🎹 Episode Title
Parenting, Burnout, and Finding Justice: Katie Price on Neurodivergence and the Innocence Project
✨ In This Episode
This is one of those episodes that sits in your body long after listening. Joanne chats with the passionate, hilarious, and no-BS Katie Price about late diagnosis, parenting four neurodivergent kids, and shifting from burnout to purpose. They unpack everything from the medical model to the prison system—and why Katie's now helping wrongfully convicted people through the Innocence Project. It's big-hearted, wide-ranging, and full of truth bombs.
🧠 What We Talk About
00:02 – Why Katie resisted a diagnosis and what finally changed her mind
00:14 – Raising four neurodivergent kids in rural Australia
00:30 – Rejection of the medical model and the harm of deficit-based labels
00:42 – The complicated relationship with NDIS and service providers
01:10 – Burnout, breakdown, and why hospital was the turning point
01:28 – How chickens (yes, really) and social justice shaped her career path
01:50 – From social work dropout to criminology and the Innocence Project
02:05 – Miscarriage of justice, systemic bias, and finding your purpose
💬 Memorable Moments
“You have to ride your worst day to get help. And even then, they make you prove it.”
“We're allowed to be shit at some things. It doesn't mean we're broken. It means we're human.”
“I was trying to fill holes in a bucket that was exploding. And then they gave me a sieve.”
📚 Resources + Mentions
Joanne's Program: Be Me Completely
🎰 Listen + Subscribe
Follow the show for more real, raw, and radically validating conversations.
📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: @betterbeingme_
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au
BBMe Community Group or Program: BBMe Completely
✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 What part of Katie's story lit something up in you?
👇 Tell us in the comments or DM Joanne on Insta.
🧡 Support the Show
Love this ep? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to our newsletter at betterbeingme.com.au
🎙️ Episode Title
ADHD, Anger & Authentic Parenting: Danielle Baker on Reclaiming Her Neurodivergence
✨ In This Episode
What happens when the therapist gets diagnosed? In this deeply real and refreshingly honest chat, Joanne sits down with Danielle Baker—play therapist, psychotherapist, mum, and founder of The Nurtured Village. Danielle shares her journey of late ADHD diagnosis, what it’s like to parent while healing, and how perfectionism, nervous system dysregulation, and unmet needs show up in daily life. If you’ve ever felt like you were doing it all and still falling short, this one will land hard—in the best way.
🧠 What We Talk About
04:30 – The ADHD diagnosis that changed everything
08:55 – Why becoming a mum was the unraveling (and the awakening)
15:10 – Heavy lifting, high-pressure jobs, and the need for stimulation
23:45 – Creating a neuro-affirming workplace at The Nurtured Village
30:20 – Parenting while re-parenting yourself
41:40 – Sensory needs, perfectionism, and asking for help
51:00 – The power of play therapy and non-verbal emotional processing
1:10:00 – Literal thinking, self-soothing, and letting go of parenting guilt
💬 Memorable Moments
“We parent the way we do with the knowledge and the skills we have at the time. That’s all we can do.”
“I created a workplace I wish existed—for neurodivergent mums, by neurodivergent mums.”
“Being a therapist didn’t mean I didn’t yell. It meant I had the awareness to apologise.”
📚 Resources + Mentions
Danielle’s Website: www.thenurturedvillage.com.au
Instagram: @thenurturedvillage
Personal IG: @__daniellebaker
BBMe Programs & Resources: https://betterbeingme.com.au
🎧 Listen + Subscribe
Don’t forget to hit follow so you never miss an episode.
📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: @betterbeingme_
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au
✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 Did Danielle’s story mirror parts of your own?
👇 Let us know in the comments or DM us on Insta—we’d love to hear from you.
🧡 Support the Show
Love what you’re hearing? Leave a review or share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Sign up for the newsletter at betterbeingme.com.au for more real, neuro-affirming content.
