HAVE YOU HEARD?

Neurodivergent Moments: Stories of brains wired differently

Published on May 20, 2022

Have You Heard? is where the Pod Bible team meet the people behind the podcasts you may not have heard of yet. While the Oh. My. Pod. section in the magazine gives a quick shout out to shows of that ilk, Have You Heard? aims to go deeper in an effort to spread awareness for shows that deserve more exposure! This time we’re bringing you a podcast that’s funny, interesting and provides solidarity for neurodiversity, Neurodivergent Moments…

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

We’re Abigoliah Schamaun and Joe Wells, two comedians based in the UK. Abigoliah has ADHD and Joe is autistic, the podcast is about those little moments when you realise that your brain is wired differently to most people’s brains. Like the time Joe thought that he was being offered one chip in a burger restaurant or the time Abigoliah left her tampons in the fridge. We have guests and we read out stories from listeners.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

Joe: I listened to Richard Herring’s AIOTM, I loved the DIY ethic and the way it built up a world of in-jokes for their listeners.

Abigoliah: I’m an avid podcast listener. Whenever I’m out and about I’m almost always listening to someone yammering about something in my ears. It’s hard to remember the first one. But I think it was WTF with Marc Maron. I was living in New York at the time and had just started standup. WTF was a great resource as a young comic to hear established acts talk about the craft and the business side of comedy. I remember downloading it and seeing the third episode guest Robin Williams. That’s the one I listened to first.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

Joe: We noticed that a lot of podcasts about Autism, ADHD and Neurodiversity broadly were quite earnest and we wanted to do something funny for neurodivergent people where we could have a laugh about our shared experiences.

Abigoliah: We did notice! Joe did! And he’s giving me far too much credit. Joe and I were doing a gig together in Portsmouth and in the green room Joe was talking about starting a Neurodivergent Podcast. I immediately got on board. I was so excited about I started talking to Joe like we already decided to do Neurodivergent Moments together. Being ADHD I then sent him a sheepish text saying, ” I might have gotten over excited. Maybe you were just talking about the idea, and you weren’t looking for a co-host.” Joe came back and said, “No, no, I think it’d be fun to do together.” And so the Podcast was born. It was Joe’s idea. But I came up with the title! 😉

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Joe: I love podcasts which come from a place of passion, I listen to the Devil Times Five horror podcast with Luke Poulton who is also an upcoming guest on our show, it’s just a bunch of horror movie nerds talking about what they love.

Abigoliah: I love anything that comes out of the Last Podcast Network’s stable. Two of my favourites are Wizard and the Bruiser and Page 7 Podcast. Wizard and the Bruiser is hosted by Jake Young and Holden McNeely where they talk about nerd culture. Anything from Comic Books to Mountain Dew. Sometimes I’m already a fan of the episode subject. Sometimes I have no idea what they’re talking about, but I do by the end. They do a great job of sharing the history of movies, video games, or fandom while being absolutely hilarious.

Page 7 (hosted by MJ Knefel, Jackie Zebrowski, and Holden McNeely) it’s an irreverent celebrity gossip podcast that talks about current pop culture events. I’m obsessed with it. Whenever celebrity based news comes out. Like The Met Gala or Chris Rock getting hit by Will Smith I always find myself thinking, “I can’t wait to hear what Page 7 thinks about this.”

I love both these shows and I’m a patreon of both. BTW we have a Patreon too… just saying.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Joe: To be honest we put together a dream list for the first series with people like Rufus Hound, Sara Gibbs and Angela Barnes and I think everyone on the list agreed to do it. There’s a couple we can’t announce yet as we’re securing recording dates but watch this space!

Abigoliah: What Joe said! What’s great about the Neurodivergent community is it is a community where people are happy to take time out of their day to come and talk to us as we get this podcast up and running. In the episodes we’ve already recorded I’ve learned so much and found myself relating to pretty much everything, even if our guests don’t specifically have ADHD like me. I’m really touched that so many great people have taken the time to chat with us.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Joe: That submitting your RSS feed to apple is the most complicated thing imaginable, I almost gave up and there was no podcast.

Abigoliah: That working with someone who understands how your brain works makes working together so much easier. I never stress about working with Joe because he gets it when I’m having a day where I’m not firing on all cylinders. I’ve tried to do podcasts with other people before. I’ve tried to do one on my own. But this is by far the best working relationship I’ve had with a co-producer and co-host. Joe edits the podcast. I cut together our videos for social media promo and book the guests. We make a great team. And I’m happy to be working with him.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Joe: We recorded a first episode with just the two of us to act as an introduction but really you can jump in anywhere, we’ve just released an episode with Angela Barnes (Mock The Week, Live at The Apollo, We Are History Podcast) and she was so funny, but also so honest about her experiences of having ADHD but only being diagnosed in her 40s.

Abigoliah: Again, Joe summed it up perfectly. I think Angela’s episode is special to me because not only was she a great guest, but she’s a dear friend who helped me get my own diagnosis and as I was going through the process myself I was constantly chatting with her and asking for advice. I’m glad we got her on so she could share her story with others and not just me frantically whatsapping her at random times of the day.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

We’re both on all the social platforms (Abigoliah is @abigoliah on all of them and Joe is @joewellscomic on everything except Instagram where he’s @joewellscomedian) and have lots of stand-up available online. Check out the podcast here.