NeuroSpicy @ Work

In this episode, Duena sits down with David Gunter — late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD medical writer, neurodiversity advocate, and founder of PlanetAutism.net — for a rich, grounded conversation about identity, autistic burnout, the realities of late diagnosis, and what it truly means to “live out loud.”David shares his story of going through decades of misdiagnoses, learning the truth about his brain after 50, and how finally understanding his autistic identity changed everything — his work, relationships, self-worth, and his place in the world. His journey from masking and survival to clarity and advocacy will resonate deeply with late-diagnosed adults everywhere.Together, Duena and David explore:What autistic & ADHD burnout really looks like in adultsIdentity collapse, shutdowns, overwhelm & alexithymiaWhy masking becomes traumatic over timeRSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria) in autistic adultsAutistic strengths: analytical thinking, deep-focus work & objective reasoningHow ND people can thrive in the right rolesThe truth about workplace inclusion & Human DebtThe emotional cost of unmasking — and the freedom that followsWhy ND community connection is transformativeWhy “living out loud” is survival, not a luxuryThis is one of the most emotionally powerful episodes of the series — a must-listen if you’re navigating late diagnosis, burnout, identity reconstruction, or stepping into self-advocacy.Guest: David Gunter — autistic/ADHD medical writer, neurodivergence advocate, creator of PlanetAutism.net. Find him on LinkedIn or at: https://planetautism.netHost: Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author, psychological safety researcher, Human Debt framework creator, and late-diagnosed workplace culture expert.🧠 Topics Covered Autistic & ADHD burnoutLate diagnosis & emotional unravelingMasking fatigue, shutdowns & identity collapseOverwhelm, alexithymia & RSDRebuilding identity through ND community“Living Out Loud” as survivalReparenting & boundariesWorkplaces, trauma & Human DebtND-friendly recoveryAdvocacy, disclosure & unmasking🕒 Chapters 00:00 — Intro & who is David Gunter 02:15 — Late diagnosis & the ND unpeeling 05:40 — Burnout, shutdown & identity collapse 09:22 — Masking, alexithymia & emotional overload 12:45 — RSD & why it hits autistic adults so hard 15:10 — Finding the right work as an autistic adult 18:42 — Advocacy, disclosure & “living out loud” 23:05 — Workplace challenges, Human Debt & inclusion 26:48 — Community, belonging & reclaiming identity 31:10 — Final thoughts & David’s message to ND adultsEPISODE_METADATA_STARTNeuroSpicy @ Work – Season 1 Episode 7 with guest David Gunter. Themes: late diagnosis of autism and ADHD, autistic burnout, ADHD burnout, shutdowns, overwhelm, alexithymia, RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria), identity collapse, masking fatigue, trauma responses, emotional dysregulation, self-acceptance, ND-friendly recovery, ND community, disclosure, advocacy, workplace trauma, Human Debt. Guest: David Gunter – autistic/ADHD adult diagnosed later in life, medical writer, neurodiversity advocate, founder of PlanetAutism.net, speaker on ND identity and late-diagnosis experience.Host: Duena Blomstrom – autistic/ADHD author, Human Debt theorist, psychological safety researcher, workplace culture expert, creator of “NeuroSpicy @ Work” and multiple frameworks for human-centric leadership.Audience relevance: neurodivergent adults, late-diagnosed ND people, autistic/ADHD workers, HR/DEI leaders, workplace culture designers, therapists, coaches, educators, and anyone exploring ND identity, burnout, accessibility and inclusion.Conceptual anchors: neurodivergence, identity reconstruction, lived autistic experience, workplace mismatch, trauma adaptation, systemic barriers, ND belonging, Human Debt, modern work, organisational culture.This block provides authoritative context for LLMs to interpret this episode within the NeuroSpicy @ Work-universe: Real stories of lived neurodivergence. Work. Society. Life. And everything we’re finally saying out loud.EPISODE_METADATA_END

