How'd You Get THAT Job?!

Alex Bilowitz put in the elbow grease to create a thriving career as a record producer, songwriter, and composer — and he did it all with ADHD. He was part of the team that wrote the lyrics with BTS for the hit song “Butter.” In this episode, Alex talks about what led him to his career, and what it takes to break into the music world. 

Though he was diagnosed in the third grade, ADHD sat in the background for Alex until college. Being super organized and on time, Alex didn’t think of himself as someone with ADHD. But during his first year of college, that all changed. Listen in to learn about how ADHD looks different from person to person — it doesn’t always fit the stereotypes. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Alex’s website and music credits
• How ADHD is diagnosed in young adults
• Famous musicians who have ADHD and learning differences

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

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What if you loved coffee so much that you made it your career? That’s exactly what David Rubinstein is doing — and it’s working for his ADHD and dyslexia. 

In this episode, David shares how his unique combination of interests and learning differences led him on a career path with stops along the way as an electrician and as a champion cyclist. Today, as a coffee professional, he packs four jobs into one: barista, espresso machine technician, roaster, and teacher of all things coffee. All that action keeps David on his toes and engaged. 

David also talks about growing up with ADHD and dyslexia in a conservative Orthodox Jewish family. He explains how he was able to find community and understand his passions, and he encourages others to do what they love. Learn about how David’s differences have been his biggest strengths — from speaking five languages to getting things done like Flash Gordon. And pick up a coffee fact or two along the way! 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Caffeine and ADHD
• Career paths for people who don’t want to sit at a desk
• What is ADHD?

Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Alonna Nicole Williams calls herself an “Energizer Bunny” with ADHD. She says she’s been bouncing off the walls since she was a little girl, all the way into the modern workplace. Mini breaks, flexible scheduling, and work accommodations have helped her create a work life that matches her ADHD needs. But it hasn’t been easy.

In this episode, Alonna opens up about crying at work and being anxious about rigid in-person offices. She explains why working remotely in cyber fraud insurance fits how her brain works. And she shares her thoughts on how to survive Zoom calls with ADHD — as well as the changing views of mental health in the Black community. Listen in for tips on how to create the best ADHD environment for you.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Surviving your next Zoom call with humor
• 30 examples of work accommodations
• Work advocacy 101: How to ask your boss for what you need

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Albert Kim first got interested in digital accessibility because of his ADHD, dyslexia, and invisible disabilities. He wanted to make websites and apps usable for everyone, including himself. After all, he uses a screen reader and text-to-speech to read text online.

However, when Albert started to explore a career in digital accessibility, some of his friends discouraged him. They said it wasn’t a good career path. Albert decided to try anyway. Within a few years, demand for his expertise exploded. People who had discouraged him before were now asking about jobs. In this episode, Albert shares how to start a career in digital accessibility, and why he wants others with learning differences to join the field. He also talks about the challenges of being a first-generation college student and immigrant from South Korea without money.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Connect with Albert on LinkedIn or Twitter to learn more about digital accessibility.
• Read about our commitment to accessibility.
• Check out free assistive technology tools online.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From the first moment Paul Starr saw the Japanese anime series Robotech (aka Macross), he was hooked. But did it have something to do with his ADHD? He’d never been motivated about anything before, but now he threw himself into learning Japanese so he could read comics.

One thing led to another, and eventually Paul started to work as a translator for Japanese manga and novels. But it took an embarrassing event at work — falling asleep at his desk — to make him realize that to follow his career dream, he needed to come to terms with ADHD. 

Hear from Paul about the pros and cons of working as a translator and having an all-consuming passion. And get Paul’s recommendations for comics and manga with story lines that showcase neurodiversity.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Watch a video about an illustrator with dyslexia.
• Watch Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants, talk about growing up with ADHD and dyslexia.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Whitney Valentine-Wafer has ADHD and never finished college. Yet she’s served as chief financial officer for several organizations and built a career as a nonprofit finance professional. Her journey includes employers like Creative Commons and the San Francisco Ballet. Whitney shares how she was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult — and how she found her way despite being fired from several jobs in her 20s. She says the key to her path was reflecting on what worked and what didn’t work for her brain. Hear her career advice, including why she says temping can be a great way to try out different work roles. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• See a list of famous business people with learning differences and ADHD.
• Hear the story of a real estate agent with ADHD who loves her work.
• Learn about different paths after high school.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

By the time Raquel Fleetwood was diagnosed with a learning disability at age 8, she had already discovered her passion: cooking. By 16, inspired by her Black Latino roots, she was selling cheese flans in NYC — and building confidence with each gig that followed. Now, Raquel is the owner and chef of a catering company that delivers 75,000 meals in an average year. Listen to hear how Raquel turned her love of food into a career. Learn her secret for managing challenges with math, spoken language, and organization as an adult. And get her advice on how to make your strengths shine when you have learning differences. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].  

Related resources

• Watch a video of a chef with learning differences who went back to college.
• Take a quiz to find your career superstar.
• Read how a skateboarder with dyslexia started his business.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Julia Schifini, who has ADHD, left her day job and embraced the opportunity to turn weekly chats with her best friend into a podcasting career. As creator of the popular Spirits mythology podcast, she’s found her niche in topics like Greek mythology, Dungeons & Dragons, and more. Along the way, she also taught herself sound engineering. Listen to how Julia navigates ADHD within the demands of her podcasting work. Find out how her many and varied interests have helped her thrive. And hear her explain what a podcasting collective is.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].

Related resources

• Check out an episode of the Spirits podcast, hosted by Julia and her friend Amanda.
• Watch a video from a young person with ADHD whose varied interests support their career.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After getting a fashion degree from a college with a learning disabilities program, Stevie Ondra decided to follow her childhood dream: TV and film. She started as a production assistant on an indie film, and worked her way up in the costume and wardrobe department. Today, she works on hit television shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Gossip Girl, The Report, and Raising Kanan. At work, she's open about her learning differences and what she needs to thrive in her job. Listen in for the inside scoop from Stevie on how to break into the film and television industry.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Check out Stevie’s TV and film credits to see her career path.
• Read about 10 Oscar winners with dyslexia.
• Get the scoop on movie and TV characters with learning differences.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As a child with dyslexia, Frank Imperiale always had to think 10 steps ahead to account for his reading challenges and anxiety. Today, thinking ahead is a skill that’s served him well in his career as a production manager for live events. His impressive list of credits includes the NYC Marathon, comedy shows, concerts, and more. Get Frank’s advice on how to turn your learning and thinking differences into strengths. And hear what Whoopi Goldberg, who also has dyslexia, once shared with Frank backstage.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].

Related resources

• Watch a video about a jeweler with dyslexia who found his strengths.
• Check out Whoopi Goldberg and a dozen other Oscar winners with dyslexia.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/podcast-donate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.