Finding Peace in a Noisy World: Amy Hourigan on Late Diagnosis, PDA Parenting + Nervous System Healing
✨ In This Episode
This week, Joanne sits down with digital marketing expert and neurodivergent powerhouse Amy Hourigan (@amywhodigital) for a no-holds-barred, deeply human conversation. They cover the messy beauty of late-diagnosed autism, the raw truth of parenting PDA kids, and what it means to reclaim your nervous system after a lifetime of internalised chaos. It’s vulnerable, witty, and refreshingly real.
🧠 What We Talk About
00:03 – Late autism diagnosis at 41 and what sparked the self-discovery
06:40 – Parenting PDA kids, misdiagnosis, and the sideways approach to advocacy
14:05 – Early life trauma and the nervous system's long memory
24:30 – Shame, guilt, and birth stories that shape self-worth
36:15 – Internal meltdowns, masking, and the hidden labour of survival
48:45 – How SEO became a special interest and turned into Amy Who Digital
58:00 – Rewiring the nervous system and the magic of neuro-affirming therapy
💬 Memorable Moments
“I survived it. I didn't cope with it. And now I get to learn how to live, not just exist.”
“Your nervous system doesn’t care where you go—it comes with you. You can’t outrun it, but you can learn to befriend it.”
“I built an empire out of spite. But mostly out of self-belief I didn’t even know I had.”
📚 Resources + Mentions
Amy Who Digital – Amy's website for SEO + digital marketing
@amywhodigital on Instagram
Alison Davies on emotions + nervous system regulation
Nikki Vox (mentioned for rapid processing therapy)
📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: @betterbeingme_bbme
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au
BBMe Completely: Link Here to Book A Chat
✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 What part of Amy’s story felt familiar to you?
👇 DM us or join the conversation on Instagram.
🧡 Support the Show
If you loved this episode, leave a review or share it with a friend who gets it. Sign up for Joanne's newsletter at https://betterbeingme.com.au.
From Burnout to Belonging: Amelia Wright on Late Diagnosis, Self-Acceptance + Neurotopical Therapy
✨ In This Episode
Joanne sits down with the beautifully insightful Amelia Wright (@neurotopicaltherapy), a late-identified autistic ADHDer and social worker who's carved a neuro-affirming path through therapy and lived experience. Together, they unpack what it really feels like to go from “something’s wrong with me” to full-blown self-understanding—and how that led to the creation of *Neurotopical Therapy*. If you’ve ever felt like you were faking being human, this one’s for you.
---
🧠 What We Talk About
- 00:05 – The COVID-era collapse that led to Amelia’s diagnosis
- 12:30 – “What’s actually wrong with me?” – navigating misdiagnoses and the search for clarity
- 25:40 – Autism, ADHD and identity: from compartmentalising to integrating
- 39:50 – What it’s like to mask while being the “chatty” twin
- 46:15 – Starting Neurotopical: building a practice that *feels* right
- 01:06:00 – Wisdom for the next gen of neurodivergent folk (spoiler: fight back!)
---
💬 Memorable Moments
> “I just felt like I’d been pretending to be human—and the pandemic broke the mask.”
> “You’re not a struggling neurotypical. You’re a perfectly fine autistic person.”
> “Nothing isn’t autistic. You are autistic—and that’s a good thing.”
---
📚 Resources + Mentions
- Amelia’s Practice: [neurotopicaltherapy.com.au](https://www.neurotopicaltherapy.com.au)
- Instagram: [@neurotopicaltherapy](https://www.instagram.com/neurotopicaltherapy/)
- Joanne’s 8-week program BBMe Completely for late-identifying women: [betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au)
---
📲 Connect With Us
- Instagram: [@betterbeingme_bbme](https://www.instagram.com/betterbeingme_)
- Website: [https://betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au)
✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 What part of Amelia’s story mirrored yours?
👇 Drop us a DM or tag @betterbeingme_bbme on Insta—we love hearing your reflections.
🧡 Support the Show
Feeling seen? Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. It helps us reach more amazing humans.
Sign up to Joanne’s newsletter at [betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au) to stay in the loop.
Late Diagnosis, Masking & the Motherload with Victoria Hausler
This episode is a bit like sitting in on two neurodivergent women unpacking years of “what the actual fuck?” moments—with a side of humour, a splash of parenting honesty, and a big dose of finally feeling seen.
I’m joined by the powerhouse that is Victoria Hausler—founder of Dara Disability and Dara Wellness Services. We talk about the moment it all started to click (thanks to her son), the fallout of years of masking, and the unexpected liberation that comes with a late diagnosis.
From hypermobility to weighted blankets, eyebrow quirks to literal interpretations of social niceties… this is the conversation that shows you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not weird (or if you are, you’ve got company).
Whether you’re fresh to your diagnosis or just starting to question the rules you’ve followed your whole life, there’s something in here for you. And if you’ve ever thought, “am I just making this up?”—this one’s a must.
🧠 What We Talk About
00:00 – Welcome to Talking Twaddle
Why we’re sharing these stories—and what they unlock for all of us.
03:12 – Victoria’s late diagnosis & the trigger moment
Parenting her son opened the floodgates for her own neurodivergent discovery.
10:30 – Masking, mirroring & the performance of fitting in
How childhood habits stuck, and the cost of never showing up fully.
16:40 – Unmasking & what’s been gained (and lost)
Letting go of the performance—and what falls apart in the process.
22:15 – Sensory quirks, disordered eating, and the magic of mugs
Comfort, regulation, and learning to work with your wiring.
30:45 – Motherhood, marriage & the silent resentment trap
What happens when the ‘coping mechanisms’ can’t hold anymore.
42:00 – Literal brains, awkward friendships & social confusion
Why “we should catch up” is a dangerous phrase.
52:00 – Building a neuro-affirming business (without knowing it)
How Victoria created a safe space for women that reflects her own journey.
59:45 – Final reflections
Connection, community, and stepping into your own story—without apology.
💬 Quote of the Episode
"Go forth without fear, without judgment of yourself. Step into your power." – Victoria Hausler
🔗 Learn More
Guest: Victoria Hausler
Founder of Dara Disability & Dara Wellness Services
Creating safe, empowering spaces for neurodivergent women.
📸 Instagram: [@victoriahausler_dara]
🌐 Website: [daradisabilityservices.com.au]
Better Being Me IG: BetterBeingMe_BBMe
📤 Share the Episode
If this episode hit home, send it to someone else who needs to hear it.
Tag us on socials and share your favourite quote from the show.
Talking Twaddle with Leonie Dawson: Embracing Neurodivergence, Creativity & Life Without a Filter
🌀 Episode Summary:
What happens when two unapologetically neurodivergent women sit down and talk about literally everything? This episode is part joyride, part deep-dive into what it means to live, create, and *feel* as a neurodivergent human in a neurotypical world.
Joanne Hatchard is joined by bestselling author, artist, entrepreneur, and neurodivergent legend Leonie Dawson for a beautifully meandering conversation about identity, overthinking, internal monologues, toilet logistics, parenting, and creating a life that honours your energy and your weirdness.
This isn’t your standard self-development chat—this is two brains syncing up across a thousand tangents, proving (once again) that you’re not alone, you’re not broken, and your journey is more shared than you think.
✨ What We Talk About:
- [00:01:00] The myth of the “unique” ND journey
- [00:04:30] ADHD + Autism and the creative entrepreneur brain
- [00:08:00] Productivity tips that actually work for neurodivergent folks
- [00:11:00] Counting brain channels, friendship hierarchies & emotional regulation
- [00:21:00] Self-marriage and becoming your own best friend (seriously!)
- [00:32:00] Postpartum, shutdowns & the ADHD crash
- [00:39:00] Imposter syndrome vs. doing the damn thing
- [00:47:00] Farm girls, fandoms & manifesting weird-ass dreams
- [00:54:00] Parenting while ND (and trying not to cry in public)
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“There are people out there who are thirsty for what you have to offer. So stop fucking thinking about yourself and just do the thing.” — Leonie Dawson
🌿 Learn More:
🎓 Join Be Me Completely – the 8-week program for late-identified neurodivergent women who are ready to drop the mask and reconnect with their true selves.
📲 Follow Joanne on Instagram for podcast updates, brain bubbles, and support for ND women and families.
🎨 Connect with Leonie Dawson – courses, books, art, and delightfully weird things.
IG: Leonie Dawson
📣 Share the Episode!
If this resonated with you, chances are someone in your life needs to hear it too. Screenshot, share, and tag us so we can say thanks! Or better yet—send it to that friend who still doesn’t understand why conferences ruin you for a month.
🧡 Thanks for listening. Your brain is welcome here.
This month Better Being Me host Joanne Hatchard talks to Josephine Moon, author of The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose. They kick off their conversation with the topic of names, as they share a birth name, and also talk about preferred names and the names others give us. Josephine delves into the writing process, and the pressure she felt writing the first book in Australia with an autistic female lead. Joanne reassures her that there is an understanding that not all experiences can be conveyed in one character, and Josephine reveals that she has had a lot of positive feedback for the book.
Finding a balance, as a neurodivergent person who is passionate about everything is discussed. And this somehow leads onto a discussion of Josephine’s desire to have an equine therapy business one day. The unique nature of horses for use in therapy is discussed, and this leads onto the topic of energy fields and vibrations. The pair then discuss dogs, and Joanne explains the difference between assistance dogs and therapy dogs.
The expense of caring for animals leads into a discussion on spreadsheets. Josephine is not a fan, however Joanne LOVES them for collating and analysing data. Josephine confesses that she’ll probably need to learn, if she goes ahead with her equine business. She then reflects on how being an author has changed so much since she started in 1999. Once she could close herself away and focus on writing, now it’s talks and publicity and making tik tok videos and almost needing to be a performer.
Josephine then talks about the shift in her executive function after the birth of her child. With driving being one of the main things affected. And describes an incident where she left the car in drive and with no hand brake on a hill. Which luckily didn’t end as badly as it could have! Josephine declares that she couldn’t drive overseas, and Joanne confesses that she waited six months before driving in Canada. And even then, she had someone with her for quite some time. Josephine quizzes Joanne as to why she was in Canada, and Joanne talks a bit about her love story with her Canadian partner Brad.
The topic of making big decisions comes up, and Josephine declares that she really has an issue with “making the call.” Joanne talks about moments where big things have changed the trajectory of her life, where she probably would have kept doing what she was doing otherwise. This then leads in to discussion of black and white thinking, dreams and sleep, sensitivity and then memory.
Josephine talks about when her characters take on lives of their own, and describes it as a “writer’s high.” And that sometimes she feels like she’s writing to keep up with them. The intelligence of animals beyond what we give them credit for is discussed; including dogs, bees and birds. How they innately know how to do the things they do. And how research is wasted on proving that animals are intelligent.
Josephine and Joanne come back to the topic of assistance/therapy dogs, and discuss the pros and cons of retrievers v’s border collies. And Joanne talks about her dog Gilly, who is a maremma/retriever cross. Josephine then talks about visiting a camel dairy near her, and that merammas are used to guard the babies. But that they also have guard donkeys, who can be quite deadly around people. Josephine closes off with some funny stories about a book tour, one involving almost causing the evacuation of her hotel. Yay executive dysfuntion!
Connect with Josephine Moon
IG: https://www.instagram.com/josephine_moon/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/JosephineMoonAuthor
Website: https://josephinemoon.com
Connect with Joanne Hatchard
IG: https://www.instagram.com/betterbeingme_bbme/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Betterbeingme/
Website: betterbeingme.com.au
On this episode of Talking Twaddle, your host Joanne Hatchard from Better Being Me talks to social worker Jasmine Deakin from Sunny Spectrum Supports.
They talk about employment for autistic people, their own work as social workers and the insight that has brought them. The differences between social work and psychology, unpacking past trauma and the validation of diagnosis are touched on.
The grief a diagnosis can bring leads to a discussion about reframing, and the old stereotypes are discussed. Then how affirming being around other neurodivergent people can be, although there are still differences.
The gap in university education compared to how many autistic people there are, gives rise to a conversation about training in autism. And that it’s not “one and done”, it’s an ongoing process.
Masking and finding community are talked about, and Jasmine expresses that autistic people can thrive rather than just survive. Training is touched on again, imposter syndrome, being a therapist, and what really makes an autism “expert”.
