The Hidden 20%

The Hidden 20%

The lightbulb, Willy Wonka, The Beatles & even the screen you’re reading this on would not exist without neurodivergent minds. Join Ben Branson (Autistic/ADHD), the visionary founder of Seedlip, as he sits down with great minds that think differently: from neurodivergent entrepreneurs & talented creatives to renowned authors, psychologists & experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

July 16, 2025 36 mins

CW: Addiction & Bullying


Bestselling author and broadcaster Matt Cain opens up about discovering autism and ADHD at 50 after decades of feeling "othered" as a gay man.


In this chat with Ben, Matt unpacks how his autism and ADHD were long blurred with queer expression, explains how ADHD fuels his creative work but also complicates his relationship with alcohol, and emphasises why "coming out" as proudly neurodivergent- jus...

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At just 12 years old, Nelson Taylor is turning heads in UK junior racing - fast, instinctive, and fearless on the track. But his path to the podium has been anything but straightforward.


Diagnosed as Autistic, Nelson once found it difficult to leave the house, held back by anxiety, sensory overload, and social struggles. Today, he’s thriving in the high-pressure world of motorsport and chasing a future in Formula 1.


In this c...

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CW: Mental Health & Suicide

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medical concerns or treatment decisions.


For many, menopause is the moment ADHD becomes impossible to ignore - and too often, it’s still misunderstood.Today’s guest is the remarkable Dr Louise Newson - GP turned pioneering menopau...

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Will Chase is best known as the man who turned potatoes into gold, first with Tyrrells crisps, then with Chase Vodka. But beneath the branding genius and business triumphs lay decades of inner chaos he couldn’t explain.In this chat with Ben, Will opens up about the high-octane ambition that built his empire, and the internal battles that nearly undid it all.


Diagnosed with ADHD and autism in his 60s, he’s now reckoning with a l...

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Lucinda Miller is a leading naturopath and functional medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience supporting children’s health. She’s the founder of NatureDoc, a nationwide clinic helping families navigate everything from gut and sleep challenges for neurodivergent children.


Her expertise isn’t just clinical, it’s personal. As a late-diagnosed ADHD’er and mum to a neurodivergent family, Lucinda brings a rare comb...

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Life changed for James Hunt when he became a father to two non-verbal autistic sons. Now, through his platform Stories About Autism, James offers a raw and honest look at raising children with high support needs. In this chat with Ben, he shares invaluable insights on creating consistent routines, the importance of self-care as a parent, minimising triggers, and calming strategies during meltdowns. James also reminds us that commun...

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CW: This episode contains offensive language which is involuntary aspects of Tourettes, as well as discussions of mental health and suicide.


After a seizure and a brain tumour in 2019, Luke Manton was diagnosed with adult-onset Tourette Syndrome- plunging him into a turbulent period of unemployment, stigma, and mental health challenges.After being fired and rejected by countless employers, Luke chose to rewrite the narrative, la...

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The average person makes around 35,000 decisions a day, but for neurodivergent minds, even the smallest choices can feel overwhelming, often leading to anxiety and decision paralysis.


This week we’re joined by Adrienne Adhami, podcaster, business advisor, keynote speaker, and author of Decisions That Matter. Adrienne has helped global giants like Microsoft, Spotify, and Range Rover empower their teams to make intentional, c...

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What really goes on behind closed doors in neurodivergent relationships? Psychosexual Therapist and ND Relationship Coach Karen Doherty brings 20+ years of experience to this eye-opening episode on late diagnosis, emotional dysregulation.


In this chat with Ben, Karen unpacks why neurodivergent couples often struggle, and more importantly, how they can thrive. From the "code word" method to breaking the trigger cycle, Karen share...

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For Mental Health Awareness Week, Ben chats with Dr Adrian James, one of the UK’s most senior psychiatrists and NHS England’s first Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity. Adrian takes on this role at a crucial time, with rising waitlists, overwhelmed services turning away new referrals, and medication shortages forcing patients to ration.


They delve into the postcode lottery of waiting lists, ongoing medication s...

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Today, Ben is joined by two unforgettable voices from Big Brother UK 2024: show winner and forensic psychologist Ali Bromley, and her fellow housemate Lily Benson. Both Ali and Lily live with ADHD, but the way the public saw them couldn’t have been more different.


In this powerful conversation, Lily reveals why she chose to hide her diagnosis from the Big Brother team. Ali opens up about the not-so-subtle ways she witnessed Lill...

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In this episode, Ben chats with leading nutrition entrepreneur and founder of Heights, Dan Murray-Serter about the link between brain health and mental health. Dan shares how discovering neuroplasticity changed his life, why gratitude can be a superpower, and how ADHD and entrepreneurship often go hand in hand. From simple daily habits to building mental resilience, Dan’s insights reframe how we look at burnout, anxiety, and brain ...

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Autism is back in the political spotlight in the U.S., as Donald Trump and his Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announce a major study to “find the cause” of autism — reviving the long-debunked claim that vaccines may be to blame. The move has sparked concern among scientists, advocates, and the autistic community.


In this episode, Ben is joined by Independent journalist, Washington correspondent, and author Eric Garcia ...

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If you’ve binge-watched a British teen classic, you’ll know Kimberley Nixon — from Wild Child to Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging and Fresh Meat. But it’s her off-screen honesty that’s truly resonated.


In this chat with Ben, Kimberley shares her raw and harrowing journey through perinatal OCD — a time when she felt trapped in “the Upside Down from Stranger Things,” her mind flooded with the darkest thoughts imaginable. They ...

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In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.


Together, they dive into some of the most hotly debated aspects of his work, confront some unco...

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In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.


They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has risen, and the shifting percept...

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The Made in Chelsea reality star turned author and entrepreneur, Millie Mackintosh has spent years in the spotlight while secretly grappling with undiagnosed ADHD, Dyspraxia and a complex relationship with alcohol.


In this chat with Ben, Millie opens up about late diagnosis, the blurry overlap between ADHD and Dyspraxia, and how alcohol became both a crutch and a crisis to escape from rejection, grief, social anxiety and self-do...

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In light of recent government proposals to cut £5 billion annually from disability benefits by 2030 , it might seem like an odd moment to celebrate neurodivergence—but that’s exactly why we must. In a world where neurodivergence is often used as a pawn in culture wars, it’s more important than ever to pause, raise awareness, and share the reality of thinking differently.


For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Ben revisits som...

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Urban gardener, TV producer and author Martha Swales shares how gardening soothes her busy ADHD mind. After producing MasterChef and Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat, Repeat, she found viral fame inspiring millions to embrace nature.


In this chat with Ben, Martha explores the contrast of her powerhouse producer persona who is always on time and in control VS her messy, sometimes late, fast-moving ADHD mind. She shares h...

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Best friends and podcast hosts Kat and Jack bring their signature honesty and humour to a candid conversation about ADHD. Jack, founder of Beautiful Strangers—the creative team behind hit podcasts NewlyWeds and The Girls Bathroom, joins Kat to share what they’ve learned in the year since launching their ADHD podcast, Distracted.


In this chat with Ben, they dive into their biggest bugbears with the ADHD co...

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