What happens when a scientist turns his attention to his own mind?
Assistant professor Youngmin Park shares how he began questioning the science behind ADHD, and what honesty looks like when you’re living the research.

In this second part of my conversation with Youngmin Park, a mathematical biologist and professor at the University of Florida, we turn our attention to his YouTube channel, ADHD Mathematician.

We talk about what motivated him to start sharing his experiences publicly, how he approaches openness with both care and honesty, and the ways his thinking about ADHD and mental health has evolved over time. We also discuss courage, vulnerability, and how the internet can both connect and confine us – and why, for Youngmin, authenticity is worth the risk.

I had a few ongoing technical challenges with this recording, so apologies again for the less-than-optimal video quality, but I hope you’ll still enjoy this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation.

Youngmin’s website: https://youngmp.github.io
ADHD Mathematician: https://www.youtube.com/@UCLtlPRveA1APQnGAI2YVDGw

I became aware of Youngmin through his YouTube channel ADHD Mathematician, in which he explores the research that underpins ADHD and, in a non-prescriptive way, shares his own journey with neurodivergence as it relates to his work, personal life, and sense of self.

We’ll be talking more about the channel in the second part of this episode, but in this first hour, Youngmin spoke about his journey to becoming a professor at the University of Florida – despite difficulties, including my patience and self-compassion.

I had some technical challenges with this episode, so apologies for the less-than-optimal video quality (I’ve learned for next time!).

Youngmin's website: https://youngmp.github.io
ADHD Mathematician: https://www.youtube.com/@UCLtlPRveA1APQnGAI2YVDGw

I sat down with Abbas Zahedi, a multidisciplinary artist working across sound, installation, and socially engaged practice. Their process-based, site-sensitive approach responds to space, history, and community, shaping work that resists easy categorisation.

In this episode, we explore how neurodivergence informs Abbas’s creative practice, their non-linear path into the art world, and the challenges of navigating institutions while carving out space on their own terms. We also discuss access, self-advocacy, and the shifting definitions of success for neurodivergent creatives.

Please do follow the show to be notified when new episodes are released, and leave a rating and review if you appreciate it, or have feedback. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel for video versions of each episode, and the opportunity to engage via the comments section.

For more see the Working to Work home page, and follow on Instagram @workingtoworkuk

I sat down with Abbas Zahedi, a multidisciplinary artist working across sound, installation, and socially engaged practice. Their process-based, site-sensitive approach responds to space, history, and community, shaping work that resists easy categorisation.

In this episode, we explore how neurodivergence informs Abbas’s creative practice, their non-linear path into the art world, and the challenges of navigating institutions while carving out space on their own terms. We also discuss access, self-advocacy, and the shifting definitions of success for neurodivergent creatives.

Talented musician and illustrator Joanna Sternberg speaks with me about the themes in their music, dangers of people pleasing, inspirations, navigating the industry, and the empowering impact of trusted friends. We also speak about about the benefits and challenges that come from neurodivergent diagnosis, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Joanna offers suggestions for how aspiring musicans can move from having their music as a private practice to one they can share with friends and beyond. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming up in this episode

03:16 Jo's introduction

05:33 Themes in 'I've Got Me'

09:58 Themes in 'People Are Toys To You'

11:41 What sobriety offered Jo

12:38 What neurodivergent diagnosis offered Jo

13:30 The impacts of people pleasing

16:11 What Jo's music offers them and others

20:36 Elliott Smith and other inspirations 

23:45 Social anxiety challenges 

28:18 Jo's journey in the music industry

32:00 Difficultly knowing who to trust

34:48 Suggestions for developing music practice 

36:32 Trusted friends help building confidence

37:30 Jo's voice, it's evolution, and vocal trends

45:57 Jo's advice for using social media

48:00 Band names vs one's own name

50:40 Jo asks about Sam's 'Kalou' music

52:45 Balancing self hatred and self awareness

54:15 Relating to autism 

55:50 Jo's self support strategies 

58:00 Sam's outro

Joanna's music: https://joannasternberg.bandcamp.com/

Joanna's website: https://www.joannasternberg.com

Working to Work website: https://kalou.co.uk/w2w.html

Sam's music: https://kalou.bandcamp.com/

Please do follow the show to be notified when new episodes are released, and leave a rating and review if you appreciate it, or have feedback. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel for video versions of each episode, and the opportunity to engage via the comments section.

For more see the Working to Work home page, and follow on Instagram @workingtoworkuk

Talented musician and illustrator Joanna Sternberg speaks with me about the themes in their music, the dangers of people pleasing, inspirations, navigating the industry, and the empowering impact of trusted friends. We also speak about the benefits and challenges that come from neurodivergent diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Joanna offers suggestions for how aspiring musicians can move from having their music as a private practice to one they can share with friends and beyond.

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming up in this episode
03:16 Jo's introduction
05:33 Themes in 'I've Got Me'
09:58 Themes in 'People Are Toys To You'
11:41 What sobriety offered Jo
12:38 What neurodivergent diagnosis offered Jo
13:30 The impacts of people pleasing
16:11 What Jo's music offers them and others
20:36 Elliott Smith and other inspirations
23:45 Social anxiety challenges
28:18 Jo's journey in the music industry
32:00 Difficultly knowing who to trust
34:48 Suggestions for developing music practice
36:32 Trusted friends help building confidence
37:30 Jo's voice, it's evolution, and vocal trends
45:57 Jo's advice for using social media
48:00 Band names vs one's own name
50:40 Jo asks about Sam's 'Kalou' music
52:45 Balancing self-hatred and self-awareness
54:15 Relating to autism
55:50 Jo's self-support strategies
58:00 Sam's outro

Joanna's music: https://joannasternberg.bandcamp.com/
Joanna's website: https://www.joannasternberg.com
Working to Work website: https://kalou.co.uk/w2w.html
Sam's music: https://kalou.bandcamp.com/

What if you created a character to make sense of your own struggles?

That’s exactly what Shaun did. He created Jack Tisson—a character through which he explores the root causes of the challenges he’s faced in life and how that understanding informs a more constructive approach to shaping the future he wants.

In this conversation, we discuss:

🔹 The experiences that led Shaun to create Jack Tisson

🔹 Why some people struggle to find stability in work and society

🔹 The tension between accountability and external barriers

🔹 What needs to change—on both an individual and societal level—for people to build lives that truly work for them

Shaun’s perspective is both personal and reflective, offering insight, challenge, and encouragement to those who feel stuck.

Please do follow the show to be notified when new episodes are released, and leave a rating and review if you appreciate it, or have feedback. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel for video versions of each episode, and the opportunity to engage via the comments section.

For more see the Working to Work home page, and follow on Instagram @workingtoworkuk

YouTuber Shaun speaks with Sam about his character ‘Jack Tisson’ — created to explore the causes of, and potential solutions to, challenges he’s experienced with work, and his wider life.

Shaun's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3rlvVTY6_AevLtr9rQjQnQ

Artist and Writer Elinor Rowlands speaks with Sam about navigating a creative career as a neurodivergent person, and the work they’re doing to support other autistic / ADHD artists thrive with their Magical Women project.

In this episode we speak about:

00:00 Coming up in this episode 

05:58 What Elinor believes creative practice offers that is essential for neurodivergent artists 

08:44 Barriers Elinor’s experienced in their career they relate to being autistic 

10:00 Elinor’s experience of 'abeism' and reaction to 'outsider art' 

22:27 The challenges of identifying the type of support one needs to thrive

23:50 How Elinor found the right kind of professional support and what that looks like in practice

27:05 The creation and evolution of magical women, an initiative bringing together marginalised women and non-binary artist

47:30 Elinor’s creative practice and how they’ve incorporated stimming into their methodology

Throughout this episode i’ve included some audio-visual examples of Elinor’s work, more of which is available on their website.

Click title to read: 'Beauty in the Gothic: Forms of Autistic Aesthetics' 

Please do follow the show to be notified when new episodes are released, and leave a rating and review if you appreciate it, or have feedback. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel for video versions of each episode, and the opportunity to engage via the comments section.

For more see the Working to Work home page, and follow on Instagram @workingtoworkuk