Today’s episode is a vibrant journey through the mind of musical legend Pharrell Williams and his animated documentary Piece by Piece, available on Disney+. Narrated entirely with Legos, this documentary captures the beauty of neurodivergence, the power of friendship, the art of self-expression, and how music can be both a lifeline and a revolution.

🎨 SYNESTHESIA & EARLY NEURODIVERGENCE

We dive into Pharrell’s childhood experience with synesthesia—a condition where senses blend, allowing him to see music in color. As a child who struggled in school and felt misunderstood, Pharrell found healing and identity through records at his grandmother’s house, especially Stevie Wonder. His mind lit up in soundscapes of color, shape, and energy. That’s when he began to see the world differently—literally and figuratively.

🎺 CREATIVE COMMUNITY: THE POWER OF FINDING YOUR PEOPLE

We look at Pharrell’s friendships with Chad Hugo (whom he calls a savant), Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and Pusha T—all from the same region of Virginia Beach. These connections weren’t just coincidence—they were lifelines. Together, they built something out of nothing, dreaming up beats, skipping school, and vibing on a frequency few others could hear.

This speaks to the importance of neurodivergent friendship and finding people who affirm you, even when the world doesn't understand you yet.

📉 FAILURE, DOUBT & THE SLOW GRIND

Before becoming a global icon, Pharrell and Chad were broke, lost, and still living with their parents. They felt like failures—but they never gave up. This is a call to all of us—especially neurodivergent folks—who’ve felt like outsiders, like we’re “too much” or “not enough.” Progress isn’t linear. Success isn’t instant. But the magic lives in staying true to your weird, wonderful self.

😌 EMOTIONAL RELEASE: THE HEALING POWER OF “HAPPY”

Pharrell breaks down in the film during his Oprah interview, overwhelmed by fan videos from across the globe dancing to his hit “Happy.” He cries, realizing how much his music helped people survive. Viewers wrote that his songs carried them through cancer, heartbreak, depression—even suicide. We talk about the healing power of art and how one voice, one beat, one song can save lives.

✊🏽 MUSIC & MOVEMENTS: BLACK LIVES MATTER

We end on Pharrell’s contributions to social justice through music, especially Alright by Kendrick Lamar. He speaks on police brutality and the pain of seeing Black lives lost. The song became an anthem in the 2015 Black Lives Matter protests following the deaths of:

Michael Brown

Eric Garner

Tamir Rice

Walter Scott

Pharrell turned grief into sound, and sound into strength. His music became a voice for the voiceless—and a mirror reflecting our nation’s deepest wounds.

🧩 CLOSING REFLECTIONS

Piece by Piece isn’t just a documentary—it’s a blueprint for believing in yourself, honoring your difference, and knowing that joy is a radical act. For all our neurodivergent listeners: your voice, your quirks, your colors—they matter. Whether you’re the loud dreamer like Pharrell or the quiet genius like Chad, you are needed in this world.

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

4:33 Scenes

27:24 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Today we’re diving into Win or Lose, the new Disney+ animated series that hits deep with themes of anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional avoidance. We focus on the first two episodes, following Laurie and Frank, two characters who embody the struggles so many of us face — whether it’s childhood pressure, fear of failure, or the armor we wear in relationships. Brought to the show by Spencer, this one hits home personally and clinically for both of us.

Laurie & The Sweat Monster 🧠💦

Laurie’s anxiety comes to life through a character called the “Sweat Monster” — a brilliant and emotional metaphor for obsessive spiraling and self-doubt. She’s the coach’s daughter, but that only adds more pressure. As teammates tease her and expectations grow, the Sweat Monster begins whispering intrusive thoughts that push her toward perfectionism and shame.

Scenes we break down:

Her over-practicing and eventual mistake hitting her friend with a ball

Her father’s brief but impactful reaction (“What did you just do?”)

The way she spirals before bed, replaying every “cringe” moment of the day

How her dad helps her regulate with simple co-regulation: “Just breathe, kiddo”

We talk about what it’s like for neurodivergent folks — especially kids — who feel “never enough,” internalize feedback, and let anxiety consume their identity. It’s not just stress — it’s an emotional takeover. But it’s also about how a moment of warmth and affirmation can shift everything.

Frank, Avoidance, and Emotional Armor 💔⚾

Then we shift to Frank — who shows us what avoidant attachment can look like in real time. After breaking up with a loving partner, Frank isolates. He holds onto his baseball glove like a shield, protecting himself from love and intimacy.

