Julie Legg is joined by Nika Brunet Milunovic, social worker, researcher, and founder of Calm Nest Collective. Nika shares how years working in the events and creative industries exposed a disconnect between how environments are designed and how human nervous systems actually function.

Drawing on her lived experience as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, as well as her academic research, Nika explains why sensory overload, burnout, and emotional collapse are not personal failures, but predictable outcomes of overstimulating spaces. From conferences and festivals to offices, schools, and public venues, she makes a compelling case for sensory-friendly design as a form of prevention, not luxury.

This conversation explores how thoughtful environmental changes can radically improve regulation, focus, and wellbeing for ADHDers and non-ADHDers alike, and why creating calm, inclusive spaces is one of the most practical ways we can support mental health at scale.

Key Points from the Episode

• Why the events and creative industries are both a haven and a hazard for neurodivergent people
• How burnout and mental health crises often stem from environmental overload, not individual weakness
• What sensory-friendly spaces actually are, and how they support nervous system regulation
• Why quiet rooms, calm corners, and sensory spaces benefit everyone, not just ADHDers
• The science behind sensory deprivation, regulation, and the body’s stress response
• How workplaces and schools unintentionally exclude neurodivergent needs
• Small, low-cost environmental changes that make a big difference
• The role of social media in helping neurodivergent people find language, community, and self-understanding
• Why asking people what they need is the most powerful design tool we have
• A reminder that strategies are personal, and regulation is not one-size-fits-all

Links

WEBSITE: https://calmnestcollective.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thatinclusiongirl

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikabrunet/

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

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📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with psychiatric nurse practitioner and mental health advocate Carolyn Mallon, whose journey from high school dropout to doctorate-level clinician is both inspiring and deeply relatable for late-diagnosed ADHDers. Carolyn shares how understanding her neurodivergence in adulthood radically shifted her ability to study, self-advocate, and succeed both academically and emotionally.

The conversation explores the messy, non-linear paths many ADHDers walk, the grief that can accompany diagnosis, and how resilience often looks like simply showing up, trying again, and choosing compassion over shame. This episode is a great reminder that healing and success take many forms, and that it's never too late to start again... with better tools.

Key Points in this Episode:

• Carolyn’s diagnosis at 28 and how it changed her entire trajectory
• Why ADHD can mask as laziness or failure in school settings
• The emotional impact of late recognition and academic shame
• Making peace with your “past self” through compassion, not criticism
• How resilience is built in the middle of the mess, not just in hindsight
• The importance of redefining success beyond degrees and careers
• Why mental health providers with lived experience are uniquely powerful
• The joy of offering others the kind of care she once needed

Links:

• LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/in/cmallonrn/
• WEBSITE: https://www.balancementalhealth.com/
• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/balancementalhealthnh
• YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@balancementalhealthnh
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/balancementalhealthnh
• RECOMMENDED READING: Learning Outside the Lines

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with ADHD coach and advocate Leah Carroll, whose own diagnosis at 28 catalyzed a deep journey of self-understanding and transformation. Leah shares how her early attempts to "fix" her ADHD through medication alone fell short and how travel, radical honesty, and coaching led her to discover the personalized systems that now support her neurodivergent brain.

Leah unpacks the behind-the-scenes reality of living with ADHD from executive dysfunction to emotional dysregulation and offers powerful strategies to shift from shame to self-trust. Whether it's in the workplace, relationships, or day-to-day life, this conversation is full of relatable truths and practical tools for anyone navigating ADHD.

