Stop Trying Harder - guest Karyn Whitaker

Jenn wilson

“Being kind to ourselves. Being honest about what we need.”— Karyn Whitaker

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Karyn Whitaker. Karyn Whitaker is a neurodivergent coach, disability advocate, and founder of Try Harder Is BS, where she helps people with ADHD, autism, chronic fatigue and other invisible disabilities build easier, more sustainable lives that work with their nervous systems.

In this deeply resonant episode, Karyn joins Jenn to talk about the lifelong impact of being told to “try harder” while navigating undiagnosed neurodivergence, chronic fatigue, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She shares how years of masking, burnout cycles, people-pleasing, and internalised expectations shaped her career path — and how receiving her diagnoses finally gave language to her lived experience.

Karyn explains why traditional responses to burnout miss the mark, what nervous system regulation really means, and how embracing ease has changed every part of her life. She also speaks powerfully about inclusion, access, invisible disability advocacy, and challenging systems that rely on neurodivergent people pushing themselves beyond capacity.

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/karyn-whitaker-24482135

Karyn is the Founder of “Try Harder is BS.” She helps people whose brains work differently (and those who support them) learn strategies to calm the chaos in their heads so they can move from overwhelm to action without going via burnout.

She is also an ex‑nurse, ex‑social worker, and soon‑to‑be ex‑project manager. A recovering serial burnout, she lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, AuDHD, and dyslexia — alongside a lifelong feeling that she didn’t quite fit in. Now she is owning her uniqueness, and life is better than it has ever been.

Trying harder isn’t the solution — compassion is.

Karyn invites us to stop forcing ourselves into burnout and start listening to our bodies, strengths, and nervous systems. True change — personally and socially — comes not from pushing through, but from working differently, choosing ease, and creating environments where everyone can participate without needing to mask or suffer.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

• The emotional impact of masking and decades of “try harder” messaging
• Living with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, chronic fatigue, and Ehlers-Danlos
• Why burnout recovery shouldn’t mean returning to the thing that broke you
• Fight/flight/freeze/fawn explained simply (and why many of us live there)
• How to stimulate the vagus nerve and support nervous system regulation
• The myth of “jack of all trades, master of none” — and the real full quote
• CliftonStrengths and why neurodivergent people thrive when playing to strengths
• Inclusion vs. real inclusion: accessibility before someone even reaches the door
• Advocating inside organisations and redesigning “reasonable adjustments”
• Building a business designed around ease, capacity, and neurodivergent needs

Season 2 Episode 19

Rebellious Peace - guest Lianne Terry

Jenn wilson

"Just because we think it doesn't mean it's true."— Lianne Terry

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Lianne Terry

Lianne Terry (she/her/they) is a counsellor and psychotherapist working predominantly with the queer community, focusing on helping people build inner peace, self-acceptance, and healthier self-talk patterns.

In this episode, Lianne explores what it means to cultivate inner peace, especially when navigating the complexities of identity, queerness, societal expectations, and long-held internalised beliefs. She discusses unpicking inherited narratives, rebuilding self-worth, and why labels can be both liberating and limiting. She also shares the inspiration behind her LGBTQIA+ wellbeing magazine.

https://www.lianneterrycounselling.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/embrace_your_best_queer_life/

Lianne is an empowering Psychotherapist who helps clients to find authentic happiness and consider self-discovery. Having been on her own journey to happiness and self-empowerment, Lianne is familiar with the challenges stemming from past wounds and from day-to day life.

She works with clients, either face-to-face or online, to discover their joy, find peace, heal their emotional wounds and forge ahead to lead happy and sucessful lives.

As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, she specialises in supporting queer individuals with relationships, family dynamics and healing childhood wounds, she also publishes a quarterly LGBTQIA+ wellbeing magazine.

Peace isn't quiet—it's authenticity. The path to it involves unlearning what isn’t ours, recognising our own voice, and valuing ourselves enough to rest, rebel, and rebuild.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

Understanding inner peace vs. happiness as a goal.

