The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

When AuDHD, Unmasking, and Perimenopause Collide
What happens when your brain finally makes sense, just as your old coping tools stop working?
In this episode, I sit down with Heather Zimmerman for an honest conversation about late discovery, AuDHD, masking, and the very real shift that can happen during perimenopause. We talk about what it’s like to look back at your life through a new lens, why so many women are missed or misread for years, and what changes when you stop trying to fit into spaces that were never built for you.
Heather shares her perspective with both personal experience and professional insight, which makes this conversation especially powerful. We also get into overstimulation, literal thinking, burnout, identity, and the quiet relief that can come when you finally understand why life has felt harder than it looked from the outside.

Heather Zimmerman has a master’s in psychology and is the founder of Divine Ascension Co. She creates content around neurodivergence, perimenopause, intuition, and self-understanding.
If you’ve ever wondered whether masking is costing you more than you realized, or why certain life stages seem to turn the volume up on everything, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

Timestamps
0:01 - Why AuDHD, unmasking, and perimenopause matter together

1:11 - What life felt like before having the language for it

10:11 - From “something feels off” to understanding how the brain works

13:12 - What perimenopause changed mentally, emotionally, and physically

22:10 - How masking showed up and why it became too exhausting

25:13 - What overstimulation can really look like in daily life

35:27 - What regulation actually means for an AuDHD nervous system

48:56 - What Heather wants overwhelmed listeners to hear right now

Heathers Resources:
Divine Ascension Co - Heather shared this as the main place to find her work, links, and updates. She said the easiest next step is to visit divineascensionco.com.

Facebook: Divine Ascension Co - Heather mentioned her Facebook page as another way to connect with her content. She suggested searching for Divine Ascension Co because her name is common online.

YouTube: Divine Ascension Co - Heather said her YouTube channel includes a series on neurodivergence and perimenopause. It was mentioned as a place where she talks more about underdiagnosis and medical gaslighting, especially for women.

If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs language for what they’re living through.
#AuDHD #Neurodivergent #Perimenopause #AutismAwareness #ADHDSupport

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.

How Rhythm Can Calm the Nervous System and Support Neurodivergent Brains
What if something as simple as rhythm could help with stress, focus, and regulation in ways many people never expect?
In this episode, I sit down with Dori to talk about how drumming became more than music. What started as a childhood love of tapping on everything grew into a science-based wellness tool she now uses with neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults. Along the way, we talk about the moments that almost pulled her away from music, the surprising reason she came back to it at 47, and what she began noticing in both her own brain and the people she supported.

You’ll hear how rhythm can help calm the body, support attention, and create space for connection. We also get into a bigger conversation about misunderstood neurodivergent learners, hidden strengths, and why so many kids are judged by what they struggle with instead of what they can do.
If you’ve ever felt scattered, overwhelmed, or unsure how to support a neurodivergent person in your life, I think this conversation will stay with you.

About the Guest
Dori Staley is the founder of Next Stage Drumming. She works with children, teens, and adults using drumming-based wellness programs that support focus, stress relief, confidence, and emotional regulation.

Key Timestamps
0:01 - I welcome Dori and we start with her early love of rhythm

0:31 - How childhood tapping turned into a lifelong pull toward music

7:14 - What rhythm felt like to Dori and why it helped her settle

13:04 - Why she auditioned for a band at 47 with no formal drumming background

15:53 - When she realized rhythm was helping neurodivergent brains

20:56 - What drumming can support: focus, stress, regulation, and more

27:53 - What drumming does to the nervous system

47:58 - A simple way to use rhythm even if you don’t have a drum

58:04 - Where to learn more about Dori and her work

Dori's Resource's
Next Stage Drumming - Dori’s main website for her drum therapy and wellness work. It was mentioned as the best place to learn about her programs, sign up for her newsletter, and access a free video. https://nextstagedrumming.com

Listen in if you want a fresh way to think about neurodiversity, regulation, and the power of meeting people where they are.
#Neurodiversity #ADHD #AutismSupport #EmotionalRegulation #DrummingTherapy

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.

What It Really Takes to Keep Going When Life Doesn’t Follow the Plan
What happens when grief, parenting, leadership, and faith all collide in one life story? In this conversation, I sit down with Debbie Simmons to talk about the moments that shaped her most—and the choices that kept her moving when it would’ve been easier to stop.

Debbie’s story doesn’t fit into a neat box. She’s a former engineer, the CEO of Anchor Point, an author, a speaker, and a mother of nine adopted children. Yet what stayed with me most was how honestly she talked about loss, courage, health, family, and the weight of building something meant to serve other people.
We get into what it means to take the next step when you don’t have the full picture, how vulnerability can make room for real community, and why grit alone isn’t always enough. Debbie also shares a few hard-earned lessons about boundaries, trust, adoption, and the kind of legacy that starts long before the end of your life.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re strong enough for the chapter you’re in, this episode may leave you thinking about that in a whole new way.

About the Guest
Debbie Simmons is the CEO of Anchor Point, a nonprofit leader, author, speaker, wife, mother of nine adopted children, and grandmother of fifteen. Her work centers on trust, healing, leadership, and living with intention.

Timestamps
0:50 - I welcome Debbie Simmons and we begin with the story behind the bio

3:27 - Debbie shares the parts of her life that can’t fit into one sentence

9:29 - We talk about nonlinear life paths and the value of every chapter

12:59 - The painful season that became important later

18:49 - How Debbie built a nonprofit one step at a time

23:08 - Why she sees herself as a builder, not a maintainer

41:28 - How adopting nine children changed her understanding of family

48:22 - Where she found her limits and what it cost to ignore them

56:30 - We discuss risk, uncertainty, and trusting without full clarity

73:31 - Debbie explains what legacy means to her now

Debbie's Resources:
anchorpoint.us

https://thedebbiesimmons.com/

Free book, The Heart of Legacy:theheartoflegacy.com

If this conversation speaks to you, listen to the full episode and share it with someone who may need the reminder that tomorrow is a fresh start.
#TheCuriousStoryteller #DebbieSimmons #Legacy #Adoption #FaithAndResilience

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.

What Happens to Home, Identity, and Grief When You Build a Life Abroad?

What if starting over in a new country doesn’t just change your address, but brings you face to face with who you really are?
In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Parks to talk about living abroad, coming home, and the quiet emotional weight that can come with both. We explore what happens when the life you once wanted turns out to be harder than expected, especially for autistic and neurodivergent people trying to make sense of belonging, masking, grief, and identity.
Melissa shares how travel, culture, language, and big life transitions shaped the person she became, and why returning home can feel just as disorienting as leaving. Along the way, I also open up about my own experiences studying overseas, traveling alone, and trying to find comfort in unfamiliar places.
You’ll hear us unpack the difference between being unhappy and being uprooted, why grief is so often mistaken for failure, and what “home” really means when your heart lives in more than one place.

About the Guest
Melissa Parks is a writer, coach, and author of A Compassionate Mess. She works with people navigating life across borders, languages, and cultures, with a thoughtful focus on identity, belonging, and emotional well-being.

Key Timestamps
0:02 - I welcome Melissa Parks and we begin with her early picture of adulthood

1:06 - We talk about what “home” meant before life abroad

14:44 - Melissa shares when living abroad became real, not temporary

16:21 - We compare traveling to actually building a life in another country

19:27 - We explore whether living abroad changes us or reveals who we already are

27:13 - Melissa explains why people feel guilt when a chosen life feels hard

29:40 - We discuss how grief often gets mistaken for failure

35:36 - Melissa shares what people misunderstand about coming home

49:37 - We talk about her memoir, A Compassionate Mess, and the inner battles behind it

53:04 - We end with what “home” means today

Melissa's Resources:
Melissaparks.com

Find her on all social platforms except Tictok

If you’ve ever felt split between places, identities, or versions of yourself, this conversation will stay with you. Listen now, and if it speaks to you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that they’re not alone.
#NeurodivergentConnection #AutismAwareness #LivingAbroad #IdentityAndBelonging #Neurodivergent

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.

What Burnout, Trust, and Real Support Look Like for Neurodivergent Kids and Their Families
If you’ve ever wondered what real support actually looks like for a neurodivergent child and their family, this conversation will stay with you.
In this episode, I sit down with Antoinette Elliott to talk about the things many people miss: parent burnout, the quiet signs behind a child’s behavior, and why feeling understood can change everything. We get honest about what families carry, what trust really takes, and why some childcare spaces help children settle while others make things worse.

I’m also sharing a conversation that raises big questions around school fit, foster care, behavior support, and what happens when adults focus on control instead of connection. If you support a child with autism, ADHD, or other disabilities, you’ll hear why the “right” environment matters more than most people think—and what to notice before a crisis hits.

About the Guest
Antoinette Elliott is the founder of All Our Children and has spent years creating supportive childcare spaces for families, including those raising neurodivergent children and foster children. Her work centers on meeting children where they are and helping families feel seen, safe, and supported.

Key Timestamps
0:12 - What Antoinette saw families carrying behind closed doors

4:33 - What parent burnout looks like in real life

8:49 - What adults often miss when a child is struggling

15:49 - Why parents shouldn’t hide their child’s needs from schools

24:59 - What can change when a child finally feels understood

27:15 - The moment trust starts for overwhelmed families

29:46 - What an RBT does and why the right fit matters

40:05 - Regulation vs. control in childcare settings

42:14 - What foster families really need and why it’s rarely talked about

54:43 - Antoinette’s message for parents who feel worn down and alone

Antoinette's resources:
AOC Elite Childcare - The center’s website, mentioned as the main place to learn more, view events, and schedule a drop-in day. Visit aocelitechildcare.com.

If this episode speaks to you, listen through to the end and share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who needs this reminder: there are people who care, and you’re not alone.
#NeurodivergentConnection #AutismSupport #ADHDAwareness #ParentBurnout #InclusiveChildcare

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.