Dr. Matthew Zakreski (known as “Dr. Matt”) is a seasoned clinical psychologist and professional speaker renowned for his expertise in serving neurodivergent individuals (people with different brains such as gifted, ADHD, Autism, and dyslexia). Passionate about reducing stigma surrounding neurodiversity, Dr. Matt is driven by his mission to promote a culture of compassion and understanding in order to support people in embracing understanding and celebrating their unique brains and ways of operating in the world.

"Z" (as I've called him since college!) and I are aligned in our mission of authenticity and ending the stigma. We discuss the value of therapy when you "bring your tea-spillingest self as you find the courage to go there."

He is an expert in living, teaching, and working with neurodivergence. We dig into ADHD, the highly sensitive trait, dyslexia, autism, & giftedness to bring you better understanding. We discuss the process of diagnosing, differences between genders, being diagnosed later in life, and how common this really is (1 in 5 people are neurodivergent!).

We also talk about bringing main character energy to your own life and how it's never too late to understand your own brain as that can only help enhance your well-being!

Juliet on Instagram: @YepIGoToTherapy
Juliet's Website: YepIGoToTherapy.com
Matt on Instagram: @DrMattZakreski
Matt's Websites: DrMattZakreski.com and The NeurodiversityCollective.com

CW: suicidality

Ben Greene (he/him) is transgender man, author, advocate, & public speaker. He was in Charlotte to speak at the PFLAG Charlotte Pride & Purpose Gala, so he and Juliet got to record this episode live at Queen City Podcast Network!

Ben says he's in the business of "being the person I needed when I was younger." He shares his coming out story and his curiosity around what could've been different if he had access to different resources, support, and knew how to talk about it when he was quite young: "I didn't know I was a boy, I just knew I was bad at being a girl." He also goes on to discuss his medical transition.

Ben shares about his own mental health while "locking my closet door from the inside" for so long. Finally, he shares how he didn't need his parents to be experts right away, he just needed them to say they loved him and that he was safe. He shares several practical tools and tips for allies.

Ben shares some really great metaphors about:

• what's expected from allies
• describing identities and understanding sexuality, gender, etc.

Ben's passion is making all of this a joy-filled conversation. He says that conversations around trans youth begin and end around suicide statistics which is so important AND we can't just stay focused on what to avoid, but also what we stand to gain.

Juliet on Instagram: @YepIGoToTherapy
Juliet's Website: YepIGoToTherapy.com
Ben on Instagram: @Pseudo.Bro
Ben's Website: BGTransTalks.com
Ben's Book: My Child Is Trans, Now What? A Joy-Centered Approach To Support
Recorded at the Queen City Podcast Network
Sponsored by PFLAG Charlotte

In this episode, Juliet chats with Summer Baruth, an industrial and organizational psychologist who is a global leader in human resources. Summer's passion is in making the uncomfortable comfortable and meeting people where they are to help them see things differently. In this episode, Juliet & Summer get into the real real about helping others feel seen, but discussing if they allow themselves to be truly seen?! They also discuss the grief that happens around losing friendships. This is a topic that Juliet is passionate about putting more focus on: the unique attachments that occur in friendships and how to navigate it when they change.

Other topics Juliet & Summer discuss:

• depression, anxiety, and being a people pleaser
• imposter syndrome
• putting up our own walls and protection
• psychological safety in the workplace

Juliet on Instagram
Juliet on LinkedIn
YepIGoToTherapy.com
Summer on LinkedIn
Summer on Instagram