Episode 45: Nintendo Fidgets, Neutrality, and the Nervous System We Forgot About

Matt, Erin, and guest Nyck Walsh are here this week — and this episode turns into a really good conversation about somatic therapy, autistic processing, nervous systems, sensory joy, and why neutrality can feel radical when your body has spent years stuck in survival mode.

We talk about:

• Rocks, Nintendo buttons, foodgasms, hypervigilance, and the very real experience of trying to exist in a world that keeps demanding “normal”
• Nyck explains “VAST” (Variable Attention Stimulus Trait) as a more affirming alternative to ADHD language
• Why a lot of somatic therapy can accidentally become ableist when interoception differences aren’t considered
• The autistic processing pause: looking away, slowing down, and needing time to actually build an accurate response
• Using rocks, pets, blankets, textures, fidgets, and sensory anchors to ground in the present moment
• The difference between sympathetic overdrive and parasympathetic rest — and why many autistic people rarely get to experience neutrality
• How pleasure, sensory joy, and “stopping to smell the roses” can become survival tools instead of luxuries
• Cats, Caprese omelets, NES controller fidgets, and the very important concept of the food dance
• Nyck’s new book Neurodivergent Somatics and Therapy and the upcoming audiobook narrated by Nyck themself

Also: Erin accidentally inventing “somagic,” Tuck the adventure cat making emotional drive-bys, and a surprisingly deep discussion about how touching a really good rock can help keep your nervous system online. This is a ride. We’re glad you’re here.