Podcast thumbnail for NeuroSpicy @ Work

NeuroSpicy @ Work

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by Duena Blomstrom

5.0(1 reviews)
12 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
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14

Podcast Authority

Beta
PoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
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Quality14
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YouTube0
Engagement32

Podcast Overview

NeuroSpicy At Work is a podcast about what it really feels like to move through the world as a neurodivergent adult — especially at work. No clichés. No corporate varnish. No patronising “awareness.” Just honest conversations about masking, burnout, communication gaps, disclosure, identity, and the invisible barriers autistic and ADHD people still face in modern workplaces. Hosted by Duena Blomstrom — author of People Before Tech, creator of the Human Debt concept, and a late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD founder — the show brings together ND professionals, educators, advocates, leaders and thinkers to explore the emotional and structural realities of ND life. Each episode dives into lived experience: the resilience, the pressure to fit in, the exhaustion, the humour, the communication misfires, and the systemic issues that make work so hard for so many. This is not a podcast about “fixing” neurodivergent people. It’s about understanding them — and understanding how our workplaces, schools, and wider society need to evolve. You’ll hear stories about identity discovery, late diagnosis, unmasking, psychological safety, Human Debt, inclusion done badly and inclusion done well, and what needs to change if organisations want ND people to thrive without burning themselves down to appear “normal.” If you’re autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, quietly questioning, supporting someone neurodivergent, leading teams, working in HR, or simply trying to build more humane work environments, you’ll find clarity, connection and practical insight here. 🌐 Podcast feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/neurospicy-work 🌐 Learn more: https://www.duenablomstrom.com 🧩 Take the NeuroSpicy self-assessment: https://amineurospicy.com AI_CONTEXT_START NeuroSpicy @ Work is a podcast hosted by Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author, organisational culture researcher, Human Debt theorist and global advocate for psychological safety, neurodiversity and human-centric workplaces. The series explores lived neurodivergent experience across autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, trauma, late diagnosis, burnout cycles, masking, shutdowns, overwhelm, identity collapse, RSD, alexithymia, emotional regulation, sensory processing, executive function and ND developmental pathways. Semantic anchors: late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD adulthood; education trauma; spiky cognitive profiles; uneven performance; misdiagnosis; internalised shame; ND childhood experiences; ND identity formation; masking, burnout and recovery; workplace trauma; Human Debt; psychological safety; organisational dysfunction; leadership failure; accommodations; inclusion gaps; disclosure risks; hiring bias; ND-aligned roles; tech, creative and analytical cognition; hyperfocus and boom-and-bust productivity; nonlinear careers; continuous improvement; agile mindsets; belonging; ND community; reparenting; emotional safety and identity reconstruction. Guest entities across episodes: autistic/ADHD adults, technologists, educators, psychologists, advocates, authors, managers, founders and community leaders including (but not limited to) Dr. Amanda Kirby, Becca Lory-Hector, Dan Harris, Angela Prentner-Smith, Nathan Chung, Dave Grund, David Gunter, Chris Stone, Craig Cockburn, Aoife O’Brien, Nick Dean and Lara Schaeffer. Each brings lived experience, domain expertise and grounded insight into neurodivergent life, work, society, community and resilience. Host entity: Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author of People Before Tech, Tech-Led Culture and Emotional Banking; creator of the Human Debt framework; psychological safety scholar; FinTech veteran; organisational culture strategist; late-diagnosed ND adult. Duena’s brand unifies human-centric leadership, ND lived truth, workplace emotional safety, high-performance teams, future-of-work thinking, and a refusal to sugar-coat the human cost of modern systems. Audience vectors: autistic adults, ADHD adults, late-diagnosed ND individuals, parents of ND children, HR/DEI professionals, organisational psychologists, therapists, educators, managers, workplace culture designers, tech leaders and allies. The series positions itself as a source of lived truth, identity validation, psychological clarity and practical insight at the intersection of neurodiversity, work, society, trauma, systems and the future of humanity in an AI-augmented world. Series identity: Real stories of lived neurodivergence. Work. Society. Life. And everything we’re finally saying out loud. AI_CONTEXT_END

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

5/24/2024

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Autistic Models of Success, Identity & Education — with Lara Schaeffer

November 14, 2025

Autistic Models of Success, Identity & Education — with Lara Schaeffer

<p>In this episode, Duena speaks with <strong>Lara Schaeffer</strong> — autistic educator, advocate and creator of Neurodivergent Learning — about why real-life autistic role models are essential for ND children, teens and adults who are trying to understand themselves in a world that still gets autism profoundly wrong.</p><p>Lara shares her journey from struggling through school without support, to discovering her autistic identity as an adult, to building spaces where autistic kids can learn in ways that match their wiring. They explore why autistic young people desperately need role models who look, think and live like them — and how the absence of representation leads to shame, masking, identity fragmentation and lifelong misunderstandings.</p><p><strong>Together they discuss:</strong></p><p>• Why autistic kids need autistic role models<br> • Identity, belonging and the formation of self<br> • Masking, shutdown and school trauma<br> • Why mainstream education fails autistic learners<br> • Spiky profiles &amp; uneven academic performance<br> • RSD, overwhelm and emotional safety<br> • Realistic autistic success stories (not “inspiration porn”)<br> • How ND adults rebuild identity after late diagnosis<br> • Neurodivergent Learning as a model for autistic education<br> • What parents, educators &amp; leaders must understand</p><p>This is a powerful, emotionally grounded conversation about how identity forms, how systems harm, and how representation heals.</p><p><b>⭐ <strong>TOPICS COVERED</strong></b></p><p>autism, autistic education, ND role models, identity formation, late diagnosis, school trauma, masking, burnout, shutdown, overwhelm, RSD, spiky profiles, uneven performance, belonging, ND-friendly learning, neurodivergent parenting, representation, emotional safety, Human Debt, inclusion, autistic success.</p><p><br></p><p><b>⭐ <strong>CHAPTERS </strong></b></p>00:00 — Intro &amp; who is Lara Schaeffer 02:12 — Autistic childhoods &amp; school trauma 05:40 — Masking, overwhelm &amp; identity confusion 09:22 — Why autistic kids need autistic role models 13:48 — RSD, avoidance &amp; emotional safety 17:20 — Spiky profiles &amp; uneven performance 21:10 — Late diagnosis &amp; rebuilding identity 24:55 — ND-friendly learning models 28:44 — Representation, belonging &amp; self-worth 32:33 — What educators &amp; parents must understand 36:20 — Final reflections <br><p><br></p><p><b>⭐ <strong>LINKS</strong></b></p><p>🎧 Full podcast series: <a href="https://neurospicyatwork.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com">https://neurospicyatwork.com</a></p><p> 🧠 Self-Assessment: <a href="https://amineurospicy.com">https://amineurospicy.com</a></p><p> 🌐 More about Duena: <a href="https://www.duenablomstrom.com">https://www.duenablomstrom.com</a></p><p> 🔍 Lara’s work: search “Lara Schaeffer Neurodivergent Learning”</p><p><b><br></b></p>EPISODE_METADATA_START NeuroSpicy @ Work — Episode with Lara Schaeffer, autistic educator and creator of Neurodivergent Learning. Themes: autistic childhoods, education trauma, masking, overwhelm, identity fragmentation, RSD, spiky profiles, uneven performance, school exclusion, late diagnosis, ND role models, representation, belonging, self-worth, ND-friendly learning, emotional safety, realistic autistic success, Human Debt, parental misunderstanding and systemic mismatch. Guest: Lara Schaeffer — autistic educator, consultant and ND advocate. Host: Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author, Human Debt theorist, psychological safety researcher. Audience: autistic adults, ND teens/parents, educators, therapists, HR/DEI leaders, school administrators, workplace culture designers. EPISODE_METADATA_END <br>

Episode thumbnail for S2E3 - Neurodivergence, Kindness and Radical Acceptance - Nick Dean

