<![CDATA[Specs, Spectrums and Side Quests]]>“For everyone who was told to sit still and be quiet — and absolutely was not.”

Glasses on, filters off. Specs, Spectrums and Sidequests is my running commentary on life with an AuDHD brain — the masking, the meltdowns, the 2am hyperfocus rabbit holes, and the thousand tiny things nobody thought to warn you about. Part memoir, part group chat with the guests who actually get it: honest, occasionally chaotic, and always three tangents deep. If you spent your whole childhood being told to sit still and be quiet, consider this the opposite of that. Pull up a chair — the main quest can wait.


]]>loughlins-optics.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:45:02 GMTSat, 15 Aug 2026 13:18:58 GMT60Tammie Loughlin<p><i>“For everyone who was told to sit still and be quiet — and absolutely was not.”</i></p><p></p><p>Glasses on, filters off. Specs, Spectrums and Sidequests is my running commentary on life with an AuDHD brain — the masking, the meltdowns, the 2am hyperfocus rabbit holes, and the thousand tiny things nobody thought to warn you about. Part memoir, part group chat with the guests who actually get it: honest, occasionally chaotic, and always three tangents deep. If you spent your whole childhood being told to sit still and be quiet, consider this the opposite of that. Pull up a chair — the main quest can wait.</p><p><br /></p>episodicTammie Loughlintammie@loughlins-optics.comyes<![CDATA[Episode 4 : The September reset ND brains actually need]]>The conversation explores the transition from summer to September, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for establishing new routines. It emphasizes the importance of practical strategies and the acceptance of imperfect routines, offering a fresh perspective on the September reset.

Takeaways

  • September is a time for new routines
  • Accepting that routines may fall apart

Chapters

  • 00:00 The End of Summer
  • 02:50 Summer Holidays and Side Quests
  • 04:19 September Sensory Assault
  • 05:42 Good Enough Routines
  • 06:12 Practical Strategies for Routine
  • 08:40 September Starter Pack
  • 11:05 The Real September Reset
]]>1631dedf-cf03-4229-934f-7f7c9b756bfdMon, 31 Aug 2026 13:35:33 GMT<p>The conversation explores the transition from summer to September, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for establishing new routines. It emphasizes the importance of practical strategies and the acceptance of imperfect routines, offering a fresh perspective on the September reset.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>September is a time for new routines</li><li>Accepting that routines may fall apart</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The End of Summer</li><li>02:50 Summer Holidays and Side Quests</li><li>04:19 September Sensory Assault</li><li>05:42 Good Enough Routines</li><li>06:12 Practical Strategies for Routine</li><li>08:40 September Starter Pack</li><li>11:05 The Real September Reset</li></ul>no00:13:4214Episode 4 : The September reset ND brains actually needfull<![CDATA[Episode 3 : Executive Dysfunction ]]>The conversation delves into the challenges of executive dysfunction, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. It explores the gap between knowing what to do and doing what you know, offering insights into the experiences and workplace strategies for managing executive dysfunction, as well as support and solutions for addressing this issue.

Takeaways

  • Executive dysfunction is a real challenge for neurodivergent individuals
  • The gap between knowing what to do and doing what you know is a significant issue

]]>aa9caaf8-4894-4867-8fe7-35b65b2a9cd0Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:08:28 GMT<p>The conversation delves into the challenges of executive dysfunction, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. It explores the gap between knowing what to do and doing what you know, offering insights into the experiences and workplace strategies for managing executive dysfunction, as well as support and solutions for addressing this issue.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Executive dysfunction is a real challenge for neurodivergent individuals</li><li>The gap between knowing what to do and doing what you know is a significant issue</li></ul><p></p><p></p>no00:24:2413Episode 3 : Executive Dysfunction full<![CDATA[Episode 2 : MonoDispensing ]]>Tammie takes us through a week of side quests and rabbit holes, exploring the world of audio recording and the challenges of monotropism. She shares insights on attention, decision-making, and the importance of understanding and accommodating diverse cognitive processes.

Takeaways

  • Monotropism: The depth of focus and intense exploration of a single topic is a characteristic of neurodivergent cognitive processes.
  • Time Boxing: Setting time limits and boundaries around deep dives can help harness the potential of intense focus and prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
  • Understanding Patients: Recognizing and accommodating diverse cognitive processes in patients can improve the dispensing process and enhance patient satisfaction.

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Side Quest Ate the Main Quest
  • 02:29 Down the Rabbit Hole
  • 13:07 Monotropism and Attention
  • 20:21 Harnessing Intense Focus
]]>fae79c6a-d548-4051-997a-e5a7bec5b0dcMon, 17 Aug 2026 00:16:51 GMT<p>Tammie takes us through a week of side quests and rabbit holes, exploring the world of audio recording and the challenges of monotropism. She shares insights on attention, decision-making, and the importance of understanding and accommodating diverse cognitive processes.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Monotropism: The depth of focus and intense exploration of a single topic is a characteristic of neurodivergent cognitive processes.</li><li>Time Boxing: Setting time limits and boundaries around deep dives can help harness the potential of intense focus and prevent it from becoming overwhelming.</li><li>Understanding Patients: Recognizing and accommodating diverse cognitive processes in patients can improve the dispensing process and enhance patient satisfaction.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Side Quest Ate the Main Quest</li><li>02:29 Down the Rabbit Hole</li><li>13:07 Monotropism and Attention</li><li>20:21 Harnessing Intense Focus</li></ul>yes00:22:1112Episode 2 : MonoDispensing full<![CDATA[Episode 1 : Soft Focus ]]>The episode explores the concept of 'masking' and its emotional toll on individuals with ADHD and autism. It delves into the practice of soft focus, unmasking, and the impact of masking on energy and identity. The episode also highlights the significance of safe spaces and the cost of masking in terms of exhaustion and loss of self.

Takeaways

  • Masking is an emotional survival skill for individuals with ADHD and autism.
  • Safe spaces and unmasking play a crucial role in reclaiming one's identity and preserving emotional energy.

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Art of Masking
  • 02:53 Soft Focus and Unmasking
  • 06:12 The Cost of Masking
  • 09:04 The Power of Safe Spaces
  • 12:11 The Emotional Toll of Masking
  • 15:01 Reclaiming Identity and Emotional Energy
]]>fd7ad1e4-472b-4075-b3b3-5604d50ca901Sun, 16 Aug 2026 22:37:42 GMT<p>The episode explores the concept of 'masking' and its emotional toll on individuals with ADHD and autism. It delves into the practice of soft focus, unmasking, and the impact of masking on energy and identity. The episode also highlights the significance of safe spaces and the cost of masking in terms of exhaustion and loss of self.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Masking is an emotional survival skill for individuals with ADHD and autism.</li><li>Safe spaces and unmasking play a crucial role in reclaiming one's identity and preserving emotional energy.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Art of Masking</li><li>02:53 Soft Focus and Unmasking</li><li>06:12 The Cost of Masking</li><li>09:04 The Power of Safe Spaces</li><li>12:11 The Emotional Toll of Masking</li><li>15:01 Reclaiming Identity and Emotional Energy</li></ul>yes00:17:3611Episode 1 : Soft Focus full<![CDATA[Introductions : Now You See Me ]]>Now You See Me - The who, What and Why?

I share my personal journey and experiences with disability, diversity, and inclusion in the optical world. I discusses my career in optics, My diverse family, and my own health challenges. I also reflect on My neurodivergent journey, the impact of diagnosis, and the complexities of managing conditions. I conclude with a preview of the next episode on the topic of masking in girls and women with neurodivergence.

Takeaways

  • Neurodiversity and personal experiences
  • Impact of diagnosis and self-reflection

]]>d42022d9-abdc-4916-a8c8-de79d74c12faSat, 15 Aug 2026 13:46:24 GMT<p>Now You See Me - The who, What and Why?</p><p></p><p>I share my personal journey and experiences with disability, diversity, and inclusion in the optical world. I discusses my career in optics, My diverse family, and my own health challenges. I also reflect on My neurodivergent journey, the impact of diagnosis, and the complexities of managing conditions. I conclude with a preview of the next episode on the topic of masking in girls and women with neurodivergence.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Neurodiversity and personal experiences</li><li>Impact of diagnosis and self-reflection</li></ul><p></p><p></p>no00:12:471Introductions : Now You See Me trailer