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Differently Brained
Welcome to Differently Brained, the podcast where no brain is the same. We are an Own Voices poddy that chats all things neurodivergence and mental health.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Dr Alissa Knight. Dr Alissa Knight is a clinical psychologist, researcher and founder of The Calming Suite. We discuss anxiety, perfectionism and mental health during the teen years. We also chat about disordered eating and binge drinking and the way these can sometimes go hand-in-hand. Finally we finish the conversation with a chat about self-care, balance and Alissa's amazing career.
About our guest
Dr Alissa Knight is a clinical psychologist, researcher and founder of The Calming Suite. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Alissa worked as a scientist/researcher, exploring areas such as psychiatry, psychology and nutrition. A woman of many talents, Alissa has also worked as a primary school teacher, journalist, professional dancer and yoga instructor. Having taught children for many years, Alissa was drawn towards working with youths in her psychology practice, particularly teens and young adults. With their whole lives ahead of them, Alissa is passionate about providing young people with the tools and skills needed to unlock joy and fulfillment. She is passionate about helping people to reach their full potential and transform their lives for the better.
Content warning
In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss alcohol abuse, disordered eating, suicidality and depression. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.
Episode partner
Are you tired of the same old boring puzzles? Mix things up with Wongo Puzzles! Each puzzle is a custom design, with intricate patterns and whimsical shapes that will keep you engaged for hours. Plus, their eco-friendly materials and commitment to sustainability make Wongo Puzzles a guilt-free way to unwind. Use our link https://zen.ai/differentlybrained or the code DB to save 10% at wongopuzzles.com. The discount will be applied at checkout!
Representations & resources
The Calming Suite website
Dr Alissa Knight's Instagram and LinkedIn
The Body Keeps the Score by Professor Bessel van der Kolk
Eight Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder and the companion workbook by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb
More Than a Body by Lindsay Kite and Lexie Kite
At Last a Life: Anxiety and Panic Free by Paul David
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Elise McCann, co-founder of Hey Lemonade. We ask Elise all the nosey questions we had about Hey Lemonade as an idea and an app - where the idea came from, how Elise and Lucy got it up and running and if they use their own pep talks when things get a little hard. We dig into the CSIRO's report and findings of the efficacy of the app and why it was so important to both Lucy and Elise to have writers and speakers from different walks of life involved in the app.
About our guest
Actor, producer and co-founder of the pep talk app, Hey Lemonade, Elise is a Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award winner. Elise is currently starring in Mamma Mia in the lead role as Donna.
Elise is a graduate of NIDA and studied law at the University of NSW. In 2014 she founded her own production company Oriel Entertainment whereby she has created and produced theatre, musicals and concerts for Sydney Opera House, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, QPAC, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the ABC. Elise’s debut album Dahlesque was released with ABC/Universal in 2017.
Episode partner
Are you tired of the same old boring puzzles? Mix things up with Wongo Puzzles! Each puzzle is a custom design, with intricate patterns and whimsical shapes that will keep you engaged for hours. Plus, their eco-friendly materials and commitment to sustainability make Wongo Puzzles a guilt-free way to unwind. Use our link https://zen.ai/differentlybrained or the code DB to save 10% at wongopuzzles.com. The discount will be applied at checkout!
Representations & resources
Hey Lemonade website
CSIRO Hey Lemonade report
Download the Hey Lemonade app
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Steph Cuthbert. Steph opens up about all things bipolar, alcoholism, routine, hypersexuality, sobriety and having more conversations.
About our guest
Steph Cuthbert is a writer, freelance editor, sensitivity reader, artist, wife and mother. She has bipolar disorder and is a co-facilitator of the Blue Mountains Bipolar Support Group. In her spare time Steph is an avid reader and volunteers at an art gallery.
Content warning
In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss bipolar disorder, depression, alcohol misuse and addiction and suicidal ideation. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.
Representations & resources
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivia Blake
Silver Linings Playbook film
The Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead (We've only linked Book 1 but you can find them all on Booktopia)
Modern Love, Season 1, Episode 3: Take Me As I Am, Whoever I Am
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Min Lou. We discuss Min's experiences as an autistic person, what it was like studying psychology and how these degrees are still incredibly behind the times when it comes to understanding neurodivergence. We also chat about Min's family and cultural heritage, their non-binary identity, how they feel about self-identifying and the imposter syndrome that can come from trying to learn more about yourself.
About our guest
Min Lou is a self-diagnosed autistic and non-binary transgender individual who also struggles with depression and anxiety. They are a second-generation Chinese immigrant living in Australia. Min is a mental health advocate who hopes to contribute to the de-stigmatisation of conversations surrounding mental health, and aspires to spread awareness regarding both neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ issues. Min recently graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and currently works with WayAhead, a mental health promotion organisation, but hopes to find a career in Psychology research.
Representations & resources
WayAhead, Mental Health Association NSW
BoJack Horseman, especially the 'Hooray! Todd Episode!'
Heartbreak High and Chloe Hayden
Everything's Gonna Be Okay and Josh Thomas
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Michelle Ridsdale, the founder of Kaboose, an organisation aiming to improve mental health and connectedness of the autistic and neurodiverse community through friendships and employment. They chat about where the idea for Kaboose came from, how Michelle got it up and running and why finding a community or our 'tribe' is so beneficial for our mental health and wellbeing.
About our guest
Michelle Ridsdale is the founder of Kaboose, an organisation aiming to improve mental health and connectedness of the autistic and neurodiverse community through friendships and employment.
