WTF is AuDHD?

Holly Fowler, founder and CEO of Wable and ADHD/OCD advocate, built an app to help neurodivergent people find friends, dates, and workplace connections. She shares how a DM after Love on the Spectrum sparked Wable, the challenges of building a startup while managing ADHD and OCD, and how the app prioritizes accessibility, intentional connection, and real-world meetups.

A candid unpacking of internalised ableism and how society’s messages get turned inward. Stories about late diagnosis, shame, and the strain of fitting into neurotypical routines. Everyday examples like office sensory overload, school norms, and relationship doubts. Practical moves toward self-kindness and spotting structural barriers.

Content warning: this episode touches on assault, trauma and manipulation. Listen with care.Disclaimer: this was recorded before Britney Spears' arrest on March 5th.In this episode of WTF is AuDHD?, Ellie and Paige dive into a candid conversation about how the world - and the systems around us - often fail neurodivergent people.Observing the experiences of celebrities like Britney Spears, Billie Eilish, Lewis Capaldi, and Demi Lovato, we lightly explore how fame can amplify the challenges of living with ADHD, autism, or AuDHD - especially when diagnosis comes late or is misunderstood.From public “meltdowns” to media scrutiny, the conversation looks at what might actually be happening beneath the surface: rejection sensitivity, burnout, trauma, and the pressure of living in a world not built for neurodivergent brains. And how the systems fail us entirely, leading to isolation and reckless behaviour.Ellie shares her long‑standing fascination with famous child stars and why so many of them seem to struggle, plus she shares her own experiences of being in the spotlight as an undiagnosed AuDHDer. Paige shares her experiences of feeling used, abused and discarded once she expressed what she needed - and the ongoing trauma that comes with that.This episode explores:Why so many famous people appear to be neurodivergentThe link between creativity, success, and ADHD/autismHow fame can intensify rejection sensitivity and burnoutWhy women are so often misdiagnosedAnd why empathy matters when we see someone struggling in the public eyeAs always, this conversation is honest, curious, and unfiltered - and based on our personal opinions and analysis. LinktreeSOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastBook a session with Ellie ellieonthetelly.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a raw, unfiltered check-in where Ellie and Paige sit down (slightly lower in energy than usual), to talk honestly about how they're feeling - burnout, survival mode, and what can happen when your nervous system has been holding it together for too long. We talk financial stress under capitalism, sensory overload, relief instead of achievement and why the world feels especially heavy right now for neurodivergent people.We also discuss a listener post from our Reddit (and no, the Reddit isn't fixed sorry), about whether AuDHD is a good name for the neurotype of meeting criteria for both autism and ADHD.Note: Ellie's audio goes funny around 27 mins due to an accidental mute... woops! We have cut a segment out regarding medication that we will re-record for a future episode.Book a chat with Ellie ellieonthetelly.comSOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLinktree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They talk about burnout, reclaiming power, and why representation in sport matters for neurodivergent people. They explore menstrual cycle impacts and sensory rituals like showering in the dark. The conversation dives into what ADHD coaching actually looks like, tackling why knowing what to do often fails, and practical ways to start tasks using mindset and systems together.

They chat about biometric surprises from Oura rings and sensory hacks like dark showers. They unpack what ADHD coaching is, who it helps, and how it differs from therapy or life coaching. They explore readiness signs, coaching methods like accountability and strategy-building, and approaches to shame and failure. Practical follow up promised next week.

Jen (Autistic Connections) is an autistic, ADHD-identified advocate sharing lived experience of late diagnosis, long-term burnout and perimenopause. She describes how perimenopause stripped away coping masks, sudden regression and cognitive fog. The conversation covers medical dismissal, delayed processing of trauma, workplace vulnerability, and choosing new life rhythms and supports.

A late diagnosis story spanning misdiagnoses in the 20s to clarity in the 40s, and how autistic burnout collided with perimenopause. Tales of masking through academic success while basic tasks remained hard. Nuanced takes on empathy, social misunderstandings, processing differences, and learning accountability. The grounding role of two therapeutic dogs and a message of hope and self-compassion.

They tackle decision fatigue and why even small choices feel paralyzing for AuDHD brains. They explore how masking silences gut instincts and leads to endless second-guessing. Practical hacks come up: outsourcing, defaults, randomisers and asking for more time. A Triple R framework—regulate, realign, rebuild—offers a step-by-step path back to action.

We’re back for 2026! And we're starting off with an AuDHD debrief - funny holiday stories and what Ellie and Paige would do differently next holiday season. We also look ahead to what’s coming this year for WTF is AuDHD? - what we’re excited about, what we’re learning, and how we want to keep growing alongside this community.Plus, we dive into a nuanced and thoughtful discussion about Autistic Barbie - including your listener contributions. We discuss what it gets right, what feels complicated, and why seeing neurodivergent experiences reflected can be powerful. This also leads to a wider discussion on why representation matters so deeply - for everyone.Join us a for an easy, casual, welcome-back chat!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLinktree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.