but only get paid for 40. Shift workers are at the mercy of algorithmic scheduling programs that optimize for efficiency and ignore employees’ personal circumstances and needs (e.g., childcare, transportation, etc.). In this episode, Marcus and Esme discuss time blindness, affirm that it is a very real thing, and make a case for accommodations. They then shift course to try to figure out why we are so willing to do our bosses' work for them and criticize anyone who dares question the status quo.     Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Ly, Adam. “Time Unbound: Managing Time Blindness at Work.” Attention Magazine, Feb. 2024, CHADD, https://chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-adults/attention-time-unbound-managing-time-blindness-at-work/. Kuhn, Peter, and Fernando Lozano. The Expanding Workweek? Understanding Trends in Long Work Hours Among U.S. Men, 1979–2004. NBER Working Paper No. 11895, National Bureau of Economic Research, Dec. 2005, https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w11895/w11895.pdf.  Mishel, Lawrence. Vast Majority of Wage Earners Are Working Harder, and for Not Much More: Trends in U.S. Work Hours and Wages over 1979–2007. Economic Policy Institute, 30 Jan. 2013, https://www.epi.org/publication/ib348-trends-us-work-hours-wages-1979-2007/.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus acknowledges a common theme from the last several episodes of Crazy Together – specifically, the artistic and crafty endeavors of various members of the Irish diaspora - and promises to pursue different themes in due time. He then precedes to outline a complicated St. Patrick’s Day prank he’s always wanted to pull off that would almost certainly earn him a punch in the jaw from a drunken American reveler. Esme then bemoans the erratic nature of March weather in southeastern Pennsylvania, but is quick to reassure herself and everyone else that better days are coming now that Spring is (almost) here. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and his daughter have a lot in common. They both enjoy crafting, storytelling, and creative problem-solving. They’re also both riddled with ADHD. In this week’s episode, Marcus shares the full story of the annual leprechaun hunt he and his daughter conduct every St. Patrick’s Day, and how this accidental tradition perfectly illustrates some of the challenges associated with ADHD (impulsivity, time blindness, hyperfocus, etc.) and celebrates the joy of overcoming those challenges by working together to create something awesome. Esme jumps in with her take on the whole operation, reflecting on what it’s like to watch the two of them disappear into this strange, funny, and surprisingly elaborate project. For her, it’s a front‑row seat to the way their brains click together and the easy connection that comes from following an idea wherever it leads. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme share one of their all-time favorite videos: The PriceMaster – a weird and wonderful recording of a 2001 performance art piece in which a handful of college kids turned an everyday, run-of-the-mill yard sale into a surreal allegory about capitalism. They also discuss how the city of Denton, Texas (the setting for that particular performance) has adopted the PriceMaster and continues to celebrate its legacy to this day. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: The article about the legacy of the PriceMaster McPhate, Christian. “From Absurd Garage Sale to Local Legend, Denton Marks 25 Years of the PriceMaster.” Denton Record‑Chronicle, 7 Feb. 2026, https://dentonrc.com/entertainment/from-absurd-garage-sale-to-local-legend-denton-marks-25-years-of-the-pricemaster/article_0a1eff6c-2dd0-495a-aca0-96278b645f40.html.  The original video (32:23) - The PriceMaster. “The PriceMaster (Full Version).” YouTube, uploaded by The PriceMaster, 7 Dec. 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUmmxW7Ksc8.  The Found Footage Fest edit (2:08) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9GBLVRPeaE  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme discuss a common condition among neurodivergent people: the fear of being perceived. This widely reported phenomena is an internal, emotional, and sometimes physical reaction to being "seen" or judged, often causing people to feel as though they are "on stage." Marcus and Esme dive into why this fear is so common, how it manifests, and what neurodivergent people can do to cope with and possibly even overcome it. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Salladin, Cat. “The Fear of Being Perceived in Neurodivergent People.” NeuroSpark Health, 11 Jan. 2026, https://neurosparkhealth.com/masking/fear-of-being-perceived.  Cook, Heather. “When You Hate Being Perceived.” Autism Chrysalis, 9 Dec. 2023, https://www.autismchrysalis.com/2023/12/09/when-you-hate-being-perceived.  “The Anxiety of Being Perceived: Navigating Identity in a Hyper‑Visible World.” Indigo Therapy Group, https://indigotherapygroup.com/the-anxiety-of-being-perceived-navigating-identity-in-a-hyper-visible-world.