In this episode of NeuroSpice & Life, late-diagnosed neurodivergent hosts Freya Corboy and Hanna Hosking move from reflection into reframing, exploring how autistic and ADHD people can reclaim bluntness as clarity rather than rudeness.

This episode blends practical tools, reframes, and humour, offering an empowering and light-hearted conversation alongside discussions of masking, people-pleasing, and communication boundaries.

Freya and Hanna discuss modern communication styles — including texting, voice notes, gifs, and video — and how neurodivergent people can advocate for their preferred ways of communicating in relationships, therapy, and everyday life. They explore why “honesty is the best policy” often works for neurotypical people with an unspoken social rulebook, but can backfire for neurodivergent people who are labelled “brutally” or “ruthlessly” honest for communicating directly.

The episode also challenges the belief that we’re responsible for managing other people’s emotional reactions. You can communicate clearly, respectfully, and honestly without taking responsibility for how someone else chooses to interpret your words.

Practical tools are shared for giving feedback, reducing unnecessary softening, and removing reflexive apologies such as “just” or apologising for things that aren’t your fault. Together, Freya and Hanna explore what it means to reclaim bluntness after years of masking, over-explaining, and self-silencing.

Topics include: Neurodivergent communication, ADHD, autism, bluntness, honesty, masking, people-pleasing, communication boundaries, feedback tools, self-advocacy, emotional labour.

Connect with NeuroSpice & Life: Website: neurospiceandlife.com.au YouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLife Freya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.au Hanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental-health advice. It is not a substitute for diagnosis, therapy, or professional care. Please seek support from a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional if needed.

In this episode of NeuroSpice & Life, late-diagnosed neurodivergent hosts Freya Corboy and Hanna Hosking explore what it really means to be labelled “blunt” — and why honesty, direct communication, and social rules can be so confusing for ADHD, autistic, and AuADHD people.

This episode balances deep reflection with humour and laughter, making it one of our more comedic, light-hearted conversations, even while discussing anxiety, masking, and people-pleasing.

Freya reflects on how being called blunt is often interpreted as rude or “too honest,” while Hanna shares how honesty in childhood led to chronic people-pleasing and softening her language to feel safe. Together, they unpack neurodivergent communication styles, and ways to process people’s actions when they don’t always say what they mean, and the concept of prosocial lying — and why it can be deeply dysregulating for neurodivergent minds.

The episode also explores anxiety, reassurance-seeking, and trust in language, especially when words don’t match tone or intent, and the role of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala in why neurodivergent people get called “blunt” along with the mental effort it takes for people with ADHD to regulate impulsivity and filter speech in order not to be perceived as blunt.

This conversation challenges the idea that directness is a flaw and highlights the emotional cost of masking, self-monitoring, and prioritising politeness over clarity.

Topics include: Neurodivergent communication, ADHD, autism, bluntness, honesty, masking, people-pleasing, prosocial lying, anxiety, emotional regulation, impulsivity, nervous system awareness.

Warning: This episode includes swearing.

Connect with NeuroSpice & Life: neurospiceandlife.com.au YouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLife Freya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.au Hanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental-health advice. It is not a substitute for diagnosis, therapy, or professional care. Please seek support from a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional if needed.

In this episode of NeuroSpice & Life, late-diagnosed neurodivergent hosts Freya Corboy (alexithymic counsellor) and Hanna Hosking (sexologist) explore sensitivity through a neurodivergent, ADHD-informed lens. We discuss how humans are not innately taught emotional regulation — and how suppressing emotional and sensory needs can create anxiety, burnout, and cumulative emotional and physical strain, particularly for neurodivergent people.

This episode offers an authentic example of two ADHDers communicating through shared ideas. The conversation is non-linear, reflective, and associative — a communication style common in ADHD — where ideas circle, connect, and ultimately return to insight and meaning.

Freya reflects on sensory sensitivity, including food, clothing, and environmental needs, and how attuning to her body and nervous system has supported emotional regulation and reduced overwhelm. Hanna shares her experiences of emotional sensitivity, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and relational patterns, highlighting how minimising emotional needs for others can take a significant toll over time.

Together, we reframe sensitivity as information rather than weakness, and explore why honouring neurodivergent sensory and emotional needs is essential for mental health, self-trust, and long-term wellbeing.

This episode invites listeners to move away from “Why am I so sensitive?” and toward a more compassionate and empowering question: “What is my sensitivity trying to tell me?”

In this episode, we explore: • Neurodivergent emotional and sensory sensitivity • ADHD communication styles and non-linear thinking • Nervous system regulation and emotional awareness • Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) • Emotional regulation and unmet needs • Anxiety, burnout, and chronic overwhelm • Boundaries, self-advocacy, and self-trust

Key concepts & searchable topics: Neurodivergence, ADHD, autism, AuDHD, emotional sensitivity, sensory processing differences, nervous system awareness, RSD, emotional regulation skills, neurodivergent burnout, high masking, late diagnosis, trauma-informed care, mental health and wellbeing.

Who this episode is for: Neurodivergent adults (ADHD, autistic, AuDHD), highly sensitive people, late-identified or high-masking individuals, and anyone learning to honour emotional and sensory needs without minimising themselves for others.

Website: neurospiceandlife.com.au YouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLife Freya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.au Hanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental-health advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.