F them fish! AuDHD for grownups

Épisodes

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  AuDHD and Perimenopause - What The Hell is Happening? 11.08.2026 1h 5min

  Ever feel like your executive function completely packed its bags and left? If you are an AUDHD adult riding the hormonal rollercoaster, you are not losing your mind. Your hormones are just messing with your brain chemistry.This week, we are diving into the chaotic intersection of ADHD, AuDHD, and perimenopause. Spoiler alert: this is not a dry medical lecture. We are talking real, lived-experience chatter about what actually happens when estrogen drops and ADHD traits dial up to eleven. From sensory overloads and catastrophic brain fog, to why your usual coping strategies suddenly stop working, we are breaking down the unfiltered reality of mid-life hormonal shifts. We also look at how this impacts the parenting journey, why women are fighting for testosterone access, the reality of manopause, the hidden pink tax on female hormones, the anxiety ADHD autism pipeline, why perimenopause absolutely counts as an acquired form of neurodivergence, and why you do not need an official diagnosis to start advocating for your health.We can guarantee you’ve never heard ANYONE talking about estrogen and dopamine like this! What did she say?? Dopamine does what??Whether you are officially diagnosed, self-identified, or just trying to figure out why everything feels ten times harder lately, pull up a chair. Let's figure out what the hell is happening together.Timestamps00:00 Catch ups, spring cleaning, and life updates03:00 Late diagnosed neurodivergence and the hormonal storm04:24 Keeping it real: Our official non-medical disclaimer05:44 Overwhelm, frantic schedules, and a car crash update13:37 Pushing through severe vertigo, double vision, and the 2011 Brixton riots18:50 The core science: Estrogen, dopamine, and diagnosis peak at age thirty-seven22:50 The layperson guide to brain chemistry: Dopaminergic neurons, inhibitors, and estrogen lube28:40 Survival strategies, the DSM-5, and adult diagnosis history33:04 Testosterone and the pink tax36:15 The big debate: Is perimenopause a temporary or acquired form of neurodivergence?40:06 Hormone testing, MHT, and clinical myths47:13 Pregnancy and the anxiety, ADHD, autism connection49:42 How to talk to your doctor and medical gaslighting59:30 Final side quest: MySpace, old emo pages1:05:55 See you next time!Connect With UsEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comSend us an email to get your copy of Callie’s dandelion neurodivergence graphic!Got a perimenopause, ADHD, AuDHD, hormone, or is this just me? question? Send it to Jayne (with a Y) there are no dumb questions.Find us on YouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/ LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Jayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-gurton-/References European Psychiatry Journal study on the intersection of estrogen, dopamine, and late-stage neurodivergence: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/article/perimenopausal-symptoms-in-women-with-and-without-adhd-a-populationbased-cohort-study/7C584E5C4363EBCADFC485D3F0892A62 Follow Dr Mary Haver on Instagram and TikTok for accessible women's health updates.Crappy to Happy podcast hosted by Cass Dunn, featuring insights on estrogen and cognitive health.Medical DisclaimerWe are not doctors, medical professionals, or scientists. We are just two AuDHD grown-ups sharing our experiences, research, and frustrations. Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) updates shared here are purely for conversational purposes. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice. Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  AuDHD: Perfectly Imperfect, Getting through Grief - Kintsugi with Sarah Rosse 04.08.2026 50min

  In this special in-person episode recorded in Melbourne’s CBD, Jayne sits down with author Sarah Rosse to discuss her debut memoir, So, Who Are You Anyway?Sarah shares the raw, keep getting up reality of supporting her son through a mental health crisis and suicide attempt at age 16. This is a conversation about the surreal days that follow a crisis, the family members often forgotten in the chaos, and finding gold in the cracks of our lives.Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and a suicide attempt. It also includes a brief mention of the loss of a baby. Please take care while listening and skip this one if these topics aren't right for you today. This podcast is for entertainment and community purposes only. We are not a medical or therapy podcast - please don't take anything said here as medical or therapeutic advice.Correction: During the conversation, Sarah refers to the loss of her baby as happening in 2021. This was a verbal slip -  the loss actually occurred in 2012.In this episode, we cover:The Aftermath: The out-of-body feeling of the days following a crisis and the pressure to show life goes on.Kintsugi Healing: How the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold became a metaphor for Sarah’s life and her work with Kintsugi Heroes.The Forgotten Siblings: Practical ways to support brothers and sisters who are often overlooked during a mental health emergency.Writing as Medicine: Using journaling to stop the blur and process grief, shame, and disbelief.Living Grief: Understanding the loss of a baby in-utero and how we carry different types of grief.Exclusive Scoop: Sarah reveals details about her second book and her 100 Conversations project.Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:24 – Sarah’s story 02:30 – Navigating a child’s mental health crisis as a parent05:26 – Kintsugi and embracing the perfectly imperfect08:54 – Reframing shame and sharing stories 10:37 – The forgotten family members in a mental health crisis17:46 – Navigating the mental health system20:00 – The advocacy gap for neurokin22:10 – The impact of neurodiversity in a mental health journey 27:31 – The role of schools32:38 – Dismantling traditional thinking36:21 – Grief and its complexities 41:43 – Answering the question, So, who are you anyway?42:39 – Advice for parents facing their child’s mental health crisis 44:11 – Journalling for neurodivergent brains45:48 – An exclusive scoop just for our besties… 47:28 – Getting in touch If you or someone you know is navigating similar challenges, remember that you are not alone. If this episode has brought up anything for you, please reach out to any of the resources below.  Emergency & Immediate Crisis SupportEmergency Services: Call 000 if life or safety is at riskSuicideLine Victoria: Call 1300 651 251 (24/7 free professional phone and online counselling for Victorians)Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 (24/7 national crisis support and suicide prevention).Suicide Call Back Service: Call 1300 659 467 (24/7 free national phone and online counselling) Specialised Support Lines13 YARN: Call 13 92 76 (24/7 national crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Beyond Blue: Call 1300 224 636 (24/7 general mental health and support).QLife / Switchboard Victoria: Call 1800 184 527 (Peer support and referral for LGBTIQA+)Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (24/7 support for ages 5 to 25) Bereavement and Postvention SupportSupport After Suicide: Visit Support After Suicide or call 1800 943 415 for grief support and specialised resourcesStandBy Support After Suicide: Visit StandBy Support After Suicide for local community postvention assistance Kintsugi Heroes: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/ Sarah’s Website: https://www.intentionalwritingforwellness.com/ Sarah’s Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_rosse_author/ Sarah’s Book: https://books.google.com.au/books/about/So_Who_Are_You_Anyway.html?id=4iAN0gEACAAJ&redir_esc=y Get in touch: fthemfish@gmail.com or find us on socials. Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  AuDHD Routine Burnout: Craving Freedom, Needing Structure 28.07.2026 56min

  Why can a positive change you planned and genuinely wanted leave you dysregulated, exhausted, and desperate to get back to normal?In this episode of AuDHD for Grownups: F Them Fish, your neurodivergent besties Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton unpack why late-diagnosed adults crave novelty and freedom but desperately rely on structure, systems, and predictable anchor points to prevent neurodivergent burnout.After a side quest involving a kangaroo collision, a battered Mazda, and a fancy stay at the Sofitel Melbourne, Callie and Jayne respond to a listener question from an AuDHDer whose daily structure was disrupted by several weeks of house guests.They explore why being highly organised is less about productivity and more about protecting nervous-system capacity, memory, energy, and sensory regulation. Hear how to navigate ADHD and autism routine disruption, set clear boundaries, and create low-effort anchor points without trying to rebuild everything while you are already overwhelmed.This podcast was created on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung, and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. In This Episode:Why positive change can still trigger intense autistic and ADHD overwhelmHow routines act as essential scaffolding for memory and sensory regulationWhy capable-looking AuDHD adults may be hanging on by a threadOvercoming the shame of wanting visitors, holidays, or disruptions to endThe physical cost of masking and the need for safe places to resetHow to design flexible, temporary routines around your current energy levelsUsing clear communication and shared plans with family or house guestsLow-effort, stabilizing habits rather than trying to fix everything at onceWhy checking your basic physiological needs (food, water, rest, movement) must come firstAllowing yourself intentional, guilt-free recovery time when normal life finally returns Timestamps 00:00 – Neurodivergent travel stories with an unexpected American sidequest06:17 – Two weeks off routine and the immediate impact of losing daily structure09:52 – The kangaroo collision and arriving at a luxury hotel with half a car23:15 – Listener Q&A: Why do planned, positive changes slowly trigger autistic overwhelm?30:43 – When being highly organized is actually vital nervous-system support34:00 – Late-diagnosed AuDHD masking: Dropping unrealistic, unsustainable standards to prevent burnout36:36 – Brain scaffolding, using routines as systems for memory, energy, and sensory regulation38:37 – How to build temporary, low-demand routines when your capacity drops42:55 – Boundary setting: Protecting your peace and creating shared expectations with house guests45:34 – Micro-anchors - stabilizing, low-effort anchor points to reduce daily overwhelm48:02 – The nervous system pyramid: checking basic physical needs first49:33 – Giving yourself permission to rest when life finally returns to normal51:54 – The ultimate paradox: How AuDHD adults navigate the constant tug-of-war between needing novelty and needing structure Connect With UsWatch & Follow: Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok at @FThemFishGet In Touch: Send your stories, listener questions, ADHD tax confessions, guest ideas, and feedback to fthemfish@gmail.comAuDHD for Grownups: F Them Fish is an honest, funny podcast about ADHD, Autism, work, relationships, sensory overload, burnout, identity, late diagnosis, rest, overthinking, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis. Follow or subscribe on your favourite player so you never miss an episode, and please leave us a five-star review if the pod makes you feel understood, entertained, or slightly less alone.This episode shares lived experiences and practical ideas for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not medical, clinical, or psychological advice.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Neuroinclusive Leadership, an AuDHD Deep Dive 14.07.2026 29min