We discuss:

How low self-esteem leads to pushing good people away

Dating apps and the anxiety of pretending to be someone you’re not

The awkwardness of misreading kindness as romantic interest

The excitement of finding someone new — and the tragedy of realizing too late that you let the right one go

As Spencer notes, Frank finally becomes himself — vulnerable, honest, open — but by then, his ex is already engaged. The heartbreak is real, and his tears during the championship game say it all.

We explore how many neurodivergent and anxious folks avoid love not because they don’t want it… but because they’re terrified of losing it, or being seen and rejected for who they really are.

Why This Matters

This episode of Win or Lose does a beautiful job of translating what it feels like to spiral, avoid, and self-sabotage. Whether you relate to Laurie’s anxious loops or Frank’s emotional walls, you’re not alone. These stories speak to the parts of us that are still healing — and remind us that with the right support, we can face the monsters and open our hearts again.

🗣️ Audience Questions:

What does your anxiety monster look like? What would you name it?

How have dating apps affected your mental health — for better or worse?

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

7:12 Scenes

27:47 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Today we’re diving into the award-winning series Boston Legal, specifically Season 2, where we meet Jerry — an autistic, brilliant legal researcher portrayed with complexity and rawness. This episode is full of powerful moments about masking, misjudgment, workplace trauma, and the emotional cost of being different in a system built to exclude us.

🎭 Before and After Diagnosis

We explore Jerry’s journey through several intense scenes — starting with his self-advocacy moment, where he backs up his value with cold hard facts. He’s helped win over 500 cases for the firm, but he’s still denied a promotion. Why? Because of his “social awkwardness,” past meltdowns, and discomfort others feel around him.

📉 It’s not about merit — it’s about how well you fit.

We talk about how capitalism warps value — if you’re charismatic and bring in clients, you get rewarded. But if you’re brilliant, consistent, and autistic? You’re often overlooked, undervalued, or denied accommodations.

🚨 Trigger Warning

There’s a powerful and unsettling moment where Jerry, pushed beyond his limit by ongoing bullying and isolation, has a full meltdown and becomes physically threatening. It’s dramatized, yes — but it reflects a real truth: meltdowns come in many forms. For some it’s pacing, shutdowns, or crying. For others, it may be explosive. This is not a representation of all autistic people, but it does show what happens when someone is constantly invalidated, dismissed, and pushed too far.

🧩 Masking, Jokes, & The Social Toll

Jerry has moments of insight and self-correction — where he blurts out something honest, then nervously masks it with a joke. He even says, “Oh, that’s good. I should learn to do that more.” So many autistic folks will recognize this — the exhausting process of learning how to "pass" just enough to be accepted.

🧑‍⚖️ Allyship & Advocacy

James Spader’s character fights hard to get Jerry the promotion he deserves — showing what real allyship looks like in the workplace. We reflect on how rare and needed this type of support is. So many neurodivergent folks navigate hostile spaces without a mentor or advocate. That kind of loneliness takes a toll.

⚖️ Diagnosis & Stigma

After Jerry receives his autism diagnosis, he resists it. He says it’ll mark him forever — that people will only see him as “the autistic lawyer.” This brings up the real-life stigma around autism and how even receiving a diagnosis can feel like admitting something’s "wrong." We unpack how deeply ableism is embedded in our workplaces and minds.

💥 Capitalism & Masked Burnout

We close with a deep dive into how capitalism rewards charm and punishes difference. We talk about how neurodivergent folks are often the backbone of operations but rarely the face. Our outputs are used, but our struggles are ignored. And when we finally break — we’re the ones seen as unstable, not the system that pushed us there.

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

5:33 Scenes

22:28 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Today we take a deeper, emotional dive into the Disney+ classic The Kid starring Bruce Willis. This episode goes beyond autism or neurodivergence — we’re talking about what it means to lose ourselves to adulthood, capitalism, family expectations, and trauma.

🪞 When We Don’t Recognize Ourselves Anymore

The film paints a vivid picture of something many of us face: waking up one day and realizing we’ve become someone we don’t even like. We’ve traded childhood dreams for stability, connection for survival, and joy for just getting through the day. This is especially true for folks facing burnout, depression, moral injury, or simply the weight of growing up.

Through the lens of Bruce Willis’ character, we witness a man so out of sync with his younger self that he literally splits — seeing the child version of himself appear in real life.

🧠 Therapy, Trauma, and the Internal Battle

We break down scenes where Bruce’s character begins reflecting on his life, including:

The awkward and uncomfortable therapy session where he only asks for medication

Avoidant personality patterns shaped by childhood trauma

His father's verbal abuse while his mother was dying — and the guilt and self-blame many of us internalize as kids

The perfectionism, rigidity, and emotional cut-off many adults develop just to survive

This is what many of us work through in therapy — the lifelong process of reconciling the child we were with the adult we’ve become.

