267 Rupture without Repair, and the Discomfort of Being Misunderstood
Release Date: 10/14/2025
272 Bold Moves: Purple Hair, a Tattoo, and No Take-Backs
Unapologetically Sensitive
Bold Moves: Purple Hair, a Tattoo, and No Take-Backs Patricia (she/her) reflects on what it really means to make bold moves—and how we talk to ourselves when those decisions don’t land the way we hoped. Through the very real experiences of dyeing her hair purple for the first time and getting a tattoo she isn’t sure she likes, she explores autistic decision-making, sensory overwhelm, masking, regret, and self-compassion. This episode is about reframing regret as information, honoring neurodivergent needs in the moment, and learning how to be kinder to ourselves when we take risks and...
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271 Keeping it Real During the Holidays: p.s. I Love the Grinch!
Unapologetically Sensitive
Keeping it Real During the Holidays: p.s. I Love the Grinch! Patricia (she/her) dives into the emotional and sensory whirlwind of navigating change as an AuDHDer during the holiday season. She unpacks the exhaustion that comes from shifting family dynamics, unpredictable routines, kitten chaos, people coming and going, and the desire to show up with more capacity than she actually has. Patricia speaks candidly about shutdowns, resentment, communication misfires and boundary-setting. This episode invites listeners to honor their own wiring, acknowledge their limits, and give themselves...
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270 Boring Means Stable: Learning to Love Ordinary Days
Unapologetically Sensitive
Boring Means Stable: Learning to Love Ordinary Days In this honest, meandering, and heart-centered solo episode, Patricia Young (she/her) opens up about feeling “not enough,” while navigating overwhelm, managing PDA (Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. From decluttering and kayaking to the quiet comfort of boring days and the challenges of social invitations, Patricia invites listeners into the gentle, nonlinear process of living authentically as an AuDHDer. With humor and tenderness, she explores aging, family connection, holidays, and what it means to find peace amid imperfection. WHAT...
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269 No Room for In-Between: Literal Thinking and Communication Ruptures
Unapologetically Sensitive
No Room for In-Between: Literal Thinking and Communication Ruptures In this raw and honest episode, Patricia (she/her) shares her ongoing challenges with neurodivergent miscommunication, community rupture, and the emotional toll of being misunderstood. From neighborhood conflicts to horse training lessons, from cancel culture to navigating friendships and travel as an autistic person, Patricia opens up about the messy, contradictory realities of life, belonging, and growth. Listeners will walk away feeling less alone in their struggles with relationships, self-advocacy, and embracing both...
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268 The Push-Pull of ADHD and Autism: Stretching Without Breaking
Unapologetically Sensitive
The Push-Pull of ADHD and Autism: Stretching Without Breaking In this candid conversation, Patricia Young (she/her) and B Lourenco (she/her) dive deep into the realities of living with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence. They explore the push-pull between self-accommodation and stretching ourselves, how shame and internalized ableism impact daily life, and what it means to create realistic support systems at home, in relationships, and in the workplace. Expect raw honesty, relatable stories, and practical insights for navigating neurodivergent life. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS...
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267 Rupture without Repair, and the Discomfort of Being Misunderstood
Unapologetically Sensitive
Rupture without Repair, and the Discomfort of Being Misunderstood In this deeply personal episode, Patricia (she/her) unpacks the fallout from a neighborhood rupture and the painful loss of community connection. Through the lens of being autistic and AuDHD, she explores rejection sensitivity, communication breakdowns, friendship trauma, and why repair isn’t always possible. She also shares how co-regulation, body doubling, Costco runs, and fierce family love provide grounding. This conversation is raw, tender, and validating for anyone who has struggled with being misunderstood...
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266 When ADHD Wants Adventure and Autism Just Wants a Nap
Unapologetically Sensitive
When ADHD Wants Adventure and Autism Just Wants a Nap Patricia (she/her) explores what it means to show up authentically as a neurodivergent person—especially when navigating the tension between wanting novelty (hello ADHD/AuDHD brains!) and craving sameness (thank you autism). She shares candid stories about celebrating her anniversary, managing low energy, social interactions, and dealing with conflict. Patricia also opens up about balancing autistic traits, ADHD novelty-seeking, PDA (persistent drive for autonomy), and honoring her sensitivity. If you’re autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, or...
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265 When the Dogs Stop Saying Hi: The Human Need for Connection and Belonging
Unapologetically Sensitive
When the Dogs Stop Saying Hi: The Human Need for Connection and Belonging Patricia (she/her) explores the complexities of community, being perceived, and the challenges of navigating relationships amidst misunderstandings and cancel culture. She shares personal experiences of rupture and repair within her community, reflecting on the emotional impact of feeling excluded and the importance of acknowledging one's behavior in relationships. Patricia also highlights the simultaneous beauty of connections and celebrations, even amidst challenges, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and...
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264 Disempowered to Empowered: Meltdowns, Boundaries & Donuts
Unapologetically Sensitive
Disempowered to Empowered: Meltdowns, Boundaries & Donuts In this heartfelt episode, Patricia (she/her) shares three powerful personal stories that highlight the challenges—and wins—that come with being a sensitive, creative, neurodivergent human. From navigating family dynamics around living arrangements, to reclaiming power after a disempowering volunteer experience, and even exploring the emotional depth behind a simple craving for an apple fritter, Patricia offers an intimate and validating glimpse into what it's like to be an AuDHDer who feels things deeply—and still...
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263 Friendship, Boundaries, and Other Olympic Sports for Autistic Brains
Unapologetically Sensitive
Friendship, Boundaries, and Other Olympic Sports for Autistic Brains Patricia gets real about friendship challenges, navigating communication mismatches, and how OCD and autistic wiring can shape our relationship expectations. She shares a behind-the-scenes peek into her new podcast project, the insecurities that surfaced while collaborating with her co-host, and how unexpected moments of validation reminded her that what she brings to the table is more than enough. HIGHLIGHTS · Patricia plans to release the podcast bi-monthly to...
info_outlineRupture without Repair, and the Discomfort of Being Misunderstood
In this deeply personal episode, Patricia (she/her) unpacks the fallout from a neighborhood rupture and the painful loss of community connection. Through the lens of being autistic and AuDHD, she explores rejection sensitivity, communication breakdowns, friendship trauma, and why repair isn’t always possible. She also shares how co-regulation, body doubling, Costco runs, and fierce family love provide grounding. This conversation is raw, tender, and validating for anyone who has struggled with being misunderstood as a neurodivergent person.
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE
· The neighborhood rupture and how a joke led to exclusion from a community group
· What happens when rupture and repair aren’t possible in friendships
· The autistic need for clarity, communication, and closure
· Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and how silence feels like rejection
· The PDA (persistent drive for autonomy) response to being left out
· The pain of friendship trauma and feeling misunderstood
· How autistic people process and loop on unresolved conflict
· The role of community in belonging and nervous system regulation
· Why body doubling and co-regulation help autistic/ADHD brains stay grounded
· Finding comfort in Costco runs, small joys, and simple routines
· Permission to need rest, wear earplugs, or retreat from sensory overwhelm
· Generational differences in friendship and communication between neurodivergent people
· Practicing adaptability through change (like moving workspaces at home)
· The bittersweet truth: not all friendships are meant to last
· Gratitude reframed through an autistic lens—how to find appreciation without bypassing pain
SOUND BITES
“For us, it felt like there was no space for human mistakes, no place for rupture and repair.”
“This activated friendship trauma in me, and I’ve noticed my protective armor is up.”
“Intellectually, I know this is fine. Emotionally, feeling misunderstood and powerless is really hard.”
"You have a right to speak up."
"Not all friendships last forever."
"Life is messy. Friendships are messy."
“Body doubling is such a beautiful way to borrow someone else’s nervous system to regulate.”
“Sensitivity is nothing to apologize for. It’s how you’re wired. You have the right to take up space.”
SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT’S HOW YOUR BRAIN IS WIRED
You are not broken. You were shaped by systems that weren’t built for you. You deserve rest, joy, and support exactly as you are.
TOPICS COVERED (please adjust for addition of introduction)
00:00 Navigating Community Dynamics
08:42 The Impact of Silence and Rejection
17:06 Rupture, Repair, and the Complexity of Relationships
23:52 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
29:13 Gratitude and Perspective on Life
PODCAST HOST
Patricia Young (she/her) was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it’s like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller. Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion. She created the podcasts Unapologetically Sensitive and Unapologetically AuDHD to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren’t alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges. Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you
Patricia’s website, podcast episodes and more: www.unapologeticallysensitive.com
LINKS
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- chose “open in itunes”
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- click to rate the number of starts
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Unapologetically AuDHD Podcast-- https://unapologeticallysensitive.com/unapologeticallyaudhd/
e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com
Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive
Music-- Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com