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Black Girl, Brown Girl...Squirrel! A Podcast for Neurodivergent Women of Color
Welcome to Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel! — the podcast for Black, Hispanic, Latina, and Asian women who are Neurodivergent (or wondering if they might be).
We’re your Sista Squirrels 🐿️ Shai and Lex — here to celebrate the chaos, the brilliance, and the hilarity of brains that don’t follow the “default settings.” Around here, tangents are the point.
We talk about life with:
- 🌀 ADHD — from hyperfocus to forgotten keys (again).
- ✨ Autism / AuDHD — deep dives, sensory adventures, and social “huh?” moments.
- 💭 Anxiety & Depression — the not-so-fun side quests.
- 💡 Self-diagnosis & discovery — figuring it out as we go.
Expect unfiltered stories, laughter that derails into tangents, and the relief of knowing you’re not the only one. Whether you’ve got a diagnosis, are self-identifying, or just suspect your brain might be running on a custom operating system, you belong here.
So grab your snacks, follow the chaos, and come squirrel with us. Life’s way more fun (and way less lonely) when you realize “off the rails” is the best track.
Black Girl, Brown Girl...Squirrel! A Podcast for Neurodivergent Women of Color
When a Diagnosis Feels Like a Key - Ep 6
In this thoughtful and deeply affirming episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl, Squirrel!, we explore the life-changing clarity that comes with a late-in-life neurodivergent diagnosis. Through personal stories, gentle humor, and honest reflection, we uncover how learning that we are Autistic/ADHD reshaped the way we see our childhoods, relationships, emotions, and identities.
From masking in playground days to people-pleasing in adulthood, we revisit moments that once felt confusing and “off” and finally make sense. Together, we talk about rewriting the “gifted kid” narrative, understanding sensitivity and burnout, and discovering the freedom that comes with having language for our wiring. We also highlight the emotional weight of realizing there was never anything wrong with us; we were simply operating without a manual in a world built for different brains.
This episode feels like opening the window to let sunlight into old rooms: validating, vulnerable, and full of connection. Whether you're neurodivergent or you're learning how to love and support someone who is, this conversation offers language, compassion, and a reminder that knowing yourself changes everything.
TL;DR
We unpack how a late ASD/ADHD diagnosis reframes our childhoods, relationships, and identities. We explore masking, sensitivity, communication differences, the “gifted kid” myth, and the peace that comes from finally having the words to understand our brains. A vulnerable, validating conversation for anyone learning to know themselves more deeply.
TIME STAMPS
[00:00] Introduction & Disclaimer
[00:46] Diagnosis as Relief
[01:04] Unlocking Childhood Memories
[02:17] Social Adjustments and Masking
[03:37] The Answer Key Analogy
[04:31] Extreme Sensitivity and People-Pleasing
[06:23] Reframing the Past: The "Gifted" Child
[07:37] Motivation and Burnout
[08:45] Level 1 Autism and Camouflaging
[09:57] Verbal Communication vs. Nonverbal Cues
[10:36] The "Lonely Existence" Misconception
[12:57] Re-framing Interactions and Communication
[15:59] Learning Social Cues and Collaboration
[17:59] The Marianne Story: Misinterpreting Connection
[20:30] The Missing Manual
[21:00] Net Neutral Masking
[22:38] The Need for Closeness
[23:10] The "Why" of the Work
[23:41] Deeper, More Mature Relationships
[26:00] Abstract Emotions and the "Warmth" of a Home
[28:00] "What Do You Mean By That?"
[29:04] Language and Dialect Analogy
[30:02] Final Takeaway: Understanding Yourself
[30:35] Final Takeaway: Clearing Up Miscommunication
[32:28] Outro
RESOURCES
Therapist and Mental Health Resources
CONNECT WITH US
CREDITS
Editor: Payton Cross
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