423: Neurodiversity Playbook with Dr. Matt Zakreski
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Release Date: 12/06/2024
A New Approach to OCD: Internal Family Systems w/ Melissa Mose
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
In this deeply informative episode, I’m joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Melissa Mose, LMFT, who brings 30 years of clinical experience to the table and a unique approach to treating OCD by integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) with traditional methods like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Melissa shares how a personal experience—her daughter’s sudden-onset OCD—propelled her into the world of OCD treatment and changed the direction of her career. We talk through how OCD manifests, why traditional ERP can be both life-changing and difficult for people,...
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Celeb Chef Chris Valdes on Mental Health in Kitchens
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
In this heartfelt and candid episode, I'm joined by Chef Chris Valdes—TV personality, cookbook author, and lifelong culinary artist—to talk about his powerful personal journey through the culinary world and the mental health struggles he’s faced along the way. From growing up in a Cuban restaurant in Miami to rising to national TV fame, Chris has seen both the bright lights and the dark corners of the kitchen. He shares stories of family, grief, hustle, and healing—including why he took a year off from everything to rediscover himself. Whether you're in food service, struggling with...
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Dr. Andrea Martinez Talks Gangs, Loss, Depression, and Learning Discernment.
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Friends, welcome back to the Hardcore Self Help Podcast. This is my first interview back after a bit of a journey. I thought there was no better way to kick off this next phase of the podcast than by introducing you to a friend and brilliant human that I met in the interim. Dr. Amy Andrea Martinez is a professor of sociology with a focus on Chicano gang culture, incarceration, and abolition. She is a total badass, and she gets vulnerable about her experiences in this conversation. We discuss how her younger brother's arrest, the development of her identity as a Xicana woman, her experiences...
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The Podcast is Coming Back.
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Episode Summary: In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Duff returns to the mic after a hiatus to share what’s been going on behind the scenes with The Hardcore Self Help Podcast. He opens up about an almost-acquisition of the show by a larger mental health organization—a deal that initially looked promising but ultimately fell through. With transparency and vulnerability, Dr. Duff reflects on the emotional and professional impact of that experience, explains why the podcast paused, and announces the exciting new direction it’s headed in. What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why the...
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437: Multicultural Identity, Somatic Healing, and Embodied Code Switching w/ Marcia Bonato Warren
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
In this insightful interview, I’m joined by Marcia Bonato Warren, a trauma-informed body therapist, somatic counselor, interculturalist, and author. Marcia brings over 30 years of experience working with cross-cultural mental health, and she shares a powerful lens on how identity, culture, and trauma intersect in the body. Together, we explore the concept of embodied code switching, how our bodies carry cultural and ancestral imprints, and how healing often involves not just the mind, but movement, sensation, and deep awareness of the self. Marcia discusses her personal journey as a...
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436: Facing Horrific Family Trauma & Finding Joy After Divorce
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
In this episode, Dr. Duff takes on two powerful listener questions in a raw and compassionate Q&A format. The first question comes from a survivor of extensive childhood abuse, religious trauma, and complex family dynamics, who is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to publish a deeply personal memoir. Dr. Duff dives into the emotional, psychological, and ethical layers of this situation, offering validation, insight, and a heartfelt reminder that healing and storytelling can be acts of empowerment. The second question comes from a newly single parent facing feelings of...
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435: Moving Past infidelity & Coping with Sudden Medication Changes
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
In this episode, I address two deeply personal listener questions that highlight the complex nature of anxiety and emotional healing in relationships. The first question comes from a listener who has struggled with anxiety for most of their life, recently facing severe limitations due to Generalized Anxiety Disorder and medication changes. We talk about the genetic components of anxiety, the risks of benzodiazepines in older adults, and the importance of advocating for the right care—even if that means seeking new providers or considering higher levels of treatment. The second question dives...
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An Update From Robert
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Just a quick update! Back to regularly scheduled programming next week!
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Chapter From My NEW BOOK - Bipolar Answers
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Pre-Order Bipolar Answers In this special episode, Dr. Robert Duff announces the pre-order launch of his latest book, Bipolar Answers: Questions from Real People Answered by a Real Psychologist. To celebrate, he provides listeners with an exclusive reading of the book’s introduction and one full chapter, giving a firsthand look at what to expect. This book is built from real questions asked on The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, expanded with deeper insights, case studies, and practical strategies for managing bipolar disorder. Dr. Duff shares details about the book’s structure, how it...
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433: Stuck in Trauma & Embarrassed by Emotional Reactions
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Episode 433: Navigating PTSD Triggers & Overcoming Shame In this episode of The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I tackle two listener questions related to PTSD, trauma, and the emotional challenges that come with them. The first question is from someone who is deeply affected by their environment, living in a house that serves as a constant PTSD trigger. They want to move forward but feel completely stuck. The second question is about dealing with strong emotional reactions in public and the embarrassment that follows. I offer compassionate, practical advice to help both listeners begin taking...
info_outlineIn today’s episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I sit down with psychologist, professional speaker, and author Dr. Matt Zakreski to explore the concept of neurodiversity and how to create a more supportive world for neurodivergent individuals. Drawing from both personal and professional experiences, Dr. Matt shares his journey as someone who is gifted and ADHD, and how that shaped his understanding and advocacy for neurodivergent folks.
We discuss what neurodiversity truly means, highlight differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent brains, and break down why it’s crucial to avoid framing neurodivergent individuals as “failed neurotypicals.” Dr. Matt provides practical strategies for understanding executive functioning challenges, improving communication, and fostering more inclusive environments both in schools and in everyday life. Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, raising a neurodivergent child, or simply looking to become a better ally, this episode is packed with insights and guidance to help you understand, accept, and celebrate neurological differences.
Chapters:
00:15 — Introduction: Send in Your Questions & Introducing Dr. Matt Zakreski
02:00 — Defining Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence
08:00 — The Performance Cliff: When School Outpaces Natural Ability
11:00 — Common Threads: Executive Functioning and Pragmatic Language in Neurodivergence
17:00 — Brain-Based Differences: Sensory Input, Basal Ganglia, and Emotional Intensity
21:00 — Universal Design in Education: Creating Systems That Work for All
24:00 — Shame, Emotionality, and the Reality of ADHD
28:00 — Inattentive vs. Hyperactive: Recognizing Subtle Signs and Misdiagnoses
33:00 — Rethinking Assessment: Moving Beyond DSM Checklists
38:00 — Why Specialists and Relationships Matter in Mental Health Care
41:00 — Making Therapy Work for Kids: Meeting Them Where They Are
43:00 — The Neurodiversity Playbook: Tools, Strategies, and Action Points
48:00 — Intention vs. Impact: Communicating Clearly and Compassionately
52:00 — Practical Tips for Executive Functioning in Daily Life
54:00 — Final Takeaways: Building Community and Embracing Your Unique Brain
About the Podcast
I’m Dr. Robert Duff, a clinical psychologist and the host of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast. My mission is to break down complex mental health topics into approachable, actionable advice. Each episode dives deep into mental health, personal development, and practical strategies for thriving. Whether through expert interviews, audience Q&A, or practical tips, this show is all about making meaningful changes without unnecessary jargon or fluff.
Guest Links:
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The Neurodiversity Playbook by Dr. Matt Zakreski:
https://www.drmattzakreski.com/the-neurodiversity-playbook -
Dr. Matt Zakreski’s Website:
https://www.drmattzakreski.com/ -
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drmattzakreski/
Connect With Me:
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Website:
https://www.duffthepsych.com/ -
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/duffthepsych/
#Neurodiversity #ADHD #Gifted #TwiceExceptional #Autism #ExecutiveFunction #InclusiveEducation #MentalHealth #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment