The Hidden 20%

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.Together, they dive into some of the most hotly debated aspects of his work, confront some uncomfortable truths, and explore the link between autism and unique talents. They also unpack fascinating research into why women with PCOS are more likely to have autistic children.This is Part 2 of a two-part episode — if you missed it, be sure to catch Part 1 from last week!00:00 Introduction1:54 Can You Become Autistic?3:47 Autism: What Has Simon Proven?4:39 Why Women With PCOS Are More Likely to Have a Child With Autism5:48 The Role of Hormones in Autism6:45 Autism: What Has Simon Changed His Mind On?7:37 Simon’s Thoughts on His Controversial Work: Genetics9:00 What is Mind Blindness?10:58 Why Did Some Not Like This Concept?12:23 How Simon Deals With Criticism13:20 Ben: What Could Have You Done to Improve that Situation & How Much Were Autistic People Consulted?14:26 How Much Do We Know About Autism?15:53 Autistic Statistics: Autism: Some Dark Home Truths19:06 Autism Assessment Waiting List Crisis VS Suffering Adults20:07 Comorbidities VS Neurodivergence21:58 Autism: What Are The Top 3 Questions That We Need To Know?23:05 Mortality Rate VS Autism24:04 Autism VS The Need For Further Research25:22 Ben The Inventor: Unpacking ‘The Pattern Seekers’ & Autistic People31:08 Neurodiversity VS Lack Of Role Models32:40 Autism: Where Will We Be In Ten Years Time?34:20 Simon’s Green Light Choice__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has risen, and the shifting perception from ‘disorder’ to celebrating a different way of thinking. Plus, they dive into some of the most debated topics in autism research - The complexities of empathy and the ethical challenges of genetic studies.This is the First of a Two Part Episode - tune in for some groundbreaking research next week in Part Two!00:00 Introduction2:08 Ben’s Child Asks Simon: 'Are You REALLY the World's Top Autism Expert?'2:50 Back In Time: Autism 40 years Ago4:08 Autism Diagnoses Then vs. Now: How Children & Adults Were Diagnosed 40 Years Ago4:45 The Moment Autism Prevalence Began to Rise5:21 Autism Diagnostic Criteria & Disappearance of Aspergers10:42 The History of Autism11:48 What Sparked Simon’s Interest in Autism?13:44 Societies Beliefs and Understanding of Autism 40 Years Ago15:07 Genetics and The Hidden 20%17:05 Why Autism Isn’t 100% Genetic17:34 Ethical Minefields: Genetics Research VS Autism20:42 Were Scientists Trying to 'Cure' Autism 40 Years Ago?21:57 When We Started Celebrating Autistic Strengths23:23 Brains That Think Differently: The Birth of Neurodiversity24:26 Autism VS Closing The Gender Gap26:39 Brains That Systemise VS Brains That Empathise28:32 Autism & Empathy: Cognitive Empathy VS Affective Empathy35:33 Do Vaccines Cause Autism?36:37 Why Are the CDC Investigating the Correlation Between Autism and Vaccines?39:43 Changing The Way We See Autism: Celebrating the Differences__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

The Made in Chelsea reality star turned author and entrepreneur, Millie Mackintosh has spent years in the spotlight while secretly grappling with undiagnosed ADHD, Dyspraxia and a complex relationship with alcohol.In this chat with Ben, Millie opens up about late diagnosis, the blurry overlap between ADHD and Dyspraxia, and how alcohol became both a crutch and a crisis to escape from rejection, grief, social anxiety and self-doubt. She shares how motherhood reshaped her perspective, the realities of sobriety, and why she’s questioning if she might be autistic too. From EMDR therapy to people-pleasing, sensory overload, and parenting with ADHD - Millie gives her top tips for navigating life with late diagnosed ADHD.00:00 Introduction 1:47 Dyspraxia Diagnosis: How, What, When & Why?3:45 Dyspraxia & ADHD Traits Overlap4:30 History of ADHD Diagnosis in Society 5:00 Late Diagnosis in Women: “She’s