Live audience invited into neurodiversity podcast conversation
Poet and broadcaster Dr Kate Fox and neurodiversity trainer and educator Nic King will record two live episodes of their podcast at Gosforth Civic Theatre
A live recording of neurodiversity podcast Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws is coming to Gosforth Civic Theatre later this month.
Hosted by poet, broadcaster and author Dr Kate Fox and neurodiversity trainer and educator Nic King, the event will see the pair record two episodes in front of an audience before opening the floor to questions and discussion.
Described as “honest, funny, warm” conversations about life as neurodivergent people in a neurotypical world, the podcast has built a growing following since launching a couple of years ago - particularly among late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD adults looking for more open and accepting conversations around neurodiversity.
Kate, a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 and Radio 3 who was diagnosed autistic in 2017 at the age of 42, says the idea for the podcast grew after she met Nic following a performance of her Bigger on the Inside show at Gosforth Civic Theatre in 2024.
“Nic is just a really brilliant neurodiversity advocate,” she says. “She runs these online courses for young people to help them to recognise and accept their neurodivergent identity.
“I had wanted to do a podcast about neurodiversity stuff, but I was really aware that just me as an adult on my own… I don’t have the perspective that someone like Nic has.”
Nic, founder of NeuroBears works internationally as an autistic trainer, consultant and researcher, specialising in neuro-affirming support for autistic young people and families.
Together, the pair say they wanted to create conversations which move beyond outdated stereotypes and deficit-focused narratives around autism and ADHD.
“Our shared perspective is looking beyond the medical pathologising deficit model,” says Kate.
“We’re not going to the other extreme where people say autism is a superpower… but we are saying there needs to be a more balanced, holistic view.”
The podcast tackles everything from burnout and sensory sensitivities to school systems, masking and post-diagnostic support - while also making space for humour, connection and joy.
“We’re quite down to earth and funny in how we talk about this stuff and how it impacts our daily lives,” says Kate.
“A message that we portray again and again is: it’s not you that’s wrong. It’s the world that is not accommodating you.”
Episodes are intentionally short - usually around half an hour long.
“Lots of people have said to us they really appreciate that they are short,” she says. “Particularly if you’re talking to a lot of ADHD people, you do not necessarily want to keep them for an hour at a time.”
While the podcast’s core audience includes neurodivergent adults, Kate says the conversations also resonate strongly with parents and families navigating school systems and diagnoses for children and teenagers.
She points to growing frustration around inflexible school environments and a lack of understanding around sensory needs and accommodations.
“There are now more people being diagnosed… but it’s not an epidemic,” she says. “There is just more awareness and diagnosis. And therefore, some things in society need to change.
“But it’s not just talking about our suffering or our pain,” laughs Kate. “Another element of the podcast is joy - the joys for neurodivergent people, the pleasure many of us take in little things.
“It’s just a different way of being and thinking.”
Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws will be on stage at Gosforth Civic Theatre on May 21. Tickets from gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk