The Neurodivergent Lens

Episodi

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  Think Differently: Inside a School Built for Neurodivergent Minds | Bridget Young, Head Teacher 02.09.2026 1h 4min

  "Think differently means at Holmewood we think differently - because we're neurodivergent." That's how one of her own students corrected Bridget Young on what her school's tagline actually means. Bridget is Head Teacher of The Holmewood School, London - a specialist school built around neurodivergent young people - and has spent more than 20 years in education. Host Meryem Hassan sits down with her for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from double empathy and masking in the classroom, th...
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  Diagnosed at 37: How Dyslexia Hides—Even From a Doctor | Dr Rohini Sabherwal, GP 12.08.2026 1h 2min

  "I was told I just didn't read enough." For years, that was the explanation for Dr Rohini Sabherwal's struggles at school. It wasn't until she was 37 - mid-way through a Master's, and already a practising GP - that a chance moment revealed the truth: she's dyslexic. Host Meryem Hassan sits down with Rohini for a warm, honest and genuinely illuminating conversation about growing up undiagnosed, the "lightbulb moment" that changed everything, and what her dual perspective - as a dyslexic person...
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  Dyslexia, Stigma & Men's Mental Health: "Society Didn't Know How to Talk to Me" | Jon Salmon 23.07.2026 41min

  ⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes open discussion of suicide, bereavement by suicide, mental health crisis and hospitalisation. Please take care while listening - pause or skip if you need to. Support resources are listed below. Jon Salmon kept his mental health experience hidden for almost 20 years - but the shame he felt about being dyslexic was even harder to talk about. Host Meryem Hassan is joined by award-winning Executive Producer Jon Salmon to explore dyslexia, late diagnosis, ma...
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  Coaching, Culture & Neurodivergence in Women's Football | Carly Williams (Brentford FC Women) 01.07.2026 52min

  What does it take to build a football/soccer environment where neurodivergent players truly belong? In this episode, host Meryem Hassan is joined by Carly Williams - Head Coach of Brentford FC Women's First Team - to explore neurodivergence, elite coaching, player care, and the culture of belonging in the women's game of football/soccer. Carly shares her journey from grassroots to elite football, the pioneering player care role she built from scratch at Arsenal Women's Academy, and how coache...
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  The Truth About Neurodivergent Empathy 10.06.2026 13min

  Do neurodivergent people lack empathy? It's one of the most damaging and persistent myths out there - particularly about autistic individuals. In Episode 5, we challenge that assumption head on, exploring how empathy is genuinely felt and expressed across neurodivergence, and why so much of the misunderstanding comes down to difference, not deficit. What This Episode Covers In this episode, we discuss: The myth that autistic and neurodivergent people lack empathyWhy empathy is experienced and...
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  Why time feels different when you’re neurodivergent 20.05.2026 19min

  Does time feel like your enemy? In Episode 4, we explore why neurodivergent individuals experience time so differently - from time blindness and hyperfocus to punctuality, executive functioning, and the shame of never quite keeping up. We cover: time slippage vs time management, why the language matters, time blindness and the neurodivergent brain, hyperfocus and losing track of time completely, the shame around needing support with something "everyone else can do", practical strategies inclu...
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  Why Do Neurodivergent Individuals Experience Decision Paralysis? 29.04.2026 24min

  Why Do Neurodivergent Individuals Experience Decision Paralysis? Do you freeze when faced with a decision? In Episode 3, we explore decision paralysis and the "don't knows" - unpacking why neurodivergent individuals are disproportionately affected, how alexithymia, shame, and anxiety intersect, and what self-understanding and psychological safety can unlock. In this episode, we discuss: decision paralysis and alexithymia, nervous system shutdown and overwhelm, the duality of shutdown vs impul...
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  Does the Shame of Being Neurodivergent Hold You Back? 08.04.2026 24min

  Episode Summary Does shame hold neurodivergent people back? In Episode 2, we unpack the links between shame, trauma, bias, disclosure, and self-worth, while also exploring resilience, creativity, advocacy, and what becomes possible on the other side of shame. What We Cover How shame can shape the neurodivergent experienceThe link between shame, trauma, and the internal criticHealthy shame vs toxic shameSelf-esteem, inferiority, and feeling held backVisibility of traits, disclosure, and work...
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  Trauma & Neurodivergence Uncovered! 18.03.2026 31min

  Episode 1: Trauma & Neurodivergence Uncovered Episode Summary In this episode of The Neurodivergent Lens, we explore how trauma shapes the neurodivergent experience — from masking, invisibility and toxic shame to dysregulation, brain fatigue and emotional intensity. Alongside the challenges, we also uncover the often-overlooked strengths that can emerge through lived experience, including resilience, empathy, self-awareness, and the transformative power of diagnosis and community. ...
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  Season 1 Trailer: Nemesis & Gifts 17.03.2026

  What if the challenges of neurodivergence also hold hidden strengths? Season 1 explores the Nemesis and Gifts of neurodivergence - unpacking trauma, shame, time, decision-making and empathy through lived experience. With five episodes releasing every 3 weeks, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s to come and be part of the conversation. 📕 Free Guide Download our free guide, Myths & Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence - covering autism, ADHD and dyslexia at https://dysco...
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  Podcast Trailer 17.03.2026 1min

  Welcome to The Neurodivergent Lens - a podcast exploring neurodivergence through thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions, centre lived experience, and reframe difference through a strengths-based lens. New episodes drop every 3 weeks throughout Season 1. Subscribe so you don’t miss a conversation and let's talk neurodivergence! 📕 Free Guide Download our free guide, Myths & Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence - covering autism, ADHD and dyslexia at https://dys...