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AuDHD Flourishing
86 Apocalypse Survival Guide
•
24:23 to skip specific American politics
In this episode:
- Mutual aid
- Local connections
- Surveillance & privacy considerations for devices
- Resistance is working
- General strike & Mar 15 shutdown (#Shutdown315)
- Emotional survival: monotropic reset, alpha brain waves
- Being careful whom you listen to (accompanying Emily Science Journalism ep 82)
Links mentioned:
- Surveillance guide for devices
- How to change Meta settings to limit tracking (note there is no way to make Messenger app safe)
- Ad-blocking guide (note that I haven't vetted all their recommendations, though I do use one of them already)
- General Strike USA
- March 15 2025 general shutdown in US #Shutdown315
- The Open-Focus Brain by Les Fehmi is the book I don't automatically recommend bc of offensive disability language, plus I personally didn't find the exercises as helpful as when another ND person led me. That said, the book may still be helpful to you. There are hundreds of open focus exercises on YouTube, and I may try to find one that I like and link it here at some point.
- Article, "My problems with the Constructed Theory of Emotions," (the critique of How Emotions Are Made)
- Andrew Huberman is a liar article
Not in episode, but I adore this takedown of Matthew Walker's book Why We Sleep
Other links shared on the Discord recently:
- Article: sabotaging DOGE
- Simple Sabotage Field Manual from above article
- Helping trans people leave the US
- MI, MN, NY, VE, WA EDL (drivers license for land & sea entry)
- Actions for protecting disability rights
- Small actions to take now
Resources:
- Transcript Doc
- Email Newsletter
- Like Your Brain community space (Patreon)
More episodes
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160 Doing Things Mode
10:28|Something I've noticed: my brain seems to be in "not doing things" or "doing things" mode.Pushing myself too much during okay executive function days tends to lead to multiple days of recovery.So ironically, doing a bit less on those days has made for a more consistent capacity...AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)®
159 Imaginary To-Do Lists
08:28|A silly hack I use to calm my brain down. You can also use it to track your interests or other patterns over time.AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)
An Emmy winner's trick for ADHD idea overload, from The ADHD Channel for Women
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158 Communicating With Truth-Haters
13:10|Many AuDHDers have shared stories with me about some version of the following: There is a problem staring them in the facePeople in power don't want to hear about it This comes up a lot at work. The more subtle version is trying to get someone to give a straight answer about exactly what needs to be done, or how. And they act like it's somehow an affront to their authority... so confusing! If you struggle with communicating with someone who seems resistant to the truth, this episode offers the big picture understanding of what might be going on. AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)
157 Your Brain Learns Fast
18:04|Part of what hyperneuroplasticity means is that your brain learns quickly on many fronts... including from negative data. This has some obvious downsides!The good news is that what might feel like excruciatingly slow learning in other areas (8-18 repetitions) is actually normal. Your brain just learns fast sometimes ;)The other good news is that 2 data points does NOT equal a predictive pattern yet, no matter how much your brain may want it to.Join me in person at BloomCon 2026! (Online options too)AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)
156 Hyperneuroplasticity with Dr Patty Gently
01:00:38|Dr. Patty Gently is one of the most important researchers and voices in the gifted neurodivergence space. Her free online community, Bloomers, has a few thousand mostly 2e members.And her research around hyperneuroplasticity is filling in some gaps in the literature to explain some of our experiences!Love Your Brain course (and the Sep/Oct 2026 live round info) - starts Sep 8Connect with Patty:Aphantasia, Alexithymia, Autobiographical Memory, and the HNP Mind, post from her free SubstackThe Gentle Heretic, Dr. Gently's website where you can also reach outBright Insight Support Networkfree Facebook group, BloomersJoin both of us at BloomCon 2026!AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)
How to Make Projects Happen - Repost
43:24|AuDHD brains face many challenges when it comes to projects. It's something I've put a great deal of time and learning into, both personally and professionally. This episode covers many ideas and approaches that tend to work for us.Key Takeaways:We usually learn to use what I call the Adrenaline-Anxiety Approach. While effective short-term, it can lead to burnout and other issues.A monotropic approach is more sustainable and individualized... and it can feel slow at first.Experimentation as a core toolCreating just enough structure and safety to get going, without getting bogged down (loose planning)Working with the brain states you haveManaging interruptions, inputs, and daily lifeFinding the balance that works for youThe episode also walks through the Love Your Brain course, designed to help AuDHDers understand their mind-body system, work with brain states, and navigate project challenges. The course emphasizes self-compassion, experimentation, and building processes tailored to individual needs.Repost - originally posted July 12th 2024Links mentioned:Devon Price's Laziness Does Not Exist article, and a PDF if you're not on MediumThe transcript may be especially useful for this episode! (It'll take a few seconds for the link to fully load to this episode)Love Your Brain course (and the Sep/Oct 2026 live round info)
155 Making & Keeping Friends
27:41|Making friends is hard. Developing and keeping those friendships is hard. It's literally work! Today I talk about my friendship journey, more to give examples and share what I've learned rather than to teach. Because this is a deeply personal topic that's affected by your current capacity!Mentioned upcoming live round of Love Your Brain course (Sep-Oct 2026)AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)
154 Friendship Skills with Caroline Maguire
01:06:10|Caroline Maguire is passionate about learning how to bring your whole neurodivergent self to friendships... and not scaring people off!Her book, Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults, includes not only skills but red and green flags, and info on masking vs adapting (which we also talk about in the episode).Mentioned in episode: next week's workshop with Grace BezaireConnect with Caroline:Book Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults (affiliate link)Website https://carolinemaguireauthor.com/Instagram @authorcarolinemYouTube channelPodcast The ADHD Social PlaybookAuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)