Embracing Intensity

Not all rest actually restores. Sometimes it just delays the crash. In this solo episode of Embracing Intensity, I talk about what shifted for me when I went back to working full-time in schools, and why having less free time pushed me to get more intentional about how I use my energy. I used to focus a lot on trying to do the "right" things—eat better, exercise more, use my time more efficiently—but I kept ending up exhausted anyway. What started to change things was paying closer attention to what actually gave me energy versus what drained it. This episode is where I walk through that shift and share the RECHARGE framework I've been using—looking at energy across physical, mental, emotional, social, and connection areas. It's less about fixing everything and more about noticing patterns and making small adjustments that actually stick. About Aurora Aurora Remember Holtzman is a neurodivergent educator, coach, and host of the Embracing Intensity podcast. She supports gifted, creative, and outside-the-box thinkers in understanding their energy, working with their nervous systems, and building more sustainable ways of living and creating. In This Episode Why some kinds of "rest" don't leave you feeling any better What changed when I stopped focusing on time and started looking at energy The idea of "contaminated time" and why it feels so unsatisfying How I've been approaching burnout differently this year The five areas of energy and how they show up in daily life Small ways to shift your energy without overhauling everything Why play, curiosity, and creativity matter more than we think How alignment in your environment and relationships affects your energy The Five Areas of Energy This episode looks at five different areas that all impact how recharged (or depleted) you feel. You don't need to overhaul all of them—just noticing where something feels off can be enough to start. Physical Energy This includes the obvious things like sleep and movement, but also how your body feels in your environment and routines. Small shifts—like changing positions, stepping outside, or actually finishing a task you've been avoiding—can make a noticeable difference. Mental Energy The way your brain is engaged matters. Too much stimulation can be overwhelming, but too little can leave you stuck. Play, challenge, and creative thinking can all help shift your energy in ways that feel more engaging. Emotional Energy Emotional fatigue doesn't always look dramatic. Sometimes it shows up as irritability, numbness, or just feeling off. Letting yourself process things—through expression, movement, or even just naming what's there—can ease that buildup. Social Energy Some interactions leave you feeling more like yourself, and some leave you drained. This section looks at things like masking, belonging, solitude, and what it feels like to be around people where you don't have to explain yourself. Connection Energy Even when you've rested, you can still feel disconnected. This area looks at things like purpose, ritual, time in nature, and moments that help you feel part of something beyond your day-to-day tasks. Resources & Links RECHARGE Toolkit (7-day challenge) Embracing Intensity Community

Juliana Allen, somatic experiencing practitioner and founder of Reclaim with Juliana, helps women reconnect with their bodies and rebuild emotional capacity. She talks about how dance, perfectionism, and childhood conditioning taught her to override bodily signals. The conversation covers nervous system regulation, reclaiming sensation, pacing intensity safely, and grounding practices for scattered energy.

This week on Embracing Intensity, I'm thrilled to finally sit down with the powerful and passionate Inger Shaye Colzie, a therapist and coach working at the intersection of ADHD, identity, and cultural experience. Inger shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after decades of navigating systems and expectations that didn't see her neurodivergence—or the unique challenges that come with being a Black woman with ADHD. Together, we dive into her experiences growing up gifted but overlooked, her path to founding the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance, and how she helps others own their fire and intensity without apology. Inger's insight, humor, and realness make this an episode you won't want to miss. P.S. We're planning to bring Inger back for a guest call in the Embracing Intensity Community during the 2026 speaker season—I'd love your feedback on upcoming topics and guests! About Inger Shaye Colzie Inger is a therapist, ADHD coach, and the founder of the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance. Diagnosed later in life, she now uses her lived experience, clinical knowledge, and coaching tools to support other Black women navigating life, work, and relationships with ADHD. Through her practice and community, she creates spaces for healing, advocacy, and unapologetic self-discovery. In This Episode: The experience of being undiagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood—and what finally led her to seek answers Growing up as an intense, passionate child whose energy was often misunderstood Why culturally relevant care is essential for Black women with ADHD The emotional impact of living with ADHD in a world not built for neurodivergent minds How diagnosis and coaching helped her reframe her identity and harness her gifts Creating the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance as a safe and empowering space Turning down the dial—or turning it up with intention The importance of coaching, community, and embracing your whole self Resources & Links: Inger Shaye Colzie's Website & Coaching Info ADHD Black Professionals Alliance Join the Embracing Intensity Community Whether you're navigating ADHD yourself or supporting others who are, this episode offers compassion, clarity, and community. Inger's story is a reminder that it's never too late to rewrite the narrative—and that when we embrace our fire, we light the way for others. 🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs to hear they are not broken—just unseen.

