Neuroshambles
Mark Allen
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About This Podcast
Neuroshambles is a UK parenting podcast about raising neurodivergent children. Hosted by lapsed comedian Mark Allen, this show explores autism parenting, ADHD, PDA, SEND, school struggles, family life and parental wellbeing through honest, relatable conversations - often with a healthy dose of humour, but always grounded in lived experience.
Mark is raising three neurodivergent children and chats with parents, carers, advocates and professionals about the everyday challenges some families face. These aren’t lectures or masterclasses, but candid tales from the front line of parenting neurodivergent kids, as guests swap stories about what works for them - and just as importantly, what definitely doesn’t. Topics range from meltdowns, PDA-related demand avoidance and dealing with authorities, to holidays, mealtimes and the logistical chaos of daily life.
Neuroshambles is for UK parents and carers who want something that feels human - supportive without being preachy, practical without being clinical. The aim isn’t to provide all the answers, but to shine a light on the absurdities and difficulties of a family life shaped by neurodivergence, offering connection, reassurance and the comfort of knowing you’re not the only one struggling to make sense of things.
New episodes are released fortnightly.
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Recent Episodes
S3E6 How autistic is your child? | Kieran Rose
This week, Mark is joined once again by the brilliant Kieran Rose, AKA The Autistic Advocate – writer, educator, and parent of three neurodivergent children. Together, they take a deep (and sometimes…
S3E5 Kids refusing medical help | Michelle Parton
This week, Mark is joined by Michelle Parton – a long-time Neuroshambles listener and parent of two neurodivergent children. They explore one of the more baffling challenges of raising our kids: why…
S3E4 Difficulty with transitions - Part 2 | Pete Wharmby
In part two of this deep dive into transitions, Mark reunites with author, trainer, and neurodiversity advocate Pete Wharmby to look at more reasons they can cause such a monumental challenge for…
S3E3 Difficulty with transitions - Part 1 | Pete Wharmby
This episode of Neuroshambles, will resonate will all parents of neurodifferent kids, as Mark discusses difficulties with transition with the wonderful autism advocate, Pete Wharmby. Together, they…
S3E2 Managing the work/shambles balance | Mark Holborow
In this episode of Neuroshambles, Mark Allen is joined by devoted dad and fellow Neuroshambler Mark Holborow, for a refreshingly honest look at the difficulties of holding down a job, while raising…
S3E1 Swearing | Heidi Mavir
To kick off Season 3, Mark welcomes back Neuroshambles favourite Heidi Mavir - bestselling author, speaker, fearless advocate and proud neurodivergent parent - for a lively and cathartic deep dive…
S2E22 Surviving the summer holidays | Lisa Galley
In this season finale, Mark welcomes back the brilliant Lisa Galley (@school_run_mum_autism), who is an autism family consultant, ex-speech and language therapist, and mum of three grown-up autistic…
S2E21 Swimming | Hatty Ashdown
In this episode of Neuroshambles, Mark is joined by returning guest Hatty Ashdown - not only a parent of a neurodivergent child, but also a brilliant comedian, writer and host of the Funny Mummies…
S2E20 Tackling Ignorance - Part 2 | Jo Matthews
Following on from part 1, fan favourite Jo Matthews joins Mark once more for another laughter-filled, cathartic rant through the most mind-bogglingly ill-informed things people have said about…
S2E19 Tackling Ignorance - Part 1 | Jo Matthews
In this episode, Mark is joined once again by the brilliant Jo Matthews for a cathartic, hilarious, and occasionally sweary dive into the unfiltered reality of parenting autistic, ADHD and PDA…
S2E18 Why can't they stick with a hobby? | Nicole Bateman
In this episode, Mark takes a typically sideways look at the idea of hobbies – those wholesome after-school activities that see neurotypical kids flourish… but which, for many neurodivergent…
S2E17 The nightmare of shopping | Helen Stuart
This week, Mark dives into the chaotic, absurd and quite often traumatic world of shopping with neurodivergent children. If you’ve ever emerged from a supermarket having to impulse buy paracetamol…
S2E16 School: The Early Years | Helen Daniel
In this long-overdue episode, Mark is joined by the brilliant Helen Daniel, who is a qualified teacher, sensory mentor, public speaker and founder of Outside the Box Sensory, as they dig into the…
S2E15 Being the token neurotypical | Kirsty Hockenhull
Have you ever felt like the odd one out in your own family? In this episode, Mark chats with Kirsty Hockenhull, a fellow self-diagnosed neurotypical in the midst of a chaotic, neurodivergent…
S2E14 Parental Burnout | Liz Evans
This episode shines a light on the tricky subject of parental burnout, which isn't widely discussed in relation to the challenges of raising neurodifferent kids. Mark chats with the magnificent Liz…
S2E13 The Bumpy Road to Diagnosis | Tam
In this special episode, Mark speaks to Tam, who is his former partner, current co-parent and long time friend. They discuss the long and arduous diagnosis journeys of their three neuro-exceptional…
S2E12 Why do our kids mask? | Pete Wharmby
This episode takes a deep dive into why so many of our neurodivergent children feel the need to mask their autistic traits in social situations. Mark chats to fabulous guest, Pete Wharmby, who, as…
S2E11 Seeking help from "experts" | Charlotte Mountford
This episode deals with the familiar frustration of having to deal with the experts who are gatekeepers to the accommodations our neurodifferent kids need. From teachers, whose evidence you have to…
S2E10 Grappling with personal hygiene | Rebecca Huseyin
Mark talks to the tremendous Rebecca Huseyin, who is a blogger, trainer, neurodiversity advocate and Mum of a neurodifferent son (13, diagnosed autistic with a PDA profile and suspected ADHD). They…
S2E9 Do our kids feel empathy? | Heidi Mavir
Mark welcomes back the phenomenal Heidi Mavir, who is an author, a neurodivergent advocate, activist, public speaker and Mum of a neurodifferent son (20, diagnosed autistic with a tic disorder, as…
Frequently Asked Questions
Neuroshambles has published 49 episodes since October 2023, covering topics in Comedy, Comedy Interviews.
Neuroshambles is currently active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 1h 19m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Neuroshambles, including email and social media links.
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