291: Reframing ADHD for Black Women with Inger Shaye Colzie
Embracing Intensity
This week on Embracing Intensity, I’m thrilled to finally sit down with the powerful and passionate Inger Shaye Colzie, a therapist and coach working at the intersection of ADHD, identity, and cultural experience. Inger shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after decades of navigating systems and expectations that didn’t see her neurodivergence—or the unique challenges that come with being a Black woman with ADHD. Together, we dive into her experiences growing up gifted but overlooked, her path to founding the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance, and how she helps...
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290: Executive Functioning with Fizzah Zaidi
Embracing Intensity
Episode 290: Executive Functioning with Fizzah Zaidi In this powerful episode of Embracing Intensity, I’m joined by the insightful and compassionate Fizzah Zaidi, a psychotherapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent individuals. We explore the complexities of executive functioning, and how understanding our brain’s unique operating system can transform how we show up for ourselves and others. Fizzah brings deep experience from her work with high-achieving neurodivergent clients in the tech, medical, and legal fields. Together, we discuss how neurodivergent brains often struggle...
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289: Reclaiming Power Through Art w/ Ilima Considine
Embracing Intensity
In this week’s episode, Aurora sits down with Portland-based multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Ilima Considine to explore how neurodivergence, art, music, and personal experience intersect to spark powerful creative expression. Ilima shares her journey through long COVID, chronic illness, and how she channels her intensity into film, empowering others in the process. As Ilima prepares to premiere her second feature-length film, Drug Holiday, she talks about the themes of trauma, addiction, and radicalization—and how they resonate with creative and neurodivergent communities. This...
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288: Tasting the Gifted Rainbow w/ Kaitlin Smith
Embracing Intensity
In this deeply insightful guest call, we welcome Kaitlin Smith, a PhD candidate in the history of science at Harvard with a secondary focus in African American Studies. Kaitlin brings a powerful lens to the conversation around giftedness, drawing from her academic research, clinical background, and personal experience as a former support provider for gifted and intense Black adults. This episode explores the intersections of giftedness, race, history, science, and social narratives—inviting us to reexamine what we consider “normal” and how systemic forces shape our understanding of...
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287: The Myth of Work-Life Balance
Embracing Intensity
Is work-life balance real—or just another unrealistic expectation? In this solo episode of Embracing Intensity, I unpack the myth of work-life balance and share my journey toward something more meaningful: harmony. Drawing from my personal life, this episode dives deep into how neurodivergent people navigate work hours, personal time, and the demands of life in a way that feels aligned, not forced. After a summer of restoration and reflection, I’m back working full-time in the school system—and instead of chasing “balance,” I’m creating sustainable rhythms that honor my energy,...
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286: Collective Liberation w/ Caroline J. Sumlin
Embracing Intensity
In this powerful episode of Embracing Intensity, we welcome Caroline J. Sumlin—author of We’ll All Be Free—for a deep, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation about collective liberation, the impact of white supremacy culture, and how we can begin to reclaim our worth. Caroline shares her perspective as a neurodivergent mother, speaker, and educator, and we explore the intersection of self-worth, systemic oppression, and sustainable social justice work. About Caroline J. Sumlin Caroline is an author, speaker, and homeschool parent living in the Washington D.C. area. Her work centers on...
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285: The Power of Mirroring with Sheldon Gay
Embracing Intensity
In this thought-provoking episode of Embracing Intensity, Aurora sits down with Sheldon Gay, host of the I Must Be BUG'N podcast, which amplifies the stories and voices of Black, unidentified, underrepresented, gifted, and otherwise neurodivergent people. Sheldon is deeply insightful, warm, and grounded in his advocacy to humanize the neurodivergent experience. Together, they dive into the power of mirroring—that magical moment when we see ourselves reflected in others—and how it plays a crucial role in identity, belonging, and connection. Sheldon shares his personal journey...
