Work wasn’t built for us—so let’s talk about it.
Hosted by neurodivergent career coach and founder of Atypical Careers, Veronica Yao, Work Is Rigged! serves up real, honest, and unvarnished conversations about navigating the modern workplace as a neurodivergent professional.
From masking and burnout to unwritten office rules and advocating for what you actually need, this podcast is your safe space to unlearn the "standard" rules of work and figure out what actually works for you!
Learn more and connect with Veronica at atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com).
Kendal Emerson - The Corporate Work Experience: Before & After Self Employment
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica Yao is joined by Kendal Emerson, founder of Candid Marketing Co., to discuss her re-entry into the corporate world after four years of self-employment. They explore corporate frustrations around neurodivergence, why neurodivergent individuals ask "why" to gain clarity rather than question authority, and the exhaustion of trying to fit into rigid, traditional work structures.
Kendall also shares insights on embracing radical honesty, the importance of nervous system regulation, and why more neurodivergent business owners and leaders are needed to create inclusive, supportive work environments.
Visit atypicalcareers.com (https://atypicalcareers.com/) for neurodivergent-friendly resources and career coaching.
Learn more about Kendal Emerson on Instagram @kendalemerson_digital (https://www.instagram.com/kendalemerson_digital)
16 Oct 2026
When Your Dream Job Rejects You, What Comes Next?
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse and violence.
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica Yao is joined by Kendall Emerson, founder of Candid Marketing Co., to discuss her colourful career journey — from shovelling horse poo for racehorses to running her own marketing business.
They explore the realities of late-diagnosed neurodivergence, the shock of transitioning from a disciplined school environment to full-time work, and the heavy toll of overachievement and burnout. Kendall also opens up about being rejected from her childhood "dream job" after six years of preparation, and navigating survival mode while trapped in a toxic domestic abuse relationship.
Visit atypicalcareers.com (https://atypicalcareers.com/) for neurodivergent-friendly resources and career coaching
Learn more about Kendal Emerson on Instagram @kendalemerson_digital (https://www.instagram.com/kendalemerson_digital)
9 Oct 2026
Sherry Andrew - Making & Managing Money: Dealing with Avoidance and Shame
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica and Sherry Andrew dive into the intersection of neurodivergence and personal finance, exploring how financial avoidance, stress, and shame impact career stability.
They discuss the overwhelming anxiety of dealing with numbers and bills, unpacking why so many people fall into avoidance mode and how to break that cycle through gradual exposure and supportive guidance.
Visit atypicalcareers.com (https://atypicalcareers.com) for neurodivergent-friendly career resources and coaching.
Learn more about Sherry Andrew at moneymindsetfc.com (https://www.moneymindsetfc.com/)
5 Oct 2026
Sherry Andrew - Making & Managing Money: The Coping Mechanisms That Cost You
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica and Sherry Andrew dive into the intersection of neurodivergence and personal finance, exploring how financial avoidance, burnout, and costly coping mechanisms impact career satisfaction and stability.
They also talk about the hidden toll of high-stress jobs and the stigma surrounding getting fired, unpacking unexpected job loss as a potential catalyst for healing, nervous system regulation, and career reassessment.
Visit atypicalcareers.com (https://atypicalcareers.com) for neurodivergent-friendly resources and career coaching.
Learn more about Sherry Andrew at https://www.moneymindsetfc.com/ (https://www.moneymindsetfc.com/)
14 Aug 2026
Allegra Chapman - Why Creativity Dies in Corporate, Job Hopping Struggles, & Redefining "Success"
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica and Allegra Chapman dive into why creativity so often dies in corporate settings, where rigid structures and "brand guidelines" prioritize conformity over true innovation. They candidly discuss the stigma surrounding job-hopping struggles, unpacking why frequent job changers are often unfairly judged for simply trying to survive unsustainable environments. Together, they challenge the traditional, narrow definition of success and offer insights on how to build a career that honors your neurodivergent brain rather than fighting against it.
Allegra Chapman is an author, columnist, and AuDHD dissident who founded Creative Fix to support neurodivergent, disabled, and chronically ill people in nurturing their creative potential and mental health. Her latest book, Divergent Creatives, is available now.
Learn more about Allegra: creativefix.net
Get neurodivergent-friendly career resources and coaching services: atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com)
7 Aug 2026
Allegra Chapman - Corporate Disconnect, Squiggly Career Paths, & the True Role of HR
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica and Allegra explore the realities of corporate disconnect and the hidden traps within HR departments that prioritize protecting leadership over supporting staff. They also talk about navigating non-linear "squiggly" career paths, the importance of creative freedom, and why neurodivergent professionals often feel undervalued in traditional, rigid corporate environments.
Allegra Chapman is an author, columnist, and AuDHD dissident who founded Creative Fix to support neurodivergent, disabled, and chronically ill people in nurturing their creative potential and mental health. Her latest book, Divergent Creatives, is out now.
Learn more about Allegra: creativefix.net (http://creativefix.net) | Divergent Creatives Book (https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://creativefix.net/dc-book) | Substack (https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://yourcreativefix.substack.com/)
Get neurodivergent-friendly career resources and coaching services: atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com)
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica and Kirby explore the realities of navigating higher education as a neurodivergent professional. They also talk about experiences that stem from their east asian, queer identities, and the important of intersectionality.
Kirby is a trauma-informed coach and somatic healing practitioner who specialized in helping neurodivergent professionals recognize burnout and build boundaries aligned with the needs of their nervous systems.
Learn more about Kirby: linktr.ee/kirbyneuroco (http://linktr.ee/kirbyneuroco)
Get neurodivergent-friendly career resources and coaching services: atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com)
24 Jul 2026
Kirby - The Academic Overachiever, The Cost of Burnout, & Somatic vs Talk Therapy
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, we dive deep into Kirby's professional journey from academic overachiever to extreme burnout, and how they have rebuilt their life along the way with the help of somatic therapy and other alternatives to talk therapy.
Kirby is a trauma-informed coach and somatic healing practitioner who specialized in helping neurodivergent professionals recognize burnout and build boundaries aligned with the needs of their nervous systems.
Learn more about Kirby: linktr.ee/kirbyneuroco (http://linktr.ee/kirbyneuroco)
Get neurodivergent-friendly career resources and coaching services: atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com)
17 Jul 2026
Kaci Muecke - Unmasking,
Late Diagnosis, &
The Struggle to Be Creative
In this episode of Work Is Rigged, Veronica and Kaci explore their individual journeys sparked by late diagnosis, and the ways that unmasking impacted them at work.
We also discuss why creative outlets are essential for nervous system regulation and how understanding your neurodivergence in adulthood can completely shift your relationship with your own identity and the workplace.
As the founder of Imperfectly Empowered, Kaci helps neurodivergent women navigate career pivots and unmasking.
Our show host, Veronica Yao—career coach for neurodivergent professionals and founder of Atypical Careers— leads the conversation and shares her own experiences as a marketing professional.
Learn more about Kaci at beimperfectlyempowered.com (http://beimperfectlyempowered.com)
Find career resources and support at atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com)
10 Jul 2026
The Podcast Trailer
If you don't enjoy the sound of my voice from this trailer, you probably won't like the podcast.
But if you make it to the end, you should give the first episode a shot.
Either way, glad you're here!
#WorkIsRigged
VY
8 Jul 2026
Kaci Muecke - Pattern Recognition, Energy Management, and Confidence
In this episode of Work Is Rigged, we dive into the reality of navigating a professional world that often prioritizes rigid structures over human capacity.
We explore the essential shift from traditional time management to energy management, how to use pattern recognition as a tool for "data-mining" your own life, and why confidence—rather than a lack of capability—is the core hurdle that prevents so many neurodivergent professionals from finding sustainable work.
Our featured guest is Kaci Muecke, a former speech-language pathologist (SLP) and tech industry professional who turned her experience navigating burnout into a new mission. As the founder of Imperfectly Empowered, Kaci helps neurodivergent women navigate career pivots and unmasking.
Our show host, Veronica Yao—career coach for neurodivergent professionals and founder of Atypical Careers— leads the conversation and shares her own experiences as a marketing professional.
Learn more about Kaci at beimperfectlyempowered.com (http://beimperfectlyempowered.com)
Find career resources and support at atypicalcareers.com (http://atypicalcareers.com)
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