NeuroSpice and Life

Weird - Reframing

Is your “weird” something you tried to hide, or still do? What if it’s actually something to honour?
In this reflective episode of NeuroSpice & Life, late-diagnosed neurodivergent hosts Freya Corboy (alexithymic counsellor) and Hanna Hosking (sexologist) revisit the theme of weird and reframe it as something meaningful, connective, and powerful.
This episode explores why weird is wonderful, why normal is a myth, and how embracing neurodivergent difference creates space for authenticity, inclusion, and belonging. We reflect on how growing visibility of neurodivergent people in the celebrity and public sphere helps normalise diversity — not by flattening difference, but by showing that there has never been just one way to be human.
For autistic, ADHD, OCD, and AuDHD people, being labelled “weird” often meant masking, shrinking, or self-abandonment to survive social systems not built for neurodivergent nervous systems. In this episode, we invite a different approach: radical self-expression, radical self-acceptance, and curiosity instead of judgment.
We unpack why no two people experience the world the same way, why conformity harms both individuals and communities, and why you don’t need to yuck someone else’s yum. Normal isn’t real — it’s a spectrum.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Reframing weird as difference, not defect or deficit• Neurodivergence and identity beyond masking• Why “normal” doesn’t exist• Celebrity visibility and cultural normalisation of diversity• Radical self-expression and self-acceptance• Letting others exist without judgment
Who this episode is for:
Neurodivergent adults (autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, OCD), late-identified or high-masking individuals, creatives, advocates, parents, and anyone exploring identity, authenticity, belonging, and inclusion.
Connect with NeuroSpice & Life:Website: neurospiceandlife.com.auYouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLifeFreya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.auHanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au
Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, or mental-health care. Please seek support from a qualified professional if needed.

Weird - Reflecting

What does it really mean to be called “weird” — and why are neurodivergent people so often given that label?
In this episode of NeuroSpice & Life, neurodivergent hosts Freya Corboy (alexithymic counsellor) and Hanna Hosking (sexologist) reflect on the lived experience of being labelled weird as autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD people — and how that label has shown up as ostracisation, isolation, loneliness, and being treated as other.
For many neurodivergent children and adults, being “weird” isn’t just a word — it’s a social experience shaped by exclusion, misunderstanding, and pressure to mask, camouflage, and chameleon in order to survive. This episode explores how long-term neurodivergent masking and self-abandonment can erode self-trust, create identity confusion, and leave people disconnected from who they really are later in life.
We also unpack confirmation bias and social psychology, examining how humans naturally gravitate toward people who think, communicate, and behave like themselves — and how this unconscious pattern reinforces exclusion in families, friendships, workplaces, and communities. We discuss why intentional inclusion of difference is essential for creativity, innovation, safety, and genuine belonging.
This episode is a compassionate, grounded reflection on reclaiming “weird” — not by bypassing the pain, but by recognising difference as a source of insight, connection, and collective growth.
In this episode, we discuss:
• What “weird” means in autistic, ADHD & neurodivergent lives• Ostracisation, isolation, loneliness & being labelled as other• Neurodivergent masking, camouflaging & people-pleasing as survival• Identity loss, self-trust, and late-identified neurodivergence• Confirmation bias, inclusion, and social psychology• Why difference drives innovation, creativity & change
Who this episode is for:
Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and neurodivergent adults — especially those who are late-identified, highly masked, or struggling with belonging and identity. This episode is also for parents, partners, educators, and professionals seeking to better understand neurodivergent experiences and inclusive practice.
About NeuroSpice & Life:
NeuroSpice & Life is a neurodivergent-led podcast exploring autism, ADHD, AuDHD, nervous system regulation, identity, relationships, burnout, and neurodiversity-affirming living — without shame, pathologising, or toxic positivity.
Connect with us:
Website: neurospiceandlife.com.auYouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLifeFreya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.auHanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au
Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental-health advice. It does not replace diagnosis, therapy, or professional support. Please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional.

