Best High Masking Autism Podcasts (2025)

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6. "Too Sensitive" (Or So They Said) 31:42

Play Pause

5d ago31:42

31:42

You can spot when someone's uncomfortable from three tables away and immediately start problem-solving. But mention that the restaurant music is literally painful? Suddenly you're "being dramatic." Sound exhausting? Welcome to the AuDHD sensitivity paradox. Here's what nobody tells you: What if "too sensitive" was never about you being fragile? Wha…

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5. Shy Was Code All Along 21:38

12d ago21:38

21:38

You were labeled the "shy kid" growing up. Now you're wondering - was that really shyness, or was something else happening? If you've ever thought "I wasn't antisocial, I just needed different things" or felt confused about why you desperately wanted friends but found social situations so draining, this episode is for you. There's a specific patter…

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4. The Unmasking Menu 40:31

19d ago40:31

40:31

You know masking is draining you, but what does "unmasking" actually look like? When advice says "just unmask," where do you even start? Here's the thing - you've been masking unconsciously for decades. So unmasking means consciously identifying things you didn't even know you were doing. This episode is your practical starting menu. Seven differen…

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1. AuDHD: When Neither Box Fits 21:12

1M ago21:12

21:12

You’ve done all the research, tried all the coaching advice, earned your mini-PhD in Autism and ADHD knowledge. But somehow you’re still exhausted, still struggling, still wondering why nothing actually works for your brain. What if the problem isn’t you? What if it’s that you’re too Autistic for ADHD advice, too ADHD for Autism advice, and too neu…

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2. Following Sparks (The Heart of This Show) 37:52

1M ago37:52

37:52

Your current life isn't working for your brain. But how do you redesign your world to be sustainable when you have no model for what that looks like as an AuDHDer? When you need something completely different from what you see around you, traditional planning falls apart. You can't set goals for a destination you can't picture. There's a navigation…

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3. The Price of Looking ‘Normal’ 18:42

1M ago18:42

18:42

You know how sometimes you feel this bone deep exhaustion that’s different from regular tired? The kind where you run two errands and feel wiped for the entire day? That’s the invisible labor of masking - and it’s likely costing you more energy than you realize. When you’re AuDHD, you're doing double duty. Hiding ADHD struggles while suppressing Au…

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S4 - Ep 1 Transition to High School 40:23

9M ago40:23

40:23

After a loooong break from recording due to life and curveballs (our Villagers will understand), Anna, Bel and Char are back. We talk about our fears, experience and hope as our neurodivergent 12 year olds finish primary school, and head into high school. We also update listeners on our name change, and share that our conversations from now on will…

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Green Noise | Sleep Sound For Pets (12 Hours) 11:55:00

1y ago11:55:00

11:55:00

Introducing 12 hours of Green Noise, meticulously crafted to calm your furry friends during times of separation anxiety, thunderstorms, noisy neighbors, fireworks, and other disruptive sounds. This versatile sleep sound isn't just for dogs—it's also effective for cats, birds, and other pets. Let our soothing Green Noise provide your beloved compani…

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Deep Brown Noise | Sleep Sound For Pets (12 Hours) 11:55:00

1+ y ago11:55:00

11:55:00

Introducing 12 hours of Deep Brown Noise, meticulously crafted to calm your furry friends during times of separation anxiety, thunderstorms, noisy neighbors, fireworks, and other disruptive sounds. This versatile sleep sound isn't just for dogs—it's also effective for cats, birds, and other pets. Let our soothing Deep Brown Noise provide your belov…

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Brown Noise | Sleep Sound For Pets (12 Hours) 11:55:00

1+ y ago11:55:00

11:55:00

Introducing 12 hours of Brown Noise, meticulously crafted to calm your furry friends during times of separation anxiety, thunderstorms, noisy neighbors, fireworks, and other disruptive sounds. This versatile sleep sound isn't just for dogs—it's also effective for cats, birds, and other pets. Let our soothing Brown Noise provide your beloved compani…

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Pink Noise | Sleep Sound For Pets (12 Hours) 11:55:00

1+ y ago11:55:00

11:55:00

Introducing 12 hours of Pink Noise, meticulously crafted to calm your furry friends during times of separation anxiety, thunderstorms, noisy neighbors, fireworks, and other disruptive sounds. This versatile sleep sound isn't just for dogs—it's also effective for cats, birds, and other pets. Let our soothing Pink Noise provide your beloved companion…

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White Noise | Sleep Sound For Pets (12 Hours) 11:55:00

1+ y ago11:55:00

11:55:00

Introducing 12 hours of White Noise, meticulously crafted to calm your furry friends during times of separation anxiety, thunderstorms, noisy neighbors, fireworks, and other disruptive sounds. This versatile sleep sound isn't just for dogs—it's also effective for cats, birds, and other pets. Let our soothing White Noise provide your beloved compani…

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S3 Ep 9 - Disordered Eating in ND kids 39:55

1+ y ago39:55

39:55

A conversation with one of our treasured Villagers about navigating eating disorders and neurodiversity. A first hand account and one we know many will relate to. Please note that this episode contains discussion of eating disorders that some people may find distressing.

