Divergent Conversations

• Episode 117 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: Energy Limits and Management

  Autistic burnout can feel like you’re running on empty: emotionally, physically, or both. Managing energy, burnout, and self-acceptance in a neurotypical world can be exhausting, especially for neurodivergent people navigating chronic fatigue, sensory overload, and internalized expectations.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the lived experience of burnout, depleted energy, and the ongoing struggle to honor personal limits. Through honest dialogue, they dig deep into pacing systems like spoon theory, the boom-and-bust recovery cycle, and the strategies (and grief) involved in energy management for neurodivergent folks. They also share laughter, relatable moments, and useful frameworks for understanding and advocating for your energy needs.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Gain a practical understanding of energy pacing systems: including spoon theory and chronic illness frameworks, and hear how these concepts can help you manage your day-to-day life.Learn why naming and honoring your energy limits is inseparable from self-compassion, grief work, and dismantling internalized ableism, with candid stories straight from Patrick and Megan Anna’s lived experiences.Discover actionable strategies for mapping your energy rhythms, advocating for your needs, and building routines that recognize both what drains and what restores you—so you can move toward a more sustainable life.If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, chronic fatigue, or simply wished for more permission to rest, remember that honoring your energy needs is not weakness—it’s a vital act of self-respect.ResourcesSpoon Theory for Neurodivergent Adults: neurodivergentinsights.com/spoon-theoryNeurodivergent Insights Resource on Autistic Burnout: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resourcesThe Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062Check out Neurodivergent Insights’ Library of Boundary Scripts (free resource): neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/Boundary-Statements-17da17a4bb8b80c9a45dc8ff9c651725Relaxation Scripts: students.dartmouth.edu/wellness-center/wellness-mindfulness/mindfulness-meditation/guided-recordings Muscle Relaxation: students.dartmouth.edu/wellness-center/wellness-mindfulness/mindfulness-meditation/guided-recordings/progressive-muscle-relaxationSensory Checklists:Sensory Preferences:

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• Episode 116 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: The Sensitive Nervous System

  Burnout can feel relentless for Autistic people, especially when our bodies and minds seem to react more intensely to stress than those around us. Understanding how our nervous systems work—and why we may struggle with regulation—can transform self-blame into self-compassion and change the way we approach mental health, relationships, and daily life.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the neurodivergent nervous system as they continue their burnout series. They candidly discuss the science behind nervous system regulation, heart rate variability, and why trauma, sensory sensitivity, or even daily disruptions can have a bigger impact for neurodivergent folks. Drawing from both research and personal experience, Patrick and Megan Anna explore concepts like self-compassion, co-regulation, and practical interventions (including nervous system “mapping,” movement, and completing the stress cycle).Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Learn the physiology behind neurodivergent nervous systems—including why stress responses can feel so overwhelming, and how understanding the difference between a character flaw and neurology can lead to greater self-acceptance.Gain practical tools and self-reflection ideas for mapping your own nervous system responses, recognizing triggers, and building a personalized toolkit for self-regulation and burnout resilience.Hear compassionate, real-world stories from both hosts about managing stress, dealing with chronic pain, navigating trauma, and the ongoing process of building self-knowledge in support of mental health and well-being.If you’ve ever felt frustrated or ashamed about how you react to stress—or just want to better understand the “why” behind nervous system dysregulation—this episode offers insight, validation, and strategies you can start using today.ResourcesNeurodivergent Insights Resource on Autistic Burnout: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resourcesThe Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062Check out Neurodivergent Insights’ Library of Boundary Scripts (free resource): neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/Boundary-Statements-17da17a4bb8b80c9a45dc8ff9c651725Relaxation Scripts: students.dartmouth.edu/wellness-center/wellness-mindfulness/mindfulness-meditation/guided-recordings Muscle Relaxation: students.dartmouth.edu/wellness-center/wellness-mindfulness/mindfulness-meditation/guided-recordings/progressive-muscle-relaxationSensory Checklists:Sensory Preferences:

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• Episode 115 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: How Sensory Input Impacts Burnout

  Burnout isn’t just about exhaustion—it’s a sensory experience that can leave neurodivergent people feeling stretched to the breaking point. When every sound, smell, or texture feels overwhelming, how do we navigate recovery and build resilience in a world that rarely slows down?In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the connection between sensory processing and autistic burnout. They share candid reflections on their personal burnout cycles, explore how sensory overwhelm shapes emotional and cognitive well-being, and highlight the critical need for understanding individual sensory profiles. This conversation unpacks the realities of living through burnout—including the constant to-do lists, the elusive pursuit of “just right” sensory environments, and the importance of community support—while providing practical strategies for recovery and prevention.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Discover how sensory overload and sensory needs play a major role in burnout for Autistic and ADHD people, and pick up strategies for managing sensory overwhelm even when "rest" isn’t an option.Hear honest, relatable insights from Patrick and Megan Anna about identifying sensory triggers, living with constant overwhelm, and unlearning narratives around "not being content"—plus the validating realization that everyone’s sensory profile and needs are truly unique.Get practical tools to help you map your own sensory landscape, communicate your needs, and take actionable steps toward burnout recovery and prevention—grounded in real-life experiences and evidence-based wisdom.If you’re feeling stretched thin by sensory and emotional demands, this episode is designed to help you understand why and start reclaiming what makes you feel safe, soothed, and genuinely well.ResourcesNeurodivergent Insights Resource on Autistic Burnout: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resourcesThe Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062Check out Neurodivergent Insights’ Library of Boundary Scripts (free resource): neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/Boundary-Statements-17da17a4bb8b80c9a45dc8ff9c651725Sensory Checklists:Sensory Preferences: neurodivergentinsights.com/sensory-preferences-the-complete-checklistSensory Soothers: neurodivergentinsights.com/sensory-calming-techniquesSensory Triggers: neurodivergentinsights.com/understanding-and-managing-sensory-overloadDivergent Conversations Podcast Episodes:Episode 2: Autistic Burnout (

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• Episode 114 (Season 3): Building Burnout Recovery City: When Your Dog Pees on You and You Don’t Care

  Navigating Autistic burnout can feel overwhelming, especially when recovery advice is often oversimplified or disconnected from the realities of daily life. For many Autistic people, finding real, sustainable strategies to move through burnout isn’t just about willpower; it’s about understanding our needs, honoring our limits, and reclaiming a sense of agency.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the full spectrum of Autistic burnout recovery. They openly explore both the practical strategies and deeper psychological work needed to move forward, balancing tangible tools (like strategic withdrawal, boundary scripts, and sensory supports) with the difficult realities of internalized ableism, grief, and navigating a world that often doesn’t accommodate Autistic needs. Drawing from personal experiences, professional insights, and their own journeys of self-awareness, Patrick and Megan Anna provide a nuanced, relatable conversation for anyone experiencing or supporting someone through Autistic burnout.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Get accessible, concrete strategies for managing day-to-day demands, sensory overload, and boundary-setting while recovering from Autistic burnout—plus ideas for making these tools kinder and easier to use (like ready-to-go scripts for social withdrawal).Hear an honest conversation about the emotional depth of burnout recovery—including attachment wounds, internalized ableism, and the importance of authentic engagement with self and community.Enjoy creative and compassionate metaphors (“Burnout City” and “Monotropic Manor”), plus real talk on what actually helps, what doesn’t, and why quick fixes are rarely the answer for Autistic folks.If you’re seeking nuanced and affirming guidance on recovering from Autistic burnout or want validation for just how hard it can be, this episode is for you. Get practical insights, a dose of humor, and community with people who truly get it.ResourcesNeurodivergent Insights Resource on Autistic Burnout: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resourcesThe Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062Check out Neurodivergent Insights’ Library of Boundary Scripts (free resource): neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/Boundary-Statements-17da17a4bb8b80c9a45dc8ff9c651725Divergent Conversations Podcast Episodes:Episode 2: Autistic Burnout (divergentpod.com/2)Episode 47: Autistic Burnout (Part 2): A Deep Dive Into The Diversity of Burnout (divergentpod.com/47)————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️

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• Episode 113 (Season 3): Autistic Burnout City: Perpetual Sensory Hell

  Living with perpetual Autistic burnout can feel like navigating a world that’s always just a little too overwhelming, exhausting, or out of sync. For neurodivergent people, teasing apart burnout from depression and understanding how chronic sensory and emotional overload shapes daily life is not just challenging but key for self-advocacy and well-being.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the lived experience of Autistic burnout. They share personal stories about perpetual exhaustion, reflect on the nuances that differentiate Autistic burnout from depression, and illustrate how life stressors, health challenges, and environmental demands converge to create what they jokingly call “perpetual sensory hell.” With humor and candor, they explore how burnout can signal deeper misalignment and the importance of understanding personal triggers, as well as highlight why these conversations matter so much for late-identified Autistic adults.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Gain clarity on the difference between Autistic burnout and depression through real-life examples and practical markers—vital for anyone navigating neurodivergent mental health.Hear validating stories about sensory struggles, task exhaustion, and the havoc that chronic burnout can wreak, along with the role of major life changes, masking, and health conditions.Pick up concrete advice for recognizing your own burnout triggers, interpreting external and internal signals, and beginning to build a more resilient, neurodivergent-affirming life.If you’re navigating burnout or are curious about what “Autistic burnout” really means, this episode offers honest validation, practical wisdom, and a sense of solidarity. Discover how being seen and understood can be the first step out of perpetual burnout.ResourcesNeurodivergent Insights Resource on Autistic Burnout: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resourcesDivergent Conversations Podcast Episodes:Episode 2: Autistic Burnout (divergentpod.com/2)Episode 47: Autistic Burnout (Part 2): A Deep Dive Into The Diversity of Burnout (divergentpod.com/47)————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground————————————————————————————————Thanks to Our Sponsor:

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