How to be a Human Being in the World with Dr. Kathleen Young

Hosted by Dr. Kathleen Young

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Episodes

101

Latest episode

Sep 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Do you ever feel like everyone around you has it all together? Like life is so much easier for everyone else? Well, it isn’t. We are all just doing the best we can. We all have wins, joy, and happiness, and we all have losses, pain and grief. This is what makes us human. The hard stuff is happening to us all. It is just that most people aren’t talking about it - at least not out loud. Until now. This podcast will explore all the things that people aren’t talking about and showcase the strength, resilience, and humanity in all of us. It will show you how to embrace the messy parts of life and unapologetically be more of who you really are so that you can create a life you love. If you are ready to really start living your best life, this podcast is for you.

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60 recent

September 11, 2025Episode 10042 min

Neurodivergence at Home: The Hidden Patterns You Might Be Missing

Dr. Kara Pepper is a mom of two neurodivergent kids. She’s also married to someone with ADHD and likely on the spectrum. But like many people, she didn’t always have the language for what she was experiencing. All she knew was that things felt harder than they seemed like they “should” be.In this episode, we sit down with Kara to talk about what happens when the people we love don’t fit into the neurotypical mold, and how much relief can come from understanding difference without judgment.Kara shares stories from her own family life, the pressure she carried to hold everything together, and what changed when she started to see her loved ones’ behaviors through a different lens. This isn’t just a conversation about parenting or partnership. It’s about learning how to make space for what’s real, even when it’s not what you expected.You’ll hear:What made Kara start wondering if neurodivergence was part of the storyThe overlap between invisible illness and misunderstood behaviorHow to parent a child you didn’t expect, with love and curiosityWhy “being direct” isn’t rude, it’s clarityWhat makes partnerships feel one-sided, and how to move forward with compassionThe difference between accepting reality and giving up on changeConnect with Kathleen:Website: https://drkathleenyoungcoaching.com/

September 4, 2025Episode 9921 min

5 Myths That Erode Connection in Neurodivergent Relationships

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the emotional heavy lifting in your relationship… If you’ve caught yourself thinking, Why do I have to spell everything out? This episode is for you.We’re exploring five common myths that quietly break down connection in relationships where one partner is neurodivergent, sometimes without either of you knowing it.You might not have the language yet, but if your partner shuts down during simple conversations, struggles with change, or misses basic social cues, it’s worth asking what else could be going on beneath the surface.Inside this episode, you’ll hear:Why being overwhelmed or rigid isn’t always about being difficultWhat “mind reading” expectations are doing to your relationshipHow to respond when you feel unsupported, without starting another fightThe difference between not caring and not knowing howWhat you can shift today to feel less alone and more understoodWe’re not here to hand out diagnoses. But if something in your dynamic feels off, or your resentment keeps growing, this might help you see your partner in a new way and help them see you too.Let’s talk about what’s really going on. Because the more you understand, the less personal it starts to feel. And that’s where change begins.Connect with Kathleen:Website: https://drkathleenyoungcoaching.com/

August 28, 2025Episode 981 hr 6 min

What No One Tells You About Being Married to Someone on the Spectrum

Kim was married for nearly 18 years to someone she describes as kind, funny, and devoted. He showed up for their family in ways that looked like love: cooking asparagus and strawberries for her after their daughter was born, holding her hand through infertility, leaving umbrellas in his car to hand out to strangers. But behind the scenes, Kim was carrying something else: the burden of loneliness.In this episode, Kim sits down with Kathleen to talk about what it’s like to be in a relationship that looks good on the outside but quietly leaves you feeling alone. Over time, she started asking herself a quiet question: Could my partner be on the spectrum?Their conversation is honest, tender, and full of moments that make you pause. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you’ve been carrying until someone gives you the words for it. That’s what this conversation offers: a way to finally name what’s been hard to explain.You’ll hear:The signs that led Kim to ask, “Could my partner be on the spectrum?”What it’s like to carry the emotional labor of a marriage aloneThe difference between doing things together and simply being in the same spaceWhy it’s not always about ill intent, but about different ways of processingHow understanding neurodivergence gave Kim clarity, compassion, and peaceWhat a loving separation can look like and why they’re still close friends todayIf you’ve ever found yourself holding up the emotional weight of a relationship, or wondering why things feel harder than they should, this episode will speak to you.Connect with Kathleen:Website: https://drkathleenyoungcoaching.com/

August 21, 2025Episode 9743 min

Could My Partner Be on the Spectrum?

You love your partner. They're loyal, kind, steady. You’ve built a life together. So why do you still feel so alone?That question is more common than you think. And it’s exactly where this episode begins.Kathleen sits down with her friend and former client, Heather Hammell, to talk about the moments that made her start wondering, Could my partner be neurodivergent? What followed wasn’t a diagnosis or a label, but a journey into understanding herself, her marriage, and how two good people can still miss each other.Some relationships feel confusing, not because something is broken, but because the lens you’ve been using doesn’t explain what’s actually happening. When you start to see those dynamics through the possibility of neurodivergence, things that once felt personal start to make more sense.Inside this episode:The signs that made Heather start asking hard questionsWhat “being on the spectrum” can look like in an adult relationshipThe emotional cost of being the default, the planner, the one holding it allHow naming a pattern can shift the entire dynamicWhat it means to stop trying to fix your partner and focus on your own healingWhy the problem isn't always communication. It’s often understandingThis is a warm, funny, and vulnerable conversation between two women who care deeply about truth, growth, and making relationships work without losing yourself in the process.Connect with Kathleen:Website: https://drkathleenyoungcoaching.com/

August 14, 2025Episode 9657 min

What If It's You: Masking, High IQ, and Late-Diagnosed Autism

Most people don’t start out wondering if they’re autistic. You probably didn’t either. But maybe you've started to notice some patterns. Maybe the idea of “masking” hits a little too close. Maybe you’ve always felt a bit out of sync, like everyone else got a manual you missed.In this episode, Dr. Kathleen Young sits down with her friend and colleague, Sade Curry, for a deeply honest conversation about what it’s like to suddenly question how your brain works. Sade shares her experience of going through a formal autism spectrum assessment as an adult, and the years of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and social exhaustion that led her there.If you’ve ever felt like you're performing a version of yourself just to fit in, or if you've spent most of your life wondering why certain things feel so hard when they should be easy, this episode will speak to you.Inside this episode, you’ll hear:What “masking” really looks like in everyday lifeHow high-achieving, gifted adults can fly under the radar for decadesWhat it feels like to be “too much” in some rooms and “not enough” in othersHow masking, culture, childhood dynamics, and social expectations can all intersectWhy getting a diagnosis isn’t always about needing a label, but about understanding yourself more clearlySade also shares what it’s like to be building a business while navigating these questions, and how self-accommodation and self-compassion are becoming central to how she lives and works.Contact Sade:Work with Sade: http://sadecurry.com/schedule-appointmentPodcast: http://sadecurry.com/podcast or Apple PodcastsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadecurry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadecurrylifecoach

August 7, 2025Episode 9523 min

Could Neurodivergence Be Part of the Picture?

Most people don’t walk into therapy saying, “I think I’m neurodivergent.” What they usually say is, “I’m overwhelmed.” “I feel like I’m doing everything in this relationship.” “Something feels off, but I can’t explain it.”If you’ve been feeling confused, frustrated, or just... alone in your relationship, this episode might give you a new way of looking at things.In this first episode of her new series, Dr. Kathleen explores how neurodivergence can show up in adult relationships in ways that are easy to miss but hard to live with. Especially when no one has the language for what’s actually happening.Maybe your partner shuts down when you try to talk. Maybe they miss emotional cues or seem distant when you need closeness. Maybe they’re brilliant at work but forgetful and rigid at home. Maybe you’ve told yourself they’re just wired differently, but never had the words for what that means.This episode will help you start to name it.Kathleen unpacks:What neurodivergence looks like in adultsWhy it often gets missed, especially in high-functioning peopleThe subtle ways it shapes communication, connection, and conflictWhat loneliness can feel like when you’re still technically “together”How to stop taking everything so personally and start seeing the real pattern If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the emotional weight of your relationship, or if something just feels “off” but you can’t quite name it, this episode might give you a language for what you’ve been experiencing.

