Shows
My Neurodivergent LifeNavigating Academic Anxiety and Self-Doubt - S2E4In this conversation, Rick MacIvor shares his journey into graduate school, discussing the emotional roller coaster of the application process, the unexpected challenges of interviews, and the anxiety that arose from competing with other prospective students. He reflects on past experiences that triggered feelings of inadequacy and shame, particularly in academic settings. The discussion delves into the impact of stress on ADHD symptoms, the importance of self-awareness, and strategies for challenging negative thoughts. The conversation highlights the complexities of mental health, particularly the nuances of shame and the internal voices that can hinder personal growth.
K...
2025-11-2627 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThis is your meatball on music therapy... with Victoria Lininger - S2E3Welcome back electric meatballs, it’s time to get all up into My Neurodivergent Life. Today Gabby and I are joined by Victoria Lininger.
Today’s conversation was a lot of fun. Victoria was just a hoot to talk with and choc full of information. One of Victorias previous businesses was as a music therapist. Lot’s of interesting info there. We talk about audio processing disorder, using music to help kids learn, and how she runs her own business as someone who is neurodivergent herself. Not to mention raising a gaggle of neurodivergent kids.
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2025-10-2927 minMy Neurodivergent LifeBody Image, Weight Loss, and Neurodivergence with Mike PridgenWelcome back electric meatballs, it’s time to get all up into My Neurodivergent Life. Today Gabby and tackle the conversation around neurodivergence health and body image. And to do this we are very excited to be bringing in our first ever guest on the show, Mike Pridgen.
Many years ago Mike was diagnosed with what was then called Asperger’s, now known as ASD. We’ll hear him tell the story of his past eating habits, body image and how he lost 101 pounds, kept it off, and came to change his life to the point of becoming...
2025-10-1427 minMy Neurodivergent LifeTraveling and ADHD - Some best practices and lessons learned - S2E1Hi and welcome to the first episode of season two of the My Neurodivergent Life podcast. I’m Rick Macivor and I’m joined by Gabby Nistico.
Gabby and I both had very busy summers, Myself, I ventured on an eighteen day vacation to Scotland. Wonderful trip, and I learned some really important things about myself and my ADHD while traveling. So today we go through a few of those insights and even have a few best practices that might help you out if you’re looking to travel in the near future.
As always,this podcas...
2025-10-0225 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where there aren't enough of us - S1-Ep24Hey there my electric meatball friends, you have arrived at the end of season one of the My Neurodivergent Life Podcast.
I’m a child that grew up on American sitcoms, and their seasons are usually 24 episodes, I can’t help but follow that rule. Gabby and I reflect briefly on what we’ve learned this season, and I reveal something I never ever thought I would do again in a million years. Really.
I do have a quick ask, if you have enjoyed this podcast please take a sec to rate us. It’ll really help u...
2025-07-0120 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with the poop rule - S1-Ep23Hey there my electric meatball friends, you have arrived at the My Neurodivergent Life Podcast. I’m Rick Macivor and today Gabby and I talk about clutter. I learn all about something called goat trails, and the poop rule. We dive into the why of stuff, is it just for sentimental reasons or is there more to it. Oh and Gabby shares her tried and true method for de-cluttering. This one is a ride, so jump on!
This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes, it is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a...
2025-06-2429 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we imagine a world - S1-E22Ok meatballs, today’s story is positive and inspiring, mostly. Imagine a world where it’s ok to advocate for yourself at work. It’s ok to the people around you and to your customers to talk about what’s really going on, what you’re needs are, and to have the support of management, HR, leadership. It’d be nice. Well, today Gabby and I talk about an experience where that absolutely was the case.
This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes, it is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a phy...
2025-06-1632 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where my teeth itch - S1-E21This week on the My neurodivergent life podcast Gabby and I dive into bottom up vs top down. No not if you are a bottom or a top, no. We talk about how neurodivergent folks tend to have sensory first experiences rather than situational first experiences. Don’t worry it’ll make sense in the first 3 minutes. Also how our sensory first view of the world can drive so many of our choices, and how we can also use that as a superpower. So…
As always I want to remind you
This podcast is presented solely for...
2025-06-0334 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where I'm called to the principals office - S1-E20“Why do I always feel like I’m in trouble?” Is it a learned behavior or is it part of how our neurodivergent brains are wired? It’s a chicken and egg scenario. We dig into how neurodivergent negative patterns are formed and reinforced and how that affects us throughout our lives.
2025-05-2724 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where one of these things is not like the other - S1-E19Today’s episode is all about pattern recognition. Current events, music, geometry, relationships, all of these things have patterns in some form or another. Sometimes it’s a superpower, and other times, well, it can cause us a whole bunch of stress. The trick is, when can you trust it and when might it be driven by fear? An awareness is the first step.