  What does neuroinclusive leadership actually look like, and can empathy, active listening, adaptability, and emotional intelligence be learned?In this solo deep dive, Jayne translates the findings from her Master of Leadership research into practical, plain-English lessons for leaders, workplaces, and neurodivergent employees.Hello, hello, and welcome to AuDHD for Grownups: F Them Fish with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. We talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, sensory needs, identity, and all the messy bits in between. With Callie taking a well-earned break, Jayne hijacks the pod in full corporate boss-baddie mode to unpack her thesis, Empowering Neuroinclusivity: Exploring the Role of Leadership in Cultivating Neuroinclusive Workplace Culture. She explores why leadership is central, not incidental, to neuroinclusive workplaces, why empathy is a skill, and why inclusion requires much more than a quiet room or a one-off training day. (And yes, she would now like to be addressed as Master Jayne). In this episode, we talk about:The shift from treating neurodivergence as a deficit to recognizing cognitive diversity as an organizational strengthThe learnable skills behind neuroinclusive leadership, including empathy, active listening, emotional intelligence, and adaptabilityWhy intersectionality matters, and why support cannot focus on one part of a person in isolationHow language, communication, and growth mindset shape identity, safety, and belonging at workPhysical, social, and organisational environments, and why accommodations are only one piece of the puzzleMicroaggressions, allyship, accessible recruitment, and the risk of quietly filtering neurodivergent people outWhat is still missing from the research, including a clear leadership framework built around neuroinclusive practiceTimestamps 00:35 - Jayne hijacks the pod03:12 - The thesis and research questions06:35 - From medical deficit to organizational strength10:55 - Intersectionality: it is never just one thing15:19 - Language, identity, and empowerment20:32 - Physical, social, and organizational environments25:34 - What the research still does not tell us30:13 - The big takeaway: neuroinclusive leadership skills can be learned Disclaimer: This episode shares research interpretation and lived experience. It is not medical, therapeutic, or legal advice.Connect with us:Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them Fish. Send us your questions, workplace stories, examples of leadership that made a real difference, or your latest ADHD taxes!Email us at: mailto:Fthemfish@gmail.comKeywords:Neuroinclusive leadership | AuDHD at work | neurodiversity in the workplace | ADHD leadership | autistic employees | workplace inclusion | psychological safety | reasonable adjustments | inclusive leadershipEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  AuDHD & Rest: Giving Permission to Pause and Reset 07.07.2026 5min

  In this short podcast update, Callie explains why we are taking a week off, asks for listener feedback, and gives ADHD and AuDHD grownups permission to rest, be present, and do a little bit less.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung, and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to AuDHD for Grownups: F Them Fish with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. Where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me’. We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.This is not quite a full episode, besties. It is a short update from Callie, because we are taking a week off and, in true ADHD fashion, forgot to tell you.It is school holidays in Australia, the house is full of kids, Tech Guy is also taking some time off, and Callie is trying to be properly present with family. Because honestly, what is the point of working for yourself if you never let yourself use that flexibility?This update is also about rest, guilt, and the pressure to keep producing, even when your actual life needs you. Callie gives you official permission to do less, pause without earning it through total burnout, and stop being everything to everyone all the time.We also want your feedback. What do you want more of? What do you like? What is missing? What questions, ADHD tax stories, mortifying moments, overthinking spirals, or guest suggestions do you want to send us?Timestamps00:00 We are taking a week off00:55 School holidays, family time, and being present01:28 We want your feedback02:10 Send us your questions, stories, ADHD tax, and overthinking spirals03:10 Follow, subscribe, and help the algorithm03:49 Permission to do less04:41 You do not have to be everything to everyone05:01 Upcoming guests and what is coming next05:24 See you next week, bestiesThis short update includes Callie’s lived and professional perspective on rest, work, family, and doing less. It is not medical, psychological, or workplace advice.ConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok at F Them Fish AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories, questions, ADHD tax, guest ideas, and feedback to mailto:fthemfish@gmail.comAuDHD for Grownups: F Them Fish is an honest, funny podcast about ADHD, Autism, work, relationships, sensory overload, burnout, identity, late diagnosis, rest, overthinking, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Follow or subscribe so you do not miss an episode and leave us a five-star review if the pod makes you feel understood, entertained, or slightly less alone.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  AuDHD Noise Sensitivity and Sensory Overload 30.06.2026 32min

  Why can everyday noise feel impossible to ignore when you have AuDHD? In this episode of AuDHD for Grownups, your neurodivergent besties Callie and Jayne talk about noise sensitivity, unexpected change, justice sensitivity, and what happens when something affecting your nervous system sits firmly outside your control.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung, and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. Where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me’. We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears, and let’s get started.Jayne has new neighbours. They seem lovely, but they have also brought children, dogs, visitors, music, and considerably more noise into what was previously a very quiet neighbourhood. In this episode, Jayne asks Callie for some coaching advice about what to do when the sound around your home suddenly changes and your nervous system is having very big feelings about it. They talk about AuDHD noise sensitivity, sensory overload, and why home is an important place for recovery and regulation.Callie introduces the circles of control, influence, and concern as a way of thinking through situations that cannot immediately be changed. They discuss whether reframing your thoughts is genuinely helpful, or whether it can feel suspiciously like gaslighting yourself into pretending something is fine.Naturally, the conversation then wanders into fairness, ethical consumer choices, and the personal hills neurodivergent people are prepared to die on. This leads to a few unexpected realisations about justice sensitivity and why some things can feel not just annoying, but fundamentally wrong.In this episode:·        AuDHD and noise sensitivity·        Why some sounds are so difficult to ignore·        Sensory overload at home·        Why home is an important neurodivergent safe space·        Coping when you cannot remove yourself from the noise·        Balancing your sensory needs with other people’s needs·        The circles of control, influence, and concern·        Reframing negative thoughts without dismissing your feelings·        The difference between reframing and toxic positivity·        Feeling hyper-aware of your impact on other people·        Fairness, reciprocity, and resentment·        Neurodivergent justice sensitivity·        Ethical consumer choices and the hills we choose to die on·        How relationships and familiarity can help build empathyTimestamps00:00 Catching up with our besties01:54 Jayne's new neighbours06:51 Noise, boundaries, and competing needs08:47 Sensory sensitivity and accepting what you cannot change11:40 Circles of control, influence, and concern13:22 Reframing16:42 Fairness, reciprocity, and being hyper-aware21:19 Ethical choices, personal values, and the things that stick24:25 Consumer power and voting with your money25:46 Justice sensitivity and the hills we will die on29:51 Queer Quail, Pride Month, and the NeuroQueer EngineersThis conversation is based on Callie and Jayne’s lived and professional experience with AHD and Autism. It is not medical or psychological advice, and neurodivergent people may experience noise, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and justice sensitivity differently.ConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTokSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Follow or subscribe so you do not miss an episode, and leave us a five-star review if the pod makes you feel understood, entertained, or slightly less alone.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ADHD Kids: What Adults Get Wrong 30.06.2026 41min

  Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!In this episode, Callie sits down with Twice-Exceptional PB - 11 year-old host of the popular podcast: 'PB's Productions, My ADHD Kids Podcast', that she started when she was only 8 years old!. PB has a lot of insights to share about what it really means to be a kid with ADHD. She talks with an incredible poise and emotional intelligence that most adults would be proud of. There are multiple moments that will make you stop and think a little deeper about the young people in your life, whether you're a parent, teacher, or favourite Aunty. The episode keeps coming back to adults assuming they know, not asking what kids need, and mistaking ADHD challenges for intentional misbehaviour. In a world full of adults explaining ADHD kids, this episode lets an ADHD kid explain it herself. Share this episode with the ADHD kids you know and ask them if they agree, or what they might say differently. And more importantly, share it with any adults who need to hear it. "Try, be you, be kind, and bloom like that sunflower. Bloom bright... Just try, believe in yourself, because you are amazing." PBTimestamps00:15 – Meet PB, ADHD kid podcaster02:05 – “I have a more advanced brain” PB introduces herself as a kid with ADHD, big thoughts, humour and a grown-up way of seeing things.02:44 – If your ADHD brain had a theme song08:19 – PB describes her brain in three words and explains what it is like when funny thoughts arrive at exactly the wrong moment.09:54 – Why PB started her own ADHD podcast and why kids need to hear from other kids, not only adults talking about them.13:56 – ADHD explained by an actual ADHD kid.15:11 – What adults get wrong about ADHD kids17:30 – “I don’t believe you” and “you did it on purpose” two things she wishes adults would stop saying to ADHD kids.19:00 – What is actually cool about ADHD21:07 – ADHD brain control panel24:02 – The ultimate ADHD gadget27:18 – Rapid-fire ADHD would-you-rathers28:58 – The question adults should ask more often “What do you need?” and why that matters.31:18 – The question PB is sick of adults asking and what adults might miss when they judge attention from the outside.34:47 – What to say to ADHD kids who feel too much - a beautiful answer about being the perfect amount for yourself and blooming in your own way.36:40 – ADHD is not about trying harder37:38 – Bloom bright like a sunflower.38:02 – Where to find PB’s podcastConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  PDA Explained: I Want to Do It, So Why Can’t I? 23.06.2026 1h 9min

  What is adult PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), and what does neurodivergent demand paralysis feel like from the inside? In this episode of F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups, your neurodivergent besties Callie and Jayne dive deep into the PDA cycle, burnout, and why everyday tasks can trigger a nervous system shutdown.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung, and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. Where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me’. We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears, and let’s get started.PDA gets discussed constantly online, but it is often reduced to ‘not liking being told what to do’. In this episode, Callie and Jayne dig underneath that explanation. They look at what PDA feels like from the inside and what current research can and cannot tell us.Callie walks through a proposed PDA cycle, from detecting a demand through to the nervous system’s appraisal of effort, uncertainty, safety, sensory discomfort, autonomy, and available capacity. They also discuss why avoidance can provide enough immediate relief to reinforce the pattern, even when it creates more distress later. They explore practical ways to reduce friction, including recognising personal triggers, creating safer sensory conditions, increasing clarity and certainty, protecting capacity, and resisting the idea that every struggle can be fixed by applying more pressure.In this episode:PDA burnout and executive dysfunction in adultsHow to manage PDA paralysisAuDHD (Autism and ADHD) and demand avoidanceDifficult school mornings, parenting guilt, and repairing after things go badlyPDA in everyday lifePathological demand avoidance versus pervasive drive for autonomyWhat science currently knows, and does not know, about PDAWhy PDA is more complicated than anxiety, defiance, or simply disliking demandsHow demands may be assessed for effort, uncertainty, sensory discomfort, safety, and loss of controlThe relationship between stress, executive functioning, and PDA paralysisHow avoidance can reinforce future avoidanceIdentifying triggers and creating more supportive sensory and environmental conditionsSimilarities and differences between PDA and ODDTimestamps00:00 A difficult morning, parenting guilt, and trying to repair10:55 Overwhelm and a real-life PDA segue19:11 PDA explained: pathological demand avoidance and pervasive drive for autonomy25:13 What research can, and cannot, currently tell us about PDA31:06 The PDA cycle: demands, appraisal, stress, and reduced executive access40:30 PDA paralysis, chronic illness, limited capacity, and shame44:49 Why avoidance can temporarily help and reinforce the cycle49:14 What might help: triggers, sensory needs, certainty, and supportive conditions57:07 Why PDA changes with context, safety, capacity, and sensory load01:01:19 PDA versus ODD: similarities, differences, and why neither is a choicePDA remains a developing and contested area. This conversation combines available research discussed during recording with Callie and Jayne’s lived and professional experience. It is not medical advice, and people may understand or describe their experiences differently.ConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Follow or subscribe so you do not miss an episode, and leave us a five-star review if the pod makes you feel understood, entertained, or slightly less alone.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Men's Mental Health In Crisis: When Men Go Quiet 16.06.2026 59min

  Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!Content note: this episode includes discussion of men’s mental health, suicide, mining culture, isolation, alcohol, and the emotional impact of working away from home. Please take care while listening, and use the support links below if anything in this episode brings things up for you.Callie and Jayne are joined by Rhys Heland, a WA mining professional, Callie’s brother-ish, and guest at Pod HQ in The Nook.What starts with Thirsty Merc, email shame, and Callie’s deeply committed front-row concert behaviour becomes a powerful conversation about men’s mental health, mining culture, FIFO-style isolation, and what can happen when men are expected to just keep going.Rhys shares the story of Dragged to the Mines, a Pilbara project that used drag photography to challenge blokey mining culture and open up conversations about masculinity, mental health and suicide. He talks about life in remote mining environments, long swings, tiny dongas, twelve-hour days, fatigue, isolation, welfare checks, alcohol rules, and the reality of trying to stay connected to family and community while working away.The conversation also explores what withdrawal can look like, why going quiet can be a warning sign, and how the smallest conversations can matter. Sometimes the starting point is not a perfect mental health script. Sometimes it is asking about dinner, family, footy, trivia night, or whether someone has spoken to anyone lately.Callie, Jayne and Rhys also talk about the idea of having a code phrase with your people, like “I need seven seconds,” for those moments when explaining everything feels too hard but being alone with it feels worse.This episode is not medical advice. It is three people having a real conversation about men, mental health, neurodivergence, isolation, work, resilience, and the importance of asking the hard questions gently.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:00 – Callie REALLY loves Thirsty Merc10:54 – Dragged to the Mines13:28 – Mining, masculinity and mental health15:43 – Isolation16:18 – Being away from family35:30 – Withdrawal35:55 – How men may show distress36:57 – The power of a simple phrase37:34 – Small talk as big talk38:18 – Creating a code43:06 – Neuroplasticity, resilience and mindset51:51 – Asking hard questions gently52:26 – What you can doSupport:Lifeline Australia 24/7 crisis support and suicide preventionCall: 13 11 14Text: 0477 13 11 14https://www.lifeline.org.au/MensLine Australia 24/7 counselling and support for menCall: 1300 78 99 78https://mensline.org.au/Suicide Call Back Service24/7 phone and online counselling for people affected by suicideCall: 1300 659 467https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/Beyond BlueMental health support and men’s mental health resourcesCall: 1300 22 4636https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/mens-mental-healthMATES in MiningSuicide prevention and mental health support for the mining industryhttps://mining.mates.org.au/13YARN24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleCall: 13 92 76https://www.13yarn.org.au/Links Dragged to the MinesSkimpies in WAThirsty MercConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung PeoplesEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Neurodivergence and The Importance of Celebrating Tiny Wins 02.06.2026 35min

  Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!Our topic for today is all about how celebrating tiny wins can get you further towards your bigger goals. And please! It's important to keep those bigger goals! Not to beat yourself with, or berate yourself for not achieving them immediately, but because without them, life feels so much smaller. Callie is feeling the restriction of having lower expectations and how that feels the opposite of liberating - it feels suffocating. As neurodivergent people, we can smash through the limited expectations others may place upon us and do truly amazing things. We don't HAVE to, we GET to. Underestimate us. We dare you.Timestamps00:07 Intro01:08 Callie's best birthday ever? Maybe?01:54 The 'wants vs needs' family hack because everyone wants something all the time!04:58 Feeling seen rather than perceived09:30 The six-minute birthday dance video14:59 Listeners, we want your input! Should episodes start with a quick topic signpost?15:41 Rubbish fidgets and blue moon rituals17:49 Emotional and sensory hangovers 19:04 Main topic begins: Celebrating tiny wins20:14 What celebrating tiny wins means for neurodivergent people21:42 Everyday wins, momentum and using small successes to get started24:26 Tiny wins, gratitude practice and undoing years of negative feedback27:12 Who decides what counts as a win?28:47 Tiny wins are not small dreams: building toward bigger goals32:20 Fibro, health progress and finding hope in tiny improvements33:53 Homework - watch the Room to Move doco on Netflix and share your tiny wins with us!ConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples. Always was, always will be.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Autism Diagnosis As An Adult: Is It Really Worth It? 26.05.2026 50min

  Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!Callie's brain is unhappy at the fact that she didn't knock off those extra few seconds and make this episode a nice, round 55 minutes! Also... 50 minutes is nowhere near the 30 minutes we keep promising ourselves!In this episode, Callie and Jayne have no technical issues! It's true! That said, Jayne's pod dogs cause a whole other set of issues that lead to Callie singing. Sorry besties, this was a moment we are all going to need to process. We go deep with listener bestie Robbie today, with their question about whether it is really necessary to get an Autism diagnosis as an adult. We're not going to lie, this one feels like a bit of a minefield, but we are committed to having the hard chats and giving you that space you need to talk about these things. Not everyone has a person, or a group of people they can talk with about their neurodivergence or when they feel they are neurodivergent. There are so many reason someone may not have a 'real life' bestie to bounce these things through, so we are honoured when we can be those people for you. We absolutely loved this chat and hopefully, it answers some of your questions about Autism as a grown up.Timestamps00:14 — Welcome, pod dogs, and chaotic bestie energy03:35 — Unexpected moments of connection with strangers can be beautiful05:25 — Teeth brushing and did you know that ADHDers don't form habits?10:15 — Motivation, meds, and mostly practical ADHD systems13:35 — Robbie’s listener email 20:15 — Autism diagnosis and where un/self-diagnosed people fit within the Autism community22:40 — Loneliness29:15 — The weird in-between feeling when you don't have a formal diagnosis31:35 — Imposter feelings and self-doubt34:00 — Is formal diagnosis necessary?39:00 — Practical supports without diagnosis40:55 — When formal diagnosis can matter46:35 — Final thoughts, validation, and listener call-outConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung PeoplesEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Neurodivergent Birthdays: Why They Feel Weird 19.05.2026 48min

  Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!It’s Jayne’s birthday, which means tiaras, deli-meat picnics, crystals, birthday queen energy… and an honest chat about why birthdays can feel so complicated when you’re neurodivergent.In this episode, Callie and Jayne talk about the weird pressure of being celebrated, the discomfort of being perceived, and the difference between loving other people’s birthdays and wanting to crawl into a hole on your own. They unpack the emotional load of responding 'properly', performing the right level of joy, and feeling exposed.The conversation takes a very F Them Fish sidequest into sleep deprivation, business overload, rage buying, and whether a digital notebook can, in fact, save your life. Spoiler: possibly not, but we remain emotionally attached to the dream. You should definitely send this to whoever makes the Remarkable notepad though because Callie spent way too much money and would love some retrospective sponsorship if you please!Timestamps01:00 — Welcome to Jayne’s birthday episode!04:44 — Being Perceived when you're neurodivergent13:06 — Sleep deprivation, work overload and shame14:41 — Rage buying YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!31:12 — Interoception and body signals32:03 — Neurodivergent kids and toilet training - it's hard and there is support33:58 — Sensory regulation, music and respecting other people’s joy36:03 — Late diagnosis - unlearning alll that stuff37:00 — Listener question: office gossip40:00 — Listener question: no-one takes me seriously47:00 — Wrap-up, listener love and birthday dinnerConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is Everyone Neurodivergent Now? 12.05.2026 58min

  AuDHD for grownups: honest, funny, neurodivergent conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!It's our 50th Episode! We started with a bit of a rant about Mother's Day, then decided to tackle this pervasive idea that there is an 'overdiagnosis crisis' - spoiler alert, we have opinions!We decided after all of that to run through our '50 Things That...' lists in honour of our milestone. We think you'll find something that not only hits you in the feel bone, validates things you always suspected, and gives you some interesting dinner table chats, but our 50 accommodations list might just change your life. What did we miss? Tell us!ConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Timestamps00:00 - Intro and Mother's Day Rant - Cancel it!06:49 - Sidequest: That's not alcohol free!09:14 - Everyone is getting diagnosed nowadays11:58 - Understanding Neurodivergence across Generations14:45 - Generational Neurodivergence in the Workforce17:41 - The Spectrum of Neurodivergence21:02 - 50 signs it was probably AuDHD all along28:45 - Don't iron clothes on your body!30:18 - 50 Things We Wish We'd Known Earlier38:09 - 50 Tiny Accommodations That Changed Our Lives46:31 - Contact us if you want to know more about accommodations47:41 - 'Sorry' is the armour we wear to protect ourselves48:52 - 50 Things We No Longer Apologize For56:17 - Reflecting and outroEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Neurodivergent Parenting with Patricia 06.05.2026 49min

  AuDHD for grownups: honest, funny, neurodivergent conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!Are you a neurodivergent parent? Or do you parent neurodivergent kids? The this episode might just be for you. We talk with Patricia Falcetta OAM about her WILD award, the work she has been doing in the neurodiversity space with families and workplaces, and what drove her to do this work...several years before most people were doing it. She even received an Order of Australia Medal for it!You can find Patricia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia.falcetta/?hl=en or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciafalcetta/ Her website is https://sociallivingsolutions.com.auTimestamps00:43 — Welcome to WILD Voices01:53 — Patricia’s WILD Award and Autism Awareness Month03:27 — Patricia’s OAM and her family’s diagnosis journey07:16 — Outdated labels, Asperger’s and PDD-NOS08:20 — “Too empathetic to be autistic”10:05 — Parent guilt, school systems and survival12:00 — From parent advocacy to professional support13:48 — Late diagnosis, ADHD and the female experience16:16 — Advocacy, burnout and caring for yourself18:59 — Why parents still feel isolated after diagnosis20:55 — Strengths-based advice for parents24:07 — Supporting exhausted neurodivergent parents25:45 — Regulation strategies that actually work28:19 — Fidgets, sensory tools and oral stims31:18 — Tech, kids and nervous system overload33:03 — Safety shows, spas and brain breaks34:23 — Patricia’s impact in the neuroinclusion space36:28 — Challenging the myth of low empathy36:43 — Double empathy explained40:52 — Jayne’s emotional realisation42:46 — Neurodivergence, spirituality and sensitivity43:56 — Patricia’s fun fact: dance classes44:55 — Where to find Patricia45:47 — WILD links and closingConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  School and Friendship Advice for ADHD Kids from PB 28.04.2026 20min