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284: Breaking Through Burnout w/ Brendan Mahan
Embracing Intensity
This week on the Embracing Intensity podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome back the always thoughtful and illuminating Brendan Mahan, founder of ADHD Essentials and creator of the Wall of Awful. In this free-flowing and deeply relatable conversation, we dive into the realities of ADHD burnout, navigating screen time, and what it really means to rest. Brendan and I both share personally about our own experiences with burnout and recovery, and how we’re learning to work with our neurodivergent brains instead of against them. About Brendan Mahan: Brendan Mahan is a speaker, coach, and host of the...
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283: Empowering Neurodivergent Voices w/ Fizzah Zaidi
Embracing Intensity
In this inspiring episode of Embracing Intensity, I’m joined by the vibrant and insightful Fizzah Zaidi, a psychotherapist based in Chicago who works with adults with ADHD, especially those navigating high-pressure environments like tech and finance. We originally connected at an ADHD conference over boots and breakfast, and I’m so excited to bring her energy and wisdom to the podcast! Fizzah shares her journey from a creative career in animation to becoming a mental health professional, her passion for social justice, and how she uses her intensity to empower her clients. Together, we...
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282. Navigating Neurodivergent Burnout
Embracing Intensity
After a bit of a break from long-form content, I’m so excited to be back with a solo episode that’s deeply personal and incredibly timely. I’ve missed connecting with you more intimately through the podcast and am looking forward to bringing you more episodes like this in the coming months. Lately, I’ve been diving into the topic of neurodivergent burnout, something I’ve experienced firsthand and that I know many of you can relate to. I’ve written two blog posts on the topic and shared a companion video on YouTube—and even tested out long-form content on TikTok for the first...
info_outlineIn this inspiring episode of Embracing Intensity, I’m joined by the vibrant and insightful Fizzah Zaidi, a psychotherapist based in Chicago who works with adults with ADHD, especially those navigating high-pressure environments like tech and finance. We originally connected at an ADHD conference over boots and breakfast, and I’m so excited to bring her energy and wisdom to the podcast!
Fizzah shares her journey from a creative career in animation to becoming a mental health professional, her passion for social justice, and how she uses her intensity to empower her clients. Together, we explore what it means to navigate neurodivergence with curiosity, creativity, and self-compassion.
About Fizzah Zaidi:
Fizzah is a psychotherapist and former animator who brings her creative flair and social justice focus into her therapeutic practice. Working primarily with high-achieving adults in the finance and tech sectors, she specializes in supporting ADHD and twice-exceptional individuals as they navigate complex challenges in both personal and professional settings. Her approach is multimodal, trauma-informed, and deeply rooted in empathy, humor, and the belief that everyone deserves someone who truly believes in them.
In This Episode:
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How Fizzah uses creativity and multimodal therapy to connect with clients
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The role of social justice in her personal and professional intensity
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Navigating cultural stigma around mental health and emotional expression
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Toning down to survive: childhood masking and fear of judgment
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Channeling intensity into advocacy: challenging grad school policies while pregnant
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Why “being kind to yourself” means embracing your human moments
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The power of curiosity and education in making sense of your neurodivergent brain
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Executive function myths: the difference between lacking skills vs. activation
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Building community care, challenging black-and-white thinking, and supporting clients in discovering their fire
Conclusion:
Fizzah reminds us that intensity can be a powerful force for justice, healing, and growth when it’s supported and expressed authentically. Her story highlights the importance of giving ourselves permission to feel, question, and grow in our own unique ways—and supporting others as they do the same. Whether you’re navigating neurodivergence, embracing your emotional depth, or looking for ways to channel your fire, this episode will leave you feeling seen and inspired.
🎧 Tune in now and discover how you, too, can embrace your intensity and turn it into your greatest strength.
Resources & Links:
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Fizzah Zaidi Psychotherapy Website: fzpsychotherapy.com
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Connect with Fizzah via Email: Available through her website
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Located in Chicago? Reach out and grab coffee with Fizzah!
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PowerZone Toolkit Challenge (Free & Evergreen): embracingintensity.com/toolkit
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Join the Embracing Intensity Community: community.embracingintensity.com