What if the mood swings, burnout, and sudden sensory overwhelm aren’t just “hormones” — but a neurodivergent brain reacting to perimenopause?

In this powerful episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we unpack the science, the stats, and the very real lived experience of perimenopause in women with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivity — especially moms. You’ll learn:

🌀 What perimenopause actually is (and what it’s not)
🧠 How hormonal shifts like estrogen withdrawal impact neurotransmitters
🔥 Why PMDD is more common in neurodivergent women
👩‍👧 How parenting becomes exponentially harder during this phase
📊 The shocking stats on late ADHD/autism diagnoses in women
🗣️ Real quotes from women who thought they were “losing it” — until it all made sense

This isn’t just a biology lesson. It’s a compassionate, science-backed call to stop gaslighting ourselves and start honoring the unique way our brains and hormones interact.

Whether you’re in your late 30s, early 40s, or just beginning to question what’s going on with your mind and body — this episode will give you clarity, hope, and tools to support yourself better.

🎧 Tune in, share with a friend, and remember: you’re not broken. You’re just overdue for real answers.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

👀 Ever feel like a totally different person the week before your period?

Not just moody — but anxious, ragey, shut down, or like you want to quit your job, run away, or scream into a pillow...
Then your period starts, and suddenly… you’re okay again?
Yeah. This one’s for you.

💥 In this episode, we unpack:

🧠 Why monthly hormones hit harder when you're neurodivergent (think: ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivity)
🌀 How dopamine, estrogen & serotonin impact your mood, focus, and parenting capacity at certain times of the cycle
📅 What each phase of the cycle does to your brain (and why some moms thrive while bleeding 😳)
🔥 The real signs of PMDD and why up to 92% of autistic women may have it
🙈 How it can feel like an outer-body experience — seeing yourself unravel, but not being able to stop it
👩‍👧 Why motherhood makes this all more intense (and more invisible)

💡 Whether you’re diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or just relate a little too much, this episode will help you:

✔️ Understand your cycle through a neurodivergent lens
✔️ Learn what’s actually happening in your brain
✔️ Ditch the shame and start tracking patterns instead of blaming yourself

🎧 Listen in if you’ve ever said:

You’re not dramatic. You’re not unstable.
This is real, it’s biological, and it’s more common than anyone talks about.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

If you’ve ever felt like alcohol affects you differently — the next-day anxiety, brain fog, guilt, emotional spirals, or sensory overwhelm — you’re not imagining it. In this episode of Quirky Minds Matter, we’re unpacking the unique relationship between neurodivergent women and alcohol.

We explore why women with ADHD and autism are more likely to develop substance use struggles — not out of recklessness, but often from a deep desire to self-soothe, cope, and fit in. You'll learn how alcohol interacts with our already sensitive brains, hormones, and nervous systems, and why “just one glass” can have a bigger impact on moms like us.

I also share my own story of quitting alcohol in 2018, and why that decision became one of the most powerful acts of generational healing in my life.

You’ll walk away from this episode feeling informed, validated, and most importantly — not alone. Whether you’re sober-curious, reevaluating your relationship with alcohol, or just want to understand your neurodivergent brain better, this one’s for you.

🎧 Topics we cover:

• ADHD, autism & substance use: what the research says
• Why neurodivergent moms drink: the 6 biggest reasons
• How alcohol affects your hormones, dopamine & sensory system
• My personal journey with quitting drinking
• Gentle steps if you're rethinking alcohol — without shame

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.

🎧 How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):

👉 Spotify doesn’t allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone.
2. Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
3. Right under the podcast title, tap the “★” (star icon) to rate the show.
4. Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! ⭐️).
5. Tap the “Follow” button so you never miss a new episode.

⭐️ How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
3. Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
4. Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see “Ratings & Reviews.”
5. Tap “Write a Review.”
6. Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it 💛).
7. Enter a title and write your review.
8. Tap “Send” or “Save” in the top right corner.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.