Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 114: How to Build Habits That Stick (Not Rely on Willpower) – Claire Jackson

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 02:05:18 +1100

Ever wonder why building habits feels easy one week and impossible the next?

In this episode, Australia’s Chief Habits Officer Claire Jackson joins Jeremy and Joey to break down why willpower doesn’t work for neurodivergent brains or neurotypical brains—and how habits stick when they’re built around energy, compassion and real dopamine needs, not perfection.

Claire opens up about her ADHD journey, motherhood, energy management, and practical rituals that made her home and work life calmer and more meaningful. From morning non-negotiables to dopamine-positive environments and the three-task rule, this episode blends science, lived experience, and real-world habit design.

If you’ve ever tried to “just be more disciplined,” this conversation will feel like a breath of relief.

🔍 Episode Highlights

• [00:04:12] Why willpower doesn’t work for ADHD or neurotypical brains
Habits collapse when they rely on self-control alone. Claire explains how dopamine, executive function and emotional load determine whether habits stick.

• [00:09:00] Energy-based productivity instead of hustle or perfection
Learn how to plan your day based on your internal “battery” instead of guilt, deadlines or pressure.

• [00:14:30] Creating dopamine-positive environments
Bright colours, sensory cues and physical spaces that feed your need for stimulation before unhealthy impulses kick in.

• [00:27:37] The “three non-negotiables” habit rule
A practical method for reducing overwhelm: three tasks count, everything else is optional.

• [00:15:49] Rest as a productivity strategy — not a reward
Why protecting the nervous system matters more for progress than grinding harder.

• [00:12:55] Building identity-anchored habits
Real change sticks when habits reinforce: “I matter, and this action proves it.”

• [00:17:33] Compassion over perfection
Success isn’t “never missing a habit” — it’s knowing what to return to when life gets messy.

• [00:18:58] Designing a life that feels good for you
Claire shares how she now builds routines, parenting systems and work rhythms based on values, energy and lived experience.

Connect with Claire:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-jackson-5635592b
Website: https://thehabitlab.com.au/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 113: How to Prioritize Tasks and Stay Focused | Productivity Tips from Jeremy & Joey – Ep 113

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:25:21 +1100

Ever have difficulty deciding which task to do first?
Dive in as hosts Jeremy Nagel and Joey Corea unpack how to prioritise without overthinking. They explore practical frameworks like RICE, RICE, UICEs and FUICE experiment with ways to reduce uncertainty, debate urgency versus importance, and share how AI, accountability, and small experiments can help you focus on what actually matters.

Whether you’re managing a product roadmap or your personal backlog, this episode offers clear, usable tools for getting unstuck — minus the productivity fluff.

Key Ideas & Takeaways :

1. Why Prioritisation Systems Matter

Jeremy opens the discussion by reflecting on how work and side projects often get lost in endless to-do lists. He explains why RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) is valuable — it forces you to quantify what feels vague. Joey agrees that structure helps prevent “fake productivity,” but warns that rigid scoring systems can become procrastination in disguise.

2. RICE Explained & Its Limits

Jeremy walks through each RICE element — Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort — noting it was originally built for product teams.
He highlights its biggest flaw for personal work: “Reach” isn’t always meaningful for individual priorities. Joey adds that RICE works best when there’s data (e.g., users reached, tasks completed), but breaks down when you’re making creative or exploratory decisions.

3. Introducing UIs (Urgency–Impact–Confidence / Effort)

Jeremy shares his personal adaptation: swap “Reach” for “Urgency.”
He keeps the multiplicative model but applies logarithmic effort tiers (2 min, 1 hour, 1 day, etc.) to simplify scoring.
Joey likes the tweak but asks whether urgency might bias people toward reactive work — the kind that feels satisfying but doesn’t move long-term goals forward.

