Audacity Podcast episodes
Audacity Podcast episodes
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Whether you're newly diagnosed, questioning your own neurodivergence, supporting someone you love, or simply curious to understand the lived experience of autism and ADHD, this conversation offers honesty, hope and practical insights.If this episode resonates with you, consider subscribing, sharing it with someone who may need to hear it.
This podcast shares lived experiences and personal perspectives. It is intended for education and community and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you have the opportunity to engage in professional help,
please do so, it can save a life.
What happens when a lifetime of feeling "wrong" finally has an explanation? Living with AuDHD?
What happens when a lifetime of feeling "wrong" finally has an explanation? Living with AuDHD?
In this episode of the Audacity Podcast, I sat down with Katarina Dragićević Sudimac, a nurse, pharmacist and reseacher at Dept of Pharmacagnosy in Belgrade to talk about life before and after an adult diagnosis of Autism and ADHD (AuDHD).
In this episode of the Audacity Podcast, I sat down with Katarina Dragićević Sudimac, a nurse, pharmacist and reseacher at Dept of Pharmacagnosy in Belgrade to talk about life before and after an adult diagnosis of Autism and ADHD (AuDHD).
In this conversation:
In this conversation:
• The experience of receiving an adult AuDHD diagnosis
• High masking and the hidden cost of appearing "fine"
• Growing up with trauma, misunderstanding and unmet support needs
• Why neurodivergent-affirming therapy can be life-changing
• Rejection sensitivity and learning to ask for clarity instead of assuming the worst
• Sensory needs at work and creating environments that reduce burnout
• ADHD movement strategies, including swimming and spending time in nature
• Finding joy through special interests, creativity and research• Moving from shame to self-compassion
• What living authentically can look like after diagnosis
• The experience of receiving an adult AuDHD diagnosis
• High masking and the hidden cost of appearing "fine"
• Growing up with trauma, misunderstanding and unmet support needs
• Why neurodivergent-affirming therapy can be life-changing
• Rejection sensitivity and learning to ask for clarity instead of assuming the worst
• Sensory needs at work and creating environments that reduce burnout
• ADHD movement strategies, including swimming and spending time in nature
• Finding joy through special interests, creativity and research• Moving from shame to self-compassion
• What living authentically can look like after diagnosis
*This podcast shares lived experiences and personal perspectives. It is intended for education and community and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you have the opportunity to engage in professional help, please do so, it can save a life.*
*This podcast shares lived experiences and personal perspectives. It is intended for education and community and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you have the opportunity to engage in professional help, please do so, it can save a life.*
Connect with Tina on Instagram @tina_holdfeny
and threads https://www.threads.com/@tina_holdfeny to speak to someone who has put in the work and has found acceptance in her diagnosis.
Connect with Tina on Instagram @tina_holdfeny
and threads https://www.threads.com/@tina_holdfeny to speak to someone who has put in the work and has found acceptance in her diagnosis.
She has a wealth of knowledge and a great body of work, if you would like to connect with someone who understands.
She has a wealth of knowledge and a great body of work, if you would like to connect with someone who understands.
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is characterized by an intense emotional response to perceived or actual failure, criticism, or rejection. Because RSD symptoms are both psychological and physiological, the body often "feels" the rejection before the mind fully processes it.
Taking Off the "Autistic Armor" and exhaustion of people-pleasing
Taking Off the "Autistic Armor" and exhaustion of people-pleasing
In this deeply moving episode of Audacity, we sit down with Drew James from Quiet Pattern Studios, an AuDHD advocate, and bringer of joy, to explore the profound and often painful reality of being late-diagnosed with autism at 40 years old.
In this deeply moving episode of Audacity, we sit down with Drew James from Quiet Pattern Studios, an AuDHD advocate, and bringer of joy, to explore the profound and often painful reality of being late-diagnosed with autism at 40 years old.
Drew shares his raw journey of spending four decades masking, people-pleasing, and wearing heavy "armor" to make others feel comfortable—often at the expense of his own well-being.
Drew shares his raw journey of spending four decades masking, people-pleasing, and wearing heavy "armor" to make others feel comfortable—often at the expense of his own well-being.
We dive into the exhaustion of small talk, the intense grief of wondering why life had to be so hard prior to diagnosis, and the terrifying but beautiful process of learning who you are beneath the mask. Drew opens up vulnerably about his severe autistic burnout, describing his lowest point as hitting the "bottom of the Mariana's trench," and shares how he is currently transitioning from a mental "rolodex" of masks used to please others, to a new rolodex of things that bring him pure peace and joy.
We dive into the exhaustion of small talk, the intense grief of wondering why life had to be so hard prior to diagnosis, and the terrifying but beautiful process of learning who you are beneath the mask. Drew opens up vulnerably about his severe autistic burnout, describing his lowest point as hitting the "bottom of the Mariana's trench," and shares how he is currently transitioning from a mental "rolodex" of masks used to please others, to a new rolodex of things that bring him pure peace and joy.
If you are navigating a late Autism or ADHD (AuDHD) diagnosis, searching for nervous system regulation, or simply trying to figure out how to build a life that actually fits your brain, this conversation is a safe space for you.
If you are navigating a late Autism or ADHD (AuDHD) diagnosis, searching for nervous system regulation, or simply trying to figure out how to build a life that actually fits your brain, this conversation is a safe space for you.
In this episode, we discuss:
In this episode, we discuss:
The 40-Year Mask: The immense toll of suppressing your authentic self to avoid confrontation and appease the people around you.
The 40-Year Mask: The immense toll of suppressing your authentic self to avoid confrontation and appease the people around you.
The Small Talk Conundrum: Why superficial conversations are a nightmare for the autistic brain and why there is a desperate need for genuine, deep human connection.
The Small Talk Conundrum: Why superficial conversations are a nightmare for the autistic brain and why there is a desperate need for genuine, deep human connection.
The Reality of Autistic Burnout: A vulnerable look at the breaking point of burnout, the weight of suicidal ideation, and the ongoing journey toward recovery.
The Reality of Autistic Burnout: A vulnerable look at the breaking point of burnout, the weight of suicidal ideation, and the ongoing journey toward recovery.
Taking Off the Armor: The startling, "raw nerve" experience of walking around unarmored and unmasking for the first time in your life.
Taking Off the Armor: The startling, "raw nerve" experience of walking around unarmored and unmasking for the first time in your life.
Building a Rolodex of Joy: How to reverse-engineer your authentic personality by discovering the simple things that bring your nervous system peace and calmness.
Building a Rolodex of Joy: How to reverse-engineer your authentic personality by discovering the simple things that bring your nervous system peace and calmness.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer & Resources ⚠️
⚠️ Important Disclaimer & Resources ⚠️
The topics discussed in this video, including autistic burnout and suicidal ideation, are based on personal experiences and are for informational and community-building purposes only. This video is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy.
The topics discussed in this video, including autistic burnout and suicidal ideation, are based on personal experiences and are for informational and community-building purposes only. This video is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, experiencing severe burnout, or having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out for professional help immediately. You are not alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, experiencing severe burnout, or having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out for professional help immediately. You are not alone.
International Suicide & Crisis Hotlines:
International Suicide & Crisis Hotlines:
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Crisis Centers: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Crisis Centers: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
US: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
US: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
UK: Call 111 (NHS) or 999 in an emergency. You can also call the Samaritans at 116 123.
UK: Call 111 (NHS) or 999 in an emergency. You can also call the Samaritans at 116 123.
South Africa: Call the SADAG Mental Health Line at
011 232 7000 or the Suicide Crisis Line at 0800 567 567.
South Africa: Call the SADAG Mental Health Line at
011 232 7000 or the Suicide Crisis Line at 0800 567 567.
Catch Drew on threads, where he spreads his joy.
Catch Drew on threads, where he spreads his joy.
Please check back later for more episodes
Please check back later for more episodes
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