# You Get to Choose Your People: Neurodivergent Friendship, Masking & Unmasking

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757/you-get-to-choose-your-people-neurodivergent-friendship-masking-unmasking
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757/you-get-to-choose-your-people-neurodivergent-friendship-masking-unmasking.md
Podcast: [Neurodivergent Conversations |  Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent](https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757)
Published: 2026-07-09T11:15:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mgln.ai/e/424/traffic.megaphone.fm/TSF1701268540.mp3
Audio file: https://mgln.ai/e/424/traffic.megaphone.fm/TSF1701268540.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757/episodes/you-get-to-choose-your-people-neurodivergent-friendship-masking-unmasking
Duration seconds: 1641

## Resource

Join Christmas in July here! ⁠ If you've ever looked back on your life and realized how much energy went into just fitting in, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. Greer sits down with author and ADHD coach Caroline Maguire for an honest conversation about friendship, masking, and what it really means to find your people as a neurodivergent adult — and to help your kids do the same. Together they talk about why "just fit in" was never good advice, why unmasking is a journey rather than a switch you flip, and the difference between masking out of fear and choosing to keep yourself safe in a room that isn't safe yet. Caroline also shares one of her favorite parenting reframes: trading "why can't you be like everyone else?" for a curious "what happened, buddy?" You'll hear why interest is the real fuel for connection, how starting small (even one activity) beats trying to do it all, and the permission so many of us need — to stop collecting any-old friends and start finding people who actually treat us well. If you're tired, stretched thin, and wondering where friendship even fits right now, consider this your reminder: you're doing the best you can, and you get to choose. Caroline's books, Why Will No One Play With Me? and Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults, are linked below, and you can find her on Instagram GUEST LINKS: ⁠Follow Caroline here⁠ ⁠Grab her book: Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults: A Guide for the Anxious, Uniquely Wired, and Easily Distracted⁠ GET THE LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea Website⁠ ⁠Join the Unfinished Community ⁠ ⁠Exhausted to Empowered Course⁠ Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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