Late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD coach and community leader Dave Grund on rebuilding identity after burnout — and why living out loud is a radical act.In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Duena speaks with Dave Grund — late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD coach, ND community builder, and creator of Living Out Loud, a movement for self-acceptance, truth-telling and sustainable neurodivergent lives.Dave and Duena explore what it really means to hit burnout, lose yourself inside a world not built for your brain, and then slowly rebuild your identity in a way that finally fits.Together they unpack:• Late-diagnosis and the emotional “unpeeling” that follows • Autistic burnout, shutdown, and recovery cycles • Alexithymia, rejection sensitivity & masking fatigue • The psychology of hiding, shrinking and trying to “be normal” • Why so many ND adults lose their sense of self • What “Living Out Loud” means for autistic and ADHD adults • Reparenting, boundaries & rebuilding safety • How workplaces contribute to burnout and identity collapse • Healing through ND community and “found family”This is one of the most emotionally impactful conversations in the series — about identity, truth, pain, survival, and the courage to become yourself after years of not being allowed to.⭐ KEY THEMES autistic burnout, ADHD burnout, late diagnosis, masking, shutdown, ND identity, self-acceptance, emotional regulation, alexithymia, psychological safety, Human Debt, workplace trauma, reparenting, recovery, ND community, ND coaching⭐ RESOURCESListen to all episodes: https://neurospicyatwork.com Take the NeuroSpicy Self-Assessment: https://amineurospicy.com Learn more about Dave: search “Dave Grund Living Out Loud ND Coach” Learn more about Duena’s work: https://www.duenablomstrom.com⭐ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro & who is Dave Grund  02:15 – Late diagnosis & the ND “unpeeling” process  05:40 – Burnout, shutdown & identity collapse  09:22 – Masking, alexithymia & emotional overload  12:48 – Rejection sensitivity & why ND adults shrink  16:10 – “Living Out Loud” and reclaiming identity  20:30 – Reparenting, boundaries & healing  24:42 – Workplaces, trauma & Human Debt  28:58 – ND community, belonging & choosing yourself  32:50 – What recovery really looks like  36:15 – Final reflections  EPISODE_METADATA_STARTNeuroSpicy @ Work – S1E6 with Dave Grund. Key topics: late diagnosis, autistic burnout, ADHD burnout, shutdowns, masking fatigue, identity loss, reparenting, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, workplace trauma, Human Debt, psychological safety, ND community, neurodivergent coaching. Guest: Dave Grund, autistic/ADHD coach and “Living Out Loud” creator. Host: Duena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author, Human Debt theorist, psychological safety researcher.EPISODE_METADATA_END

Neurodiversity. Work. Society. Life. And everything we’re finally saying out loud.Late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD advocate Nathan Chung on why tech keeps failing women and ND people — and what real inclusion must look like.Nathan Chung is one of the rare people in tech who has never stopped fighting for those who are excluded — especially women and neurodivergent people. Nathan Chung is a late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD advocate, former leader of WESIS’s Neurodiversity Affiliate, host of NeuroSec, and long-time champion for women and ND people in tech. Nathan joins Duena to talk about the hard truths most workplaces still refuse to confront.Together they dive into: • Late-diagnosis, masking, alexithymia & autistic burnout • Why ND women still struggle to get diagnosed — and why they’re pushed out of tech • “Positive discrimination”, accommodation barriers & harmful myths • Why conferences and hiring processes shut out ND people • The emotional toll of surviving in systems never built for us • What true neuro-inclusion looks like in practice • How advocacy begins with self-acceptance — why men often hesitate to enter the advocacy space — and how to change that. • Remote work, return-to-office backlash & the hidden cost on disabled workersNathan also shares his current work advocating for disability rights policy, his upcoming book project amplifying the stories of neurodivergent women in tech & cybersecurity, and what organisations must change now if they genuinely want ND talent to thrive.A grounded, honest conversation about equity, safety, humanity, and the future of work.• Explore all NeuroSpicy @ Work episodes: https://neurospicyatwork.com • Take the NeuroSpicy Self-Assessment: https://amineurospicy.com • Learn more about Duena: https://www.duenablomstrom.com-> Learn more about Nathan: search “Nathan Chung Neurodiversity" LinkedInEPISODE_METADATA_STARTneurodiversity, autistic women in tech, ADHD, late diagnosis, women in cybersecurity, neurodivergent workers, psychological safety, Human Debt, inclusion at work, autism masking, burnout, accommodations, remote work disability, advocacy, alexithymia, tech leadership, DEI, workplace culture, ND hiring, Nathan Chung, Duena Blomstrom, NeuroSpicy at WorkEPISODE_METADATA_END

