Neurodivergent Faith

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, I sit down with Amanda Diekman—known to many as “Low Demand Amanda”—to explore the tender intersection of parenting, trauma, and connection.We name the reality so many parents carry quietly:that some of our pain is happening inside the parenting journey itself.And we ask the honest question—how do we begin to heal while we are actively parenting?Amanda brings wisdom shaped by lived experience as a neurodivergent parent raising neurodivergent kids. We talk about PDA, the limits of control-based parenting, and the quiet, powerful shift of dropping demands to build trusting connection.We also turn inward—toward the sacred work of reparenting ourselves.Learning, slowly, to offer our own hearts the compassion, regulation, and grace we may have never received.To connect with Amanda:https://www.instagram.com/lowdemandamanda/https://www.amandadiekman.com/podcast#NeurodivergentFaith #ParentingTrauma #PDAParenting #LowDemandParenting #AmandaDiekman #NeurodivergentParenting #TraumaInformed #ConnectionOverControl #Reparenting #FaithAndMentalHealth #GentleParenting #NervousSystem #ParentingJourneyTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, “Child Sacrifice for the Sake of the Community,” we explore what happens when belonging, harmony, and reputation are prioritized over a child’s nervous system. Through personal reflection, we name the ways many of us learned to override our bodies—whether in overwhelming environments, unspoken expectations to “push through,” or even being required to give affection we didn’t feel safe offering.We gently unpack the difference between tantrums and meltdowns, and why that distinction matters for compassion, safety, and understanding. Along the way, we begin to notice how these early patterns can shape our relationship with our bodies, our boundaries, and even our faith.This is an invitation to move from self-abandonment towards finding new ways of honoring God, ourselves, and our communities at the same time. #NeurodivergentFaith #TraumaInformed #NervousSystemAwareness #AutismAcceptance #BodyAutonomy #SpiritualFormation #FaithAndMentalHealth #HealingJourney #ParentingWithCompassion #EmbodiedFaithTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, I sit down with Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis to explore some often unexamined assumptions that have shaped Christian parenting culture. Together, we name the pressure to produce “obedient and compliant” children—and how those expectations can harm families, especially those with neurodivergent kids. We talk about the danger of calling something “biblical” when it’s deeply shaped by culture, and the connection between behaviorism, masking, belonging, and connection. This episode offers both honesty and hope for those processing their own childhoods as well as those currently parenting neurodivergent kids. (And, of course some of us who are doing both!)To find the book "The Myth of Good Christian Parenting": https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436642_the-myth-of-good-christian-parentingTo connect with Marissa: https://www.instagram.com/mburtwrites/To connect with Kelsey: https://www.instagram.com/kelseykmcginnis/#NeurodivergentFaith #ChristianParenting #NeurodivergentKids #SpiritualFormation #ReligiousTrauma #FaithDeconstruction #ParentingNeurodivergentKids #LateDiagnosedNeurodivergentTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn Part 2 of my conversation with Alyssa Barringer, we explore what led to her AuDHD diagnosis and how that understanding began to bring clarity to years of lived experience. We talk about neurodivergence in the family, the connection between message and messenger, and some of the realities of high control religious spaces.Alyssa also shares glimpses of healing in her current church—what it looks like to be welcomed as you are, and simple, practical ways communities can cue safety and belonging. She also shares a story from a deregulating Easter service that somehow still became a place of grace and good news.Part 2 of 2.To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this first part of my conversation with Alyssa Barringer, she shares stories that you may find very relatable—especially if you grew up in the rhythms of church and Christian school, trying to follow God with all sincerity, while simultaneously not fitting the mold. Alyssa shares what it was like to navigate those spaces as an undiagnosed AuDHD girl—and the various approaches she tried to make sense of everything. We talk about the impact of Scripture being used in ways that lacked care or context—and how, for a black-and-white, literal thinker, that can create deep internal confusion about who God is… and how to relate to God as yourself.Alyssa's thoughtful reflections may help you make more sense of your own story. And, I am sure they will also benefit anyone who is a church leader or school teacher in a Christian context. Part 1 of 2.#NeurodivergentFaith #AuDHD #AutisticChristian #ADHDChristian#LateDiagnosed #ChurchHurt #FaithAndNeurodivergence #ChristianSchool#NeurodivergentWomenTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this opening episode of Season 4, we begin exploring the question:What do you wish your caregivers had known… or done differently?In this episode, Josh shares his answer to this question and together we explore:how invalidation shapes our relationship with our body and selfthe internalization of messages like “too sensitive” or “too much”and the slow, sacred work of learning to trust ourselves againJosh shares a personal poem, “A Forgotten Language All My Own,” and we turn to Scripture to encounter God as One who understands, receives, and holds our inner world with compassion.#IWishIHadBeenBelieved #TraumaticInvalidation #LateDiagnosed#NeurodivergentFaith #ParentingReflection #Reparenting #NotTooSensitive#NotTooMuch #YourExperienceMattersTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this final episode of Season 3, we celebrate one year of the Neurodivergent Faith podcast—34 episodes of stories, courage, and connecting with God and with each other. I reflect on the themes and wisdom listeners have shared over the year, highlighting their vulnerability, bravery, and generosity in walking this journey of neurodivergence and faith.We hear from listener voices that have encouraged, challenged, and inspired me, and explore the threads of hope, persistence, and belonging that emerge from their experiences. I also share a vision for an online space where neurodivergent adults can gather monthly to pray, engage scripture, and encourage one another—and invite you to join if God leads.This episode is a moment to pause, give thanks, and honor the tears, courage, and openness that have made this journey meaningful.#NeurodivergentFaith #FaithAndNeurodivergence #ChristianPodcast #PodcastAnniversary #ListenerVoices #NeurodivergentVoicesTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this final episode of the Masking and Spiritual Formation series, Josh is joined by Sunita Theiss for a thoughtful and deeply honest conversation about masking as performing belonging—especially within faith and community spaces.Together, they explore masking as a survival strategy shaped by culture, neurodivergence, and the longing to be safe and included. Sunita reflects on her own experience of masking as constant internal recalibration in environments not designed for her, and how this effort—often mistaken for extroversion—came at the cost of exhaustion and diminished authenticity. They also name how cultural context can complicate the recognition of neurodivergence and normalize over-functioning.The conversation turns toward faith spaces, where masking can take the form of performing spirituality: suppressing bodily needs, hiding stims, or conforming to unspoken expectations of how devotion, participation, or “maturity” should look. When belonging is tied to performance, faith can quietly become conditional—experienced as something we must earn rather than receive.Josh and Sunita reflect on the spiritual costs of this dynamic: compartmentalization, shame, and the erosion of grace. They invite listeners to consider the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, and to imagine communities shaped not by productivity or sameness, but by enoughness, care, and ordinary faithfulness.To connect with Sunita: https://www.instagram.com/sunitatheiss/  https://sunitatheiss.substack.com/ https://sunitatheiss.com/#MaskingAndSpiritualFormation  #NeurodivergentFaith #Neurodivergent #AutisticAdults #ADHDFaith #ActuallyAutistic #NeurodiversityAffirming #EnoughAsYouAre #DisabilityAndFaith #ChurchBelongingTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this second episode of the Masking and Spiritual Formation series, Josh is joined by Harrison Litzell for a thoughtful and honest conversation about masking and belonging in faith communities. Together, they explore how masking shows up in churches and spiritual spaces—and how unexamined expectations might unintentionally require performance, conformity, or self-erasure. And, how does masking in a faith community translate to our own individual connection with God?Rather than framing masking as something to eliminate, this conversation makes space for nuance. When and why do people mask in faith communities? How can churches become places where masking is not demanded, yet is also respected as a survival strategy? And what does it look like to create spiritual spaces where people are free to show up as they are?Whether you are neurodivergent, a faith leader, or someone longing for more honest community, this conversation offers language, compassion, and hope for communities where no one has to hide themselves in order to belong.#MaskingAndSpiritualFormation #NeurodivergentFaith #AutisticMasking #NeurodiversityAffirming #Belonging #SacredCommunity #FaithCommunities #ChurchAndNeurodiversity #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdult #AutisticVoices #NeurodivergentCommunityTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWhat if we don't have to pretend to be something we aren't in order to be loved?In this opening episode of a short series on Masking and Spiritual Formation, Josh explores the practice of masking—what it is, why neurodivergent people develop it, and how it quietly shapes our inner lives. Drawing from lived experience, research on autistic masking, original music, and poetry, this episode names masking as a survival strategy rooted in safety and belonging—while also acknowledging the spiritual toll it can take over time.You’ll hear reflections on autistic masking, including compensation, repression, and assimilation; a personal story of discovering just how much effort masking requires; and an invitation to consider what authenticity, integrity, connection, and grace might look like when we no longer have to perform our way into belonging.Whether you are neurodivergent yourself, love someone who is, or are curious about the spiritual lives of masked selves everywhere, this episode offers a spacious beginning.