The Hidden 20%

Dr Tony Lloyd, former CEO of the ADHD Foundation and long-time neurodiversity advocate, reflects on decades of ADHD and autism policy work. He discusses why neurodiversity is rising, tensions between medical models and thinking differently, broken SEND systems and long waitlists, and how cultural change and visibility are reshaping stigma and opportunity.

In this episode, Ben is joined by Kelly and Hester Grainger, the married co-founders of Perfectly Autistic.Together they work with major organisations to build workplaces that actually work for neurodivergent people but as Kelly (AuDHD) and Hester (ADHD) explain, inclusion isn’t about a single training session or a handful of adjustments.They reflect on careers shaped by masking, burnout and trying to fit systems that weren’t designed with neurodivergent people in mind. Together they unpack why so many workplaces unintentionally exclude ND employees, what genuinely neuroinclusive organisations do differently, and why awareness has to go beyond a one-off training session.They also share the more personal side: exploring their own careers, why Hester once had over 30 jobs, and what it’s like running a business together as a neurodivergent couple.If you’ve ever felt exhausted by work environments that don’t quite fit your brain, this episode will help you see why - and what could change.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction1:26 Neurodiversity at Work | Hester & Kelly Grainger on ADHD, Autism & Corporate Consulting2:19 The #1 Thing Employers Need to Understand About Neurodiversity in the Workplace3:50 Supporting Neurodivergent Employees at Scale: What Actually Works7:26 Which Companies Are Asking for Neurodiversity Support at Work?8:31 ADHD & Autism at Work: Common Challenges and Simple Workplace Adjustments19:15 Who Is Responsible for Neurodiversity in the Workplace?23:37 Why Neurodiversity Training Can’t Be a One-Off Session & The Power Of Listening & Curiosity at Work26:38 Neurodiversity Labels at Work: Why Language Around Autism & ADHD Matters33:16 Undiagnosed ADHD or Autism at Work: Your Rights as an Employee37:40 What Does The Dream Neuroinclusive Employer Look Like?42:30 Neurodiversity & Recruitment49:34 Running a Business Together as a Neurodivergent Couple50:40 Kelly’s AuDHD Diagnosis: Telling Employers About ADHD & Autism53:48 Creating Safe Conversations About Neurodivergence & Advocating For Yourself57:43 Neurodivergent Workers Are Everywhere: Why Companies Need to Adapt59:30 What Do “Best in Class” Neuroinclusive Companies Do Differently?1:06:06 What Neurodivergent Candidates Should Look for in an Employer1:08:22 Practical Ways Employers Can Create Neuroinclusive Workplaces1:09:50 If Hester & Kelly Had a Magic Wand: The One Thing They’d Change About Workplaces1:19:26 Kelly & Hester’s Green Dot BadgeThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benHester Grainger @hestersvibe linkedin.com/in/hestergrainger Kelly Grainger linkedin.com/in/kelly-grainger-9601b43www.perfectlyautistic.co.ukIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Ben is joined by Andy and Gaz, hosts and founders of The Autism Dadcast Podcast, which has quickly become a vital voice for parents raising profoundly autistic children - gaining tens of thousands of followers and millions of views in just weeks. They share candid insights about parenting, grief, and the day-to-day realities of life with children who have profound autism, from navigating meltdowns and stimming to advocating in school and in public.Andy and Gaz reflect on the moments that may look small to an outsider - a smile, a new word, a shared laugh - but are in reality huge victories that shape their children’s lives and their family’s world. This episode offers quietly powerful perspectives on empathy, resilience, and the deeply human side of raising children with profound autism.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction1:03 Why Andy & Gaz Created the Autism Dadcast Podcast4:44 Parenting Profoundly Autistic Children: Gaz & Andy’s Lived Experience16:40 Processing Grief & Parenting Expectations for ND Children23:40 Public Reactions to Autistic Meltdowns, Stimming & Neurodivergence28:57 Being an Autism Dad: Advocating & Speaking Up on Parenting Challenges33:29 Home Life vs School Masking: Supporting Autistic Kids Authentically35:44 Understanding the Term “Profoundly Autistic” in Daily Life41:36 Lessons Learned: How Andy & Gaz Navigate ND Parenting47:06 Adjusting Life Around Autism: What Feels “Normal” Now?54:12 The Future of Autism Dadcast & Growing Community Impact56:06 Top 3 Parenting Tips for Raising Autistic Children Effectively58:10 Surprising Insights About Being an Autistic Parent1:03:33 Andy & Gaz’s Green Dot BadgesThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benThe Autism Dadcast with Andy & Gaz @autismdadcastIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Shyamal Mashru, NHS Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Lead for Adult ADHD, explains diagnostic pathways and common assessment pitfalls. He breaks down who can diagnose, NHS vs private routes, and why comorbidities and missing childhood records complicate things. Emotional dysregulation and rejection-sensitive reactions get special attention as often-overlooked signals.

Dr Shyamal Mashru, consultant psychiatrist and Adult ADHD lead, explains Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and emotional dysregulation. He describes how RSD feels, common coping patterns like shutdown and people-pleasing, and how it shows up in relationships and work. The conversation also covers hormonal effects, diagnostic challenges, and treatment approaches that aim to create breathing space and regulation.

Semi-Professional cyclist, Connie Hayes, joins Ben for a deeply personal conversation about growing up autistic, dyslexic and dyspraxic - and how cycling became both a regulator and a place of safety.Connie reflects on the early signs of autism that were missed, the self-esteem battles that came with puberty, hormones and friendships, and the long road to understanding her neurodivergence.She shares how sport - particularly cycling - helps regulate her nervous system, why environment matters so deeply for autistic performance, and how dyspraxia shows up at an elite level.Together, they also explore autism in women, eating disorders in sport, disclosure, and the urgent need for more inclusive practices across the industry.If you’re curious about neurodiversity, sport and identity, this episode is for you!Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction01:05 Connie Hayes: The Autistic, Dyslexic & Dyspraxic Professional Cyclist02:20 Early Signs of Autism & Being Missed03:07 How Cycling Regulates Connie’s Autistic Brain04:41 Understanding Autism Through Sport (Post-Diagnosis)05:57 Designing Environments Where Autistic Athletes Thrive08:05 Autism, Dyslexia & Dyspraxia Diagnosis Journey: Self-Esteem, Puberty & Friendships10:42 Dyspraxia in Elite Cycling: Coordination, Balance & Training12:28 Fighting for School Support & Being Left With Questions16:59 The Right University & Autism in Women: “It Saved My Life”25:53 Identity: Seeing Herself as an Autistic Woman26:38 Society’s Expectations vs Autistic Females27:19 Neurodiversity in Sport: What We Get Wrong29:21 Autism, Sport & Eating Disorders39:43 Why Autism Can Be a Strength in Professional Cycling46:45 Women’s Cycling Through an Autism Lens55:06 Disclosing Autism: Regret, Relief & Reality58:38 Is Cycling Good for Neurodivergent People?01:02:07 Connie’s Green Dot BadgeThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benConnie Hayes @connie_hayesIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of this conversation, neurobiologist and author of The Lost Girls of Autism, Gina Rippon, rejoins Ben to focus on the women autism research left behind.Picking up where part one ends, Gina traces how early brain science, diagnostic bias and cultural assumptions combined to hide autistic women in plain sight. She unpacks why autism was framed as a “male condition,” how masking became a survival strategy, and the real cost of decades of late or missed diagnosis.They explore the neuroscience behind prediction and masking, the forgotten female figures in autism’s history, and why the language of “over-diagnosis” risks oversimplifying a much more complex history of under-recognition .Gina also reflects on autistic bullying, and what meaningful change in diagnosis and research could look like next.If you’ve ever wondered why so many autistic women are only being seen now - or why you still don’t feel seen - this conversation is for you. We hope it offers some clarity, context, and hope.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction01:00 Gina Rippon’s Career in Autism & Neuroscience02:00 The Brain Questions That Changed Autism Research05:12 Autism & the Brain: Predictive Coding Explained08:11 Why So Many Autistic Women Were Missed09:09 The Forgotten Female Psychiatrist Who Identified Autism Decades Earlier16:52 Autism Diagnosis Ratios: Female vs Male Explained18:02 How Many Autistic Women Have We Missed? The “Overdiagnosis” Myth24:02 Masking in Autistic Women: The Breakthrough Moment29:30 The Reality of Bullying for Autistic Girls31:18 The Cost of Late Autism Diagnosis in Women35:59 Autism, Hormones & PMDD: What Research Still Lacks37:00 Debunking the “Refrigerator Mother” Myth40:15 What Neuroscience Tells Us About the Autistic Brain44:11 Neurodivergent vs Neurodiversity: Why Language Matters46:00 The Future of Autism Diagnosis in Women47:54 What Gives Gina Rippon Hope50:45 Gina Rippon’s Top Tips for Autistic Women51:44 Gina’s Green Dot BadgeThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benGina Rippon https://www.ginarippon.com/If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part one of this two-part conversation, neurobiologist and author of The Gendered Brain and The Lost Girls of Autism - recently awarded the British Psychological Society’s Popular Science Book Prize - Gina Rippon joins Ben to unpack what we really know, and don’t know, about the human brain.From left-brain/right-brain myths to the rise of gendered brain science, Gina explains why many of the ideas we’ve grown up with simply don’t stand up to scrutiny. Drawing on decades of research, she explores how brains change across the lifespan, how experience actively shapes neural pathways, and why no two brains - neurodivergent or not - are ever the same.They dive into alpha rhythms, brain plasticity, ageing, and the cultural bias baked into neuroscience, including why the idea of distinctly “male” and “female” brains has caused more confusion than clarity.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction00:57 Why Gina Rippon Became Obsessed With the Brain2:54 What Science Really Knows About the Neurodivergent Brain7:18 Brain Waves Explained: Alpha Rhythms & Neurodivergence10:24 Debunking Common Myths About the Neurodivergent Brain12:00 Left Brain vs Right Brain: Does It Actually Exist?17:14 The Best Analogy for How Brains Really Work18:17 Why London Taxi Drivers’ Brains Change19:30 How the Brain Changes With Age21:46 Brain Plasticity, Careers & Learning Over Time23:27 Why Every Brain Is Different And Neurodiversity26:45 Gender Bias in Neuroscience: “Neuro Trash” Research27:53 Is There Such a Thing as a Male or Female Brain?35:18 The Real Impact of Gendered Brain Science40:56 Neurodivergence, Gender & Brain Differences Explained44:07 Moving Beyond Gendered Brains to Human Brains45:22 What Are Thoughts, Really?48:40 Why Gina Decided To Write “The Lost Girls of Autism”The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benGina Rippon https://www.ginarippon.com/If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian, presenter and creator Holly Morris joins Ben for a candid conversation about living with AuDHD, the hidden cost of masking, and why being “funny” is often a survival strategy rather than a personality trait.Holly shares how her comedy career grew out of lifelong hyper-vigilance - constantly scanning rooms, people and conversations and how that same awareness fuels both her humour and her exhaustion. She opens up about navigating networking, friendships and online spaces as a neurodivergent adult, and why masking can feel automatic, ingrained, and hard to switch off.They explore Holly’s later diagnoses of ADHD and autism, imposter syndrome, her experience of Emetophobia, and how her Autism and ADHD overlap and show up in daily life. If you’ve ever felt socially switched on but internally depleted, this episode will feel quietly familiar.AD Head to https://bit.ly/hidden20_getdopa and use code Hidden20 for 10% off.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction & AD1:48 Holly Morris’ AuDHD Comedy Journey5:04 Masking as an AuDHD Comedian & Networking Pressure8:36 How Masking Shapes Holly’s Online Content13:14 Discovering AuDHD & Living With Emetophobia17:25 Hypervigilance, Anxiety & the AuDHD Nervous System21:50 ADHD vs Autism: How AuDHD Shows Up Day to Day27:30 Being Open About Neurodivergence: Online vs In-Person30:39 Adult Friendships, Social Energy & Neurodivergence44:40 Masking vs Unmasking: What Actually Helps46:48 The Hidden Cost of Being a Neurodivergent Creator50:09 AuDHD, Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt51:30 Thinking Differently: Strengths, Creativity & Hope1:02:00 What’s Next for Holly Morris1:10:30 Holly’s Green Dot BadgeThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benHolly Morris @hollymorrisssIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Renata Fialho, a clinical psychologist specializing in neurodiversity, shares her own ADHD diagnosis and its impact on her life and clinical practice. She discusses the challenges of receiving a late diagnosis and the misconceptions surrounding autism and ADHD assessments. Renata reveals her hopes for the future of neurodiversity care and emphasizes the need for more humane practices. Additionally, she explores the connection between neurodiversity and sports, particularly how swimming can help regulate ADHD symptoms.