Great Company with Jamie Laing: Cat Burns – Before My Autism Diagnosis, I Felt I Was Doing Life Wrong

Release Date: February 12, 2025 | Host: Jamie Laing | Guest: Cat Burns

1. Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Great Company with Jamie Laing, host Jamie welcomes musician and artist Cat Burns to discuss her journey with neurodiversity, personal growth, and the profound impact of her music. The conversation delves deep into Cat's experiences before and after her autism diagnosis, offering listeners valuable insights into living authentically and embracing one's true self.

2. Personal Background and Early Experiences

Jamie Laing opens the dialogue by sharing a personal anecdote about introducing Cat on stage at the BBC Radio 1 Festival, highlighting her as an "amazing artist" with a natural presence. This sets the stage for a heartfelt conversation about Cat's early life and the challenges she faced.

3. Neurodiversity: ADHD and Autism

Cat discusses her experiences living with ADHD and her later diagnosis of autism. She explains how her neurodivergent traits made social interactions challenging and often led her to feel disconnected from others.

Cat Burns [05:36]: "I'm an ADHD autistic girl. I need deep conversational interactions, which makes small talk difficult for me."

Cat elaborates on the differences between how ADHD manifests in girls compared to boys, noting that neurodivergent girls often remain high-achievers outwardly while struggling internally.

Cat Burns [33:59]: "ADHD in girls shows itself completely differently than in boys. We're still super smart and meet deadlines, but the journey it took is invisible."

4. Relationships and People-Pleasing Tendencies

The conversation shifts to Cat's propensity for people-pleasing and her struggles with maintaining genuine connections. She shares how her desire to make others feel safe often led her to overshare personal details or tell white lies to avoid conflict.

Cat Burns [12:23]: "I want every interaction to be meaningful. If someone doesn't overshare back, I find it scary because now they know so much about me."

Jamie relates by sharing his own experiences with people-pleasing, fostering a sense of camaraderie between the two.

5. Coping with Grief and Loss

Cat opens up about the profound impact of her father's passing on Christmas Day four years ago. She discusses how this loss forced her to confront and process her grief, leading to significant personal growth and a deeper understanding of forgiveness.

Cat Burns [26:04]: "I had to unpack and forgive myself and him. Now I take control of my brain, keeping what serves me and letting go of what doesn't."

6. Coming Out and Embracing Authenticity

A pivotal moment in the episode is Cat's story about coming out as a lesbian. She describes the emotional journey, the fear of judgment, and the liberation that followed. Her song "Free," which resonates with many listeners as an anthem of self-acceptance, is highlighted as a therapeutic expression of her truth.

Cat Burns [55:46]: "When I wrote 'Free,' it was about coming out to my mum. It's a freeing feeling to finally accept myself and step into my truth."

7. Music as Therapy and Connection

Cat emphasizes the role of music in her healing process and its power to connect people. She believes that music serves as a universal language that can make individuals feel less alone in their struggles.

Cat Burns [32:00]: "Music is therapy. It connects people because someone listening can relate to what's being sung and feel less alone."

8. Strategies for Managing Neurodiversity and Mental Health

Throughout the episode, Cat shares practical strategies that have helped her manage ADHD and autism without relying solely on medication. She highlights the importance of routines, exercise, and self-awareness in maintaining mental well-being.

Cat Burns [36:52]: "Exercise and a set routine have been more helpful for me than medication. It's about discipline and finding what works for your brain."

9. Closing Section: Rapid-Fire Questions

Towards the end, Jamie and Cat engage in a rapid-fire segment, answering personal questions that offer a glimpse into each other’s personalities:

• What's the favorite swear word?

  Cat Burns: "Tracy Be when she says 'bog off.'"

• Best compliment ever received?

  Cat Burns: "Your aura is really nice."

• What scares you most about yourself?

  Cat Burns: "How big my feelings can be."

• Favorite guilty pleasure?

  Cat Burns: "Rewatching Geordie Shore from season one to eleven."

These light-hearted exchanges provide a balanced contrast to the profound topics discussed earlier, leaving listeners with a sense of connection and relatability.

10. Conclusion

Cat Burns leaves a lasting impression with her authenticity, resilience, and the profound messages conveyed through her music and personal story. Great Company with Jamie Laing successfully highlights the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity, the healing power of authentic connections, and the role of music in personal growth.

For more inspiring conversations, subscribe to Great Company on your favorite podcast platform and join Jamie every Wednesday for another episode of GREAT COMPANY.