31: From overwhelm to clarity: A parent’s journey with Understanding Zoe with Michael Coles

34: Online safety and connection with neurodivergent kids with Shadia Hancock

How do we create online safety for neurodivergent children and young people without turning online spaces into something to fear? In this thoughtful and nuanced episode, Laetitia is joined by Shadia Hancock, autistic and ADHD speech pathologist, advocate, educator and founder of Autism Actually. Together, they unpack the complex conversations around online safety, digital connection and what online spaces can mean for neurodivergent individuals and families. Shadia shares their lived and professional perspective on how online spaces have historically created belonging, community and accessibility for autistic people, while also exploring how families can navigate safety through curiosity, connection and understanding rather than fear and restriction. Whether you’re a parent wondering about screen time, a professional supporting neurodivergent young people, or someone trying to understand digital life through a neuroaffirming lens, this conversation offers a fresh perspective. ✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 7 days [https://understandingzoe.com/signup] – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step. KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇 🧠 Why online spaces have historically been important for autistic community and connection 🧠 How online communication can create accessibility for neurodivergent people 🧠 Why online spaces are not inherently “good” or “bad” 🧠 How curiosity creates more safety than restriction 🧠 Why understanding why children engage online matters 🧠 The importance of collaborative conversations over control and punishment 🧠 How online spaces can support regulation, autonomy and belonging 🧠 Why there are no one-size-fits-all rules for neurodivergent families 💛 Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your care village, and leave us a review so more families can find this support. 🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today [https://understandingzoe.com]  ABOUT THE GUEST 👇 Shadia is the proud owner and founder of Autism Actually and enjoys presenting, consultancy and advocacy work. They are also an ambassador for Yellow Ladybugs, an autistic-led organisation supporting autistic girls, women and gender-diverse individuals. A Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP), Shadia completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) and a Cert IV in Animal Behaviour and Training. Their professional interests include autism, multimodal communication supports, animal-assisted services and language. Formally identified as autistic at age three and ADHD at 23, Shadia proudly embraces their intersectional identity as an autistic, ADHD and queer individual. They are passionate about sharing neurodiversity-affirming perspectives and creating conversations that challenge traditional views of autism. 💻 Website: https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.auhttps://www.autismactually.com.au/ [https://www.autismactually.com.au/] 💻 Next Level Collaboration: https://nextlevelcollaboration.com/ [https://nextlevelcollaboration.com/] 📸 Instagram: @autismactuallyau [https://www.instagram.com/autismactuallyau] ABOUT THE HOST 👇 Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.  She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.  Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.  Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

33: How music supports neurodivergent brains with Tiziana Pozzo

We all love and connect with music on a deep level. We all have different tastes and preferences.  In this fascinating and deeply practical episode, Laetitia is joined by Tiziana, founder of Music Tree in London, music therapist, educator, and creator of the Music Tree Approach. Together they explore how music can become a powerful tool for supporting regulation, executive functioning, connection and self-expression for neurodivergent children and adults. Drawing from both lived and professional experience as an ADHD educator herself, Tiziana shares how traditional music education often misses the needs of neurodivergent learners and what becomes possible when we move towards child-led, flexible and relationship-based approaches. Whether you're a parent wondering if music is the “right fit” for your child, an educator, or someone curious about the connection between music and the brain, this conversation opens a completely different lens on what music can offer. ✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 7 days [https://understandingzoe.com/signup] – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step. KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇 🧠 Why music activates multiple areas of the brain at the same time 🧠 How music supports executive functioning, regulation and attention 🧠 Why traditional music education can feel challenging for neurodivergent children 🧠 The difference between performance-based teaching and child-led music learning 🧠 Why group music experiences can strengthen flexibility, self-regulation and connection 🧠 What parents can look for when choosing music teachers or programs 🧠 Why fewer activities and deeper passions can sometimes support children more 🧠 How music can create connection not only for children, but for the whole family 💛 Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your care village, and leave us a review so more families can find this support. 🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today [https://understandingzoe.com]  ABOUT THE GUEST 👇 Tiziana is the founder of Music Tree, a Holistic Music Centre in London and a worldwide training movement for music educators. With over 20 years of experience as a music educator and therapist, she created the Music Tree Approach — an interdisciplinary methodology integrating music education, neuroscience and psychology, with a strong focus on executive functions, improvisation and child-led learning. As an ADHD educator herself, her work is deeply shaped by lived experience, creating an approach that is inclusive, flexible and responsive to neurodivergent learners. Rooted in Gordon's Music Learning Theory and expanded through years of interdisciplinary practice, Tiziana's work challenges traditional models of music education and reimagines the role of educators — moving beyond instruction into cognitive, emotional and social development. Through Music Tree, international trainings and retreats, she is building a global movement of educators committed to a more human, research-informed and transformative approach to music learning. 💻 Website: www.musictreeuk.com [http://www.musictreeuk.com] 📸 Instagram: @tiziana.musictree [https://www.instagram.com/tiziana.musictree] 🎵 Music Tree UK: @musictree_uk [https://www.instagram.com/musictree_uk] 🌿 Retreats: @musictree_retreats [https://www.instagram.com/musictree_retreats] 🎶 Sydney recommendation: MUSIC N ME [https://www.musicnme.com.au/] – founded by Laura Kahar, offering a neurodiversity-affirming approach to music learning. ABOUT THE HOST 👇 Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.  She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.  Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.  Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