Fizzah Zaidi, a Chicago-based psychotherapist and ADHD advocate, dives into the fascinating world of executive functioning and neurodiversity. She highlights how neurodivergent brains, often seen as struggling, actually operate differently, making them unique problem solvers. Fizzah discusses the connection between executive dysfunction and rejection sensitivity, offers insights on effective task management for big-picture thinkers, and emphasizes that not all rest has to be still. Her empowering approach encourages understanding one's brain to leverage strengths.

In this week's episode, Aurora sits down with Portland-based multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Ilima Considine to explore how neurodivergence, art, music, and personal experience intersect to spark powerful creative expression. Ilima shares her journey through long COVID, chronic illness, and how she channels her intensity into film, empowering others in the process. As Ilima prepares to premiere her second feature-length film, Drug Holiday, she talks about the themes of trauma, addiction, and radicalization—and how they resonate with creative and neurodivergent communities. This conversation dives deep into how one artist transforms challenges into bold storytelling. 🎨 About Ilima Ilima Considine is best known as the frontwoman for the Sexbots and a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans music, visual art, and now film. After a severe bout of long COVID altered her career trajectory, Ilima dove headfirst into filmmaking, combining sound, visuals, and narrative to explore themes that are often hard to talk about—like grooming, neurodivergence, and societal trauma. ✨ In This Episode: How chronic illness and neurodivergence have shaped Ilima's creative process The story behind Drug Holiday, and how it reflects real-life struggles with trauma and radicalization The overlap between neurodivergent traits and the arts—and how Ilima fosters a safe space for collaborators Embracing intensity as a strength in both personal and professional life Why Portland became a haven for embracing eccentricity and creativity The value of harnessing hyperfocus and obsessive attention to detail Using film to bring light to dark topics in accessible, artistic ways Ilima's philosophy on directing: accommodating individual needs to help artists thrive Her own experiences with burnout, energy management, and the use of stimulants during film production 🔗 Resources & Links: Ilima's Website Check out her band: The Sexbots Watch Drug Holiday (Premiering Nov. 14th at Mission Theater, Portland) Join the Embracing Intensity Community 🎬 Whether you're an artist, a neurodivergent creative, or someone navigating chronic health challenges, Ilima's story is a powerful reminder that you can channel your fire into something deeply meaningful—and bring others along with you.

Kaitlin Smith, a PhD candidate at Harvard and former founder of Our Wild Minds, dives into the intricate relationship between giftedness, race, and history. She shares her experiences revealing the biases in psychology shaped by racism and neuro-normativity. Kaitlin discusses significant historical cases, like the biased portrayal of Oscar Moore and the landmark Larry P. v. Riles case, highlighting how societal narratives influence our understanding of intelligence. She invites us to embrace diverse expressions of giftedness through her research and personal insights.

Is work-life balance real—or just another unrealistic expectation? In this solo episode of Embracing Intensity, I unpack the myth of work-life balance and share my journey toward something more meaningful: harmony. Drawing from my personal life, this episode dives deep into how neurodivergent people navigate work hours, personal time, and the demands of life in a way that feels aligned, not forced. After a summer of restoration and reflection, I'm back working full-time in the school system—and instead of chasing "balance," I'm creating sustainable rhythms that honor my energy, creativity, and mental health. About Aurora I'm Aurora Remember Holtzman, host of Embracing Intensity and creator of the Embracing Intensity Community. With years of experience working with gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent folks, I help people stop beating themselves up for not meeting arbitrary standards and start living in alignment with their core values. My goal? To help you use your intensity as a tool for transformation—without burning out. In This Episode: Why the concept of work-life balance might be doing more harm than good Reframing productivity, especially for different people with unique brain wiring How long hours and unrealistic expectations lead to burnout The power of aligning with your core values instead of external goals How "contaminated time" steals joy from our personal lives Tools like energy audits to help create real work-life harmony Letting go of hustle culture and embracing meaningful work Tips for reclaiming quality time and rest—even with full work hours Why the opposite of life isn't work—but disconnection 🔗 Resources & Links: 🔥 Join the Embracing Intensity Community 📘 Energy Balance Workbook (Print & Kindle) ✨ Balancing Time & Energy Digital Guide ✨ Balance is a myth. Harmony is the goal. Tap into your own rhythm and reclaim your time, energy, and creativity—on your terms. 🎧 Listen now on EmbracingIntensity.com

