“It’s like being a car on a side street trying to enter a highway… and you just can’t get in.” Elaine Lee shares what it’s like struggling to enter conversations, missing social cues, and feeling out of sync in both work and relationships. After being diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia later in life, she began to understand why communication had always felt so difficult. In this episode, we explore misreading emotions, defaulting to problem-solving instead of connection, and how misunders...
Apr 30, 2026•46 min•Ep. 137
“I’ve only ever worked full-time for two years… and by the end of it, I was an absolute zombie and I couldn’t function.” Caitlin Hughes spent years trying to meet traditional expectations around work and productivity. But pushing herself into full-time work led to burnout, exhaustion, and losing the ability to function. In this episode, she shares how discovering her autism, ADHD, and giftedness changed the way she approaches work, energy, and self-expectations. From late diagnosis and grief to ...
Apr 05, 2026•36 min•Ep. 136
“I think I’ve always felt a bit like an alien… even in preschool I remember watching other kids like curious creatures.” Avalon McWha spent much of her childhood feeling different without knowing why. Behaviours like stimming or walking on tiptoes were explained away as “just a ballet moment,” and it wasn’t until later in life that she discovered she was autistic and ADHD. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider growing up, struggled with masking, or are navigating a late autism or ADHD diagnosis, ...
Mar 08, 2026•43 min•Ep. 135
“My work’s my special interest… it’s just the way it works.” In this follow-up conversation, Gold returns to talk about autistic routines, sensory-friendly travel, evolving productivity habits, and what changes as you get older and learn to pace yourself. From choosing quieter hotels to letting go of perfectionism and learning to say no, this episode explores the small, practical adjustments that can make work and life more sustainable for autistic adults. If you’ve ever struggled with sensory o...
Mar 01, 2026•27 min•Ep. 134
“I always felt a bit like an alien… I was different to everyone else and wasn’t really sure why.” Before her ADHD and autism diagnoses, Hannah Baden Hop kept hearing the same advice: just focus. But in the classroom, that instruction never made sense. In this episode, she shares what school was really like as a neurodivergent student, how understanding her brain changed her confidence, and why visual learning and interest-driven focus made such a difference. If you’ve ever struggled to pay atten...
Feb 20, 2026•33 min•Ep. 133
“ …you internalized that you’re doing something wrong because you don’t feel or act the way other people do. ” In this candid conversation, Reuben Schwartz shares what autistic burnout actually felt like behind the scenes, from years of sleep deprivation as a parent to the quiet habit of constantly judging himself for being different. If you’ve ever felt pressure to be “normal,” struggled with burnout, or wrestled with the realities of autistic parenting, this episode explores what changes after...
Feb 15, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 132
“I used to really get annoyed with myself for not being able to just be up and ready and start the day. Now I know my brain works differently, and I’ve stopped punishing myself for it.” In this episode, Tania Gerard shares how ADHD self-awareness changed the way she treats herself, works, and lives. She talks openly about slower mornings, letting go of “normal,” hyperfocus, burnout, and the relief that comes from finally understanding how your brain actually works. If you’ve struggled with ADHD,...
Feb 07, 2026•50 min•Ep. 131
“I don't feel like I can do all the things that I used to do, and I'm still me. So this is very confusing.” Eliana Bravos shares what neurodivergent burnout actually felt like, how it disrupted her sense of self, and why pushing harder only made things worse. If you’ve experienced ADHD burnout, chronic overwhelm, identity loss, or the fear that you “can’t do what you used to anymore,” this episode explores what burnout really is, why it happens, and how community, self-accommodation, and nervous...
Feb 04, 2026•39 min•Ep. 130
Calm on the outside. Spiraling on the inside. Dilpreet Buxi shares what it was like to grow up masking anxiety, living with a constantly racing mind, and slowly realizing his nervous system works differently. If you struggle with chronic stress, masking, emotional dysregulation, or feeling “fine” while everything feels too much inside, this episode explores why stress begins in the body, how autistic and ADHD nervous systems process stress differently, and what actually helps. Dilpreet Buxi is t...
Jan 26, 2026•36 min•Ep. 129
Time isn’t your greatest resource. Focused curiosity is. In this episode, Sridhar Dhanapalan shares how being late-diagnosed with autism and ADHD reshaped his approach to focus, motivation, emotional regulation, and productivity at work. We talk about “focused curiosity” as a core resource, hyperfocus as both a gift and risk, the role of purpose-driven alignment, and practical strategies like focus modes, yoga rituals, and Gmail Priority Inbox to reduce overwhelm and protect deep work. Sridhar D...
