🎙️ Burn It Down, Build It Better: Late ADHD Diagnosis, Accountability & Motherhood with Sandra Senn

✨ In This Episode

What happens when you know you’re capable… but your brain won’t cooperate?

In this honest, unfiltered conversation, Joanne sits down with Sandra Senn, founder of Business Mums Hub, to unpack late-diagnosed ADHD, dyslexia at 31, shame at 41, and the complicated layers of parenting while healing yourself.

This one is equal parts laughter, truth-telling and uncomfortable self-reflection — the kind that cracks something open.

Guest Bio

Meet Sandra Senn. An Irish powerhouse and the owner of Business Mums Hub. This bubbly ball of energy has worked around the world, running large teams, overseeing sales and marketing, and working in events. However, many of you will also know Sandra as the owner of Hashtag Insta Prints, a business she grew after having 2 gorgeous kids (3 if you count her techy-savvy gamer husband) to give her the freedom and lifestyle she wanted.

Facts about Sandra:

#1 Business Tip: Learn when to say no. As hard as it seems at the time, saying yes to the wrong things is even harder.

Guilty Pleasure: Chips and Gravy. I honestly love it!

Cause close to her heart: Helping to raise awareness about Post Natal Depression and encouraging women to seek help early when it comes to mental health issues and normalise the stigma around this

🧠 What We Talk About

00:01 – “TikTok diagnosed me first”: Sandra’s ADHD assessment at 41 and the unexpected shame that followed

00:02 – Recategorising 40 years of memories through a neurodivergent lens

00:05 – Discovering dyslexia at 31 (after years of reading slides out loud)

00:11 – Is ADHD a “superpower”… or is that pressure we don’t need?

00:14 – Why praising hard work over “being smart” matters more than we realise

00:21 – Parenting while healing: repair, accountability, and breaking generational patterns

00:31 – Trying ADHD medication (Vyvanse & Ritalin), burnout, and choosing lifestyle changes instead

00:35 – “Neurodivergence as a normal response to abnormal environments”

00:38 – Accountability as freedom (and why diagnosis isn’t a full stop)

00:46 – Safe and happy kids are loud kids — unlearning public shame

00:48 – Repairing with your children… and repairing with yourself

💬 Memorable Moments

“I always knew I wasn’t shit. There was just something shit going on.”

“Accountability is the key to freedom.”

“It’s not a full stop. You still have to do the work.”

“Safe and happy kids are really loud kids.”

📚 Resources + Mentions

Scattered Minds by Dr Gabor Maté

The Diary of a CEO podcast (episode featuring Dr Daniel Amen)

Dr Ash (parenting psychologist referenced in episode)

Business Mums Hub

Instagram: @businessmumshub

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Explore the BBMe community + programs via the website if you’re ready for deeper support.

✍️ Share Your Thoughts

What story about yourself needs recategorising?

Where might accountability actually feel like freedom in your life?

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🎙️ Episode Title
Late Diagnosis, Loud Identity: Cassie Day on Unmasking, Burnout & Belonging

✨ In This Episode
This episode, Joanne sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse human Cassie Day for an unfiltered chat about late-diagnosed neurodivergence, unravelling identity, and rebuilding from burnout. Cassie shares with raw honesty what it felt like to be diagnosed with ADHD (and a “side-serve” of autism) at 47 — and how she's still finding her place in a world that’s only just catching up.

🧠 What We Talk About

• 00:05 – Cassie’s late-diagnosis story and slipping through the cracks

• 09:00 – Parenting neurodivergent children while realising your own traits

• 14:00 – Processing diagnosis shame and the internalised “not enough”

• 22:00 – Imposter syndrome, self-trust, and deciding not to justify yourself anymore

• 27:00 – Burnout, business, and rediscovering identity beyond being a carer

• 35:00 – Neurodivergent communication quirks in relationships (kitchens beware)

• 42:00 – Cassie’s biggest message to other late-diagnosed women

💬 Memorable Moments

“I’m just me. This is how the world works, right? How can I be different when I’ve always just been... me?”

“I get to say no. I get to draw the line. I get to choose different.”

“Don’t second guess yourself. You already have everything you need — and you’re okay exactly as you are.”

📚 Resources + Mentions

• Cassie Day’s website: www.cassieday.com

• Instagram: @days_of_cassie

• Cassie on LinkedIn

• Joanne’s programs & offerings: https://betterbeingme.com.au

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Follow the show so you never miss an episode — and share with a fellow late-diagnosed legend who needs to hear it.

