Divergent Dialogues

In this candid and deeply affirming conversation, we explore the layered experience of internalised ableism and the lifelong journey toward self-acceptance as Autistic individuals. Through personal reflections, shared insights, and the powerful inclusion of an audiobook excerpt by guest author Annie Kotowicz, we unpack how diagnosis, identity, boundaries, and belonging evolve over time. Caitlin and Teena show up with honesty, compassion, and vulnerability—offering a grounded perspective on what it means to live authentically as late-diagnosed Autistic person. Annie Kotowicz is an autistic author on a mission to:  * Describe the beautiful view from her brain,  * Help other autistics see the beauty of their own brains, and  * Show why neurodiversity is a beautiful thing.  She studied Art and English at Trinity Western University, which led to various jobs in graphic design, editing, and website development. After an autism diagnosis in 2017, she created the blog Neurobeautiful to process her ongoing discoveries about autism and neurodiversity. Since then, she has become a Chief Technology Officer, Special Education Teacher, and member of Mensa. What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic is her first book. She has also written articles and poetry for Edutopia, NeuroClastic, and Spaces Literary Journal. Annie is happiest when writing, dancing, practicing parkour, drawing Celtic knots, or organizing her cozy and colorful home near Washington, D.C. Website: https://neurobeautiful.com/book  Email: mybrainisbeautiful@gmail.com For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below: Caitlin Hughes Cathartic Collaborations - https://www.catharticcollaborations.com.au Social media: @cathartic.collaborations Teena Mogler Balance Centre for Mental Health - https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au. Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth Ready to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/ What’s inside? Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format. Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace. Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding. By joining our community of paid subscribers, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.

In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Cammy Griffin, a passionate researcher and organiser of the upcoming Neurodivergent Minds Conference on the Sunshine Coast. Together, we explore the evolving field of neurodiversity-affirming practice, grounded in lived experience, evidence-based research, and a strong commitment to accessibility. Cammy shares insights from her PhD research on speech pathology practices that centre neurodivergent voices, the intersectionality within neurodivergent identities, and the importance of systemic shifts in healthcare and support systems. This episode champions humility, flexibility, and power-sharing in professional practice and highlights how professionals must be willing to adapt, learn, and listen. We’re thrilled to share that Caitlin and Teena will also be attending the Neurodivergent Minds Conference and Caitlin will be presenting! Cammy is a neurodivergent paediatric speech pathologist on the Sunshine Coast. She is undertaking a PhD on Neurodiversity-Affirming Speech Pathology Practice and has a passion for supporting individuals of all neurotypes to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives. Find out more about Neurodivergent Minds Conference and Cammy here: www.neurodivergentmindsconference.com.au [http://www.neurodivergentmindsconference.com.au/] https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentmindsconfau/ [https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentmindsconfau/] https://www.instagram.com/letstalkneuropositivity/ [https://www.instagram.com/letstalkneuropositivity/] For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below: Caitlin Hughes Cathartic Collaborations - https://www.catharticcollaborations.com.au Social media: @cathartic.collaborations Teena Mogler Balance Centre for Mental Health - https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au. Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth Ready to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/ What’s inside? Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format. Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace. Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding. By joining our community of paid subscribers, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Margaret "Pegi" Price who brings lived experience and legal acumen to the topic of divorce and parenting plans involving neurodivergent children. Drawing from her own journey as a parent of an autistic child and her career in law, Pegi shares the realities families face when the legal system isn't built to accommodate neurodivergent needs. Together, we explore what it means to create supportive, future-focused parenting plans, how to advocate for fair financial contributions, and the long-term impact of unequal caregiving responsibilities. From managing transitions between households to navigating denial of diagnosis, this episode is filled with wisdom for parents, professionals, and allies alike. We also unpack: * The risks of "cookie cutter" legal forms for neurodivergent families * Why crisis planning is crucial for families with