Keywords NeuroKindness, autism, neurodiversity, stigma, workplace, community, empowerment, leadership, education, mental health Summary In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Nick Dean explore the journey of neurodiversity advocacy, focusing on Nick's personal experiences with autism and the stigma surrounding it. They discuss the importance of community support, the challenges of disclosing neurodiversity in the workplace, and the need for authenticity in leadership. The conversation emphasi...
Mar 11, 2025•42 min•Ep. 11
Summary In this episode, Duena Blomstrom and Aoife O'Brien discuss their personal journeys with neurodiversity, focusing on autism and ADHD. They explore the challenges of navigating corporate environments, the impact of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance and disclosure. The conversation highlights the need for better workplace cultures that accommodate neurodiverse individuals and the potential for advocacy within organizations. They also touch on the future of neurodiversity in the...
Feb 10, 2025•38 min•Ep. 10
Summary In the Season 2 premiere of NeuroSpicy@Work , Duena Blomstrom sits down with tech leader and neurodiversity advocate Craig Cockburn to explore the realities of being neurodivergent in the workplace. They dive into the benefits of hyperfocus, the struggles with motivation, and the importance of recognizing individual learning styles. The conversation highlights the urgent need for more inclusive environments in both education and the tech industry while shedding light on everyday advocacy...
Jan 16, 2025•41 min•Ep. 9
In this dynamic episode of NeuroSpicy@Work , host Duena Blomstrom dives into an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Agile guru Chris Stone, who opens up about his ADHD journey. Together, they explore how neurodiversity fuels creativity in the workplace, why medication can be a game-changer, and how fostering an inclusive environment benefits everyone. Chris shares his candid experiences with rejection sensitivity and the impact of workplace policies on neurodiverse individuals, shedding ...
Dec 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 8
In this engaging discussion, Duena Blomstrom and David Gunter delve into the multifaceted realities of living and working as an autistic individual. David opens up about his deeply personal journey of self-discovery, from navigating life pre-diagnosis to embracing his identity post-diagnosis. Together, they unpack the challenges of thriving in professional spaces, the courage it takes to self-disclose, and the powerful ways autism can be reframed as a superpower. The conversation highlights the ...
Nov 20, 2024•46 min•Ep. 7
In this intensely heartfelt and very emotional conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Dave Bulhart discuss the challenges of mental health in the workplace, particularly for those who identify as neurodiverse or LGBTQ+. They reflect on their experiences in the corporate world, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the need for a cultural shift towards accepting emotional expression in professional settings. Dave shares his personal journey from a high-pressure banking career to advocating for...
Nov 01, 2024•44 min•Ep. 6
In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom interviews Nathan Chung, a passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals, particularly women in tech. Nathan shares his personal journey of late diagnosis with autism and ADHD, the challenges faced by women in the tech industry, and the stigma surrounding disclosure of neurodivergent conditions. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in advocacy and the need for organizations to adopt best practices for inclusivity. The discussion also touches on the f...
Oct 14, 2024•44 min•Ep. 5
NOTE: This episode's video is out of sync despite our better efforts but we chose to feature its content as the discussion is important and the message too valuable to waste. In this lively conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Angela dive into their personal journeys with neurodiversity, shining a light on the importance of building workplaces that truly embrace neurodivergent individuals. They explore crucial topics like psychological safety, the hurdles of traditional schooling, and how gender in...
Sep 27, 2024•53 min•Ep. 4
In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Dan Harris discuss the topic of autism stigma and the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace. They explore the journey of self-disclosure and the challenges faced by individuals with autism in the business world. They also highlight the need for leaders to create a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity. The conversation touches on the role of privilege and the importance of addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals in all types ...
Sep 05, 2024•49 min•Ep. 3
This conversation explores the progress and challenges in advocating for neurodiversity in the workplace. It highlights the importance of disclosure and accommodations for autistic individuals. The speakers discuss the growth of the autistic community and the need for self-awareness and acceptance. They also address the intersectionality of autism and other identities, such as race and gender. The conversation emphasizes the need for a shift in workplace culture to prioritize humanity and indivi...
Aug 08, 2024•55 min•Ep. 2
In this episode of NeuroSpicy at Work, Duena Blomstrom and Prof Dr. Amanda Kirby discuss the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals in the workplace. They highlight the lack of support and accessibility for neurodiverse employees and the stigma surrounding neurodiversity. They emphasize the importance of shared communication and empathy in creating an inclusive work environment. They also discuss the role of social media in spreading information about neurodiversity, while cautioning about...
May 24, 2024•21 min•Ep. 1