March 6, 2025Episode 9445 min

Breaking Barriers and Building Dreams: Bree Hailemariam’s Journey to the Big Apple

In this episode, Kathleen sits down with Bree Hailemariam—a vibrant, determined, and inspiring woman who’s made her mark in the tech world and beyond. While Bree is a newer friend, her energy and insights have quickly made her one of Kathleen’s favorite people to talk to.Bree’s journey is one of those stories that makes you want to cheer out loud. From her roots in Atlanta, Georgia, to her bold move to New York City, she’s faced challenges head-on and come out stronger every time. In this episode, Kathleen and Bree dive into her career in tech sales, her experiences as a Black woman in a competitive industry, and how she’s navigated the ups and downs of balancing work, family, and self-belief.Here’s what you’ll hear:- How Bree went from selling makeup and chocolate to thriving in tech sales.- The surprising role her mom played in helping her land a pivotal job opportunity.- Why she turned down promotions in the South to prove herself in New York City—and how she made it work.- The challenges of being a working mom in a high-pressure career and how she’s redefining what success looks like.- Her empowering advice for anyone feeling held back by self-doubt or societal expectations.Bree’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to fit into someone else’s mold to succeed. Whether you’re navigating your own career, facing self-doubt, or just looking for a dose of inspiration, you’ll walk away feeling ready to take on the world—or at least your next big challenge.

January 30, 2025Episode 9336 min

Passion to Profit, Through the Eyes of a Business Coach

Kaaryn Nailor, a business strategist, life coach, and former dean at Columbia Business School, shares her fascinating journey from intellectual property law to entrepreneurship coaching. Her passion for solving puzzles and helping others led her to pivot from a legal career to empowering business owners and corporate executives. Kaaryn reveals the surprising connection between business challenges and personal behaviors, explaining how addressing "behavioral blocks" can transform not just your business, but your entire life. She also dives into the evolving role of AI in entrepreneurship, arguing that AI should inspire us to explore our own ideas, not replace them. What does it take to turn your expertise into a thriving business? How can you overcome the mindset hurdles holding you back? And what does the future of human creativity look like in the age of AI? Tune in to find out!We talk about:- Kaaryn’s transition from intellectual property law to entrepreneurship coaching.- How behavioral blocks like delegation and work-life balance impact business growth.- Why mindset is 50% of entrepreneurial success.- Using AI as a tool to spark creativity, not replace human ideas.- The importance of networking and building meaningful connections.- How pivoting careers can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths.- How AI can help validate business ideas and drive innovation.- The power of believing in your ability to succeed.…and so much more!

December 5, 2024Episode 9214 min

Gratitude

Ever felt envy creep into your relationships and wondered how to turn it into something positive? Kathleen shares a personal story about her friend Colleen, whose love for luxury travel sparked judgment and envy, and how those feelings can quietly strain even the closest connections. Drawing from a recent conference, she explores how gratitude can shift your perspective, not as a quick fix, but as a powerful tool to heal and foster deeper understanding.Kathleen also reveals a simple yet life-changing practice: listing what you’re grateful for when envy strikes. This habit has transformed her mindset and relationships, and she’s sharing how it can do the same for you. If you’re ready to release negativity and create more fulfilling connections, this episode is for you.

November 21, 2024Episode 9143 min

Authentic Living and Self-Discovery

What happens when the pursuit of excellence turns every moment into a task? Life coach Chris Hale joins me to explore the cycle of constant busyness that traps so many high-achieving women. We discuss the societal pressures fueling this relentless productivity and question who truly benefits from it. Could the key to a fulfilling life lie not in the endless chase of achievements but in embracing genuine rest? For those with neurodivergent minds like ADHD, rest doesn’t have to mean doing nothing - it’s about finding activities that restore and rejuvenate, whether that’s solving a puzzle, taking a peaceful walk, or indulging in creative pursuits. Together, we highlight the importance of living authentically and following our unique paths, free from societal expectations. It’s about cherishing the present moment, discovering joy in simple pleasures, and redefining fulfillment on our terms. From turning casual activities into competitive missions to feeling overwhelmed by endless ideas, we challenge the norms and celebrate the art of slowing down. Let’s prioritize what resonates with our souls and craft a life that feels genuinely our own.

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