Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

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 was diagnosed with dyslexia early, and how it shaped both his educational and professional life. His relationship with dyslexia has changed significantly in recent years, especially in how he now views it as something to build with rather than “fix.”00:03:30 — Swimming saved his confidence A teacher threatened to stop him from going swimming because he struggled in school. That moment helped his parents realize something deeper was happening, and it became the turning point that led to assessment and support.00:07:30 — Cambridge wasn’t neurodiverse-friendly He describes Cambridge in the 2000s as not welcoming for neurodiverse students, despite the prestige. But he credits support systems and learning how to study in ways that worked for his brain as what carried him through.00:10:00 — Neurodiversity drives progress James argues neurodiverse thinkers bring huge value by challenging the status quo and solving problems differently. He frames it as a feature of human evolution: society advances because some people are wired to think outside the “normal” system.00:11:12 — Visual thinking in engineering He strongly agrees dyslexic thinkers often excel in spatial reasoning and 3D thinking, which fits engineering naturally. His approach is visual: diagrams and mind maps beat long documents because they surface structure and meaning faster.00:15:00 — Always Carbon and biochar explained James breaks down biochar simply: plants pull CO2 from the air, and converting plant waste into stable carbon can lock it away for hundreds to thousands of years. The key insight: the same material also improves agriculture through water retention, microbiome support, and fertilizer effectiveness.00:21:11 — Water is everything (and we forget it) Jeremy brings up water utilities and James goes deep into appreciation for reliable clean water. He points out many people don’t realize how fragile water systems can be globally until they experience unsafe supply firsthand.00:27:00 — A venture fund for dyslexic founders James shares he’s investigating launching a VC fund specifically investing in dyslexic and neurodiverse founders. The emotional core here: late diagnosis often comes with trauma, and he’s not willing to accept that as “normal.”00:30:24 — Parenting changes your priorities As a founder dad, he became more ruthless about what deserves his time: if it’s not worth missing time with his child, it’s not worth doing. He also shares a practical scheduling tactic: clustering “unbreakable meetings” on specific days to stay flexible for parenting responsibilities.00:48:30 — Networking is a benevolent act James closes with a powerful lens shift: networking isn’t selfish when your motives are good. It becomes a way to connect people to opportunities they couldn’t reach alone, making networking a form of service.Connect with James:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-stewart-a38626/Website: https://www.alwayscarbon.com/Connect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: jeremy@focusbear.ioMore from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

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 Highlights:00:06:30 — What ADHD feels like in the body Shira describes living with ADHD as walking on pavement covered by a thin layer of water — never fully grounded. Medication didn’t “fix” her, but helped her finally feel present and connected to the world.00:17:20 — Productivity, dragons, and scope creep She explains how neurodivergent people often solve problems that aren’t theirs to solve. Learning when to say no became essential to doing meaningful work.00:18:45 — Ruthless prioritization without shame Shira reframes prioritization not as discipline, but as protection against overwhelm. Seeing too much can be a strength — if boundaries exist.00:29:00 — Why she rejects minimalism Minimalism and rigid productivity systems never worked for her ADHD brain. She gives explicit permission to reject trends that create more shame than clarity.00:30:30 — Fidgets, movement, and regulation From shells to paper clips, Shira explains how keeping her hands busy helps her stay present. Regulation, not stillness, is the goal.00:33:00 — Designing tools for real ADHD lives She describes the need for multidimensional timers that match how neurodivergent people actually multitask. ADHD isn’t a failure of focus — it’s a different operating system.00:35:30 — Night routines and protecting sleep Putting her phone on another floor and reading fiction nightly helped Shira become a “gold medal sleeper.” Structure supports rest, not restriction.00:38:00 — A simple mental exercise for racing thoughts Listing seven things seen and seven things done becomes a grounding practice when sleep feels impossible. Focus follows structure.00:40:30 — Self-acceptance, obsession, and dialing it down Shira reflects on learning to work with ADHD rather than against it. Obsession and intensity aren’t flaws — the work is knowing when to modulate them.Connect with Shira:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supershiralevineWebsite: https://fanchismo.com/Connect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: jeremy@focusbear.ioMore from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

