The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

When a Diagnosis Changes Everything: Parenting Autism, Finding Support, and Using Your Voice
What happens when you know something is different, but you still don’t have answers?
In this episode, I sit down with Missy Brown for an honest conversation about parenting a child with autism and ADHD, the fear and confusion that can come before a diagnosis, and what it really feels like when support is thin and judgment is loud.
As we talk, I explore the parts many families live through but don’t always say out loud: long waitlists, broken routines, public meltdowns, lost friendships, and the quiet guilt that can follow a hard day. At the same time, Missy shares how clarity changed things for her, why writing became part of her healing, and how advocacy grew out of everyday survival.

You’ll hear why trusting your instincts matters, what parents may need more of from professionals, and the small shift that can help when everything feels like too much. There’s also a powerful reminder here: your child is more than a list of challenges, and you are not failing because this is hard.

About the Guest
Missy Brown is an autism advocate, author of Soaring Over Skepticism, and a parent raising a neurodivergent child. She shares relatable, real-life support for families navigating autism, ADHD, anxiety, and the daily realities of caregiving.

Key Timestamps
0:25 - When Missy first noticed her child’s path might look different

2:45 - The fear, questions, and lack of support after diagnosis

7:16 - What she hoped therapy and support systems would provide

12:46 - The early surprises, hard moments, and strengths she saw in her child

15:41 - Why getting answers brought relief and clarity

16:34 - The moment parenting turned into writing and advocacy

21:39 - Why writing felt freeing and scary at the same time

28:12 - What she had to unlearn as a parent of an autistic child

32:41 - When she realized she was finding her voice

38:39 - What overwhelmed parents need to hold on to right now

41:19 - One small step parents can take this week

Missy's Resources:
Missys Book: Soaring Over Skepticism
You can find her on: LinkedIN and Facebook
and you can find out more about Circa Thera

If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who needs the reminder that they’re not alone.
#AutismSupport #ADHDParenting #NeurodivergentFamilies #AutismAdvocacy #Neurodiversity

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When Life Looks Fine but Feels Empty: How I Talked With Laura Marie About Leaving Autopilot
What if your life looks successful on paper, but deep down it feels numb, routine, and strangely far from you?
In this episode, I sit down with Laura Marie to talk about the quiet kind of disconnection so many people carry for years. We get into what it feels like to keep checking all the right boxes while wondering why joy never seems to stay. If you’ve ever thought, Is this really it?, this conversation will likely hit close to home.

I’m sharing a discussion about burnout, people-pleasing, hustle culture, and the hard moment when you realize you can’t keep living by someone else’s script. Laura opens up about losing her job, facing the fear of not having a plan, and slowly building a life that feels more honest and more alive.
We also talk about why small acts of awareness matter, what core values can show you when you feel stuck, and why support can make all the difference when you’re trying to change course.

About the Guest
Laura Marie is a coach who helps women reconnect with who they are beneath expectations, productivity, and survival mode so they can create a life that feels true to them.

Timestamps
1:24 - What “success” felt like behind the scenes

5:24 - The whisper that says, “Is this enough?”

8:43 - The signs of living on autopilot

14:50 - What to do when you can’t leave the job yet

17:35 - How burnout can feel like sleepwalking

22:20 - A simple place to start when you don’t know what you want

30:05 - The midlife moment that changed everything

35:31 - Redefining success as time, space, and freedom

44:23 - What society gets wrong about happiness and fulfillment

54:29 - What Laura wants you to hear if you feel stuck

If this speaks to where you are right now, listen to the full episode and tell me what part stayed with you most.
#TheCuriousStoryteller #PersonalGrowth #BurnoutRecovery #MidlifeAwakening #IntentionalLiving

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Late ADHD Diagnosis, Grief, and Rebuilding Life in Small Steps
What happens when the person helping others finally realizes the story is also their own?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Dahl to talk about late ADHD diagnosis, masking, grief, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life when your brain needs a different kind of support. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human.
We talk about the shock and relief that can come with finally having a name for what you've lived with for years. Then we get into something many people don't say out loud: what it feels like when ADHD overlaps with loss, exhaustion, and major life changes. Dr. Jennifer shares why “trying harder” often misses the point, and why small shifts can make a real difference when big systems fall apart.
If you've ever wondered why some advice works for other people but not for you, or how to move forward without pretending you have it all together, this episode will give you a lot to think about.
About the Guest
Dr. Jennifer Dahl has spent more than 25 years supporting students and adults with ADHD. After her own diagnosis, along with experiences of grief, trauma, and brain injury, her work took on an even deeper lived understanding.

Timestamps
0:02 - I welcome Dr. Jennifer Dahl and we begin with her path to understanding ADHD

1:46 - The familiar signs that were hard to name

7:45 - Why structure helps until it suddenly disappears

11:32 - Her diagnosis, grief, and traumatic brain injury collide

16:51 - The mix of relief, grief, and anger after a late diagnosis

22:56 - What real support looked like during the hardest season

32:44 - Why small shifts can matter more than big plans

43:42 - ADHD advice that fails, and what actually helps

49:40 - What I hope newly diagnosed listeners hear most

Dr Jen's Resources:
ADHD Holistically - Dr. Jennifer Dahl’s main website and hub for her work. She shared it as the best place to learn more, join her newsletter, and connect with her resources: adhdholistically.com.

Newsletter - Available through ADHD Holistically. Dr. Dall recommended joining it to keep up with her work and updates.

Instagram - One of the platforms where Dr. Dall shares ideas and stays in touch with people who follow her work. She invited listeners to follow her there for ongoing support and updates.

LinkedIn - Another platform Dr. Dall mentioned for connecting online. She noted that she is posting there more and encouraged people to reach out.

If this speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs to feel seen. #ADHD #Neurodiversity #LateDiagnosis #GriefSupport #MentalHealth

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Late ADHD Diagnosis, Grief, and Rebuilding Life in Small Steps
What happens when the person helping others finally realizes the story is also their own?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Dahl to talk about late ADHD diagnosis, masking, grief, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life when your brain needs a different kind of support. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human.

We talk about the shock and relief that can come with finally having a name for what you've lived with for years. Then we get into something many people don't say out loud: what it feels like when ADHD overlaps with loss, exhaustion, and major life changes. Dr. Jennifer shares why “trying harder” often misses the point, and why small shifts can make a real difference when big systems fall apart.

If you've ever wondered why some advice works for other people but not for you, or how to move forward without pretending you have it all together, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

About the Guest
Dr. Jennifer Dahl has spent more than 25 years supporting students and adults with ADHD. After her own diagnosis, along with experiences of grief, trauma, and brain injury, her work took on an even deeper lived understanding.

Timestamps
0:02 - I welcome Dr. Jennifer Dahl and we begin with her path to understanding ADHD

1:46 - The familiar signs that were hard to name

7:45 - Why structure helps until it suddenly disappears

11:32 - Her diagnosis, grief, and traumatic brain injury collide

16:51 - The mix of relief, grief, and anger after a late diagnosis

22:56 - What real support looked like during the hardest season

32:44 - Why small shifts can matter more than big plans

43:42 - ADHD advice that fails, and what actually helps

49:40 - What I hope newly diagnosed listeners hear most

If this speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs to feel seen. #ADHD #Neurodiversity #LateDiagnosis #GriefSupport #MentalHealth

Dr. Jens Resources:
ADHD Holistically - Dr. Jennifer Dall's main website and hub for her work. She shared it as the best place to learn more, join her newsletter, and connect with her resources: adhdholistically.com.

Newsletter - Available through ADHD Holistically. Dr. Dall recommended joining it to keep up with her work and updates.

Instagram - One of the platforms where Dr. Dall shares ideas and stays in touch with people who follow her work. She invited listeners to follow her there for ongoing support and updates.

LinkedIn - Another platform Dr. Dall mentioned for connecting online. She noted that she is posting there more and encouraged people to reach out.

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When Life Looks Fine on Paper but Feels Empty Inside
What happens when you do everything “right” and still feel like something is missing? In this conversation, I sit down with Laura Marie to talk about the quiet ache of living on autopilot, chasing productivity, and waking up to the fact that success on paper doesn’t always feel like peace in real life.
Laura shares what changed when she hit midlife, lost her job, and finally had to face the question so many people avoid: Is this really the life I want? We talk about burnout, identity, hustle culture, and the small shifts that can help you notice your own life again before it passes in a blur.
If you’ve been stuck in routine, feeling numb, or wondering why a “good” life still feels heavy, this episode will give you a lot to think about. I also ask Laura about redefining success, setting better boundaries, and why real joy often looks much simpler than we expect.

About the Guest
Laura Marie is a coach and guide who helps women question old expectations, reconnect with their values, and build a life that feels more honest, spacious, and fully their own.

Key Timestamps
0:02 - I welcome Laura Marie and we begin with the hidden emptiness behind a “successful” life

2:32 - Laura describes the quiet voice asking, “Is this all there is?”

7:31 - The signs she was living on autopilot for years

13:38 - What to do when you can’t leave your job but know something needs to change

16:24 - What burnout and overwhelm looked like in everyday life

21:08 - Why core values matter when you don’t know what you want

28:53 - The moment losing her job forced her to question success

34:20 - How she began redefining freedom, joy, and fulfillment

40:17 - What helped her stay committed when doubt showed up

47:07 - Why so many people stay stuck in the hustle cycle

53:18 - Laura’s starting point for anyone who feels trapped on autopilot

Laura's Resources:
www.wildawakewoman.com

@livingwildawake on Facebook and Instagram

If this conversation hits close to home, listen all the way through and share it with someone who may need it too. For more conversations on personal growth, burnout, midlife change, and living with intention, follow along and stay connected.
#MidlifeAwakening #BurnoutRecovery #IntentionalLiving #PersonalGrowth #LifeOnAutopilot

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.