Dyspraxic and has a vision problem”5:35 Being Bullied & Trying to Fit in As a Neurodivergent Person 7:20 Dyspraxia VS Alcohol 10:52 Reflecting on Undiagnosed ADHD: The Toxic Escapism12:01 Finding the ‘Millie’ Wild Party Girl Persona15:27 Easily Influenced and People Pleasing as a Neurodivergent Person16:36 Millie’s Daughters: “I don’t want them to go through what I went through”19:18 Pre Diagnosis: “What did you know about ADHD?”19:58 The ADHD Moment of Realisation 21:00 My Sober Mental Breakdown22:14 Millie’s ADHD & Medication Journey25:45 The Best Bits of ADHD26:30 Hyper-fixation VS Cream Loungewear27:21 ADHD & The Keto Diet30:05 Routine VS ADHD31:08 Personal and Public Reactions to ADHD Diagnosis31:56 Navigating Parental Resistance to ADHD Diagnosis and Finding Resolution33:38 Coming Out As Sober VS Revealing ADHD Diagnosis34:32 The Challenges of ADHD: Navigating Parenting and Overwhelm38:10 The ADHD Battle With Emotional Regulation and Parenting 42:21 Hugo the Husband VS Millie’s ADHD43:52 Millie: “I’m ADHD But Am I Autistic As Well?”44:25 Empathy VS Autism46:40 The Effects of Rejection & ADHD47:32 Made In Chelsea 48:47 Health Anxiety & ADHD51:07 The Power of EMDR: From ADHD Panic Attacks on Planes to Yawning 51:51 Social Anxiety & ADHD58:11 What do you say to Late Diagnosed Female ADHD’ers?1:00:51 Millie’s Top Tips for Managing ADHD1:01:40 “Do My Kids Have ADHD?”1:02:25 Spreading Dyspraxia Awareness1:04:12 Millie’s Chosen Person For The Green Badge of Honour__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benMillie Mackintosh @milliemackintoshIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In light of recent government proposals to cut £5 billion annually from disability benefits by 2030 , it might seem like an odd moment to celebrate neurodivergence—but that’s exactly why we must. In a world where neurodivergence is often used as a pawn in culture wars, it’s more important than ever to pause, raise awareness, and share the reality of thinking differently.For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Ben revisits some of the podcast’s most powerful moments—from Kit Harington on ADHD & addiction to Tylan Grant on autism & social anxiety, ADHD Love on relationships, and eye-opening conversations on Tourette’s, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and more. Busting myths, challenging misconceptions, and honouring the resilience of the ND community._____________________________________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently. Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburneVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson Greenberg Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 _____________________________________ Follow & subscribe… Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Urban gardener, TV producer and author Martha Swales shares how gardening soothes her busy ADHD mind. After producing MasterChef and Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat, Repeat, she found viral fame inspiring millions to embrace nature.In this chat with Ben, Martha explores the contrast of her powerhouse producer persona who is always on time and in control VS her messy, sometimes late, fast-moving ADHD mind. She shares how gardening fosters mindfulness, soothes sensory overload, and why getting your hands dirty is the ultimate therapy. Martha also reveals her top beginners tips for budding urban gardeners!00:00 Introduction1:50 How Does Martha Describe Her ADHD brain?2:17 Strengths VS Weaknesses of an ADHD Busy Mind3:21 Tears of Tiny Pond Joy4:12 ADHD: Excessive Quietness VS Uncontrollable Babble4:37 The Beauty of The Tiny Details5:43 ADHD VS Nature’s Natural Patience7:00 Unlocking The Potential of Nature10:22 Martha’s ADHD Diagnosis Journey: Mum Knows Best12:00 The Voice of ADHD Truths From The Best Friend13:23 Martha's Post-ADHD Diagnosis Distress13:39 ADHD Acceptance14:18 Being