In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore why neurodivergent people can be more vulnerable to negative influence.

Growing up feeling different often leads to masking, people-pleasing, and a fragile sense of identity. When belonging has felt conditional, it can become easier to agree, adapt, and absorb the views of others just to avoid rejection.

Jordan shares a recent experience of being let down by someone he trusted, while Simon reflects on a past friendship that crossed into manipulation and exploitation. They unpack how loneliness, burnout, justice sensitivity, and the need for certainty can leave neurodivergent people more susceptible to toxic dynamics.

The conversation also dives into social media, echo chambers, and algorithm-driven radicalisation, and how validation, moral clarity, and belonging can feel regulating even when the influence itself is harmful.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Masking and weakened identity
• People-pleasing and toxic friendships
• Justice sensitivity is being exploited
• Loneliness and manipulation
• Social media echo chambers
• Doom-scrolling and radicalisation
• Burnout and impulsive decisions
• Knowing your vulnerable seasons

An honest episode about influence, autonomy, and learning to protect yourself without losing your openness.

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