In the second episode of this two-parter special of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan continues her conversation with renowned neuroscientist and author of The Lost Girls of Autism, Professor Gina Rippon, exploring what life looks like after a diagnosis and why understanding autistic women goes far beyond outdated stereotypes.

Together, they discuss the hidden cost of masking, the emotional impact of receiving a late diagnosis, the importance of finding community, and how autism research and diagnosis could evolve to better support future generations.

Part 2 explores:
 🌶️ The difference between masking and camouflaging
 🌶️ Why masking can lead to burnout and exhaustion
 🌶️ The grief and relief that often follows a late diagnosis
 🌶️ Why autistic women are especially vulnerable to relational bullying
 🌶️ The power of finding community after diagnosis
 🌶️ How schools and workplaces can better recognise and support autistic people
 🌶️ Why the future of autism diagnosis may be based on support needs rather than stereotypes

Tune in for a conversation about identity, belonging, and how we can build a world that better understands and supports autistic people.

Part 1 can be found on our channel.

Contact Spicy Brain

Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Brain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected.

Find out more:

Email: spicybrain.production@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

Follow Gina:
Gina Rippon - Chair of Cognitive NeuroImaging

https://www.ginarippon.com/

British neurobiologist and feminist. She is a professor emeritus of cognitive neuroimaging at the Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham.

Resources:

Gina's Book: The Lost Girls of Autism

The Autistic Girls Network: https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/

In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with renowned neuroscientist and author of ‘The Lost Girls of Autism’, Professor Gina Rippon, to explore why so many autistic girls and women have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed far later in life.

Together, they unpack how decades of autism research focused primarily on boys, shaping the way autism has been recognised, understood, and diagnosed - and leaving countless girls and women without the answers or support they needed.

Part 1 explores:

🌶️ Why autism presents differently in girls and women
🌶️ The male bias in autism research and diagnosis
🌶️ The mental health impact of late diagnosis
🌶️ Why so many autistic women are misdiagnosed
🌶️ Workplace support and accommodations that make a difference
🌶️ The journey of self-understanding that follows a late diagnosis
🌶️ Masking and camouflaging – what they are and why they matter

Tune in for a conversation that challenges outdated ideas about autism and asks what needs to change so that autistic girls and women are no longer overlooked.

Part 2 is out next Tuesday.

Resources:
Guardian Article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/05/autism-extreme-male-brain-simon-baron-cohen
Gina's Book: The Lost Girls of Autism
The Autistic Girls Network: https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/

Contact Spicy Brain:
Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with Tom Gilding, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD man, to explore the realities of discovering your neurodivergence later in life and what it means to rebuild your identity after diagnosis.

Tom shares his personal journey of seeking answers after a rise in anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic led him to finally explore the experiences he had spent years trying to understand. From sensory overload and executive dysfunction to masking and feeling different, Tom reflects on the relief, grief, and self-discovery that came with his diagnosis.

The episode explores:
🌶️ What late diagnosis can reveal about your past experiences
🌶️ The push and pull between autism and ADHD traits
🌶️ Masking, burnout, and the pressure to fit in
🌶️ Neurodivergence, masculinity, and emotional expression
🌶️ Dating, relationships, and communicating your needs
🌶️ Finding community, self-acceptance, and support after diagnosis

Tom highlights why creating space for honesty and self-understanding is super crucial for neurodivergent men and he also explores how he uses advocacy and social media to challenge stereotypes around autism and ADHD, encourage adult diagnosis conversations, and help others feel less alone in their experiences.

Tune in for an open conversation about identity, acceptance, mental health, and what happens when you finally understand yourself in a new way.

Contact Spicy Brain:
Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

Follow Tom:
Email: tomgilding.collab@gmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tom_gilding/

In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan sits down with Kyra Hall-Gelly, founder and CEO of Neuro Tribe, to explore what truly neurodivergent-affirming mental health support looks like—and why so many traditional therapy models fall short.Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Kyra shares how her family's journey through mental healthcare inspired her to create a therapy practice designed around acceptance, understanding, and authentic support for neurodivergent individuals.

