Hello & Welcome!
Welcome to "Divergent Dialogues," a podcast where your hosts, Caitlin and Teena—both Accredited Mental Health Social Workers and Neurodivergent-affirming therapists—draw upon their extensive professional expertise and lived experiences.
Specialising in working alongside Autistic individuals and ADHDers, we approach mental health and therapeutic practice through a lens that not only acknowledges, but celebrates, the richness of Neurodiversity. As Autistic ADHDers ourselves, we understand the complexities, strengths, challenges, and triumphs inherent in navigating a world often not designed for neurodivergent minds. Our conversations aim to illuminate the intersection of identity and wellbeing, offering insights that are both profoundly informed and genuinely compassionate.
Join us as we provide a holistic, inclusive perspective on mental health—one that champions authenticity, promotes meaningful support, and values the uniqueness each person brings to their own healing journey.
Photo credit: Branding by Britt
Our Values
Our podcast is guided by four key values that shape not only our conversations, but also the way we engage with each other, our guests, and our audience.
Integrity
We commit to approaching every episode and interaction with honesty. We strive to be transparent in how we present information, acknowledging the limits of our knowledge and being open about any biases that may influence our perspectives. This means we take responsibility for our words, ensure our sources are credible, and remain grounded in ethical practice. Integrity underpins our credibility, fostering trust and respect among listeners.
Equity
Our work is rooted in a commitment to fairness and the pursuit of social justice. We recognise the structural barriers and systemic inequities that affect Neurodivergent folks, as well as other marginalised communities. By centring equity, we seek to amplify diverse voices, challenge oppressive norms, and champion the rights of those too often overlooked or misunderstood. We aim to create an inclusive, affirming space where everyone’s experiences are valued.
Wisdom
We draw upon a broad base of knowledge—academic theories, current research, professional practice, and our own lived experiences—to offer insights that are as comprehensive as they are meaningful. By blending these different forms of knowledge, we are better equipped to illuminate the complexities of Neurodivergent mental health. This integrated understanding guides us towards more effective, informed, and compassionate approaches.
Curiosity
We embrace an ongoing journey of growth and discovery. Recognising that learning never truly ends, we remain open-minded and genuinely interested in perspectives that differ from our own. This commitment to curiosity encourages us to refine our understanding, shift our approaches when necessary, and continually evolve as therapists, researchers, and human beings. Our hope is that, by modelling this openness, we inspire our listeners to approach their own lives with curiosity and courage.
So...what do we talk about?
Each episode delves into a topic that resonates deeply with the Autistic and ADHDer communities, taking a holistic view that spans personal, relational, social, cultural, and systemic dimensions. Rather than discussing experiences and evidence-based strategies in isolation, we emphasise how internal perspectives—such as sensory processing differences, emotional dynamics, and cognitive styles—interact with the broader environment. This includes examining how relationships, social structures, cultural norms, and institutional systems either support or hinder genuine Neurodivergent wellbeing.
Throughout our conversations, we also open up about our own lived realities as Autistic ADHDers—offering a rare, insider’s perspective that goes beyond clinical theory. By sharing the challenges we’ve faced and the growth we’ve achieved, we invite listeners to better understand the nuanced realities of Neurodivergent life. The aim is not just to increase empathy and insight, but to inspire changes at every level—from personal interactions to wider societal structures. Our hope is that each episode not only informs, but actively contributes to social and systemic shifts that support and celebrate the full diversity of Neurodivergent individuals.
LEARN MORE in our introductory podcast episode.
Photo credit: Branding by Britt
Why subscribe?
Divergent Dialogues provides quality education from the heart about Neurodivergent life from a practice, research and lived experience lens.
Free Subscribers
Access to all podcast episodes and blog posts
Paid Subscribers
Access to all podcast episodes and blog posts
Ability to comment on posts
Access to Divergent Dialogues community via Substack Chat
Ability to provide feedback on preferred podcast and blog topics through Divergent Dialogues posts in Substack Chat
Discounts on online courses created by Caitlin & Teena
Access to downloadable Episode Guide PDFs (more information below)
Access to downloadable Blog PDFs (more information below)
Access to downloadable PDF Resources such as:
Emotion Sensation Cards
Window of Tolerance Infosheet
Sensory Accommodations and Strategies Exploration Cards
Neurodivergent Communication Cards
Neurodivergent Affirmation Cards
Founding Members
All the benefits of Paid Subscribers
Quarterly Q&A with Divergent Dialogues podcast hosts
Dive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent Minds
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.
Link to FREE Episode Guide PDF!
Access Divergent Dialogues Blog Posts in Handy PDF Format - Exclusive for Paid Subscribers
Looking to experience Divergent Dialogues content in a more flexible way? By becoming a paid subscriber, you’ll unlock:
Offline Convenience: Download and read at your own pace, free from the distractions of scrolling or notifications. Our PDFs put you in control, so you can engage with the content whenever and however best suits you.
Accessible Formatting: We’ve thoughtfully organised headings, bullet points and spacing to help break down complex ideas into manageable chunks—ideal for neurodivergent minds that thrive with clarity and structure.
Personal Archives: Build a personal library of insights, strategies and stories from Divergent Dialogues. Save PDFs for future reference, highlight key points, and revisit your favourites whenever you want to reflect or refresh your memory.
Find out more information about our podcast hosts here:
Caitlin Hughes
Social media: @cathartic.collaborations
Teena Mogler
Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth
