Why do some kids seem unable to go to school—no matter how much we encourage, reward, or reason with them? In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we unpack school refusal through a neurodivergent and trauma-informed lens. 🌻
You’ll learn how emotional distress, sensory overload, and chronic stress create a physiological response that the brain interprets as danger—and why forcing attendance without addressing safety often makes things worse.
We’ll also explore how these patterns show up in adulthood as work avoidance, burnout, or social anxiety—and how healing begins when we stop asking “what’s wrong with me?” and start asking “what is my body protecting me from?”
✨ Listen in for:
The difference between defiance and distress
How stress conditioning shapes the nervous system
Polyvagal theory & emotional safety explained simply
Tools for co-regulation and self-regulation
A guided grounding moment to help you reset
💖 If this episode helped you feel seen, please share it and follow the show! Supporting this work—by leaving a review, joining Patreon, or shopping small at TheNeuroSpicyMama.Etsy.com—helps keep this safe space thriving.
Keywords:
neurodivergent parenting, school refusal, trauma-informed, nervous system regulation, gentle parenting, anxiety, ADHD, autism, burnout, co-regulation, reparenting, nervous system healing
✨ S3E7: The Hidden Cost of Neurodivergence ✨
Let’s talk about the price of existing in a neurotypical world — the emotional labor, the job instability, the financial strain, and the silent burnout so many neurodivergent adults and parents face.
In this week’s episode, Austen Marie opens up about her own journey navigating career loss, chronic overwhelm, and rebuilding from the ground up while parenting two neurospicy kiddos.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream.
💖 Support the pod on Patreon to unlock bonus video content & behind-the-scenes updates!
SEO Keywords:
The NeuroSpicy MomPod, hidden cost of neurodivergence, autism burnout recovery, ADHD money struggles, neurodivergent parenting podcast, trauma healing for moms, CPTSD stories, reparenting podcast
In this week’s episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, host Austen Marie chats with Kecia Nelson (@wholehearted_parenting)—a licensed clinical social worker and mom—about the messy, beautiful process of reparenting yourself while parenting your kids.
They dive deep into healing generational trauma, understanding the nervous system, and creating homes rooted in emotional safety and compassion. Kecia offers grounded, practical tools for parents who are learning to show up differently for their children—and themselves.
💫 Listen in for:
Real talk on breaking cycles and finding balance
The 4 S’s of secure attachment
How to regulate when you’re triggered
Why emotional safety matters more than perfection
Follow Kecia on Instagram at @wholehearted_parenting and learn more about her work at wholeheartedlives.com
In this week’s episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we’re talking about something so many of us live without realizing it — being trained to tolerate. From toxic workplaces to unhealthy relationships, many of us learned early on to shrink, stay quiet, and settle.
Let’s unpack where that pattern comes from, how it shows up in our nervous systems, and how to start recognizing the difference between tolerance and alignment.
✨ Want early access to video episodes and bonus content? Join the Patreon community at patreon.com/theneurospicymompod 💖
🎙️ Today I’m joined by Bry Bryan (@brythetherapist)—a licensed trauma therapist who works with neurodivergent kids, overwhelmed parents, and adults navigating trauma. Her own lived experiences with addiction and survival shaped the way she shows up in therapy—with compassion, honesty, and hope.
Together we explore:✨ How trauma and neurodivergence overlap in complicated ways✨ What parents can do when they feel overwhelmed✨ Why teens deserve more understanding than they usually get✨ The most common “lightbulb moments” adults have when discovering their own ND identity
💖 Connect with Bry:
TikTok: @brythetherapist
Trauma Therapy Company
👉 If you loved this episode, don’t forget—there’s a video version of this interview exclusively on Patreon, along with bonus content and behind-the-scenes extras. Support the show and subscribe here: Patreon.com/NeuroSpicyMomPod
This week on The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we zoom out and trace the history of how society has seen neurodivergence. From myths of “divine madness,” to the rise of asylums, to the Disability Rights and Neurodiversity movements — this episode explores how far we’ve come, and why it matters right now.
You’ll hear about:
How ancient cultures framed differences in behavior
The grim legacy of asylums & treatments like ECT and lobotomy
Rosemary Kennedy’s tragic story and its modern echoes
The rise of disability rights, IEPs, and the word neurodiversity
Practical supports & why community is essential today
✨ If this resonates, share the episode with a friend — and if you’d like to support me & join a safe ND community, check out my Patreon where I post bonus episodes, conversation boards, and our upcoming book club.
SEO Keywords: neurodivergence podcast, ADHD podcast, autism podcast, disability rights history, neurodiversity, Rosemary Kennedy, mental health podcast
In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, Austen Marie sits down with educator and advocate Olivia Couch to explore love, autonomy, and the power of unlearning in education. Together, they dive into the role of teachers as ethnographers, the challenges of burnout, and how community and play can transform learning. Olivia also shares her journey creating the Punk Philosophers Garage Cafe—a safe, nurturing space for kids and parents to grow together.
