Being Neurodivergent is often shrouded in misconceptions, stereotypes, and limited knowledge. While our experiences may overlap, no two stories are the same. Hosted by The Autistic Photographer, Jordan James, and Simon Scott - The Neurodivergent Experience is the weekly podcast dedicated to exploring the vast world of Autism, ADHD and more!
Through this podcast, we aim to challenge those misconceptions and dive deep into the diverse experiences of those in the spectrum by sharing our personal stories, and exploring topics like early interventions, sensory processing, education, employment, and much more. Each episode will feature insightful conversations about living in the spectrum, with guest experts, advocates, and allies who are passionate about creating an inclusive and accepting world.
Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, a family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Because Neurodivergent Voices Deserve to Be Heard—Support Us Today - https://theneurodivergentexperience.supercast.com/
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Being Neurodivergent is often shrouded in misconceptions, stereotypes, and limited knowledge. While our experiences may overlap, no two stories are the same. Hosted by The Autistic Photographer, Jordan James, and Simon Scott - The Neurodivergent Experience is the weekly podcast dedicated to exploring the vast world of Autism, ADHD and more!
Through this podcast, we aim to challenge those misconceptions and dive deep into the diverse experiences of those in the spectrum by sharing our personal stories, and exploring topics like early interventions, sensory processing, education, employment, and much more. Each episode will feature insightful conversations about living in the spectrum, with guest experts, advocates, and allies who are passionate about creating an inclusive and accepting world.
Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, a family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Because Neurodivergent Voices Deserve to Be Heard—Support Us Today - https://theneurodivergentexperience.supercast.com/
Socials:
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience
YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.
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:
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.
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January often invites us to push harder, fix ourselves, or finally “get it right.” But for the neurodivergent brain and nervous system, real change requires a very different starting point.
In this opening episode of our January series, Ashley Bentley introduces a compassionate, neuroscience-informed framework for breakthrough inspired by Tony Robbins’ work and refined through years of therapeutic practice.
You’ll discover why lasting change doesn’t begin with strategy, willpower, or self-criticism — but with your inner state, your nervous system, and the stories you’re living inside. This episode gently reframes breakthrough as a learnable process, one that works with your sensitivity, depth, and pattern-recognition rather than against it.
The episode closes with a richly immersive guided meditation designed to help your system soften, settle, and prepare the ground for meaningful change.
This is the beginning of a different kind of January — one rooted in safety, self-trust, and real transformation.
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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to the news that Tom Holland is neurodivergent, and why that kind of representation actually matters. They discuss Tom Holland’s openness about dyslexia and ADHD, his experiences with creativity, and how embracing his inner child has helped him navigate both life and his craft.
The conversation also explores why characters like Spider-Man resonate so strongly with neurodivergent audiences, how many iconic characters are coded as neurodivergent, and why seeing well-known figures talk honestly about neurodivergence can be validating without tipping into toxic positivity.
They discuss:
A warm, affirming Hot Topic about visibility, creativity, and why it matters when neurodivergent people see themselves reflected — without being turned into a headline or a stereotype.
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In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott reflect on the past year — sharing personal wins, hard-earned growth, and the moments that changed how they see themselves as autistic adults.
Together, they explore how connection, shared lived experience, and honest conversation have helped them move forward — both personally and through the podcast itself. They also reflect on the growth of The Neurodivergent Experience, the power of community, and what it means to advocate without toxic positivity.
They discuss:
A reflective, hopeful conversation about growth, healing, and why believing in yourself can change everything.
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As the year draws to a close, many of us feel the pull toward change - resolutions, goals, and the quiet pressure to become someone “better” next year. But what if real change begins with meeting yourself differently?
In this final Mindful Monday of the year, Ashley Bentley explores why self-acceptance - not self-criticism - is the true foundation for lasting transformation. Through grounded psychology, gentle neuroscience, and the wisdom of Ram Dass, this episode invites you to step out of self-judgement and into appreciation for your full humanity.
You’ll hear why New Year’s resolutions so often fail, how the neurodivergent nervous system responds to pressure and demand, and why acceptance is not giving up - but creating the conditions where change becomes possible.
The episode closes with a deeply nourishing loving-kindness (metta) meditation, offering compassion and care to all parts of you - the seen and unseen, the strong and the tender - just as you are.
This is an invitation to end the year softly, and to begin again from a place of kindness, honesty, and self-respect.
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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott examine how age limits, apprenticeships, and “youth-focused” career pathways quietly exclude neurodivergent adults — particularly those diagnosed later in life or whose paths didn’t follow a linear timeline.
They explore why these systems penalise late bloomers, how autistic and ADHD people are expected to “get it right” the first time despite growing up unsupported or misunderstood, and why burnout, delayed development, and real-world capacity are so often ignored in favour of rigid age-based judgments.
They discuss:
A grounded, validating conversation about work, access, and why it’s never “too late” — even when systems pretend it is.
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In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack what it means to be a passionate neurodivergent person in a world that often mistakes intensity for arrogance, aggression, or rudeness.
Drawing on stories from work, friendships, family life, advocacy, sport, pop culture, and online spaces, they explore how Autistic and ADHD traits like directness, honesty, and emotional investment are frequently misunderstood — by neurotypical people and other neurodivergent people alike.
They discuss:
A reflective, funny, and deeply human conversation about living with passion — without apologising for it or being punished for it.
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December has a way of pulling us back into old roles, familiar dynamics, and unspoken expectations - especially around family, work, and social obligations. For many neurodivergent people, this can quietly activate stress, self-doubt, and the urge to explain or perform.
In this episode of Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley explores Radical Permission - the practice of doing December your way. We look at why certain relationships bypass logic and go straight to the body, how childhood conditioning and masking resurface during the holidays, and why releasing the need to justify yourself can be deeply regulating.
This episode also gently touches on relational tension, emotional fatigue, and the cost of people-pleasing at this time of year, offering a compassionate reframe for staying true to yourself without abandoning connection.
The episode closes with a deeply empowering guided meditation, blending poetry and presence, designed to help you inhabit your inner truth, reconnect with self-trust, and move through the season with greater ease and integrity.
A grounding invitation to release expectations - and reclaim your peace.
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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore why Autistic and ADHD people continue to face systemic discrimination when looking for work — even in industries that quietly depend on neurodivergent talent.
Responding to recent reporting on neurodivergent employment discrimination, they share personal experiences of job interviews, disclosure, workplace bullying, infantilisation, and being punished for mistakes while their strengths are ignored. Jordan and Simon question whether disclosure is ever truly safe, and explain how fear, burnout, and past trauma — not lack of ability — keep capable people out of the workforce.
They unpack the double bind many neurodivergent people face: judged for being unemployed, then discriminated against again when trying to work, and highlight the irony that creative, technical, and production industries are built on neurodivergent skills, while the people providing that labour remain undervalued and excluded.
They discuss:
A raw, angry, and deeply validating conversation about work, worth, and why neurodivergent people aren’t locked out of employment because they can’t work — but because the system refuses to change.
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In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the powerful role animals play in neurodivergent lives — from emotional regulation and routine to responsibility and companionship.
Sparked by Simon adopting a dog, the conversation moves through childhood memories of pets as lifelines, the unique bond many Autistic and ADHD people form with animals, and why pets often provide connection without judgment when people cannot.
They also speak honestly about the realities: financial strain, PDA, sensory triggers, burnout, and the unavoidable heartbreak of loss. Rather than romanticising pet ownership, the episode balances warmth with realism — acknowledging both the regulation animals bring and the responsibility they demand.
Together, they discuss:
This episode is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply human reflection on why animals mean so much to neurodivergent people — not as therapy tools, but as companions, family, and anchors in an overwhelming world.
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In this week’s Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley explores the Circle of Control - a simple yet deeply regulating framework that helps neurodivergent nervous systems find steadiness in moments of anger, overwhelm, and emotional overload.
Building on themes from recent episodes on December fatigue and nervous system regulation, Ashley shares how learning to release what is outside our control can radically change how we experience stress, reactivity, and burnout. Drawing on a powerful conversation from Episode 75 of The Neurodivergent Experience Podcast, she reflects on how the Circle of Control became one of the most effective tools her co-host Jordan has ever used for regulating anger - especially in high-stress moments like driving.
This episode gently unpacks the paradox of control: how gripping too tightly to ourselves can create anxiety, while letting go of what was never ours restores clarity, agency, and calm. Through story, metaphor, and nervous-system wisdom, listeners are invited to rethink control not as domination, but as a compassionate way of choosing where attention and energy truly belong.
The episode closes with a soothing Yoga Nidra–inspired practice, guiding listeners into deep rest and embodied focus - a way of experiencing the Circle of Control not just as an idea, but as a felt sense of inner steadiness.
A grounding companion for anyone feeling stretched thin, reactive, or overwhelmed - and a reminder that peace often begins by carrying less.
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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott respond to an Independent article exploring whether undiagnosed ADHD increases the likelihood of young people going missing — and why headlines like this often oversimplify a much deeper issue.
Jordan shares raw, personal stories of repeatedly running away as a child and how abuse, zero support, and misinterpretation shaped his behaviour — not ADHD itself. Simon unpacks why articles tend to blame neurodivergence rather than the environmental failures, lack of safeguarding, and lack of understanding that actually create crisis responses.
Together, they discuss:
This is a validating and eye-opening conversation for anyone who grew up misunderstood — and for anyone working with vulnerable neurodivergent young people today.
Our Sponsors:
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🧘♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
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In this festive episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by hypnotherapist and breathwork practitioner Ashley Bentley for a warm, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about navigating Christmas as autistic and ADHD adults.
From sensory overwhelm to social expectations, gift-giving anxiety to family dynamics, they explore why the holiday season can feel like both the best and worst time of year — and how reframing, self-compassion, and realistic expectations can make it easier to handle.
Ashley shares practical tools for preventing burnout, managing sensory input, setting boundaries, saying no without guilt, and rediscovering small moments of joy.
Whether you love Christmas, dread it, or experience both at once, this episode offers grounding guidance, humour, and permission to do the season your way.
They discuss:
A validating, light-hearted, and insightful look at surviving — and maybe even enjoying — a very neurodivergent Christmas.
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🧘♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
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In this week’s Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley explores the quiet emotional weight that December so often brings - especially for neurodivergent nervous systems. Through gentle storytelling, neuroscience, and ND-affirming insight, she unpacks why this season can feel overwhelming: the sensory demands, disrupted routines, family dynamics, social expectations, and the tender ache of loneliness that December can amplify.
Ashley reframes exhaustion as the body’s boundary, loneliness as an emotional truth, and overwhelm as a physiological response rather than a personal failing. The episode includes a Bite-Sized Buddhism reflection on dukkha, a Microdosing Meaning moment for gentle re-framing, and a winter landscape meditation to help listeners find warmth, softness, and inner steadiness in a demanding season.
A compassionate companion for anyone feeling stretched thin, out of sync, or quietly overwhelmed this December.
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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to a recent article claiming dogs can be “autistic” — and unpack why this framing misunderstands both animals and neurodivergence.
They discuss how natural behaviours in animals get mislabelled as “autistic traits,” why deficit-based language harms autistic people, and how ableist assumptions shape research across species.
Together, they explore:
This is a funny, fiery, and thought-provoking take on what happens when good intentions collide with bad science — and why autistic voices must guide any conversation about neurodivergence, no matter the species.
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In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott share a warm, funny, and deeply relatable account of their weekend in Liverpool — a true neurodivergent experience of travel, routine disruption, sensory differences, social energy, and feeling safe with the right people.
From road-trip anxiety and hyperfocus preparation to navigating cities, accents, crowds, and new environments, they reflect on what makes travel hard for autistic and ADHD adults — and what makes it easier when you’re with someone who understands your needs without judgment.
They explore how their friendship works so well: no masking, no pressure to perform, no expectations to “join in,” just mutual understanding, space to stim or decompress, and the comfort of being fully themselves in each other’s homes.
Together, Jordan and Simon discuss:
This lighthearted, genuine episode captures the everyday realities of neurodivergent living — the joy, the challenges, the humour, and the deep relief of finding people who get you. A comforting, relatable listen for anyone seeking ND community.
Our Sponsors:
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🧘♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
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In this week’s Mindful Mondays, Ashley Bentley begins December with one of the most transformative practices in meditation - Loving-Kindness, or Metta - a heart-centred practice that played a pivotal role in her own healing during one of the most difficult winters of her life.
In this deeply reflective episode, Ashley shares how she first encountered loving-kindness meditation during a period marked by isolation, burnout, chronic illness, and profound emotional fatigue. She explores why this ancient practice is uniquely powerful for the neurodivergent nervous system - how cultivating genuine feelings of warmth, compassion, and connection can shift us from protection into regulation, soften old emotional narratives, and create real physiological change.
Listeners will learn about the heart-based science behind metta, how this practice supports emotional resilience and nervous system safety, and why it so often brings unexpected breakthroughs and healing tears.
This episode also includes a short, grounding Loving-Kindness meditation, guided with trauma-sensitive care and designed to meet each listener exactly where they are.
If December feels heavy, lonely, or overwhelming, this practice offers a gentle place to rest.
And later this month, Ashley will revisit metta in a very special Self-Love episode—closing the year with compassion, softness, and deep inner nourishment.
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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott respond to shocking recent comments from Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice — whose claims about “overdiagnosis,” ear defenders, and SEND support reveal just how dangerously out of touch his party is with neurodivergent realities.
They break down Tice’s statements about “too many labels,” “overdiagnosed children,” and the idea that SEND support should be pushed back onto already-burnt-out schools. Jordan and Simon explore why this rhetoric isn’t just ignorant — it’s harmful, ableist, and deeply rooted in a political movement that treats disabled children as a financial burden rather than human beings.
Across the episode, they dive into:
This is a fiery, unapologetic episode about the real political threat facing autistic and ADHD people — and why our community cannot stay silent when elected officials target disabled children to score votes.
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In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott look back at five years since the COVID-19 lockdown — and how that period reshaped society, mental health, and the lives of autistic and ADHD adults.
With honesty, humour, and emotional depth, they revisit the fear, isolation, shifting rules and political failures of 2020, and how lockdown exposed their neurodivergence in unexpected ways. They share how regression, unmasking, burnout, identity loss and relationship strain collided with a world in crisis — and how many neurotypical people began showing traits often associated with autism and ADHD.
They explore how lockdown changed behaviour, communication, social skills, empathy and online culture — and how those long-term effects are still shaping autistic and ADHD lives today.
Together, Jordan and Simon discuss:
This is a reflective, raw, and deeply human conversation about the way lockdown reshaped us — individually and collectively — and why neurodivergent people felt those shifts more intensely than anyone.
Our Sponsors:
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Your brain is constantly switching between two modes of knowing: the left hemisphere’s precision and prediction, and the right hemisphere’s intuition and imagination. Between them lies the tender space where narrative forms — and where regulation becomes possible.
In this episode, we explore how these two worlds create your ongoing “story of self,” and how that story becomes the map your nervous system uses to determine safety, danger, overwhelm, or possibility. You’ll discover why old narratives feel so sticky, why neurodivergent minds process story so intensely, and how awareness creates the tiny space where freedom begins.
Through vivid metaphors, grounded neuroscience, and a powerful guided practice, you’ll learn to step into the witness — the part of you that can see the story without becoming it. And from that place, you can shift the state, shift the narrative, and shift your next move in the world.
This is narrative neurobiology in action — and it changes everything.
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