neurodivergent children * How to honour neurodivergent children’s autonomy, routines, and emotional safety post-separation * The hidden cost of invisible labour and caregiving work Whether you're currently navigating separation or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical strategies grounded in justice and neuroaffirming support. Dr. Margaret ‘Pegi’ Price is a Professor and Academic Program Director for the Master of Public Administration Program. She has held teaching and department head positions at several colleges and universities in the Midwest. She received a National Teacher of the Year award in 1992. She earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where she was a Senior Editor of the Law Review and inducted into Phi Delta Phi, the legal honors society. She earned the rst perfect score in the history of the University of Florida in the Law Review annual writing competition. She completed her B.A. in History at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, where she received multiple academic honors. With over 25 years of experience practicing law—including civil trial work and serving as a prosecutor—Dr. Price has also acted as an expert witness or consultant in more than 75 lawsuits involving special needs, making her a champion for justice and equity. Books authored by Dr. Margaret “Pegi” Price: The Special Needs Child and Divorce: A Practical Guide to Handling and Evaluating Cases [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Needs-Child-Divorce-Evaluating/dp/1639052046/ref=sr_1_1?crid=W6WOENI++CKPEC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hTNVuThCexnFC9dpzEBhBBh2iVOvT6cFjHkHGre9ZR6k0DzDsrY7hQpO_fRzlDxc-zdI11kF6x1iRFeI7ydNsEBy6qU_97Ae0HCZo2vV2zWyPsDVT6r8BsKKwXS9-pMMylLaaWwMu-aUhHZfAWfUVs0tonRcJ4pDgTWskh0-9fesu2rTLbmJnipi7SwcQ1YO8XYwGuRqqxRd34TUsxC77mXt6SqYyr2232-yyAAAa1s.CpPrFadRLgYck9M_Eijq7y3WbCF_RxBMazhgyINnyes&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+special+needs+child+and+divorce&qid=1755058081&sprefix=special+needs+child+and+divorce%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1] Divorce and the Special Needs Child: A Guide for Parents [https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Special-Needs-Child- Parents/dp/1849058253/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18CBA21P2TK49&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vpwh4o CCqzQYhDTcKQkOcb6XcjNp4hSzCcr05mAWY- pMGgVE2lF94Hr8rvYo2TvGOiVl4OEQHRPmhImseZERrtl09liNBw- JO9Ozc3GOEZvWReLqBrv42PRelkRvV_Fk5LVuUpUbKA_qMyLKckWSjpEjoverwoDJi BPy5eFDEDGpA3BQqYDMjntc_NdTJz-Rnpuq43IhzxfLQ9E6sssVp-chmxnF- bxJUxuNhNODrgo.57foedr4N8pGHbzsN1H_vMQEYf6bLmmRCU1DP_26Cqo&dib_tag =se&keywords=divorce+and+the+special+needs+child&qid=1747066049&sprefix=divor ce+and+the+special+needs+child+%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1] For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below: * Caitlin Hughes * Cathartic Collaborations [https://catharticcollaborations.com.au/] * Social media: @cathartic.collaborations * Teena Mogler * Balance Centre for Mental Health [https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au/] * Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth Subscribe now [%%checkout_url%%] Ready to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides. What’s inside? * Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format. * Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace. * Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding. By joining our community of paid subscribers, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence. Dive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent Minds

In this deeply resonant conversation, we explore how Gifted identity is shaped through mirroring, the profound importance of safe, attuned relationships, and the nuanced challenges of living as neurodivergent individuals in a world built for sameness. Together, we reflect on the journey of self-acceptance, the role of humour and play as relational tools, and the healing power of co-created spaces that honour difference. We dive into existential perfectionism and the ongoing dance between the pathology paradigm and the neurodiversity paradigm. This episode is a grounded, compassionate invitation to embrace your full self—with curiosity, courage, and community. Key Themes Explored: * Authenticity & relational safety: how feeling seen supports nervous system regulation and deeper self-understanding. * Self-acceptance journeys: reframing the need for external validation and embracing curiosity when building connections across neurotypes. * Emotional safety for gifted folks: unpacking internalised shame and societal expectations, and finding joy in interests. * Humour as both shield and bridge: playfulness as a tool for navigating uncertain social terrain. * Living biculturally: straddling the pathology paradigm and neurodiversity paradigm as clinicians with lived experience. * Gordon’s group work: insight into creative and therapeutic spaces for identity exploration through poetry and connection. Gordon Smith is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Coach, Creative, and work in progress at giftedandgrowing.org. A Clinician in his 25th year of practice, Gordon has centered his practice entirely on gifted adolescents and adults since 2017. Gordon’s mission is to help gifted and otherwise neurodivergent people become fully