Back to employment, the fact that autistic people have to know what accommodations they need, and are underutilised in the workforce are discussed. The SA Autism Strategy in touched on, and how it looks good on the surface but maybe not so great in reality.
The difference of an affirming neurodivergent household leads into a discussion about the hope for the future and how things are improving. Closing with the dedication to “make the world less shit!”
https://www.instagram.com/sunnyspectrum/
https://www.sunnyspectrum.com.au
In the April episode of Better Being Me’s podcast Talking Twaddle, host Joanne Hatchard talks to neurodivergent children’s author Beck Newell about their books, studies, parenting, gender, more books, emotions, mental health issues, threat of homelessness, catastrophizing and future thinking, and more books!
Joanne opens the conversation with Beck, pointing out their list of books that they have published in the past eighteen months. Beck thanks hyper-focus, and points out that finishing things hasn’t always been their strong point.
This leads to a conversation about studies - completing and not completing, the reasons we study what we study, what it looks like when you don’t realise you’re autistic, how studying compares to the “real world” of the workforce, and studying while being a parent.
The pair then move on to talking about parenting autistic kids when it isn’t recognised by professionals, and the impact this has. Beck shares stories about when they realised their third child is autistic, and about their grandchildren as well.
The topic of gender is covered, and Beck talks about their youngest child. Who was born Morgan, but now identifies as Pete. They talk about where there has been support with this transition, and who struggled with it the most. They also briefly touch on their own journey of identifying as non-binary.
Body positivity is discussed, highlighting Beck’s book EVERYbody is Incredible. And they also discuss My Friend the Tiger, which Beck dedicated to Joanne AFTER realising that her little stuffed lovey George is in fact a tiger. They talk about the complexity of friendships.
They cover the concept of whether when we’re seeing autism if it’s borrowed traits from those around us or if the autism is within ourselves. Beck talks about her daughter being convinced that the former was true for her, for a long time before she accepted her diagnosis.
Emotions are then touched on, and Beck talks about how deeply they feel emotions, and about being called a “drama queen” throughout their life. Catastrophizing and future thinking are also covered, in relation to Beck recently almost becoming homeless. And finding a middle ground between preparing for the worse and not worrying at all!
The interplay between mental health issues and autism closes out the discussion.
Find Beck’s books at the links below or email becknewellcreative@gmail.com
In the March episode of Better Being Me’s podcast Talking Twaddle, host Joanne Hatchard and guest Leah Smolarek get psychological!
Leah talks about her Clinical PhD in Psychology, and attending a recent symposium and conference. Her research area being self-compassion and pro-social behaviour. Leah touches on her ADHD being of benefit when studying a topic she really loves, but then unpacks that it did lead to her approach to assignments being problematic throughout her studies. Knowing about her ADHD over the past year or so has given her a different perspective.
Both Joanne and Leah discuss how their home lives were so supportive, that their neurodivergence was only “exposed” (so to speak) once they tried to live independently. While they both have brilliant minds and are amazing at some things, the looking after themselves part didn’t come quite as naturally. Joanne reflects that she came to terms with this, and refers to her “it’s OK to be shit at stuff” song that she has shared on her socials.
The complexities of masking are covered, and that fact that just simply telling people to unmask isn’t the full story. There is more underlying this, like working out your core values. Leah explores that you can’t just completely unmask and use it as an excuse to be an asshole, and that sometimes masking can be used to keep us safe.
Leah reflects on growing up in a family of people who are most likely neurodivergent, and attracting friends that are also neurodivergent, and therefore not necessarily knowing that our behaviour is different. But that finding community and support, and “comparing notes” with others helps leads us to self compassion.
Balancing strengths and weaknesses with others, combining bottom up and top down approaches in therapy, deficit-focused vs strength-based approaches, and neurodivergent parenting of a neurodivergent child are also covered, among other interesting topics!
Leah you can find on social media
IG: https://instagram.com/bumblebee_yoga
FB: https://www.facebook.com/BumblebeeYoga
email: hello@bumblebeeyoga.com.au
website: bumblebeeyoga.com.au
In the February episode of Better Being Me’s podcast Talking Twaddle, host Joanne Hatchard talks to guest Allison Davies about death, emotions, technology, and division of tasks in the home.
