The Hidden 20%

• “I’m Scared for Autistic People”: White House Journalist Exposes Dark Agendas Behind Autism ‘Cure’ Talk

  Autism is back in the political spotlight in the U.S., as Donald Trump and his Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announce a major study to “find the cause” of autism — reviving the long-debunked claim that vaccines may be to blame. The move has sparked concern among scientists, advocates, and the autistic community.In this episode, Ben is joined by Independent journalist, Washington correspondent, and author Eric Garcia to unpack what’s really at stake. They explore the dangers of anti-vax politics, the truth behind the so-called autism “epidemic,” and the billion-dollar autism industry — including who really profits. As one of the few openly autistic reporters in Washington, Eric also explains why he fears for autistic people across the country._________________00:00 Introduction1:54 What is Happening in the USA?2:23 Anti Vaxxers & Autism5:01 Setting the Facts Straight: Business Profits VS Facts7:04 The World of Autism in the 2016 Former Presidency7:45 “Autism Is An Epidemic” VS The Facts Behind The Numbers10:57 Looking For Someone To Blame: Autism is Not a Disease12:35 Why is Autism a Priority in the USA?14:06 The Autism Industry in the USA: How Big Is It and Who Profits?16:00 What’s it like to be Autistic in the US? - A personal perspective17:06 Parents of Autistic Children in the USA: The Fear is Real19:08 Autism in America Under Joe Biden: What Was Happening?20:13 Why Eric Love’s Politics21:00 Why Don’t We Hear About Other Neurotypes?22:05 ‘Aspie supremacy’ & Elon Musk: Debunked23:53 Two Narrative Extremes: Eliminate Autism VS Supreme Autistic Beings24:30 How Does This All End?25:41 Victor Perez: The Killing of an Autistic Teen in 12 Seconds27:16 Why Eric Wrote His Book: Creating Autistic Acceptance29:10 Connection: The Invisible Autistic String30:37 Eric’s One Wish For the Future30:51 Green Badge Segment__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  33:27
• ‘Am I A Secret Serial Killer?’ Kimberley Nixon on OCD, AuDHD & Motherhood

  If you’ve binge-watched a British teen classic, you’ll know Kimberley Nixon — from Wild Child to Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging and Fresh Meat. But it’s her off-screen honesty that’s truly resonated.In this chat with Ben, Kimberley shares her raw and harrowing journey through perinatal OCD — a time when she felt trapped in “the Upside Down from Stranger Things,” her mind flooded with the darkest thoughts imaginable. They explore motherhood, mental health, and the compulsive need for repetition. Together, they unpack the overlaps between OCD, autism, and ADHD — and how Kimberley is helping shine a light on the struggles so many experience in silence. 00:00 Introduction1:54 Kimberley VS Her Brain3:07 How Other People Think4:10 Autism And Brains That Work Differently4:52 The Brain VS OCD5:39 OCD Stereotype VS The Reality: Hurricane Kimberley6:47 Who Flagged Perinatal OCD?8:04 Perinatal OCD: What We Need To Know?9:36 Examples of Perinatal OCD11:44 Intrusive Thoughts: Am I a Secret Serial Killer? Is My Brain Broken?17:28 How Does Perinatal OCD Manifest?18:45 Kimberley’s Husband VS Her Perinatal OCD20:12 Autism & ADHD NHS Diagnosis Assessment Wait List23:27 Ben’s Podcast Catalyst for Getting an AUDHD Diagnosis25:43 The Cross Overs of OCD, Autism & ADHD Traits30:40 Celebrating That Everyone’s Brain Is Different31:20 How Does Kim’s Autism Show Up?31:43 Opening Up To Friends & Family: “You’re Not Autistic!”32:40 Taking Off The Mask35:28 Physical Compulsions in Perinatal OCD36:56 The Journey of Recovery: Being Kinder To Yourself41:03 Literal Autistic Brains VS April Fools Day, Reading Between The Lines & Acting44:09 Taking Off The Autism Mask & Becoming Yourself45:22 OCD Therapy: Learning To Stop Enabling Reassurance47:43 Why Did Kim Decide To Go Public With Her Perinatal OCD Crisis?49:56 The Leading Cause of Death in Mother’s The First Year After Birth50:33 Are You Born With OCD?51:22 Avoiding Smoking & Drugs Due To Addictive Traits52:37 The Power of Familiarity & Autism: Kim’s Secret Audio Book Safe Place55:49 Autism, Motherhood & Resistance to Change59:19 Ben’s Unofficial Autism Diagnosis1:00:20 Perinatal OCD: Facing The Never Ending Nightmare1:01:47 Excuses VS Explanation1:08:08 The Benefits of Autism & A Career in Acting1:10:17 What Does it Mean To Be Neurodivergent in Today’s Society?1:16:49 Intrusive Thoughts: You Are Not Alone1:17:43 Kimberley’s Promise1:19:15 Kimberley’s Green Light__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:22:01
• Top Autism Expert (Part 2): "Women with PCOS are more likely to have autistic children"