Kind to your ADHD Mind15:40 Peeling Back The ADHD Onion Layers16:45 ADHD VS Primary School18:06 How a Neurodivergent Diagnosis Can Affect Our Loved Ones19:02 The ADHD Girlfriend Laundry Agreement & Reciprocal Altruistic Bats21:11 When Martha Is At Her ADHD Best22:58 The Firecracker Senior TV Producer VS Being Late To Meet Friends & Getting Lost27:37 I Need Gardening For My ADHD Brain29:40 ADHD Sensory Soothing: Ben’s Moment with his Silver-birch & Martha’s Love of Whittling32:09 Connecting To The Land32:53 Martha’s Top Growing Tips For Beginners35:59 Why Should ADHD’ers Get Gardening?36:54 Cooking & Gardening for Busy ADHD Minds38:18 The Perfect Storm: Cooking, Gardening & ADHD41:16 The Graveyard of ADHD House Plants41:41 What Martha Would Have Done Differently: The Garden VS The Allotment43:43 What Is The Biggest Challenge For An ADHD Gardener?45:28 Martha’s Book: Give It A Grow47:12 The ADHD Cucumber Killer48:37 Praise From The Greats49:53 Martha’s Badge Of Honour & Gratitude___________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently. Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburneVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson Greenberg Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 _____________________________________ Follow & subscribe… Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benMartha Swales @marfskitchengardenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.

Best friends and podcast hosts Kat and Jack bring their signature honesty and humour to a candid conversation about ADHD. Jack, founder of Beautiful Strangers—the creative team behind hit podcasts NewlyWeds and The Girls Bathroom, joins Kat to share what they’ve learned in the year since launching their ADHD podcast, Distracted.In this chat with Ben, they dive into their biggest bugbears with the ADHD community, the reality of private vs. NHS diagnosis, and the fine line between distraction and procrastination. They also explore an often-overlooked topic: how ADHD sensitivity manifests differently in men and women—and why that matters1:45 ADHD: Does like attract like?2:58 Finding Your Neurodivergent Squad3:53 Kat’s ADHD Realisation5:00 Jack’s Mid-Haircut ADHD Realisation5:28 The Journey of an ADHD Diagnosis6:16 Going Private VS 22 Year Waitlist VS ADHD Self-Diagnosis6:52 The Human Experience through an ADHD Lens7:20 Undiagnosed & Needing Medication VS Formally Diagnosed ADHD7:49 Why Kat & Jack decided to start ADHD Podcast, ‘Distracted’9:05 Double ADHD Teamwork is the Dreamwork9:36 Kat & Jacks Advice for starting a Podcast10:12 What inspires Kat & Jack’s ADHD Podcast Topics?11:16 The Most Surprising Thing About ADHD: One Year On12:14 Discovering the Undiscovered: Spreading the Word About ADHD12:46 ADHD in Women VS ADHD in Men13:32 Kat & Jack’s World of ADHD Bugbears15:20 Autism Stigma VS ADHD Stigma15:50 Why Jack Decided Not To Use ADHD Medication17:04 Kat & Jack’s Key Strategies for ADHD's Toughest Challenges18:29 Kat’s Top Tips for Tackling ADHD Procrastination19:03 Distraction VS Procrastination19:24 The Twenty Minute ADHD Game20:32 Letting Go of The ADHD Shame21:04 Brilliant ADHD Brains21:48 The Beauty of ADHD Emotional Extremes and RSD22:52 Intuitive Empathy VS Physical Empathy23:37 When RSD Can Take Over Rationality24:11 Celebrating Women’s ADHD Sensitivity & Shining a Light on Men’s ADHD Sensitivity25:57 Embracing The Power of A Good Cry26:23 Jack’s Dry Years26:58 Kat & Jack’s ND Badges of Honour___________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently. Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburneVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson Greenberg Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348 _____________________________________ Follow & subscribe… Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benDistracted @distracted.podcastIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.