Afleveringen
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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 coaches can accommodate neurodivergent traits and support neurodivergent individuals. Together they discuss psychological safety, coaching to "the why", working with clashing neuro-styles in a team, Lucy Bronze and the bravery of disclosure in the spotlight, the barriers Carly faced as a female coach from a minority ethnic background, and how sport can be a powerful space for belonging, confidence and mental health.
Her advice to young neurodivergent women who dream of a career in the game? Find the environment that works for you, find your allies, and don't give up the love of the game.
Guest: Carly Williams
Head Coach of Brentford FC Women's First Team. Former Arsenal Women's Academy coach and player care pioneer, England Schools U15s manager, FA coach, mentor and tutor, and two-time Football Black List Coaching & Management Award winner. Ex Tottenham Hotspur & Enfield Town player.This episode is for neurodivergent individuals in sport, coaches and clubs building inclusive environments, and anyone interested in women's football and neurodiversity.
Find Carly here: Instagram (@_cwcoaching)
Brentford FC Women: Instagram (@brentfordfcwomen) | X (@BrentfordFCW) | TikTok (@brentfordfcwomen) | https://www.brentfordfc.com/en
📌 Brought to you by Dyscourse - empowering neurodivergent individuals and organisations. https://dyscourse.org
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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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 expressed in many different waysThe spectrum of neurodivergent traits - the "television pixels" analogyHow relating through your own example can be misread as self-centredCognitive empathy vs affective empathy explainedHeightened sensory responses and intuitive feelingHow lived experience can deepen empathic capacityWhy neurodivergent people often empathise easily with each otherThe role of intuition in empathyReciprocal empathy - and the neurotypical expectations around itCuriosity over judgement when empathy looks differentExpressive vs internalised empathy in relationshipsHow misunderstanding fuels conflict - and why communication matters mostThis episode is for: Neurodivergent individuals who've been wrongly labelled as lacking empathy. Educators, leaders, and clinicians wanting to challenge outdated assumptions. Anyone exploring autism, ADHD, and the realities of neurodivergent emotional experience.
Guest: Emma Lord-Jenkins
Founder of Rethink Inclusion, Emma provides consultancy and neurodiversity training informed by both professional and lived experience. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, she is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and removing barriers for neurodivergent people.
Find Emma here:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram (@rethink_inclusion)
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:32 The empathy debate & common misconceptions
00:59 Understanding the spectrum - the television analogy
01:52 Empathy is experienced & expressed in many ways
02:08 Misconceptions across different neurodivergent traits
03:03 Relating through your own example - mirroring
04:12 Cognitive empathy vs affective empathy
05:12 Heightened sensory responses & intuitive feeling
06:16 How lived experience can deepen empathy
07:11 Neurotypical vs neurodivergent - relating to each other
07:55 Intuition and empathy
08:18 Autistic people do feel & have empathy
09:19 The importance of reciprocal empathy
09:45 Curiosity over judgement
10:39 Expressive vs internalised empathy
11:17 Empathy, relationships & misunderstanding
12:17 Communication & asking better questions
12:51 Outro
Why This Matters
The belief that neurodivergent people - and autistic people in particular - lack empathy is not only inaccurate, it's harmful. It shapes how people are judged, treated, and understood in workplaces, relationships, and society. This episode reframes empathy as something felt and expressed in diverse ways, challenging stigma and opening up a more compassionate, curious conversation.
About The Neurodivergent Lens
A video podcast exploring neurodivergence through conversations with lived and professional experience. We challenge assumptions, reduce stigma, and promote a more inclusive, strengths-based understanding. This podcast is brought to you by Dyscourse - a consultancy, training, and mentoring organisation empowering neurodivergent individuals and organisations. Find out more: https://dyscourse.org
Keywords
Neurodivergent empathy | Autism and empathy | Do autistic people have empathy | Cognitive empathy | Affective empathy | Empathy misconceptions | Double empathy problem | Neurodivergent vs neurotypical | Heightened sensory response | Reciprocal empathy | ADHD empathy | Autism myths | Neurodivergent communication | Neurodiversity | Lived experience
Special Thanks:
Sue McMillan - Strumhum Creatives (production, editing, music), Hannah Taylor - The Lens Box (filming, photography), Emma Lord-Jenkins (guest)
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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 including the Pomodoro technique, contingency planning and setting alarms, how COVID changed workplace expectations, and how unstructured time can become a genuine neurodivergent strength.
👤 Guest: Emma Lord-Jenkins Founder of Rethink Inclusion - neurodiversity consultancy and training informed by lived and professional experience. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, Emma is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and removing barriers for neurodivergent people.