Lazy - Reframing

Welcome back to Episode 4 of NeuroSpice & Life.
In this episode, we continue the conversation around the harmful label of “lazy” and reframe what is really happening beneath the surface for neurodivergent people. What is often misread as procrastination or lack of motivation is far more commonly overwhelm, neurodivergent burnout, sensory overload, or perfection paralysis.
Join alexithymic counsellor Freya Corboy and sexologist Hanna Hosking as we unpack why burnout in ADHD, autism, and AuDHD can feel so pervasive and difficult to recover from, how unmet sensory needs quietly contribute to exhaustion and shutdown, and why many common coping strategies stop working over time.
This episode supports listeners to understand their nervous system responses, reassess survival-based coping mechanisms, and begin creating sustainable, neurodiversity-affirming change.
✨ This episode introduces the next round of our Spice Jar Tools—practical tools designed for ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent nervous systems.✨ Listeners who sign up to our newsletter via our website receive the Spice Jar tips for free, and can also access our Quirkbook through our initial launch offer to continue the work beyond the episode.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Why “lazy” is a mislabel for ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent burnout✨ The difference between overwhelm, shutdown, burnout, and perfection paralysis✨ How sensory processing and sensory overload contribute to chronic exhaustion✨ When coping strategies no longer serve neurodivergent adults✨ Why “done is better than perfect” when you live with executive dysfunction
Who this episode is for:
Adults navigating ADHD, autism, AuDHD, neurodivergent burnout, sensory overwhelm, executive dysfunction, perfectionism, or chronic stress—and anyone supporting a neurodivergent partner, child, colleague, or client. This episode is ideal for listeners seeking practical, compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming support.
Connect with us:
Website/Quirkbook: neurospiceandlife.com.auYouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLifeFreya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.auHanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au
References & Further Learning:
• Emily & Amelia Nagoski - Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle• Feminist Survival Podcast — Emily & Amelia Nagoski• Brene Brown — “Paint Done” concept (from Daring Greatly and Rising Strong)
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical, therapeutic, or mental-health advice. It does not replace diagnosis, therapy, or professional support. Please consult a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional for personalised guidance.

Lazy - Reflections

Welcome back to Episode 3 of NeuroSpice & Life.
In this episode, we explore one of the most painful and common labels placed on neurodivergent people: “lazy.”For many of us who are ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, dyslexic, anxious, or otherwise neurodivergent, this label shows up when we are actually overwhelmed, burnt out, frozen, masking, or simply misunderstood.
Join alexithymic counsellor Freya Corboy and sexologist Hanna Hosking — two neurodivergent humans who have lived this label — as we unpack why “lazy” is rarely accurate, how it intersects with executive functioning, and what’s happening beneath the surface when motivation disappears.
This episode invites you to gently examine your own relationship with the word lazy, challenge internalised shame, and build a more compassionate understanding of your beautifully wired brain.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Why “lazy” is a mislabel for neurodivergent brains✨ How shutdowns, freeze, inertia and overwhelm are mistaken for lack of effort✨ What executive dysfunction actually looks like day to day✨ How repeated negative labels create internalised shame
Who this episode is for:
Anyone navigating adult ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, executive dysfunction, RSD, burnout, or supporting a neurodivergent friend, partner, child, or colleague. This space is for learning, compassion, and real-life neurodiversity-affirming tools.
Connect with us:
Website: neurospiceandlife.com.auYouTube: @NeuroSpiceandLifeFreya (Mumshine): mumshine.com.auHanna (The Sensologist): thesensologist.com.au
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical, therapeutic, or mental-health advice. It does not replace therapy, diagnosis, or professional support. Please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional for individual support.