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Most people have at least one cringe-inducing memory: the kind of memory that can come flooding back all of a sudden and trigger a spasm of embarrassment and regret throughout your entire body. People with ADHD tend to have a lot more of those memories, especially if they were diagnosed later in life. The years we spent acting on impulses and chasing dopamine without knowing why all but guarantees we’ll have at least one or two memories we’d prefer to forget. So, what should we do if we can’t forget them? How about we try to own them instead? That’s the experiment Marcus and Esme are trying in this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus. They each take turns sharing an embarrassing memory that was the direct result of poor decisions they made with their pre-diagnosis brains in the hopes of stripping those memories of their power.  But that’s not all – they’re also inviting you, the listeners - to share your own stories if you feel comfortable. Simply send them an e-mail at [email protected] with your own cringe-inducing pre-diagnosis story and they might feature it in an upcoming episode! Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme discuss the ADHD “Tax” – a term used to describe the very real financial, emotional, and psychological consequences of living with the condition. Esme identifies some of the many transactions and decisions in which people with ADHD might incur the "tax" and offers a few suggestions for dealing with or avoiding it altogether. Marcus does his best to add value to the conversation, with somewhat limited success.  And yes, the human being who wrote the previous paragraph used an em-dash. Em-dashes do not immediately signify that something has been written by AI! I know many of us are on the lookout for non-human generated content, but please do not rob those of us who think and write tangentially of a much-needed punctuation mark. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com   Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact   Sources for this episode include: Webster, Rick. “ADHD Tax: Seeking Financial Wellness After Money Problems.” ADDitude, updated 8 Feb. 2026, https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-tax-financial-wellness-money-problems/.  Broadbent, Elizabeth. “The ADHD Tax of Late Fees, Fines, Wasted Food & More.” ADDitude, updated 9 May 2025, https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-tax-late-fees-fines-shame/?src=embed_link.  Williams, Geoff. “Managing Your Finances When You Have ADHD.” Reuters, 16 Sept. 2013, https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE98F0SK.  Mutti-Driscoll, Catherine. “The ADHD Executive Function Tax: How to Cope.” Hallowell Todaro ADHD & Behavioral Health Center, 16 Nov. 2021, https://hallowelltodaro.com/blog-raw-feed/2021/11/18/the-adhd-executive-function-tax-how-to-cope.  “The ADHD Tax.” Take Control ADHD, https://takecontroladhd.com/blog/the-adhd-tax.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Spoilers abound in this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, as Marcus and Esme share their final thoughts on Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. But before that, Esme comes clean about foregoing sleep to finish watching the most recent season of Bridgerton the night before they recorded this episode. Will she make it to the end of the show before she passes out? You’ll have to listen to find out!  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme made a mistake. In the span of three weeks they put out two episodes about the evils of dehumanization (and the cruelty that comes along with it), and one episode in which they unironically called Epstein and all of his buddies “monsters.” You might be surprised to learn that this glaring inconsistency went unnoticed by the couple until earlier this week.  So, Marcus and Esme clarify their stance on dehumanization (spoiler alert: they’re against it) and explain how their emotional reaction to the news sparked some cognitive dissonance. They also explain that their impulse to dehumanize was rooted in their desire for justice, and their concerns that these men might not get the justice they deserve . . . unless we all do our part to hold them accountable. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Mills, Kim. “Speaking of Psychology: The Psychology of Wealth, Empathy, and Entitlement, with Paul Piff, PhD.” American Psychological Association, Episode 338, June 2025, https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/wealth-empathy.  Cunningham, Mary. “Wealth Inequality in America Just Hit Its Widest Gap in More than 3 Decades.” CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-wealth-gap-widest-in-three-decades-federal-reserve.  “Billionaire Wealth Jumps Three Times Faster in 2025 to Highest Peak Ever, Sparking Dangerous Political Inequality.”  Oxfam International, 19 Jan. 2026, https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/billionaire-wealth-jumps-three-times-faster-2025-highest-peak-ever-sparking.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In honor of Black History Month, Marcus and Esme have two fascinating stories to share about people who helped reshape history.  