In this eye-opening episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Simon Scott is joined by hypnotherapist and breathwork practitioner Ashley Bentley to explore the hidden links between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility, and neurodivergence.

Ashley shares her personal journey with EDS—from chronic pain and joint dislocations to navigating misdiagnosis and medical dismissal—and how it overlaps with autism, ADHD, and sensory sensitivities.

Together, Simon and Ashley discuss:

• The everyday challenges of living with invisible illnesses like EDS
• The connection between nervous system regulation and mental health
• How Spoon Theory helps manage energy and prevent burnout
• Support strategies for those living with chronic fatigue, hypermobility, and neurodivergence
• The importance of self-advocacy, self-compassion, and adapting your lifestyle

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, exploring possible symptoms, or supporting a loved one, this conversation offers validation, practical tips, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

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Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
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Are ADHD medications just about focus? In this week’s NeuroSpicy Hot Topic from The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott break down a brand-new study from the BMJ showing that ADHD medication delivers far more than concentration boosts — with real-world life-saving benefits.

From suicidal thoughts to transport accidents, and from substance misuse to criminal risk, we explore:

• How ADHD meds reduce impulsivity, risky behaviour, and accidents
• Emotional regulation: why stimulants help us process feelings without overwhelm
• Real-life stories: missed trains, re-injuries, bad crowds, and chasing adrenaline
• Why taking medication “only on work days” may miss its biggest benefits
• The dangerous oversimplifications of ADHD as just “distracted and hyper”
• Internal vs external ADHD — and why invisibility creates stereotypes
• How methylphenidate helps close “open tabs” in the brain and builds better decision pathways
• The truth about being “oversensitive” vs “hypersensitive”

Whether you’ve been told ADHD meds are only about productivity, or you’re weighing whether daily use is worth it, this conversation blends science, lived experience, and a heavy dose of neurospicy humour to show why these medications can be life-changing far beyond the desk.

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If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

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Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling with everyday tasks as a neurodivergent adult? In this candid and insightful episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack the lived reality of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — a form of demand sensitivity often misunderstood, dismissed, or mislabelled as laziness.

From dodging the dishwasher to putting off doctor’s appointments, and from procrastinating over paperwork to resisting even self-imposed goals, we explore:

• What PDA really is — and why the NHS still doesn’t formally recognise it
• How demands (even ones we place on ourselves) trigger an instant “no” response
• The link between PDA, trauma, anxiety, and the obsessive need for autonomy
• Why even fun things can feel impossible once they become obligations
• Practical examples: chores, eating, car washes, and the endless hurdle race of daily life
• Partner strategies — how reframing demands as favours can unlock cooperation
• Why small wins matter: celebrating every task completed as a genuine victory
• How to create accommodations that turn mountains back into molehills

Whether you’re living with PDA yourself, raising a neurodivergent child, or just want to understand why “simple” tasks aren’t simple at all, this conversation blends raw honesty, humour, and real-world strategies for navigating life when demand avoidance touches everything.

❤️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔥 In this purpose-driven Hot Topic, Jordan and Simon explore the powerful link between neurodivergence, hyperfocus, and conservation—and how autistic and ADHD minds could help save our planet’s most vulnerable species.

They’re joined by Sophie James—marine biology graduate, turtle conservationist, and unapologetically neurodivergent trailblazer—whose lifelong mission to protect sea turtles shows how special interests can become world-changing careers. From her first turtle obsession to her upcoming Red Sea internship, Sophie’s story is proof that passion fuels impact.

It’s a story of nature, neurodiversity, and relentless drive—and it asks: what could we achieve if we embraced every kind of brain in the fight for our planet?

🎙️ Key Talking Points:

• 🌊 From Brighton Aquarium to the Red Sea – How Sophie’s childhood turtle obsession became a marine biology degree and a global conservation mission.
• 🧠 Hyperfocus in Action – Why autistic attention to detail and need for completion can be a secret weapon in conservation work.
• ⚖️ Justice Sensitivity & Protecting Life – How moral drive fuels neurodivergent conservationists to defend species under threat.
• 🏫 The Education System Problem – Why forcing rigid dissertation topics wastes talent, and how giving ND students choice unleashes brilliance.
• 🐢 Special Interests Save Species – Real-world examples of how personal passions (from turtles to seagulls) lead to groundbreaking research.
• 🤝 Collaboration Over Conformity – Why neurodivergent and neurotypical minds working together could solve our biggest environmental challenges.
• 💪 From Imposter Syndrome to Impact – The importance of self-belief, persistence, and finding allies who nurture your vision.

Read the article here 🔗 Guardian Article

Facebook: Sophie James on Facebook

Email: sophiejamesmentoring@outlook.co.uk

❤️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling with sleep as a neurodivergent adult? In this eye-opening episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott welcome returning guest Ashley Bentley for a deep dive into the science and lived reality of sleep challenges in the ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent community.

