In episode 7 of cosmic cheer squad, we welcome our friend Caitlin Hughes, an accredited mental health social worker and founder of Cathartic Collaborations in Brisbane, Australia, for a conversation about friendship, neurodivergence, resistance, and reclaiming joy.
From our first connections to voicy deep dives, we trace the winding path of how we found each other and built trust across distance, difference, and imagination. Caitlin reflects on growing up in Australia, finding validation through the Positive Disintegration Podcast, and the thrill (and awkwardness) of joining our early community calls.
Together we explore:
* 🌿 What it means to resist illegitimate authority in everyday life
* 🎠The masks we wear, and the magic of unmasking through friendship
* đź“š Storytime, voicies, and the idea of creating content for neurodivergent kids
* đź’« Pronouns, identity, and the tenderness of being seen and respected
* 🧠The transformative power of kindness, imagination, and connection
There’s talk of childhood playlists, including Peter Combe’s absurd Australian kids' songs, Dr. Seuss’s Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, and why being playful is anything but frivolous. Also, “shay/they” pronouns become an unexpected vibe.
This one’s funny, tender, and packed with cosmic resonance. Come meet the squad behind the scenes and celebrate the weird, wondrous ways we come into each other’s lives.
🔗 Learn more about Caitlin’s work: Cathartic Collaborations
Caitlin’s podcast Divergent Dialogues
More about Caitlin:
Caitlin Hughes (she/they) is a multi-exceptional (Autistic, ADHD, Gifted) Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and the founder of Cathartic Collaborations, a neurodivergent-affirming private practice based in Brisbane, Australia. Drawing on both lived and professional experience, Caitlin provides somatic, trauma-informed therapeutic support for neurocomplex and neuroqueer folks, helping clients embrace their unique neurotypes and build self-defined lives of meaning and purpose.
Caitlin is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent mental health, with a special interest in supporting other social workers to grow in their affirming practice. They facilitate the Neurodivergent Affirming Social Workers Collective on Facebook and co-host Divergent Dialogues, a podcast and Substack publication exploring neurodivergent mental health through a blend of research, personal experience, and reflective conversation.
Currently completing a PhD focused on Autistic mental health, Caitlin is a published researcher with a strong interest in qualitative inquiry and systems change.
đź’Ś Connect with us:
* Instagram → @cosmiccheersquad
* Substack → cosmiccheersquad.substack.com
* Find bee on pragmagination
* Find Chris on Positive Disintegration and PDA: Resistance and Resilience
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