Summary: In this episode of Neurodivergent Spot, host Sam Marion speaks with writer, speaker, and advocate Sunita Theiss about her journey as an autistic, ADHD, and PDA mom raising two neurodivergent children. Sunita shares how discovering her own and her children’s diagnoses reshaped her family’s rhythms, shifting from control to collaboration and redefining what success, grace, and achievement mean. She opens up about balancing cultural expectations, faith-based community dynamics, and the realities of neurodivergent parenting with honesty and vulnerability. Quotes: “Our life was like a snow globe and we just kind of shook it up. As things settled back into place, everything just looked a little bit different.” “The biggest shift was moving from control to collaboration—valuing trust and belonging in our home above what normal needs to look like from the outside.” “Grace has more to do with spaciousness in our life—making room for ourselves and others to exist as we are without constant pressure to perform or conform.” Contact Information: Website: https://sunitatheiss.com/ Instagram: @sunitatheiss (https://www.instagram.com/sunitatheiss) Substack: https://sunitatheiss.substack.com/ You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this episode of Neurodivergent Spot, host Sam Marion speaks with Lyndal Bedford—a clinical social worker and community development advocate—about the powerful intersection of faith, spiritual trauma, and neurodivergent inclusion. Lyndal discusses how people who remain within faith communities can heal from spiritual harm, the importance of building compassionate, accepting spaces, and how bridging faith-based and secular supports can foster belonging and holistic well-being. Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! Quotes: “A lot of times people will say: if you’re experiencing mental health struggles, you must have a lack of faith. But that is definitely not the case.” “When I work with faith communities, I encourage them to ask: who are you as an individual, and not just how should you fit into the group’s expectations?” “First, addressing that people are people—‘love your neighbor’ means anyone—and then asking: how can I support them without positioning myself as the expert?” Contact Information: Website: communitybridgeoutreach.com (http://communitybridgeoutreach.com) — Learn about Lyndall’s private practice, Community Bridge Counseling and Outreach Services. Instagram: @CommunityBridgeCounseling (https://www.instagram.com/communitybridgecounseling/) — Lyndall shares resources on faith trauma, community inclusion, and mental health support. You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this heartfelt episode, Jacob Nordby—author, father, and founder of The Institute for Creative Living—joins Sam Marion to explore the deep connection between creativity, neurodivergence, and healing. Jacob shares personal stories about unmasking, parenting neurodivergent children, and rediscovering his own inner artist during a time of personal crisis. Together, they reflect on how embracing creativity can serve as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, identity integration, and reconnecting with life force. Quotes: “Our creative inner self—that’s our life force. That’s who we really are.” “So many of us have to learn to mask so we can appear to be normal. And then we aren't listening to our bodies, we're not paying attention to our intuition.” “Creativity is meant to be like the sap in a tree—when it stops flowing, the branch dies. That’s how vital it is.” Contact Information: Website: https://jacobnordby.com Free Creative Self Journal: https://creativeselfjournal.com Instagram: @jacobnordby (https://instagram.com/jacobnordby) Books: Blessed Are the Weird (https://amzn.to/44EGOhD), The Creative Cure (https://amzn.to/40J78WD) (available wherever books are sold) Keywords: Jacob Nordby Neurodivergent creativity ADHD healing Autism and art Creative self journal Masking and unmasking Expressive therapy Neurodivergent parent Emotional regulation tools Healing through writing Empaths and neurodivergence Sensitivity and strength Creative recovery Therapeutic journaling Inner artist Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this special solo episode, Sam reflects on turning 40 and the lifelong journey of discovering and embracing multiple neurodivergent identities. From being labeled gifted as a child to navigating adult identification of ADHD, a reading disability, and autism, Sam shares candid stories of missteps, masking, and finding clarity. This episode is a raw, honest look at identity, growth, and the pursuit of authenticity in both personal and professional life. Quotes: “I grew up thinking I was a broken horse—and I want people to have a different experience.” “I felt inspired toward authenticity, but without any internal permission to pursue it.” “Sometimes you just need to find a herd of zebras to realize you were never broken.” Keywords: Neurodivergence Self-discovery Autism ADHD Masking Gifted kid Authenticity Executive function 40th birthday Trauma work Identity reflection Burnout Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: Asher Walden joins Neurodivergent Spot to explore how neurodivergent people often experience and interpret spirituality differently. He shares his journey of late-in-life autism discovery and how it led to the creation of the Empyrean Deck—a tool for finding meaning outside traditional religious frameworks. This thoughtful conversation invites listeners to consider new ways of approaching the sacred through personal experience. Quotes: “All humans are spiritual. The question is how we find language for that experience.” “Neurodivergent people are more sensitive to cognitive dissonance—we can’t just tune out inconvenient truths." “The Empyrean Deck is not a theology to adopt. It’s a structure to help you discover the theology of your own life.” Contact Information: EmpyreanProject.com (http://EmpyreanProject.com) Keywords: Neurodivergent spirituality Autism and religion ND meaning-making Neurodiversity and faith Non-dogmatic spirituality Autistic experience Spiritual framework Sensory spirituality Comparative religion Neurodivergence and belief Late diagnosis journey Trauma-informed spiritual practice Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this powerful episode, Sam Marion speaks with educator and kink community leader Cat Orme about her late ADHD diagnosis and how that lens has reshaped her understanding of herself and her work. Cat shares how neurodivergent needs are actively centered in the BDSM spaces she helps create—from sensory-informed negotiation forms to simple but impactful accommodations like the "off-limits couch." This conversation explores intersectionality, shame, compassion, and the profound value of designing environments where people feel seen and safe. Quotes: “I just thought I couldn't focus because I wasn't trying hard enough. But it turns out, it's not about the effort.” “Neurodivergent people don't have to consider themselves other than your needs are as much a part of what needs to happen as anyone's.” “It's not a big deal. It's not an impossible accommodation. It's just a matter of our having become aware of how something like that is helpful to some people.” Contact Information: Website: https://www.kinkcollective.net Keywords: Neurodivergence Kink and neurodivergence Sensory needs Late-identified ADHD Trauma-informed kink BDSM education Neurodivergent-friendly spaces Intersectionality and neurodivergence Consent communication Sensory accommodations Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this episode of Neurodivergent Spot, Sam Marion talks with Iris Wong, a neurodivergent parent, educator, and creator of EF Toolkit. Iris shares her journey navigating career transitions, burnout, and identity shifts—especially after an adult neurodivergent discovery. They reflect on the challenges of aligning one’s life with personal values, embracing nonlinear paths, and honoring sensory and emotional needs. The conversation touches on redefining success, the concept of emotionally based school absences, and the importance of community connection and creative outlets. Iris’s insights offer hope and validation for those making big life transitions while trying to stay true to themselves. Quotes: “Maybe see things as seasons and move with it.” “Why are we launching people so aggressively into the world?” “I’m trying now to make a life where I’m very, very aware of where I am in my system—and honoring that with the people I live with.” Contact Information: Instagram: @eftoolkit (https://www.instagram.com/eftoolkit) Website: eftoolkit.com (http://eftoolkit.com) Keywords: Neurodivergent parenting Adult ADHD Burnout recovery Speech-language pathologist Emotionally based school avoidance Identity transitions Values-based living EF Toolkit Gentle career change, Creative coping Sensory needs High-autonomy living PDA support Neurodivergent educators Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this episode, comedian, author, and podcast host Kym Kral joins Sam Marion for a vulnerable and hilarious conversation about neurodivergence, creativity, and self-worth. Kym shares how she discovered her ADHD diagnosis later in life, what stand-up comedy taught her about humanity, and the strategies she uses to quiet self-doubt and nurture joy. From journaling to her “happy list,” Kym offers practical tools for surviving (and thriving) in a world that wasn’t built for neurodivergent minds. The episode also delves into the emotional challenges of success, navigating toxic relationships, and why rest shouldn’t be a guilt trip. Quotes: “I don’t need anyone in my corner echoing the voice that already tells me I’m not enough.” “It’s not linear. And there’s never going to be a moment where you feel like ‘I made it.’” “Sometimes you do just need to lay down, watch a dumb TV show, and disassociate—with no shame.” Contact Information: Kim Kral Website: https://www.kymkral.com Podcast: Kral Space (available on all major platforms) Book: Confessions of a Recovering Party Girl (https://amzn.to/4mawi9E) Socials: Instagram: @KymKral (https://www.instagram.com/kymkral) BlueSky: @KymKral (https://bsky.app/profile/kymkral.bsky.social) Keywords: Kim Kral ADHD Comedy and neurodivergence Stand-up comedy Mental health Self-worth Creativity Journaling Healing through humor Trauma and creativity Late-diagnosed ADHD Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this episode, Sam Marion speaks with Erin Alexander—neurodivergent parent, educator, and artist—about her journey through online and offline advocacy, the importance of community care, and the daily realities of parenting autistic children. They explore how Erin balances her own needs with those of her children, how she navigates social media with intention, and how micro-moments of regulation can build sustainability for caregivers. The conversation offers both encouragement and tangible insights for neurodivergent families and advocates. Quotes: “I want to share what I’m learning—but not at the expense of my own mental well-being.” “Sometimes our self-care has to include our kids—and that’s okay.” “When we model that we have needs to our kids, then our kids grow up knowing it’s okay to meet their own.” Contact Information: Instagram: @spinsandstomps (https://www.instagram.com/spinsandstomps) Keywords: Neurodivergence Autism PDA parenting Self-regulation Screen time Advocacy Parenting autistic children Neurodivergent creators Family balance Caregiver sustainability Inclusive communities Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summary: In this solo episode of Neurodivergent Spot, Sam Marion shares personal updates and reflections on recent changes, national events, and the evolving landscape of neurodiversity advocacy. Sam discusses why the podcast is shifting to a biweekly release schedule and reflects on his experiences presenting at major national conferences. He also dives into important and heavy current events, including the death of Victor Perez and concerning political rhetoric about autism. Drawing on his background as a trauma therapist and lived experience as a multiply neurodivergent person, Sam offers heartfelt insights on the intersections of race, disability, policing, and advocacy. This candid episode invites listeners to reflect, stay connected, and continue pushing for a world that recognizes and affirms neurodivergent lives. Quotes: "A lot of trauma-informed approaches work really, really well with the autistic community — being sensory aware, being aware of things that might startle somebody — that's trauma-informed and that's also neurodiversity-informed." "The idea of a registry is terrifying for so many people. It feels like we've gone back almost a hundred years." "Advocacy shows up in so many places, and we've all got to keep it going." Keywords: Neurodivergence Autism ADHD Neurodiversity advocacy Trauma-informed care Disability and policing Systemic ableism Neurodiversity affirming practices Follow the show to make sure you don't miss any episodes! You can also connect with me on Instagram on my show page @NeurodivergentSpot (https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentspot/)or my professional page @sammarioncounseling (https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.