Delightful Dissent

Have you ever struggled to do things the same way as everyone else? Even when you know your way works for you, and works well, people insist you do it "properly". You might even start to doubt yourself, and to worry that there's something fundamentally wrong with you. Join Kendra Patterson and I as we "do it wrong". We'll explore the relationship between what we do and what happens. We'll look at they way privileging one experience of the world limits us all. We'll share our own experiences of doing things right for us even when we're told we're "doing it wrong". Kendra is a writer, social scientist and podcaster. She coaches creative people who think differently to those around them. You can find episodes of her podcast at https://steppingoffnow.com/ EDIT: You can listen to me being interviewed on Kendra's podcast here - https://steppingoffnow.com/e62-interview-matthew-bellringer-on-neurodiversity-adhd-hsp-and-creativity/ Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

It seems like creative people have a vision, then single-mindedly set about making it reality. But what if not all creativity looks like this? What if sticking to a linear path can do us more harm than good? The output of the creative process can look very polished, but for many it doesn't feel that way whilst its happening. It's frustrating, contradictory and just plain uncomfortable. Though looking back, the process itself feels more important than the thing that gets created. Join Christopher Dines and me as we find out what it means to be driven to create. We'll explore the role of creativity working with ourselves and others. We'll see how making tangible things helps this process. We'll share our own experiences of trying to work with limitations rather than against them. Christopher Dines is a British author, novelist, mindfulness teacher and former house DJ. He helps people find more creativity whilst being kinder to themselves and others. He is currently writing his ninth book. You can find more about Christopher's work and get in touch with him at https://christopherdines.com/ and find his latest book, "Super Self-Care: How to Find Lasting Freedom from Addiction, Toxic Relationships and Dysfunctional Lifestyles", at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529330548 christopherdines #superselfcare Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

We can't stop and mess about when there's important work to be done. We can only play when there won't be negative consequences. But what if play, and the active exploration of the situation, was a vital tool for effective working? What if in engaging with challenging things in this way we can find better ways of doing things? Join Troels Andersen-Kjaer and me as we find out what it means to be "safe to play". We'll explore the role of play in developing expertise. We'll look at whether play is always easy and fun. We'll share our own experiences of using playful approaches to adapt and develop. Troels is a creative educator, facilitator, and social anthropologist. He works with schools, companies, and individuals, using games for learning and discovering actionable, human-centered insights. You can find out more about him and his work at his website - https://trolnir.com/ - including Dungeons and Danish, an ongoing series of Danish language lessons in a fantasy roleplaying setting. Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

Ever been told you're doing things the hard way? Do you feel your jaw clench when you hear a sentence beginning with "why don't you just..."? We don't have to do everything from scratch, but solutions to complex life problems can never be one-size-fits-all. If you're significantly different from those around you this can be even harder. There can be unseen reasons why the "simple" solution isn't available to you. The direct approach to the problem might be denied to you all together. Join Helen Read and I as we find out what it means to do things the hard way. We'll explore why "hard" is not always the same thing to different people. We'll look at the ways "good practice" can get in the way of what really works. We'll share our own experiences of finding easier ways of doing things that work for us. Helen is a Consultant Psychiatrist and founder of ADHD Consultancy. One of the few psychiatrists with an ADHD diagnosis themselves, she takes an evidence-based, integrative approach to treatment. Helen has specific expertise in working with the Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria which so often accompanies the condition. You can find out more about her work and get in touch with her at https://www.adhdconsultancy.co.uk/ Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

Without having a way to understand the world - a system - we feel lost. Other people expect us to have a system which makes sense to them, and to explain what we do based on that. But what happens when we're in a situation where we don't have a good way of understanding what's going on? And what happens when we have a different way of understanding what's going on to those around us? Join Andrew Hugill and me as we find out if "you've got to have a system". We'll explore when systems work, and when they don't. We'll look at alternative ways of organising reality. We'll share our own experiences of using different ways of understanding the world in positive ways. Andrew is a composer, musicologist and creative technologist. He is a Professor of Music, and a Professor of Creative Computing. You can find more about him and his work on his website, https://andrewhugill.com, read his blog at https://www.autisticprofessor.uk and find out about his Aural Diversity project at https://auraldiversity.org Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

Ever struggled to figure something out whilst sat still? Ever tried to learn something physical but found your brain getting in the way? We're told that the mind directs the body. That the best way to think things through is by sitting still, and the best way to learn is to remember the steps of a process and act them out. What if that's not the whole picture? Join Elizabeth Arifien and me as we find out if you really do think with your brain. We'll explore how how movement, language and words work alongside thought. We'll look at different learning modalities and the ways neurodivergent people can learn differently and successfully. We'll share our own experiences understanding the world in ways that go beyond thought. Elizabeth creates emotive dance performances, films, talks and workshops for others placing personal, societal and political issues at the forefront of conversations. She is the founder and artistic director of two social enterprises; Move Beyond Words where they amplify the voices of artists with dyslexia and Creative Dance London who facilitate transformation through creative dance sessions which have reached audiences across the globe. Elizabeth’s creative endeavours come from a place of curiosity and kindness. You can find out more about Elizabeth's work and get in touch with her through her website - https://elizabethrosearifien.com/ Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

We're told that we should fit in. That it's safer that way. That we should stick with what we - and other people - know. But what if in attempting to fit in we lose sight of ourselves and our unique talents? What if the things that allow us to feel safe are different from those around us? Join me and Ann Skinner as we explore "fitting in". We'll look at how trying to fit in can result in feeling exhausted and spread too thin. We'll see how for some people, exploring at the edges can feel safer than being in the comfortable middle. We'll share our own experiences of reclaiming a connection with self through play, creativity and joy. Ann Skinner, aka Ann The Heartworker, is a Coach and Creative & the Founder of The Heartworker's Way. In her work as a Life Coach, Creative Guide and Facilitator, Ann helps you realign to your heart centre, so you may gain a greater understanding about who you are, why you are here and what it is you need to be able to live a life that is true to you. In her work as an Author, Illustrator and Doodle Artist, Ann hopes to bring a little more consciousness, reflection, joy, hope and inspiration into your life. Ann is a published Author/Illustrator of two books, The Art of Contribution and Annie and Eva Love Devon. < https://theheartworker.com/> Sign up for more about The Three Keys to The Heartworker’s Way - https://www.theheartworkersway.com/sign-up-to-three-keys Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

Ever been told in accusatory tones that "you've changed"? Had a sense that your desire to change things for the better - for yourself and others - is a personal failing? That by growing and developing it feels like you've somehow let someone down. Join me and Reuben Wachs as we explore the tension between acceptance and development, and what happens when "you've changed". We'll look at how much control we have over change and what happens when we do. We'll see how we influence the direction of change in positive ways without forcing it. We'll share our own experience attempting to engage with shame, blame and anxiety in loving, unconditional ways. Reuben is a trainee integrative counsellor, who having struggled with his own mental health, now has a passion for sharing resources and theory to create effective change for those in need. You can find some on this on his podcast, Reuben Recommends: Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reuben-recommends/id1555563972 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7LkbnpHEotYa2JW71A8ueH?si=bdiosS8_T_OpR9HIbyOErw Reuben also coaches people on public speaking, and podcast and video production. You can find more about him and his work on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reubenwachs/ Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

You can buy a bar of chocolate in any supermarket. It's a treat, an indulgence. What matters is that it tastes good. But what if there was more to chocolate than a sugar hit? Join me and Dan Knowlson as we explore the idea that "it's just chocolate". We'll explore how chocolate - and cacao - can play a role in transformative experiences. We'll see what harm can arise when a natural product becomes separated from it's origin. We'll share our own experience of combining traditional and modern approaches to create new opportunities. Dan is a cacao ceremonialist, teacher and mentor. His mission is to bring change through connection to heart, nature, spirit and cacao. He works with all who are on their own healing and explorational journey, specialising in the balance between masculine and feminine. Working with cacao since 2010, he makes award-winning raw chocolate goodies, teaches, and holds regular ceremonies. You can find Dan's chocolate at https://www.elementsforlife.co.uk/ and information about his cacao ceremonies, including training for those who would like to host their own, at https://courses.cacaomastery.com/ Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.

If we feel bad we're expected to do something about that. To take a pill or to improve things so we don't feel bad. Perhaps to simply "toughen up" and work through whatever we are experiencing. But what if by not giving ourselves the space to engage with unpleasant feelings makes it harder to enjoy the good things in life and to be effective? What if by trying to keep ourselves and others safe, we can do the opposite? Join me and Anita Toze as we look at what happens when we try to avoid feeling bad. We'll explore the role of emotions and how those we've learnt to avoid can help us. We'll see when sensitivity can become a gift rather than a burden, not just to ourselves but to others. We'll share our own experience of navigating the space between research, theory, and the messiness of real life. Anita is a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist. She supports people to have the courage to express themselves freely, and to rise to the challenge of the hardest problems we all face. She uses CBT, schema therapy, ACT, mindfulness and a range of other approaches to create the space for people to develop greater self-understanding and self-compassion. You can get it touch with Anita on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitatoze-psychotherapist-consultant/ Delightful Dissent is a live-recorded oddcast about challenging assumptions. You can find upcoming episode livestreams, and past recordings, at https://www.matthewbellringer.com/delightful-dissent.