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
Communication, Literally: No Hidden Meanings Here (Part 1) - Ep 13
Ep 13 Communication, Literally: No Hidden Meanings Here (Part 1)
In Part 1 of our two-part series on why diagnosis can be so complicated, we zoom in on communication — what it looks like, what gets misunderstood, and why “reading between the lines” can be exhausting (and unnecessary). We unpack how autistic communication often shows up as direct, literal, and script-supported, while ADHD communication can be fast, tangent-friendly, high-energy, and interruption-prone — not out of rudeness, but because our brains connect ideas in real time.
We also talk about the hidden labor behind everyday interactions (yes, even saying “good morning”), why assumptions cause so many unnecessary misunderstandings, and how our friends and allies can be more Neuroaffirming — starting with one simple shift: don’t hear what we didn’t say.
TL;DR
In Part 1, we get into why neurodivergent communication is so often misread—especially in a world obsessed with “reading between the lines.” We break down autistic communication (direct, literal, sometimes scripted) and ADHD communication (fast, tangent-y, big-energy, interrupt-y), and how both can get unfairly labeled through a neurotypical lens. Plus, we share a few Neuroaffirming ally upgrades: ask for clarity, stop assigning hidden meanings, and let people communicate in their natural rhythm. 🐿️
TIME STAMPS
00:00 — Welcome + safe space disclaimer
01:28 — Why this episode: communication + helping allies understand us
02:20 — Focus areas: Autism, ADHD, and PDA
03:10 — Autism + communication: directness, literal meaning, implied meaning struggles
04:08 — Echolalia + scripting + difficulty with rapid/overloaded speech
06:03 — Why assumptions create confusion: clarifying questions aren’t “challenging you”
10:26 — Translating across communication styles: what Neuroaffirming can look like
12:18 — Scripting in real life: restaurants, work, greetings, “social contracts”
16:05 — Why scripting is exhausting (even with familiar environments)
19:46 — Even with close friends: the “first 60 seconds” of discomfort
21:58 — What helps: don’t assume negative intent + don’t add hidden meanings
24:14 — “Don’t hear what I didn’t say”: neurotypical inference vs autistic literalness
26:36 — RSD + learned neurotypical communication vs neurodivergent reality
33:10 — Sensory overload vs sensory seeking (concerts + earplugs)
34:20 — ADHD + communication: pace, tangents, excitement, interruptions, losing track
39:59 — ADHD + details: big picture thinking + checklists for follow-through
45:26 — Hyperfocus: superpower + time blindness
46:40 — Relationships: how we even became friends + why ND relationships take work
48:14 — Wrap + how to connect with us
RESOURCES
Therapist and Mental Health Resources
CONNECT WITH US
CREDITS
Editor: Payton Cross Productions
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