  Callie and Jayne are out this week, with Callie MCing the Australian Neurodiversity Summit and at 945pm, the night before the pod is supposed to drop at 5am, she had to admit defeat on being able to edit this week's episode. So you lucky listeners get to listen to an episode from the inimitable PB, all about school and friendship challenges. We had an incredible episode to share with you this week that you'll get to hear next week instead. Enjoy this break from usual programming and we will see you soon next week xxPB is back and she has got a lot to say about the challenges for ADHD kids. This episode has some fantastic advice for kids, parents AND teachers!In this special episode, PB shares what it’s really like to navigate school with ADHD. From fidgets that help with focus, to the importance of having understanding teachers, PB gives us an honest and refreshing perspective on how neurodivergent kids experience the classroom.Whether you’re a child, parent, or educator, PB’s insights remind us that ADHD isn’t about being naughty, it’s about different ways of thinking, learning, and thriving.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why ADHD can make school challenging, and what helps.How fidgets aren’t distractions, but powerful focus tools.Why teachers’ understanding of ADHD makes all the difference.The importance of involving children in conversations about their needs.How parents and educators can work together for better outcomes.A reminder that neurodivergent kids see the world differently, and that’s a strength.Sound Bites:It’s not the nicest.Teachers are really busy.Speak out, speak your mind.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction and Personal Updates00:37 – Navigating School with ADHD02:22 – The Role of Fidgets in Learning05:15 – Advice for Teachers and Parents08:21 – Understanding Neurodiversity in the Classroom11:07 – Final Thoughts and EncouragementWho This Episode Is For:Neurodivergent kids who want to feel seen and heard.Parents who want to better support their child’s learning journey.Teachers looking for real insight into what helps students with ADHD thrive.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should You Quit Your Job to Become an ADHD Entrepreneur? 21.04.2026 1h

  This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let’s get started!What happens when you leave a secure job, build a business around the work you actually care about, and then realise the workplace structure that used to hold you up is gone?This week, Jayne flips the script and interviews Callie about what it’s really like to become a neurodivergent entrepreneur. They talk about the hidden executive functioning cost of working for yourself, why client work gets done while the business-building stuff gets pushed aside, and the strategies Callie is using to stay afloat, including separating what’s critical from what’s merely important, celebrating small wins, and creating somewhere to put the side quests. Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:43 Jayne’s eye emergency and medical dismissal09:39 Neurodivergence, healthcare bias, and the medical passport idea14:11 Productive recovery weekend, and the floordrobe clean-out17:14 TEDx news and neurodivergence in aged care20:02 Should you leave your job to become an entrepreneur?20:53 Why Callie left a secure government role23:00 The real challenge of working for yourself25:06 Why workplace structure matters more than you think27:30 Client work vs business-building29:06 Are ADHDers more suited to entrepreneurship?30:32 Mask switching, family life, and the pressure of doing everything yourself33:24 School holidays34:22 Things that used to work but don’t anymore42:58 Strategies that are helping now51:08 Why it was still worth it59:08 Wrap-upIf you’re an AuDHD or ADHD adult wondering whether to leave your job, build something of your own, or just trying to understand why everything feels harder without external structure, this one is for you.Got a question, story or hot take? Email us at fthemfish@gmail.com.Find us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  AuDHD Hyperfocus: Is Beth Really Dead? 14.04.2026 47min

  This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.Hello, hello, and welcome to F Them Fish: AuDHD for Grownups with your neurodivergent besties, Callie Elward-Barrett and Jayne Gurton. This is the podcast where we talk about neurodivergence in real adult life: work, relationships, burnout, overwhelm, identity, and all the weird little things that make you think, ‘surely it’s not just me.’ We’re honest, occasionally sweary, and very much not interested in pretending to be polished.Grab a beverage, or body double some life admin with us in your ears and let's get started!In this week's episode, Callie and Jayne deep dive the podcast phenomenon 'Beth's Dead' - a limited series true crime podcast, all about parasocial relationships gone wrong. More importantly, why is this relevant to neurodivergence? We will tell you with the help of some of our listener questions. Timestamps00:00 – Producer Callie says Hi00:50 – Intro04:33 – Last week’s homework and why Beth’s Dead got assigned07:29 – What Beth’s Dead is about, plus spoiler warning08:45 – Full recap of the podcast setup and the Beth storyline12:18 – What a parasocial relationship actually is14:20 – Beth was never real15:04 – First reactions: gripping story or obvious manipulation?15:55 – Boundaries, emotional emails, and where podcast hosts can get out of their depth17:14 – The investigation: IP addresses, the professor theory, and the big phone call19:36 – Callie’s theory: this never happened 21:41 – Jayne’s hesitation, the real expert moment, and why she’s less certain23:42 – Why Callie still thinks key parts do not ring true26:52 – Does it actually matter if the story was real, if it was well told?27:53 – Listener question: when does a parasocial relationship stop being comforting and start being bad for your brain?33:10 – Listener question: are neurodivergent people more vulnerable to intense online dynamics?42:38 – Listener conspiracy theory corner44:19 – Why this whole thing matters for neurodivergence44:47 – Curiosity, needing receipts, and getting kicked out of class for too many questions45:45 – Wrap-up, contact details, and next episode teaseLinkshttps://www.patreon.com/cw/BethsDead - listen to Beth's Deadhttps://www.instagram.com/nobodyslisteningright/ - follow Elizabeth and Any on Instagram - tell them we sent you (they won't have a clue who we are!)https://www.instagram.com/armchairexppod/ - follow Monica Padman's podcastConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at F Them Fish: AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Neurodivergent and Efficient, Effective, Enough? 07.04.2026 39min