Esme kicks things off with the story of Mamie Phipps Clark and Kenneth Clark, two black psychologists whose famous “doll tests” revealed how segregation shaped the self‑perception of Black children; and later provided the scientific rationale that helped the Supreme Court conclude separate educational facilities are inherently unequal in Brown vs. the Board of Education. Marcus then tells the tale of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the eccentric, dramatic, and brilliant rock and blues singer who inspired the likes of Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and Tom Waits (to name a few). Hawkins' outlandish songwriting and stagecraft were so convincing that audiences and critics alike mistook performance for pathology and labeled him a “mad genius.” Was he actually neurodivergent, or was he simply not granted the same grace his predecessors received for “creative mythmaking?” Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact   Screamin’ Jay Hawkins resources: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – “Time After Time.” YouTube, uploaded by UnidiscMusic, n.d., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E12-STwavlI  ScreaminJayVEVO. “Screaming Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You (Official Audio).” YouTube, uploaded by ScreaminJayVEVO, n.d., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82cdnAUvsw8  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Epstein was a monster; there’s no doubt about that. But he wasn’t alone.  It’s important to note that no one has been charged with any crimes yet (and with the current administration in place, it might be a while), so it’s still difficult to separate actual evidence of guilt from noise. Nevertheless, the contents of the most recent release(s) of Epstein files paint a picture of a wealthy and interconnected network of monsters who either engaged in horrific crimes or simply turned a blind eye to the crimes being committed.  In this episode, Marcus and Esme call back to a previous episode (#52. The Unwritten Rules of the Elites) in an attempt to explain how a network like this forms, and why it is that seemingly no one in that network ever spoke out or attempted to put a stop to it. The short answer: when you prioritize your agenda above your ethics, morals, or even your sense of purpose, you might just find yourself in the company of monsters.   Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Crazy Together. “52. The Unwritten Rules of the Elites!” Podbean, 15 Oct. 2025, https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-hfnaq-1994e87.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus leads the listeners on a journey that is equal parts aquatic and an algorithmic, as he describes how he went from watching placidly peaceful underwater footage from scuba divers, to quick-cut video mash-ups of weekend sea captains submerging their expensive party boats before they can even get out on the open water.  Esme counters with her own hyperfocus detour into the world of mobile strategy games, guild drama, and the existential dread of realizing you’ve accidentally joined a community that expects things from you. Marcus and Esme close by highlighting the story of Seamus Culleton, an Irish immigrant who has been held in ICE detention for five months. If you are moved by Seamus’s story (link in the show notes), Marcus and Esme encourage you to call your members of congress and senators and request that they support efforts to free ALL non-violent detainees in ICE facilities. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact   Sources for this episode include: Sky News. The Irishman Detained by ICE | Trump100. YouTube, uploaded by Sky News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6fWI2PUn6E.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this follow‑up to last week’s episode on cruelty and dehumanization, Marcus and Esme try to figure out what happens after people buy into systems built on division, fear, and the promise of in‑group protection. Spoiler alert: those systems almost always turn on the very people who empower them. Drawing on historical examples from American slavery, the Confederacy, and Nazi Germany, the episode traces a pattern that repeats across eras and continents: political movements that rely on dehumanization don’t just brutalize their targets, they usually harm their own supporters. Or as Esme puts it, “when you vote for cruelty, don’t be too surprised when they turn that cruelty on you.” Marcus and Esme also lay out a multi-tier strategy for fighting back against dehumanization that relies on collective action, humanizing victims, and pointing out the motivations of the powerful people who seek to divide us.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Smith, David Livingstone. Less Than Human: Why We Demean, Enslave, and Exterminate Others. St. Martin's Press, 2011. Smith, David Livingstone. On Inhumanity: Dehumanization and How to Resist It. Oxford University Press, 2020. Merritt, Keri Leigh. “White Poverty and the Legacy of Slavery in the US South.” Tropics of Meta, 15 May 2017, https://tropicsofmeta.com/2017/05/15/white-poverty-and-the-legacy-of-slavery-in-the-us-south.  Merritt, Keri Leigh. Masterless Men: Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South. Cambridge University Press, 2017. Helper, Hinton Rowan. The Impending Crisis of the South: How to Meet It. Burdick Bros., 1857.  Horton, James Oliver. “Confronting Slavery.” The Civil War: 150 Years, National Park Service, 11 Feb. 2011, https://www.nps.gov/features/waso/cw150th/reflections/confronting-slavery/index.html.   Bouie, Jamelle, and Rebecca Onion. “Slavery Myths: Seven Lies, Half-Truths, and Irrelevancies People Trot Out about Slavery—Debunked.” Slate, 29 Sept. 2015, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/09/slavery-myths-seven-lies-half-truths-and-irrelevancies-people-trot-out-about-slavery-debunked.html.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme celebrate the life and work of the late, great Catherine O’Hara.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgr

In this episode, Marcus and Esme try to answer the question, “how is it that people are capable of being so cruel to one another?” Drawing on philosopher David Livingstone Smith’s groundbreaking work, they explore how political leaders, military institutions, and propagandists have learned to tap into some of our most primal instincts to overcome our sense of compassion and empathy through the process of dehumanization. Smith shows that dehumanization isn’t just an insult or a slur; it’s a psychological and political technology people and governments use to amass power through the fear of existential threats posed by the least likely sort of villain there is: our neighbors and community members.    Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Smith, David Livingstone. Less Than Human: Why We Demean, Enslave, and Exterminate Others. St. Martin's Press, 2011. Smith, David Livingstone. On Inhumanity: Dehumanization and How to Resist It. Oxford University Press, 2020. Robinson, Nathan J. “The Extreme Danger of Dehumanizing Rhetoric.” Current Affairs, August 22, 2024. https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-extreme-danger-of-dehumanizing-rhetoric  Walsh, Dylan. “Imagined Otherness: Why We Dehumanize Our Political Opponents.” Phys.org, May 29, 2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-otherness-dehumanize-political-opponents.html.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme shares an observation from a recent classroom experience and links it to memories from her past. Marcus, sadly, jumps to offering solutions where none were requested. For his part, Marcus explains how an offhand reference in last week’s Hyperfocus Bonus has lingered in his mind and taken on a life of its own. Will he be able to set these thoughts aside, or will he follow them all the way to Broadway?    Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this episode, Marcus and Esme explore the concept(?), practice(?), theory(?) of mindfulness. What is it? Why can it be a helpful tool for regulating heightened nervous systems? They discuss its roots as part of the Noble Eightfold Path in the Buddhist religion, how it became popular in Western culture, and then dive into what might be considered the darker side of “Mindfulness”—the co-opted capitalist version that uses it as a lever (velvet cudgel?) to persuade employees into ignoring organizational red flags and inequities, grooming for compliance and productivity. Marcus then has Esme read a “mindfulness meditation” he’s written from the perspective of corporate culture (if they were actually transparent in their goals). It’s a ride! Come join us, on Crazy Together!   Sources for this episode include: 5 Minute Mindfulness Meditation. YouTube, uploaded by Great Meditation, 4 years ago, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssss7V1_eyA.  Carter, Thom James. “Corporate ‘Mindfulness’ Programs Are an Abomination.” Current Affairs, 06 March 2021, https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2021/03/corporate-mindfulness-programs-are-an-abomination  Purser, Ronald. “The Mindfulness Conspiracy.” The Guardian, 14 June 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/14/the-mindfulness-conspiracy-capitalist-spirituality.    Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme celebrate the dawn of a new era where Irish actors get to use their own accents in sci-fi/fantasy movies and tv shows. Also, Esme shares an update about her own adventures in the real world. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme dive into one of the most misunderstood—and emotionally loaded—topics in mental health: going no contact. What is it? Why do people do it? And why is everyone from Oprah to your uncle suddenly talking about it like it’s a generational crisis? Esme opens up about her own experiences, while she and Marcus break down the difference between self‑isolation and no contact, explore the many forms it can take (from low contact to gray rocking), and unpack the cultural baggage that makes this boundary-setting choice so controversial.   Sources for this episode include: Guy-Evans, Olivia. “Going No Contact With Parents: What It Means, Why People Do It, and How to Cope.” Simply Psychology, updated 28 July 2025, https://www.simplypsychology.org/going-no-contact-with-parents.html.  Childs, Chivonna. “What It Means to Go No‑Contact With a Parent.” Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, Cleveland Clinic, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/going-no-contact-with-parents.  DoctorRamani. What to Expect When You Go No Contact with Your Narcissistic Parent. YouTube, uploaded by DoctorRamani, 8 months ago, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBHxgx-f2A0.  No Two Children Have the Same Parents. YouTube, uploaded by Now Owned and Operated by Child Health BC (Formerly KidCareCanada), 12 years ago, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbXqSEkwOPo.    Resources referenced in this episode:  The National Domestic Violence Hotline Online: https://www.thehotline.org/  Call: 1.800.799.SAFE(7233) Text: Text “Start” to 88788. Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme tell the story of Milli Vanilli, a R&B/Eurodance duo who took the world by storm in the late 80s/early 90s, only to lose it all when it was revealed they couldn’t actually sing. Is it a tale of avarice and deception, or a parable about the importance of proportionate accountability? Oh, wait. I’m just now reading the title. Got it – it’s the second one. You should still listen to it, though. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this episode, Marcus and Esme scratch the surface of AI’s impact on mental health: the wedge of isolation it’s driving between individuals (particularly children) and their families/friends in the name of engagement; the impact of its parroted empathy; its unregulated pervasiveness in our culture; and the risks it poses as a possible “tool” in the mental health space. They reflect on their own past mental health crises, and posit how this technology (had it existed or been engaged with) could have easily fed their worst thoughts. Finally, thoughts on protections and regulations, and how to monitor and discuss use of these “tools” with our kids. Buckle up – deep breaths needed for this one, folks.   Trigger warning: This episode contains references to suicide and suicidal ideation—listener discretion is advised.  If you or someone you love is dealing with these issues, please know that hope and help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. - Call or text 988 - Chat at 988lifeline.org  Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org   Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Orgvue. “55% of Businesses Admit Wrong Decisions in Making Employees Redundant When Bringing AI into the Workforce.” Orgvue, 29 Apr. 2025, https://www.orgvue.com/news/55-of-businesses-admit-wrong-decisions-in-making-employees-redundant-when-bringing-ai-into-the-workforce.  “Is A.I. a Bubble?” The New York Times, 27 Oct. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/briefing/is-ai-a-bubble.html.  Chatterjee, Rhitu. “Their Teenage Sons Died by Suicide. Now, They Are Sounding an Alarm about AI Chatbots.” NPR, 19 Sept. 2025, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545749/ai-chatbots-safety-openai-meta-characterai-teens-suicide.  “Exploring the Dangers of AI in Mental Health Care.” Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), https://hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care.  Trachman, Susan B. “The Hidden Dangers of AI-Driven Mental Health Care.” Psychology Today, 2 Jan. 2026, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/its-not-just-in-your-head/202601/the-hidden-dangers-of-ai-driven-mental-health-care.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s much delayed Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme is out with a stomach bug, and Marcus details his heroic efforts tending to his sickly wife and daughter. He also proposes a simple solution for freeing up some of the federal funding needed to create a better health care system. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

While the future is unknown, one thing seems pretty clear - 2026 is going to be a weird, wild, and, quite possibly, very stupid year. To help them manage their own anxious feelings about the near future, Marcus and Esme decided to practice some “positive anticipation” strategies in an effort to have some things to look forward to in 2026. They also share some tips and tricks that can help you identify your own list of things to look forward to this year.    Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Vilhauer, Jennice. “Finding Joy: How Positive Anticipation Boosts Your Happiness.” Psychology Today, 25 Oct. 2024, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/202405/finding-joy-how-positive-anticipation-boosts-your-happiness.  Vilhauer, Jennice. “Finding Joy: How Positive Anticipation Boosts Your Happiness.” Psychology Today, 25 Oct. 2024, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/202405/finding-joy-how-positive-anticipation-boosts-your-happiness.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week's episode, Marcus and Esme celebrate the holiday season by replaying a holiday -themed fan favorite from earlier in the year (episode 9: Gratitude, but not in a woo-woo kind of way). They also share some updates and issue a few corrections related to last Friday’s episode. Are the updates related to biker-gang activity in Delco during the 70s? There’s only one way to find out. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme pay tribute to Rob Reiner. They discuss how unfortunate it is that we often don’t take time to appreciate the impact some artists have on us while they’re still alive, and they reflect upon how the peak of Reiner’s career aligned so perfectly with their formative years.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

It’s time for another Movie Night! Marcus and Esme, having recently rewatched the romantic-ish comedy Punch-Drunk Love (2002), sit down to discuss its depiction of mental illness and social anxiety. They also attempt to answer the question, “What happens when a fancy pants director (Paul Thomas Anderson – Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, One Battle After Another) joins forces with an actor (Adam Sandler) who, at the time, seemed better suited to roles that required him to scream gibberish at Bradley Whitford and get into a fist fight with Bob Barker?” Not to give too much away, but . . . the answer is a really good depiction of what it feels like to live with chronic anxiety. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme bemoan the time management and merchandising requirements imposed upon them by a seasonal decorative item. Marcus explains how having a BA in English often interferes with one’s ability to just enjoy things, and Esme shares a few more examples of sanity-saving content she turns to when the news gets too heavy. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week's episode, Marcus and Esme revisit the male loneliness epidemic from a very unique angle. What if men didn’t have to choose between “traditional” and “positive” masculinity. What if the solution to developing a healthy identity is to simply be . . . weird? From the dangers of the manosphere to the radicalization path algorithms push young men down, they explore why weirdness—unique passions, abilities, and character traits—can be a powerful shield. Backed by science, creativity research, and even relationship studies, Marcus and Esme explore how being different isn’t a drawback but a strength. And yes, they’ll talk about why embracing weirdness doesn’t mean giving up on human connection. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com   Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact   Sources for this episode include: Karlton Jahmal. “I’ve Seen Friends and Family Members Get Swooped Up by the Manosphere, and As a Liberal Man, I Hate It but See the Allure.” BuzzFeed, 3 Dec. 2025, https://www.buzzfeed.com/karltonjahmal/how-the-manosphere-seduces-men.  Khazan, Olga. “The Perks of Being a Weirdo: How Not Fitting In Can Lead to Creative Thinking.” The Atlantic, Apr. 2020, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/04/the-perks-of-being-a-weirdo/606778/.  Hornsey, Matthew J., Richard Wellauer, Jason C. McIntyre, and Fiona Kate Barlow. “A Critical Test of the Assumption That Men Prefer Conformist Women and Women Prefer Nonconformist Men.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, vol. 41, no. 6, June 2015, pp. 755–768. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1177/0146167215577366. Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme takes a victory lap as she describes how she has recently demonstrated mastery over many neurodivergent people’s greatest foe: time itself. Then, Marcus is relieved to learn Debbie Harry is okay, but is embarrassed to see how she is depicted in a random AI slop video. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week's episode, Marcus and Esme take time to issue some corrections and contend with one very specific piece of feedback about the religious practices of biker gangs in Delco during the 1970s. Marcus and Esme then share some perspectives they learned at a recent parent group meeting in their daughter’s school district, and reflect on how different families experience the maze of mental health resources available to them. While the array of experiences is frustrating, the O’Kayviuses take comfort in the hope that the future provides opportunities to build new and better systems that put peoples’ needs first.   Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