Why peace can feel harder for queer people in unsafe cultures.

Recognising whose voice you're hearing when you self-criticise.

CBT-inspired techniques for challenging negative thoughts.

The emotional impact of labels—helpful lenses vs restrictive boxes.

Lianne’s LGBTQIA+ wellbeing magazine and amplifying community voices.

Subscribe now for After Hours Bonus Content- click here

Or join The Irregular Membership and get Jenn’s support to start your own personal rebellion.

Season 2 Episode 17

Never Mind the Mess - guest Maddy Alexander-Grout

Jenn wilson

“Other people’s opinions of me are none of my business.”— Maddy Alexander-Grout

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Maddy Alexander-Grout.

Maddy Alexander‑Grout is an ADHD specialist, neurodivergent business and visibility coach, best‑selling author, and outspoken advocate for disability rights—supporting neurodivergent people to understand their brains, manage their money, build sustainable businesses, and step into full authenticity.

In this heartfelt and often humorous conversation, Jenn is joined by Maddy Alexander‑Grout to explore the realities of living as a neurodivergent adult and building a life that actually works for your brain. Maddy shares candidly about her experiences with childhood bullying, late ADHD and autism diagnosis at 37, navigating grief, and the pressures of visibility online. She opens up about money dysregulation, business failures, resilience, and rebuilding from scratch—multiple times. Throughout the episode, Maddy demonstrates what it means to live unmasked, to create boundaries, and to choose self‑compassion after years of feeling “broken.”

All her freebies and info can be found here

https://stan.store/maddyalexandergrout

Maddy Alexander-Grout is an author, speaker, and visibility strategist, and the founder of The Maddyverse, a platform and community that helps people build businesses, manage money, and grow their visibility in a way that works for their brains, values, and lives.

She is the author of Mad About Money, and her work focuses on helping people—particularly those with ADHD and hidden struggles—get visible, grow audiences, and make money by building businesses around who they really are rather than who they think they should be.

Maddy is known for her honest, energetic and unconventional approach to business and money, and she speaks regularly about visibility, entrepreneurship, neurodiversity, and building a business your own way.

At its core, this episode is about reclaiming agency through self‑understanding. Maddy shows that when you finally know how your brain works, you can stop fighting yourself and start building systems, boundaries, and businesses that honour who you are. Her vulnerability, humour, and honesty remind us that healing is messy, growth is nonlinear, and that being the change we want to see starts with choosing ourselves first.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

• Late diagnosis of ADHD and autism
• Growing up neurodivergent and misunderstood
• Childhood and workplace bullying
• Money dysregulation, dopamine spending & paying off debt
• Business failures, rebuilding, and resilience
• Boundary‑setting as a neurodivergent entrepreneur
• Trauma response, emotional regulation & medication
• Living unmasked and with authenticity online
• Creating The Maddiverse community
• Managing visibility and expectations on social media

Season 2 Episode 15

Across worlds - guest Natalie Chan

Jenn wilson

"If everybody receives a little more care, maybe we’ll all have energy left to fight the bigger battles." — Natalie Chan

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Natalie Chan

Natalie Chan is an arts producer and cultural leader passionate about care-led, human-centered practices that make the arts more equitable and accessible.

In this episode of Irregular Humans, Jenn Wilson talks with Natalie Chan about navigating a non-linear career in the arts, breaking down bureaucratic barriers, and creating care-led cultures. Natalie shares her journey from redundancy to impactful roles in local government and commercial theatre, her strategies for equitable funding, and her vision for a more human-centered arts ecosystem.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienataliechan/

Instagram: Natalie Chan💃 (@natnatnataliechan)

Natalie is an award-winning arts manager and fundraiser. Currently, she works as Arts and Culture Project Commissioner for Luton Borough Council and as Production Coordinator for Jonathan Church Theatre Productions with a focus on productions touring to Asia.