✨ Connect with Olivia:
🌐 punkphilosophers.com
📧 Olivia@punkphilosophers.com
💖 Want more? Subscribe to my Patreon for just $5/month to access the video version of this episode, behind-the-scenes content, and bonus conversations: patreon.com/TheNeuroSpicyMomPod
In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing the story behind the mic:💖 Growing up with cPTSD, undiagnosed ADHD + autism💖 How teaching TK kids helped me rewire my own nervous system💖 The breaking point that led me to walk away from my marriage & career💖 Why this podcast exists and where we’re going this season
This season we’re diving into masking, sensory struggles, hyperfocus, RSD, hormones, PDA parenting, relationships, and even neurospicy spirituality—with incredible guests and a whole lot of sparkle.
👉 Want more? There’s a video version of this episode + exclusive content waiting for you on Patreon. Support the pod and join the NeuroSpicy Squad here: Patreon.com/TheNeuroSpicyMomPod 💖
You’re not broken. You’re building. And you’re not alone.
Season 2 Finale! 💖 We’ve officially wrapped up 20 episodes this season, and I just want to say thank you to every single listener who’s been part of this NeuroSpicy journey. From deep dives into advocacy, to raw conversations about parenting, healing, and being ND in a world that wasn’t built for us - we’ve grown so much together this season.
✨ Season 3 is already on the horizon, and it’s only getting better. Make sure you’re following so you don’t miss what’s next!
👉 If you want to support this podcast and get bonus episodes (like The NeuroSpicy Files), join the Patreon here: patreon.com/TheNeuroSpicyMomPod
👉 Shop affirmation coloring books & NeuroSpicy merch at TheNeuroSpicyMama.Etsy.com
💖 Thank you for making Season 2 possible. See you in Season 3!
AI can feel like magic for ADHD, autistic, and dyslexic brains, helping with emotional regulation, executive function, and communication...but what’s the hidden cost? 🤔 In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we dig into the neuroscience, environmental impact, and mind–body connection so you can decide if AI is your ultimate accessibility tool or a shiny distraction.
💖 Support the show for just $5/month at patreon.com/TheNeuroSpicyMomPod and get bonus episodes, video versions, and our private NeuroSpicy Squad community.
Transitions are hard—especially when your neurodivergent brain is already screaming, “TOO MUCH, TOO FAST.” In this episode, we unpack why seasonal shifts and new routines can send our nervous systems into overdrive, how to support our kids (and ourselves) through change without shame or burnout, and practical ways to reparent the younger parts of us who never got the help we needed.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “bad at transitions,” this is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself and start building safety instead. 💖
🎧 Want even more cozy, nervous-system-safe conversations like this? Join the NeuroSpicy Squad on Patreon for just $5/month and get exclusive bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and deeper dives into the topics we cover here. Your support keeps this podcast independent, ad-free, and community-rooted.
👉 Join here: patreon.com/TheNeuroSpicyMomPod
Why does trying anything new feel like your brain is short-circuiting? Why do school transitions make our kids fall apart—and why do we spiral right along with them?
In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we’re breaking down the real neuroscience behind why our bodies react to change like it’s danger. We’ll talk about intolerance of uncertainty, the freeze response, Polyvagal Theory (with a healthy dose of nuance), and how executive dysfunction, sensory overwhelm, and PDA all play a role. And of course—we’ll dive into what actually helps. For you. For your kids. For your inner child who never got the support they needed.
If this episode resonates, please share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who might need this language too. And if you want to go deeper and be part of the conversations happening off-mic, come join the NeuroSpicy Squad over on Patreon 💖
🎧 Support the show + access bonus content at patreon.com/theneurospicymompod
✨ New episodes every Thursday — subscribe so you don’t miss out!
Do you ever feel like you have to speak up—even when it costs you everything? Like your body literally won’t let you move on when something feels unfair? That’s not you being dramatic. That’s your neurodivergent nervous system doing exactly what it was wired to do.
In this episode, we’re digging into justice sensitivity: what it is, why it’s especially intense for ND folks (hi, AuDHD fam), and how to protect your peace when the world keeps breaking your heart. I’m sharing real stories, science-backed breakdowns, and simple tools to help you care deeply without collapsing under it all.
💖 If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend, subscribe, and consider supporting the show on Patreon!👉 patreon.com/theneurospicymompod
Your shares, ratings, and kind words help this little podcast reach more spicy hearts—and I’m so grateful to have you here.
Ever peeled the labels off water bottles like it was your job? Refused to wear jeans unless they were exactly the right softness? Couldn’t handle wet hair after a shower and didn’t know why? This week’s episode is a lighthearted but powerful dive into the subtle, often-missed signs of neurodivergence.
I share personal stories, scientific insights, and a whole list of “You might be NeuroSpicy if…” moments that’ll make you feel seen, validated, and maybe a little called out (in the best way). PLUS—we wrap up with gentle, actionable ways to support your nervous system if you’re just now realizing you might be neurodivergent.