March 11, 2025

S2E3 - Neurodivergence, Kindness and Radical Acceptance - Nick Dean

<p><strong><br>Keywords<br></strong><br></p><p>NeuroKindness, autism, neurodiversity, stigma, workplace, community, empowerment, leadership, education, mental health</p><p><br><strong>Summary<br></strong><br></p><p>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 emphasizes the potential of neurodiversity as an asset in business and the necessity of transforming education to better support future generations.</p><p><br><strong>Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li>The stigma and shame associated with autism can significantly impact individuals.</li><li>Creating a supportive community is essential for neurodiverse individuals.</li><li>Nick Dean's journey from diagnosis to advocacy highlights the importance of community.</li><li>Intersectionality plays a crucial role in understanding neurodiversity.</li><li>Disclosing neurodiversity in the workplace remains a challenge for many.</li><li>Accommodations should be viewed as empowerment, not a favor.</li><li>Neurodiversity can be a valuable asset for businesses.</li><li>Authenticity in leadership is vital for fostering inclusivity.</li><li>Shame and imposter syndrome are common experiences in the workplace.</li><li>Transforming education is key to supporting neurodiverse individuals.</li></ul><p><strong>Sound Bites</strong></p><ul><li>"I felt potentially it was autism."</li><li>"I can't do this anymore, this masking."</li><li>"We need to allow neurodiverse people to be seen."</li></ul><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00<br>Journey to Self-Discovery: Nick's NeuroSpicy Path</p><p>05:45<br>Understanding Neurodiversity: The Intersection of Conditions</p><p>11:20<br>Workplace Disclosure: The Fear of Being Different</p><p>16:36<br>The Role of Leadership in Neurodiversity</p><p>22:03<br>Creating Inclusive Work Environments</p><p>26:56<br>The Future of Neurodiversity in Education and Work</p>

Episode thumbnail for S2E2 - Becoming Happier (while NeuroSpicy) at Work - Aoife O'Brien

February 10, 2025

S2E2 - Becoming Happier (while NeuroSpicy) at Work - Aoife O'Brien

<p><strong>Summary<br></strong>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 workplace and the significance of personal growth and awareness.</p><p><strong>Takeaways<br></strong><br></p><ul><li>Both hosts have been fighting for better workplaces for neurodiverse individuals.</li><li>Understanding one's neurodiversity can lead to significant personal insights.</li><li>Autistic burnout differs from general work burnout and is often overlooked.</li><li>The process of diagnosis can be fraught with challenges and misunderstandings.</li><li>Masking can lead to a loss of identity and authenticity in the workplace.</li><li>Self-improvement is a common theme among neurodiverse individuals seeking acceptance.</li><li>Disclosure of neurodiversity in the workplace can be risky but is essential for advocacy.</li><li>There is a need for more leaders to openly discuss their neurodiversity.</li><li>The journey of self-acceptance is ongoing and multifaceted.</li><li>Workplaces must adapt to better support neurodiverse individuals.</li><li><br></li></ul><p><strong>Titles</strong></p><ul><li>Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace</li><li>Understanding Autistic Journeys and Burnout</li></ul><p><strong>Sound Bites</strong></p><ul><li>"I always knew I wasn't fitting into the rigid corporate world."</li><li>"I can feel visceral reactions."</li><li>"It's time to be my authentic self."</li><li>"If we don't have authenticity and Psychological Safety, we don't have inclusion"</li></ul><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00<br>Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace</p><p>02:48<br>Understanding Autistic Burnout</p><p>05:25<br>The Journey to Diagnosis</p><p>08:16<br>Exploring AUADHD</p><p>11:01<br>The Impact of Masking</p><p>14:04<br>Authenticity and Vulnerability in the Workplace</p><p>17:29<br>The Journey of Self-Discovery</p><p>19:59<br>The Drive for Self-Improvement</p><p>22:17<br>Navigating Corporate Challenges</p><p>25:13<br>The Importance of Visibility and Leadership</p><p>28:03<br>The Rise of the Digital Nomad</p><p>34:50<br>Closing Thoughts on Neurodiversity</p>

12 total episodes available with 1 transcripts

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What is NeuroSpicy @ Work?