Their conversation opens with the topic of death, prompted by the recent passing of Allison’s 97 year old grandmother. They really delve into the topic, which is often a tricky one, with refreshing candour and insight.
They speak very frankly and openly about how neurodivergence plays a role in how we perceive, feel and express emotions such as grief and love. How we navigate these emotions with the people in our lives, and how they have each come to find a way of understanding themselves when it comes to their feelings. They also both touch on the importance of having an understanding and supportive spouse, and how they each knew they had found “the one”.
The topic of technology arises, and Joanne and Allison find they are almost opposites on this subject. We are regaled with a hilarious story from Allison about her parents’ gate that you have to ring on a phone (you won’t believe until you hear it!), and they talk about how technology can be both helpful and unhelpful for the neurodivergent mind.
Last but not least the burning question of front or top loader is answered! And Joanne and Allison speak briefly of the household tasks they prefer and what living in a neurodivergent household can look like.
And then they come back to death!
Better Being Me Socials:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Betterbeingme
IG: https://instagram.com/betterbeingme_bbme
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@betterbeingme
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au
Allison Davies Socials:
FB:https://www.facebook.com/allisondavies.com.au
IG:https://www.instagram.com/allisondavies_musicandthebrain/
Website: https://allisondavies.com.au
After a significant brake from creating any podcasts I have sorted myself out and creating the first of my monthly podcasts! AND I have full plans on how I am actually going to make it happen!!! By getting help!
My love for talking and podcast hasn't gone away - but my ability to focus on them and get them out into the world had significantly diminished. There is nothing easier then crawling back under the rock from whence you came when you are in charge of you. So whenever I do complete something I am very proud.
I have overthought and underproduced enough to get to the f*ck it stage and just do it - warts and all.
So welcome back to my little piece of the world. I am entertained by it daily - I hope you enjoy moments of it.
Better Being Me - Neurodiverse Family Therapy
IG: @betterbeingme_bbme
FB: @betterbeingme
I was thinking about my podcast and why it exists, why haven't I released a new podcast in ages, and what was holding me back. The answer I was seeking came in the form of training.
Very strange thing happened over the weekend that I wasn't expecting in anyway shape or form. Which would probably add to my reaction, but I don’t see how I could have prepare myself for what transpired. I have to prefix this to say that I did not have that much sleep that night before and I was feeling a little emotional and tender to begin with. However, I share my story because I dont feel alone in the connections that I made, and I feel like it is good for me to share and get light in old stories.
Top three take away.
1. You have no idea where emotional reactions will blindside you. Become thankful for them, and not fear them. They are a timely reminder to process your shit and be done with it. Not one got hurt by your ugly cry, but you will be holding in hurt if you dont process your reaction.
2. YOU ARE WORTH TIME. YOU ARE WORTH ENERGY. YOU ARE WORTH LOVE. and no you dont have to perfect to be worthy. You are allowed to make mistakes and get confused and be wrong. It is how you process those mistakes that will help you. Being right all the time is like walking on a tightrope. You dont get to wavier, and it is scary, and hurts your feet... Learning to fall and fail means you can become fearless.
3. You have no idea which ways you are going to impact your child. Trying to predict and mitigate creates new and wondrous ways your can stuff up. Just ask Oedipus. Best you can aim for is making sure your stuff is sorted, as it comes up, as it passes by. That is how I learn to be better, to do better. I am allowed mistakes, I own them and process them and ask for forgiveness, and aim not to do them again.
Last tip - importation came from strange places. Let it.
Welcome to season 2, just me chatting today.
I think it is really important to acknowledge and process the grief that can come with a diagnosis, for yourself or for your child.
The idea of grief after diagnose has come up several time in the last month or so. And I think it is really important to acknowledge and recognizes what could be identified has grief. Or at least make connections between how you are feeling and what it means
Top Three Take Aways
1. Grief isn't just for death. We can grief so many different losses, but we often don't give ourselves the time or permission to do so. Then we kinda fester and stew in what could have been rather than processing a moving on. So remember grieving is allowed. Grieving is allowed for all kinds of changes in life. Give yourself the time and permission to do it.
2. It comes and goes in waves. You are never just one thing, you are so many things all at once, feelings are no different. You can feel anger and depression at the same time. You can feel acceptance and anger at the same time. You are processing, and some times new things come up and you have to begin the process again. Lots of feelings and emotions overlap. Give yourself permission to feel them concurrently.
3. Know you are not alone. So many different peoples journeys match pieces of ours. No one is going to be matchy matchy, but more pieces match pieces. The journey is similar enough for you to gain support. It is so similar for so many of us. So is the grief. Don't shy away from feelings, dive into them, follow them, unfold them, you never know where you are going to end up.
There are still some giggles.
I hope you enjoy.
Bye for now
Joanne
I have just finished attending webinar hosted by @wwda_au on NDIS and Gender. Amazing source of information and support.
I am not overly surprised to report that there are more males receiving NDIS support then females. Which is not a direct relationship between the number of men vs females with disabilities. So what you might say.
I can only provide insight from my experience and knowledge.
From my son's journey, and my own research and contemplations I see myself on the spectrum. I am fairly typical in the female presentation of autism, and I am getting quicker at identifying my own stress, sensory overwhelm, emotional shut down and numbing behaviour.
Here is the jam, I will promote and support any parent going through the assessment and NDIS processes because it makes a difference. I will encourage parents to not fear the process, to ask me all the questions, to move the fear, to get the support, to see that your child will be your child whether you get the diagnosis or not, but how much stress and burden it can be without a diagnosis. I cheer on as other mothers are getting their diagnosis, because like me, through support their child's journey they have found a place for them.
Yet, me, I am scared to do it for myself. I have a diagnosis of dyslexia, maybe that is enough. That is enough to know my brain is different. I know in myself that I am different. Why should I face the process? Maybe I shouldn't rock the boat, be grateful for what I have. Be quite, sit still, shut up.
Maybe that is why there is significantly less females supported by NDIS. Because I am scared that what I feel is true, is wrong. That I will be told that my difference just doesn’t have a place. That I don’t have a place. That yet again I misunderstood what was happening, and I will be made to feel a fool. I can pass. I can get through.
But have I really been thriving or just surviving.
So it is with great pride to say, that I will be taking an assessment, in steps to get a formal diagnosis, and NDIS support.
The process starts in October.
Be the change you want to see.
By Eileen is the rebrand from The Crystal Project. Eileen Low shares her amazing story of finding her way in life. Knowing there was something more than the work driven culture of Singapore, challenging the drinking culture of Australia, to find her own space in creating jewellery that radiates positive and intention.
Eileen has big goals, and I 100% believe that she will reach every single one. Here are my big take away.
Website: www.byeileen.com.au
IG: @by_eileen
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ByEileenJewellery
Email: eileen@byeileen.com.au
Also 10% discount code for By Eileen - BBE10 (valid for 6months)
Victoria was a busy woman working full time in the construction industry. Having a baby didn't slow her down, having twins did. Pushing through her own signs of stress, Victoria took the twins arrival as a sign that life was not going to work the same way any more. Things needed to change. Feeling the frustration of working part time, in an industry not known for it's family friendly requirements, Victoria joined Arbonne and found what she was missing in life was women. A collective that encouraged and promoted the strengths of the other. Not always a smooth ride but Victoria will always put on a smile and push through until the happiness returns.
Here are may key takeaways from our chat:
1. Ask for help
No one is an island. You don't need to do motherhood alone, you don't need to do life alone. But you do need to share. People can only respond to what you give out. So if you are holding it in waiting for someone to notice that you are drowning, it might not ever happen.
2. BUT You body will stop you.
Your body will be calling out for help as long as you are in that stressed state. It will come in forms of pain, depression, anxiety, head aches, so many different messages. You need to take the time to listen and respond.
2. Find your decision making process
Life will always required decisions to be made. If you hold off, the decision will be made for you. So find your best way of making your decisions, and life will be much easier to breeze through
And be a tree.