2025-05-2031 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with the box of puppies - S1-E18Today we explore negativity bias. Also known as catastrophising, the downward spiral, worst case scenario. Why do we do it? Where does it come from? What are the coping skills we tend to use to stop doing it. Some are healthier than others. Maybe if we can understand it a bit better, we can recognize it faster and pull up before we hit the ground.
2025-05-1328 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where time is a construct - S1-E17Today, gabby Nistico and I pull apart how us neurodivergent folks relate to time. What is time anyway? How do we deal with the phenomenon of time blindness? What’s behind that little quirk? I know that when I hyper fixate I can easily lose hours in my day. And sometimes, often times actually, I’m completely unaware it’s happening. I do have a few strategies to deal with my time blindness that help me stay on track. And actually my smart phone has nothing to do with it, in fact in a way my smartphone actually took away one of m...
2025-05-0625 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where RFK Jr. sucks. - S1-E16Oh my dear meatballs have we got a doozy today. Gabby and I unpack RFK Jr.’s diabolical attack on the neurodivergent community. Specifically Autism. He has held a series of press conferences full of disinformation, outlandish claims and poor methodology all centered around finding the cause of the disease of autism. And all by September of 2025. So what about this crusade is so damaging? What could be the harm in researching Autism? Isn’t that a good thing? Well, that’s the subject of our conversation today. Spoiler alert, it’s not a good thing, at all.
2025-04-2540 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we rip the paper ceiling - S1-E15Today’s episode is all about college degrees. We talk about the current college experience, and what new graduates are experiencing when they leave and start looking for work. Also, how college today is so expensive that it leaves little time to explore different subjects, varied interests, and some things that you might not even know you wanted to know. What happens if you don’t get an undergraduate degree, or if you don’t get a graduate degree. Do you hit a paper ceiling? According to the website Tearthepaperceiling.org, there are more than 70 million american workers who are restri...
2025-04-2235 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we ruminate about Petey - S1-E14This week gabby and I dig into Rumination. You know, when you can’t stop thinking about that embarrassing moment from years ago, or even something that happened to you that was never in your control in the first place that you can’t seem to stop thinking about. Sometimes even that song that gets stuck in your head, oh and by the way, I have a secret trick to getting rid of ear worms that works pretty well.
2025-04-1537 min
VO BOSSMarketing Investments with Danielle FambleBOSSes Anne Ganguzza and Danielle Famble discuss the critical role of marketing in the voice acting industry. They explore various marketing strategies, including the importance of having a professional website, effective SEO practices, and the role of direct marketing. Learn about the impact of high-quality demos, the significance of direct marketing, and the potential returns when executed correctly. They touch on direct marketing services like VO Boss Blast, emphasizing targeted marketing without the spammy aftertaste. The BOSSes further explore the roles of online casting platforms, agent representation, and direct marketing, emphasizing the importance of diversifying marketing efforts and understanding...
2025-04-0933 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where pants are optional - S1-E13Have you heard of the practice of bed rotting? It’s a term that has started to pop up. And as much as rotting may conjure up negative connotations, it’s actually a form of self care. With our digitally connected world, where we can be productive anywhere, why can’t that place have a pillow? Today we explore the reasons, the positives and the possible challenges that is bed rotting.
2025-04-0832 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with negative feedback - S1E12Today on the My Neurodivergent life podcast, Gabby Nistico and I are diving into negative feedback, constructive criticism, and how us Neurodivergent folks handle receiving it, and how we can better give this feedback. How can we avoid being just plain argumentative, or defensive. Is it possible to create a mindset in the workplace that diffuses anxiety and still work on problems? What does the neurodivergent meatball need in order to listen, hear and reflect in a manner that is helpful for the whole team?
2025-04-0127 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we Bah-humbug. S1-E11HOHOHO electric meatballs, welcome back to the My Neurodivergent life podcast. I’m Rick MacIvor and I’m once again joined by the effervescent Gabby Nistico. This time of year, being neurodivergent can be extra stressful. Gabby knows this all too well. How do you deal with all the traffic, the break in the routine, other people being extra chatty, the energy of the holiday spirit alone can use up all your spoons for the day. Feel the same? Let’s talk about it.
2025-03-2523 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with the encouraging squirrels. S1-E10Gabby and I are almost finished with the wish list, these are the final two items. The adhd joke that you hear over and over is “squirrel!” Ha, ha yes sometimes that can happen. But really, it’s really about not being able to do the thing. Even if I really want to do the thing, I can’t seem to get it done. Getting over that is a challenge and there is one trick that I use that seems to help. And lastly, a pat on the back goes a long way. Just an acknowledgment of effort, just a simple posit...
2025-03-1818 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with brain pudding - S1E9Today Gabby Nistico and I continue talking about the items on my wish list. First up is Don’t hover, both physically and psychologically. Then, my personal favorite Brain pudding. I’ll just let that sit there and I’ll explain it later. And lastly, Multitasking is bull poop. for several reasons that we dive deep into.
2025-03-1830 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with number 3 and 4 on the wish list - S1-E8We continue our conversation about the neurodivergent wish list. These are things I wish people knew about being neurodivergent, it’s not personal, it’s just my Ferrari brain has bicycle brakes. Next on the list is the problem of too many notifications, and then we talk about deadlines. And bonus, we talk about the three words I have on my wall behind me. It says “make people happy”. And spoiler alert, it has nothing to do with people pleasing.
2025-03-1829 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we start the list - S1E7I have a wish list. It’s a wish list to all the neurotypical people in my life. It’s the things that I wish NT people understood about my neurodivergent life. These are the top 10 things, and today we cover the top two. 1 - Even though it may seem like I’m not listening, I am listening. And 2 - Please, don’t move my stuff. Gabby and I really uncover what’s at the root of these things and how to communicate that with the Neurotypical people in our lives.
2025-03-1834 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we label all the things - S1-E6Let’s talk about labels. Labels labels labels. It seems like lately we’re obsessed with labeling every little quirk, proclivity, personality trait. Why is that? Are we slapping labels on everything now just because it’s trendy? Are labels a way of excusing responsibilities for things? Or is it something else?
2025-03-1829 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we confront our bias - S1-E5Today Gabby and talk about someone who’s autism may have contributed to the conviction of an alleged crime and possibly his sentence. Because of how people with autism are often perceived as unfeeling or detached, should that bias be taken into account in these situations? How does this translate to our everyday lives? Do we misinterpret or mistreat autistic people based on how we expect them to behave?
2025-03-1832 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where we fail faster - S1-E4Why DIY? What compels us neurodivergent folks to want to DIY all the things? Is it a feature, is it a bug? That constant little itch when we see a need, or an idea, or a product and we think “I could do that.” Maybe I could do it better… There’s huge value in that DIY mentality, even if we fail. Because we learned what didn’t work, and then we can learn to fail faster. Maybe that’s why there are so many neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
2025-03-1825 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one where later becomes never - S1-E3Today we talk about the phenomenon of how Later often turns into never. For me it goes beyond work projects or major tasks, it’s emails, texts, phone calls, simple little things that just seem to fall through the cracks. And when I do realize what’s happened, the negative self talk flood gates open wide. So this week we’re going to talk about some strategies that we use to help avoid later limbo, and if it does happen, how to recover without beating yourself up.
2025-03-1834 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe one with Richard Branson - S1-Ep2Richard Branson has a new venture. He calls it the "Dyslexic University". Gabby and I dig into what this is all about, and turns out to be a bit different than we expected.
2025-03-0435 min
VO BOSSManifesting Your Best Year Ever00:01 - Rick MacIvor (Ad) Hi, this is Rick MacIver with the VO Video Village YouTube channel. You know, when I started doing voiceover, I listened to the VO Boss podcast religiously. It was my go-to source of information about the industry and I still listen to it to this day. Every week there's an amazing new guest and Anne is able to really get some great information. I just love it. So thank you so much, Anne, looking forward to next week's episode. 00:33 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Hey guys, it's that season again. Are you feeling that...
2025-01-0730 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe Neurodivergent Way Podcast - The one where we introduce ourselvesEvery hero has an origin story. Gabby Nistico and Rick MacIvor also have origin stories. We realize a good place to start any story is at the beginning. So, let's do that.
2024-09-2231 minMy Neurodivergent LifeThe Neurodivergent Way Podcast - The one with the trailerIn this non-episode episode, Gabby Nistico and Rick MacIvor lay out the basic premise of where we are headed.
2024-09-2201 min
Xing The Gap, with Rick MillerBest Of Season 1 TriviaIn this episode - the last of Season 1 - Rick has put together a "best-of" trivia edit: 5 minutes each from 7 of your favourite episodes. It’s just silly fun, but these days, it’s more important than ever to laugh - especially at ourselves. So enjoy this special episode, featuringMary Walsh & Jamie PittBruce Kuwabara & Roxane BejjanyDaniel MacIvor & Zach Running CoyoteKaren Johnson-Diamond, Stephanie Wolfe & Griffin CorkRobert Lepage & Lyndz DantisteColin Mochrie & Debra McGrathJeremy Dutcher & John LerouxStay tuned for video edits of season 1 episodes, and a brand new XTG season of intergenerational conversations in the Fall of 2022.#Buil...
2022-05-1937 min
Xing The Gap, with Rick MillerDaniel MacIvor & Zach Running CoyoteIt's inter-generational theatre time! Rick speaks with Daniel MacIvor and Zach Running Coyote. Daniel’s one of Canada’s most renowned writer/performers, winner of the 2008 Siminovitch Prize, and too many other awards to list here. If you’ve been through theatre school in Canada, you’ve probably studied one of his monologues. Zach’s a twenty-something, multi-talented writer/performer, only a couple of years out of acting school, who I bet the next generation of theatre students will be studying. As a trio, they dig into generational cuspers, the recognition of intersection, solo vs multi-actor performance, cross-generational writing, repeating...
2022-01-2238 min