  This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.This week starts with Easter camping, mini golf, belly dancing, faffing, and a genuinely cursed run-in with paralysis ticks… then gets unexpectedly deep. Jayne shares a powerful realisation about the idea of being “enough” after years of feeling either too much or not enough, and together we unpack masking, self-worth, fibro fog, apologising for existing, and what it means to be the right amount of you.Then Callie goes full truth-bomb on the neurodivergent drive for efficiency, why inefficiency can feel physically painful, and how leaving traditional work has exposed just how much executive function can be quietly held up by workplace structure. If you’ve ever looked high-functioning on the outside while privately relying on guard rails to keep life moving, this episode will probably hit a nerve. In a good way. Also, yes, there is a side quest about pink flip phones.Timestamps00:10 Welcome00:48 Belly dance teacher era, camping, and post-holiday faffing03:30 Paralysis ticks, dog panic, and Australia's hostile wildlife07:31 Fibro flare-ups and the first big question: what does 'enough' even mean?10:32 Why 'enough' is a social construct built around masking16:02 Fibro fog, apologising for your brain and body, and self-protection17:36 The perfect amount of Jayne, the perfect amount of Callie, and flexible authenticity22:49 The relentless itch for efficiency and why inefficiency feels painful29:07 Pink Motorola flip phones and the chaos of changing systems31:37 Leaving structured work and suddenly confronting executive function failures37:29 Homework: go binge Beth’s Dead before next weekGet in touchGot a question, story, or hot take for the pod? Email us at fthemfish@gmail.comFind us on socials @fthemfish_AuDHDforgrownupsEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ADHD Tax, Accidental Sexts, and the Yearning Lifestyle 31.03.2026 38min

  This podcast was created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.This week is pure listener-chaos in the best possible way. We asked for your stories and you absolutely delivered. We’re talking panic-bought concert tickets, masking too hard on first dates, accidentally sending a spicy text to the wrong person, rejection sensitivity turning a delayed reply into a full cheating scandal, and the very specific experience of wanting someone right up until they like you back. We also get briefly obsessed with Miranda Hart, blow bubbles for World Bipolar Day, and once again prove that this podcast is excellent body-doubling audio for laundry, dishes, or whatever life admin you’ve been avoiding. Questionable advice, strong opinions, and a lot of feeling very seen. Timestamps00:01 Intro01:02 Jayne’s new favourite book: Miranda Hart and feeling deeply seen06:05 Bubbles for World Bipolar Day08:14 We get into your listener questions09:55 ADHD tax: panic-bought concert tickets and a man who now breathes too loudly15:01 Masking on first dates and when the truth is actually 14 half-finished moisturisers18:47 Weird-smelling water bottles, crying, and an accidental detour into hygiene standards20:35 The spicy text sent to the wrong person from school pick-up22:31 Rejection sensitivity, delayed replies, Bunnings, and the imaginary second family with a yacht29:02 Why some of us love people until they like us back36:12 Bonus ear filler and elite body-doubling content36:59 Send us your stories and questions for future episodesConnectFind us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @ FThem Fish_AuDHD for GrownupsSend your stories and questions to FThemFish@gmail.comAuDHD for grownups: honest, funny conversations about work, relationships, sensory overload, identity, and the stuff nobody explains after diagnosis.Email: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Trauma, Survival and Finding Your Voice with Jacinta Dubojski 24.03.2026 1h 5min

  This episode comes with a content warning.We talk about family violence, abusive relationships, trauma, bullying, anxiety, depression, CPTSD, psychiatric hospitalisation, and some pretty heavy mental health stuff. So if this is not for you today, save it for a day when you’ve got a few more spoons.Today it’s just me, no Jayne, and I’m joined by Jacinta Dubojski from Just Another Girl.This is a different kind of conversation.Jacinta is someone a lot of people would probably look at and make assumptions about. Tall, beautiful, polished, put together. And that is exactly part of why this conversation matters. Because people do that all the time. They look at someone and decide their life must have been easy.It wasn’t.We talk about bullying, low self-worth, abusive relationships, trauma, what it does to your brain and body, and what it takes to keep going when life has absolutely kicked the sh*t out of you.Jacinta also talks about the work she now does with girls in schools through Just Another Girl, and why speaking up can genuinely change, and sometimes save, lives.This one is raw. It wanders a bit in places. It gets heavy. It also has hope in it.And the reason it belongs on this podcast is because neurodivergent people are more vulnerable to abusive relationships, family violence, coercion and other forms of harm than a lot of people realise. We do not talk about that enough.If this one hits close to home, please check the support links below. And if you need to, send this episode to someone and just say, I need to talk.Timestamps00:00 Content warning02:42 Intro and meeting Jacinta04:10 Jacinta on her work, motherhood, trauma and why she shares her story09:10 Modelling, bullying, appearance and being judged on the outside18:28 How Just Another Girl started21:44 Being bullied at school and not telling anyone24:30 Domestic violence, trauma and feeling trapped32:44 If this is your story too36:31 Speaking in schools and trying to change lives early39:18 Social media, girls, and protecting the next generation42:48 What Jacinta would say to her younger self47:49 Proof that things can get better51:38 Reaching out when you’re struggling58:46 Where to find Jacinta59:47 Why this matters for neurodivergent people too1:03:27 Final support message and wrap upFind us on Youtube, Instagram and TikTok @FThemFish_AuDHDForGrownupsEmail: Fthemfish@gmail.comFind JacintaJust Another Girl ProjectInstagram: @just.anothergirl_SupportIf this episode brings stuff up for you, please reach out for support.www.MindSpot.org.auLifeline 13 11 141800RESPECTEmail: fthemfish@gmail.comYouTube and Instagram at AuDHD for Grownups: F Them FishCallie's Website: https://executivefunctioning.com.au/LinkedIn: Callie: www.linkedin.com/in/callie-elward-barrett-263068142 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.