Attention Unleashed - The Podcast

exploring pet ownership through a neurodivergent lens*

[ S1: Episode 6]

006 (Fur)Baby It’s Cold Outside: Seasonal Adjustments and Can-Do Tips

Look - they say discussing the weather is small talk, but seriously... do they live in Melbourne?

Kiki and Rachel explore the how-to's of adjusting to the colder weather. They discuss everything from their mixed feelings on daylight saving to the physical toll of Melbourne's "bipolar seasons" on human joints.

Battling SADS? Listen for nature- and nurture-based strategies, such as seeking out patches of blue sky and nutritional supplementation. And, of course, it's not just humans affected! Our intrepid hosts uncover how pets can cope with temperature extremes, including how the clothing one's pet wears goes beyond fashion into... dare we say it - practicality!

Learn why skipping your daily walk sometimes is okay and get clever tips for helping pets through storm anxiety, using various readily available tools and calming strategies.

So join us for a most 'chilled-out' (sorry not sorry 😜) chat on navigating the changing seasons with your pet fam. As Kiki always says, "the sky is always blue behind the gray!" 🐾💜
29th April 2025

[ S1: Episode 5]

005 Wonderfully Weird: Isms, Eccentricities and Shenanigans

Warning: There's a bit of swearing in this one!

We're keeping the laughs rolling this fortnight with Part 2 of our April shenanigans.

Rachel and Kiki go full tilt into their "isms"—those wonderfully weird habits, voices, and routines that come with being neurodivergent pet parents.

From gourmet pet meals and car rides to Coles to code-switching, diva dogs, and the silent sass of Burmese cats, this episode celebrates how we show love...aaand maybe lose the plot just a little.

Plus, Kiki opens up about the trickier side of ADHD—rejection sensitivity, rumination, and how it feels to be the "weird kid" all grown up.

🎙 Unfiltered, unpolished, and unmistakably us.

15th April 2025

Shout-outs and Referencing

[ S1: Episode 4]

004 We’re All Mad Here: The April Fool’s Day Special!🤪

It’s April 1st, and that means chaos! This week, Rachel and Kiki let loose in an episode filled with neurodivergent humor, pet-related pranks, and the occasional existential crisis. From the wildest things our pets have done to fool us to how ADHD brains turn everyday life into an unintentional comedy show, we’re diving into the playful side.

Expect surprises, some goofy science, and a reminder that laughter is a coping mechanism. Plus, we also remember a very special person dear to Kiki’s heart.
Tune in for the unexpected - because with us, you never really know what’s coming!

1st April 2025

Shout-outs and Referencing

[ S1: Episode 3, Part 2 of 2]

003 Medication and Humans: The Long and Winding Road

🛑Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of self-harm and suicidal ideation🛑

In this second part of our deep dive into medication for both humans and animals, we get personal about our own experiences with psychotropic medication. From navigating side effects to finding the right balance, Kiki and Rachel explore the importance of self-advocacy, the realities of medication management, and how it fits within a broader constellation of care. Plus, we tackle psychosocial stigma, perimenopause, and why mental health support is rarely ever a one-size-fits-all.

20th March 2025

[ S1: Episode 2, Part 1 of 2]

002 Medication and Pets:
Because Sometimes, Love Needs a Little Chemistry

Ever wondered if your anxious, barky, or chaos-loving furkiddo might benefit from medication? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Attention Unleashed, we talk about the big decision to medicate (or not), how it works, and why it’s not about turning your pet into a sleepy potato💤

Kiki shares how meds helped her reactive pup Lemmy chill out without losing his personality, Rachel reflects on the time she had a ginger cat named Manic🙀(yes, really) on Prozac, and we bust some myths about medicating pets.

TL;DR? Sometimes, meds are the missing puzzle piece, whether it be for humans or animals.

3rd March 2025

[ S1: Episode 1 ]

The Spicy Side of Pawrenting: Navigating Neurodiversity with Pets

Rachel Fung and Kiki Coco, both in their mid-40s and neurodiverse, discuss their experiences as pet parents with ADHD. They explore the complexities of pet 'pawrenting', the challenges of managing neurodivergence, and the guilt of not being "perfect" pet parents.

29th January 2025

Transcript:
tinyurl.com/AUS1EP1

Citations:

  1. Tufvesson, A. (2024, March 10). How vet practices can best support neurodiversity - Vet Practice Magazine. Vet Practice Magazine. https://www.vetpracticemag.com.au/how-vet-practices-can-best-support-neurodiversity/

  2. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Kurt Lewin | Field Theory, Gestalt Psychology, Group Dynamics. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kurt-Lewin

About

Attention Unleashed is a Melbourne-made podcast that explores pet ownership through a neurodivergent lens.

Whether you're an ADHDer trying to keep up with pet care routines or a neurodiverse animal lover who finds comfort in furry (or scaly!) companionship, this podcast is for you.

Pets bring joy, structure, and sometimes total chaos—but they also offer unique support many neurodivergent folks connect with.

From practical tips to the emotional bond between us and our animal companions, we’re diving into what it means to be a neurodivergent pet ‘pawrent’—because our pets support us, and we support them! 

Want to get in touch?
Drop us a line at attentionunleashed@gmail.com

© Copyright ATTENTION UNLEASHED Melbourne 2025. All rights reserved.

* SUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS - CLICK HERE

The Attention Unleashed Podcast acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we create, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. We also acknowledge the neighbouring Kulin Nation groups, the Boonwurrung and Bunurong people, and pay our respects to elders, past and present.