I Must Be BUG'N

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review NOWWelcome to Season 2! In this episode we start out STRONG. I had the honor of having a discussion with Angela Davis aka the Kitchenista. She allowed me to create a safe space to discuss her journey of neurodivergent discovery. She shares her thoughts on going from being misdiagnosed when she was younger (all too common for Black women) while feeling it wasn't a perfect fit and ultimately finding clarity through ADHD and autism identification. Angela has built a very successful brand online showcasing her amazing recipes and cooking skills. She's a self-taught culinary virtuoso on a mission to empower home cooks. Listen as she reflects on her experiences growing up and how those insights inform her self-awareness and healing as an adult. We discuss how difficult it can be feeling no one else understands your experience while also having a very public an established persona. Now that she's making meaningful shifts in her life and feeling more empowered to communicate with and choose HER people, we talk a bit about what that looks like. Ultimately, this episode is an emotional exploration of the early-stages of neurodivergent discovery and acceptance. I'm just SO glad that allowed me to create a container for her to vulnerably and accessibly share her story.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Angela Davis, the Kitchenista09:51 Discovering Neurodivergence and Embracing Creativity25:56 Navigating Burnout and Mental Health46:04 Recognizing and Understanding Neurodivergence53:46 The Power of Community01:01:35 Awareness and Ableism01:09:39 Navigating Communication and Participation01:17:48 Finding Supportive FriendsConnect with Angela Davis - The Kitchenista:https://patreon.com/kitchenista @thekitchenista on InstagramHelpful Links:SuperNova Momma Discusses Culturally Relevant StimmingCommunity for Black/BIPOC Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast.In this episode, I have a wonderful conversation with Sydney Elaine Butler, an HR professional and Founder of Accessible Creates. We discuss the importance of centering neurodivergent voices and experiences, as well as Sydney's personal journey and understanding of neurodiversity. Sydney shares insights on improving internal HR practices and workplace accessibility, particularly for women. Sydney also highlights the importance of avoiding misconceptions about neurodivergence when providing accommodations, as well as the need for individualized approaches. We talk about the importance of continuous learning and being open to making mistakes as part of the journey towards inclusivity.Key Topics:Centering neurodivergent voices and experiences is crucial for creating inclusive and accessible workplaces.Understanding and embracing one's multiple identities is essential for personal growth and authenticity.Improving internal HR practices and workplace accessibility is vital for supporting neurodivergent individuals.Women in the workplace often face unique challenges and need support and understanding.Balancing personal and professional growth is important for overall well-being and success. Advancements in technology, such as AI and software tools, can improve accessibility and accommodations in the workplace.Avoid assuming what accommodations individuals need and instead listen to their specific needs.Creating safe and inclusive spaces requires continuous learning, embracing neurodivergent differences, and being open to making mistakes.Individuals should be patient and compassionate with themselves, understanding that their experiences and needs may differ.Connect with Sydney:linktr.ee/sydneyelainebutler - this has all their social linksHelpful Links:Community for Black Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast.In this episode, I speak with Dr. Kimberly Douglass, a coach and consultant to neurodivergent adults who also identifies as AuDHD. Dr. Douglass delves into the concept of decolonizing neurodivergence. We talk about how refusing homework for her son helps her push back against the systems that seek to determine our societal outcomes. She shares why genuine curiosity, grace, and connection in supporting neurodivergent individuals is critical. I also learned about how she helps neurodivergent people, especially creatives, unlock their potential and make progress where they've felt stuck. At the core of this discussion is emphasizing the importance of seeing individuals as whole persons and creating space for self-discovery and acceptance.Key Topics:Decolonizing neurodivergence is about challenging the ideas that seek to forget the individual and see us only as commoditiesCurrent diagnostic criteria and support systems are often based on research conducted on white boys, which leads to a lack of understanding and support for individuals from marginalized communities.Making sure your message reaches the people who need to hear it, and that won't include everyone.How Black and marginalized individuals often face stereotypes and surveillance, which can overshadow our needs and lead to misinterpretation of our behavior.Creating space for self-discovery and acceptance and how that's key to neurodivergent healing and thriving.Connect with Dr. Douglass:douglass@drkimberlydouglass.comdrkimberlydouglass.comHelpful Links:Community for Black Gifted Adults - Our Wild MindsBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsIntro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGOn this episode I chat with my good friend, Dr. Patty Williams, a trauma therapist and advocate for the gifted and neurodivergent community. Dr. Patty shares her personal journey as a 2E child and now therapist. I speak with Dr. Patty about her upcoming book, healing gifted trauma and how we heal. She also discusses the Bloomers group, a Facebook community for gifted and twice exceptional adults. It's a great conversation that I've been looking forward to sharing with you all for awhile.Key TopicsThe challenges with identifying and supporting gifted and 2E people, especially when their giftedness masks other needs or conditions.Why imposter syndrome can be common among gifted individuals, leading them to question their expertise and belonging in their field.Why she wants to move away from the term "asynchronous development" The importance of safe and inclusive community, such as the Bloomers groupMoreConnect with Dr. Patty:https://brightinsight.support/about.htmlbrightinsightadvocate@gmail.comHelpful Links:Bloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupUmbrella US - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacyNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast...Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Enjoy the conclusion of my amazing conversation with Dr. Dave Hester, a Vice-President at LifeGuides, tech-innovator, speaker, psychologist, transformational leader with a goal of improving the wellbeing of 1 billion human lives.In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Dave Hester, we discuss the importance of challenging our perspectives by not identifying with them, self-acceptance and compassion, rejection sensitivity and emotional permanance, Rumi and more. Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGConnect with Dave:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhesterjrHelpful Links:LifeGuides WebsiteBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupND Connect - online community for neurodivergent peopleNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast...Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Happy New Year! I hope the holidays treated you well and you avoided many of the pitfalls of challenging experiences that can come with this annual cycle.Dr. Dave Hester is a Vice-President at LifeGuides, tech-innovator, speaker, psychologist, transformational leader with a goal of improving the wellbeing of 1 billion human lives.In Part 1 of my conversation with Dr. Dave Hester, we discuss his background, whether his family supported his neurodivergent journey, how LifeGuides aligned with his personal mission and how it's transforming workplaces as well as other neurodivergent curiosities about how life works.Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside)Follow I Must Be BUGN on IGConnect with Dave:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhesterjrHelpful Links:LifeGuides WebsiteBloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupND Connect - online community for neurodivergent peopleNeurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast...Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside)Today I was absolutely HONORED for my first guest to be Dr. Joy Lawson Davis, the award-winning author and preeminent advocate for Black and marginalized gifted students.Dr. Davis' most recent books include "Bright Talented & Black: A guide for Families of Black gifted learners 2.0”; “Empowering Underrepresented Gifted Students: Perspectives from the Field” and “Culturally Responsive Teaching in Gifted Education: Building Cultural Competence and Serving Diverse populations”.Our amazing discussion includes:Her experience as a Black gifted childThe resistance she experienced in doing her work as a Black womanHow we can identify gifted students and moreConnect with Dr. Davis:Email: profjoy1022@gmail.comWebsite: https://drjoylawsondavis.com/Twitter/X: @davis_joyNOTE: I apologize sincerely for the background noise. They say the library is a quiet place but I can assure you that is not always true (haha).Helpful Links:The G-Word Film Link to Bloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupLink to ND Connect - online community for neurodivergent peopleLink to Neurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast...Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore

Hey Community,This episode is a QUICK check-in to let you all know where I've been and a few of the exciting things coming soon. Join me for this quick insight and feel free to catch-up on previous episodes you may have missed. I hope everyone is doing AMAZING and has at least one person that can help them feel seen and heard. Lots of things, including GUEST episodes coming soon * insert looking eyes emoji *Helpful Links:"If I Let Go, Will Everything Be Okay?" - Sadhguru video (~11mins)Link to Bloomers Gifted and 2E Facebook GroupTikTok list of neurodivergent-focused appsLink to ND Connect - online community for neurodivergent peopleLink to Neurodivergent Sanctuary Facebook GroupSubmit your Questions or Misunderstood InsightsDon't forget to suscribe, SHARE and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast...Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "It Couldn't Be" from the album Nevermore