32: The Founders Talk: parenting neurodivergent children and building a business

What happens when a neurodivergent parent, a neurotypical partner, and a neurodivergent child are all navigating life together… while building a platform designed to support families just like theirs? In this deeply personal episode, Understanding Zoe founders, Laetitia and Johan step away from their usual roles as co-founders of Understanding Zoe to share the real story behind the platform… not just the business journey, but the family journey too. Together, they explore what it looks like to parent neurodivergent children inside a relationship where each person experiences the world differently. From meltdowns and misunderstandings to co-regulation, advocacy and growth, this episode is an honest conversation about love, learning, and building neuroaffirming support from lived experience. They also share how Understanding Zoe became more than an app… becoming a practical support tool for navigating assessments, school challenges, emotional overwhelm, and the invisible load many families carry every day. ✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 7 days [https://understandingzoe.com/signup] – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step. KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇 🧠 Why neurodivergent children are often misunderstood before they are understood 🧠 The shift from a “fixing mindset” to a neuroaffirming approach 🧠 What it feels like to parent inside a neurodiverse relationship 🧠 How co-regulation and emotional safety strengthen family connection 🧠 Why neurodivergent parents also need support, accommodation and compassion 🧠 The invisible mental load carried by families raising neurodivergent children 🧠 How Understanding Zoe helps families prepare for NDIS reviews, assessments and advocacy conversations 💛 Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your care village, and leave us a review so more families can find this support. 🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today [https://understandingzoe.com]  ABOUT THE GUESTS 👇 In this special episode, the guests are the co-founders behind Understanding Zoe. Laetitia Andrac is an autistic ADHDer, award-winning entrepreneur, AI strategist, speaker and founder passionate about creating a more neuroinclusive world. Her lived experience as a neurodivergent parent inspired the creation of Understanding Zoe. Johan is the co-founder and technical mind behind Understanding Zoe. As a neurotypical parent in a neurodiverse family, he brings a grounded and thoughtful perspective to navigating parenting, partnership and support systems with compassion and curiosity. Together, they created Understanding Zoe to help families feel more understood, supported and empowered throughout their neurodivergent journey. 💻 Website: https://understandingzoe.com [https://understandingzoe.com] ABOUT THE HOST 👇 Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.  She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.  Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.  Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

31: From overwhelm to clarity: A parent’s journey with Understanding Zoe with Michael Coles

What happens when you’re navigating being neurodivergent while raising neurodivergent children… without the right tools? In this powerful and grounded episode, Laetitia is joined by Michael (an autistic ADHDer, parent, speaker, and host of the Deep Dive podcast) who shares his lived experience of parenting, overwhelm, and finding new ways to make sense of it all. Together, they explore what it really looks like behind the scenes: the unpredictability, the emotional load, and the constant need to problem-solve in real time. This is an honest conversation about what changes when you finally have a tool that helps you connect the dots… not just for your child, but for yourself too. ✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 7 days [https://understandingzoe.com/signup] – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step. KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇 🧠 Why parenting neurodivergent children can feel unpredictable and overwhelming 🧠 The challenge of understanding triggers without the right tools 🧠 How capturing patterns can support better planning and reduce stress 🧠 Why supporting yourself as a neurodivergent parent matters just as much 🧠 The power of connecting reports, lived experiences, and real-time insights 🧠 How communication between families, schools, and clinicians can be strengthened 💛 Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your care village, and leave us a review so more families can find this support. 🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today [https://understandingzoe.com]  ABOUT THE GUEST 👇 Michael Coles is a neurodiversity advocate, public speaker, and podcast host based in Australia. As the host of the Deep Dive Podcast and a Program Facilitator at Empower Autism, he brings both lived experience and professional insight to conversations about autism, inclusion, and what it truly means to create environments where neurodivergent people can thrive. Michael’s work focuses on the topics that don’t always get enough airtime — including autistic burnout, unconscious bias, and the gap between awareness and genuine understanding. Through his speaking, podcast, and advocacy, he shares practical, honest perspectives that move beyond surface-level conversations into real, actionable change. When he’s not behind the mic, Michael works alongside individuals and organisations to build inclusion that actually sticks. 🌐 Website: http://www.deepdiveau.net [http://www.deepdiveau.net] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560333886558 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560333886558] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-deep-dive-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-deep-dive-podcast] 📸 Instagram: @thedeepdiveau [https://www.instagram.com/thedeepdiveau/] 🎵 TikTok: @thedeepdiveau [https://www.tiktok.com/@thedeepdiveau] ▶️ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@TheDeepDiveAU [http://www.youtube.com/@TheDeepDiveAU] ABOUT THE HOST 👇 Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.  She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.  Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.  Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

30: Why we built Understanding Zoe: The story behind the mission | Solo Episode

Why does Understanding Zoe exist… really? In this deeply personal solo episode, Laetitia takes you behind the scene… not into strategy decks or product features, but into the real lived experience that sparked everything. This is the story before the research. Before the app and before the business. It’s the story of a parent navigating overwhelm, systems that didn’t connect, and a child who needed to feel seen, safe and understood. If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding too much, juggling too many reports, or trying to connect dots that were never designed to fit together — this episode will resonate deeply. ✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 30 days [https://understandingzoe.com/signup] – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step. KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇 🧠 Why so many families feel like they are drowning in information but lacking clarity 🧠 The invisible load of coordinating care across multiple professionals 🧠 Why every neurodivergent profile is unique (and systems often miss that) 🧠 How lived experience + AI became a powerful support tool 🧠 The reality of building a neurodivergent-led social enterprise 🧠 Why making the invisible visible is essential for systemic change 💛 Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your care village, and leave us a review so more families can find this support. 🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today [https://understandingzoe.com]  💻 Website: www.understandingzoe.com [https://understandingzoe.com/] 📸 Instagram: @understanding.zoe [https://www.instagram.com/understanding.zoe/] ABOUT THE HOST 👇 Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.  She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.  Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.  Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.