SEND it. Brains At Work (Your Neurodiversity Podcast)

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Are you actually unproductive, or are you just trying to be productive in a world that wasn't designed for your brain?

Ever finished a working day completely exhausted, been busy from start to finish, yet somehow felt like you've achieved absolutely nothing?

Or bought yet another planner, convinced THIS one will finally sort your life out? (We've all been there!)

In this episode of SEND it. Brains at Work, Steph and Claire are busting six of the biggest productivity myths surrounding ADHD, autism and neurodivergence.

We're challenging the idea that productivity means sitting still, staying focused for hours, juggling endless tasks and working the same way as everyone else.

We're talking about:

Why being productive doesn't mean performing at 100% every day.

ADHD, autism and why focus looks different for different brains.

Executive dysfunction, time blindness and the never-ending search for the perfect planner.

Why multitasking isn't always the superpower employers think it is.

The difference between being busy and actually getting things done.

Why workplace adjustments aren't a weakness.

How to work with your brain rather than constantly fighting against it.

Expect honest conversations, relatable moments, a little humour and practical ideas you can actually try.

And, of course, we've got a SEND it Challenge to help you ditch one productivity rule that simply isn't working for you.

Because maybe the problem isn't that neurodivergent people need to try harder.

Maybe we need to rethink what productivity actually looks like.

🎧 Listen now to SEND it. Brains at Work.

#SENDitBrainsAtWork #ADHD #Autism #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveDysfunction #ProductivityMyths #ADHDAtWork #AutismAtWork #WorkplaceInclusion #NeuroinclusiveWorkplaces

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Is your workplace working for your brain, or is your brain constantly working to survive your workplace?

From buzzing lights and noisy offices to overwhelming environments and the dreaded open-plan workspace, sensory overload at work is very real. But how much responsibility do employers have to make things better?

In this episode of SEND it. Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore what sensory-friendly workplaces actually look like, why they matter for neurodivergent employees, and how small changes can make a massive difference.

We're also diving into the Saunders v Peloton employment tribunal case, exploring what happens when sensory needs aren't properly supported and what the Equality Act 2010 says about reasonable adjustments.

Expect honest experiences, a few sensory disasters, some laughs, and plenty of practical ideas for making workplaces more inclusive.

Because creating a sensory-friendly workplace isn't about making everything perfect. It's about recognising that different brains experience the same environment differently.

🎧 Whether you're neurodivergent, a manager, an HR professional, or simply someone who wants to make work better for everyone, this conversation is for you.

#SENDitBrainsAtWork #NeurodiversityAtWork #SensoryOverload #SensoryFriendlyWorkplaces #AutismAtWork #ADHDAtWork #ReasonableAdjustments #WorkplaceInclusion #DifferentBrainsGroup

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Ever found yourself thinking, “Why can't I cope with things the way I used to?” What if it's not just perimenopause? What if it's revealing something that's been there all along?

This week on SEND IT: Brains at Work, Steph and Claire dive into the fascinating and often overlooked connection between perimenopause, ADHD, autism and late-discovered neurodivergence.

For many women, their 40s and 50s can bring more than hot flushes and brain fog. Hormonal changes can make masking harder, intensify sensory overwhelm, affect emotional regulation and leave once-reliable coping strategies feeling completely useless.

We're exploring why so many women begin recognising their neurodivergence during midlife, the double whammy of hormones and neurodivergent burnout, and why workplaces need to start having better conversations about support.

We'll also share practical tips for managing cognitive overload, communicating your needs and making everyday working life a little easier.

Expect honest conversations, relatable moments and a reminder that perimenopause doesn't create neurodivergence — but it can help uncover what's been hidden for years.

Whether you're navigating perimenopause yourself, questioning a possible ADHD or autism diagnosis, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now, share with someone who needs to hear it, and join the SEND IT community.

Because understanding different brains shouldn't be complicated.

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Why does everything suddenly feel harder as the seasons change? Darker mornings, rising bills, disrupted routines and endless demands can create the perfect storm for neurodivergent burnout.

In this episode of SEND IT: Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore why autistic burnout, ADHD burnout and AuDHD burnout can feel different, and how seasonal changes, financial stress, workplace pressures and masking can push our brains beyond their limits.

We discuss the hidden signs of burnout, why everyday tasks can suddenly feel impossible, and how to recognise when you're running on empty.

Plus, we share practical, realistic strategies to reduce overwhelm, manage sensory overload, protect your energy and support neurodivergent wellbeing at work and at home.

Because sometimes the answer isn't to try harder, get more organised or be more productive.

Maybe it's time to stop asking, "Why can't I cope?" and start asking, "How much am I carrying that nobody else can see?"

Listen now and discover why managing burnout starts with reducing the load, not pushing through it.

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For neurodivergent leaders, authenticity can come with a cost.

In this episode of SEND IT: Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore the neurodivergent leadership authenticity paradox—why autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent leaders may feel pressure to mask in order to fit traditional expectations of what a “good leader” should look and sound like.

We explore the emerging research into neurodiversity in leadership, the impact masking can have on confidence and wellbeing, and why communication style should never be confused with competence.

Plus, we share practical ways to navigate the authenticity paradox, including micro-unmasking, communication resets, boundaries, psychological safety and recovering after a day of masking.

Because maybe neurodivergent people aren't struggling with leadership.

Maybe leadership needs to get better at recognising different kinds of leaders.

#Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentLeadership #NeurodivergentAtWork #Masking #AutismAtWork #ADHDAtWork #InclusiveLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #Leadership #WorkplaceInclusion

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In this episode of SEND It. Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore the relationship between neurodiversity, workplace hierarchy, power and psychological safety.

Hierarchy exists in almost every workplace. But what happens when your communication style doesn't match what people expect from a "good employee" or a "future leader"?

We explore why some neurodivergent employees may experience workplace authority differently, how direct communication can be mistaken for being difficult, and why traditional ideas around confidence, networking, eye contact and "leadership potential" can unintentionally create barriers.

We also discuss masking at work, disclosure, career progression, autistic employment, inclusive leadership and psychological safety — including why employees may stay silent even when they have valuable information or spot a problem others have missed.

And importantly, we ask what managers and organisations can actually do differently: from making expectations clearer and offering different ways to contribute, to actively inviting challenge and separating communication style from competence.

Because silence isn't necessarily agreement.
Confidence isn't necessarily competence.
And conformity isn't necessarily inclusion.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation: In your workplace, who finds it easiest to speak up — and who might be finding it hardest?

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September is supposed to be the month when we get organised, reset our routines and magically get our lives back together.

But what if your neurodivergent brain has other ideas? 🧠

In this episode of SEND IT: Brains at Work, Claire and Steph are talking about the reality of the September reset for ADHD, autistic and AuDHD brains.

From time blindness, sensory overload and changing routines to back-to-school chaos, workplace expectations and that familiar “I’m going to sort my entire life out today” energy… followed shortly by doing absolutely none of it.

We explore why transitions can hit neurodivergent people so hard and, more importantly, what can actually help.

Expect practical, realistic strategies including:

✨ The 5-Minute Reset
✨ The One-Thing Rule
✨ The Sunday Night Soft-Start
✨ Creating a sensory-safe workspace
✨ Minimum-viable resets
✨ Transition buffers and boundaries
✨ Finding your own Reset Buddy

Because maybe you don't need a brand-new routine, a colour-coded planner and a complete personality overhaul.

Maybe you just need one small reset that works with your brain rather than against it.

🎧 If September has left you overwhelmed, overstimulated, behind before you've even started, or wondering why everyone else seems to have their life together — this episode is for you.

Gentle resets only.

#ADHD #Autism #AuDHD #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #ADHDAtWork #AutismAtWork #NeurodiversityAtWork #ExecutiveFunction #SensoryOverload #TimeBlindness #WorkplaceInclusion #SENDItBrainsAtWork

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 Before you fix your routines, fix nothing. This is the final episode of our summer series and it's all about September self‑care: decompressing, recalibrating, and giving your brain a gentler landing. 

Steph and Claire are back next week with the full September Reset. 

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You don’t need to disclose to get support. Claire explains why disclosure still feels risky for many ND people (including her), and shares simple, safe ways to ask for what you need at work. A short, practical episode for your week. 

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Can neurodivergent people be great leaders without changing who they are? Absolutely. But sometimes we need different tools. 🧠

In Part 2 of our Neurodivergent Leadership Myth Busting conversation, we're getting practical.

We're opening the ND Leadership Toolkit and talking about what leadership can look like when you have ADHD, autism or an AuDHD brain – particularly when traditional approaches to management and leadership don't always work for you.

We explore:

🧠 Delegating when your ADHD brain would rather just do everything itself
🚧 Setting boundaries as a neurodivergent leader
🙅 Saying no without the guilt, over-explaining or apology essay
🎭 Leading without masking
⚡ Managing your capacity instead of automatically saying yes
💬 Simple scripts you can actually use at work

Because being a good leader doesn't mean being endlessly available, perfectly organised or pretending that your brain works differently than it does.

Sometimes great leadership is knowing your limits.

Sometimes it's asking for what you need.

And sometimes it's simply saying no.

🎧 This week's SEND it Challenge: Say no to ONE thing using the script from the episode. Even a tiny no counts.

Different brains don't mean less leadership. Sometimes they simply need different leadership tools.

#Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #NeurodivergentLeadership #ADHD #Autism #AuDHD #ADHDAtWork #AutismAtWork #NeurodiversityAtWork #Leadership #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #NeurodivergentAtWork #Masking #ADHDLeadership #SENDitBrainsAtWork

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