#Masking #NeurodivergentFaith #SpiritualFormation #AutisticVoices #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic #SacredBelonging #AutisticMasking #Unmasking #Authenticity #BelovedAsYouAreTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, my friend Kristina Coombes joins me for an exploration of stimming across all our senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, interoception, proprioception, and the quiet wisdom of the vestibular system. Together we name stimming not as something to suppress, but as a faithful way of tending our nervous systems, a practice of stewarding our energy with compassion and clarity. We wonder aloud about the movements that help us stay present, the rhythms that regulate us, and the possibility that these small, honest motions might even become prayer.And as we talk, a gentle shift begins: an invitation to see our own stimming—and the stimming of those we love—with new eyes. Not as distraction or disorder, but as communication, as care, as expression, and as an embodied path toward wholeness.To connect with Kristina, visit:https://www.meetup.com/neurodivergent-women-of-faith/https://www.meetup.com/coffs-harbour-faith-based-support-group-meetup-group/#StimmingAndStewardship #NeurodivergentFaith #EmbodiedSpirituality#NeurodiversityAffirming #SacredEmbodiment#FaithAndNeurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #ADHDAwareness #NeurodivergentCommunity #PodcastEpisode #ChristianPodcast #StimmingTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailThis is part three of a conversation on executive function with Neurodiverse Couples Coach, Robin Tate. We wade into the territory of organization—how systems help some of us stay grounded, and how easily life unravels when those systems are disrupted. Together we name the relational ache that surfaces when shared routines aren’t honored, and the grace that comes when we build in margin, contingency, and the courage to pause and reassess.We also turn toward time—how some of us feel its passing with uncanny accuracy, and how unplanned pauses can send our nervous systems into chaos. Threaded through it all is a deep compassion for the neurodivergent experience within faith communities. We lift up language that blesses rather than pathologizes, practices that honor our bodies and brains, and the sacred invitation to notice—like Moses at the burning bush—the "disruptions" that just might hold revelation.#NeurodivergentFaith #ExecutiveFunction #NeurodiversityAndFaith#TaskInitiation #NeurodivergentChristian #ADHDFaith #AutisticChristian #NeurodivergentCommunityTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this first-ever live gathering of the Neurodivergent Faith community, listeners came together from different states and countries to practice something both simple and deeply brave: honest gratitude in all circumstances.Rooted in the invitation of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we explored what it means to give thanks in our circumstances—not pretending everything is easy, but naming the places where God meets us in our real lives. Each participant shared two reflections: one challenge they’re navigating as a neurodivergent follower of Jesus, and one thing they’re genuinely grateful for—whether a gift of their wiring, a spiritual practice that’s helping them connect with God, or the support they’ve found along the way.What unfolded was holy ground.Strangers became companions.Stories braided into one another.People said they felt understood—some for the first time in a faith space.There was laughter, tenderness, and more than a few tears.In this episode, you’ll hear our voices, our hopes, our courage.You’ll hear gratitude in all its textures—messy, joyful, painful, true.And you’ll sense the quiet, steady presence of God in the middle of it all.#NeurodivergentFaith #NeurodivergentChristian #NeurodivergentBelonging #NeurodivergentCommunity #NeurodiversityAndFaith #GratitudeInAllCircumstances #GiveThanksInAllCircumstances #PodcastCommunity #LivePodcastEpisode #ChristianPodcast #NeurodivergentStories #NeurodivergentSupportTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailThis episode is the second part of a conversation on executive function with Neurodiverse Couples Coach, Robin Tate. In it, we explore the tensions many of us know so well—wanting to begin, yet feeling unable to start…attention pulled in different directions… wanting to discern what matters most, yet sensing every task weighted with equal urgency.Robin offers language and compassion for the invisible barriers: demand avoidance, inertia, overstimulation, the weight of expectations that settle into shame. Together we name these not as flaws, but as part of the sacred profile of how a neurodivergent mind moves through the world.This episode is an invitation to see executive function not as a hurdle to holiness but as part of the beautifully varied way we navigate life with God—and with one another.#NeurodivergentFaith #ExecutiveFunction #NeurodiversityAndFaith#TaskInitiation #NeurodivergentChristian #ADHDFaith #AutisticChristian #NeurodivergentCommunityTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailJosh continues the conversation with researcher and podcast host Jon Machnee (Christianity On The Spectrum) to explore the autistic experience of faith.With a recognition that autism is incredibly heterogeneous, they dialogue together about broad trends in characteristics autistic people tend to lean towards as well as away from in their expressions of Christianity. Listen to Christianity On The Spectrum here: https://christianityonthespectrum.podbean.com/#NeurodivergentFaith #ChristianityOnTheSpectrum #AutisticChristianity #FaithAndNeurodiversity #AutismAndChurchTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this conversation, Josh sits down with researcher and podcast host Jon Machnee (Christianity On The Spectrum) to explore how the autistic experience can widen our understanding of life with God and one another.Together, they reflect on Jon’s personal story and the origins of his work, the gifts autistic people bring to the Body of Christ, and the challenges that arise when church life is built around neurotypical expectations. Jon also begins to unpack the idea of “autistic Christianity”—denoting distinctive characteristics in the way many autistic people approach faith. Listen to Christianity On The Spectrum here: https://christianityonthespectrum.podbean.com/#NeurodivergentFaith #ChristianityOnTheSpectrum #AutisticChristianity #FaithAndNeurodiversity #AutismAndChurchTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to be a parent when the path looks different from what you imagined? In this conversation, special needs dad John Fela shares his journey of raising his autistic son, Christopher—and how fatherhood, in all its changing seasons, has deepened his faith and revealed the essential gift of community.John offers encouragement to parents who feel weary or unseen, reminding us that the journey of parenting—especially when navigating disability—is not meant to be walked alone.John's resource recommendations: https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/https://www.risingaboveministries.org/https://keyministry.org/https://abilityministry.com/https://joniandfriends.org/https://johnfela.com/https://www.facebook.com/johnsspecialneedsblog#NeurodivergentFaith #FatherhoodAndFaith #SpecialNeedsDad #AutismParenting #NeurodivergentCommunity #ParentingWithGod #ChristianParentingTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this opening episode of Season 3, Josh returns to a simple but powerful spiritual practice first explored in Season 1, Episode 9: naming what’s working and what’s not.Through listener reflections and his own honest check-in, Josh invites you to pause, breathe, and notice where life and connection are flowing—and where they’re not.This is not a productivity exercise, but a contemplative one:a way of paying attention to the shifting seasons of your own heart, body, and faith.You’ll also hear about a special upcoming live recording, “Gratitude in All Circumstances,” and be invited to join the Neurodivergent Faith community in practicing honest, embodied gratitude together.May this episode remind you that God is present not only in what’s thriving,but also in what’s tender, unfinished, and hard to name.#NeurodivergentFaith #NeurodivergentChristian #SpiritualFormation #NeurodiversityAndFaith #ChristianNeurodivergent #FaithAndNeurodivergence#SpiritualDirection #HonestFaith #What’sWorkingAndNotWorkingTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this season finale, Jordan Rios joins us to share her journey of late diagnosis, deep healing, and resilient faith. As a single mother of seven—navigating ADHD, CPTSD, and a lifetime of misdiagnosis—Jordan speaks with raw honesty about overstimulation, self-care, and the slow work of rewriting harmful messages.Together, we explore what it means to parent through trauma, to care for a dysregulated nervous system with compassion, and to hold on to a faith that doesn’t abandon our bodies. This is a story of survival and sacred resistance, of learning to thrive in the mess, the noise, and the mystery.Links to Jordan's books:The Thriving Single MomMommy Needs a Moment#NeurodivergentFaith #NeurodivergentParenting #ADHDandFaith #CPTSDRecovery #FaithAndNeurodivergence #SingleMomStrong #TraumaHealingJourneyTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this first episode of a series, we begin a sacred conversation at the intersection of Executive Function and Faith.Together with neurodiverse Christian couples coach Robin Tate, we gently explore three foundational executive function skills—Impulse Control, Working Memory, and Emotional Regulation—and how they might shape the ways we love God, others, and ourselves.What happens when you act impulsively before you've thought something through?When you forget something important, even moments after it was said?When emotion floods or shuts you down, and you wonder if you’ve somehow failed at being faithful? And, how might there be strengths intertwined with these challenges?Here, we offer grace.We offer language.And we begin reclaiming these struggles as holy places of connection with the One who created us!Hashtags:#NeurodivergentFaith #ExecutiveFunction #ImpulseControl #WorkingMemory #EmotionalRegulation #NeurodiverseChristians #FaithAndNeurodivergence #AuDHD #ADHDandFaith #AutisticAndBeloved #ActuallyAutisticTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, I sit down with Ananda Bossois—a Brazilian, ADHD, third culture woman of deep faith—to explore the intersection of neurodivergence, multicultural identity, and life with God. Together, we reflect on the strengths and challenges of being both neurodivergent and third culture: the masking, the code-switching, and the holy moments of freedom when we’re fully known, trusted, and loved.We talk about belonging, cultural expectations, and how different societies make room (or don’t) for the beauty of our differences. May you be blessed, wherever you are, with the courage to be your whole self— not just the self that fits, not just the self that performs, but all of who you are. May the parts of you that live between languages and labels, between expectations and instincts, be held in tenderness.#NeurodivergentFaith #ThirdCultureKid #ADHDFaith #FaithAndNeurodivergence#ChristianPodcast #NeurodivergentVoices #TCKStories #MaskingAndBelongingTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this thought-provoking and grace-filled conversation, Josh speaks with theologian Léon Van Ommen about his book Autism and Worship. Together we explore what autistic ways of being offer the spiritual community, the value of embodiment, and the possibility of a Church where all can truly belong.We talk about:– dismantling the “tyranny of the normal” in worship spaces– autistic theology as a gift to the Church– real-life communities reimagining liturgy– hope for those who’ve been marginalized or hurtThis episode is an invitation—to notice, to listen, and to wonder what worship could become when we make room for every kind of body, brain, and way of being.MORE RESOURCES:https://www.autismchurch.com (Research on autism, sensory challenges, and the church)https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/podcasts/autism-theology/ (Autism + Theology podcast)https://www.abdn.ac.uk/dhpa/research/centres/centre-for-autism-and-theology/ (Centre for Autism + Theology)[email protected] (Sign up for Centre for Autism and Theology newsletter)#NeurodivergentFaith #AutismAndWorship #DisabilityTheology #Neurodivergence #ActuallyAutistic #TheTyrannyOfTheNormalTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailSometimes the places that are meant to be sanctuary feel like war zones instead—especially for neurodivergent people navigating unspoken expectations, sensory overload, and shifting social norms. In this honest solo episode, Josh shares the story of a recent autistic shutdown: the days of emotional buildup, the weight of masking in church spaces, the crash into silence, and the surprising moments of care that brought glimmers of repair. With poetic words and a pastor's heart, Josh invites us to reflect on what it means to honor our bodies, communicate our needs, and build spaces where people don’t have to pretend to be okay. Whether you’ve lived this experience yourself, or want to learn how to better accompany those who have, this episode is an offering of gentleness, insight, and hope.#NeurodivergentFaith #AutisticShutdown #WhenChurchHurts #HonoringNeurodivergence #NeurodivergentVoices #AutisticMasking #AutisticShutdown #AutisticInChurch #ActuallyAutisticTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWhat if “no” wasn’t seen as rebellion, but a nervous system seeking regulation? What if belonging in the church didn’t hinge on meeting expectations, but on being met with grace?In this rich and poetic conversation, I’m joined by Sunita Theiss—an autistic, ADHD, PDA’er and parent coach—who offers profound insight into demand avoidance and its impact on relationships, parenting, and spiritual formation. We explore the invisible weight of expectations in church spaces, how demand avoidance is often misunderstood, and what it might mean to create faith communities centered more around relationships than requirements.This episode is for the ones who’ve been labeled resistant, the parents walking the path with PDA kids, and the leaders who long to shepherd with more compassion than control.To check out Sunita's upcoming workshop entitled Parenting PDA Children with Grace & Hope: A Christian Perspective on Understanding, Supporting, and Raising PDA Children, use promo code NDFAITH and visit: https://sunitatheiss.com/resources/p/parenting-pda-children-with-grace-hope-a-christian-perspective-on-understanding-supporting-and-raising-pda-childrenTo connect with Sunita for 1:1 low demand parent coaching or schedule a free intro call, visit: https://www.amandadiekman.com/coaching (Promo code: SUNITA15)#DemandAvoidance #PDAProfile #NeurodivergentFaith #ParentingPDA #SpiritualFormation #SafeChurch #TraumaInformedChurch #AutisticChristian #ADHDAndFaith #GentleFaithTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode, Josh is joined by Joy Martin to explore life, faith, embodiment, and community through the lens of Tourette Syndrome. Together, they name the visible and invisible realities of TS, from daily resilience to misunderstood tics, from spiritual reframing to hard-won grace. They explore the tension between suppression and authenticity, wrestle with the idea of self-control, and reflect on what consideration can look like in faith communities. If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to belong, this conversation is for you.To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the structures and forms held up as faithful or godly don’t make room for your neurotype?When the “right way” to minister, to lead, to show up—was not made with your wiring in mind?In this honest and liberating conversation, I sit down with coach and fellow ADHDer John Miller. Together, we name the ways religious spaces often spiritualize and moralize rigid frames—frames that can bring deep shame when we can’t (and weren’t meant to) fit inside them.We talk about John’s journey of discovering he has ADHD and how he has moved from self-doubt to self-acceptance as a person and a minister. Together, we explore how redefining concepts like faithfulness and redeeming the time can open up space for neurodivergent bodies, minds, and callings.Email John at: [email protected] To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWelcome back to Neurodivergent Faith—a space where our whole selves are welcome, where questions are holy, and where the messy, miraculous work of being human meets the mystery of God.We begin Season 2 with a sacred and tender conversation: ADHD + Shame.I’m joined by my friend Jess Pentsil—a therapist and a fellow ADHDer—as we begin to explore the intersection of neurodivergence and shame.Together, we reflect on:The shame scripts ADHDers often carryHow spiritual practices can help in our healingWhat safety and freedom can look like in