In this powerful episode of Embracing Intensity, we welcome Caroline J. Sumlin—author of We'll All Be Free—for a deep, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation about collective liberation, the impact of white supremacy culture, and how we can begin to reclaim our worth. Caroline shares her perspective as a neurodivergent mother, speaker, and educator, and we explore the intersection of self-worth, systemic oppression, and sustainable social justice work. About Caroline J. Sumlin Caroline is an author, speaker, and homeschool parent living in the Washington D.C. area. Her work centers on liberation from white supremacy culture, with a focus on how systemic oppression impacts self-worth. Her book, We'll All Be Free, is a guide to deprogramming the internalized messages of white supremacy and reclaiming your true self. Caroline's mission is to help others recognize the worth that oppressive systems have tried to erase. In This Episode: The importance of understanding how white supremacy culture harms everyone—not just the most marginalized. Why urgency, productivity, and perfectionism are tools of white supremacy—and how to break free. Navigating motivation and urgency as a neurodivergent person. Creating a life of joy and balance while staying engaged in liberation work. The importance of connecting with our shared humanity in social justice conversations. Understanding collective harm and our responsibility in collective healing. Caroline's perspective on using privilege for good and deconditioning colonial thinking. Resources & Links: Caroline J. Sumlin's Website We'll All Be Free – Caroline's Book Follow Caroline on Instagram Join the Embracing Intensity Community

In this thought-provoking episode of Embracing Intensity, Aurora sits down with Sheldon Gay, host of the I Must Be BUG'N podcast, which amplifies the stories and voices of Black, unidentified, underrepresented, gifted, and otherwise neurodivergent people. Sheldon is deeply insightful, warm, and grounded in his advocacy to humanize the neurodivergent experience. Together, they dive into the power of mirroring—that magical moment when we see ourselves reflected in others—and how it plays a crucial role in identity, belonging, and connection. Sheldon shares his personal journey discovering his giftedness later in life and how joining neurodivergent spaces offered a profound sense of home and validation. He speaks candidly about emotional giftedness, navigating systems that often don't recognize or affirm difference, and the importance of compassion, boundaries, and self-trust. ✨ In this episode: What mirroring means and why it's vital for neurodivergent people How Sheldon discovered his giftedness and launched I Must Be BUG'N Why IQ tests don't tell the whole story of intelligence or giftedness Emotional giftedness, self-doubt, and how we process emotions Compassion and boundaries in spaces where we feel misunderstood Recognizing our gifts even when others don't The power of community connection and storytelling Insights into upcoming collaborative projects with Sheldon, including neurodivergent-friendly apps Reflections on Aurora's recent blog post on neurodivergent relationships 🔗 Resources & Links: I Must Be BUG'N Podcast Embracing Intensity Community Aurora's Blog Post on Neurodivergent Relationships Intuitive Flow Podcast Episode Whether you're just beginning your journey or deep into exploring your neurodivergent identity, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone—and that your experiences, brilliance, and emotions are valid and worthy of being seen. 🎧 Listen now and feel seen.

This week on the Embracing Intensity podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back the always thoughtful and illuminating Brendan Mahan, founder of ADHD Essentials and creator of the Wall of Awful. In this free-flowing and deeply relatable conversation, we dive into the realities of ADHD burnout, navigating screen time, and what it really means to rest. Brendan and I both share personally about our own experiences with burnout and recovery, and how we're learning to work with our neurodivergent brains instead of against them. About Brendan Mahan: Brendan Mahan is a speaker, coach, and host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. He specializes in helping families, educators, and individuals better understand ADHD through metaphor, structure, and compassion. Brendan is known for his "Wall of Awful" model—a powerful visual metaphor that helps people identify and move through the emotional blocks that make motivation so hard for those with ADHD. He's currently working on a book titled Overcoming the Wall of Awful, expected to release in 2026. In This Episode: The difference between hard fascination and soft fascination, and why the latter is key for real rest What the Default Mode Network is and how it affects neurodivergent minds How screen time mimics rest but often leads to hard fascination and further mental exhaustion The origins of the Wall of Awful and how it helps people understand motivation challenges Tools Brendan uses to access soft fascination, from walks in the woods to weighted pressure The idea of contaminated time and how it sabotages meaningful rest Navigating professional transitions and creative burnout Letting go of transactional relationships and leaning into transformational connection Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to intentionally rebuild from burnout How embracing your values and regulating sensory input can be powerful tools for recovery Reframing burnout as a "season" and holding onto hope that things can and do change 🎧 Tune in to hear a heartfelt, relatable conversation on burnout, ADHD, and the power of slowing down with intention. Whether you're deep in burnout or on the road to recovery, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical tools to help you find your way back to balance. Resources & Links: Brendan Mahan – ADHD Essentials The Wall of Awful on How to ADHD (YouTube) Embracing Intensity Community