Podcast
WTF is AuDHD?
Hosted by Ellie & Paige Harwood · EN
Ellie (33) and Paige (31) are sisters who were diagnosed late with autism and ADHD (AuDHD). However, the way it manifests in them doesn't look the same. With AuDHD only becoming an official diagnosis in 2013, the lack of research not only resulted in late diagnosis and mental health issues, but also left Ellie and Paige feeling alone and confused. This podcast is a space where Ellie and Paige share their experiences, in the hopes it will help others. It explores the vast manifestations of neurodivergence and emphasises how even sisters with the same condition can look completely different.
// Diagnosed late, here to educate // INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE @wtfisaudhdpodcast
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29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E67 | Why movies feel like homework (for some AuDHD brains)
1w ago00:41:29Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ellie and Paige reflect on Ellie's recent overseas trip and why Amsterdam in particular was kind to her neurodivergent mind. We go on a few side quests along the way, chatting about Ellie's recent engagement, Paige tells a story about having Tourette's in public and we accidentally end up analysing marriage. In the second half of the episode, we chat all about movies and why we both find it hard to commit to them. Ellie brings some research on why some autistic/ADHD people struggle with movies and we bring our own lived experience. We're curious to know - do you also struggle to commit to movies?Sign up for WTF Journal presales - wtfjournals.com/signupChat with Ellie - ellieonthetelly.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E66 | Neurodiversity and the fear of being perceived
3w ago00:33:22Tap to summarizeWhy does being seen feel so uncomfortable… even when nothing’s actually wrong?In this episode, we unpack the fear of being perceived - something that shows up in many people from the neurodivergent community. From overthinking how we’re coming across, to feeling exposed just existing in public (and private!), to avoiding being watched altogether (lockdown was an interesting time) - we share what this experience feels like for us. Maybe you'll recognise this in yourself too? We talk about masking, perfectionism, shame, and the weird contradiction of wanting to be understood but not wanting to be perceived.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E65 | Things that dysregulate us (feat. you)
4w ago00:32:07Tap to summarizeWhat completely dysregulates you that might seem a bit unusual to someone else? This episode is basically a collection of “why does THIS send me over the edge?” moments.We’re sharing the things that dysregulate us as AuDHDers - from noises, to sounds, to textures, to general demands - we share our own experiences plus read out the ones you sent us on Instagram.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Book a mentoring session with Ellie ellieonthetelly.comSign up for early access to our journals - wtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E64 | Cannabis and AuDHD - why does it make me feel "normal"?
Apr 2700:46:13Tap to summarizeContent note: This episode discusses cannabis use and self-medication. We’re sharing personal experiences, not medical advice. If medicinal cannabis is legal in your country/state, please see a healthcare professional to discuss your prescription options.In this episode, we explore why cannabis use seems to be relatively common among ADHD and autistic people - and what we’ve personally noticed. Even though we're sisters, we've both had different relationships with it. We talk about how it affects our brains and bodies, the ways it can help (and sometimes not help), and the very loose science behind why this might be the case. We chat about the endocannabinoid system and how that system might work differently in autistic people and discuss whether this might be why it helps some of us feel "normal".Again, this isn't medical advice, it's just a casual chat about something that isn’t talked about enough.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E63 | The anxiety loop living in our bodies - Hyperventilation Syndrome
Apr 2000:42:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we’re talking about Hyperventilation Syndrome and how easy it is to get stuck in an anxiety-breathing feedback loop without even realising. If you often feel dizzy, tight-chested, or like you can't catch a literal breath - you might relate to our personal experiences with chronic hyperventilation throughout our lives. We also touch on Ellie's lived experience with “W sitting” (if you know, you know). We chat about why so many neurodivergent people do it, why it’s not ideal for development, and how it’s impacted Ellie's body long-term.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journalsSign up to early access for our journals - wtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E62 | Why autistic & ADHD people are more vulnerable - our experiences with harm
Apr 1300:56:29Tap to summarizeTrigger warning: this episode discusses Ellie and Paige's experiences with manipulation, sexual harm and harrassment. Listen with care.In this episode, we’re talking about some of the harder experiences we’ve had - including manipulation, bullying, and situations where consent and safety weren’t always clear at the time. Our aim with this chat is to help you recognise harm and vaildate similar experiences you may have had.We explore this through an AuDHD lens, unpacking things like missing red flags, people-pleasing, delayed processing, and the moments where we only realised later that something wasn’t okay.This isn’t a graphic episode - it’s a reflective one. We’re focusing on patterns, understanding, and what we wish we’d known earlier.Please take care while listening: pause, skip, or come back to this when you feel ready.If you or someone you know needs help, visit: https://www.wannatalkaboutit.com/SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E61 | Why AuDHDers are 3x more likely to experience binge eating