Representations & resources
Michelle's Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
Kaboose homepage
Download Kaboose on Apple or Google Play
Invest in Kaboose
Kaboose blog
Michelle's Women's Agenda article, 'Navigating the teen years is never easy, but for those who are neurodiverse, it can be even harder'
Michelle Autism Awareness Australia article, 'Why would I employ autistic people?'
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Kylie Maslen. Kylie Maslen might have the longest list of diagnoses out of the guests we have interviewed so far which makes for an interesting and complex discussion.
We also share a podcast we have been listening to and loving, Beyond 6 Seconds.
About our guest
Kylie Maslen is a writer and critic whose cultural criticism, social commentary and critical essays have appeared in the Guardian, Meanjin, InDaily, Adelaide Review, Crikey, Money Magazine, The Shot, Kill Your Darlings and Junkee, among other outlets. Her first book – Show Me Where It Hurts: Living With Invisible Illness – was shortlisted for the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards in non-fiction, named in Guardian Australia’s ’20 best Australian books of 2020’, named a Saturday Paper’s ‘Best new talent of 2020’, included in bookseller Readings’ ‘Most talked about books of 2020’ and declared ‘a Millennial masterpiece’ by Columbia University’s Intima Journal of Narrative Medicine. It has received praise in reviews by Australian Book Review, Books+Publishing, Sydney Review of Books, Sydney Morning Herald and Meanjin, among others.
Content warning
In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss bipolar disorder, hypomania and mania, depression, ableism, self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse and addiction and suicidal ideation. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.
Representations & resources
Beyond Six Seconds podcast
Kylie's website
Kylie's Patreon
Show Me Where It Hurts
Same Twyford-Moore and The Rapids: Ways of Looking at Mania
Kanye West
Maria Bamford, especially Old Baby and Lady Dynamite
Silver Linings Playbook film
BoJack Horseman
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Please Like Me and Josh Thomas
Sally Rooney's Conversations with Friends, the book and the tv series
Taylor Tomlison, especially her Arm Floaties bit
SpongeBob SquarePants
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan discuss the ADHD Senate Inquiry and why it is important. We chat about statistics, the cost of having ADHD and the cost to the economy. But more importantly, we talk about why this Senate Inquiry is so important, how it could make a difference to the lives of ADHDers and how you can make a submission to fight for a better quality of life as an ADHDer.
Resources
ABS instagram
NDIS budget costs
The Australian Greens website
The Australian Greens survey results
Yellow Ladybugs collective submission survey
The Australian Greens 'How to make a submission' page
Lauren Beckman's submission template
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Suzanna Poredos. We chat about Suzanna discovering her autistic identity and how it helped her better understand herself. We also discuss her co-occuring health conditions and how they impact her level of support and daily life. We touch on meltdowns and shutdowns and what they are like for Suzanna, and as always we discuss the stigmas, misconceptions and representations of autism in society.
About our guest
Suzanna Poredos is an autistic woman based in Sydney, Australia. She is a guest blogger and socialite with The A List. She is also a content creation consultant for Self-Advocacy@Work at the Slyvia Roger Academy of Autism CRC. She is the lead blogger and podcast host for her own project Always Angelic Aspie Alice. Suzanna is autistic with co-occurring mental health conditions and physical chronic health conditions.
Representations & resources
Always Angelic Aspie Alice podcast and Facebook
The A List
Sheldon Cooper and The Big Bang Theory
The Good Doctor
Heartbreak High, Different, Not Less and Chloe Hayden
Safe Spaces
Alice in Wonderland
Roses in the Ocean peer care companion warmline
GROW peer-to-peer support programs
Alt2Su groups and support.
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Kirk Cetinic. We discuss Kirk's diagnosis journey as a child, his passion for design and improving user experiences. We also chat about Kirk's skills and experiences as a public speaker and autistic advocate. Finally, we chat about the representation of autistic people in the media and the stigmas and misconceptions around these topics.
About our guest
Kirk Cetinic is a user experience designer, public speaker and neurodiversity advocate. Kirk holds a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Graduate Certificate in User Experience & Web Design at Torrens University. In 2019, he showed a series of artwork in his Different Not Defective solo exhibition, which focused on highlighting the challenges Autistic people can face with communication, relationships, education, and employment.
Content warning
In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss bullying and suicidality. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.
Representations & resources
Kirk's website
Kirk's instagram
Kirk's Different, Not Defective exhibition
Toastmasters
UX Australia
Temple Grandin
Jody Dontje
The Good Doctor
Sia and Music
Chloe Hayden, Heartbreak High, and Different, Not Less
Tim Sharpe
James Ward-Sinclair and the Autistic and Unapologetic blog
You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan discuss personal hygiene, grooming and self-care. This is something that both hosts struggle with (teeth brushing is the worst!) and something that we'd guess the neurodivergent community has issues with too (we've been tagged in many, many memes about showering). We also discuss how much harder these tasks are when you're not feeling your best or are facing mental health challenges.
Episode partners
We would like to thank A’kin for gifting us some of their amazing hair products to help with our own shower adventures. We were gifted the Daily Shine Rosemary shampoo, the Daily Shine Avocado and Calendula conditioner, the Miracle Shine Conditioning hair mask tub and the Rose and Australian Sandalwood Natural roll-on deodorant. Head over to our instagram @differentlybrainedpodcast to enter our self-care giveaway where you can win over $150 worth of A'kin vegan and cruelty-free products!
Resources & products
Pokemon Go game
Australian Survivor
Holme Beauty and Hilary Holmes
Love & Autism by Kay Kerr
Dyson Airwrap
The make-up brush Jacinta wouldn't shut up about
Regaine
Gattaca
Modibodi's cooling sleepwear and pillowcase.
About the podcast
Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.
The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.