📲 Connect With Us

• Instagram: @betterbeingme_bbme

• Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au

• BBMe Completely: https://go.betterbeingme.com.au/bbmecompletely295544

✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 What part of Cassie’s story hit home for you?
👇 Drop us a DM or comment on Insta — we’d love to know.

🧡 Support the Show
If this episode sparked something for you, please leave a review or share it with someone who might need it. You can also sign up for updates and deeper reflections at betterbeingme.com.au.

🎹 Episode Title
Parenting, Burnout, and Finding Justice: Katie Price on Neurodivergence and the Innocence Project

✨ In This Episode
This is one of those episodes that sits in your body long after listening. Joanne chats with the passionate, hilarious, and no-BS Katie Price about late diagnosis, parenting four neurodivergent kids, and shifting from burnout to purpose. They unpack everything from the medical model to the prison system—and why Katie's now helping wrongfully convicted people through the Innocence Project. It's big-hearted, wide-ranging, and full of truth bombs.

🧠 What We Talk About

• 00:02 – Why Katie resisted a diagnosis and what finally changed her mind

• 00:14 – Raising four neurodivergent kids in rural Australia

• 00:30 – Rejection of the medical model and the harm of deficit-based labels

• 00:42 – The complicated relationship with NDIS and service providers

• 01:10 – Burnout, breakdown, and why hospital was the turning point

• 01:28 – How chickens (yes, really) and social justice shaped her career path

• 01:50 – From social work dropout to criminology and the Innocence Project

• 02:05 – Miscarriage of justice, systemic bias, and finding your purpose

💬 Memorable Moments

“You have to ride your worst day to get help. And even then, they make you prove it.”
“We're allowed to be shit at some things. It doesn't mean we're broken. It means we're human.”
“I was trying to fill holes in a bucket that was exploding. And then they gave me a sieve.”

📚 Resources + Mentions

• Katie Price on LinkedIn

• Edith Cowan University – Criminal Justice Review Project

• Law Society WA: Interview with John Button

• Innocence Network

• Australian Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (NetK)

• Joanne's Program: Be Me Completely

🎰 Listen + Subscribe
Follow the show for more real, raw, and radically validating conversations.

📲 Connect With Us

• Instagram: @betterbeingme_

• Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au

• BBMe Community Group or Program: BBMe Completely

✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 What part of Katie's story lit something up in you?
👇 Tell us in the comments or DM Joanne on Insta.

🧡 Support the Show
Love this ep? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to our newsletter at betterbeingme.com.au

🎙️ Episode Title
ADHD, Anger & Authentic Parenting: Danielle Baker on Reclaiming Her Neurodivergence

✨ In This Episode
What happens when the therapist gets diagnosed? In this deeply real and refreshingly honest chat, Joanne sits down with Danielle Baker—play therapist, psychotherapist, mum, and founder of The Nurtured Village. Danielle shares her journey of late ADHD diagnosis, what it’s like to parent while healing, and how perfectionism, nervous system dysregulation, and unmet needs show up in daily life. If you’ve ever felt like you were doing it all and still falling short, this one will land hard—in the best way.

🧠 What We Talk About

• 04:30 – The ADHD diagnosis that changed everything

• 08:55 – Why becoming a mum was the unraveling (and the awakening)

• 15:10 – Heavy lifting, high-pressure jobs, and the need for stimulation

• 23:45 – Creating a neuro-affirming workplace at The Nurtured Village

• 30:20 – Parenting while re-parenting yourself

• 41:40 – Sensory needs, perfectionism, and asking for help

• 51:00 – The power of play therapy and non-verbal emotional processing

• 1:10:00 – Literal thinking, self-soothing, and letting go of parenting guilt

💬 Memorable Moments

“We parent the way we do with the knowledge and the skills we have at the time. That’s all we can do.”

“I created a workplace I wish existed—for neurodivergent mums, by neurodivergent mums.”

“Being a therapist didn’t mean I didn’t yell. It meant I had the awareness to apologise.”

📚 Resources + Mentions

• Danielle’s Website: www.thenurturedvillage.com.au

• Instagram: @thenurturedvillage

• Personal IG: @__daniellebaker

• Circle of Security Parenting

• BBMe Programs & Resources: https://betterbeingme.com.au

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📲 Connect With Us

• Instagram: @betterbeingme_

• Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au

• 
  

• ✍️ Share Your Thoughts
  💭 Did Danielle’s story mirror parts of your own?
  👇 Let us know in the comments or DM us on Insta—we’d love to hear from you.