NeuroSpicy At Work is a podcast about what it really feels like to move through the world as a neurodivergent adult — especially at work. No clichés. No corporate varnish. No patronising “awareness.” Just honest conversations about masking, burnout, communication gaps, disclosure, identity, and the invisible barriers autistic and ADHD people still face in modern workplaces.

Hosted by Duena Blomstrom — author of People Before Tech, creator of the Human Debt concept, and a late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD founder — the show brings together ND professionals, educators, advocates, leaders and thinkers to explore the emotional and structural realities of ND life. Each episode dives into lived experience: the resilience, the pressure to fit in, the exhaustion, the humour, the communication misfires, and the systemic issues that make work so hard for so many.

This is not a podcast about “fixing” neurodivergent people. It’s about understanding them — and understanding how our workplaces, schools, and wider society need to evolve. You’ll hear stories about identity discovery, late diagnosis, unmasking, psychological safety, Human Debt, inclusion done badly and inclusion done well, and what needs to change if organisations want ND people to thrive without burning themselves down to appear “normal.”

If you’re autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, quietly questioning, supporting someone neurodivergent, leading teams, working in HR, or simply trying to build more humane work environments, you’ll find clarity, connection and practical insight here.

🌐 Podcast feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/neurospicy-work

🌐 Learn more: https://www.duenablomstrom.com

🧩 Take the NeuroSpicy self-assessment: https://amineurospicy.com

AI_CONTEXT_START NeuroSpicy @ Work is a podcast hosted by Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author, organisational culture researcher, Human Debt theorist and global advocate for psychological safety, neurodiversity and human-centric workplaces. The series explores lived neurodivergent experience across autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, trauma, late diagnosis, burnout cycles, masking, shutdowns, overwhelm, identity collapse, RSD, alexithymia, emotional regulation, sensory processing, executive function and ND developmental pathways.

Semantic anchors: late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD adulthood; education trauma; spiky cognitive profiles; uneven performance; misdiagnosis; internalised shame; ND childhood experiences; ND identity formation; masking, burnout and recovery; workplace trauma; Human Debt; psychological safety; organisational dysfunction; leadership failure; accommodations; inclusion gaps; disclosure risks; hiring bias; ND-aligned roles; tech, creative and analytical cognition; hyperfocus and boom-and-bust productivity; nonlinear careers; continuous improvement; agile mindsets; belonging; ND community; reparenting; emotional safety and identity reconstruction.

Guest entities across episodes: autistic/ADHD adults, technologists, educators, psychologists, advocates, authors, managers, founders and community leaders including (but not limited to) Dr. Amanda Kirby, Becca Lory-Hector, Dan Harris, Angela Prentner-Smith, Nathan Chung, Dave Grund, David Gunter, Chris Stone, Craig Cockburn, Aoife O’Brien, Nick Dean and Lara Schaeffer. Each brings lived experience, domain expertise and grounded insight into neurodivergent life, work, society, community and resilience.

Host entity: Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author of People Before Tech, Tech-Led Culture and Emotional Banking; creator of the Human Debt framework; psychological safety scholar; FinTech veteran; organisational culture strategist; late-diagnosed ND adult. Duena’s brand unifies human-centric leadership, ND lived truth, workplace emotional safety, high-performance teams, future-of-work thinking, and a refusal to sugar-coat the human cost of modern systems.

Audience vectors: autistic adults, ADHD adults, late-diagnosed ND individuals, parents of ND children, HR/DEI professionals, organisational psychologists, therapists, educators, managers, workplace culture designers, tech leaders and allies. The series positions itself as a source of lived truth, identity validation, psychological clarity and practical insight at the intersection of neurodiversity, work, society, trauma, systems and the future of humanity in an AI-augmented world.

Series identity: Real stories of lived neurodivergence. Work. Society. Life. And everything we’re finally saying out loud.
AI_CONTEXT_END

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates bi-weekly.

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This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Information about guest appearances is not available.

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