Living with Chronic Illness with Carolyne Shallop
Your Voice Matters
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of chronic illness, physical pain, medical trauma, and the emotional impact of living with invisible conditions. Listener discretion is advised. “The more experience you have with something, the less hard it gets. The more knowledge, the more wisdom you have about it. It's freeing your mind.” — Carolyne Shallop In this episode, host Asma Jacob speaks with her niece, Carolyne Shallop, about life with two autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis. Carolyne opens up about her journey from diagnosis to acceptance, the...
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Understanding and Accepting Neurodiversity with Karen Brennan
Your Voice Matters
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of stigma, isolation, and parental guilt, which may be sensitive for some listeners. In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with Karen Brennan, a family practitioner, advocate, and mother, about her journey supporting neurodivergent children and families. Karen shares her personal and professional insights into recognising the signs of a neurodivergent child, navigating diagnoses, and understanding how to best support a neurotypical child. Together, they explore the power of understanding neurodivergence in...
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Julia Daunt’s Journey navigating life with ADHD and PDA
Your Voice Matters
“I reduce demands before an activity so that my anxiety reduces.” In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Julia Daunt, a passionate advocate for the neurodivergent community. Julia shares her lived experience with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and ADHD, offering insights into how she overcame the challenges she faced from childhood and adulthood. She discusses the lack of early support, the impact of PDA on daily life, and the strategies she has developed to help her succeed. Through her work as an author, blogger, and speaker, Julia raises awareness about...
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My experience as a parent of an autistic child with Folashade Dan-Oketola
Your Voice Matters
“If we don’t take breaks, we burn out. Accept help where you can.” In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Folashade Dan-Oketola, a parent, caregiver, and advocate for the neurodivergent and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) community. Folashade shares her journey of parenting an autistic child, highlighting the importance of understanding neurodiversity and embracing flexibility in daily life. Through her lived experience and advocacy, Folashade discusses the challenges and triumphs of raising a neurodivergent child. She offers practical insights on...
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Kareena’s journey and capacity as an autistic adult
Your Voice Matters
"As an autistic individual, as somebody that's neurodiverse, the ability to organise information and filter out what's important, all those kinds of things, they don't come naturally to us.” In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with Kareena Kai, an autistic adult and the founder of Busy Bees Inc Club CIC. Kareena shares her personal journey of navigating the challenges and stigmas associated with being neurodivergent, from self-identification and masking to the struggle of communicating in conventional ways. Together, they explore the transformative power of...
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Autism, ADHD, and the Importance of Diagnosis with Jen Slaton
Your Voice Matters
"The diagnosis is not a label, it's a key. It's a key to understanding." In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with psychotherapist and coach Jen Slaton, who has extensive experience working with the neurodivergent community. Jen shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting the impact of late diagnosis on mental health and the importance of a holistic approach to understanding autism. Together, they explore the nuances of diagnosis, the significance of recognising ADHD and autism traits, and the power of self-understanding for better self-acceptance and...
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Masking (The Pressure of Fitting In: Understanding Neurodivergent Masking with Carly Considine)
Your Voice Matters
"Masking is a form of trying to fit into social norms—pretending to be someone you're not. It comes at a cost: burnout, anxiety, and mental health challenges." In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob welcomes back advocate Carly Considine for another insightful conversation about masking within the neurodivergent community. Carly shares her experiences as an autistic adult and mother of two autistic daughters, offering a candid perspective on how masking can lead to burnout, anxiety, and mental health challenges. Together, they discuss where masking is most prevalent, why some...
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Antonio's Journey
Your Voice Matters
"We all should be thoughtful of each other. Whether we see something or don't see something, we should all be treated with respect, politeness, and a willingness to learn and grow from whomever we’re interacting with." In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with Antonio Myers, a dedicated disability advocate and host of the TonioTimeDaily podcast. Antonio shares his inspiring journey as an autistic adult, highlighting his academic success, his passion for advocacy, and his commitment to fostering respect and positivity. The conversation covers the importance of...
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Finding Strength in Individuality: Empowering Lives with Asma Jacob
Your Voice Matters
“Therapy isn’t about fixing someone; it’s about empowering them to recognise their own strengths.” In this debut episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob, founder of Achievable Journey, shares her inspiring story and vision for the podcast. Joined by her friend Jude, Asma discusses her journey as a SEND Holistic Therapist, working with children and adults with special educational needs. Asma reveals why she started this podcast: to create a safe space where the SEND and neurodivergent community can feel heard and validated. She explains how she empowers her clients by focusing on...
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Autism, Identity & Community with Carly Considine
Your Voice Matters
“Surround yourself with people who understand, and you do find your tribe.” In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Carly Considine, an autistic adult and advocate for the neurodivergent community. Carly shares how her diagnosis brought clarity and improved her mental health, while also opening up about raising three autistic children. She explores the diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals, the importance of understanding autism in girls and women, and the value of finding a supportive community. Carly’s story offers inspiration, practical advice,...
info_outline“Surround yourself with people who understand, and you do find your tribe.”
In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Carly Considine, an autistic adult and advocate for the neurodivergent community. Carly shares how her diagnosis brought clarity and improved her mental health, while also opening up about raising three autistic children.
She explores the diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals, the importance of understanding autism in girls and women, and the value of finding a supportive community. Carly’s story offers inspiration, practical advice, and encouragement for anyone navigating similar journeys.
Key Takeaways:
- A diagnosis can bring clarity and support mental health for individuals and families.
- Every neurodivergent individual’s experience is different and should be treated as such.
- Autism in girls and women can present differently, requiring greater awareness and understanding.
- Building a supportive community is essential—online groups can be a great place to start.
“Facebook support groups are incredible. You find like-minded friends, like-minded parents, and even autistic adults. You become a community.”
About Carly:
Carly Considine is an autistic adult diagnosed in 2015, with two autistic daughters diagnosed in 2019. She is a passionate advocate for the neurodivergent community, with a special focus on female autism and comorbidities like ADHD. Carly has volunteered with the National Autistic Society and continues her advocacy work online, sharing her experiences to support others.
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