Differently Brained

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Kirk Cetinic. We discuss Kirk's diagnosis journey as a child, his passion for design and improving user experiences. We also chat about Kirk's skills and experiences as a public speaker and autistic advocate. Finally, we chat about the representation of autistic people in the media and the stigmas and misconceptions around these topics.

About our guest

Kirk Cetinic is a user experience designer, public speaker and neurodiversity advocate. Kirk holds a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Graduate Certificate in User Experience & Web Design at Torrens University. In 2019, he showed a series of artwork in his Different Not Defective solo exhibition, which focused on highlighting the challenges Autistic people can face with communication, relationships, education, and employment.

Content warning

In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss bullying and suicidality. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.

Representations & resources

• Kirk's website
• Kirk's instagram
• Kirk's Different, Not Defective exhibition
• Toastmasters
• UX Australia
• Temple Grandin
• Jody Dontje
• The Good Doctor
• Sia and Music
• Chloe Hayden, Heartbreak High, and Different, Not Less
• Tim Sharpe
• James Ward-Sinclair and the Autistic and Unapologetic blog

You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.

About the podcast

Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.

The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan discuss personal hygiene, grooming and self-care. This is something that both hosts struggle with (teeth brushing is the worst!) and something that we'd guess the neurodivergent community has issues with too (we've been tagged in many, many memes about showering). We also discuss how much harder these tasks are when you're not feeling your best or are facing mental health challenges.

Episode partners

We would like to thank A’kin for gifting us some of their amazing hair products to help with our own shower adventures. We were gifted the Daily Shine Rosemary shampoo, the Daily Shine Avocado and Calendula conditioner, the Miracle Shine Conditioning hair mask tub and the Rose and Australian Sandalwood Natural roll-on deodorant. Head over to our instagram @differentlybrainedpodcast to enter our self-care giveaway where you can win over $150 worth of A'kin vegan and cruelty-free products!

Resources & products

• Pokemon Go game
• Australian Survivor
• Holme Beauty and Hilary Holmes
• Love & Autism by Kay Kerr
• Dyson Airwrap
• The make-up brush Jacinta wouldn't shut up about
• Regaine
• Gattaca
• Modibodi's cooling sleepwear and pillowcase.

About the podcast

Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.

The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Matt Bruyninckx. We discuss Matt's diagnosis journey, his new venture Divergent Studios and what a more accommodating arts industry looks like, as well as Matt's experience with workplace bullying and discrimination.

About our guest

Matt Bruyninckx is the director of Divergent Studios, as well as a seasoned actor, writer, and producer, who has worked in both the Screen and Music Industries. Since being diagnosed Autistic in 2019, Matt has directed his passion for the arts and creative expression towards advocacy for and education surrounding neurodiverse people within the workplace. He continues to channel this learning and experience into developing neurodivergent safe spaces in the arts. In 2022 he was accepted into the highly contested Neurodiverse Leadership Program offered by the Sylvia Rodger Academy and continues to show his wealth of knowledge and strong commitment to the ethos of 'we’ll find a way'.

Content warning

In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss ableism, discrimination and workplace bullying. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.

Representations & resources

• Divergent Studios
• Matt's imdb
• Matt's instagram
• Sex Education
• Heartbreak High, Different, Not Less and Chloe Hayden,
• Kitty Flanagan and Fisk
• Hannah Gadsby and Ten Steps to Nanette.

You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.

About the podcast

Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.

The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Kay Kerr about her new book Love & Autism. Love & Autism presents an uplifting celebration of neurodivergent love, the search for it and a deeper look into the lives of autistic Australians. We chat to Kay about where the idea came from, the interview and drafting process, autistic affirmation and joy, and what she thinks lies ahead for the next generation of autistics.

About our guest

Kay Kerr is an autistic author and journalist from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Her debut novel Please Don’t Hug Me (2020) was shortlisted for Book of the Year for Older Children at the Australian Book Industry Awards in 2021, and listed as a ‘Notable Book’ by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Her second novel, Social Queue, was released with Text Publishing in October 2021. Kay’s freelance writing has appeared in The Guardian, SBS Voices, Daily Life, Broadsheet, and Peppermint Magazine, amongst others. She writes about autistic representation, disability, parenting, pop culture, gardening, and feelings. Kay's new book Love & Autism is out now.

Representations & resources

• Kay's website
• Please Don’t Hug Me
• Social Queue
• Love & Autism
• The Overshare
• Clem Bastow's Late Bloomer
• Chloe Hayden's Different, Not Less
• Tim Chan's & Sarah Chan's Back From the Brink
• Anna Whateley (Peta Lyre's Rating Normal)
• Jen Wilde (This Is the Way the World Ends, Queens of Geek, Going Off Script and The Brightsiders)
• Helen Hoang (The Kiss Quotient, The Bride Test and The Heart Principle)
• Kate Foster (The Bravest Word, Paws, Harriet Hound, The Unlikely Heroes Club and All the Small Wonderful Things)
• We’re Not Broken by Eric Garcia.

You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.

About the podcast

Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.

The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan interview Steph Cuthbert. Steph opens up about all things bipolar, alcoholism, routine, hypersexuality, sobriety and having more conversations.

About our guest

Steph Cuthbert is a writer, freelance editor, sensitivity reader, artist, wife and mother. She has bipolar disorder and is a co-facilitator of the Blue Mountains Bipolar Support Group. In her spare time Steph is an avid reader and volunteers at an art gallery.

Content warning

In this episode of Differently Brained we discuss bipolar disorder, depression, alcohol misuse and addiction and suicidal ideation. Please feel free to skip this episode or reach out to medical professionals if it has brought anything up for you.

Representations & resources

• Alone With You in the Ether by Olivia Blake
• Silver Linings Playbook film
• The Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead (We've only linked Book 1 but you can find them all on Booktopia)
• Modern Love, Season 1, Episode 3: Take Me As I Am, Whoever I Am

You can purchase all of these book titles and more from your local independent bookseller or Booktopia. Please note by purchasing through these Booktopia partner links we are provided a small commission which allows us to continue to provide the podcast at no cost to our audience.

About the podcast

Differently Brained shares the opinions of individuals and does not consider your personal circumstances. Differently Brained exists purely for information purposes and should not be relied on as health or medical advice. Because no brain is the same, please consult your healthcare professional for your personal medical needs.

The Differently Brained team acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we record, edit and stream this podcast. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and their Elders part, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations cultures and their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways and communities.