The AuDHD Boss: Neurodiversity at Work with Brett Whitmarsh

Dr. Ludmila Praslova, organizational psychologist and author of The Canary Code, reframes neurodivergent people as workplace sentinels who notice broken workflows, toxic culture, and ethical drift first. She outlines six practical principles, explains the Platinum Rule for holistic belonging, and names common derailers that stall neuroinclusion progress.

Dr. Bowen Marshall, licensed psychotherapist and career coach specializing in ADHD and autism, helps neurodivergent professionals build work strategies. He explores why late diagnosis often leaves people unsure what they need. He outlines how to use exhaustion signals to identify supports. He walks through practical recovery trade-offs and a framework for whether to disclose at work.

Caroline Maguire, social-emotional learning expert and neurodivergent author (ADHD, dyslexia), explores why making adult friendships often feels unintuitive. She discusses childhood impacts, masking and its costs, triggers and emotional flooding, anxious overcorrection, and practical ways to find interest-driven, authentic connections while protecting your limits.

Dr. Bowen Marshall, licensed psychotherapist and career coach for neurodivergent professionals, shares sharp takes on leadership after promotion. He contrasts technical skill with people management. He explains the pacesetter trap, unspoken corporate rules, warmth versus competence impressions, how far ahead to be, and the difference between masking and code-switching.

Practical requests for quieter or private workspaces and noise-canceling options to reduce distraction. How to ask for remote or hybrid days and flexible start times to match energy and focus. Tips for written follow-ups, structured check-ins and breaks, and advance notice of changes. Requests for assistive tech, executive-function tools, and coaching through employee programs.

A practical walk-through of when and how to ask for workplace accommodations without immediately naming a diagnosis. Clear comparison of informal manager arrangements versus formal HR processes and necessary paperwork. Explanations of what counts as an accommodation and how confidentiality and ADA protections actually work. Concrete phrasing tips and steps to prepare before you reach out.

A candid look at what emotional flooding feels like at work for someone with ADHD and autism. Physical and cognitive overload, masking while overwhelmed, and the crash that follows are explored. The need for verbal processing, movement to complete the stress cycle, and how added context or thoughtful communication can defuse conflict are highlighted.

Purity culture. High control religion. Autistic masking. In this episode, Brett (The AuDHD Boss) gets vulnerable about growing up in a fundamentalist evangelical environment—and how rigid rules and shame can stay in your body long after you’ve “left.”Brett is late-diagnosed Autistic + ADHD, and in this conversation with author and educator Erica Smith, they explore why purity culture can feel especially “sticky” when you’re used to rule-following, people-pleasing, and masking for safety. Erica is the author of The Purity Culture Recovery Guide: The Shame-Free Sex Education You Deserve and founder of the Purity Culture Dropout Program—inclusive, trauma-informed education many of us never received.In this episode we talk about:What purity culture is (and how it became a movement)How shame and fear shape relationships and identityWhy rigid rules can feel “safe”—and how to replace them with your valuesWhat “deconstruction” means and how it can support healing“Is it too late?” (No. Ever.)Late coming-out, “second adolescence,” and reclaiming your timelineHow to talk to partners about your background without apologizing for itLinks & resources:Erica Smith’s book (affiliate): https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9798881801304Purity Culture Dropout Program: https://www.ericasmitheac.com/the-purity-culture-dropout-programMore from AuDHD Boss: AuDHDboss.com(For education and lived experience—not medical advice.)00:00 Purity culture, high control religion & autistic masking00:56 Leaving the church, carrying shame + rigid rules01:47 Meet Erica Smith + The Purity Culture Recovery Guide02:47 What purity culture is (broad + specific)04:15 Why it took hold in the 90s (True Love Waits)05:46 Reading recovery work when it feels activating07:42 Skip to the chapters you need (how Erica designed the book)10:10 Myths and misinformation purity culture taught12:59 Long-term impacts: fear, paralysis, pain, disconnection14:53 Autistic masking + rigid rule-following overlap16:04 Replacing rules with your values18:02 What “deconstruction” means18:47 “Is it too late?”21:27 Late coming-out + “second adolescence”24:49 Why “waiting for marriage” still has a hold28:02 Talking to partners without apologizing30:18 Final thoughts + where to find Erica

What was that moment you thought, “Oh… I think I have ADHD”?In this episode, I’m joined by Cate Osborn (Catieosaurus) and Erik Gude (Hey Gude)—the authors of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults—for a practical, honest conversation about what it actually looks like to live with ADHD as an adult.We talk about why so much “helpful” advice doesn’t work for ADHD brains, how to build systems you can restart without shame, and what support can look like when you’re late-diagnosed (including when ADHD overlaps with autism/AuDHD).And yes—we also go into the adult stuff: relationships, intimacy, sex, communication, and the parts of ADHD life people don’t always say out loud.In this episode, we cover:How Cate and Erik approached writing a book as two people with ADHDExecutive dysfunction, motivation, and why “simple” solutions often failADHD-friendly systems, accommodations, and sustainable routinesADHD and relationships: intimacy, communication, and repairSelf-compassion and personal responsibility—holding both at once The ADHD Field Guide for AdultsIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow/subscribe and leave a review—it helps more neurodivergent adults find the show.

A candid look at how AuDHD can tilt self-esteem and trigger imposter feelings at work. Topics include alexithymia and sensing bodily overwhelm, practical small supports like reducing steps and ordering food, anchoring to facts to stop spirals, and a 20–22 minute reset practice. Also covers reframing diagnosis, accepting support, and practicing pride in wins.