This episode is for neurodivergent individuals who've struggled with time and punctuality, and for employers, educators, and HR professionals wanting to better understand and support neurodivergent people.
📌 Brought to you by Dyscourse — empowering neurodivergent individuals and organisations. https://dyscourse.org
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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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 impulsive over-commitment, rejection sensitivity, shame and trauma, processing speed and working memory, the ADHD brain and decision-making, psychological safety, reasonable adjustments at work, and self-coaching strategies.
👤 Guest: Emma Lord-Jenkins Founder of Rethink Inclusion — neurodiversity consultancy and training informed by lived and professional experience. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, Emma is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and removing barriers for neurodivergent people.
This episode is for neurodivergent individuals who've felt frozen or overwhelmed, and for educators, leaders, and HR professionals wanting to better support neurodivergent people.
📌 Brought to you by Dyscourse - a consultancy, training, and mentoring organisation empowering neurodivergent individuals and organisations. https://dyscourse.org
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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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 workplace challengesJob interviews, communication differences, and body languageCultural bias, affinity bias, and barriers to inclusionDyslexia, disclosure, and neurodivergence in employmentIntersectionality and overlapping lived experiencesNeurodivergence in prisons and wider systemic inequalityMedication, chemical sensitivity, and individual differencesSelf-advocacy, finding your voice, and building confidenceResilience and creativityPeople pleasing and trouble saying “no”Authenticity, reframing, and what can lie on the other side of shameAbout the Guest
Emma Lord-Jenkins is the founder of Rethink Inclusion, providing consultancy and neurodiversity training informed by both professional and lived experience.
With a background in careers guidance and supported employment, and as a late-diagnosed ADHDer, Emma is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and removing barriers for neurodivergent people across all areas of life.
Find Emma:
Website: Rethink Inclusion
LinkedIn: Emma Lord | LinkedIn
Instagram: @rethink_inclusion
Why This Conversation Matters
Neurodivergent individuals are too often misunderstood through deficit-based narratives and outdated assumptions. In this episode, we explore the relationship between shame and neurodivergence through lived experience, challenging stigma and inviting more inclusive ways of thinking.
About The Neurodivergent Lens
The Neurodivergent Lens is a video podcast exploring neurodivergence through thoughtful conversations and lived experience.
Through interviews with individuals of lived and professional insight, the podcast challenges assumptions, reduces stigma, and promotes a strengths-based understanding of neurodivergent identity.
This podcast is brought to you by Dyscourse — a consultancy, training and mentoring organisation working to change how society understands and supports neurodivergent people.
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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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.
What We Cover
* The impact of trauma on neurodivergent identity and development
* Educational trauma, labelling, and long-term psychological effects
* Type 1 and Type 2 trauma
* Nervous system dysregulation, dissociation, and survival responses
* Masking, invisibility, and internalised shame
* Toxic shame vs healthy shame and the inner critical voice
* Rejection sensitivity and emotional intensity
* Brain fatigue, energy management, and burnout
* Social anxiety, depression, OCD and co-occurring experiences
* The role of curiosity before judgement
* The benefits of diagnosis, self-awareness, and community
* Resilience, empathy, and compassion as neurodivergent strengths
About the Guest
Emma Lord-Jenkins is the founder of Rethink Inclusion, providing consultancy and neurodiversity training informed by both professional and lived experience.
With a background in careers guidance and supported employment, and as a late-diagnosed ADHDer, Emma is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and removing barriers for neurodivergent people across all areas of life.
Find Emma:
Website: Rethink Inclusion
LinkedIn: Emma Lord | LinkedIn
Instagram: @rethink_inclusion
Why This Conversation Matters
Neurodivergent experiences are often misunderstood through deficit-based narratives. This conversation offers a more nuanced perspective - exploring how trauma and neurodivergence intersect, while also highlighting the strengths, insight, and humanity within those lived experiences.
About The Neurodivergent Lens
The Neurodivergent Lens is a video podcast exploring neurodivergence through thoughtful conversations and lived experience.
Through interviews with individuals of lived and professional insight, the podcast challenges assumptions, reduces stigma, and promotes a strengths-based understanding of neurodivergent identity.
This podcast is brought to you by Dyscourse — a consultancy, training and mentoring organisation working to change how society understands and supports neurodivergent people.
Listen & Connect
Watch on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer
The discussions in this podcast are intended for educational and awareness purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical or therapeutic advice. Please seek support from a qualified professional where needed.
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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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.
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
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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!
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn: Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