Labels - Reframing

Episode 2: Labels — Reframing
If Episode 1 was all about reflecting on the labels we’ve carried, Episode 2 is where we begin to reframe them. Join alexithymic counsellor Freya Corboy and sexologist Hanna Hosking as we move from understanding the origins of our labels to transforming the narratives they’ve created in our lives.
In this episode, we introduce our Spice Jar Tool — practical ways to help you challenge old stories, bring more acceptance to your neurodivergent traits, and shift the meaning of the labels that have shaped your identity. We share step-by-step strategies, lived examples, and real-world language you can use to approach yourself with more compassion, curiosity, and emotional safety.
Whether you’ve spent years feeling “too much,” “not enough,” or constantly misunderstood, this episode gives you the tools to rebuild your relationship with yourself — gently and at your own pace.
Join us as we explore:✨ How reframing changes the emotional weight of a label✨ Practical steps for using the Spice Jar Tool in daily life✨ Why compassion is essential for healing internalised narratives✨ How acceptance creates room for growth, clarity, and self-trust
This episode is supportive, practical, and deeply human — perfect for anyone craving a new way to understand themselves or the neurodivergent people they love.
Subscribe to our mailing list to get access to our Spice Jar Tools, and our newsletter sent straight to you!
Find out more about us:NeuroSpice & Life - www.neurospiceandlife.com.auYouTube - @NeurospiceandLifeFreya (Mumshine) - www.mumshine.com.auHanna (The Sensologist) - www.thesensologist.com.au
References:
• Instinctive Elaboration — how the brain searches for confirming evidence when given a prompt
• Harvard Business Review — research showing high-performing teams give 5 pieces of praise for every 1 criticism
• The Gottman Institute — findings on divorce predictors, including the ratio of 4 negative to 3 positive interactions
• Dr Ross Greene — collaborative and compassion-based approaches to behaviour (“Kids do well if they can”)
 
Disclaimer:The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical, therapeutic, or mental-health advice. It is not a substitute for professional support, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional regarding any personal concerns or wellbeing needs.

Labels - Reflect

Episode 1: Labels — Reflect
Have you ever been called lazy, difficult, too sensitive, or stupid? In our very first episode, join alexithymic counsellor Freya Corboy and sexologist Hanna Hosking, as we dive deep into the world of labels — what they are, why people use them, and why neurodiverse children are far more likely to be unfairly judged, misunderstood, and mischaracterised.
In episode 1, we reflect on our own stories over 30 years of friendship and unpack how these labels form, how they get repeated by teachers, parents, peers, and systems, and how they follow neurodivergent people into adulthood, often becoming internalised as shame, self-doubt, and anxiety. Whether you’re ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, dyslexic, or simply someone who’s ever felt misunderstood, this conversation is for you.
Join us as we explore:✨ Why humans label others so quickly✨ How neurodivergent traits are misread as behavioural issues✨ The long-term impact of repeated negative feedback✨ Hope for the ability to accept your wonderful brain the way it is
This episode is equal parts validating, eye-opening, and empowering — perfect for listeners seeking language for their lived experience and neurotypical listeners wanting to understand the people they love.
Subscribe to our mailing list to get our Spice Jar tools sent to you!
Find out more about us on:
NeuroSpice & Life https://www.neurospiceandlife.com/posts
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NeuroSpiceandLife
Freya (Mumshine) - https://www.mumshine.com.au
Hanna (The Sensologist) - https://www.thesensologist.com.au
 
Sources used in the episode:
Children with ADHD Avoid Failure and Punishment More Than Others, Study Says
What to Know About Autism and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Why ADHD Is More Challenging for Women

Introducing: NeuroSpice & Life Podcast

NeuroSpice & Life: A podcast to peel back unfair and unjust labels given to us, one label at a time.
We celebrate all forms of neurodiversity. Join us as we challenge labels and rewrite narratives for neurodivergent adults who've been told they're "too much."
Perfect for: neurodivergents, ADHD community, autistic adults, AuDHD, allies seeking understanding, & anyone questioning if they're neurodivergent.
You're not too much. You're just enough. This is your space.