Ep38 - Guest Special - Emma Beattie from Unmasked Studio
For our very first guest episode, we’re joined by Emma Beattie, founder of Unmasked Studio, to talk about what neuroinclusion can look like when you move beyond awareness and start thinking about how people actually experience work.
After almost two decades working in technology, Emma’s ADHD diagnosis gave her a new understanding of how her brain works, as well as some of the challenges and strengths she’d experienced throughout her career.
That understanding also helped fuel her passion for neuroinclusion. Alongside her existing role, Emma went on to develop a neurodiversity programme within a global organisation, creating events and opportunities to celebrate neurodivergent colleagues and encourage more open conversations.
Now, through Unmasked Studio, she works with neurodivergent people and employers to help make inclusion work in practice.
We talk about:
Why awareness is only the beginning
The difference between performative and genuine inclusion
How recruitment could work better for different brains
Why small changes in communication can make a big difference
Self-advocacy, boundaries and asking for what you need
And why finding your people matters
Plus, Hannah gets disproportionately annoyed about being asked what chocolate bar she’d be in a job interview. Which, frankly, feels justified.
Because genuine inclusion isn’t about ticking the right boxes.
It’s about creating environments where different people have the opportunity to do their best work.
Please share with anyone you think this topic might resonate with. Send any questions or suggestions to or contact us here: [email protected]
Don't forget to like and subscribe or follow along on the socials, see below timeline for details.
Together we can build a healthier, happier way to work!
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00:00:00 - Welcome & Introduction
00:00:15 - Hanna and Stu introduction
00:00:35 - Neuroinclusive Workplace mention
00:01:23 - Emma Beattie introduction
00:02:14 - Emma's employment backstory
00:04:40 - How work started to become harder around 30...
00:05:53 - How did life change after a diagnosis?
00:07:20 - Understanding and advocating for yourself in the workplace
00:08:55 - Background to starting a neuroinclusive program as an employee
00:11:01 - Pitching the idea of the Neurodiversity Awards event at work
00:13:38 - Expectations vs impact of the awards event
00:15:40 - Was there resistance from masked or not widely disclosed NDs?
00:16:40 - What's the purpose of an "awareness day"? So... what's next.
00:18:00 - The workplace assessment and requesting accommodations
00:20:50 - The importance of management "buy-in" and acceptance
00:22:14 - The wider impact of advocating for yourself
00:23:30 - Was there any resistance and how did you overcome it?
00:26:51 - How did these experiences lead to starting the Unmasked Studio?
00:29:07 - Stu's theory on why interviews are not great for NDs
00:29:55 - Exploring how Unmask Studio fills the gap in ND recruitment and workplaces
00:32:25 - Complacency and ticking boxes - but there's a lot of support available
00:33:20 - Closing the gap - what does genuine inclusion look like in practice?
00:34:24 - Exploring basic rights for interviews, asking for the questions beforehand
00:36:00 - A better approach to the recruitment process for NDs
00:37:12 - Unmasked Studio - what's the future?
00:38:10 - Barriers, broken processes and best way to ask for 'accommodations'
00:40:00 - Surviving the recruitment process and masking your authentic self
00:43:02 - Where does Unmask Studio get started when working in a business?
00:44:09 - The benefits to the business and measuring the costs to the business
00:47:57 - Performative inclusion vs genuine inclusion
00:48:28 - Neuroinclusion is not just for neurodivergent employees
00:49:55 - Emma's vision of the future for employment
00:50:47 - Who Emma/Unmasked Studio would like to connect with...
00:52:12 - How to contact Emma at UnmaskedStudio.co.uk and Linked In etc.
00:55:48 - The CRUCIAL final piece of advice for NDs from Emma
00:56:24 - Outro and goodbyes
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Contact Emma Beattie - Unmasked Studio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/unmasked-studio-uk-ltd/ - Unmasked Studio Linked In Page
https://www.unmaskedstudio.co.uk/ - Unmasked Studio Website
More About the NeuroInclusive Workplace
https://businessoddcast.com/the-oddcast-manifesto - Link to the Neuroinclusive Manifesto, Lets build a better, more inclusive society.
https://businessoddcast.com/niq-free-audit - A Neuroinclusive Workplace self-audit test for employers, teams, and the self-employed. Built on the social model of disability and the idea that barriers are designed in environments, not people.
https://bigmoosecharity.co - Emergency mental health support, Big Moose provides fast and effective therapy for people who are struggling.
https://businessoddcast.com/help - our range of resources for Neurodiverse business owners, helping you thrive, survive and live more fulfilling lives.
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