Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick
Episode 385 - Julianne & Michael John Cusick, "Navigating Trauma and Healing in Neurodiverse Relationships"
Feb 09, 2026
Season 16
Episode 385
Welcome back to “Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick.” In today’s episode, Michael John Cusick and Julianne Cusick dive deep into the world of neurodiversity, focusing on the unique challenges faced by couples where one partner is neurodivergent, often navigating undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related conditions. Drawing on both personal experience and extensive clinical work, Julianne Cusick shares valuable frameworks—including the “umbrella” of neurodiversity—and explains how overlapping diagnoses like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders often connect.
Together, Michael and Julianne tackle the realities of trauma within neurodiverse relationships, especially the emotional impact on neurotypical partners who may feel unseen or misunderstood. They unpack terms like Cassandra Syndrome and Ongoing Traumatic Relationship Syndrome, revealing why typical marriage advice sometimes falls short for these couples. You’ll also hear practical insights about the importance of attunement, how the absence of emotional mirroring can lead to lasting pain, and new paths forward—like specialized neurodiversity coaching and frameworks that finally bring clarity and hope.
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