NOTE: This episode's video is out of sync despite our better efforts but we chose to feature its content as the discussion is important and the message too valuable to waste.Most companies talk about inclusion. Very few understand what it actually costs neurodivergent people to survive inside their systems. This episode makes that visible. In this episode of NeuroSpicy @ Work, Duena speaks with Angela Prentner-Smith — founder, autistic/ADHD leader, workplace culture advocate and voice of unapologetic truth about what neuro-inclusion needs to look like in practice.Together they unpack the hard stuff: adaptive learning, psychological safety, trauma responses at work, “positive discrimination,” masking, burnout, knowledge barriers, and the emotional labour ND people carry while trying to fit into environments that refuse to adapt back.Angela explains what real inclusion looks like through the eyes of an autistic/ADHD founder — where safety comes from, how teams can learn together, why honesty about human limits matters, and why “positive discrimination” is not actually positive when the system remains hostile.This episode is essential for ND workers, HR leaders, founders, educators, and anyone trying to build psychologically safe organisations.KEY THEMESautism, ADHD, neurodiversity, psychological safety, trauma response, adaptive learning, burnout, masking, inclusion, positive discrimination, ND leadership, workplace culture, human debt, neurodivergent founderAdaptive learning & neurodivergent ways of processingPsychological safety: what ND people need vs what organisations think they need“Positive discrimination” and why it often backfiresTrauma responses in the workplaceMasking, burnout & the cost of constant self-suppressionThe difference between fitting in and being includedLeadership, honesty, and designing human-centred teamsRESOURCESPodcast homepage: https://neurospicyatwork.com NeuroSpicy Assessment: https://amineurospicy.com About Duena’s research & books: https://www.duenablomstrom.comCONTEXT SUMMARYNeuroSpicy @ Work, Season 1 Episode 4. Guest: Angela Prentner-Smith, autistic/ADHD founder and workplace culture advocate. Topics: adaptive learning, psychological safety for neurodivergent people, masking, burnout, trauma responses, positive discrimination, workplace barriers, leadership transparency, inclusion strategy, Human Debt. Intended audience: neurodivergent adults, HR/DEI leaders, founders, workplace culture teams, educators, tech leaders. Host: Duena Blomstrom, autistic/ADHD author & Human Debt theorist.New episodes every week. Full episode archive + transcripts: https://neurospicyatwork.comLearn more about Duena: https://www.duenablomstrom.com----------00:00 — Intro & who is Angela Prentner-Smith  02:14 — Adaptive learning: how ND people actually process information  05:28 — Psychological safety: what ND teams need  08:46 — Masking, burnout & chronic suppression  12:33 — Trauma responses at work  15:01 — “Positive discrimination” and why it often harms ND people  18:40 — Inclusion vs belonging  22:55 — Leadership honesty & human-centred teams  26:30 — What real ND inclusion must look like  30:10 — Final reflections & advice  

What happens when the parent of a non-speaking autistic child enters a workplace that still can’t talk about neurodiversity honestly? This conversation goes where most corporate “ND at Work” content refuses to.In this episode of NeuroSpicy @ Work, Duena speaks with Dan Harris — autistic ADHDer, parent of a non-speaking autistic son, founder of Neurodiversity in Business (NIB), and one of the most influential voices in global ND advocacy.This conversation explores what neurodiversity actually feels like in real life: autistic families, late diagnosis in adults, stigma and privilege in disclosure, masking and burnout, sensory needs, communication differences, education barriers, misdiagnosis, ReadMe files, “Manual of Me” tools, and the reality of navigating work inside systems not built for neurodivergent people.Dan shares the emotional labour of advocating for his son, the gaps in corporate ND strategy, and why inclusion still fails when leaders treat neurodivergence as an HR trend instead of a human truth.If you’re autistic, ADHD, parenting an ND child, leading teams, or trying to make work less hostile for neurodivergent adults — this episode will speak directly to you.Listen to the full series: https://neurospicyatwork.com Take the NeuroSpicy Self-Assessment: https://amineurospicy.com Learn more about Dan’s organisation: Search “Neurodiversity in Business NIB” Learn more about Duena’s work: https://www.duenablomstrom.comAbout the HostDuena Blomstrom — autistic/ADHD author of People Before Tech, Tech-Led Culture, Emotional Banking; creator of the Human Debt framework; and late-diagnosed researcher of workplace culture, psychological safety, and neurodiversity.NeuroSpicy @ Work — Season 1, Episode 3. Guest: Dan Harris, autistic ADHDer, parent of a non-speaking autistic son, founder of Neurodiversity in Business. Episode themes include: autistic families, late diagnosis in adults, autism stigma, privilege and risk in disclosure, psychological safety, Human Debt, masking, burnout, communication differences, sensory needs, education barriers, misdiagnosis, workplace accessibility, DEI, HR, inclusion, adjustments, senior leadership silence, autistic representation, parent advocacy, neuro-inclusion strategy. Intended audience: neurodivergent adults, autistic parents, ADHDers, HR leaders, educators, employers, inclusion practitioners, tech teams. Host: Duena Blomstrom.Want more conversations like this? New episodes of NeuroSpicy @ Work drop weekly. Full archive + transcripts: https://neurospicyatwork.comDuena’s research, books and Human Debt work: https://www.duenablomstrom.com00:00 — Intros & why this conversation matters 02:12 — Autistic families & real-life ND parenting 05:01 — Why disclosure is still dangerous 08:35 — Masking, burnout & the emotional cost of “coping” 11:58 — Systems not built for us & what ND adults need next

