Divergent Conversations

Navigating higher education as a neurodivergent student can often feel isolating and overwhelming in a system not designed for neurodivergent minds. For many, finding an affirming academic environment that truly recognizes and supports neurodivergent strengths, and not just challenges, can be life-changing.

In this episode, Patrick Casale, an AuDHD mental health professional, sits down with Dr. Adam Lalor, educational psychologist a...

Navigating wellness advice as a neurodivergent person can often feel invalidating, overwhelming, or just plain inaccessible. So much of what’s recommended—from meal prep to journaling—assumes executive function, sensory profiles, or social fluency that simply aren’t universal. However, the right adaptations not only make wellness more achievable but also help us honor our genuine needs instead of internalizing shame or “shoulds.”

In...

Typical wellness advice is often made to sound simple on the surface, but it can feel alienating, frustrating, or downright unhelpful in real life for many neurodivergent people. For many Autistic and ADHD adults, tips like “just relax,” “try meditation,” or “write in a gratitude journal” can miss the mark, complicating our efforts to find meaningful self-care and regulation.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, ...

Finding joy and playfulness can feel complicated when the world feels heavy and overwhelming. For neurodivergent people, accessing moments of laughter and lightness—especially while navigating guilt or social pressure to be productive—becomes an essential, yet nuanced, form of self-preservation and resistance.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the vital importance...

Creativity isn’t just a spark or a talent—it’s a vital tether to our humanness, especially in a world that can feel overwhelming or isolating for neurodivergent people. Whether you feel energized and alive, or stuck in a season of fatigue, the pursuit and practice of creativity can connect us to ourselves, our aliveness, and our communities.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professiona...

Finding real connection and community as a neurodivergent person can be both beautiful and complicated. We often long for community that gets us, but knowing where to look or how to show up as ourselves can feel uncertain. Having spaces where we feel seen, supported, and not too much isn’t just affirming — it’s important for our well-being.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professional...

Navigating constant news cycles and the pressure to engage with digital content that often changes by the minute and is expressed with different narratives can be uniquely challenging for neurodivergent individuals. Finding authentic ways to support your mental health, honor limited energy reserves, and cultivate meaningful community has never been more crucial.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD ment...

Grieving the loss of a beloved pet or navigating collective trauma can feel overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent individuals who experience heightened attachment and sensitivity. This episode highlights the raw realities of grief, loss, and emotional processing, and explores the complexities unique to neurodivergent wellness journeys.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professiona...

Prioritizing wellness and authentic connection is essential for neurodivergent individuals, especially during times of low energy or change. This episode highlights how embracing interdependence, rest, and honest communication can support deeper well-being and resilience within both friendships and professional collaborations.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, candidly di...

Struggling with feelings of not being “good enough” or questioning your legitimacy, even as your achievements grow, is a common but often isolating experience for neurodivergent professionals.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the complexities of “not good enough” schemas, imposter syndrome, and the compulsive drive for achievement, especially within neurodivergen...

Navigating the healthcare system and advocating for needs can be a frustrating and invalidating experience, especially for neurodivergent individuals who exhibit interwoven behaviors associated with OCD, autism, or Tourettes.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, and Dr. Stacy Greeter, an AuDHD and OCD child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist, discuss ...

Dealing with chronic health issues can often feel like a neverending battle, especially when it seems like there’s no clear path to improvement.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss their personal battles with chronic health conditions. They provide an insightful analysis using the biopsychosocial model, share their experiences, and introduce this new serie...

Neuroimmune systems often intertwine with chronic health and neurodivergence, leaving neurodivergent individuals grappling with things like energy management, chronic fatigue, or other long-term health conditions.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Dr. Mel Houser, an Autistic family physician, about the intricate dynamics of chronic health, energy manag...

Neurodivergent individuals can sometimes feel overwhelmed by emotions or struggle to understand their own stress responses, and entrepreneurship can add another level of intensity to this experience.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Yunetta Smith, a licensed clinician, coach, trauma expert, and EMDR trainer, about the impact of naming emotions on...

For adults who are questioning if they are Autistic, ADHD, etc., there is often an exploratory and somewhat confusing phase where they feel in between two different identities.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Jak Levine-Pritzker, ADHD coach and founder of Authentically ADHD LLC, about the nuances of navigating identity when exploring the possibility ...

A traditional workplace can be really challenging for neurodivergent individuals, and if a workplace culture is made to be one-size-fits-all, the chances are high that it won’t fit for many neurodivergent people.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Lyric Rivera, founder of NeuroDivergent Consulting, author, and later-in-life diagnosed AuDHD person, about...

Sensory meltdowns and shutdowns can be deeply misunderstood and unsettling experiences, whether you've faced them personally or seen a loved one struggle.

For many Autistic individuals, dealing with overwhelming sensory stimuli is a recurring battle. The space between feeling in control and experiencing a complete sensory meltdown or shutdown can be alarmingly narrow, with profound impacts on personal well-being and relationships.

In...

Navigating a world packed with all sorts of seemingly mismatched sensations, either overstimulating or understimulating, and having passionate interests that can appear as all-consuming to others, can be challenging and greatly impact the way we build relationships and even just get through the day.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk about the nuances and mi...

Navigating the identification, assessment, and diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be confusing and overwhelming. This mini-series on ADHD focuses on demystifying the diagnostic criteria and making the process clearer and more understandable.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, dive into ADHD, breaking down what it means. This episode lays the groundwork for their s...