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S3 Ep 8 - Sleep - The true night terrors 38:54

1+ y ago38:54

38:54

In this ep Char shares her horror story of sleep with her ND kids. We know this is a real thing for many of our Villagers and would love to hear your experiences too. Contact us on Insta @thevillagelanternpodcast

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S3 Ep 7- ChristMESS incoming! 34:10

2y ago34:10

34:10

ChristMESS incoming!…as Anna, Bel and Char drag themselves to the 2023 finish line, they chat about the discomfort and joy of navigating the festive season and long summer hols in neurodivergent families. Grab a sherry/Aperol and a fistful of chocolate and come and have a listen… Show notes: Find our script for how to respond to some of the comment…

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S3 Ep 6 - Dr Ross Greene download 38:00

2y ago38:00

38:00

Bel interviews Anna on her recent workshop with the incredible Dr Ross Greene. Dr Greene has developed a child-lead, exploratory approach to understanding the root of challenging behaviours and how to address the needs, rather than the behaviours. It's gold. Show notes: https://drrossgreene.com/about-cps.htm https://livesinthebalance.org/…

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S3 Ep 5 - ADHD musings 39:58

2y ago39:58

39:58

Anna and Bel share their thoughts and discoveries about how ADHD shows up in their families.

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S3 Ep 4 - Fit your oxygen mask first 41:19

2y ago41:19

41:19

Mental health for parents and carers of neurodivergent kids is hard to prioritise and maintain. Anna, Bel and Char talk about their own experiences and share some of what they have learned.

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S3 Ep 2 - School Again - Part 1 40:06

2y ago40:06

40:06

We talk about the gnarly topic of school and its challenges for ND kids. It’s only ever a small slice of the reality but it’s such a big one for Villagers.

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S3 Ep 3 - School Again - Part 2 24:52

2y ago24:52

24:52

Second half of Ep 2. There is never enough time to cover this gnarly topic.

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S3 Ep 1 - Lael Stone - Compassion, Connection and Acceptance 1:21:05

2+ y ago1:21:05

1:21:05

Kicking off Season 3 with the beautiful Lael Stone. Lael Stone is a speaker, educator and author who defines her passion as “supporting parents to understand their children, helping adults process their own childhood trauma and creating education systems that value emotional awareness." In this conversation we talk about the importance of compassio…

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S2 Ep 12 - Working and Burnout 45:32

2+ y ago45:32

45:32

In this conversation, Anna, Bel and Char talk about the many challenges of working while raising neurodivergent kids. All families trying to make this delicate balance work will tell you it’s a struggle, but when you add the Additional and complex needs of ND kids it’s a whole new level of challenge. We talk about the daily tribulations, the decisi…

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S2 Ep 11 - Siblings 44:43

2+ y ago44:43

44:43

Anna, Bel and Char talk about the extra, extra challenges of parenting more than one child with neurodivergent conditions. The fighting, the despair, and even the good bits!

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S2 Ep 10 - Education 45:44

2+ y ago45:44

45:44

Anna, Bel and Char scratch the surface of educating kids with hidden challenges. We talk about the complex, ongoing struggle of supporting our kids through the school years.

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S2 Ep 9 - Jordan is back and HoopNow 39:39

2+ y ago39:39

39:39

We welcome back Jordan and talk to Scott McCarney, COO of HoopNow, a basketball program for kids with additional needs.

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S2 Ep 8 - Quick update and introducing Takes A Village 3:28

2+ y ago3:28

3:28

Quick update on some updates to the podcast and introducing Takes A Village, an organisation supporting families living with kids with hidden challenges.

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S2 Ep 7 - Just diagnosed...what does it all mean? 34:55

2+ y ago34:55

34:55

In this episode Anna, Char and Bel talk about what it's like going through the process of getting a diagnosis of a neurodiverse condition for your child.

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S2 Ep 6 - Introducing Bel and Char 34:33

3y ago34:33

34:33

Meet Bel Rattigan and Char Adorjan, our new co-hosts joining the Village Lantern Podcast. In this episode we get to know Bel and Char, talk about how we met, our shared joy and struggles parenting neurodiverse kids, and our hopes to change the world around them.

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S2 Ep 5 - Breaking News 5:58

3y ago5:58

5:58

A short episode to share some exciting news about bringing on two additional co-hosts to the Village Lantern family - Annabel Rattigan and Char Adorjan join Jordan and Anna.

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S2 Ep 4 - Community leaders - Saint Kilda Football Club - Kate Shierlaw 39:35

3y ago39:35

39:35

Kate Shierlaw is the Community Engagement Support Officer and an AFLW athlete at the St Kilda Football Club. In this conversation, we talk to Kate about the SaintsPlay program at the Club, which provides the opportunity for kids with intellectual and development disorders to learn footy skills, and be a part of the Saints community. We also talk ab…

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S2 EP3 - Personal Insight - Living in a neurotypical world as a neurodivergent teenager - Lola 42:16

3y ago42:16

42:16

Meet Lola. A brilliant, funny and articulate teenager living with ASD and ADHD. In this conversation, we talk about the experience of being diagnosed, identity, friendship, gender and living in a neurotypical world.

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S2 Ep 2 - Youth community changing lives one camp at a time. Flying Fox Dean Cohen 53:02

3+ y ago53:02

53:02

We talk to the inspiring and brilliant Dean Cohen, CEO of Flying Fox and AOM.Since 2014, Flying Fox has connected kids with special needs with the wider community through exciting youth organised camps. The network is comprised of volunteer buddies and campers to create positive social interactions in a fun and safe environment. Flying Fox is dedic…

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S2 Ep 1 - Anna and Jordan are back! 1:03:37

3+ y ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Season 2 finally launched. Anna and Jordan talk about what's been going on and what's ahead for the Village Lantern Podcast.By Anna Oxley Rintoul and Jordan Sandler

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S1 Ep 10 - Insight with the lot - personal experience, parenting, teaching and advocacy. Tal Spinrad. Part 2. 37:44

4+ y ago37:44

37:44

Tal Spinrad is a career Jewish educator and advocate for change with over three decades of experience working within all aspects of the Jewish community. Combining the passion of Ezekiel, with the humour of Mel Brooks, Tal uses both modern and traditional narratives to engage and reveal insights.In this episode, Tal shares his personal experiences …

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S1 Ep 9 - Expert Insight: Education, communication and understanding with deep care and love - Sarah Wright 47:15

4+ y ago47:15

47:15

Sarah Wright started her career as a high school English teacher, and went on to become an educational psychologist. Sarah spent 16 years at a special school for children with intellectual disability and co-morbid disabilities, a place she calls her "true love". Sarah then qualified as a clinical psychologist, and continues to work with special nee…

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S1 Ep 8 - Parenting : With love, protection and comedy - Rodney Marks 45:48

5y ago45:48

45:48

Rodney has been a comedian since 1991 using 'hoaxes and jokeses' to bring light and joy to private and public events and corporate sessions. Rodney is hilarious as well as deeply kind and caring and has a beautiful knack for exploring the human experience with both lightness and depth. In this conversation, Rodney shares the inspiring, unique and u…

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S1 Ep 7 - Rethinking Autism: Positivity, a mother's love and changing lives - Chris Varney - Part 2 38:42

5y ago38:42

38:42

Chris Varney is the founder and CEO of the first-of-its-kind I CAN Network. Chris's vision of a 'Rethink on Autism' is a shift from a deficits-focussed approach to a strengths-based one, and one that has touched and benefitted the lives of thousands of Autistics. In this episode we hear about how Chris made his dream of changing lives come true.…

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S1 Ep 6 - Expert insight : How awareness and understanding of ASD has changed in psychology and education: Deirdre Brandner 47:14

5y ago47:14

47:14

Deirdre started as a primary school teacher, and was driven to become a psychologist after seeing kids in the classroom struggling, and who were not receiving the support they needed. Deirdre has been a fully registered child psychologist (AHPRA) for over 20 years and with her interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder. We talk to Deirdre about kids, the…

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S1 Ep 5 - Insight with the lot - personal experience, parenting, teaching and advocacy. Tal Spinrad. Part 1 40:33

5y ago40:33

40:33

Tal Spinrad is a career Jewish educator and advocate for change with over three decades of experience working within all aspects of the Jewish community. Combining the passion of Ezekiel, with the humour of Mel Brooks, Tal uses both modern and traditional narratives to engage and reveal insights.In this episode, Tal shares his personal experiences …

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S1 Ep 4 - Expert insight : Developmental paediatrician explains autism from a medical view point - Dr Annie Moulden 46:55

5y ago46:55

46:55

How is ASD diagnosed in the medical world and how does it impact individuals?By Anna Oxley Rintoul and Jordan Sandler

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S1 Ep 3 - Rethinking Autism: Positivity, a mother's love and advocacy - Chris Varney - Part 1 40:29

5y ago40:29

40:29

Chris Varney is the founder and CEO of the first-of-its-kind I CAN Network. Chris has a mind-blowing CV, including graduating law, being recognised as the Australian Youth Representative to the UN, the World Vision Australia's Manager of Youth in 2009, and the recipient of the 2017 Supreme Court of Victoria's Best Achievement in Human Rights Award.…

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S1 Ep 1 - Meet Anna and Jordan 32:26

5y ago32:26

32:26

Anna and Jordan are a full generation apart (they think...). In this intro episode, they share their story of how they came together to bring light and love to the community living with hidden challenges. They chat about how they met, how they landed in this community, and what they want to achieve with this podcast and their lives!…

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S1 Ep 2 - Community Leaders Lighting the Way - Hawthorn Football Club and Justin Reeves 41:26

5y ago41:26

41:26

The Hawthorn Football has social inclusion as a key pillar of their community strategy. CEO Justin Reeves and General Manager of Foundation and Community, Kerrie Brewer join us to talk about their role as community leaders, and the responsibility that comes with having the influence over a significant proponent of Victoria and broader Australia, an…