The episode also explores:
🌶️ Why traditional therapy can miss the needs of neurodivergent clients
🌶️ The impact of masking and the challenges of late diagnosis
🌶️ Creating spaces where neurodivergent people can be their authentic selves
🌶️ The importance of lived experience in therapeutic support
🌶️ Neurodivergent relationships, communication, and boundaries
🌶️ Celebrating neurodivergent strengths rather than trying to "fix" them

Kyra and Lara discuss how Neuro Tribe uses person-centred approaches that embrace individual differences, helping clients build self-understanding, self-advocacy, and confidence. She also shares insights into the emotional toll of masking and how therapy can support people in reconnecting with their identity after years of hiding who they are.

Tune in for an honest conversation about neurodiversity, mental health, belonging, and what becomes possible when support is built around acceptance rather than conformity.

Contact SpicyBrain

Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Bain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected.

Find out more:
Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

Follow Kyra:
https://neurotribe.uk/
Founder and CEO of Neuro Tribe

In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan is joined by forensic psychologist and 2024 Big Brother winner Ali Bromley for an in-depth conversation about adult ADHD, her personal journey, and her experiences in the public eye.

Lara and Ali explore how ADHD can present differently in adults, particularly in women, and why late diagnoses are often common. They discuss how societal expectations, masking, and internalized coping strategies can make symptoms harder to recognize and lead to burnout.

The episode also covers:
🌶️ How adult ADHD can be overlooked or misdiagnosed
🌶️ The unique challenges for neurodivergent women, including masking and societal pressures
🌶️ Practical strategies for managing executive dysfunction, from colour-coded calendars to accountability partners
🌶️ Navigating ADHD in high-pressure environments, including self-employment and reality TV
🌶️ The impact of public scrutiny and the importance of representation for neurodivergent women

Ali shares candid stories from her professional and personal life, illustrating how ADHD affects daily responsibilities, decision-making, and emotional regulation. She also highlights the intersection of ADHD with anxiety and depression, emphasising the importance of holistic care and self-advocacy.

Throughout the conversation, Lara and Ali offer practical guidance for listeners, including ways to seek accommodations, build supportive networks, and prioritize self-care, while advocating for broader awareness and understanding of adult ADHD.

Tune in to hear a thoughtful, honest discussion about living with ADHD as an adult, the power of community and self-advocacy, and how embracing neurodiversity can help individuals thrive, not just cope.

Contact SpicyBrain

Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Bain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected.

Find out more:
Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

Follow Ali:
https://www.instagram.com/_ali.bromley/
Psychologist & ADHD Coach

In this episode of the Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan is joined by author of Love Needs No Words and founder of Stories About Autism, James Hunt. He shares his deeply personal journey as the father of two non-speaking autistic sons, Tommy and Jude, opening up about the emotional complexity of receiving early diagnoses and the life-altering shift in expectations that followed.

Lara and James discuss the initial shock of diagnosis and the grief associated with reimagining parenthood and an expected future. James reflects on how early fears regarding his sons' independence and communication evolved into acceptance and a redefined understanding of a meaningful family life.

The episode also covers:

🌶️ The emotional reality of autism diagnosis

🌶️ The “grieving the expected life” experience many parents face

🌶️ Isolation shrinking a family’s world, and the importance of finding safe, supportive communities

🌶️ Misconceptions about non-speaking autism

🌶️ Communication beyond speech; gestures, routines, and expression

🌶️ How AAC tools and even texting unlocks new levels of connection 

🌶️ Shared interests and everyday interactions in building trust and bonding

James also discusses how moments that might seem small from the outside, like spontaneous expressions of emotion or nightly text messages, have become profound milestones in understanding his sons’ inner worlds. He reflects on how underestimated potential can be, sharing how communication breakthroughs, including texting, once felt unimaginable.

Throughout the conversation, James highlights his wider mission through Stories About Autism, his clothing brand SSA Clothing, and inclusive initiatives like Sand Fest, all designed to create visibility, reduce isolation, and build community for families navigating similar journeys.

