Shows
I Don’t Know What That MeansSensory Stuff is Hard!In episode number lucky thirteen, we chat about sensory issues: why music turned up to 11 is better than ambient conversations; why the goddamned house is always so goddamned cold; the dreaded microfiber; and more!2025-01-151h 01I Don’t Know What That MeansHolidays Are HardSummary
In this holiday-themed episode, Jenn and Graeme discuss their complex feelings about various holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. They explore the stress and obligations that come with family gatherings, the challenges of food choices, and the importance of traditions. The conversation also touches on New Year's resolutions and the pressure associated with them, ultimately reflecting on the significance of holidays in marking the passage of time.
2025-01-0359 minI Don’t Know What That MeansMeltdowns! (are a whole-ass thing)We're talking about everyone's favorite autistic 'feature', meltdowns. Just losing our minds here.
Some links, as promised:
Meltdowns: a guide for all audiences
Meltdown vs. Shutdown2024-12-271h 00I Don’t Know What That MeansBodies, ew!In this conversation, we discusses the complexities of neurodivergent bodies, exploring themes such as stimming, interoception, comorbidities, sleep issues, and sensory sensitivities. The dialogue emphasizes the unique experiences of individuals with ADHD and autism, highlighting the physical and emotional challenges they face. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding these experiences to foster empathy and support .
2024-12-1147 minI Don’t Know What That MeansVibe Check: we will be back to regular programming soon!Election, Covid, Arguments, you know, life! We miss you we'll be back soon! 2024-11-2104 minI Don’t Know What That MeansHalloween! 🎃Some Shit We Said
"It's the most wonderful time of the year."
"I have always been obsessed with death."
"I cannot think of one single bad thing about Halloween."2024-10-261h 25I Don’t Know What That Meansspecial interests are a whole ass thingIn this episode, the Jenn and Graeme visit the topic of special interests, particularly in the context of neurodivergence and autism. They discuss the nature of special interests, how they differ from hobbies, and the intensity with which individuals may engage with them. The conversation explores the role of compulsion, the phenomenon of info dumping, and the challenges of navigating conversations about special interests. They also touch on the impact of diagnosis on identity and the complexities of authority in relation to neurodivergent individuals.
Special interests can be seen as obsessions that bring joy.
The intensity of a...2024-10-1258 minI Don’t Know What That MeansCommunication - is HardSummary
In this episode, Jennifer and Graeme discuss the complexities of communication in neurodiverse relationships, focusing on directness, honesty, and the challenges of understanding subtext and nonverbal cues. They explore the importance of context in conversations, the impact of social contracts on communication, and the nuances of flirting and dating as neurodivergent individuals. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication and understanding in relationships, highlighting the unique experiences of neurodiverse individuals.
2024-10-041h 08I Don’t Know What That MeansWork is HardIn this conversation, Graeme and Jennifer discuss the concept of masking in the workplace and how it affects neurodivergent individuals. They explore the need to present a different persona at work, the challenges of navigating office environments, and the importance of accommodations. They also touch on the role of communication styles and the impact of the work environment on productivity. Overall, the conversation highlights the unique experiences and struggles faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workplace.
2024-09-0644 minI Don’t Know What That MeansTime - is hardSummary
In this conversation, Jennifer and Graeme discuss the concept of time and how it affects neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD. They explore the difficulties of chronic time blindness and the challenges it presents in relationships and daily life. Jennifer shares her personal experiences with forgetting birthdays and anniversaries, as well as the concept of waiting mode and the need to overestimate time for appointments. They also touch on the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodivergent individuals in relationships. Time blindness is a common experience for individuals with ADHD, leading to difficulties with...2024-08-3048 minI Don’t Know What That MeansFood is whole ass thingSummary
In this conversation, Jennifer and Graham discuss their relationship with food, particularly in the context of their neurodivergent traits. They talk about their different preferences and sensitivities to textures, flavors, and smells. Graeme shares their aversion to leftovers and the uncertainty they feel when ordering food at restaurants. They also discuss the challenges of cooking and eating together, as well as the impact of past relationships on their food-related issues.
Can you relate?
"I personally have a ton of difficulty with like squishy mushy foods."
"I hate...2024-08-2346 minI Don’t Know What That MeansBirthdays, boo or best?In this conversation, Jennifer and Graham discuss their differing views on birthdays. Jennifer shares her negative experiences and anxieties surrounding birthdays, while Graham expresses his love for celebrating them. They explore the societal expectations and pressures associated with birthdays, as well as the challenges of social interactions and food preferences. The conversation touches on neurodivergent traits, such as anxiety, overthinking, and difficulty with social contracts. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexity and personal nature of birthdays. Birthdays can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals, as they often involve social expectations, surprises, and gift-giving. Autistic individuals, in particular, may struggle with...2024-08-161h 00I Don’t Know What That MeansTravel is a Whole Ass ThingSummary
Traveling can be stressful for anyone, not just neurodivergent individuals. The process of planning a trip and the uncertainty of it all can be overwhelming. Routine changes and disruptions can also cause anxiety. Differences in time zones, cultural norms, and even small things like gas grades can add to the sense of alienation. Jet lag and the need to readjust to previous routines upon returning home can also be challenging. Traveling can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals, especially when it comes to food and unfamiliar environments. The uncertainty and inconsistency of food can be stressful, and...2024-08-021h 32I Don’t Know What That MeansRepresentation in MediaSummary:
In this conversation, Jenn and Graham discuss the importance of representation in media, specifically in relation to neurodivergent individuals. They highlight examples of both good and bad representation, such as Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic character in Rain Man. They also discuss characters like Captain Raymond Holt from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Elizabeth Zott from Lessons in Chemistry, who are neurodivergent-coded but not explicitly labeled as such. The conversation delves into the double empathy problem, where neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals struggle to understand each other's perspectives and communication styles. The conversation explores the representation of neurodivergent...2024-07-191h 02I Don’t Know What That MeansStarting Things Is HardThe title says it all! But we did it! Episode one we discuss how just getting started on things is hard for us in different ways.2024-07-0553 minI Don’t Know What That MeansIntroducing ourselves - Hi!Welcome to I don't know What That Means, a double empathy podcast. We're going to talk about the ups, downs, and realities of relationships wherein one partner is neurotypical and the other is neurodivergent. Hi, I'm Jenn. I'm the neurotypical. And I'm Græme, the neurodivergent one: I'm autistic and ADHD, a combo that is often called auDHD. We met in 2020 and been together ever since. We thought it might be fun and informative to share our experience knowing there are other couples like us out there.
I also like to include what I c...2024-07-0400 min