<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;I Threw My Mask Away: Living AuDHD Out Loud with Nick Pagano&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Masking nearly cost my guest his life — and his honesty about it changed everything. In this episode I talk with Nick Pagano about what happens when you stop pretending and start living as AuDHD.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I’ll share why this conversation matters: you’ll hear how chronic masking, suicidal thoughts, and unmasking intersect with work, relationships, and identity. Nick reveals the personal rules and small practices that helped him move from constant masking to steady growth — and I ask the hard questions that most people avoid.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll discover one surprising habit that helped Nick survive the worst moments, one place masking shows up most in daily life, and how reclaiming authenticity affected his job and relationships. I tease the frameworks and strategies we discuss, but I leave the “how” for the episode — because you need to hear Nick’s voice to feel it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About the Guest&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Nick Pagano&lt;/b&gt; (Real Conversations with Neurodivergent Nick) is a creator and host who speaks openly about living AuDHD, masking, and mental health. He uses candid storytelling and practical rules to help others recognize and grow from their neurodivergent traits.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Timestamps&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;0:02 – Welcome and intro to Nick&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;0:55 – Nick’s turning point: depression and unmasking&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;3:39 – Realization at a basketball game: how his mind works&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;7:01 – Music, masking, and emotional expression&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;12:48 – Masking at work and being fired for honesty&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;21:02 – Self-diagnosis and responding to pushback&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;35:29 – Growth rule: “grow every day” and neuroplasticity&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;47:06 – Nick reads the poem that changed everything&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;52:50 – What Nick refuses to apologize for: existing&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;53:09 – Where to find Nick’s podcast and channels&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen to the full episode to hear Nick’s poem, the strategies he used to ask for help, and how he balances masking with being true to himself. If this resonated, subscribe and share — someone in your life might need to hear it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Find Nick:&lt;/b&gt; YouTube &amp;amp; Spotify — Real Conversations with Neurodivergent Nick (@therealconvoswithNDNick)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosted on Ausha. See &lt;a href="https://ausha.co/privacy-policy"&gt;ausha.co/privacy-policy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The Neurodivergant Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid

How I Came Back From the Edge and Reclaimed Myself

FEB 11, 202658 MIN
The Neurodivergant Connection / The Curious Storyteller

How I Came Back From the Edge and Reclaimed Myself

FEB 11, 202658 MIN

Description

I Threw My Mask Away: Living AuDHD Out Loud with Nick PaganoMasking nearly cost my guest his life — and his honesty about it changed everything. In this episode I talk with Nick Pagano about what happens when you stop pretending and start living as AuDHD.I’ll share why this conversation matters: you’ll hear how chronic masking, suicidal thoughts, and unmasking intersect with work, relationships, and identity. Nick reveals the personal rules and small practices that helped him move from constant masking to steady growth — and I ask the hard questions that most people avoid.You’ll discover one surprising habit that helped Nick survive the worst moments, one place masking shows up most in daily life, and how reclaiming authenticity affected his job and relationships. I tease the frameworks and strategies we discuss, but I leave the “how” for the episode — because you need to hear Nick’s voice to feel it.About the GuestNick Pagano (Real Conversations with Neurodivergent Nick) is a creator and host who speaks openly about living AuDHD, masking, and mental health. He uses candid storytelling and practical rules to help others recognize and grow from their neurodivergent traits.Timestamps0:02 – Welcome and intro to Nick0:55 – Nick’s turning point: depression and unmasking3:39 – Realization at a basketball game: how his mind works7:01 – Music, masking, and emotional expression12:48 – Masking at work and being fired for honesty21:02 – Self-diagnosis and responding to pushback35:29 – Growth rule: “grow every day” and neuroplasticity47:06 – Nick reads the poem that changed everything52:50 – What Nick refuses to apologize for: existing53:09 – Where to find Nick’s podcast and channelsListen to the full episode to hear Nick’s poem, the strategies he used to ask for help, and how he balances masking with being true to himself. If this resonated, subscribe and share — someone in your life might need to hear it.Find Nick: YouTube & Spotify — Real Conversations with Neurodivergent Nick (@therealconvoswithNDNick)Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.