She was part of the Bradford Producing Hub’s Empowered Programme with Jenn when she temporarily moved up North for a maternity cover role at Derby Theatre (which is not actually that close, but as tenacious artist and producers do - we make the most of opportunities).

Small changes matter. Whether it’s removing barriers for artists or paying freelancers on time, care-led practices create ripple effects that transform systems and empower people.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

Natalie’s Irregular Path: From Hong Kong to the UK and a squiggly career in the arts.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: How redundancy led to two impactful roles.

Breaking Bureaucracy: Practical steps to make arts funding more accessible.

Networking with Care: Tips for building connections when you feel vulnerable.

Commercial vs. Local Authority Work: Insights from two very different worlds.

Creating a Culture of Care: Why human-centered practices matter in the arts.

Big Picture Thinking: How small acts of care fuel energy for global change.

Subscribe now for After Hours Bonus Content- click here

Or join The Irregular Membership and get Jenn’s support to start your own personal rebellion.

Season 2 Episode 13

Rainbow Champions - guest Adam Holcroft-Tebbutt

Jenn wilson

"Everything’s made up—language, labels—so why not have words that help people feel seen?"— Adam Holcroft-Tebbutt

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Adam Holcroft-Tebbutt

Adam Holcroft Tebbutt is the founder of Rainbow & Co, an LGBTQ+ apparel brand creating inclusive, identity-affirming merchandise. A proud trans man and autistic entrepreneur, Adam champions visibility, representation, and ethical business practices.

In this episode of Irregular Humans, Jenn Wilson talks with Adam Holcroft -Tebbutt about his journey as a trans, autistic entrepreneur and the creation of Rainbow & Co. Adam shares how lived experiences shaped his strong sense of self, why representation matters, and how he built a business that prioritizes care, ethics, and community over capitalist pressure.

Instagram - Rainbow & Co (@rainbowandcouk)

TikTok: Rainbow & Co (@rainbowandcouk) | TikTok

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowandcouk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjholcroft/

Adam Holcroft-Tebbutt is the founder of Rainbow & Co, an award-winning, LGBTQIA+ business creating bold clothing, accessories, and community spaces rooted in activism, joy, and visibility. A trans man and autistic entrepreneur, Adam uses his platform to champion trans rights, challenge rainbow-washing, and build safer spaces for queer people both online and offline. When he’s not running Rainbow & Co or speaking at Pride events, he’s dreaming up new ways for queer communities to connect, thrive, and take up space unapologetically.

Representation isn’t optional—it’s vital. Creating spaces and products that affirm identity helps people feel seen, valued, and connected.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

Adam’s Story: Growing up trans and discovering identity in a world with little representation.

Autism and Self-Awareness: How neurodivergence shaped Adam’s values and business approach.

The Birth of Rainbow & Co: From mental health crisis to a thriving LGBTQ+ brand.

Ethical Business Practices: Why Adam rejects manipulative sales tactics like Black Friday.

The Pocket Guide: Educating and empowering through LGBTQIA+ identity resources.

Community and Care: Building a brand that prioritises inclusivity and customer well-being.

Success on Your Own Terms: Resisting the pressure to “scale fast” and embracing sustainable growth.

Subscribe now for After Hours Bonus Content- click here

Or join The Irregular Membership and get Jenn’s support to start your own personal rebellion.

Season 2 Episode 9

Owning Our Stories - guest Sid Akbar

Jenn wilson

"All stories have a universality to them, because everybody will find a way to connect through their own lived experience.”— Sid Akbar

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Sid Akbar. Sid Akbar (he/they) is a queer South Asian actor, writer, and theatre-maker, and the founder of Damaka Arts — a company dedicated to explosive, unapologetic storytelling that centres queer people of colour and intersectional lived experience in the North of England.

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Sid opens up about the journey that shaped him — from navigating cultural expectations within a traditional Muslim family in Bradford, to surviving domestic violence, a forced marriage as a teenager, and the lifelong process of reconciling seemingly conflicting identities.