4. Urgency vs Importance
Both hosts explore Eisenhower’s “urgent vs important” distinction.
Jeremy says urgency is okay if you’re honest about why something matters now. Joey pushes back — too much urgency creates cognitive noise. They agree that systems must leave space for non-urgent creative work, otherwise everything becomes firefighting.

5. Reducing Uncertainty with Small Experiments
Jeremy notes that many “low confidence” tasks stay stuck on the list forever. His fix: run tiny experiments first to gather evidence before scoring.
Joey calls this “agile for real life” — you iterate instead of agonising. The point: reduce uncertainty, not eliminate it.

6. Adding the ‘Fun’ or Enjoyment Factor (FUI)
Joey introduces the idea of adding Fun, Urgency, and Impact to his own prioritisation sheet.
He argues enjoyment fuels follow-through, so why not make it explicit?
Jeremy agrees intrinsic motivation matters but notes that “fun” is often self-sorting — you’ll naturally do enjoyable tasks first anyway.

7. Managing Reading Lists & Content Intake
Joey confesses his massive backlog of saved articles and newsletters.
He suggests a scoring system: relevance + excitement – time cost.
Jeremy shares his “three-month purge” rule — if he hasn’t read it in that window, it goes. They both mention using Pocket, Notion, and mind-maps to curate rather than hoard.

8. Using AI & LLMs Wisely

Jeremy warns about overreliance on LLMs. They can amplify bias or atrophy skills if you stop verifying outputs.
Joey agrees but sees promise in pair-programming and summarisation workflows.
They discuss junior roles disappearing due to AI’s speed, and how creative generalists who can judge and adapt outputs will gain value.

9. Accountability & Commitment Contracts

Jeremy explains how he uses financial penalties or “anti-charity” pledges to enforce deadlines.
Joey jokes that fear of embarrassment works just as well.
They debate the crowding-out problem — too much external punishment can kill intrinsic motivation — and conclude that human accountability still beats automation.

10. Joey’s Prioritisation Mind Map
Joey walks listeners through his visual map connecting long-term goals to daily habits.
Jeremy appreciates how it translates fuzzy ambitions into nodes and branches.
Both agree visuals help reveal “hidden dependencies” that linear lists can’t show.

11. Satisficing vs Maximising Decisions

Jeremy defines “satisficing” — choosing something that’s good enough to move forward.
Joey adds that it’s key for ADHD or perfectionist brains: stop optimising everything and pick a workable next step.
This segues into how digital gardens or evolving notes can be better than “final” outputs.

12. Digital Gardening & Reflective Workflows

They close by talking about revisiting past ideas instead of starting fresh each time.
Joey compares it to tending a garden — ideas grow if you give them attention.
Jeremy says that’s the real goal of systems: to create reuse, not just completion.

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Episode 112: Late ADHD Diagnosis, Parenting & Productivity with Lou Zoanetti

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:32:36 +1100

Welcome to episode #112! We’re thrilled to be joined by Lou Zoanetti today.

Lou Zoanetti is the CEO and Founder of Brightworks, an early careers consultancy helping organizations attract, develop, and retain emerging talent. With over 15 years in HR and graduate recruitment, Lou bridges the gap between Gen Z professionals and the world of work. In this episode, she opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, parenting, productivity, and the systems that keep her grounded.

JN: What led you to explore ADHD for yourself?
– Her son’s autism diagnosis made her re-evaluate her own patterns.
– Learned about inattentive ADHD and verbal hyperactivity.
– Realized many long-standing habits matched ADHD traits.

JN: How did it feel receiving the diagnosis?
– A mix of validation and sadness for her younger self.
– Recognized how much effort it took to “hack” her way through school and uni.
– Relief at finally understanding her lifelong struggles.

JN: What coping systems did you use in school and work?
– Constant scaffolding: last-minute sprints, deadlines as motivation.
– Found focus in structured work environments with performance goals.
– Realized later that she was masking exhaustion under discipline.