Key Points from the Episode:

• How Leah’s ADHD diagnosis at 28 was just the beginning, not the solution
• Why medication alone wasn’t enough and what she needed instead
• The emotional toll of shame, blame, and victimhood in undiagnosed ADHD
• What long-term travel taught her about adaptability and executive dysfunction
• The hidden labour behind ‘looking functional’ as an ADHDer
• How executive function challenges overlap to create chaos and paralysis
• The complex toll ADHD takes on relationships and how to build better communication
• The workplace mismatch: thriving in crisis but overwhelmed by admin
• Strategies for minimizing friction and maximizing clarity at work
• Why emotional regulation is about safety, not just willpower
• Building self-trust through small, consistent wins
• The underestimated power of foundational habits: sleep, food, movement, light, and hydration
• The magic of a “dopamine menu” and tiny strategies that re-regulate the nervous system

Links:

• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhd.coach.leah/
• WEBSITE: https://leahccoaching.com/
• LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdcarroll/
• BOOK A FREE COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/adhdlc/free
• REFERENCE BOOK: https://www.thefouragreements.com/

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Kayla Oughton — a Napier-based AuDHD coach and neurodivergent advocate with an eclectic background in construction project management, health coaching, suicide prevention, and digital marketing.

Kayla shares her journey from burnout in a male-dominated construction industry to becoming a voice for ADHDers and autistic women navigating late diagnosis, shame, and self-trust. She talks about the importance of understanding rejection sensitivity, embracing neurodivergent strengths, and leaning into the body’s signals.

This conversation cuts through the fluff and dives deep into what it really looks like to rebuild your life after diagnosis, and long before it. From beast days to slug days, Kayla reminds us all that we are not broken.

Key Points in the Episode:

• How a therapist’s question sparked Kayla’s ADHD diagnosis at 35
• Life inside the chaotic, undiagnosed world of construction project management
• The link between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideation
• Why shame often hides behind the productivity mask in women
• How understanding ADHD can reframe your entire life story
• The overlap (and contradiction) between ADHD and autism traits
• Why rest, nervous system awareness, and body cues are vital tools
• The reality of success amnesia and the power of small wins
• Kayla's words to those still feeling broken or “too much”

Links:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-oughton/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachkayla

WEBSITE: https://dopamineandco.com/services

MATES4LIFE: https://mates4life.org.nz/

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Thanks for listening.

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with Dr. Eugene Manley, a bioengineer-turned-cancer scientist, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for equity in science and healthcare. Diagnosed with ADHD during graduate school, Eugene shares how his neurodivergent wiring shaped his path from misunderstood childhood behaviours and micromanagement clashes to his deep sense of justice, pattern recognition, and innovation.

Eugene opens up about navigating academia, launching a nonprofit to address health disparities, and leading through empathy rather than conformity. This conversation is packed with powerful reflections on how ADHD can be a strength — especially when harnessed with awareness, strategy, and aligned values.

Key Points in the Episode:

• The overlooked signs of ADHD growing up, and what finally led to diagnosis in grad school
• How neurodivergence influences innovation, empathy, and the fight against injustice
• Why ADHDers often struggle in hierarchical workplaces — and thrive with autonomy
• Micromanagement vs. motivation: how trust and freedom foster better work
• What inspired the launch of the STEM & Cancer Health Equity Foundation
• The hidden barriers underserved communities face in healthcare settings
• Practical ADHD strategies that helped Eugene manage time, focus, and burnout
• Viewing ADHD through a strengths lens: pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and drive
• Advice for late-diagnosed adults navigating regret, relationships, and self-trust

Links:

• WEBSITE: https://scheq.org/
• LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenemanleyjrphd/
• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/STEMMCHEQ/
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stemmcheq/

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Dr. Jack Hinman — clinical psychologist and Executive Director of Engage Young Adult Transitions. Drawing from over two decades of experience working with young adults in hospitals, residential treatment, and community mental health, Jack shares what he sees at the root of today’s growing anxiety epidemic: a crisis of focus, a crisis of connection, and a culture of avoidance.

Jack explores how ADHD often shows up subtly or is missed altogether in young adults, especially in women, and why emotional regulation, identity development, and executive function all suffer when connection is lost.

