A Neurodivergent New Year: Shahroo Izadi, Dr Alison Lennox, Tony Lloyd & More Share Their Hopes For 2026
The Hidden 20%Show Notes
As another year closes, we’re taking a gentler approach to New Year’s thinking. In this special episode, Ben is joined by familiar voices from across the year and a hint of who’s to come in 2026 - as he sits down with clinicians, creators, advocates and friends of The Hidden 20% to talk about goals, not resolutions.
From Dr Renata Fialho to Shahroo Izadi, Céin McGillicuddy, Dr Alison Lennox, Dr Josephine Neale and Tony Lloyd, each guest reflects on what they’re carrying forward into 2026 and what they’re intentionally leaving behind.
Together, we unpack why “resolutions” can feel loaded, deficit-focused and unrealistic for neurodivergent brains, and why goals rooted in compassion, flexibility and self-trust tend to work better.
This is a calm, grounding end-of-year listen - focused less on fixing yourself, and more on meeting yourself where you are.
From all of us at The Hidden 20%, thank you for your support this year - we’ll see you in 2026. 🟢
Join us at hidden20.org/donate. ________
Host: Ben Branson Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné Video Editor: James Scriven Social Media Manager: Charlie Young Music: Jackson Greenberg Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller
00:00 Introduction 1:15 A Neurodivergent Rethink of New Year’s Resolutions with Dr Renata Fialho 4:25 Sam Branson on Realistic ND Goals & Letting Go of Pressure 5:50 Shahroo Izadi: Neurodivergence, Money & Rewriting Financial Goals 7:40 Céin McGillicuddy on ND Creativity, Balance & 2026 Intentions 10:13 Dr Alison Lennox’s New Year Goals as an Autistic Psychiatrist 12:19 Dr Alison Lennox: Hopes for Neurodivergence in 2026 22:10 The Hidden 20% Team: Community Goals for 2026 26:10 Dr Josephine Neale: Why “Goals” Work Better Than Resolutions for ND Brains 41:42 Tony Lloyd: How I Set ND-Friendly Goals Across Life, Work & Purpose 47:07 Tony Lloyd’s Three Wishes for Neurodivergence in 2026 48:25 Ben’s Personal New Year Goals for 2026
The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.
Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence. No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.
1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.
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Website: www.hidden20.org Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity Ben Branson @seedlip_ben Dr Renata Fialho Shahroo Izadi Sam Branson Dr Tony Lloyd Dr Alison Lennox Dr Josephine Neale Céin McGillicuddy
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