Matt Bruyninckx, Director of Divergent Studios

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.