S1E11 - Neurodiversity in Real Life (Part 1): Language, Labels & Masking Artwork

Black Girl, Brown Girl...Squirrel! A Podcast for Neurodivergent Women of Color

Welcome to Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel! — the podcast for Black, Hispanic, Latina, and Asian women who are Neurodivergent (or wondering if they might be).

We’re your Sista Squirrels 🐿️ Shai and Lex — here to celebrate the chaos, the brilliance, and the hilarity of brains that don’t follow the “default settings.” Around here, tangents are the point.

We talk about life with:

🌀 ADHD — from hyperfocus to forgotten keys (again).
✨ Autism / AuDHD — deep dives, sensory adventures, and social “huh?” moments.
💭 Anxiety & Depression — the not-so-fun side quests.
💡 Self-diagnosis & discovery — figuring it out as we go.

Expect unfiltered stories, laughter that derails into tangents, and the relief of knowing you’re not the only one. Whether you’ve got a diagnosis, are self-identifying, or just suspect your brain might be running on a custom operating system, you belong here.

So grab your snacks, follow the chaos, and come squirrel with us. Life’s way more fun (and way less lonely) when you realize “off the rails” is the best track.

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Black Girl, Brown Girl...Squirrel! A Podcast for Neurodivergent Women of Color

S1E11 - Neurodiversity in Real Life (Part 1): Language, Labels & Masking

December 10, 2025 • The Squirrels • Season 1 • Episode 11

0:00 | 41:51

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In this Part 1 episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl, Squirrel!, Shai and Lex kick off a two-part deep dive into the language of neurodiversity—from what “neurodiversity” actually means to how “neurodivergent” and “neurotypical” show up in real life for women of color. They unpack masking, why so many of us learned to perform “normal” just to survive, and how that constant code-switching of our brains can lead to burnout. They also share personal stories about stimming (yes, that thing your hands/eyes/voice do on autopilot) and how learning your own patterns can be an act of self-love, not shame.

TL;DR

We’re breaking down key neurodiversity terms and why they matter, especially for women of color. We talk openly about masking, survival mode, and trying to fit into a world not designed for our brains. This episode is about understanding ourselves and embracing the freedom to show up authentically.

TIME STAMPS

00:00 – Welcome & Intro
01:00 – Life Updates & Burnout Check-In
04:00 – What Does “Neurodiversity” Really Mean?
08:30 – Neurodivergent vs. Neurotypical
11:00 – The Left-Handed in a Right-Handed World
17:45 – Masking: Why We Learn It & Why It Exhausts Us
24:30 – Stimming & How It Shows Up in Real Life
32:45 – Self-Love, Identity & Reclaiming Our Brains
41:10 – Closing & Community Invitation

RESOURCES

ADDitude Magazine

Therapist and Mental Health Resources