I Must Be BUG'N

About I Must Be BUG'N

Does the world seem like it's dragging along at a different pace? Do you constantly feel like you're the only one who notices "the emperor has no clothes"? Were you constantly teased or shamed for not conforming to what's "normal"? Do you wish you had accommodations for your needs that others readily received? If that sounds all too familiar, you might be BUGN (Black Underrepresented/Unidentified Gifted and otherwise Neurodivergent). This is a podcast primarily for Black gifted and otherwise neurodivergent people to learn about and discuss our unique experiences. I'm also here to create a safe and empowering space for all neurodivergent people, especially those who may not officially be identified and those from underrepresented communities. My goal is to move neurodivergence from deficiency to difference and to create a space where labels don't have to feel like pathology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Sheldon Gay

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Oct 2023

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

53 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Healing, Not Fixing Black Men, Especially When They See the World Differently

   Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): https://link.sheldongayisbugn.com/s3e25transcript Follow I Must Be BUGN on IG @sheldongayisbugn Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Patrice N. Douglas LP, LMFT to explore what neurodivergence can look like through the lived experiences of Black people, particularly Black men. We talk about therapy, masking, survival, relationships, executive functioning, and the ways behaviors can be labeled as lazy, angry, difficult, or defiant when there may be something much deeper happening underneath. We also dig into why therapy shouldn't be about fixing people, how cultural expectations shape the way neurodivergence is understood, and what becomes possible when we approach ourselves and each other with more curiosity, acceptance, and context. Dr. P also gives us a look at her upcoming workbook for Black men and the bigger goal behind her work: helping Black men exist more happily, authentically, and on their own terms. Key Topics: How neurodivergence can reshape a Black man's identity When survival gets mistaken for defiance or laziness Why understanding yourself matters more than fixing yourself How cultural expectations shape the way Black men show up Making room for authenticity, acceptance, and joy Stay in Contact with Dr. Patrice N. Douglas: Check out her website and PRE-ORDER HER BOOK!: https://patricendouglas.com/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepatricenicole/ Resources and Links: Direct link to pre-order or purchase her book: https://patricendouglas.com/the-neurodivergent-workbook/ Learn more about "DSM-5 For the Culture": https://drpatricendouglas.thinkific.com/pages/dsm-5-for-the-culture Read her dissertation on "Barriers to Mental Health Treatment for African American Men": https://www.proquest.com/openview/9c451c0f0211c121064ea37ecf08e8d8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Read "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" by Dr. Joy DeGruy: https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome?utm_source=chatgpt.com Read "Misbelief" by Dan Ariely: https://misbeliefbook.com/ Read "The Experience Machine" by Andy Clark: https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Machine-Minds-Predict-Reality/dp/1524748455 Helpful Links: Hire me to speak or as your personal gifted self-discovery coach!: https://sheldongayisbugn.com Free list of Therapists for Melanated and Marginalized Groups: https://sheldongayisbugn.com/#resources Free GroupMe Community for Talented and Gifted adults: https://groupme.com/join_group/108040800/igLaxqNG ND Connect - Online community for neurodivergent people: ndconnect.app Umbrella ND - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacy: https://umbrellaopensdoors.org/resources Keywords: neurodivergent Black men, Black men and neurodivergence, Black men mental health, neurodivergent Black men therapy, Black men and therapy, healing Black men, neurodivergence and identity, neurodivergence and masking, autism in Black men, ADHD in Black men, Dr. Patrice Douglas, The Neurodivergent Workbook Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "Understand" from the album Nevermore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Childhood Abuse, Autism and the Beliefs We Must Unlearn

   Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): https://link.sheldongayisbugn.com/s3e24transcript Follow I Must Be BUGN on IG @sheldongayisbugn Summary: In this episode of I Must Be BUG'N, I sit down with Lawrence C. Harris, a youth speaker who's turned his own journey through autism, childhood abuse, and personal challenges into a mission to help teens and young adults believe their past doesn't have to write their future. Lawrence walks me through the moment at fifteen when he stopped calling himself a victim and started asking "what if I did something about this instead," and we dig into accountability, community, and the belief he had to unlearn before real change could happen (listen to find out what that is ;-D). This one's for anyone who's ever felt stuck in their story and wondered if there was a way out. Key Topics: Autism is a different way the brain operates, not a better or worse one. Real change starts with a single question: "What if I did something about this?" Accountability means owning your choices, even when you didn't choose your circumstances. Breaking a struggle into smaller pieces makes it possible to solve. Believing you deserve help comes before anyone can actually give it to you. Stay in Contact with Lawrence Harris: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrencec.empowers/ Resources and Links: A Free coaching call with Lawrence: https://calendly.com/lawrencecharris/coaching Free Prompt-Journal (leave him feedback on this interview): https://speakerhub.com/cta/jI6IS9 Helpful Links: Want to go deeper? Schedule a short call to explore working with me as a speaker or personal self-discovery coach: sheldongayisbugn.com Free list of Therapists for Melanated and Marginalized Groups: https://sheldongayisbugn.com/#resources Free GroupMe Community for Talented and Gifted adults: https://groupme.com/join_group/108040800/igLaxqNG ND Connect - Online community for neurodivergent people: ndconnect.app Umbrella ND - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacy: https://umbrellaopensdoors.org/resources Keywords mental health, youth empowerment, neurodiversity, personal growth, accountability, community support, unlearning beliefs, autism awareness, journaling, purpose in life youth empowerment, generational differences, social media impact, personal goals, neurodivergence, compassion, empathy, self-discovery, mental health, personal growth Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "Understand" from the album Nevermore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   The Identities We Don't Know We Have

   Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): https://link.sheldongayisbugn.com/s3e23transcript Follow I Must Be BUGN on IG @sheldongayisbugn Summary: I've spent a lot of time thinking about the parts of myself I didn't have language for until later in life. In this recap episode of I Must Be BUG'N, I sit with that feeling after my conversation with Patrick Casale MA LCMHC, an AuDHD therapist who didn't discover he was autistic until he was 35 years old. I ask the question that stays with me long after we stop recording: what does it cost us to grow up without the words for who we are? Autistic kids become autistic adults, yet somewhere along the way, the support just stops. I trace that gap, and I trace something harder to admit that Patrick names outright - the way ableism lives inside the neurodivergent community itself, shaping how we judge our own diagnoses before we even accept them. I follow that thread into reflecting on Patrick's thoughts on addiction, and how a search for connection can pull someone toward rooms that aren't necessarily safe. I land on the idea that keeps pulling me back in every conversation like this one: diagnosis doesn't just explain a person to themselves. It changes how they get loved. It completely changes the probability some relationships can survive. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like a stranger in their own story - and for anyone ready to meet themselves for the first time. Key Topics: Conversations can deepen our understanding of ourselves. Many neurodivergent individuals realize their identity in adulthood. Resources for neurodivergent adults are limited compared to children. Confronting ableism is crucial for self-acceptance. Addiction often stems from a desire for connection. Understanding one's identity can improve relationships. Teaching about neurodivergence should include all ages. Self-discovery is essential for personal growth and accessing all of the joy available to us Stay in Contact with Patrick Casale: Follow Patrick on IG: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.casale Subscribe to the "AuDHD Journeys": https://patrickcasale.substack.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Check his full Linktree: https://linktr.ee/patrickcasale Resources and Links: Video of comedian Ron Funches speaking about how he found out he was autistic: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdTrMTzJN5D/ Patrick Casale's TEDx "Lessons from a late in life autism discovery ": https://youtu.be/hyImqW69OY4?si=yeo1bjgn5rvcx0AM "My Name is Pauli Murray" documentary: https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Pauli-Murray/dp/B09DMPMWCP Johann Hari's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong My episode on the "Divergent Conversations" podcast with Patrick and Dr. Meg: https://www.divergentpod.com/blog/ep-84 Helpful Links: Hire me to speak or as your personal gifted self-discovery coach!: https://sheldongayisbugn.com Free list of Therapists for Melanated and Marginalized Groups: https://sheldongayisbugn.com/#resources Free GroupMe Community for Talented and Gifted adults: https://groupme.com/join_group/108040800/igLaxqNG ND Connect - Online community for neurodivergent people: ndconnect.app Umbrella ND - Non-profit focused on neurodivergent advocacy: https://umbrellaopensdoors.org/resources Keywords neurodivergence, autism, ableism, addiction, relationships, self-discovery, identity, mental health, awareness, personal growth Intro and Outro music provided by byrdversion1 - "Understand" from the album Nevermore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

417

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

4.7 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

23

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

68