Left Unattended

NAVIGATING NEURODIVERGENCE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION with Debra Hamilton Welcome back to Left Unattended, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. I’m your host, Ron Sosa, neuroinclusive leadership coach and advocate and in this episode, I talk with Debra Hamilton of Hamilton Law and Mediation. Debra Hamilton is an attorney, mediator, and conflict consultant with specialized expertise in animal-related disputes. Her unique professional background combines legal expertise in animal law matters, advanced mediation, and conflict resolution skills, with a deep understanding of the human-animal bond. Together, we unpack: Debra's journey: How her neurodivergence influenced her shift from litigation to mediation and her niche in animal-related conflicts. Challenges in learning: The strategies Debra used to navigate her educational and professional life, including her discovery of the limitations of traditional litigation for her neurodivergent needs. Mediation vs. Litigation: Why mediation serves both Deb and her clients better, focusing on collaboration and understanding rather than adversarial approaches. Human-animal bond: How animals play a crucial role in Debra's life and work, providing grounding and perspective. Communication tools: The importance of curious questions and non-verbal cues in mediation, particularly in high-emotion situations. The impact of conflict: The importance of understanding and mitigating the stress on animals and their owners during disputes. Personal stories and pivotal moments: Debra shares memorable cases and personal experiences that shaped her career and approach to conflict resolution. Debra leaves us with one truth she wishes people understood: “I am thoughtful in my responses and passionate about my work. If my response isn’t what you anticipated, ask me a curious question. It helps me explain better and serve you more effectively.”

UNLEARNING THE HIDDEN CURRICULUM with Dr. Alex Harrison Welcome back to Left Unattended, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. I’m your host, Ron Sosa, neuroinclusive leadership coach and advocate, and today I’m joined by Dr. Alex Harrison. Alex is a profoundly deaf veterinarian, consultant, and founder of an equity-focused consultancy dedicated to building veterinary workplaces where everyone belongs. He is the 2025 Australian Veterinary Association President’s Award recipient, recognized for shifting the Overton window of what the profession sees as possible in equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Together, we dive into: Alex’s journey as Australia’s first profoundly deaf veterinary graduate and what it meant to practice without disability representation or support 25 years ago. How burnout and cognitive load impact marginalized professionals, especially when masking or “passing” becomes a full-time job. Why intersectionality matters and how collaboration across disability, neurodivergence, chronic illness, and queer identity creates stronger advocacy. The power and danger of the hidden curriculum in veterinary training and workplaces, and why unlearning outdated norms is essential for retention. How strengths-based design outperforms deficit-based thinking and outdated expectations of “omnicompetent clinicians.” The need for systems-level change instead of individualized “self-care fixes,” especially when mental health struggles stem from structural issues. Why diagnosis delays, especially for neurodivergent women, are reshaping the mental health narrative in the profession. How curiosity, cultural humility, and repair can transform leadership and create psychologically safe veterinary teams. Alex leaves us with one truth he wants the world to understand: We cannot solve these challenges in silos. Unlearning, humility, and cross-pollination across identities and across countries are how we move the profession forward. Connect with Dr. Alex Harrison LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-harrison-263b69107/ Equity consulting: www.vetquity.com.au Connect with Ron & Keep Exploring If this conversation resonated with you, let’s go deeper together: Join the Left Unattended Newsletter: weekly insights on neuroinclusive leadership and thriving as your full self → https://www.syn-apt.me/newsletter Work with Me 1:1 or in Groups: learn more about coaching → coaching.syn-apt.me Connect with Me on LinkedIn: join the conversation on neuroinclusive leadership → www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-sosa-cvpm-ccfp-pgd-cld-53453797

Welcome back to Left Unattended, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. I’m your host, Ron Sosa, neuroinclusive leadership coach and advocate and in this episode I talk with Diann Wingert, host of the ADHD-ish podcast, psychotherapist-turned-coach, practicing Buddhist, rescue-dog lover, and self-proclaimed “Speaker of Uncomfortable Truths.” Diann brings decades of clinical experience and a fierce passion for helping neurodivergent people build lives of purpose, profit, and peace. She’s obsessed with helping folks (especially neurodivergent women and entrepreneurs) translate strengths into sustainable careers — while learning to tolerate the shame, interruptions, and complexity that too often come along for the ride. Together, we unpack: What it felt like to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life and why coming out of the “ADHD closet” can be complicated even inside the ADHD community. The tension between masking and authenticity and why we wear different faces for different groups and how taking masks off changes relationships. How ADHD shows up as high energy, rapid idea flow, and time blindness along with strengths that are often misread as rudeness or arrogance. The workplace blind spots: why systems reward “nine-to-fivers” and punish systems thinkers/visionaries who cut through inefficiency. Practical communication tools for neurodivergent folks who don’t want to disclose diagnosis but still need needs met (the “Polaroid/primer” trick). Parenting and intergenerational impact and how recognizing neurodivergence in yourself changes how you raise and relate to your children. The role of Buddhist practice and equanimity in living with ADHD: acceptance without resignation; owning struggles without shame. Diann leaves us with one truth she wishes people understood: “I’m not as unbreakable as I look, I’m just got a damn good cover story. We have strengths and we have struggles, and both matter.” Connect with Diann Podcast: ADHD-ish Website: https://www.diannwingertcoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertco Connect with Ron & Keep Exploring If this conversation resonated with you, let’s go deeper together: Join the Left Unattended Newsletter: Get weekly insights on neuroinclusive leadership and thriving as your full self Work with Me 1:1 or in Groups: Learn more about coaching Connect with Me on Linkedin: Join the conversation on neuroinclusive leadership

FINDING ALIGNMENT with Michael Habicht Left Unattended Episode 3 Welcome to Left Unattended, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. I’m your host, Ron Sosa, neuroinclusive leadership coach and advocate, and in this episode I’m joined by Michael Habicht. Michael is an artist, creative designer, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for pets and people. He’s the founder of Healthy Paws Herbal Labs and host of The Pet Journey podcast, where he brings humor and honesty to the stories that matter. Diagnosed as neurodivergent at age 61, Michael is reframing decades of life experience through a new lens from surviving childhood sexual abuse to building a magical career in design, events, and entrepreneurship. Together, we dive into: What it’s like to receive a neurodivergent diagnosis later in life and begin reframing decades of experiences. How people-pleasing and masking shaped Michael’s relationships and career. The power of boundaries and learning to say no after a lifetime of saying yes. Why neurodivergent brains often see inefficiencies and broken systems — and how that can be misunderstood. The “Da Vinci Method” and what it means to be the eagle among the chicks. How art, creativity, and design became both survival tools and sources of brilliance. The ongoing process of alignment: choosing when to mask, when to unmask, and how to build environments that allow authenticity. Michael leaves us with one truth he wishes the world understood: Neurodivergence isn’t brokenness, it can be a gift. The work is finding alignment with who you really are.       Connect with Michael Website: www.HealthyPawsHerbalLabs.com Instagram: @iiidesigns Connect with Ron & Keep Exploring If this conversation resonated with you, let’s go deeper together: Join the Left Unattended Newsletter: Get weekly insights on neuroinclusive leadership and thriving as your full self Work with Me 1:1 or in Groups: Learn more about coaching Connect with Me on Linkedin: Join the conversation on neuroinclusive leadership  

Give Me Time to Process with Tori Burgos Welcome back to Left Unattended, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. I’m your host, Ron Sosa, neuroinclusive leadership coach and advocate, and in this episode I’m joined by Tori Burgos. Tori began her career as a dog trainer working with dogs with serious behavioral challenges before entering veterinary medicine in 2017. After graduating from tech school in 2021 and passing the VTNE, she pursued her passion for anesthesia and now works in specialty medicine with expertise in surgery, anesthesia, and the high-intensity environment of emergency and ICU care. Together, we dive into: The Toilet Paper Rule: how universal design principles in practice reduce stress, errors, and frustration. Why one-size-fits-all breaks don’t work, and how shorter resets can sustain energy and performance. The experience of being misunderstood or labeled “difficult” when communication styles differ. The career-changing impact of having a manager invest in executive function coaching early on. How approaching challenges with curiosity instead of judgment transforms team culture. Why efficiency, empathy, and high standards are strengths that come with neurodivergence. Tori leaves us with one truth she wishes the world understood about her neurodivergence: sometimes the words don’t come out the way I mean them, but the thought is fully there — give me space to process. Connect with Ron & Keep Exploring If this conversation resonated with you, let’s go deeper together: Join the Left Unattended Newsletter: Get weekly insights on neuroinclusive leadership and thriving as your full self Work with Me 1:1 or in Groups: Learn more about coaching Connect with Me on Linkedin: Join the conversation on neuroinclusive leadership

 I’M NOT BEING DIFFICULT with Suzanne Thomas Left Unattended - Episode 1 Welcome to the very first episode of Left Unattended, the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. I’m your host, Ron Sosa, neuroinclusive leadership coach and advocate, and I couldn’t be more excited to kick things off with my guest, Suzanne Thomas. Suzanne is a credentialed veterinary technician, leadership mentor, and senior manager of operations. She’s the founder of Leading Veterinary Teams, where she helps veterinary professionals build sustainable workplaces through technician utilization, real-world leadership, and culture change. Together, we dive into: How Suzanne’s late ADHD diagnosis reshaped her personal and professional life. The power of systems vs. motivation in managing energy and productivity. Why “eat the frog” advice doesn’t fit every brain (and what works instead). How masking impacts identity and belonging in veterinary medicine. Shifting leadership from judgment to curiosity: the impact of simply asking “Are you okay?” Why belonging,  for people and pets,  is at the heart of veterinary medicine. Suzanne leaves us with one truth she wishes the world knew about her neurodivergence: “I am not being difficult.” Connect with Suzanne Website: lvt.vet Instagram: @therealsuzannethomas LinkedIn: Suzanne Thomas

Left Unattended is a podcast for the ones who lead boldly but quietly, burn brightly while breaking privately, and feel like they were handed all the responsibility with none of the support. Hosted by neurodivergent leadership coach Ron Sosa, Left Unattended explores what happens when high-performing, emotionally intelligent, and deeply human people are left to navigate systems never designed for their minds, their identities, or their brilliance. Through personal stories, guest interviews, and deep reflections, we unpack masking, executive dysfunction, leadership burnout, emotional labor, and the invisible weight of being “the strong one.” This podcast is for the misfits, the overfunctioners, the quietly revolutionary, and anyone who’s ever been labeled “too much” while doing too much for everyone else. It’s time to unlearn survival, reclaim your power, and redesign leadership on your terms. You weren’t broken. You were just left unattended and we’ve saved your seat.