Episode 69

From Misunderstood to Empowered: Breaking Free from ADHD Stigma and Labels | Heather Taylor

Heather Taylor, writer, and director of TV and films, opens up about her personal experiences with ADHD in the corporate world. She shares how she struggled to fit in and perform while masking her symptoms, leading to exhaustion and burnout.

"I felt like no one listened to what I was actually saying. And in some cases, kind of reminiscent of the story of like having an indoor picnic and thinking everyone did. I also just thought the experiences in my head and the way that I viewed the world were exactly the same as everybody else. And the problem was, is that I lived and worked in a corporate environment. And so just people didn't get my creative brain and just trying to make it through the day." - Heather Taylor

Heather talks about the stigma attached to ADHD and her hesitancy to seek diagnosis, but also the relief she felt when she finally understood her brain and got the support she needed. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accommodating neurodiversity in the workplace and society. Heather discusses how women with ADHD often go undiagnosed, leading to feelings of shame and inadequacy, and how workplaces can be more accommodating to neurodivergent individuals. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder to embrace and celebrate neurodiversity, creating a more inclusive and supportive world for everyone.

Heather Taylor is a Canadian/UK citizen and US Green Card holder who writes and directs TV and films about complicated family relationships, often with a supernatural/horror/sci-fi lens. She is also a story editor on Hulu's "The Hardy Boys" and co-hosts the podcast "BRAAAINS." Her narrative podcast, "ANOMALY," was an official selection of the 2021 Tribeca Festival, and her second feature film, "LETHAL LOVE," is streaming on Netflix. Heather is also a former journalist and ad(wo)man and author of three poetry collections. Born with a non-visible disability, Heather strives to destigmatize mental illnesses, disabilities, and poverty in her work.

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1. ADHD stigma

2. Breaking free from labels

3. Empowerment