Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Christopher Willard, a clinical psychologist and author, about the complexities of life's major transitions. At this time of year, this is an especially-important conversation, as some students prepare for the shift to college life. They share their own experiences and provide advice on navigating the pressures of newfound independence, the importance of self-care, and the role of systemic support in easing major transitions. Yes, they also talk about farts, so this episode has something for everyone.

TAKEAWAYS

• It's important to understand the mental health challenges that often arise during major life transitions.

• There's a role for social media in destigmatizing mental health issues, but it also spreads misinformation.

• Systemic support is essential in educational institutions, in order to better assist students, especially those from marginalized communities.

• It's important not to over-pathologize normal emotional experiences.

• There was a creative process behind Dr. Willard's children's book, "Feelings Are Like Farts," which uses humor to engage kids in understanding emotions.

Let the courses in the Neurodiversity University help you be a better educator, parent, and/or clinician.

Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant based in Massachusetts, with a global presence as a speaker in over 40 countries and two TEDx events. He is the author of 20 books on mental health and mindfulness, including Alphabreaths, Growing Up Mindful, Feelings Are Like Farts, and the upcoming College Mental Health 101 (2025).

Dr. Willard's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN.com, and mindful.org. In addition to his clinical and writing work, he teaches at Harvard Medical School, where he continues to shape conversations around mindfulness, emotional well-being, and mental health in education and beyond.

BACKGROUND READING

Chris’s website, Instagram, Facebook, Feelings Are Like Farts

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

Generalizations about ADHD haven’t done girls any favors. ADHD often manifests very differently in girls than in boys. What causes parents, educators, and even doctors, to view the symptoms of ADHD differently with girls? We know that masking, and even variations in environments, often cause symptoms to be missed. How is that happening? We’re revisiting the subject and chat with Stephen Hinshaw, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco.

Find out more about building neurodiversity-affirming schools, and about the courses we’ll be offering soon, here.

Stephen P. Hinshaw is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. His focus is on developmental psychopathology, child and adolescent mental health (particularly ADHD), and the use of clinical trials to understand underlying mechanisms. He also actively investigates mental illness stigmatization and attempts to reduce such stigma.

Hinshaw has authored over 400 articles, chapters, and commentaries, plus 12 books. He has won numerous national and international research awards, including the James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health from the National Academy of Medicine. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.

His extensive media coverage includes the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, CBS Evening News, ABC World News Tonight, and many more.

BACKGROUND READING

Berkeley, research, website, Straight Talk about ADHD in Girls: How to Help Your Daughter Thrive

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Chris Wells, a writer, researcher, and podcaster who specializes in positive disintegration. They break down the theory of positive disintegration, developed by Kazimierz Dąbrowski, and its relevance to personal growth and neurodiversity. They explore the concept of over-excitability, its implications in the gifted education community, and the controversy surrounding its interpretation. They talk about disintegration as a pathway to self-actualization, and the need for community support for those experiencing intense emotional states. They also discuss the future directions of integrating Dąbrowski's theory with contemporary understandings of neurodiversity.

TAKEAWAYS

• The theory of positive disintegration is about personal growth.

• Dąbrowski's work connects mental illness with developmental potential.

• Over-excitability is a key concept in understanding neurodivergence.

• The gifted education community often misunderstands Dąbrowski's theory.

• Positive disintegration can lead to self-actualization.

• Intensity and sensitivity can be both a blessing and a curse.

• Navigating disintegration requires a grounding practice.

• Community support is essential for those experiencing disintegration.

Episode 147, with Alex Vuyk: Does Personality Impact Neurodiversity?

Positive Disintegration podcast episode 30 mentioned in our conversation (link is to Apple podcasts)

Check out the courses in the Neurodiversity University.

Chris Wells, PhD is a writer, researcher, and podcaster specializing in positive disintegration, neurodivergence, and personal growth. They are the founder of the Dąbrowski Center and creator of the Positive Disintegration Network, dedicated to bringing Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration into both academic and public conversations.

Chris co-hosts the Positive Disintegration and Cosmic Cheer Squad podcasts and shares their work on Substack, where they blend theory with lived experience to make complex psychological concepts more accessible. Their work centers on self-development, authenticity, and transformation, supporting others in navigating growth through the lens of neurodivergence.

BACKGROUND READING

Chris’s LinkTree, Positive Disintegration website, Cosmic Cheer Squad Substack, Instagram