Free Range Thinking - A Neurodiversity Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of applying Montessori methods for adults. Unlike children, teens, or seniors, adults must first go through a crucial process: unlearning.

Also your are so invited to contact us via https://www.free-range-thinking.com

ask us questions for the show

come on as a guest

tell us your story about neurodiversity

and we would loooove if you sign on for our newsletter that we will send out for the first time soon! :-D

Main Rabbitholes of this show:

• The difference between learning as a child versus as an adult
• Practical examples of unlearning from martial arts
• Alex's "Fit with Fifty" challenge and experiences with the walking pad at the desk

We discuss the significance of the prepared environment in adulthood and how to optimize it:

• Workspace design in shared spaces
• Strategies for distraction-free work
• The role of clear communication

Special focus on:

• Parenting with sensory challenges
• Personal insights into our sensory triggers
• Positive approaches to boundary setting

Bonus: How we deal with Election Day anxiety and why setting boundaries can actually be fun.

This episode offers practical tips for anyone interested in adult-oriented Montessori methods while considering their own neurological and sensory needs.

The Prepared Environment Reimagined Sensory Processing & Boundaries

Greetings friend! In this episode we answer some of your questions!

We love to get even more in touch with you! Tell us what you'd like us to talk about or get on the show and talk WITH us!

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Ah and at 41 minutes I left in something for documentation for me. There were two really loud BANGS you can hear in the audio that were the result of two Eurofighters breaking through the soundbarrier in Germany on the 1st of may. And it really scared the shit out of me :) No I am glad to have that recording.

And now let's listen :) Here are our notes from the show:

AUA: Ask us Anything! - it is like AMA but with multiple people :-D

It might be painful for us or for you all

QUESTION 1 - WHAT IS THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN NEURODIVERSITY AND NEURODIVERGENT

Made up power-construct of what is normal.

When there is NORMAL then there is OTHER

The societal construct is an illusion

Being aware of it and create sidedoors

Labelling oneself vs. being labelled by others

Showing neurotypicals how to be able to value the complexity of neurodivergents

How to Citizen

with Baratunde Thurston - https://www.howtocitizen.com

Kinship and inclusiveness

Ask:

Are you interested in telling me more?

People are scared to ask because then they think the have the obligation to fix something

Shakespeare and Company and people in Wheelchairs

Modern theater as a metaphor for the overhwelm neurotypical feel with neurodivergent people or topics

QUESTION 2:

What's the difference between sensory and emotional sensitivity?

High Sensitve Persons vs people who are victims of there emotions

Baselines - for example for anger

a logical and a very emotional sibling

If you are a sensory type you can turn down a lot of stimulations - turning down EMOTIONAL sensitivy is really hard.

The difference between disappointment and frustration

(Learn to) Know what you need

Giraffe and Wolves Language

Non Violent Communication NVC - Marshall Rosenberg - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_B._Rosenberg

Council for Exceptional Children

Self Calming

Long term goal is peace - especially in the Montessori Method

Ok.

We have an idea for the next round of questios:

Only 5 minutes for each question :-D

Welcome to the first episode of Free Range Thinking - a Podcast which starting point is Neurodiversity and from there we - that is your hosts Sharon and Alex and you the listeners - go right off into the weeds and down different rabbit holes ;)

One of our first goals with the podcast is to find some languaging and words around the whole topic of Neurodiversity.

So please send us your feedback, your questions, what you are experimenting with yourself, your experiences with Neurodiverstiy, your languaging around it and everything else you think we should talk about.

You can reach Sharon via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-leigh-pp4l/
and Alex via [email protected]

OK, let's go!

Here are the Shownotes and the chapter-marks for our pilot episode WHOOOHOOO!:
00:00:00 - Why are Sharon and Alex doing this Podcast about Neurodiversity?

00:02:30 - Putting language around Neurodiversity by Sharon describing her ADD

00:05:00 - Alex take on finding new neurodivergent Features and learning about himself

00:09:30 - Which neurodivergent Feat did Sharon noticed first? - ADD, Dyslexia (Number-Dyslexia, the Aspberger Spectrum, Tourette)

00:16:30 - HSP Highly Sensitve Person

00:20:30 - ADD as a Superpower, Thinking really fast and the Scientist Mentality

0:24:45 - Painting a Map of Neurodiversity - Alex first Features he discovered. Drawing with Aphantasia

00:29:00 - Dealing with emotional people is hard for Alex

00:31:00 - Earning a degree and just BEING something. A Heart Surgeon for example

00:35:55 - Being a Polymath, Renaissance Person, Scanner Personality

00:37:30 - How the Internet helps being neurodivergent - e.g. because of Niklas Luhmann's story

00:42:00 - Spezialization - Being alive NOW - the effect of the pandemic on neurodivergent people and the bandwitdth people have to deal with right now

00:46:00 - The beautiful thing about podcast and going aaaaaaall over the places ADD-Style :-)

00:47:45 - Resilience is suddenly eeeeeverywhere - braught up by Neuronormatives

00:49:00 - IT SHOULD BE LIKE _THIS!_ - or should it?

00:55:30 - Reigning yourself in means you can't think freely

01:01:00 - Learning that you are on some spectrum and how to use it for your benefit without a lot of shame

Aren't all people neurodiverse in some aspect or the other?

01:08:00 - How to break the grey, ultrastructured mold of society and how it is hard for neuronormative people to deal with diversity

01:13:00 - The value in scientific stories - Micronutrients and ADD / ADHD

01:19:00 - Neurodiverse Management and not all C-Levels are living by the sea :-D

01:24:00 - The ripple-effect of Life-Changes like nutrients like MCT-Oil and Energy-Boosting

01:27:30 - Parking downhill for the next Episode:

Nutrition!

01:35:00 - Our thoughts on our first Episode :-D

01:37:00 - I AM A LEGION - or how Sharon's last name is pronounced in different cultures and languages :-D a

01:39:30 - We as Neurodivergent carve our own Path through collaborative learning by experimenting

Here we are again with an interesting question:

What is a baseline? What are your baselines?

For example: ANGER

How quickly do you return to your baseline / default?

00:04:20 - Baselines are formed in Childhood

The Joy baseline:

Why am I not consictently happy?

Being aware of the baselines:

Life consists of peaks and valleys - to return to.

00:07:30 - Is it that bad to change someone else?

Change us or help us being more adaptlabe?

00:14:00 - Picking Mentors and Collaborateurs

What is more problematic - where is the most suffering? Family, worklife, friends

misunderstood

not the right support

using your feats right

Neurodivergent in the worklife

00:18:30 - Default for Sharon is focussing on what she can do and how to hack it

You can change your defaults.

Baselines are not so easy

Logicking into a corner is a default

00:28:30 - Keep mentally hydrated

Change the Buttons or the Default Behavior

What's your Level of Selfcare?

Keep baselines like Sleep, Nutrition, Relaxtion in check

00:35:00 - Difficulties in Neurodiverse Stuff

A lot of Shame is involved

Defaults for Sharon should be:

Curiosity and Amusement

00:47:00 - When did it turn around for Sharon?

00:50:00 - What when two different baselines collide

Example: Not hearing so well can develop the Superpower of being able to Read People

People bringt THEIR shit to the table we have no control over

Default:

be curious

ask questions

01:03:00 - Hardwired Brains vs Neuroplasticity

More Energy to process stuff = more sleep

What if you have a hearing disability AND are a auditory learner?

01:17:00 - Languaging around Neurodiversity

01:24:00 - Growing up in different high - or low functioning environments

Base of Self-Value and Condifdence

01:28:00 Engineers and what is a good fit partnership for Neurodiverse Entrepreneurs

Parking Downhill:

Being / becoming an Artist - with Neurodiversity

Join hosts Sharon and Alex as they dive deep into the fascinating world of neurodivergent experiences, creative pursuits, and the intersection of technology and art.

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Inspiration & Resilience
The conversation opens with reflections on Jon Batiste's Tim Ferriss interview, exploring themes of intrinsic motivation, dealing with external doubt, and maintaining self-trust in creative pursuits. A personal anecdote about experiencing masterfully played music from a landlord's brother illustrates the transformative power of art.

Energy & Perception
The hosts explore the subjective nature of energy and how different neurodivergent individuals perceive and process experiences uniquely.

Sharon's Retreat Experience

•⁠ ⁠Breaking free from neuronormative expectations •⁠ ⁠Rediscovering childlike wonder and curiosity •⁠ ⁠Navigating the transition between neurodivergent and neurotypical spaces

Alex's Processing Methods
An interesting discussion about using Amazon book browsing as a post-holiday mental organization tool.

Building AI Companions

•⁠ ⁠The concept of "The Skeptical Cat" as an AI agent •⁠ ⁠Tool discussion: ChatGPT for agents, Perplexity for bot building •⁠ ⁠Gemini AI Studio for PDF interactions •⁠ ⁠User preferences: typing vs. talking to AI

Ethical Considerations

•⁠ ⁠Student use of AI tools •⁠ ⁠Copyright implications •⁠ ⁠The impact on artistic integrity

The episode culminates in an interesting and kind of emotional discussion about AI's role in art, featuring a memorable moment where Sharon challenges Alex's perspective on AI's impact on creative work.

And Alex understands why what he said sounded like a colonizer.

Links to Tim Ferriss and Jon Batiste

John Batiste at Tim Ferriss - for Sharon especially the second half

https://youtu.be/dy6nRYTsKH4?si=7o9g1Z2nm38KcxEl

Interpretation of Für ELise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5YRhvH6Uys&pp=ygURYmF0aXN0ZSBmdXIgZWxpc2U%3D

American Symphony Trailer

https://youtu.be/wKSMsdq8ONs?si=cu12uR7rdremh7jR

Netflix Docu

https://www.netflix.com/de/title/81728930

Jon Batiste hears Green Day for the first Time at Pianote and plays along to Holiday - AWESOME! With this piece Alex fell in love with his music :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0hSXIuPBwM