Let this be your reminder: you’re not broken. You’re just spicy. 💖
Ever wondered why astrology feels more real than science class? Or why your nervous system calms down more in the forest than in a therapist’s office? Let’s talk about it. 🌿✨
In this episode, we explore why so many ND folks are drawn to the “woo,” how trauma and religion intertwine, and what science actually says about healing through nature, ritual, and rest. This isn’t your typical convo about crystals and church trauma—it’s a sparkly, grounded look at what healing really means when your brain works differently.
💫 Want the full video episode with bonus life updates? Subscribe to Patreon for behind-the-scenes content & early access:patreon.com/theneurospicymompod
🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & everywhere you love to listen.
Today, we’re breaking down the hidden trauma so many of us experienced in school—from being shamed for needing to move, to overachieving ourselves into nervous system collapse. Whether you were labeled a “problem” or praised as “gifted,” the system was never built for your brain. And that damage? It lingers.
In this episode, I share personal stories, trauma-informed insights, and the neuroscience behind fawning, freezing, and the deep harm of behavior charts. We also talk about what healing looks like—for our kids and for our inner child.
🎧 Ready for the full version with video + bonus episodes?💖 Join the NeuroSpicy Squad on Patreon:👉 patreon.com/theneurospicymompodSupport the pod, connect with a like-minded community, and help me keep creating content that tells the truth with heart. 💖
Why do so many neurodivergent folks find themselves stuck in toxic, one-sided, or manipulative relationships? In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we dive deep into the neuroscience of trauma bonds, rejection sensitivity, and the nervous system survival responses that keep us frozen in places we were never meant to stay.
✨ What we cover:
The real reason leaving was so hard (hint: it’s not your fault)
How narcissists weaponize your empathy, sensitivity, and neurodivergence
What trauma does to your body (chronic illness, hormonal chaos, shutdown mode)
How to reclaim your nervous system and trust your body again
Tiny steps to begin healing and rewriting your story
If you're healing from a toxic relationship—or still in one—you are not alone. You are not too much. And you are absolutely worthy of peace.
💖 Want to support this work? Subscribe on Patreon for $5/month to access the video version + behind-the-scenes content. Every subscription helps this healing mama keep going. 💖
Listen now and take your next step back to yourself.
#NeurodivergentHealing #TraumaBonds #NDRelationships #TheNeuroSpicyMomPod
In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we’re talking about something that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). If every simple ask turns into a meltdown or negotiation, you are not alone.
💥 I break down:
– What PDA actually is (hint: it’s not defiance)
– How it shows up in everyday life
– Why rewards, routines, and even gentle scripts can backfire
– What’s actually helped in our home — including co-regulation, rituals, and woo
I’m sharing stories from parenting my own PDA kid, how we’ve navigated meltdowns and misdiagnoses, and how I’ve learned to meet him where he is — even when I’m barely hanging on.
💖 You're not doing it wrong. You’re just parenting a nervous system that needs something different.
👉 Want to watch the full video version of this episode?
Join us on Patreon for just $5/month and get access to behind-the-scenes life updates, bonus content, and our private NeuroSpicy Community Chat:
patreon.com/theneurospicymompod
#PDAParenting #NeurodivergentKids #ADHDParenting #ExecutiveDysfunction #TheNeuroSpicyMomPod #TraumaInformedParenting
This week on The NeuroSpicy MomPod, I'm joined by Dr. Tara Hogan—a neurodivergent mom, holistic parenting mentor, and pediatric chiropractor—to talk about parenting through a neurodivergent lens.
We explore how behaviors are often nervous system signals, why self-acceptance is essential for ND parents, and how nutrition, genetics, and adrenal fatigue impact mental health. Dr. Hogan also shares how COVID shifted her perspective and led to a deeper understanding of what her family truly needed.
Whether you're deep in the trenches or just beginning your journey, this episode will leave you feeling validated, supported, and a little less alone.
Listen now on your favorite platform:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Free Patreon Tier
Find Dr. Tara Hogan here:
Instagram: @drtarahogan
Podcast: Dr. Tara Hogan Show
Website: www.drtarahogan.com
Let’s talk money — the neurospicy way. 💸 In this episode, we’re getting real about why so many of us with ADHD, autism, or trauma backgrounds struggle with money. From unopened bills to impulse spending to feeling straight-up allergic to budgeting, we cover it all.
Inside this episode:
Why traditional budgeting advice doesn’t work for ND brains
How financial trauma and executive dysfunction mess with our money habits
What helped me start feeling less shame and more control
Real talk about living paycheck to paycheck while trying to build a dream
This one’s part pep talk, part nervous system deep dive, and a whole lot of “you’re not broken.” If you’ve ever felt like a financial hot mess, you are absolutely in the right place. 💖
✨ Full video version available for paid Patreon subscribers!
🎧 Subscribe + follow for more neurospicy realness every week.