  🧡 Support the Show
  Love what you’re hearing? Leave a review or share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Sign up for the newsletter at betterbeingme.com.au for more real, neuro-affirming content.

  
  

Finding Peace in a Noisy World: Amy Hourigan on Late Diagnosis, PDA Parenting + Nervous System Healing

✨ In This Episode
This week, Joanne sits down with digital marketing expert and neurodivergent powerhouse Amy Hourigan (@amywhodigital) for a no-holds-barred, deeply human conversation. They cover the messy beauty of late-diagnosed autism, the raw truth of parenting PDA kids, and what it means to reclaim your nervous system after a lifetime of internalised chaos. It’s vulnerable, witty, and refreshingly real.

🧠 What We Talk About

• 00:03 – Late autism diagnosis at 41 and what sparked the self-discovery

• 06:40 – Parenting PDA kids, misdiagnosis, and the sideways approach to advocacy

• 14:05 – Early life trauma and the nervous system's long memory

• 24:30 – Shame, guilt, and birth stories that shape self-worth

• 36:15 – Internal meltdowns, masking, and the hidden labour of survival

• 48:45 – How SEO became a special interest and turned into Amy Who Digital

• 58:00 – Rewiring the nervous system and the magic of neuro-affirming therapy

💬 Memorable Moments

“I survived it. I didn't cope with it. And now I get to learn how to live, not just exist.”
“Your nervous system doesn’t care where you go—it comes with you. You can’t outrun it, but you can learn to befriend it.”
“I built an empire out of spite. But mostly out of self-belief I didn’t even know I had.”

📚 Resources + Mentions

• Amy Who Digital – Amy's website for SEO + digital marketing

• @amywhodigital on Instagram

• Alison Davies on emotions + nervous system regulation

• Nikki Vox (mentioned for rapid processing therapy)

📲 Connect With Us

• Instagram: @betterbeingme_bbme

• Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au

• BBMe Completely: Link Here to Book A Chat

  
  

✍️ Share Your Thoughts
💭 What part of Amy’s story felt familiar to you?
👇 DM us or join the conversation on Instagram.

🧡 Support the Show
If you loved this episode, leave a review or share it with a friend who gets it. Sign up for Joanne's newsletter at https://betterbeingme.com.au.

From Burnout to Belonging: Amelia Wright on Late Diagnosis, Self-Acceptance + Neurotopical Therapy

✨ In This Episode

Joanne sits down with the beautifully insightful Amelia Wright (@neurotopicaltherapy), a late-identified autistic ADHDer and social worker who's carved a neuro-affirming path through therapy and lived experience. Together, they unpack what it really feels like to go from “something’s wrong with me” to full-blown self-understanding—and how that led to the creation of *Neurotopical Therapy*. If you’ve ever felt like you were faking being human, this one’s for you.

---

🧠 What We Talk About

- 00:05 – The COVID-era collapse that led to Amelia’s diagnosis

- 12:30 – “What’s actually wrong with me?” – navigating misdiagnoses and the search for clarity

- 25:40 – Autism, ADHD and identity: from compartmentalising to integrating

- 39:50 – What it’s like to mask while being the “chatty” twin

- 46:15 – Starting Neurotopical: building a practice that *feels* right

- 01:06:00 – Wisdom for the next gen of neurodivergent folk (spoiler: fight back!)

---

💬 Memorable Moments

> “I just felt like I’d been pretending to be human—and the pandemic broke the mask.”

> “You’re not a struggling neurotypical. You’re a perfectly fine autistic person.”

> “Nothing isn’t autistic. You are autistic—and that’s a good thing.”

---

📚 Resources + Mentions

- Amelia’s Practice: [neurotopicaltherapy.com.au](https://www.neurotopicaltherapy.com.au)

- Instagram: [@neurotopicaltherapy](https://www.instagram.com/neurotopicaltherapy/)

- Joanne’s 8-week program BBMe Completely for late-identifying women: [betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au)

---

📲 Connect With Us

- Instagram: [@betterbeingme_bbme](https://www.instagram.com/betterbeingme_)

- Website: [https://betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au)

✍️ Share Your Thoughts

💭 What part of Amelia’s story mirrored yours?

👇 Drop us a DM or tag @betterbeingme_bbme on Insta—we love hearing your reflections.

🧡 Support the Show

Feeling seen? Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. It helps us reach more amazing humans.

Sign up to Joanne’s newsletter at [betterbeingme.com.au](https://betterbeingme.com.au) to stay in the loop.

Late Diagnosis, Masking & the Motherload with Victoria Hausler

This episode is a bit like sitting in on two neurodivergent women unpacking years of “what the actual fuck?” moments—with a side of humour, a splash of parenting honesty, and a big dose of finally feeling seen.

I’m joined by the powerhouse that is Victoria Hausler—founder of Dara Disability and Dara Wellness Services. We talk about the moment it all started to click (thanks to her son), the fallout of years of masking, and the unexpected liberation that comes with a late diagnosis.

From hypermobility to weighted blankets, eyebrow quirks to literal interpretations of social niceties… this is the conversation that shows you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not weird (or if you are, you’ve got company).

Whether you’re fresh to your diagnosis or just starting to question the rules you’ve followed your whole life, there’s something in here for you. And if you’ve ever thought, “am I just making this up?”—this one’s a must.

🧠 What We Talk About

00:00 – Welcome to Talking Twaddle

Why we’re sharing these stories—and what they unlock for all of us.

03:12 – Victoria’s late diagnosis & the trigger moment

Parenting her son opened the floodgates for her own neurodivergent discovery.

10:30 – Masking, mirroring & the performance of fitting in

How childhood habits stuck, and the cost of never showing up fully.

16:40 – Unmasking & what’s been gained (and lost)

Letting go of the performance—and what falls apart in the process.

22:15 – Sensory quirks, disordered eating, and the magic of mugs

Comfort, regulation, and learning to work with your wiring.

30:45 – Motherhood, marriage & the silent resentment trap

What happens when the ‘coping mechanisms’ can’t hold anymore.

42:00 – Literal brains, awkward friendships & social confusion

Why “we should catch up” is a dangerous phrase.

52:00 – Building a neuro-affirming business (without knowing it)

How Victoria created a safe space for women that reflects her own journey.

59:45 – Final reflections

Connection, community, and stepping into your own story—without apology.

💬 Quote of the Episode

"Go forth without fear, without judgment of yourself. Step into your power." – Victoria Hausler

🔗 Learn More

Guest: Victoria Hausler

Founder of Dara Disability & Dara Wellness Services

Creating safe, empowering spaces for neurodivergent women.

📸 Instagram: [@victoriahausler_dara]

🌐 Website: [daradisabilityservices.com.au]

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Talking Twaddle with Leonie Dawson: Embracing Neurodivergence, Creativity & Life Without a Filter

🌀 Episode Summary:

What happens when two unapologetically neurodivergent women sit down and talk about literally everything? This episode is part joyride, part deep-dive into what it means to live, create, and *feel* as a neurodivergent human in a neurotypical world.

Joanne Hatchard is joined by bestselling author, artist, entrepreneur, and neurodivergent legend Leonie Dawson for a beautifully meandering conversation about identity, overthinking, internal monologues, toilet logistics, parenting, and creating a life that honours your energy and your weirdness.

This isn’t your standard self-development chat—this is two brains syncing up across a thousand tangents, proving (once again) that you’re not alone, you’re not broken, and your journey is more shared than you think.

✨ What We Talk About:

- [00:01:00] The myth of the “unique” ND journey

- [00:04:30] ADHD + Autism and the creative entrepreneur brain

- [00:08:00] Productivity tips that actually work for neurodivergent folks

- [00:11:00] Counting brain channels, friendship hierarchies & emotional regulation

- [00:21:00] Self-marriage and becoming your own best friend (seriously!)

- [00:32:00] Postpartum, shutdowns & the ADHD crash

- [00:39:00] Imposter syndrome vs. doing the damn thing

- [00:47:00] Farm girls, fandoms & manifesting weird-ass dreams

- [00:54:00] Parenting while ND (and trying not to cry in public)

💬 Quote of the Episode:

“There are people out there who are thirsty for what you have to offer. So stop fucking thinking about yourself and just do the thing.” — Leonie Dawson

🌿 Learn More:

🎓 Join Be Me Completely – the 8-week program for late-identified neurodivergent women who are ready to drop the mask and reconnect with their true selves.

👉 BBMe Completely

📲 Follow Joanne on Instagram for podcast updates, brain bubbles, and support for ND women and families.

👉 BetterBeingMe_BBMe

🎨 Connect with Leonie Dawson – courses, books, art, and delightfully weird things.

IG: Leonie Dawson

👉 Leonie Dawson Website

📣 Share the Episode!

If this resonated with you, chances are someone in your life needs to hear it too. Screenshot, share, and tag us so we can say thanks! Or better yet—send it to that friend who still doesn’t understand why conferences ruin you for a month.

🧡 Thanks for listening. Your brain is welcome here.