Through theatre, Sid found both liberation and connection, using sci-fi influences and humour to transform trauma into an empowering creative force. This episode charts the development of his autobiographical show Besharam and the evolution of his perspective as an artist, activist, and storyteller creating space for queer South Asian voices.

info@dhamakaarts.com

www.dhamakaarts.com

Threads I Instagram | Facebook

Sid Akbar is a Bradford-born actor, writer and theatre maker creating bold, autobiographical work rooted in his experience as a queer person of colour from a Muslim background. His work explores identity, family, queerness and belonging, blending humour with emotional honesty. His solo show Besharam [shame-LESS] premiered in 2023, and his new show Khandan (Family) – The Shame Generation premieres 11–13 June 2026 at Bradford Arts Centre.

Sid’s story is a reminder that “irregularity” is often where truth, courage, and creativity live. By speaking his truth on stage, Sid breaks generational cycles of shame and silence — not only for himself, but for every audience member who sees a piece of themselves in his work. His commitment to authenticity, community, and compassionate storytelling shows what it means to take ownership of your narrative and build a life that feels like home.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

• The origins of Damaka Arts and the meaning behind the name
• Growing up queer and South Asian in Bradford
• The emotional process behind creating Besharam
• Using sci-fi and Star Trek as a narrative frame
• The universality of coming-out stories beyond queer experience
• Navigating chosen family, biological family, and ADHD
• How representation on stage changes lives
• Sid’s upcoming show The Wrath of Kardaan (Bradford, June 2026)

Season 2 Episode 11

Life, death and freedom - guest Berni Benton

Jenn wilson

"We’re all ordinarily extraordinary—and that’s our unique gift."— Berni B

Jenn Wilson is joined by guest Berni B

Berni Benton is a death doula, celebrant, artist, and coach whose mission is to help people embrace their truth and live—and die—authentically. She believes everyone is “ordinarily extraordinary” and works to empower individuals to find freedom in their uniqueness.

In this episode of Irregular Humans, Jenn Wilson talks with Berni Benton about breaking free from societal expectations, embracing vulnerability, and finding joy in authenticity. Berni shares her journey from conformity to empowerment, her work as a death doula, and why living truthfully matters—especially at life’s end.

www.bernib.co.uk

Instagram - BerniB: Full Life Celebrant (@bernib_full_life)

TikTok: bernib_full_life (@bernib_full_life) | TikTok

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BernibFullLife

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berni-benton

BerniB (she/her) is a Full Life Celebrant, end-of-life doula, and author of My Life, My Death, My Wishes. She creates personalised, “no-rules” ceremonies that honour every chapter of life—messy, magical, joyful, or bittersweet. Whether celebrating love, welcoming new beginnings, or shaping a meaningful farewell, Berni gently guides people to create something that truly reflects their story and their community.

She walks alongside the dying and their families as a companion and advocate, helping them find clarity, calm, and connection. Her work is rooted in realness, storytelling, and legacy—because every moment matters, and every life deserves to be seen and remembered.

Authenticity isn’t easy, but it’s liberating. When we step into our truth, we create deeper connections, even if it means letting go of people who can’t accept our growth.

Further Resources: links to offers from Irregular that are relevant to the episode

Irregular Everything

The Irregular Membership

Map My Month Method

Ordinarily Extraordinary: Why uniqueness is worth celebrating.

Breaking Free: Berni’s journey from “fitting in” to living authentically.

The Role of a Death Doula: Supporting individuals and families at end of life.

Life Lessons from Death Work: How mortality teaches us to value truth and connection.

Vulnerability as Strength: Why asking for help creates reciprocity and deeper bonds.

Navigating Pushback: Facing judgment when you set boundaries or unmask.

Ripples of Impact: How our stories and kindness extend beyond our immediate circles.

Subscribe now for After Hours Bonus Content- click here

Or join The Irregular Membership and get Jenn’s support to start your own personal rebellion.

Season 2 Episode 7