  In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.Together, they dive into some of the most hotly debated aspects of his work, confront some uncomfortable truths, and explore the link between autism and unique talents. They also unpack fascinating research into why women with PCOS are more likely to have autistic children.This is Part 2 of a two-part episode — if you missed it, be sure to catch Part 1 from last week!00:00 Introduction1:54 Can You Become Autistic?3:47 Autism: What Has Simon Proven?4:39 Why Women With PCOS Are More Likely to Have a Child With Autism5:48 The Role of Hormones in Autism6:45 Autism: What Has Simon Changed His Mind On?7:37 Simon’s Thoughts on His Controversial Work: Genetics9:00 What is Mind Blindness?10:58 Why Did Some Not Like This Concept?12:23 How Simon Deals With Criticism13:20 Ben: What Could Have You Done to Improve that Situation & How Much Were Autistic People Consulted?14:26 How Much Do We Know About Autism?15:53 Autistic Statistics: Autism: Some Dark Home Truths19:06 Autism Assessment Waiting List Crisis VS Suffering Adults20:07 Comorbidities VS Neurodivergence21:58 Autism: What Are The Top 3 Questions That We Need To Know?23:05 Mortality Rate VS Autism24:04 Autism VS The Need For Further Research25:22 Ben The Inventor: Unpacking ‘The Pattern Seekers’ & Autistic People31:08 Neurodiversity VS Lack Of Role Models32:40 Autism: Where Will We Be In Ten Years Time?34:20 Simon’s Green Light Choice__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  36:18
• Top Autism Expert (Part 1): Genetics & Autism is "an ethical minefield"

  In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has risen, and the shifting perception from ‘disorder’ to celebrating a different way of thinking. Plus, they dive into some of the most debated topics in autism research - The complexities of empathy and the ethical challenges of genetic studies.This is the First of a Two Part Episode - tune in for some groundbreaking research next week in Part Two!00:00 Introduction2:08 Ben’s Child Asks Simon: 'Are You REALLY the World's Top Autism Expert?'2:50 Back In Time: Autism 40 years Ago4:08 Autism Diagnoses Then vs. Now: How Children & Adults Were Diagnosed 40 Years Ago4:45 The Moment Autism Prevalence Began to Rise5:21 Autism Diagnostic Criteria & Disappearance of Aspergers10:42 The History of Autism11:48 What Sparked Simon’s Interest in Autism?13:44 Societies Beliefs and Understanding of Autism 40 Years Ago15:07 Genetics and The Hidden 20%17:05 Why Autism Isn’t 100% Genetic17:34 Ethical Minefields: Genetics Research VS Autism20:42 Were Scientists Trying to 'Cure' Autism 40 Years Ago?21:57 When We Started Celebrating Autistic Strengths23:23 Brains That Think Differently: The Birth of Neurodiversity24:26 Autism VS Closing The Gender Gap26:39 Brains That Systemise VS Brains That Empathise28:32 Autism & Empathy: Cognitive Empathy VS Affective Empathy35:33 Do Vaccines Cause Autism?36:37 Why Are the CDC Investigating the Correlation Between Autism and Vaccines?39:43 Changing The Way We See Autism: Celebrating the Differences__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benSimon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohenIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  41:19
• Millie Mackintosh: "I'm ADHD—But Am I Autistic Too?"

  The Made in Chelsea reality star turned author and entrepreneur, Millie Mackintosh has spent years in the spotlight while secretly grappling with undiagnosed ADHD, Dyspraxia and a complex relationship with alcohol.In this chat with Ben, Millie opens up about late diagnosis, the blurry overlap between ADHD and Dyspraxia, and how alcohol became both a crutch and a crisis to escape from rejection, grief, social anxiety and self-doubt. She shares how motherhood reshaped her perspective, the realities of sobriety, and why she’s questioning if she might be autistic too. From EMDR therapy to people-pleasing, sensory overload, and parenting with ADHD - Millie gives her top tips for navigating life with late diagnosed ADHD.00:00 Introduction 1:47 Dyspraxia Diagnosis: How, What, When & Why?3:45 Dyspraxia & ADHD Traits Overlap4:30 History of ADHD Diagnosis in Society 5:00 Late Diagnosis in Women: “She’s Dyspraxic and has a vision problem”5:35 Being Bullied & Trying to Fit in As a Neurodivergent Person 7:20 Dyspraxia VS Alcohol 10:52 Reflecting on Undiagnosed ADHD: The Toxic Escapism12:01 Finding the ‘Millie’ Wild Party Girl Persona15:27 Easily Influenced and People Pleasing as a Neurodivergent Person16:36 Millie’s Daughters: “I don’t want them to go through what I went through”19:18 Pre Diagnosis: “What did you know about ADHD?”19:58 The ADHD Moment of Realisation 21:00 My Sober Mental Breakdown22:14 Millie’s ADHD & Medication Journey25:45 The Best Bits of ADHD26:30 Hyper-fixation VS Cream Loungewear27:21 ADHD & The Keto Diet30:05 Routine VS ADHD31:08 Personal and Public Reactions to ADHD Diagnosis31:56 Navigating Parental Resistance to ADHD Diagnosis and Finding Resolution33:38 Coming Out As Sober VS Revealing ADHD Diagnosis34:32 The Challenges of ADHD: Navigating Parenting and Overwhelm38:10 The ADHD Battle With Emotional Regulation and Parenting 42:21 Hugo the Husband VS Millie’s ADHD43:52 Millie: “I’m ADHD But Am I Autistic As Well?”44:25 Empathy VS Autism46:40 The Effects of Rejection & ADHD47:32 Made In Chelsea 48:47 Health Anxiety & ADHD51:07 The Power of EMDR: From ADHD Panic Attacks on Planes to Yawning 51:51 Social Anxiety & ADHD58:11 What do you say to Late Diagnosed Female ADHD’ers?1:00:51 Millie’s Top Tips for Managing ADHD1:01:40 “Do My Kids Have ADHD?”1:02:25 Spreading Dyspraxia Awareness1:04:12 Millie’s Chosen Person For The Green Badge of Honour__________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348_____________________________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benMillie Mackintosh @milliemackintoshIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:05:44

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