This conversation dives into the deeper systemic and developmental factors shaping today’s “anxious generation,” and why safety, structure, and relationship-based support are key to long-term growth.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Why ADHD is under-diagnosed in young adults, particularly women
• The real drivers behind anxiety, shutdown, and burnout
• How emotional dysregulation and avoidance are often misread
• The impact of missed early coping development and attachment
• What’s fueling the “attention crisis” and “connection crisis” in this generation
• The harmful effects of pathologising normal anxiety
• The role of phones, online connection, and the loss of real-world social skills
• Why therapy should be immersive, relational, and present in everyday life
• The importance of structured autonomy and consistent support
• How nature-based, experiential learning (like skiing or biking) boosts self-trust
• What young adults, and parents, need to thrive through transition

Links:

WEBSITE: engagelifenow.com

LINKEDIN: jack-hinman-engagelifenow

INSTAGRAM: engage.transitions

FACEBOOK: Engage-Young-Adult-Transitions-100087789164852/

YOUTUBE: @engageyoungadulttransition6817

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Thanks for listening.

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by clinical psychologist and tech entrepreneur Dr. Jay Spence, co-founder of Evro AI, an innovative software platform purpose-built to support neurodivergent professionals.

Drawing on years of research and clinical insight, Jay shares how Evro is reshaping workplace communication by translating meetings, externalising tasks, reducing overwhelm, and acting as a cognitive co-pilot for ADHD and autistic thinkers. From memory scaffolding to emotional tone translation, this AI tool is designed to work with the brain, not against it.

Jay offers powerful insights into how neurodivergent professionals are already using AI as a productivity lifeline and how platforms like Evro can reduce burnout, support disclosure decisions, and radically shift how we experience work.

Key Points in the Episode:

• Why neurodivergent professionals are early adopters of AI
• How ADHD brains use AI tools to reduce burnout and organize thoughts
• Autistic professionals using AI as a social translator
• The hidden communication workload neurodivergent people carry at work
• What the Evro AI platform does differently for ADHD and autistic users
• How to use AI as a working memory prosthetic
• When and how disclosure at work can be helpful (or risky)
• The business case for neurodivergent-inclusive teams
• One practical to start: use AI to externalize and prioritize your mental load

Links:

• WEBSITE: https://www.evro.ai/
• EVRO AI COMMUNITY: https://discord.com/invite/Yh4aXRkYfc
• LINKEDIN: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/evro-ai/
• LINKEDIN (founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-lee-a0716918/
• LINKEDIN (founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjayspence/
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/evro.ai/
• TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@evroai

Send us a text

Thanks for listening.

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Ryan DeLena - a professional mountaineer, author, and mental health advocate. Ryan shares the harrowing realities of his childhood, growing up in therapeutic institutions where physical restraint was a regular response to neurodivergent behaviour. Misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and traumatised, it was ultimately the mountains, and the freedom they offered, that helped him find his way back to himself.

Now a seasoned skier, guide, and the author of Without Restraint, Ryan shares how physical movement, flow states, and deep connection to nature became lifelines. His story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the radical healing power of passion. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or neurodivergent yourself, this episode is a reminder that regulation doesn’t always come from the systems around us but from reconnecting with what lights us up inside.

Key Points from the Episode

• Ryan’s early years in therapeutic schools where physical restraint was used routinely
• The trauma of misdiagnosis and over-medication, and how it delayed his healing
• How ADHD was masked by trauma, and why clarity only came in adulthood
• The emotional and nervous system regulation that came from skiing and nature
• Why the flow state is so beneficial for ADHD minds
• The danger of systems that pathologise neurodivergent kids instead of understanding them
• His documentary 91 and what skiing 91 routes taught him about persistence
• Passion as a survival tool — why doing what you love can be a lifeline
• Ryan’s message of hope to anyone feeling trapped or unseen in the system

Links

BOOK: https://www.without-restraint-book.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.delena.970397/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@extreme_ryan_delena

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/extreme_ryan_delena/

Send us a text

Thanks for listening.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains.

🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More