Welcome to Neuro Dive Urgency!

Your space for raw conversations that break the stigma around mental health and all things neurodivergent transformation.

* Lived experience stories of people who've gone from struggling to thriving as a neurodivergent or sensitive soul.

* Honest talk about transformation: tools for clarity, healing, and hope without toxic positivity or hustle culture.

* Spiritual and science-based approaches for mastering your mind, your performance, and your mental wellbeing.

Today's Guest: Matthew (Matt) Melvin ( https://www.bulliedbehindbars.com/ )

When Matthew Melvin started working at a car dealership in South Burlington, Vermont, he never thought that one mistake would lead to a life-changing stint in prison. Feeling he wasn’t being paid his full commissions on car sales, he made an impulsive decision to get what he felt he was owed. He hatched a badly-thought out plot to steal a car, sell it as his own and keep the profits. However, a basic reference and background check quickly revealed that the vehicle’s title was not in his name, but still belonged to the dealership. He was arrested and sentenced to prison.

While Matthew has taken responsibility for his poor life choices, he believes he has been treated unfairly due to his sexual orientation, religious and political affiliations, and his adult diagnosis of autism. While he and his lawyer argued that his punishment would be best served in a mental health facility, Matt was unfortunately sentenced to 18 months in prison to be served in general population.

Terrified and alone, Matthew began his prison term with the best of intentions—to keep his head down and serve his time as uneventfully as possible. But being a gay, Christian, Trump supporter brought him unwanted and negative attention. He was bullied by cellmates, targeted by gangs and even raped in one facility. The months he was imprisoned felt like decades and there were times he doubted he would make it out alive.

Bullied Behind Bars chronicles Matthew Melvin’s life feeling like an outcast, enduring a lonely and friendless childhood, and being punished for a crime that began with the honorable goal of him just trying to make a living.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bulliedbehindbars/

X: https://x.com/Barsbullied

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Matthew.Melvin.5621Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bullied-Behind-Bars-Christian-Supporter/dp/B09S5QP17P

About Your Host:

I'm Anthony Palacin. Having lived through a Bipolar diagnosis and been put on antipsychotics and then experienced depression, I've worked on myself to come off medications naturally while self-diagnosing as ADHD. I now mentor, teach and coach peak performance based on the neuroscience of "flow states" with a trauma-informed and spiritual perspective.

Connect with Anthony here:

https://palacin.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/anthonypalacincoach/

https://instagram.com/anthonypalacincoach

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypalacin/

https://linktr.ee/anthonypalacin

Thank you for listening! If this episode resonates, please leave a review and share with a friend who needs to feel seen.

Welcome to Neuro Dive Urgency!

Your space for raw conversations that break the stigma around mental health and all things neurodivergent transformation.

* Lived experience stories of people who've gone from struggling to thriving as a neurodivergent or sensitive soul.

* Honest talk about transformation: tools for clarity, healing, and hope without toxic positivity or hustle culture.

* Spiritual and science-based approaches for mastering your mind, your performance, and your mental wellbeing.

Today's Guest: Suzi Payton ( www.suzipayton.com )

Suzi Payton is a speaker dedicated to improving the world for neurodivergent

individuals.

Using her passion, comedic talent, and personal experiences as an autistic person with ADHD, Suzi aims to transform societal perceptions of neurodivergence.

With a unique blend of comedy and insightful speaking, she draws on her lived experiences with ADHD, autism, Tourette’s, and OCD to educate audiences, businesses, charities, and organisations. Suzi empowers people to support their friends, clients, or colleagues in thriving, rather than merely surviving.

She also hosts an inclusive event called ADHD The Experience, which is designed by and for neurodivergent individuals. This event seamlessly blends comedy with educational talks, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that has been well-received by the neurodivergent community.

With 17 years of experience as a secondary school teacher and a regular presence on the comedy circuit, Suzi offers a distinct perspective that she has shared with organisations such as The Greater Manchester Social Work Academy, Darlington X-Tra, American Express, i-Crossing, Veganuary, Turning Tides, and the YMCA.

Suzi is also a co-author of the book Lost & Now Found: A guide to understanding and accepting yourself for late-discovered autistic adults, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishing.

Connect with Suzi here:

Web: www.suzipayton.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzi-payton-a9b68b25/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzipaytonaudhdcomedian

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzipayton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzipayton_audhdspeaker.comedy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzipaytonadhd

Adventures with ADHD podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4MCLGSmXIul1B1DcOEbsTs?si=ee54fbf833d5429a

Book: Lost & Now Found: A guide to understanding and accepting yourself for late-discovered autistic adults:

https://amzn.eu/d/4kEzrUz

Resources for supporting ND folks: https://suzipayton.com/resources/

About Your Host:

I'm Anthony Palacin. Having lived through a Bipolar diagnosis and been put on antipsychotics and then experienced depression, I've worked on myself to come off medications naturally while self-diagnosing as ADHD. I now mentor, teach and coach peak performance based on the neuroscience of "flow states" with a trauma-informed and spiritual perspective.

Thank you for listening! If this episode resonates, please leave a review and share with a friend who needs to feel seen.

Welcome to Neuro Dive Urgency!

Your space for raw conversations that break the stigma around mental health and all things neurodivergent transformation.

* Lived experience stories of people who've gone from struggling to thriving as a neurodivergent or sensitive soul.

* Honest talk about transformation: tools for clarity, healing, and hope without toxic positivity or hustle culture.

* Spiritual and science-based approaches for mastering your mind, your performance, and your mental wellbeing.

Today's Guest: Mark Manderson (https://www.pacificshoresrecovery.com/)

Mark Manderson is a renowned mental health and addiction expert with over 20+ years of experience in the field. He has dedicated his career to helping individuals overcome addiction and find lasting recovery. Through his work, Mark has empowered thousands of people to transform their lives and embrace a future filled with joy, purpose, and fulfillment. Mark lives in Orange Country CA with his wife and 2 kids and enjoys spending time with his family.

Connect with Mark here:

Web: https://www.pacificshoresrecovery.com/

Web: https://markmanderson.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/markcmanderson

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcmanderson/

Book: The Recovery Way: How to heal from any addiction and start enjoying life againand The Recovery Way Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Living the Recovery Lifestyle

About Your Host:

I'm Anthony Palacin. Having lived through a Bipolar diagnosis and been put on antipsychotics and then experienced depression, I've worked on myself to come off medications naturally while self-diagnosing as ADHD. I now mentor, teach and coach peak performance based on the neuroscience of "flow states" with a trauma-informed and spiritual perspective.

Thank you for listening! If this episode resonates, please leave a review and share with a friend who needs to feel seen.