Apr 601:12:19Tap to summarizeTrigger warning: this episode contains light conversations surrounding eating and disordered eating. In this episode, we’re joined by Erin - an ADHDer and dietician (Balance and Bite) - to unpack what neuroaffirming nutrition actually looks like and why traditional advice around food so often doesn’t work for neurodivergent people.Erin talks to us about the real reasons the neurodivergent population struggle with food - from executive dysfunction and dopamine-seeking, to sensory needs, decision fatigue, and burnout. We explore why advice like “just eat when you’re hungry” or “just use willpower” can fall apart, and how these challenges are often misunderstood as personal failure rather than differences in how our brains work.We also dive into binge eating, emotional eating, and the role food can play in regulation - reframing these behaviours with compassion instead of shame. Erin shares practical, ADHD-friendly strategies to make eating feel easier, support energy and focus, and reduce overwhelm without aiming for perfection. We hope you walk away from this episode feeling validated and carrying less shame around food. Book a mentoring session with Ellie www.ellieonthetelly.comSign up for early access to our journals www.wtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E60 | We personified our gut and it actually helped! (AuDHD and the brain-gut axis)
Mar 3000:40:05Tap to summarizeJoin the waitlist for our journals! https://wtfjournals.com/signup In this episode, we share our personal journeys of improving our gut health - and why it’s become something we’re paying a lot more attention to.This isn’t a dieting episode, we just feel passionate about sharing our personal experiences when it comes to gut health. We explore the gut-brain connection, why gut health plays such a big role in mood, energy, and regulation, and why it can be especially important for AuDHD brains.We talk about the small, realistic changes we’ve made, how adding (not restricting) foods has shifted our mindset, and why we started thinking about our microbiome in a completely different way - even personifying it to help us take better care of it.If you’ve ever struggled with consistency, motivation, or knowing where to start when it comes to looking after your body, you're not alone and we hope this episode will be a gentle, non-judgemental place to begin.Next week, we’re joined by a neurodivergent dietician to dive even deeper into nutrition for neurodivergent people, and why traditional approaches don't work for us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E59 | Inspired by Love on the Spectrum: The app built for neurodivergent connection
Mar 2300:59:01Tap to summarizeConnection and loneliness are two of the most common experiences in the neurodivergent community. So in this episode, we chat to 27-year-old Holly Fowler - founder and CEO of Wable, an app designed to help neurodivergent people connect through friendship, dating, and work. This is not sponsored, it's just a genuine chat between three neurodivergent who want the world to be a better place for everyone.Holly shares how a spontaneous DM to Michael Theo after watching Love on the Spectrum led to a four-year journey of building Wable from the ground up - despite having no prior startup experience, navigating ADHD and OCD, and facing intense stress along the way.We talk about how her neurodivergence shows up in both challenging and powerful ways - from paralysing OCD rituals to the hyperfocus and determination that helped bring Wable to life. Holly opens up about her experiences with ADHD and OCD, burnout, hospitalisations, and the reality of building something meaningful while managing her mental health.We also dive into how Wable works, how she's made it inclusive and accessible, and why neurodivergent people often struggle to find connection in traditional spaces.Paige also introduces the project she's been working on for YEARS - and we need your help with it! Follow @wtf.journals on Instagram for more info.Search 'Wable' on the App Store or Google Play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E58 | You think you're the problem? That's Internalised Ableism
Mar 1600:39:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we unpack the concept of internalised ableism - and how it can shape the way neurodivergent people see themselves.Growing up in a world designed for neurotypical brains often means receiving constant messages that we’re lazy, disorganised, too sensitive, or not trying hard enough. Over time, those messages can become internalised, turning into our own inner voice.We talk about what ableism actually is, why AuDHD people are vulnerable to internalising it, and the ways it has shown up in our own lives - from pushing through burnout to holding ourselves to impossible standards.This episode explores the shame many neurodivergent people carry, and how recognising internalised ableism can be the first step toward self-compassion and understanding.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Watch us on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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