Why you have to ask the 'stupid' questions. Seriously.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But, L2, I’d rather set my hair on fire than look clueless in front of a room full of people (or, for that matter, one person I secretly—or not-so-secretly—want to impress).”

Hi! I’m Lauren Howard (but you can call me L2—everyone does), and this is Different, Not Broken—the podcast for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re the only person who can’t quite read between the lines. Spoiler: you’re not alone, and you definitely aren’t broken.

Today, we’re taking on one of the stickiest, sweatiest, most universal social anxieties: the fear of looking 'dumb' by asking questions everyone else must already know the answer to. (You know, the questions you furiously Google at 1am because—let’s be honest—Google is not here for your nuanced, deeply personal, extremely context-specific conversational crisis.)

We’re talking about the actual reason it feels like everyone else in the room knows what’s expected. Except you.

And more importantly, why the people who seem the smartest might actually be as confused as you are.

Come for the reminders that communication isn’t one-size-fits-all; stay for the dead dad jokes, the unfiltered storytelling, and the small but mighty nuggets that might just make life make a little more sense.

Plus—Patreon insiders get access to our text line for real-time social script help. It’s a thing. It’s working. You’re invited.

Here's the link - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/patreon

If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself out of asking for what you need, or just want to feel less alone in a world full of unsaid rules, press play on this episode.

P.S. Oh yeah... if you want to learn how trauma, grief, and novelty work in your brain—and how repetition is the magic ingredient for making even the worst things boring in the end—don’t skip the final ten minutes. For the Freud stuff.

Plus, you might catch a glimpse of the Dungeons & Dragons/DSM-5 crossover you never knew you needed. IYKYK.

Hit play. You have questions. So do we. Turns out, that’s actually the point.

03:13 Just Ask

08:47 Encourage Open Communication

09:48 Embrace Reactions, Clarify Boundaries

15:04 Wartime Child Evacuations in WWII

17:28 Brain Processes Trauma Repetitively

21:40 Dungeons and Dragons? WTF?

Want in on our mailing list so you can keep updated on all the cool stuff we're doing? (I can't promise I won't just email you about Marvel stuff) - https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/newsletter

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I added some bullhorn for effect.

Hey, It’s "Different, Not Broken", and I’m Lauren Howard — "L2" if you’re friendly or just prefer to keep things efficient.

And I’m here to shatter one of the workplace’s worst-kept secrets: the idea that a direct deposit into your bank account means you have to swallow abuse, keep quiet, and thank your lucky stars someone’s tolerating you.

Spoiler alert — it doesn’t.

But it’s not all righteous fire and rage-quits around here.

I’ve been there—trapped, anxious, warped by a job that paid my rent but cost me chunks of my mental health. If you’re reading this, odds are, you’ve been there too, or you’re not sure if you have…which, as I’ll tell you, is usually its own answer.

So, what’s in this episode?

If you’re tired of advice that boils down to “just quit!” (as if you can pay your landlord in righteous anger), or if gut-level honesty about workplace dysfunction is your jam, you’re in the right place.

We’ll cover survival tactics for the in-the-trenches folks, whether you’re just trying to outlast management’s latest round of corporate "Hunger Games" or you’re documenting every microaggression just in case you need to lawyer up.

You’ll hear how to find and fortify your safe spaces (even if one is just the friend who knows exactly what your "dunk” is), and why no, actually, you shouldn’t have to choose between sanity and survival.

It’s not just you. You deserve to feel safe at work—like, day-one safe, “where’s the fire exit” safe, not “will HR gaslight me if I bring this up” safe. Because most of us need our jobs, but none of us need to be broken by them.

And because finding one small, practical step of control can be the thing that gets you through another day (or the thing that lights the spark that starts real change).

Oh, and if you needed one more reason? If you’ve ever needed to scream into the void that you really, truly deserve better—or just want to hear me call out corporate bullsh*t with the gusto it deserves—you’re our people.

Hop in. As always, we’ll be loud. We’ll be real. We’ll be here—different, not broken.

And by the end of the episode, you might just believe it a little more.

(PS: If you know where to find a magical “donk” for your phone charger, or a support group of people who just get your weird sound-laden language, don’t keep it to yourself. Some of us are still looking.)

Listen now. Let yourself feel seen. And remember: A paycheck is not a permission slip for abuse. Ever.

04:05 You're Entitled to Safety at Work

07:14 Navigating Job Mobility and Abuse

10:13 Document Your Experiences, Consult Legal Help

15:21 You Deserve Better: Recognize Abuse

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Welcome to "Different, not broken." I’m Lauren Howard—most people call me L2—and I’m here to shake up everything you think you know about 'professionalism'.

In this episode, I’m explaining why professionalism, as it’s sold to us, is pretty much bullshit.

We’re told we have to fit this narrow, stuffy standard to survive in the workplace, but let’s be real: that standard was designed to exclude anyone who isn’t a 45-year-old white guy.

I talk about how, especially in mental health and helping professions, there’s this weird expectation that you should be neutral and never challenge harmful ideologies—even when those beliefs are actively hurting people and keeping them from accessing care.

Spoiler alert: I don’t subscribe to that.

You’ll hear stories from my own life—yes, including plenty more 'dead Dad jokes' around my memories of running my Dad’s practice.

Also, for our little side-quest, I'll talk about why imposter syndrome creeps up on us, and why you’re probably a lot more qualified than you feel.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, that you’re making it up as you go, or that your path wasn’t 'professional' enough, you’re in good company.

Let’s throw out the old rules together and celebrate exactly who we are—tabs open, messy stories, and all.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Toyota
• Hyundai
• Honda
• Elon Musk

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The world often feels rigged. And this episode is a wake-up call to recognize the barriers that exist for those who don’t fit the traditional mold.

In this episode, which is a kind of tribute to my dear departed Dad, I recount some powerful lessons from the man who was a brilliant psychiatrist and my biggest champion.

He taught me that if something feels off about the environment you’re in, it probably is—and it’s absolutely hella-not your fault.

We dare to break into the uncomfortable truth that many workplaces are designed for a very specific demographic, leaving neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, feeling excluded.

I share three stories in which my Dad imparted to me more than my fair share of his wisdom, and I'm hoping you to can feel empowered.

You'll learn that we can advocate for ourselves and others to create a more inclusive work culture.

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I have two cousins. Two. And I didn’t even meet them until we were all adults.

So, yeah—when people talk about the support they get from big, extended families, it’s not exactly the world I know.

You want to talk about family? Mine has never really fit the greeting-card mold. Forget the idea that blood is always thicker than water. Turns out, the people who pick up the phone, drive hours at the drop of a hat, or tell you that you’re not the crazy one? Sometimes, they’re not even related to you. Sometimes, they are a middle school friend of your mom’s.

Let’s get real: not every family is safe.

Not everyone gets the shining, warm, leave-it-to-beaver home life you see on TV.

(If you’re sitting there thinking, “well, my nuclear family is...fine?”—hold onto that. There are therapists out here with new boats thanks to all of us with tricky dynamics.)

So, what do you do when your 'people' aren’t your people?

What does it mean to build and value chosen family—for neurodivergent folks, folks on the margins, and, well, anyone who’s ever needed someone on their side when the world doesn’t play fair?

In this episode of "Different, not broken", I’m sharing real, maybe-too-honest stories about losing someone who was never 'official family' but was instrumental to my life.

About generational differences in holding onto friends, about the random soulmates and honorary aunts you collect along the way.

The secret sauce of having someone who just believes in you—often long after you stop believing in yourself.

About how you can cobble together your own safety net when the original factory settings are...suboptimal, at best.

If you’ve ever wondered where you fit, or have mourned the distance (or absence) in your 'real' family, or want practical hope that you can find your people, this one is for you.

Consider this your permission slip: family isn’t always about who shares your last name, but about who shows up, sees you, and gives you space to be exactly who you are—even if that means starting a new job at 69 or reminding you to tell the world to get lost when you need it most.

Hit play to find your new favorite survival strategy for living different—not broken.

Because you deserve more than 'good enough'—you deserve family that’s actually safe.

(And maybe a few wild stories about just how weird and wonderful that can look.)

As always, your support helps keep the podcast going, keep assessments accessible, and keep a whole lot of therapists’ kids in college. Every listen and share goes further than you think.

Let’s take down the 'real family only' myth, together.

And then be sure to get yourself signed up for all our updates!

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I’m all about showing up as my true self, and yeah, that means I drop the F-bomb like it’s confetti at a party. Some folks might be turned off by that, but honestly? I couldn’t give a f...!

We need to all be about embracing who we are, flaws and all, and that includes my colorful vocabulary.

So in this episode, I want to talk with you about how being authentic can actually draw the right people to you – those who vibe with your unapologetic self.

So, kick back, grab your jar of fu*ks, throw one straight into the garbage, and let’s get into the messy, beautiful world of just being real!

Takeaways you'll learn from listening:

• Being unapologetically yourself is powerful, even if it includes a few f-bombs.
• Using humor and raw honesty in conversations can break down barriers and connect people.
• Your quirks and differences make you unique; embrace them instead of hiding them away.
• Cursing can create a sense of comfort in tough discussions about mental health and well-being. And if you offend someone, they probably weren't your vibe anyway.

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This episode is a rallying cry for empathy and understanding, especially for those who are non-verbal or struggle to communicate.

Did you catch the story of Victor Perez? If you didn't, I urge you to do so.

In this bonus episode of "Different, not broken" I want to explore the layers of miscommunication that led to his death and how society's perception of 'threat' is often skewed by race and misunderstanding.

We have an urgent need for crisis intervention resources that do not involve police, but instead spotlight community-based alternatives.

The tragic reality is that in just 12 seconds, a life was lost due to a system that is ill-equipped to handle individuals in crisis.

This bonus episode intends to share resources and insights that aim to educate and empower you, as a listener, to advocate for change and compassion in your community.

Links referenced in this episode:

• dontcallthepolice.com
• autismandrace.com

Hi, I'm Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Everybody does. I'm the CEO who says fuck on the internet a lot. We'll get more into that later...

Our podcast "Different, Not Broken" isn't fucking about. We'll explore the often-overlooked dichotomy between being different and feeling broken. It's my jam to recognize individuality, particularly among those who have been systematically marginalized for their unique traits.

This episode serves as a foundational exploration of this podcast's ethos: to challenge the pervasive narrative that equates neurodiversity and other forms of individuality with dysfunction or inadequacy.

I'm starting as I mean to go on here. I'm owning how mortified I am to be hosting a podcast. I believe we all have this shared human experience of wanting to belong while grappling with the pressure to conform.

Anyway, words. I'll explain more in the episode, so time for you to listen.

Click play. And please do hit the follow button in whichever app you're listening to this on.

Thanks.

Love you, mean it.

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