In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Caroline Maguire, ACCG, PCC, M.Ed. Caroline is an award-winning author and coach whose work inspires crucial conversations around social skills, friendship, and belonging—especially for neurodivergent adults. Patrick and Caroline discuss everything from unmasking and authentic connection to the real-life struggles and victories of forming meaningful relationships as adults who think differently.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Go with Your Gut: Whether you’re writing, working, or building friendships, trust your instincts. Embracing confidence in your own voice—even when it means not pleasing everyone—is essential for authenticity and fulfillment.
2. Friendship Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Forget “traditional” networking advice. For neurodivergent adults, it’s about finding high-interest, safe spaces and understanding your own sensory needs. Deep connection can happen outside the typical social settings—there’s no single path to friendship.
3. Honor Your Energy and Needs: Setting boundaries and being honest about what drains or energizes you is vital. The friends who respect your limits (whether it’s choosing not to be in social situations, preferring smaller gatherings, or picking shade over sun) are your people.

More about Caroline:

Caroline Maguire, ACCG, PCC, M.Ed., is an award-winning author, coach, teacher, and keynote speaker whose work has inspired important conversations about social skills, friendship, and belonging. Caroline has been a rock for thousands of people who struggle to make friends. Her book “Why Will No One Play With Me?” has won several awards, including the Best Book Award from American Book Fest, Mom’s Choice Award for Honoring Excellence, and Book Authority’s award for Best ADHD Books of All Time. Caroline’s next book for adults, Friendship Skills for the Neurodivergent: A Guide for the Quirky, Anxious, and Easily Distracted, will release in April 2026.

1. Website: carolinemaguireauthor.com
2. Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorCarolineM
3. Instagram: instagram.com/authorcarolinem
4. YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCnDmu0c8kr0co2ppXo3EC8A
5. Twitter: twitter.com/AuthorCarolineM
6. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/authorcarolinecm
7. TikTok: tiktok.com/@authorcarolinem
8. Pinterest: pinterest.com/AuthorCarolineM
9. New book release soon - Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults is on sale! amazon.com/Friendship-Skills-Neurodivergent-Adults-Distracted/dp/1538773082

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Portland, Maine, Summit 2026!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Portland, Maine, Summit 2026

The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your spot here: empoweredescapes.com/portland-maine-summit

Doubt yourself. Do it anyway. See you in Maine.

Mentioned in this episode:

Portland, Maine, Summit 2026

 The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your spot here: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/portland-maine-summit Doubt yourself. Do it anyway. See you in Maine.

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.