Connect with Victoria
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ladyrashleigh/
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR BETTER BEING ME
Courses and Sign Up
FB: BetterBeingMe
IG: BetterBeingMe_BBme
Web: https://betterbeingme.com.au
Jess’s artworks bring brightness and light to the world with their vibrant colours and inspiring imagery.
Recently Jess has been using her artworks to bring objects to life too so that her clients can take that joy with them wherever they go. It is so important to see the beautiful colour in life that surrounds you and to feel that joy in your heart when you see it!
Jess much more than an artist, she is a survivor!
Jess was in the throws of antidepressant withdrawal hell. Jess didn’t know then what she knows now. Jess didn’t know that withdrawing from antidepressants takes time and it’s a long journey. Jess didn’t know then that what was happening in her head had so much more to do with what was happening in her entire body.
As Jess crashed at the bottom of a dark ravine, she began to claw her way back up and learn so much more about herself and the world of mental and holistic health along the way.
As Jess climbed up the mountain and began telling her entire story at each stop, people would thank her for sharing that vulnerability. It meant that they were not alone on their own journey up the mountain. As Jess learns, she shares what she knows to help others. Jess is now tapering from her antidepressants again but with so much more knowledge.
Knowledge that Jess would like to share with you to brighten and light the way
Joanne's Biggest take aways from this interview
1. Recognise the stress
Know what you feel when you are stressed. How does it feel in your body, what are you doing to self medicate the stress, how are you reacting to people in your life. There will be many signs of stress before you hit depression. Take the time to recognise them, talk about it more. Get the help at any stage.
2. The ups and downs help you navigate life
Anti-depressant tablets take away the ups and downs of life. They also hamper your ability to feel into your life about what is good and what is bad for you. It is not an easy road to be on, and you don't need to go it alone. Take stock of your life, deal with the choices, and the ramifications. Ask for help at any stage.
3. Use your intuition enough that you trust your intuition
Trust in yourself takes time, and choices, and ups and downs. Understanding your full gamut of emotions means that you will be able to recognise the pushes and pulls of your intuition. It is a free tool that will always be there, but it takes time to recognise and utilise.
LINK TO JESS'S BOOK
https://jesscrawford.com.au/product/my-way-book/
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR JESS CRAWFORD
www.jesscrawford.com.au
www.facebook.com/jesscrawfordart
www.instagram.com/_jesscrawford_
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR BETTER BEING ME
Courses and Sign Up
FB: BetterBeingMe
IG: BetterBeingMe_BBme
Web: https://betterbeingme.com.au
Georgy is more that just BadAss Living, she is a powerhouse of ideas, and here to bolster the woman of the world. Encouraging all to take up space, share their voice and stand up to be counted.
Georgy's work with Girls Rock! is inspirational, as is the organisation that "uses the medium of music to inspire confidence, creativity and celebrate individuality for females, trans and gender non-conforming youth between the ages of 10 and 17."
Here are the big ideas
1. Be the person you needed as a child.
Because of the work Georgy is doing with Girls Rock! she is supporting and eradicating ideas of conforming and self containment at an even younger age. The frustrations of having to feel small and apologies for taking space are a socially constructed, so getting rid of that feeling before it takes hold and forms such a large space in your living is a gift to the younger generation.
2. Being Good for you doesn't give up the Pleasures
Know the messages your body is sending you and act on it. If you need rest, rest. If you need to leave, leave. Make no apology for doing what is best for you. The first step is knowing what you need, implement it in any way you can, and build from there.
3. Bringing Sexy Back
It is more than a feeling, it is a way of living. Bring out your biggest self, feel the sexy in all you do and bring on the magnetism.
Georgy new program Body Brave encompasses the ideas Georgy feel on putting your best self forward - 7 day program for women to embody self love, body confidence and stepping into ALL of their badass-ness
Check her out on all of the things
All the things: Georgy Rochow
IG: Georgy_Rochow
FB: GeorgyRochowMusic
Website: BadAssLiving - Body Brave releasing in February.
Tunes: https://georgyrochow.bandcamp.com/releases
Follow Joanne
IG: Better Being Me
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au/
Watch for the new release of the Better Being Me Online program, do the work, be connected, be calm, be you.