Claim OwnershipAutistic Techie
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Navigating the tech world as a neurodivergent professional comes with unique challenges and strengths. This podcast is a space for neurodivergent technologists to share their experiences, strategies, and successes. Whether you’re figuring out workplace communication, advocating for accommodations, or simply looking for a sense of community, we bring you real stories and practical insights to help you thrive in your career while staying true to yourself.
37 Episodes
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Receiving therapy and coaching is good for the mind & soul! But what if the practitioner really knew what it was like to be you? Jordan Schatz is the ADHD Guru, a licensed therapist and coach helping neurodivergent people like us unpack their lives and take it all back. Jordan and I had the chance to talk about un-sticking our lives and getting out of those ruts we carve out of need. You have them too, right? Not just me? Whether you have a dozen special interests, a few hundred, or none at all, tune into this episode with Jordan as we talk about our unique ways of thinking - I even get some coaching in myself!
Connect with Jordan Schatz, the ADHD Guru:
https://www.tiktok.com/@theadhdguru
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-schatz
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Software engineer and accessibility advocate Meenakshi Das joins Shea to talk about integrating accessibility into tech, regardless of your job title. As a Software Engineer 2 at Microsoft and vice chair of Teach Access, Meenakshi shares how she brings a disability lens to everything she works on, even when accessibility isn’t part of the formal job description. They discuss her journey with a speech disability, the gaps between tech and academia, and what real inclusion looks like beyond checklists. This episode highlights the power of lived experience and the impact of showing up, even quietly, for a more accessible future.
Follow Meenakshi Das and Teach Access
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena11/
https://www.teachaccess.org/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Learning strategist and neuroinclusion expert Tracy King joins Shea to explore how training, education, and professional development can be reimagined with cognitive diversity in mind. As CEO of InspireEd and chair of the IACET neuroinclusion working group, Tracy breaks down what it really means to design learning experiences that include neurodivergent people from the start, not just through accommodations. They discuss continuing education (CE), scalable program design, and how to create learning environments where every brain is not only welcomed but empowered. If you’ve ever felt excluded by the way information is delivered at work, this episode is for you!
Follow Tracy King and Inspire-Ed
https://www.inspired-ed.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracykingceo/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Blake Baumann and Pickens Calhoun of ASPIE-R (pronounced "aspire") join Shea to talk about what it means to truly support autistic individuals; not just with accommodations, but with purpose and pride. Blake shares the personal journey that led him to found ASPIE-R, a coaching and mentoring platform built by and for the autistic community, while Pickens reflects on what it takes to be an authentic ally. Together, they explore identity, late diagnosis, parenting, and how to rise above one-size-fits-all expectations in both work and life. This episode is about rejecting shame and embracing the possibility of a self-defined, fulfilling future
Connect with Blake Baumann and Pickens Calhoun at ASPIE-R:
https://www.aspie-r.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspie-r-llc/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakebaumann/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
What do you need - not just what you want? It's a challenge to unpack the often-messy intersection between personal needs, social expectations, and workplace dynamics. Don't force yourself to go to that event if you don't have the spoons for it. The LAST thing you want to do is crash and burn and stay at home the next day because you've got nothing left to give. Whether it's navigating sensory overload at an event or pushing through discomfort because you feel like you "have to," this episode challenges you to be radically honest with yourself. Learn how to distinguish between wants, needs, and obligations—and how to advocate for what truly helps you thrive as a neurodivergent person.
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
You shouldn't have to fit a square peg through a round hole! Do you feel like a square peg constantly being forced into a hole you cannot fit through, no matter what? ADHD coach Sue Day joins us to explore how neurodivergent people can find structure, self-compassion, and success...without masking who they are. As the founder of Pathway Forward Coaching and a graduate of the ADHD Coaching Academy, Sue shares her personal journey with ADHD and how it shapes the way she works with clients across the neurodiversity spectrum. They dive into time blindness, executive function, and the emotional toll of trying to "fit in" at work. This episode is full of actionable insights and warmth for anyone trying to show up more fully as themselves.
Transcript on https://autistic-techie.com/square-pegs-round-holes-and-honest-adhd-talk-with-sue-day
Connect with Sue Day and Pathways Forward Coaching:
https://pathwaysforwardcoaching.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-day/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Author, filmmaker, and award-winning journalist Kristof Morrow joins Shea to talk about creativity, masking, and resilience as a multiply neurodivergent and disabled person. Kristof shares his journey through abuse, self-discovery, and artistic expression while living with autism, ADHD, and Tourette Syndrome. From bestselling books to film direction, he opens up about how his lived experience shaped his storytelling and advocacy. This powerful conversation explores how neurodivergent identity intersects with trauma, artistry, and reclaiming your narrative on your own terms.