💔 Grief, Guilt & Rewriting the Future

We talk about the film’s heartbreaking portrayal of intergenerational trauma and emotional neglect. The little boy (young Bruce) just wants to know one thing: “Was it my fault?” And how many of us carry that same question?

But the magic happens when all versions of Bruce’s character — past, present, and future — finally realign. The grown-up version finds purpose, love, and even joy again. He's married. He has a dog. He becomes a pilot — just like he always wanted.

🛠️ A Reflection for All of Us

This movie is a metaphor for real-life therapy. It reminds us that it’s never too late to course-correct. We can find our way back to creativity, hope, playfulness, and the dream we buried along the way.

Ask yourself:

What have I let go of that used to bring me joy?

What would my younger self say about the life I’m living now?

Can I still get back to that version of me?

💬 Final Thoughts

We hope you watch this film with intention — not just as entertainment, but as a mirror. If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or burdened by everything life has thrown at you, The Kid might help spark that reflection.

This episode is for anyone feeling the weight of who they’ve become, and anyone who’s ready to reconnect with who they were meant to be 💛

Much love to all of you doing the work.

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

6:23 Scenes

32:13 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Today we’re joined by the bold, brilliant, and absolutely hilarious Rebecca Faith Quinn (aka @reberrabon_bon ) — actor, content creator, and proud neurodivergent advocate 💥🎭✨

We're diving into one of Rebecca’s all-time favorite movies: The Accountant starring Ben Affleck. Together, we explore what this film gets right (and real) about autism, masking, and low support needs — with plenty of laughs and unexpected nuggets (literally 🐔🍿).

🧩 Autism, Humor & the Complexity of Connection

From awkward small talk to subtle miscommunications, we break down scenes where humor, sarcasm, and masking collide.

We explore:

Why small talk can feel disruptive or draining

How masking shows up in jokes, tone, or play-offs

The nuance of not disliking conversation, but needing authenticity and structure

Rebecca shares their real-life take on these moments — from being in social situations to what it’s like masking through awkward comments, then turning it into a punchline.

💙 Special Interests, Self-Protection & Fear of Being Seen

What happens when someone gets close enough to see your real self? Whether it’s your room, your playlist, or your collection of anime figures — we talk about the fear and vulnerability that comes with being truly known.

This episode asks:

👉 What’s your special interest?

👉 What do you hide to avoid being hurt, judged, or rejected?

We reflect on the emotional injury that can happen when we spend our lives masking who we are — and how that disconnect can lead to loneliness, anxiety, or depression.

🎨 Love, Art & Leaving Pieces of Ourselves Behind

In one of the film’s final scenes, we see Ben Affleck’s character leave behind a painting — a raw, vulnerable offering of who he is. Rebecca reflects on how powerful that moment is, and how so many of us show love not through words, but through gesture, creation, or quiet connection.

We unpack:

What intimacy looks like in autistic relationships

How deep love doesn’t always look “typical”

The creativity and emotional intensity that comes with being neurodivergent

😂 Laughter, ADHD Tangents & Pure Chaos

Be warned: this episode is unfiltered, chaotic, and deeply relatable. ADHD rants? Check. Autistic bluntness? Always. Unexpected metaphors involving chicken nuggets? Absolutely.

You’ll laugh. You might cry. And most importantly — you’ll leave feeling more seen.

📲 Follow Rebecca & Show Support

Rebecca is doing amazing things in the world of content, theater, and neurodivergent storytelling. Be sure to:

Follow @reberrabon_bon on all socials

Check out their Linktree for more content & projects

Support queer, disabled creators doing this work from the inside out

We’re so grateful for them joining us — and we hope this episode gives you new insights, big laughs, and maybe even the courage to show more of your real self 💛

To find our guest:

https://www.instagram.com/reberrabon_bon/

https://linktr.ee/Reberrabonbon

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

10:57 Scenes

23:17 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Today we’re joined by a powerhouse in the neurodivergent mental health world — Lauren Howard, aka L2 (@elle_two), founder of a national mental health practice and co-host of the podcast Different Not Broken 💥🧠 ⁨@DifferentNotBrokenPodcast⁩

Lauren joins us to talk about everything from autism advocacy to RFK Jr.’s harmful rhetoric, while also helping us break down one of the most beloved and autistic-coded characters in the MCU: Drax the Destroyer from Guardians of the Galaxy.

🛡️ RFK Jr., Advocacy & Protecting Neurodivergent Lives

We kick off the episode with a real conversation about what’s happening in the world right now — especially the dangerous ideas circulating about autism, "curing" neurodivergent people, and data privacy.

Lauren and Dr. Naz talk about the urgent need to advocate for autistic rights, medical safety, and dignity, and they share ways for listeners to take action, amplify resources, and support the community.