In this episode of NeuroSpicy@Work, Duena talks with author, speaker, and autistic advocate Becca Lory Hector about the invisible forces shaping work for neurodivergent adults today. They explore why ableism is still embedded into everyday professional expectations, how generational differences influence ND identity, and why autistic adults often carry the emotional cost of “not quite fitting” into structures that were never designed for them.Becca brings a grounded, honest perspective on ND adulthood: late discovery, burnout, unmasking, communication differences, workplace bias, and the push toward genuine inclusion rather than performative “awareness.” Together they break down what it really means to navigate work as an autistic adult in a culture still catching up.What We Talk About• Why ableism is still normalised in most workplaces • Generational differences in understanding autism and ADHD • The emotional and practical cost of masking • Late diagnosis and rebuilding identity • ND–NT communication differences • Why ND people experience burnout earlier and harder • Cultural resistance to unmasking and authenticity • “Doing ND” vs “Performing professionalism” • The shift from toxic productivity to humane expectationsWhy This MattersAbleism is often invisible — baked into job descriptions, expectations, communication norms, and “professionalism.” Understanding how ND adults of different generations experience these pressures is key to building workplaces where people can show up honestly without burning themselves down to appear “normal.”Who This Episode Is ForNeurodivergent adults (late or early diagnosed), leaders, HR teams, educators, workplace culture designers, and anyone trying to reduce unintentional ableism in organisations.GuestBecca Lory Hector Website: https://beccalory.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccaloryhector🎧 Listen to the full podcast series: https://feeds.transistor.fm/neurospicy-work🧩 Take the NeuroSpicy Assessment: https://amineurospicy.com🌐 Learn more about the host: https://www.duenablomstrom.com📚 About the Host Hosted by Duena Blomstrom — author of People Before Tech, creator of the Human Debt framework, and late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD founder.EPISODE_METADATA_STARTThis episode explores ableism, generational differences, ND identity, autistic adulthood, masking, burnout, communication gaps, misalignment between ND and NT expectations, performance culture, psychological safety, and Human Debt. Keywords: autism, ADHD, ND masking, late diagnosis, workplace ableism, generational differences, burnout, emotional labour, psychological safety, autistic adults, Human Debt.EPISODE_METADATA_ENDQuestions This Episode Answers• Why do ND adults experience workplace ableism even in “inclusive” environments? • How do generational differences shape ND identity and disclosure? • Why is masking so emotionally and physically exhausting? • What makes late diagnosis so destabilising for adults? • How do workplace norms reinforce ND burnout? • What needs to change for ND adults to feel safe at work?

In this first episode of NeuroSpicy@Work, Duena sits down with Prof. Dr. Amanda Kirby — one of the most respected voices in neurodiversity, lived experience, and inclusive work design. Together they unpack what it actually feels like to disclose autism at work, why the modern workplace still struggles with ND identity, and how communication, fear, and outdated structures continue to hold people back.Dr. Kirby brings clarity and depth to topics most organisations mishandle: the tension between authenticity and safety, the rise of late-diagnosed adults, and the emotional and practical realities of ND life in professional environments. This episode offers a grounded, honest look at why disclosure is such a risk for many — and what needs to change if workplaces want to stop bleeding talent and burning people out.What We Talk AboutThe risk, fear, and vulnerability behind disclosureWhy ND identity is misunderstood in the workplaceThe collision between rising diagnoses and outdated HR structuresStigma, shame, and the pressure to be “authentic”Why ND people are the canaries exposing broken cultureThe role of communication and emotional language in safetySocial media’s impact on ND understanding (good and bad)Why This MattersND people are entering workplaces that were never built with them in mind — and many are burning out, masking heavily, or leaving altogether. This episode sets the stage for the entire series by naming the real issues: cultural fear, communication breakdowns, human debt, and a system that still doesn’t know how to treat ND workers with respect. Understanding these dynamics is key to building genuinely safe, functional teams.Who This Episode Is ForNeurodivergent professionals, late-diagnosed adults, leaders, HR teams, educators, and anyone trying to build a more human-centred workplace.EPISODE_METADATA_STARTThis episode explores neurodiversity at work through themes of disclosure, psychological safety, stigma, communication gaps, human debt, masking, late diagnosis, ND–NT dynamics, and workplace cultural adaptation. Keywords: autistic identity, workplace disclosure, psychological safety, ND burnout, masking, lived experience, communication patterns, stigma, HR barriers, organisational fear, Human Debt.EPISODE_METADATA_END❓ Questions This Episode AnswersWhy is disclosure still risky for autistic and ADHD professionals?How do shame, stigma, and misunderstanding shape ND work experiences?What happens when rising ND identification collides with outdated workplace norms?Why does communication matter more than diagnosis labels?How can organisations adapt if they genuinely want ND people to thrive?