therapy, church, and communityHow God meets us in our most human placesThis conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like they were too much or not enough, and anyone longing to find freedom from the weight of internalized shame.If that’s you—lean in. There is grace here. There is truth. And there is room for all of you.To connect with Jess: [email protected]#NeurodivergentFaith #ChristianPodcast #NeurodiversityPodcast #ADHDLife#ADHDAwareness #NeurodivergentVoices #ShameResilience #HealingFromShame #TherapyAndFaithTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailHow do you respond when someone tells you they’re autistic?In this tender and truth-telling episode, Josh invites us into a deeper way of responding when someone shares their neurodivergent identity. With grace and gentle clarity, he names some common responses that can harm—even when meant with kindness—and offers alternatives that cultivate connection, dignity, and trust.Whether you’re autistic yourself, in relationship with someone who is, or simply want to be a more compassionate presence in the world, this episode will help you slow down, listen more deeply, and respond with love.Because when someone says, “I’m autistic,” they’re not handing you a problem to fix. They’re inviting you to see them more fully—and to love them as they are.#NeurodivergentFaith #AutismAcceptance #ActuallyAutistic #AutismAwareness #AutismAwarenessMonth #AutismAcceptanceAndAwareness #Neurodiversity#SpiritualDirectionTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt episode of Neurodivergent Faith, autistic voices rise with clarity, honesty, and hard-won wisdom. When asked what they long for their churches, pastors, and fellow Christians to understand, their answers are rich with vulnerability, nuance, and sacred truth.You’ll hear deep expressions of love, sincere accounts of pain and isolation, and powerful invitations to rethink what it means to welcome, include, and honor autistic people in our churches—not just in theory, but in practice.This is a sacred conversation—a chorus of lived experience echoing the call: see us, hear us, make room for us.🕊️#NeurodivergentFaith #AutisticVoices #ChurchAndNeurodiversity#SacredInclusion #DisabilityJusticeInChurch #SpiritualAccessibility #AutismAwarenessTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWhat if autism isn't a barrier to experiencing God's presence—but a uniquely beautiful lens for beholding God's glory?In this rich and heartfelt conversation, Josh is joined by Harrison Litzell, a late-discovered autistic ordained minister, to explore the question: How do autistic people reflect the glory and character of God—not despite their autistic traits, but in them? Together, they delve into story, theology, and lived experience to illuminate how autistic ways of thinking, feeling, and relating can uniquely reveal divine attributes.We press into the sacredness of autistic embodiment, perception, and relationality, considering the glory of God not as something abstract or far-off, but as something revealed in the particularities of neurodivergent lives.This episode challenges deficit-based narratives and invites listeners to see autism not as an obstacle to spiritual life, but as a sacred and beautiful expression of it. Whether you're autistic yourself, walking alongside someone who is, or simply longing for a more expansive theology of humanity, you're welcome here.#NeurodivergentFaith #AutismAndFaith #AutisticTheology #ImageOfGod #NeurodiversityInTheChurch #LateDiagnosedAutistic #GloryOfGod #AutismAcceptance #FaithAndDisabilityTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailHow can the church better welcome and support autistic people? In this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, I interview Erin Burnett, an author from Belfast, Northern Ireland, whose latest book, With All Your Mind: Autism and the Church, weaves together biblical teaching, scientific research, and personal stories to explore this question.Together, we discuss the intersections of church, religion, and spirituality, as well as Erin’s own journey of faith and neurodivergence. We talk about the challenges autistic people face in church spaces, the need for more inclusive theology and practice, and some practical ways faith communities can become places of true belonging.Find more of Erin’s work at erinburnettauthor.co.uk.#NeurodivergentFaith #AutismAndChurch #WithAllYourMind #ErinBurnett #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #FaithAndInclusion #AccessibleChurch #AutisticVoices #DisabilityTheology #ChristianityAndNeurodiversity #BelongingInChurch #InclusionMatters #SpiritualityAndAutismTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, I reflect on what’s working—and what’s not—in my journey of connecting with God, myself, and others in this season of life. From spiritual rhythms to technological supports that help (or hinder) my connection with God, I explore the ongoing process of adapting faith practices to fit my neurodivergent wiring. As you listen, I invite you to reflect on what’s working (and not) in your own spiritual life—and consider what that might mean for you moving forward.#NeurodivergentFaith #FaithAndNeurodivergence #NeurodivergentChristian #SpiritualRhythms #WhatsWorking #NeurodivergentLife #FaithAndMentalHealthTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailSome of us connect with God best through structured rhythms—predictable routines that provide safety and grounding. Others experience God in the unplanned, in moments of spontaneity and discovery. And for some neurodivergent people (I see you, fellow AuDHDers!), it’s a delicate dance between the two. In this final episode of our three-part series, we explore the tension between structure and flexibility in spiritual practices.Listeners share their personal experiences—what doesn’t work for them and the rhythms they’ve found that do. From the comfort of liturgy to the need for novelty, from the struggle with traditional prayer methods to the freedom of creative expression, we hear how neurodivergent brains engage faith in ways that are both deeply personal and profoundly valid.Join us as we reflect on the ways structure can hold space for divine encounters—and how spontaneity can open unexpected doors to connection. Where do you find yourself in this tension? And how does God meet you there?#NeurodivergentFaith #AutismAndFaith #ADHDFaith #SpiritualityAndNeurodiversity #ConnectingWithGod #FaithAndRoutine #FaithAndSpontaneity #LiturgyAndCreativity #NeurodivergentWorshipTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, we consider more of the creative and diverse ways neurodivergent people connect with God. We hear from listeners who share honestly about what works for them and what doesn’t, highlighting the beauty of diversity in faith expressions. Traditional spiritual practices like Bible reading don’t work for everyone—and that’s okay! We explore  alternative ways of engaging with Scripture beyond just reading. We also talk about engaging creativity and dialogue with others as meaningful ways to connect with God.Together, we reflect on how Jesus invited his disciples into a dynamic, experiential relationship—walking, learning, and growing alongside him. For those who struggle with conventional spiritual practices, this episode offers encouragement: you would have made a great disciple, not despite how your mind works, but because of it.#NeurodivergentFaith #NeurodivergentSpirituality #NeurodivergentLife #NeurodiversityMatters #MentalHealthAndFaith #FaithAndNeurodiversity #NeurodivergentChristianity #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #PodcastEpisode #FaithPodcast #NeurodivergentVoices #ChristianLife #SpiritualityForEveryone #NDChristianity #FaithAndNeurodiversity #ChristianityBeyondQuietTime #NeurodiverseChurch #InclusiveSpirituality #SacredRhythmsTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailWhen the crowds pressed in, Jesus didn’t just push through—he found creative ways to create space while staying engaged. In this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, we explore Luke 4:42–5:3 and consider how Jesus’ choice to withdraw and even get into a boat might reflect a form of accommodation.Too often, we’re told we must choose between caring for ourselves or serving the community. But what if that’s a false choice? What if Jesus shows us a way to do both—through creative accommodations that honor both our needs and our calling?Join us as we challenge binary thinking, reimagine what inclusion can look like, and consider how Jesus’ example might affirm the needs of neurodivergent people in faith spaces.#NeurodivergentFaith #NeurodivergentSpirituality #NeurodivergentLife #NeurodiversityMatters #MentalHealthAndFaith #FaithAndNeurodiversity #NeurodivergentChristianity #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #PodcastEpisode #FaithPodcast #NeurodivergentVoices #ChristianLife #SpiritualityForEveryone #NDChristianity #FaithAndNeurodiversity #ChristianityBeyondQuietTime #NeurodiverseChurch #FaithAndInclusion#AccommodationsAreBiblical #DisabilityTheology To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, listeners reflect on how setting and movement play a crucial role in spiritual connection for neurodivergent individuals. Traditional notions of "quiet time" or "personal devotions" often assume a structured, still, and silent approach to engaging with God, which often does not align with the sensory and attentional needs of neurodivergent people. Drawing from both listener experiences and biblical examples, we explore how finding the right environment—whether a peaceful, sensory-friendly space or the natural world—can support a regulated nervous system and make spiritual engagement more accessible. Examples from Scripture, such as Jesus meeting Zacchaeus in his unique context or seeking solitude in nature, reinforce the idea that connection with God is deeply personal.The episode also highlights the importance of embodied connection, recognizing that many neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD, may struggle with traditional stillness-based spiritual practices. Movement—such as walking while praying, using fidgets, or listening to Scripture while engaging in another activity—can help sustain focus and create a meaningful spiritual rhythm. Biblical stories, including Peter walking on water, illustrate that encountering God is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Listeners are encouraged to explore what settings and practices support their own connection with God, embracing the unique ways their neurodivergence shapes their faith journey.Stay tuned for more episodes on this topic! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------#NeurodivergentFaith #NeurodivergentSpirituality #NeurodivergentLife #NeurodiversityMatters #MentalHealthAndFaith #FaithAndNeurodiversity #NeurodivergentChristianity #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #PodcastEpisode #FaithPodcast #NeurodivergentVoices #ChristianLife #SpiritualityForEveryone #NDChristianity #FaithAndNeurodiversity #ChristianityBeyondQuietTime #NeurodiverseChurch #InclusiveSpirituality #SacredRhythmsTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, Josh Davis sits down with Quan Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American on the autism spectrum, to talk about what it was like for him to grow up not recognizing or understanding his autism. Quan also shares about the profound role God played in his discovery of autism and a bit about what aspects of church can be challenging for him as a person on the spectrum. Tune in for an insightful and heartfelt conversation. To connect further, find Josh on Facebook or Instagram. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailTransform Your Understanding of Neurodivergence through Faith: Josh Davis’ Journey of Self-DiscoveryAre you ready to embark on a profound journey of self-awareness, healing, and spiritual growth? In this deeply impactful episode of Neurodivergent Faith, join Josh Davis as he opens his heart and shares his transformative experience of self-discovery, driven by faith and spiritual direction. This heartfelt narrative not only sheds light on the challenges of living with autism and ADHD but also illustrates the beauty of embracing one's true self through a relationship with God.### Why Josh’s Journey MattersUnderstanding neurodivergence is essential in today’s world. As more individuals recognize their unique wiring—be it autism, ADHD, or other forms of neurodivergence—the significance of self-acceptance and spiritual guidance becomes ever more crucial. Josh’s journey serves as an inspiring beacon for anyone on a similar path, providing insights into the beauty of being different and the profound ways faith can pave the way for healing and clarity.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:- Personal Testimony: Josh candidly shares his journey from confusion to clarity about his neurodivergence through spiritual exploration.- Faith and Neurodivergence: Learn how faith can serve as a powerful healing tool, fostering understanding and acceptance of one’s neurodiverse identity.- Empowerment through Spiritual Direction: Discover how spiritual direction helped Josh navigate his relationship with God and himself.- Practical Insights: Gain actionable tips for embracing your authentic self, whether you're neurodivergent or supporting someone who is.### About Josh DavisJosh Davis is not just a pastor—he is an advocate for neurodivergent individuals, using his platform to share hearts, build bridges, and encourage understanding in a world that often overlooks the unique experiences of those with autism and ADHD. He invites you to explore your own faith, self-discovery, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead when you seek a deeper connection with yourself and God.### Connect with Josh:To keep the conversation going, connect with Josh on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/josh.davis.3388630) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/autisticpastor/) for more insights, encouragement, and community support! If you’re seeking personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through [Patreon](http://patreon.com/justjoshdavis).### Join the CommunityThis episode is more than just a story—it's an invitation to engage, reflect, and grow. If you find value in Josh’s journey, please like, comment, and subscribe to the channel! Share this video with others who may be walking a similar path and need encouragement. Together, we can create a community of support, understanding, and love.### Why Engage with Us?Embrace the journey of self-discovery and faith:- Healing Narratives: Explore more powerful stories of neurodivergence and spirituality.- Supportive Environment: Become part of a welcoming community focused on growth and understanding.- Empowerment Resources: Access tools to help you or your loved ones navigate neurodivergence with resilience and faith.Don’t miss out on the ongoing conversation about faith and neurodiversity—To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Neurodivergent Faith, we explore the deeply personal question: How well do we truly know and believe that we are fearfully and wonderfully made? Drawing from reflections shared by a diverse group of neurodivergent friends, we dive into the barriers that can make it challenging to see ourselves as reflections of God’s glory, as described in Psalm 139. Their stories illuminate the complexities of reconciling the truth of God’s creation with the realities of living in a world (and/or church!) that often marginalizes neurodivergent people.Join us for an honest and compassionate conversation about the tension between knowing we are made in God’s image and the struggles that make it hard to believe it fully. To add your voice to the conversation, find Josh Davis on Facebook or Instagram. Or, for personal encouragement for your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

Send us Fan MailIn the inaugural episode of Neurodivergent Faith, our host, Josh Davis explores the concept of neurodiversity from a faith-based perspective. Neurodiversity, which encompasses conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, is framed as a natural part of human variation, reflecting God's diverse and intentional design. The episode emphasizes that neurodivergent individuals, like everyone else, are created in the image of God, and their differences are valuable rather than deficient. Josh also introduces the "social model of disability," which shifts the focus from the individual’s limitations to societal barriers, and highlights how Jesus’ teachings on inclusion and dignity align with neurodiversity. We'd love to hear your reflections and feedback. Join the conversation! Email Josh at: [email protected] For one-on-one spiritual direction or coaching, find Josh at: www.patreon.com/justjoshdavis To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.