Rephonic
Artwork for I Must Be BUG'N

I Must Be BUG'N

Sheldon Gay
Neurodivergence
Autism
ADHD
Giftedness
Neurodiversity
Education
Burnout
Relationships
Education System
Disability
Neurodivergent
Neuroplasticity
Artificial Intelligence
Mental Health
Autism Spectrum Disorder
DEI In Schools
Storytelling
Mark Travis Rivera
Dyslexia
Ghana

Does the world sometimes seem to move at a different pace for you? Do you find yourself noticing what everyone else seems to overlook? Have you been teased, shamed, or misunderstood for not conforming to what’s considered “normal”? Have you had to fight for accommodations or understanding that others seem to receive without asking?

You might be BUG’N: Black Underrepresented/Unidentified Gifted and... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes53Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHealth & FitnessMental Health

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for I Must Be BUG'N

Latest Episodes

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): 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 w... more

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): 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 you... more

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): 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 lan... more

Episode Transcript (provided by Riverside - forgive any errors): link.sheldongayisbugn.com/s3e22transcript

Follow I Must Be BUGN on IG @sheldongayisbugn

Summary:

What does it actually mean to build a life that works for your brain?

I sat ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

AuDHD Flourishing
AuDHD FlourishingMattia Maurée

Recent Guests

Patrice N. Douglas
Licensed Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist; founder of Empire Counseling and The Weight Room
Empire Counseling; The Weight Room
Episode: Healing, Not Fixing Black Men, Especially When They See the World Differently
Lawrence Harris
Youth speaker who helps teens and young adults believe in themselves
Self-employed / Speaker
Episode: Childhood Abuse, Autism and the Beliefs We Must Unlearn
Patrick Casale
Therapist discussed in prior episode
Unspecified
Episode: The Identities We Don't Know We Have
Bowen Marshall
Dr. Bowen Marshall, PhD, licensed psychotherapist, author, and consultant specializing in ADHD, autism, relationships, and trauma
Independent practice / Author / Consultant
Episode: Not Everyone Can Come With Us - Neurodivergence, Relationships & the Courage to Grow
Kwentin Shelton
Guest from the prior conversation discussed in this recap
Episode: Where He Started Isn't Where He Finished
Dr. Derek Porter
Guest described as a premier voice in the space; medical/academic background implied
Episode: Burnout is a Systemic Red Flag
Derek Porter
Educator and E&I practitioner discussing burnout and neurodivergence
Independent educator / consultant
Episode: Reframing Burnout in Schools and Beyond - Part 2
Mark Travis Rivera
Guest featured in the episode being reflected upon
Episode: Manhood and Disability Don't Have to be Taboos
Aurora Remember
Guest discussed in the preceding episode, shared experiences related to diagnosis and authenticity
Episode: Intelligence Doesn't Follow the Rules

Host

Sheldon Gay
Host who introduces guests and guides conversations; central to episode framing and recap segments

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Yes!

    Like bathing in clarity and compassion. Thank you, Sheldon.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3E Jules
    United Statesa year ago
  • Enlightening, inspirational, and engaging!

    Incredibly interesting podcast to learn about neurodivergence and how it impacts the lives of those who manage it. It’s truly inspirational to witness Sheldon’s courage to share about his experiences and shine an insightful light into an area that is commonly and incorrectly labeled with negative connotations.

    Can’t wait for the next episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NajeeKing3539
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts foster a safe space for sensitive topics and marginalized voices.
Guests' lived experiences inspire hope and practical action.
Content is seen as highly relevant for Black gifted and neurodivergent communities.
Listeners appreciate clarity and compassion in discussing neurodivergence.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Sold a Story
Sold a StoryAPM Reports
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
The Builders
The BuildersiHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
Notes from the Edge
Notes from the EdgeGamut Podcast Network
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
METRO with Sarah Koenig
METRO with Sarah KoenigSerial Productions & The New York Times

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Healing, Not Fixing Black Men, Especially When They See the World Differently
Q: What is a key takeaway about the role of therapists and clinicians in supporting Black men who are neurodivergent?
Clinicians need to recognize the unique intersection of race, masculinity, and neurodivergence, avoid assuming fix-it outcomes within a set number of sessions, and instead collaborate with clients to create a path that honors their pace, needs, and authentic self.
Healing, Not Fixing Black Men, Especially When They See the World Differently
Q: What changes when Black men access therapy and acknowledge neurodivergent identities?
When Black men access therapy with an understanding of neurodivergence, the space can shift from fix-it dynamics to support and understanding of who they are. It involves dealing with cultural expectations, historical trauma, and the realities of navigating systems that may not acknowledge their full humanity, while emphasizing respectful, culturally informed care and longer-term engagement.
Childhood Abuse, Autism and the Beliefs We Must Unlearn
Q: What is neurodivergence? What does autism mean for you and your life?
Lawrence explains that neurodivergence represents a different operating system rather than a hierarchy of ability, and autism for him is a way the brain processes the world differently; not better or worse, just different, akin to comparing an iPhone and an Android.
Reframing Burnout in Schools and Beyond - Part 2
Q: What are one to two things you wish the world knew or built more capacity for?
One-to-two keys include moving away from speed as the sole measure of intelligence toward recognizing varied cognitive styles, and creating spaces where leadership communicates clearly and includes structured, participatory engagement; this builds confidence and reduces the sting of rapid, unilateral decision-making. Additionally, fostering accountability and genuine listening helps communities feel seen and supported, which supports both educators and students.
Reframing Burnout in Schools and Beyond - Part 1
Q: What keeps most schools and teachers feeling burdened, and what are common challenges in school systems?
Shelvin highlights decision fatigue for teachers and the misalignment between system design and teachers' cognitive load, suggesting changes in processes and support tools.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About I Must Be BUG'N

What is I Must Be BUG'N about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on neurodivergence, giftedness, and mental health within Black communities, with a strong emphasis on relationships, education, and workplace inclusion. Episodes frequently explore the intersection of diagnosis, identity, and systemic barriers, offering evidence-informed insights, practical strategies, and personal storytelling from guests who live at these intersections. A notable strength is reframing neurodivergence as a spectrum of strengths rather than deficits, and inviting audiences to imagine safer, more equitable spaces in families, schools, and organizations. The host space is explicitly safe and empowering, aiming to uplift underrepresented voices and provide concrete paths for listeners to advocate for accommoda... more

Where can I find podcast stats for I Must Be BUG'N?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for I Must Be BUG'N. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to I Must Be BUG'N and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does I Must Be BUG'N get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for I Must Be BUG'N, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for I Must Be BUG'N?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for I Must Be BUG'N, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does I Must Be BUG'N have?

To see how many followers or subscribers I Must Be BUG'N has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to I Must Be BUG'N?

These podcasts share a similar audience with I Must Be BUG'N:

1. AuDHD Flourishing

How many episodes of I Must Be BUG'N are there?

I Must Be BUG'N launched 3 years ago and published 53 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact I Must Be BUG'N?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for I Must Be BUG'N?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for I Must Be BUG'N from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for I Must Be BUG'N?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of I Must Be BUG'N. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on I Must Be BUG'N?

Recent guests on I Must Be BUG'N include:

1. Patrice N. Douglas
2. Lawrence Harris
3. Patrick Casale
4. Bowen Marshall
5. Kwentin Shelton
6. Dr. Derek Porter
7. Derek Porter
8. Mark Travis Rivera

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days