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 lived experience to systems-level change in education, healthcare, and leadership.Episode Highlights00:00:41 — Discovering neurodivergence through motherhood Laetitia explains how concerns raised about her daughter’s development triggered a deeper exploration of autism and ADHD in her family. What started as advocacy for her child became self-discovery.00:03:00 — Late autism diagnosis and reclaiming identity After initially dismissing autism, Laetitia describes the moment everything clicked. The diagnosis brought relief, validation, and self-compassion.00:06:11 — Childhood exclusion and autistic burnout She shares early experiences of rejection sensitivity, boredom at school, and later autistic burnout in high-pressure consulting roles. These patterns only made sense in hindsight.00:08:42 — From lived experience to systemic change Understanding Zoe was born from the desire to prevent children from growing up confused and unsupported. The goal is shared understanding, not constant parental advocacy.00:09:14 — Why diagnosis should never feel like being “broken” Laetitia emphasizes choosing neurodiversity-affirming clinicians. Diagnosis should explain, not pathologize.00:14:00 — When unmasking is not safe Unmasking is personal, but environments are not always ready. She describes shutdowns caused by neurotypical networking expectations.00:17:56 — Hyperfocus as a real strength Her ability to solve complex problems quickly powered her consulting career. Without recovery time, however, it also led to collapse.00:22:38 — How Understanding Zoe reduces parental load The platform centralizes assessments, therapy notes, and insights so educators and carers can support children consistently.00:29:17 — Productivity through agile, not pressure Letitia explains why agile ways of working suit neurodivergent brains better than rigid schedules.Connect with Laetitia:Websites:https://understandingzoe.com/https://www.essentialshift.co/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/understandingzoehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/essential-shift/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/understanding.zoehttps://www.instagram.com/essential.shiftConnect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: jeremy@focusbear.ioMore from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Aisling Smith, an award-winning neurodiversity trainer and founder of Neuro Empowerment, shares her journey of self-discovery after her son's autism diagnosis revealed her own ADHD and autism. She discusses the impact of lifelong masking, describing herself as a 'chameleon,' and how unmasking can enhance confidence. Aisling emphasizes the importance of reframing labels as tools for empowerment, outlining seven pillars for creating neuro-inclusive workplaces. She also shares practical strategies for managing productivity and balancing work with personal life.

“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 is a science and engineering master’s graduate who has worked across startups, corporate medical technology, and creative projects. Diagnosed with dyslexia, autism, and ADHD later in life, he is now a neurodivergent advocate and author of Stairway to the Spectrum, where he reflects on identity, work, and self-awareness. Outside of work, Travis enjoys breakdancing, running, and spending time with his wife.Episode Highlights: 00:02:02 – Diagnosed with dyslexia, but answers didn’t last Travis shares how his first diagnosis explained some struggles, but didn’t stop problems from resurfacing in work, relationships, and decision-making.00:03:00 – Autism and ADHD discovered much later A decade after dyslexia, Travis realizes autism and ADHD were still unrecognized, helping explain long-standing confusion and burnout.00:09:15 – Self-awareness after late diagnosis Rather than “fixing” productivity, diagnosis gave Travis clarity, closure, and a way to understand past mistakes without self-blame.00:14:30 – Fifteen to twenty jobs and still searching Travis reflects on job-hopping across industries and why finding the right career fit has been so difficult but necessary.00:21:06 – Productivity collapses without a clear ‘why’ He explains why he often starts strong, loses motivation halfway, and how reconnecting to purpose is what actually sustains productivity.00:23:19 – Masking at work and following instructions A candid look at workplace conflict, masking through compliance, and why “just do it this way” can be deeply exhausting for neurodivergent people.Connect with Travis:Website: https://www.travisalexander.com.au/Connect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: jeremy@focusbear.ioMore from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

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 specializing in neurodivergence and inclusion. He combines lived experience with clinical and academic expertise to help individuals and organizations rethink productivity, burnout, and sustainable ways of working.Episode Highlights 00:02:12 – Diagnosed with ADHD at five and labeled “the problem child” Dr Tom describes being diagnosed in the mid-1990s and quickly framed as disruptive rather than supported. Despite doing well academically, he internalized the message that effort and compliance mattered more than wellbeing, laying the groundwork for overworking later in life.00:03:37 – Discovering autism later in adulthood He explains diagnostic overshadowing and how ADHD became the explanation for every difficulty he had. Autism was missed entirely, even as he became a specialist himself, showing how easily burnout risks can be overlooked when people appear “high functioning.”00:06:08 – Reframing school trauma and constant effort With a later autism lens, Dr Tom revisits his school experiences and recognizes how much energy went into coping, masking, and adapting. This reframing helps explain why productivity and overperformance often feel compulsory rather than optional.00:17:30 – Productivity works in bursts, not all day Dr Tom explains that his productivity comes in intense, focused bursts followed by long recovery periods. Expecting steady, all-day output ignores how many neurodivergent brains actually function and pushes people into boom-and-bust cycles.00:25:23 – Early fatherhood collides with productivity culture He speaks candidly about sleep deprivation, routine collapse, and identity shifts during the first year of parenting. Hustle culture and productivity myths make this period far harder, especially for neurodivergent parents with high sensory and rest needs.00:32:36 – When productivity advice turns into self-punishment Dr Tom reflects on consuming large amounts of self-help and productivity content. Instead of helping, it reinforced the belief that he was never doing enough, turning tools into weapons for self-criticism rather than support.00:39:30 – Burnout as a forced stop After pushing through a PhD, lockdown, and a newborn, his body shut everything down. He describes burnout not as weakness, but as the body enforcing boundaries when the mind refuses to listen.00:44:59 – The question behind overworking The episode closes with a powerful reflection: much productivity is driven by old narratives and the need to prove something. Dr. Tom invites listeners to ask whether their drive comes from genuine values or from trying to outrun past judgments.Connect with Dr. Tom:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-nicholson-089727131Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomnicholsonConnect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: jeremy@focusbear.ioMore from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Yush Sztalkoper, a neurodivergent entrepreneur, coach, and parent of a twice-exceptional child, dives into personalized strategies for neurodivergent thriving. She discusses biohacking as data-driven experimentation rather than quick fixes. Yush emphasizes the importance of understanding dopamine and impulsivity, while highlighting how genetics can guide tailored support. She explores using AI to enhance learning and gamify parenting tasks, advocating for self-compassion and personalized routines to foster emotional capacity.

Gabriele Marini, a PhD researcher in computational linguistics, shares his journey with ADHD, revealing how his high IQ led to a misdiagnosis. He discusses the struggles of being a high achiever while dealing with ADHD, the cultural stigma he faced growing up in Italy, and how he rebuilt self-acceptance after understanding his neurodivergent brain. Gabriele also explores practical productivity strategies, including the importance of rest, managing anxiety, and creating focused work environments. His story highlights that ADHD and success can coexist.

Kyriakos Gold, an autistic, queer Greek Australian social entrepreneur and founder of Just Gold, shares his empowering journey of unmasking after receiving an autism diagnosis in midlife. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of revisiting past experiences and the liberating shift from shame to self-kindness. Kyriakos emphasizes rebuilding life around personal needs rather than societal expectations, creating a sensory-friendly environment, and using practical routines to foster well-being, all while advocating for neurodiversity and inclusion.

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 more meaningful. From morning non-negotiables to dopamine-positive environments and the three-task rule, this episode blends science, lived experience, and real-world habit design.If you’ve ever tried to “just be more disciplined,” this conversation will feel like a breath of relief.🔍 Episode Highlights• [00:04:12] Why willpower doesn’t work for ADHD or neurotypical brains Habits collapse when they rely on self-control alone. Claire explains how dopamine, executive function and emotional load determine whether habits stick.• [00:09:00] Energy-based productivity instead of hustle or perfection Learn how to plan your day based on your internal “battery” instead of guilt, deadlines or pressure.• [00:14:30] Creating dopamine-positive environments Bright colours, sensory cues and physical spaces that feed your need for stimulation before unhealthy impulses kick in.• [00:27:37] The “three non-negotiables” habit rule A practical method for reducing overwhelm: three tasks count, everything else is optional.• [00:15:49] Rest as a productivity strategy — not a reward Why protecting the nervous system matters more for progress than grinding harder.• [00:12:55] Building identity-anchored habits Real change sticks when habits reinforce: “I matter, and this action proves it.”• [00:17:33] Compassion over perfection Success isn’t “never missing a habit” — it’s knowing what to return to when life gets messy.• [00:18:58] Designing a life that feels good for you Claire shares how she now builds routines, parenting systems and work rhythms based on values, energy and lived experience.Connect with Claire:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-jackson-5635592bWebsite: https://thehabitlab.com.au/Connect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: jeremy@focusbear.ioConnect with Joey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/More from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear