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Neuroversity

Jessica Kidwell

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Neuroversity provides a space to educate ourselves and others about neurodiversity, to elevate the experiences of the neurodivergent, to be a source of support for members and allies of this community, and to help move the culture towards valuing and including diverse neurological conditions. This is a space where questions are welcomed and encouraged and honoring individual experiences is the number one rule.
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Join host, Jessica Kidwell, as she attempts to unpack the uncomfortable topics that nobody is talking about, but definitely should. With intention to hold real, authentic, conversation about EVERYTHING, Jessica brings her humor and a healthy dose of self-deprecation to the table as she invites a weekly guest to unpack issues relating to parenthood, grief, imposter syndrome, body image, middle age, the plight of the working mom and more.
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I have a few things we should talk about this week! Do you think I need a permanent co-host? Why is it so hard to get people to talk on the show? Is Taylor Swift causing friendships to end? Mahjong It's a random assortment. It's a monologue. I promised I wouldn't do any monologues. So what should I do about that? Support the show Keep up with all t…
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Did you know that the six most common complaints about the sound of a women's voice are: Their voice is too high They sound like children They don't sound authoritative enough They have vocal fry They use too much upspeak Their voice is too low For a woman who wants to speak up publicly, it can start to feel like we are damned if we do, and damned …
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I am a proud voting American. From local, national, primary, or general, I never miss my opportunity to participate in my civic duty and cherished right to vote. I love the process of going to my polling precinct and casting my ballot. I slap that sticker on my chest and walk around all day with pride, knowing that instead of choosing to do nothing…
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This is the second of a two part series where I will introduce you to the most common types of specific learning disabilities or SLDs. Part two is about Auditory Processing Disorder and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities Auditory processing disorder, APD for short, is when the brain has trouble interpreting sounds or language. It is a central nervous …
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We should talk about Tik Tok. As a Gen X-er, I cling to my Facebook and I feel fancy that I consistently use Instagram. But if I'm being honest, I know that this makes me basically an elderly user of social media apps. YouTube and Tik Tok are the social media apps where Gen Z and Gen Alpha are spending the majority of their time. So, what's an "Ins…
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Join Jessica and her pop culture guest of the week, Joey Klei, as they discuss the pop culture topics that are front of mind for them. Where is Princess Catherine? ***Big correction!! Jessica says MULTIPLE times that the timeline starts 12/23/23, but it really was 12/28/23. In her excitement, she got the date wrong, a lot. This is why she is not ru…
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"If we understand there is a biblical basis, there is a theological basis for understanding that transgender people and gender expansive people are created in the image of God - just like all people- then it makes it easier to .... understand we don't have to choose between our faith and the people we love." Jamie Bruesehoff is an award-winning LGB…
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This is the first of a two part series where I will introduce you to the most common types of specific learning disabilities or SLDs. Part one is about Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia. Dysgraphia is a learning disability that impacts writing abilities. And we’re not talking about just having poor handwriting, this goes well beyond that. Dysgraphia can a…
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“I’ve personally witnessed how Chelsey changes the lives of teenage girls for the better. This book is exactly what we all need right now, for our families and for our future voices in the world." —Laura Dern, Academy Award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling author of Honey, Baby, Mine Teenage girls have a lot of assumptions made about …
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We Should Talk About That is going on a break for a couple of weeks for a little refresh and re-tooling. But before I go, I want to take a minute to honor a man who has meant so very much to me, my father in law, Vernard Charles Kidwell, Jr. Vern passed away February 4th, 2024 at the ripe age of 98 and I am just back from a weekend of honoring him …
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This week I welcome Jess Buchanan back on the show to talk about the release of her second anthology series, Deserts to Mountaintops: Choosing Our Healing Through Radical Self Acceptance. It was so great to catch up on what's been happening in her world and to discuss this project. In this episode: Find out why this topic was chosen for the antholo…
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"We don't need a handful of people doing inclusive education perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly." - Tim Villegas According to the Oxford Dictionary, inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have p…
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In September 2017, after years of physical abuse and sexual torture, Nicole "Nikki" Addimando fatally shot her abusive partner in self-defense. And in February 2020, Nicole was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for killing the perpetrator of her abuse, where she became part of the 97% of women in prison nationwide who have experienced physica…
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In this episode of Neuroversity, host Jessica Kidwell chats with Jessica McCabe, the brains behind the "How to ADHD" YouTube channel and author of "How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working With Your Brain, Not Against It." Jessica started her channel as a way to understand her own diagnosis and it quickly became apparent that the information she …
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The WeSTAT community was polled and the results were unanimous, so, welcome to the first WeSTAT episode dedicated entirely to pop culture! In what I hope is the first of a re-occurring series, Jessica is joined by one of her go to pop culture aficionados IRL, Amanda Pedigo. But this isn't just two girlfriends having a chat, Amanda really has her fi…