themselves through self-knowing, self-acceptance, self-care, and self-advocacy. He offers individual counseling and coaching as well as many varied group coaching and creative experiences. He is passionate about community building and the depathologization and decolonization of gifted consciousness. He is a gifted, multiply neurodivergent, multipotentialite living in Asheville, North Carolina, where he has been a community organizer in countless roles. In addition to his individual counseling and coaching services, Gordon leads groups centered in gifted self-development and creative consciousness. He’s also a poet, organizer of the Big Asheville Science Salon, disc golfer, chess player, party planner, fellow at Camp Yunasa, traveler and bon vivant. To learn more about Gordon and his work check out: Gifted and Growing - https://giftedandgrowing.org/ Gifted Adults Group Experience - ⁠https://giftedandgrowing.org/groups/gifted-adults-group-experience/⁠ [https://giftedandgrowing.org/groups/gifted-adults-group-experience/] Turning the Jewel: Story and Self - ⁠https://giftedandgrowing.org/groups/age-of-intuition-suite-offering/⁠ [https://giftedandgrowing.org/groups/age-of-intuition-suite-offering/] Magnum Opus - ⁠https://giftedandgrowing.org/groups/age-of-intuition-suite-magnum-opus/⁠ [https://giftedandgrowing.org/groups/age-of-intuition-suite-magnum-opus/] Decolonizing Therapy by Dr. Jennifer Mullan - ⁠https://www.decolonizingtherapy.com/book⁠ [https://www.decolonizingtherapy.com/book] Laura Hope-Gill Substack - ⁠https://substack.com/@laurahopegill⁠ [https://substack.com/@laurahopegill] Dive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent MindsReady to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber on Substack and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/ For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below: * Caitlin Hughes * ⁠Cathartic Collaborations⁠ [https://catharticcollaborations.com.au/] * Social media: @cathartic.collaborations * Teena Mogler * ⁠Balance Centre for Mental Health⁠ [https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au/] * Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth

⚠️ Content Warning This podcast episode discusses domestic and sexual violence against autistic people. It includes references to abuse, trauma, and systemic harm. Please prioritise your wellbeing — feel free to pause, skip sections, or step away at any time. In this deeply insightful episode of Divergent Dialogues, we sit down with Jessica Fox, an Autistic doctoral researcher, to explore the intersecting experiences of Autistic women, domestic violence, sexual violence and trauma. Together with Caitlin and Teena, Jessica unpacks the prevalence of interpersonal violence, the impact of systemic failures, and the barriers Autistic individuals face when navigating social expectations and accessing support. Drawing from both lived experience and academic research, the conversation moves through themes of social isolation, gender oppression, neuroaffirming practice, and the triple empathy problem. We also discuss the power of community, the importance of autistic representation in research, and the need to centre consent and mutual understanding in therapeutic and relational contexts.Whether you're a professional, lived experience advocate, or community member, this episode is an essential listen for anyone working toward justice, safety, and equity for Neurodivergent women.Topics Covered:High rates of domestic and sexual violence among Autistic womenSocial masking, boundary challenges, and consent complexitiesSystemic and structural risk factorsThe value of neuroaffirming and feminist approachesJess is an autistic doctoral researcher at the Queensland University of Technology and a strong advocate for the human rights and wellbeing of autistic people. Jess is particularly passionate about autistic-led research and community building. Jess is an interdisciplinary researcher who is currently studying autistic women’s experiences of interpersonal violence and trauma. Before undertaking her PhD, Jess worked with autistic young people in school settings. Jess is also passionate about her work in supporting autistic adults through peer mentoring and mutual aid networks.Links to Jess’s research touching on the topics discussed:Neuro-queering feminism: Creating space within feminism to address autistic experiences of gender oppression: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09593535241306532The Impact of Intersectional Disadvantage on Autistic Women's Experiences of Interpersonal Violence: A Narrative Review: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2023.0100 – feel free to get in touch with Jess at jessicafox.hdr@qut.edu.au if you need access to this.Dive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent MindsReady to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber on Substack and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/What’s inside?Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.By joining our community of paid subscribers on Substack, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:Caitlin HughesCathartic Collaborationshttps://catharticcollaborations.com.au/Social media: @cathartic.collaborationsTeena MoglerBalance Centre for Mental Healthhttps://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.auSocial media: @balancecentreformentalhealth