It’s that magical time of year when many of us travel to our points of origin to enjoy the warm fires of home, break bread with loved ones, and contend with those other family members whose untreated mental health challenges always make dinnertime interesting.  In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, Marcus and Esme take time to recognize that the season can be overwhelming—especially for neurodiverse folks navigating crowded rooms, noisy kitchens, and tense family dynamics. However, the O’Kayviuses would rather light a candle than curse your darkness. In that spirit, Marcus and Esme want to send you off to dinner armed with an array of non‑sequiturs and fascinating factoids—perfect for steering the conversation away from politics, grievances, or awkward interrogations. So this year, don’t argue with Uncle Billy; just dazzle him with miscellany until the whiskey train takes him all the way to Sleepy Town. Toot-toot! Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus makes an unusual case for appreciating his favorite position on an American football team. Esme reminds us of the importance of taking breaks from the never-ending anxiety factory that is the news and shares a few of her favorite sanity saving tv shows.  Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme dive headfirst into the bane of many a neurodivergent person’s existence: overstimulation. From the chaos of department stores to the “wet, unholy cacophony” of the breakfast table, they unpack how sensory overload shows up in real life, describe their own experiences battling unwanted sensory input, and discuss coping strategies and treatment options that can actually help.    Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Cleveland Clinic. "Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Symptoms & Treatment." Cleveland Clinic, 20 Mar. 2025, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/sensory-processing-disorder-spd.  “Managing Sensory Overload as a Neurodivergent Adult.” *NeuroDiverse Online*, 2025, https://neurodiverseonline.com/managing-sensory-overload-as-a-neurodivergent-adult.    Neff, Megan Anna. “5-Minute Sensory Checklist: Learn to Manage Sensory Overload.” *Neurodivergent Insights*, 28 June 2023, https://neurodivergentinsights.com/understanding-and-managing-sensory-overload.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme takes us along on her adventures learning how to use her sewing machine as part of her quest to craft the perfect pair of pants. Meanwhile, Marcus takes an ADHD-fueled plunge deep into the rabbit hole that is the Isley Brothers legendary story and back catalog. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Prepare to have your minds blown. Also prepare to skip the first few minutes if you don't want to hear a mini rant about John Fetterman (you will, however, be deprived of hearing what happens when you shave Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, from head to toe). In this episode of Crazy Together, hosts Marcus and Esme dive into hypermobility and its surprising connections with ADHD, autism, dysautonomia and chronic pain. They unpack personal experiences, summarize emerging research showing higher prevalence of hypermobility among neurodivergent people, and explain how connective-tissue issues can affect balance, breathing, and mental health. They also discuss practical next steps — from advocating with medical providers to targeted physical therapy — and highlight the need for more research while sharing hopeful, actionable advice for managing symptoms.   Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Sources for this episode include: Simmonds, Jane V., and Rosemary J. Keer. “Hypermobility and the Hypermobility Syndrome.” Manual Therapy, vol. 12, no. 4, Nov. 2007, pp. 298–309. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17643337.   Cleveland Clinic. “Joint Hypermobility Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic, 1 Sept. 2021, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21763-joint-hypermobility-syndrome.  Glans, Martin, et al. “Association between Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Generalised Joint Hypermobility: A Cross-Sectional Case Control Comparison.” Journal of Psychiatric Research, vol. 143, Nov. 2021, pp. 334–340. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.006.   Csecs, Jenny L. L., et al. “Joint Hypermobility Links Neurodivergence to Dysautonomia and Pain.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 12, 2 Feb. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8847158.    Rodriguez, Tracy. *Heal with Tracy*. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@Healwithtracy.  Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus demonstrates the perils of being distracted when your doctor shares some helpful recommendations which you promptly forget. Esme then walks us through the thought process that led her to make a heartfelt and utterly unnecessary admission of guilt earlier this week. There’s also references to sewing and the music of Johnny Cash throughout. Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887  Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this milestone episode, Marcus and Esme celebrate a full year of podcasting—reflecting on their favorite moments, standout episodes, and the impact those conversations have had. They share key lessons learned, offer a candid look at what they hope to improve, and preview topics they’re excited to explore in the coming months. To close, they invite listeners to help shape the future of the show by sharing ideas and feedback.   Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact Our theme music Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch:    • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun...   Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp