Hello friends, welcome to the Differently Brained Masquerade! We are delighted to have your attention while we ramble on about something very common amongst neurodivergent folks: Masking! We've mentioned it in episodes before, but haven't ever dedicated a whole episode - UNTIL NOW! Jacinta and Lachlan talk about why they mask, how they mask, what t…

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan chat with occupational therapist and neurodiversity advocate Frances McCafferty about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), autonomy, and what it means to create truly neurodiversity-affirming spaces. Frances, who founded Embrace Neurodiversity with her husband, shares her personal perspective as an autistic PDAe…

This week Jacinta and Lachlan talk to artist and academic Drew Pettifer. As an austistic ADHDer, Drew chats about growing up queer and neurodivergent, finding connection through creativity, and why telling overlooked stories—especially queer ones—matters so much (as well as the intersections between queer identity and neurodivergent identity). It's…

It's getting colder out there, listeners, so why not curl up with an episode of Differently Brained and a cozy video game? Lachlan and Jacinta chat about what a cozy game is (and what it isn't), how they help us regulate and feel safe and calm, and some recommendations for you to try out. Resources: Gaming statistics in Australia - Australia Plays …

You must listen to this podcast episode before venturing forth! Gather one and all and listen as Lachlan interviews Jess C. Wheatley and Declan Nathan about a hobby that is growing seemingly exponentially in popularity and accessibility - Dungeons and Dragons (or, more broadly, tabletop roleplaying games). We discuss how these games have helped peo…

Writer Alaina Dean joins Jacinta and Lachlan in "the studio" to talk about her approach to literary rejections. She has been undertaking a years long project to get her writing out to as many publications as possible and, in the meantime, accrue 100 rejections! Somehow Alaina managed to find a secret cheat code that allows her to re-frame what it m…

Welcome back to the Differently Brained soapbox! We have started releasing these on a fortnightly basis, but it seems right to share this one with you all right off the back of part 1. We hope you didn't actually dump your smartphones after listening to the last episode. Especially because in this one Jacinta and Lachlan discuss how they might actu…

It's the 21st Century and Smartphones are commonplace. Perhaps TOO commonplace! In part one of this "deep dive" (into their own personal relationships with smartphones), Jacinta and Lachlan chat about just how much smartphones suck and what they do to their mental health. But we like to be fair (and balanced) at Differently Brained), so make sure t…

This is fine. Everything is fine. Doomscrolling -- the very contemporary phenomenon that so many of us just can help but fall victim to! Jacinta and Lachlan chat about what Doomscrolling is, why we do it, what it does to the brain, and maybe how we can mitigate it. RESOURCES: Mayo Clinic Article: Doomscrolling: Stop the scroll, protect your mental …

Sorry for the delay with this one! Today, Jacinta and Lachlan are joined by two guests, the inimitable Clem Bastow and Jo Case! They have just released a beautiful new anthology titled Someone Like Me, which showcases works of creative nonfiction and memoir of Autistic women and gender-diverse people. It was a pleasure to chat with them, and we hop…

Are you in need of some education on ADHD? Or perhaps some advocacy and youth work? Or maybe even a DJ for your event? Well look no further - in today's episode Jacinta talks to Georgia Zentrich, The ADHD Educator. They discuss ADHD stigma, managing schedules, the challenges posed by the mental health care system, and more (including DJing) Georgia…

This one is a bit late, apologies all! In today's episode, Jacinta tells us all about her recent journey through Europe. How did it affect her? How can neurodivergent people prepare themselves for travel? Was it worth it? Are Jacinta and Lachlan the most beautiful singers you've ever heard? Jump aboard and find out!…

Join us in welcoming back Ashley Kalagian Blunt - author, podcaster and friend of the show. In this episode we chat about her brand new book, 'Cold Truth', a tech-noir crime thriller. The conversation delves into the writing process, cybersecurity, technology anxiety, crypto-currency warnings, and more! ASHLEY'S BOOKS: COLD TRUTH — Ashley Kalagian …

It's a new year, friends, and a brand new season of Differently Brained! We're really excited to get back into the swing of things and give you all a year's worth of podcast goodness with different brains aplenty. Just like in 2024 we've come up with two new 'guiding words/intentions' for 2025 (No Spoilers as to what we chose, you'll just have to l…

Who's that guy? Who's that guy? It's Rutho! Welcome to the second of our wrap up episodes for 2024. This time, Lachlan looks back on the year and his intention of "RECALIBRATING". Some of the resources mentioned: The Pulling | Book | Scribe Publications (Adele's Book) WISE Employment | Disability Employment Services | Workforce Australia | NDIS Wat…

We're back baybeeeeeeee! And not a moment too soon (considering the end of the year is hurtling towards us). In this, our first of two wrap-up episodes, Jacinta reflects on the year that was. Has she, indeed, "BUILT"? Some of the resources mentioned: The Pulling | Book | Scribe Publications (Adele's Book) Simply Happy Organisation - Narelle King - …

Okay, we know, this one is a bit late and hastily edited, but nevertheless it is here! A supercut of many of our guest episodes from series 1 of Differently Brained sharing their favourite resources and representations dealing with mental health and neurodivergence. Of course, if you want something more comprehensive, do go back and listen to the f…

DISCLAIMER: As always it's important to state that we at Differently Brained are not medical professionals, and this episode contains our personal testimonies of being on medication. Furthermore, we have always been staunchly in favour of treatment for mental illness. The experiences in this episode have been shared as a means of conversation, and …

DISCLAIMER: All information presented in this episode was correct at the time of recording in July of 2024. Since then, some circumstances have changed, namely the Minister for the NDIS. ____________________________________________________________ The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) - great idea, almost consistently failing in practice.…

It's been discussed before that some neurodivergent folks don't really vibe with idioms. Either they don't understand them, find them frustrating and trite, or don't parse the context together. Jacinta is one such neurodivergent person with this particular pet peeve (is that an idiom?) and Lachlan tests out some of the more egregious examples on he…

One of our favourite things to ask our guests on Differently Brained is what resources or media show quality representation. This time, however, the discussion is all about what shows or movies make us feel comfy and a bit more regulated. In this very short episode you'll hear Jacinta and Lachlan talk about the things they never get tired of watchi…

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It's been roughly 18 months since we started this podcast, and we thought it'd be high time to reflect on the process, what we've learned and what we've struggled with. A behind-the -scenes look at Differently Brained. But more than that, this is an episode in which we hype each other. Love us. Love our show.…

Beau Windon is a neurodivergent author of Wiradjuri heritage who, in a first for Differently Brained, joined us in person for a chat! Beau talks to us about his identity, the creative process as a neurodivergent writer, and his PhD focus on Neurodivergent Aesthetics. Check out Beau's website, containing his writing, here! Resources: Neuroqueer Here…

Michael is back this week to talk about his 6-year-old daughter who also has an autism diagnosis. He shares the challenges she faced in the schooling system, and the journey to finding a supportive and accommodating school.By differentlybrainedpodcast

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Here at Differently Brained we sometimes make hyperbolic statements. This time is different! Jacinta and Lachlan list their top 3 things (it's a broad category) they can't live without as neurodivergent/mentally ill individuals. It's a short episode this week, but a fun one! Tell us your top three!By differentlybrainedpodcast

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This episode is all about a small rural city boy making his way in the big smoke of Melbourne. Lachlan and Jacinta record for the first time in person and talk all about what the trip has been like so far. Talking points: -Public Transport -Grace Cummings -Cold Weather -Smiling and waving at peopleBy differentlybrainedpodcast

For those who don't know, Jacinta Dietrich, 50% of the hosting apparatus comprising 'Differently Brained' is a writer. Not only that, she's writing a YA Novel! But wait, there's more -- she was also awarded a fellowship at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne to use one of their hot desks to work on her novel. In this episode, we chat about that experie…

As the month of June draws to a close and the year relentlessly lurches forward, Jacinta and Lachlan look back at their wins and losses of the month, as well as the wins and losses of the community. Other discussion points include: -Substituting ingredients in recipes -New Zealand Souvenirs -Pitching a new segment (with a bad name)…

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We know, we're a bit late to the party with this one! In this episode we chat with Paula, otherwise known in certain circles as Jacinta's mum! Paula tells us about C-PTSD and her wonderful work as a Lived Experience Worker.By differentlybrainedpodcast

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Jacinta and Lachlan chat with Dr. Romi Fried, an autistic dentist passionate about making dentistry more accessible! This is Dr Trudy Lin who I mentioned during our chat:https://trudysmile.net/about-dr-trudy-lin/ & as promised, some accounts that I'd recommend from the gram (in the dental-sphere) --> https://www.instagram.com/drbethanystoothtales?i…

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Regional journalist and writer Simon McCarthy drops by to talk about anxiety, work, and trying to figure out his different brain. Simon McCarthy is a journalist working at the Newcastle Herald in NSW. He writes news, features and produces video and multimedia for the Herald and the Weekender magazine, and he contributes regularly to the Newcastle H…

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Another one from the archive! Jacinta and Lachlan were lucky enough to chat with Greens senator Jordon Steele-John not once but twice last year! In this episode, the ins and outs of the ADHD Senate Report are discussed (and despite the findings, ADHDers are still facing a slew of issues in 2024!) How to find us Follow us on Instagram Join our priva…

You may have heard this one before - or maybe not! Either way, it's well worth a listen. In one of our most popular episodes we sat down to chat with Kay Kerr about her book 'Love & Autism' which, given the timing (a week after Valentine's Day) seemed like a good reason to do an encore. Original Episode Description: In this episode, Jacinta and Lac…