From childhood insomnia to shift work exhaustion, and from circadian rhythm science to quirky sensory hacks, we explore:

• Why neurodivergent brains struggle to “switch off”
• The impact of circadian rhythms, synaptic pruning, and sensory sensitivities
• How late-night screen time and “revenge bedtime procrastination” sabotage rest
• Sleep hacks for ADHD & autism, including cognitive shuffling, temperature regulation tricks, and scent anchors
• The Goldilocks principle of sleep — why too much can be just as draining as too little
• Yoga Nidra, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques that can mimic hours of sleep
• The surprising link between morning sunlight, cortisol, and better nighttime rest

Whether you’re navigating insomnia from childhood, juggling night shifts, or just curious about optimising your sleep hygiene, this conversation blends relatable neurodivergent humour with actionable, evidence-backed strategies.

❤️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔥 In this celebratory and deeply reflective Hot Topic, Jordan and Simon unpack the extraordinary neuro-affirming impact of Lucy Bronze—the most decorated English footballer in history—and why her unapologetically autistic identity is a cultural lightning rod for change.

From her hyperfocus to her social masking struggles, Lucy Bronze isn't just scoring goals on the pitch—she’s scoring wins for visibility, inclusion, and neurodivergent women and girls. But Jordan and Simon don’t just stop at the praise—they dig deep into the nuance of representation, the risk of surface-level “superpower” narratives, and the urgent need for real understanding, not just applause.

It’s not just a sports story. It’s a neurodivergent cultural milestone—and a conversation that asks: what happens when we stop celebrating from the sidelines and start demanding deeper inclusion?

🎙️ Key Talking Points:

• ⚽ Lucy Bronze as a Neurodivergent Icon – How being autistic and adhd has shaped her brilliance on the field, and why that matters for every young ND person watching.
• 💡 Hyperfocus is not a Buzzword – The strengths of neurodivergence are real, but they come with real challenges. Jordan explains why calling it a “superpower” can oversimplify and mislead.
• 🧠 The Positivity Trap – When ND celebrities "come out" without understanding the deeper science and lived reality of neurodivergence, does it help—or harm?
• 🎭 Beyond Fluff – Why Jordan calls the Lucy Bronze media coverage a “fridge drawing moment” and demands balance, not just feel-good headlines.
• 👧 Girls Who Mask, Women Who Burn Out – The urgent need for strong, authentic role models for ND girls, and how masking expectations still dominate women’s experiences in sport and life.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Fandom Across Genders – The surprising ripple effects of the women’s game, how Jordan’s own kids reacted, and why sport is becoming a family vehicle for ND empowerment.
• 📉 The Real Talk About Representation – From Tom Brady to Greta Thunberg, Jordan and Simon discuss how even high-profile ND figures can miss the mark without community connection.

❤️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this vulnerable and thought-provoking episode, Jordan and Simon unpack perception sensitivity dysphoria – a lesser-known offshoot of rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) that plagues many neurodivergent individuals. They explore what it means to constantly feel scrutinised, misread, or even attacked just for existing authentically.

🎤 In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The psychological toll of going viral on Facebook
• Stimming in public and how unmasking changes everything
• Childhood trauma, gaslighting, and inherited shame
• Being neurodivergent in professional spaces (and constantly second-guessing yourself)
• The haunting experience of being “left on read” by someone you admire (ouch!)

Whether you’re late-diagnosed, masking daily, or trying to make peace with your need to stim in public, this episode will feel like a warm (and slightly chaotic) neurodivergent hug.

❤️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔥In this heartfelt and passionate Hot Topic, Jordan and Simon react to the cultural and emotional impact of the new James Gunn Superman film—and why it's exactly the kind of storytelling the world (and especially neurodivergent audiences) needs right now.

From the lens of mental health, emotional resilience, and the desperate need for healthy masculine role models, the duo reflects on (with a few spoilers) how this new Superman film offers hope, kindness, and connection in a media landscape full of cynicism and conflict. It's not just a superhero film—it’s a blueprint for compassion and an antidote to the Manosphere.

🎙️ Key Talking Points:

• 🦸‍♂️ Superman as a Neurodivergent Role Model and why this new interpretation speaks to emotional regulation, identity, and empathy for ND minds
• 🤯 The Manosphere vs. Real Masculinity - Why toxic influencers like Andrew Tate are today’s Lex Luthors, and how kindness beats ego.
• 🎭 Pop Culture Healing - The role of superheroes, nostalgia, and storytelling in healing trauma and offering hope.
• 👨‍👦 Fathers Who Cry: Reframing Male Vulnerability - Superman’s dad shows that real strength is gentle, and how that influences male identity.
• 🧠 Algorithm Detox Tips - Jordan shares how he combats toxic content online by resetting his YouTube algorithm to make space for positive stories.

James Gunn’s curated Spotify playlist is a neurodivergent-friendly dopamine feast:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX0GTMwCv2RBA?si=00d19da5333f4a72

❤️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

• → Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
• TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.