🪐 Why Drax Feels So Familiar

Drax has been a fan-favorite for years — not just for being hilarious, but for being relatable to so many autistic people. We dive into how his character captures key neurodivergent traits:

Literal thinking & trouble with metaphors

Honesty, directness, and loyalty

Sensory overwhelm, hyperfocus, and emotional regulation

Special interests (including sharp, shiny objects 🗡️)

💬 Language, Social Rules & Real-Life Struggles

Lauren and Dr. Naz talk about how difficult it is for many autistic folks to navigate a world full of indirect language, sarcasm, idioms, and social riddles.

They reflect on real client experiences, and how neurodivergent people are often expected to adapt to a communication style that makes no sense — instead of being accepted and supported for how they naturally process the world.

😔 Rocket’s Monologue & the Weight of Existing Differently

One of the most powerful moments we explore is Rocket’s emotional breakdown about being called “vermin” and living in a body he didn’t ask for. It’s a heartbreaking mirror to how many autistic and neurodivergent people live with physical, mental, or social pain — and the trauma of never feeling “normal.”

🏥 Access, Diagnosis & Changing the Game

Lauren shares the origin story of her company — inspired by her father’s work and driven by the need for affordable, affirming autism assessments in nearly all 50 states.

Her practice offers autism evaluations for under $500, with a mission to remove barriers and expand access for late-diagnosed adults and children alike.

🙌 Support the Work — Help Us Help Others

This episode is part Marvel breakdown, part advocacy call, and part love letter to the neurodivergent community 💛

We ask you to:

Like, share, or comment — engagement boosts visibility

Connect with L2’s company if you or someone you know is seeking diagnosis

To find our new guest: Lauren Howard ⁨

https://www.instagram.com/elle_two/

https://www.lbeehealth.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/different-not-broken/id1806592287

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

5:59 Scenes

9:53 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Today’s podcast is different. No movie, no TV breakdown — just a real, urgent conversation about advocacy, safety, and standing up for the autistic and neurodivergent community.

We’re joined by fellow therapist, social worker, and neurodivergent advocate Andrew Robinson (@MyADHDCounselor) — an autistic and ADHD-identifying clinician — to talk about recent political and health policy issues surrounding RFK Jr., the current Republican Secretary of Health and Human Services.

🚨 Why This Matters

RFK Jr. has made dangerous and offensive remarks about autism — echoing discredited vaccine theories and supporting policies that could endanger the safety, privacy, and autonomy of autistic individuals. These actions are not just political — they are personal, especially for those of us living and working in the neurodivergent community.

This episode is a call to action. Together, we’re raising our voices and organizing to protect our communities.

🛡️ What We're Fighting For

Protecting medical privacy: Ensuring that autistic diagnoses and personal data remain safe and secured under HIPAA, and are never used in unauthorized medical trials or federal registries.

Ending harmful rhetoric: Pushing back against the myth that autism is a disease, caused by vaccines, trauma, or food additives.

Affirming our existence: Reminding the public and policymakers that autistic people deserve love, support, rights, and safety — not “cures.”

📢 How You Can Help

✅ Sign the petition in Andrew’s bio to demand RFK Jr.’s removal from office.

✅ Use the template letter provided to contact your local or state representatives.

✅ Submit poetry or writing by autistic creators to be read in public forums like state legislatures and Senate hearings.

✅ Engage with advocacy posts: Like, share, comment, and repost — these small actions help messages reach further.

You don’t always need to post original content — amplifying others’ voices makes a huge difference.

💬 Mental Health, Burnout & Taking Breaks

Andrew also shares how he’s protecting his own mental health during these overwhelming times. We talk about self-regulation strategies for neurodivergent folks:

Taking weekends or full days off social media 📴

Micro-breaks from the news 🧘‍♂️

Prioritizing rest and play

Choosing engagement styles that work for you (even just liking or sharing)

Advocacy can look many different ways — and it’s okay to rest. Burnout helps no one. ✊🏽

🤝 Together, We Are Enough

This episode is about uniting. We stand for equity, dignity, and protection for all autistic people — regardless of race, gender, IQ, income, or support needs. We reject ableism, we reject fear tactics, and we reject the idea that we need to be “fixed.”

We’re here. We’re proud. And we’re not backing down. Your presence matters. Your advocacy matters. And you matter.

To find our guest: Andrew (myADHDcounselor)

⁠https://linktr.ee/MyADHDCounselor⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/myadhdcounselor/⁠

Join this channel to get access to perks:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIthgmuXV2bxcEPfXEYxqIw/join⁠

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Interview

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums⁠

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.