Transcript on https://autistic-techie.com/every-day-a-new-neurodivergent-mask-with-kristof-morrow
Connect with Kristof Morrow:
https://www.kristofmorrow.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kristofmorrow/
https://www.tiktok.com/@kristofmorrow
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Working on your resume can feel like watching paint dry. Neurodivergent brains have it even worse off than our neurotypical peers: Getting hung up on the words, formatting, it can take an hour just to jot down a paragraph or two. Then there's the impostor syndrome: What if recruiters don't like it, or the ATS just spits it out? This episode covers some actionable steps you can take to improve the content, formatting, and structure of your resume. If you're an autistic infodumper like me, have trouble focusing with ADHD, or struggle with formatting details or catching typos due to dyslexia, this is the episode for you.
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Clinical psychologist and UX researcher Dr. Alison Greco joins Shea to talk about Parathera, her innovative platform that bridges the gap between “I’m fine” and full-scale therapy. With a background in anxiety treatment, user experience leadership, and parenting a neurodivergent son, Alison brings a multidimensional lens to mental health support. Together, they explore how neurodivergent professionals can create space for self-compassion while still holding themselves accountable. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like traditional therapy didn’t quite fit—and wants to understand a new path forward!
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/transitioning-from-user-experience-leadership-to-neurodivergent-affirming-therapy-with-dr.-alison-greco
Connect with Dr. Alison Greco and Parathera:
https://www.para-thera.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongreco/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Organizational psychologist and workplace inclusion expert Dr. Victoria Mattingly joins Shea to explore what real allyship looks like - especially for neurodivergent professionals. From her early work in leadership development to launching "Men as Allies" training, Dr. V shares how data-driven empathy can transform workplace culture. They discuss her books Inclusalytics and the upcoming "Act Like an Ally, Work With an Ally", dive into psychological safety, and unpack how neuroinclusion goes beyond buzzwords. Whether you're leading a team or navigating your own career, this episode offers a candid and actionable look at building workplaces where everyone - especially those who think differently - can thrive!
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/allyship-and-inclusion-are-more-than-a-two-way-street-with-dr.-victoria-mattingly
Connect with Victoria Mattingly and preorder Act like an Ally, Work with an Ally:
https://www.mattinglysolutions.com/meetdrv
https://www.mattinglysolutions.com/allyship
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpmattingly/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Getting distracted can be one of the worst things to happen to neurodivergent folks trying to get work done. Fortunately, there's an app for that: Focus Bear! Designed and developed by AuDHD founder Jeremy Nagel, Focus Bear blocks distractions from biting you at the worst possible times so that you can get back to doing real work. With an incredible team of neurodivergent people behind him, Jeremy and I got to talk about his own AuDHD journey, ultramarathons, and his startup founder perspective.
Focus Bear social media:
https://www.focusbear.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy/
https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/
https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear
https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
If you need a moment to take in a conversation before replying, you're far from alone. Figuring out the right kinds of styles for you to communicate in take time and effort. Let's talk about how to empower YOU to be more thoughtful about your own terms for meetings & communication. Whether you need a meeting agenda, captions, or just to ask people to slow down, I encourage you to reflect on what you NEED to have a productive and successful meeting!
Transcript on https://autistic-techie.com/let-me-process-that-communication-on-your-own-terms
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Hyperfocus - Sounds exciting and a bit scary, right? You might be familiar with the feeling of spending hours on a particular task, or accomplishing lots of little tasks. But what expense does hyperfocus incur on neurodivergent people? How can you protect yourself and recognize when you're on the tip of burning out from a hyperfocus streak? And how can people around you actually HELP you hyperfocus instead of getting in your way? Tune in to learn all about hyperfocus and how you can be thoughtful about your focus state.
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
What even is ADHD hacking? Is it possible to stick joysticks in your brain like Plankton did in that Spongebob episode and actually do everything that has to happen? Jennifer Chou has done that and more, cultivating more than 80 thousand social media followers across Instagram and TikTok. Sure we can all indulge in some doom scrolling, and to be honest, who doesn't these days? Jennifer has figured out the best strategies, plans, and methods to really get us out of bed and hit the books. Tune into this episode of Autistic Techie where we dive into her ADHD college journey, journaling our thoughts, and setting proper goals.
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/from-chaos-to-clarity-jennifer-chous-adhd-journey-to-80k-followers-and-owning-her-brain
Jennifer Chou's social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@vegantechnomad
https://www.instagram.com/vegantechnomad/
https://stan.store/vegantechnomad
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
"Spelling it out" for people doesn't have to be hard. On the contrary, you can get into as much detail about your brain and working style as you want. The trick is to do so in a way that actually empowers your boss and team to help you, and not feel inundated with information. Enter the Working with Me document: An excellent method for communicating how to work with you. What helps you do your job? What gets in the way? Do you have any sensory needs? It's all about YOU. I go through my Working with Me document in today's episode, and you can follow along by checking out the link below!
Working With Me document: https://autistic-techie.com/working-with-me
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/deep-dive-into-working-with-me-documents-and-how-they-can-peel-back-your-brain
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
What's your internal "script" that you follow when dealing with troublesome situations? If you have to consciously remember to keep a straight face when confronted with something stressful, you are far from alone. Nicola Knobel spent most of her life masking, frustrated with having to defend her actions and expend significant amounts of energy just to be like everyone else. "But you're so extroverted!" people would say...Because everyone expected her to be that way. Having been diagnosed with autism and ADHD (also known as AuDHD) well into adulthood and parenthood, Nicola opens up on our latest episode about her diagnosis journey, honest masking, and letting her guard down around her coworkers.
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/late-diagnosed-audhd-leadership-and-what-masking-means-to-me-with-nicola-knobel
Nicola Knobel social media:
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/safetea-podcast-with-nicola-and-deborah/id1725407097
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaknobel/
https://nicolaknobel.com/
Special crossover episode! I had the honor of joining forces Sean Gill from Neurodiversity in the Workplace for their podcast. Together, we dove deep into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by neurodivergent people in and out of the workplace. Landing a job isn't just about surviving and getting by - We talked about how to thrive, supporting both neurodivergent peers and their employers, including neurotypical peers who work with ND folks just as much as their managers do. And to us neurodivergent folks, some tips and tricks on what it means to feel like you belong, and not just exist.
Transcript available on: https://autistic-techie.com/crossover-episode-with-neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-dont-just-survive-thrive-on-the-job
NITW Social Media:
https://nitw.org/
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/nitw-podcast/id1804361287
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace/
https://www.facebook.com/NeurodiversityInTheWorkplace
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Do you want to build a mask? It's summer in the USA, so no snowmen here. But you're always going to be wearing a mask to get through tough situations. Interviews? Networking events? Parties? Snowman building parties with corporate matchmaking afterwards? Our newest episode talks about the process of building a mask thoughtfully, not just bruteforcing a social setting and hoping that you'll be OK afterwards. If you've ever gotten stuck on figuring out how you should be masking, this is the episode for you.
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/building-a-formula-for-your-neurodivergent-mask
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
In this episode of Autistic Techie, I sit down with Adam Compton, a principal software engineer with over two decades of experience at top tech companies. We explore Adam's journey from a childhood fascination with computers to mastering complex systems at companies like Slack and Quantcast. Adam shares insights into navigating workplace politics and the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in tech. We delve into his experiences with autistic empathy, masking, and the intricacies of social interactions. Adam also discusses the importance of balancing technical expertise with people skills, offering valuable advice for thriving in the tech industry. Join us for a deep dive into the mind of a seasoned engineer and the nuances of neurodiversity in the workplace.
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/autistic-empathy-workplace-politics-and-saying-the-right-things-with-adam-compton
Connect with Adam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comptona/
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
Coding interviews are one of the most difficult things a neurodivergent software engineer can go through. Whiteboarding, coding challenges, and explaining technical concepts are tough for everyone, especially for those whose don't express ideas in quite the same way as everyone else. Mihai Todor has gone through hundreds of coding interviews, and he has some incredible insights to share! We talked about self regulating during interviews, what kind of tech works and what doesn't, and setting specific boundaries for the kinds of interviews he can do.
Transcript available on https://autistic-techie.com/coding-interviews-adhd-and-staying-focused-with-mihai-todor
Mihai's social media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtodor/
https://github.com/mihaitodor
https://bsky.app/profile/mihaitodor.bsky.social
Follow us on social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_techie
https://www.instagram.com/autistic_techie
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