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When women have good information, they make good choices. - Dr. Lauren Streicher Discover the surprising benefits of cannabis for menopause symptoms and beyond. Listen in as Ellen Scanlon shares her insights on using CBD and THC to alleviate pain, improve sleep, and support overall well-being. But what happens when the legal market for cannabis doe…
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From glitter bottles to yoga cards: here are some tips to stimulate all EIGHT senses. Yes, I said eight. Join me as I explore the world of sensory processing and share tips on creating a sensory-friendly classroom for preschool-aged children. Understanding the eight senses is crucial for enhancing the educational experience and well being for all c…
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The business case for diversity is so strong, and unless we create a safe space for everyone to have a conversation, we can't move it forward. - Kori Reed Uncover the silent majority's role in gender equity as Kori Reed challenges men in the workplace to understand, support, and engage in the conversation. In this episode, you will be able to: Expl…
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If you are in medical school in this country right now, it can be challenging to choose to be trained to provide safe abortions. It's scary out there. The laws are confusing. The medical profession is vast. Why choose abortion care? And I would just say anyone who has made that choice and who is seeking out a seasoned doctor who's done these proced…
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Normalizing conversations about our bodies and sexuality can lead to healthier relationships and a sense of empowerment. - Gopi Pillai I am thrilled to have Gopi Pillai join me this week as WeSTAT's very first guest co-host! And together, we are wondering, are you aware of how your body moves and holds itself? Join us as we dive into the importance…
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The digital world allows our children the opportunity to connect with people all over the place and all of a sudden they have a community. But how do we help our children find the line of privacy and how do we help ourselves find the line of privacy for our children? - Dr. Devorah Heitner Do you want your neurodivergent child to feel empowered and …
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Have you ever doubted your own physical abilities? Believed that you were simply not cut out for sports or fitness? Well, let me share a story that will challenge your perceptions. Meet Alyssa, a woman who thought she lacked natural athletic talent, only to discover an unexpected twist that changed her life forever. This twist led her down a path o…
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Happy Thanksgiving! This week I'm doing a cross promotion with my other podcast, Neuroversity and featuring a very special episode. Join me as I have a conversation with the most important autistic voice you will ever hear on this podcast, my daughter Grace. This is not an inspirational story. This is not a sad story. This is Grace's story. How she…
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November 17th is a pretty important day in my household because it is my daughter Grace's birthday. And 17 years ago today it was Grace who started me on this journey of motherhood, and this journey of understanding neurodiversity more. This episode originally aired in April 2022-Autism Acceptance Month, but in honor of Grace, I wanted to re-visit …
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***This episode briefly discusses suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, Help is available 24 hours a day at the suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988 https://988lifeline.org/ Join journalist and professor Chris Moody as he shares his alarming findings on sextortion scams that are victimizing thousands of teenage boys. Chris does an…
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This episode of We Should Talk About That focuses on an important but difficult topic - suicide prevention and awareness. ***Help is available 24 hours a day at the suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988 https://988lifeline.org/ Jessica Kidwell interviews writer ASA Merritt about his audio fiction story, "Six Sermons", which explores a church c…
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Would you like to age gracefully and understand the influences that societal judgment and cultural pressures have on beauty and cosmetics? In this episode of "We Should Talk About That," host Jessica Kidwell engages in a conversation about anti-aging and aging gracefully with Dr. Carolyn Chang, an aesthetic plastic surgeon and vice chairman of plas…
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I don’t often see as much representation of Down Syndrome within the neurodivergent community, and since October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, I think that means now is the perfect time to expand our understanding. So fellow curious minds, let’s get started. In this episode we will learn: The three types of Down Syndrome The incidence of Down S…
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Feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of preparing your children for college applications? Join me and my guest, early career development expert Ana Homayoun, as we navigate this daunting journey. I share my own struggle with the pressure, and Ana provides me with invaluable insight and perspective on the fallacy of "finish lines". With Ana's guidanc…
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The key to living a legendary life is to strive to be more like Abe Lincoln. At least, that is what my guest this week, Jonathan Shapiro, says is the key. Join us for a conversation about the principles of the great Abraham Lincoln, and how following seven steps can help us all lead a more extraordinary life. We talk about stoicism, storytelling, h…
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On this episode, it's a return to the Word of the Week (WOW) Series. In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, I'm focusing on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), which frequently co-occurs with ADHD. What is it? Why is it so frequently associated with ADHD? How does it impact individuals? How can you help? Additional resources to find out more: Dr. Megan…
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Did you know: 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted while in college or graduate school 6% of men will be sexually assaulted while in college or graduate school 90% of sexual assaults on college campuses go unreported. More than 50% of college sexual assaults occur in either August, September, October, or November. This is called the "Red Zone" I…
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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the subject of climate change? Jessica does. With weather events and natural disasters getting more severe and seeming to creep closer and closer to her own backyard, Jessica feels overwhelmed, to the point of paralysis, by what one person could possibly do to effect change. Enter Anya Kamenetz, who writes the newsle…
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SEASON THREE PREMIERE!! What if the key to unlocking the brilliance of an autistic child lies in focusing on their strengths rather than their challenges? This episode, Jessica is joined by Dr. Lynn Koegel, a leading figure in autism education, who has passionately championed a shift from the deficit model to a strengths-based approach in teaching …
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Join Jessica Kidwell as she embraces the messy, exciting, and continuous process of growth in the new season of "We Should Talk About That". She'll be sharing her own experiences and thoughts on starting this fresh chapter, her comfort in the transitional phases, and her intrigue with evolution - a process that beautifully mirrors the metamorphosis…
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Summer school sessions are coming to an end, so why not re-visit a season one episode on “Back to School”? As the dog days of summer wind down, it’s time for many of us to turn our attention on to three dreaded words, “back to school”, or maybe they’re you’re favorite three words! Who am I to judge? One thing that is certain, it’s a transition, and…
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In this session of Neuroversity Summer School, host Jessica Kidwell reviews Holly Smale's 'Cassandra in Reverse'. This book weaves the tale of Cassandra, a neurodivergent protagonist whose autism isn't her central focus, but a part of her multiple layers. From its take on autistic experiences to the author's own neurodiversity, this novel is a refr…
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Do you ever find yourself stumbling over the distinction between person-first and identity-first language? I certainly do. That's why the first session of Neuroversity Summer School is about the nuances of these two linguistic approaches, particularly in the context of neurodiversity. I revisited an interview I had from Season 1 Episode 5 with poli…
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It's been a couple weeks since WeSTAT said "goodbye" to Jess Buchanan so Jessica Kidwell thought it might be time to talk about what could be next for We Should Talk About That. Bottom line up front: She needs YOU! You can be an integral part of shaping what's next for WeSTAT, so listen in and see how you can help! Support the show Keep up with all…
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***BONUS CONTENT*** It may be summer time for most of us, but the learning won't stop at Neuroversity! Join me as we get "back to basics" at Neuroversity with a special set of "Summer School Sessions" to get us through July and August and help prevent the dreaded summer slide of learning. Find out what types of episodes you can expect over the next…
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When Jess and Jess started this podcast in January 2020, there were a lot of unknowns. They had no idea how the podcast world would receive them, they had no idea that a global pandemic would shut down their studio recordings and they would have to learn how to podcast remotely, they had no idea how many interesting people they would get to intervi…
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Jess and Jess have dedicated multiple episodes to the sacred tradition of Mother's Day, but what about the dads? A quick check in on what each of The Two Jess(es) are doing to celebrate the men in their lives! Support the show Keep up with all things WeSTAT on any (or ALL) of the social feeds: Instagram Threads : westatpod Facebook LinkedIn Twitter…
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You heard them first with Glennon and Abby, but NOW, Jess and Jess get a chance to sit down and chat all things S-E-X with the adorable and incredibly knowledgeable "sexpert couple" Vanessa and Xander Marin! The authors of SEX TALKS: The 5 Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life come on the show to talk about why it's so hard for couples t…
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Have you heard these myths about dyslexia? Myth #1: Dyslexia means you're not smart. Myth #2: Dyslexia is just a reading problem. Myth #3: Dyslexia is a childhood problem that you outgrow. These myths can be damaging to individuals with dyslexia, causing low self-esteem and a lack of empowerment. The truth is, dyslexia affects reading, writing, and…
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From tiktok posts to pin locations, our kids every action is being monitored, recorded and available for the world to see. We employ apps to check their text messages and create fake social media accounts to see what they are doing and how they are doing it- our kids no longer have any privacy. For some of us, who are unwilling to give in to the so…
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JessK and JessB are taking the day off- but they do have a few reflections to share regarding patriotism, America, and the distinction between patriotism and politics. And this is just the intro! The rest of this episode shares a highlight interview with the incredibly intelligent and open, Cody Keenan who rose from a campaign intern in his hometow…
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Meet Dr. Casey Ehrlich, a mother and researcher delving into the little-known condition called Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). As she explains the complex nervous system response that triggers PDA, we're left wondering how many more people are suffering from this condition without proper recognition or support. In this episode, you will be abl…
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How many of you out there are a member of the "Buy Nothing" groups? JessK has some experiences with the endeavor that she would like to discuss, and fortunately, she found freelance journalist, Sonia Weiser to have the conversation with! What ARE these groups for? Because, according to Sonia, they are more than just a friendly little group where yo…
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We've all been there- you see your Facebook messenger app light up and swipe up only to see a direct message from someone you haven't thought about since 5th grade...inevitably, it starts out "Hey Hun! I love seeing....." followed by a veiled question about your skincare routine, your weight loss goals, or hell, even your leggings! Emily Lynn Pauls…
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The public school system in the United States has historically been built to support the success of one type of student: a typically developing student with average intellectual ability. And, unfortunately, any student who falls outside of this type has a much harder time thriving in a system that is not built for them. Fairfax County Public School…
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