The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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

What Changes When a Whole Family Finally Has the Words for Autism and ADHD?
What happens when years of chaos, guilt, and confusion finally start to make sense?
In this episode, I sit down with Walter and Stephanie Parker for an honest conversation about raising three neurodivergent daughters while also making sense of their own diagnoses. We talk about what life looked like before they had language for autism, ADHD, alexithymia, and rejection sensitivity, and why getting answers changed the way they saw their marriage, parenting, and even themselves.
What stayed with me most is how much this episode speaks to families who know something feels different but can’t quite explain it yet. We get into the grief, the relief, the missed signs, and the small shifts that can change everything at home. We also talk about stigma, burnout, masking, and why the right support can mean the difference between surviving and actually feeling understood.
Walter and Stephanie are the founders of Divergent by Design, a growing online community focused on neurodivergent support, education, and coaching. Together, they’re helping families feel less alone and more seen.
If you’ve ever wondered, Is this what’s been going on in my home all along? this is an episode you’ll want to hear all the way through.

Key Timestamps
0:26 - What family life looked like before anyone had a diagnosis

2:58 - The moment autism started making sense

6:00 - How diagnosis changed their marriage and parenting

13:31 - Living with alexithymia in a neurodiverse home

16:44 - What a typical day looks like with three neurodivergent daughters

22:44 - The real impact of stigma at work and in public life

28:50 - Why building community is harder than it sounds

41:00 - How their family shaped Divergent by Design and Full Spectrum Lender

49:07 - The honest conversations people still avoid about autism and ADHD

64:10 - What they hope their daughters carry into the world

Walter & Stephanie's Resources:
Website:divergentbydesignllc.com — Stephanie’s life coaching and neurodivergence support site

Facebook Group: Divergent by Design — community space for connection, education, and support

Facebook Page: Divergent by Design LLC — updates, content, and resources

TikTok: Divergent by Design LLC — short-form educational content

Instagram: Divergent by Design LLC — visuals, tips, and community content

Brand Mentioned: Full Spectrum Lender — Walter’s mortgage and real estate lending brand

If this conversation resonates with you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs clearer language, more support, or simply the reminder that they’re not alone.
#AutismAwareness #ADHDSupport #NeurodivergentFamilies #Neurodiversity #ParentingSupport
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: [email protected]

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

What If Your Gut, Brain, and Nervous System Have Been Talking All Along?
What if the symptoms you’ve been trying to “fix” are actually messages worth hearing?
In this episode, I sit down with Heather Van Tassel to talk about the gut-brain connection, meditation, concussion recovery, and what it means to understand yourself when your mind and body don’t fit neat boxes. We get into the space between science and lived experience, and why that space matters more than most people realize.

You’ll hear how Heather’s background in biochemistry, neuroscience, and nutrition shaped the way she thinks about chronic gut issues, nervous system stress, and mental health. We also talk about self-recognition, ADHD traits without a formal diagnosis, and why support doesn’t always start with a label.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed, confused by mixed health advice, or unsure where to begin, this conversation will give you a new way to think about healing, regulation, and personalized care. And yes, we talk about one small daily habit that may be quietly making things worse.

About the Guest
Heather Van Tassel is a gut health coach and nutritionist with a background in biochemistry, neuroscience, and data science. Her work focuses on the connection between the gut, brain, and nervous system, with an emphasis on education and practical support.

Key Timestamps
0:02 - I welcome Heather and we begin with her early curiosity about the brain and body

3:00 - How a concussion changed her identity and deepened her connection to meditation

9:41 - The moment she began seeing how much the microbiome shapes health

14:14 - How she approaches chronic bloating, IBS, food sensitivities, and root-cause questions

19:31 - When science, nutrition, and lived experience stopped feeling separate

31:30 - What to remember if you feel stuck between Western care and other approaches

43:08 - Why symptoms may be signals to listen to, not just problems to silence

49:22 - Heather opens up about ADHD traits, self-awareness, and living without a formal diagnosis

58:02 - What most people misunderstand about the gut-brain connection

64:29 - A gentle place to begin if all the health advice feels like too much

65:50 - How we make meditation feel more accessible for neurodivergent minds

82:18 - What a world built with neurodivergent people in mind could look like

Heather's resources:
https://datadrivennutritionist.com/

If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs a gentler way into understanding mind-body health.
#GutBrainConnection #NeurodivergentConnection #MentalHealthAwareness #ADHDSupport #NervousSystemHealth

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: [email protected]

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