Jan 18, 2026•45 min•Ep. 128
What if your biggest “flaws” were actually invisible load you’ve carried for years? Sam Perkins is the CEO of Cellular Agriculture Australia. He’s a proudly neurodivergent leader with 15+ years across academia, humanitarian work, and industry, and a PhD in aeronautical engineering. Sam now helps shape the future of food through policy, ecosystem building, and innovation. In this episode, Sam shares what changed after being late-diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism and how it reshaped his wo...
Jan 18, 2026•51 min•Ep. 127
Growing up neurodivergent can leave you believing you’re stupid or lazy — even when the real issue is the way school is structured. In this episode we interviewed Dr. Neil Alexander-Passe about the lived experience of dyslexia, school-based trauma, and how neurodivergent people make sense of education systems that weren’t designed for them. They discuss identity, learning differences, productivity, and what it means to find ways of working that actually fit. Dr. Neil Alexander-Passe is a psychol...
Jan 14, 2026•43 min•Ep. 125
What happens when a dyslexic engineer enters venture capital, climate tech, and leadership? In Ep 126, James Stewart shares how neurodiversity shaped his education, career, parenting, and his work at Always Carbon . James Stewart is a UK chartered mechanical engineer (Cambridge), MBA holder, angel investor, venture partner at Loyal VC, and CEO/co-founder of Always Carbon , a company focused on carbon removal using biochar . Episode Highlights: 00:02:04 — Diagnosed dyslexic at six James shares he...
Jan 13, 2026•50 min•Ep. 126
What does ADHD actually feel like in your body and mind? Shira Levine was diagnosed in the 1980s — and describes the moment medication helped her feel grounded for the first time. Shira is a Silicon Valley–trained marketing and customer engagement strategist with decades of experience in retention, loyalty, and community-driven growth. Diagnosed with ADHD as a teenager in the 1980s, she brings a rare long-term perspective on neurodiversity, work, creativity, and self-acceptance. Episode Highligh...
Jan 11, 2026•44 min•Ep. 123
What if nothing was ever wrong with you or your child, just misunderstood? In this episode, Laetitia Andrac shares how late autism and ADHD diagnosis reshaped her identity, parenting, and mission to build truly inclusive systems for neurodivergent children. Laetitia Andrac is a five-time founder, bestselling author, and CEO of Understanding Zoe, an AI-powered platform helping parents, educators, and therapists better support neurodivergent children. Late diagnosed autistic and ADHD, she brings l...
Jan 06, 2026•38 min•Ep. 121
“I’ve masked so much. I’m a chameleon. I didn’t even know who I was anymore.” In this episode, Aisling Smith explains how unmasking, self-knowledge, and better workplace design can transform both careers and confidence. Aisling Smith is an award-winning neurodiversity trainer, international speaker, and inclusion consultant. Late diagnosed autistic and ADHD, she works with organizations worldwide to create neuro-inclusive workplaces and empower neurodivergent employees to thrive without masking....
Jan 05, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 120
“I’m very good at starting things, then halfway through I ask: why am I doing this?” In this episode, Travis Alexander shares an honest conversation about career confusion, productivity struggles, and the long road to self-understanding after late diagnoses of autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Together, we explore why work can feel harder without clear purpose, how masking shows up in careers and productivity, and what actually helps when motivation keeps collapsing halfway through. Travis Alexander i...
Dec 27, 2025•44 min•Ep. 119
Burnout is your body telling you: stop. I’m going to make you stop. In this episode, Dr Tom Nicholson breaks down how productivity, overperformance, and even “success” can quietly become coping mechanisms that lead to burnout. Drawing from lived experience, academia, and clinical work, he explores how neurodivergent people can use their strengths without masking themselves into exhaustion. Dr Tom Nicholson is an assistant professor of mental health nursing, public speaker, and trainer specializi...
Dec 23, 2025•47 min•Ep. 118
Understanding your neurodivergent brain isn’t about following one-size-fits-all solutions. In this episode, Yush Sztalkoper shares how experimentation, personalization, and a holistic approach helped her support herself and her neurodivergent children. From biohacking and genetics to AI tools that actually make daily life easier, this conversation explores what happens when you focus less on forcing outcomes and more on building systems that work for YOUR wiring. Yush is a neurodivergent entrepr...
Dec 08, 2025•48 min•Ep. 117
ADHD and high achievement don’t cancel each other out. Gabriele Marini shares how his neurodevelopmental evaluation suggested he was “too smart” for ADHD, which led him to reflect on what ADHD really looks like in adults who appear successful from the outside. He opens up about the pressure to perform, the confusion around symptoms, and how finally understanding his brain allowed him to replace doubt with clarity and self-acceptance. Gabriele Marini is a PhD researcher and lecturer living in Aus...
Dec 08, 2025•47 min•Ep. 116
What if healing didn’t come from discipline, masking or “doing better,” but from kindness? In this episode, Kyriakos Gold shares his story of unmasking after an autistic diagnosis and the life-changing shift from self-criticism to self-kindness. Instead of trying to live according to what research, experts or society prescribe, Kyriakos talks honestly about rebuilding life around what actually works for your brain. About the Guest Kyriakos Gold is the founder of Just Gold Agency and a passionate...
Nov 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 115
Ever wonder why building habits feels easy one week and impossible the next? In this episode, Australia’s Chief Habits Officer Claire Jackson joins Jeremy and Joey to break down why willpower doesn’t work for neurodivergent brains or neurotypical brains—and how habits stick when they’re built around energy, compassion and real dopamine needs, not perfection. Claire opens up about her ADHD journey, motherhood, energy management, and practical rituals that made her home and work life calmer and mo...
Nov 26, 2025•48 min•Ep. 114
Ever have difficulty deciding which task to do first? Dive in as hosts Jeremy Nagel and Joey Corea unpack how to prioritise without overthinking . They explore practical frameworks like RICE , RICE, UICEs and FUICE experiment with ways to reduce uncertainty, debate urgency versus importance, and share how AI, accountability, and small experiments can help you focus on what actually matters. Whether you’re managing a product roadmap or your personal backlog, this episode offers clear, usable tool...
Nov 12, 2025•38 min•Ep. 113
Welcome to episode #112! We’re thrilled to be joined by Lou Zoanetti today. Lou Zoanetti is the CEO and Founder of Brightworks , an early careers consultancy helping organizations attract, develop, and retain emerging talent. With over 15 years in HR and graduate recruitment, Lou bridges the gap between Gen Z professionals and the world of work. In this episode, she opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, parenting, productivity, and the systems that keep her grounded. JN: What led you to explor...
Nov 10, 2025•50 min•Ep. 112
Welcome to episode #111! We’re thrilled to be joined by Yush Sztalkoper. Yush Sztalkoper is a neurodivergent entrepreneur, coach and founder of Neuros Spark Plus. She works with parents of twice-exceptional children and with organizations to build neuro-inclusive cultures. Yush uses a positive intelligence approach to reshape self-sabotaging habits, reduce burnout and create support systems that fit neurodivergent brains. Q&A JN: How did your journey into neurodiversity start? – Began with c...
Nov 01, 2025•49 min•Ep. 111
Welcome to episode #110! We’re thrilled to be joined by Reuben Schwartz In this episode, startup consultant Reuben Schwartz shares his late autism diagnosis journey, revealing how it reshaped his approach to parenting, burnout, and productivity . From building and selling a startup to navigating fatherhood and sensory overload, Reuben gets real about what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent professional in a world built for neurotypicals. Perfect for anyone exploring ADHD, autism, neurodivers...
Oct 31, 2025•38 min•Ep. 110
Welcome to episode #109 ! We’re thrilled to be joined by Warwick Donaldson. Warwick Donaldson is the founder and managing director of CapXcentric, a startup consultancy helping founders raise capital with clarity and confidence. After discovering his ADHD in his early thirties, Warwick learned that what once looked like chaos was actually a different kind of focus. Now clean, sober, and running his own business, he’s building a life that works with his brain instead of against it. JN: When did y...
Oct 29, 2025•44 min•Ep. 109
Welcome to episode #108! Today we’re joined by Nuria Melchor Fernández In this episode of Focus and Chill, Jeremy sits down with Nuria Melchor Fernández, an advocate passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals with ADHD, autism, and complex trauma. Nuria opens up about her journey through love addiction recovery, 12-step programs, and navigating multiple diagnoses in Spain. She shares powerful insights into the overlap between neurodivergence and trauma, the challenges of accessing pr...
Oct 13, 2025•41 min•Ep. 108
Welcome to Episode #124! We’re joined today by Ani Moller. Ani Moller is a leadership and life coach who works with neurodivergent professionals — especially those with ADHD, autism, or experiencing burnout. Drawing from their experience as a senior executive and program manager, Ani combines business strategy, trauma-informed practice, and lived experience of multiple burnouts and a stroke. They support senior leaders, creatives, and purpose-driven teams through one-on-one coaching, group progr...
Sep 16, 2025•49 min•Ep. 124
Welcome to episode #107! Today we’re joined by Jonathan Mok. Jonathan was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2019 at the age of 37, a turning point that reshaped his life. Since then, he has become a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, speaking at events such as the Davos Neurodiversity Summit, TEDx CUHK, and the UN World Autism Awareness Day with the Institute of Neurodiversity. His work helps organizations build more inclusive workplaces and communities, while also inspiring individuals to ...
Sep 07, 2025•33 min•Ep. 107