The episode closes with a powerful message of hope: that expectations can be reshaped, joy can still be found in unexpected places, and that time, patience, and support can transform even the most uncertain beginnings into meaningful, connected lives.

Contact SpicyBrain

Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Bain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected.

Find out more:
Email:  hello@spicybrainmedia.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

Follow James:
www.instagram.com/storiesaboutautism/
Dad to 2 autistic boys, helping families feel less alone

In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan welcomes Dr. Luke Beardon, a leading autism expert, for a focused conversation on autistic experiences in education and the workplace, and what meaningful inclusion actually looks like in practice.

Lara and Dr. Beardon explore how understanding of autism has evolved in professional settings, moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all expectations toward more flexible, individualised approaches. They discuss how workplaces can better support autistic employees not through sweeping policies, but through practical, person-centred reasonable adjustments.

The episode also explores:
🌶️ How definitions and understanding of autism have changed
🌶️ Why traditional workplace structures often create unnecessary barriers for autistic people
🌶️ Effective reasonable adjustments in real working environments
🌶️ Flexible working, sensory environments, and tailored communication
🌶️ The challenges around disclosure in professional settings
🌶️ Introducing the idea of “autistic courtesy” and mutual understanding

Dr. Beardon explains that workplace challenges for autistic people often stem from environment and inflexible systems rather than ability. He provides examples of adjustments—from sensory-friendly workspaces to clear communication—that boost wellbeing and productivity.

The episode covers the complexities of diagnosis disclosure and offers guidance for employers, educators, and families. Together, Lara and Dr. Beardon advocate for systemic changes that move beyond tokenism toward genuine inclusion.

Tune in to this episode to hear a thoughtful, hopeful conversation about acceptance, inclusion, and how creating flexible work environments allows autistic people not just to cope but to thrive.

Contact SpicyBrain

Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Bain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected.

Find out more:
Email: hello@spicybrainmedia.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/

Follow Dr. Luke Beardon:
www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/autism-know-how/conferences/speakers-profiles/dr-luke-beardon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B072HC7SHS

In this episode of The Spicy Brain Podcast, host Lara Sullivan shares her deeply personal story of being diagnosed with autism at the age of 27, reflecting on the experiences that led her to seek answers and how that diagnosis reshaped her life.

Lara begins by exploring her time during the COVID-19 lockdowns, where she found herself unexpectedly thriving in a quieter, more predictable environment. As life returned to normal, however, she struggled with anxiety and depression, prompting her to question why readjustment felt so overwhelming compared to others.

Watching Love on the Spectrum prompted Lara to research autism in adult women, leading to online assessments suggesting a diagnosis. With family support, she pursued a formal assessment in Ireland, detailing the process and the resulting complex feelings of relief, validation, and frustration.

The episode also covers:
🌶️ Why autism is often missed or misdiagnosed in women
🌶️ The impact of masking and late diagnosis on mental health
🌶️ Post-diagnosis regression and the emotional aftermath of discovery
🌶️ Gaps in representation and research for neurodivergent adults
🌶️ Reassessing career paths and environments after diagnosis

Lara speaks candidly about the emotional toll of feeling misunderstood and the anger from recognising missed signs earlier. Her diagnosis prompted a career reevaluation, leading her to step away from a corporate role and find a new purpose advocating for neurodiversity and underrepresented voices.

Tune in for an honest and insightful conversation about late autism diagnosis, identity, and self-acceptance, and how understanding your neurodivergence can open the door to a more aligned and authentic life.

Contact SpicyBrain

Thanks for tuning in to Spicy Bain, the podcast Lara Sullivan created after her own late autism diagnosis. Each week, Lara sits down with guests from across the neurodivergent community to challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and laugh through the shared realities of life. For more content visit our website or follow us on your favourite social platform to stay connected.

Find out more:
Email: spicybrain.production@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spicybrain.podcast/

Follow Lara:
Website: linktr.ee/Sullivanlara
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sullivanlara/