JN: What has changed since the diagnosis?
– Started ADHD coaching and therapy to manage energy and boundaries.
– Reframed “productivity” to include rest and flexibility.
– Learning to delegate and let go of rigid work hours.

JN: What strengths does ADHD give you?
– High energy, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation.
– Excellent memory for people, faces, and details—helps with business growth.
– Hyperfocus drives rapid learning and strong client relationships.

JN: Tell us about Brightworks and your work.
– Early careers consultancy supporting corporate grad and intern programs.
– Focus on Gen Z readiness, inclusivity, and bridging education-to-employment gaps.
– Works mainly with large organizations, designing onboarding and development strategies.

JN: How is AI changing early career hiring?
– Sees AI reshaping roles and candidate evaluation.
– Cover letters are making a comeback as “proof of humanity.”
– Encourages grads to use AI wisely, not replace their voice with it.

JN: What’s your personal downtime like?
– Walks, cooking, podcasts, and spending time with her kids.
– Finds it difficult to “sit still” but values active relaxation.
– Enjoys Finska with the family when the weather allows.

JN: What productivity strategies help you most?
– Batching meetings, calendar management, and “deep work” days.
– Uses CaveDay for focus and Forest App to block phone use.
– Three-folder email system: To-Do, Waiting On, Read.
– Uses ClickUp for project tracking and deletes tasks that no longer matter.

JN: How do you balance neurodivergence with leadership?
– Open communication and trust within her team.
– Mutual accountability without guilt or over-accommodation.
– Partner relationship built on practical division of strengths.

JN: Any common productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
– “Eat the frog” doesn’t resonate—prefers breaking large tasks into milestones.
– Big blank tasks trigger procrastination; structure brings calm.
– Uses 10-minute Forest timers to kickstart focus sessions.

JN: What’s your morning and sleep routine like?
– Early riser; loves the quiet 7:30–9 a.m. work block.
– Prioritizes 9 hours of sleep; starts winding down by 8:30 p.m.
– Recognizes cognitive fatigue and the need for deliberate rest.

JN: Final reflections?
– Grateful for awareness and community.
– Encourages others to stop masking, take stock, and live authentically.

Connect with Lou:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louzoanetti/

Website: https://brightworks.net.au/

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Episode 111: Yush Sztalkoper

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #111! We’re thrilled to be joined by Yush Sztalkoper.

Yush Sztalkoper is a neurodivergent entrepreneur, coach and founder of Neuros Spark Plus. She works with parents of twice-exceptional children and with organizations to build neuro-inclusive cultures. Yush uses a positive intelligence approach to reshape self-sabotaging habits, reduce burnout and create support systems that fit neurodivergent brains.

Q&A

JN: How did your journey into neurodiversity start?
– Began with concerns for her son at age four and a half, which led to investigation and support.
– Her son is twice-exceptional - bright with learning differences.
– Her child’s profile sparked reflection and ultimately her own ADHD diagnosis about a year ago.
– Diagnosis brought clarity and permission to seek different supports.

JN: What changed after your diagnosis?
– Greater self-awareness and reduced guilt about needing supports.
– Shift from deficit thinking to strength-based perspective.
– Left corporate role two months after diagnosis to pursue more fitting work.

JN: How did culture and immigrant background shape your masking?
– Asian immigrant upbringing encouraged fitting in and masking differences.
– Masking led to long-term adaptation and people-pleasing strategies.
– Parenting revealed those patterns and forced new choices.

JN: What is Positive Intelligence and how does it help?
– A mindset method that identifies saboteurs and activates “sage” responses.
– Uses Activate and Empathy sages to ask “What is needed now?” and to give self-compassion.
– Helps shift victim thinking to opportunity-focused thinking for parenting and work.

JN: How do ADHD traits show up for you and your son?
– Time blindness, hyperfocus, intense interests, and masking differences.
– Rejection sensitivity and people-pleasing were major personal drivers.
– Hyperfocus can be an asset when channeled correctly.

JN: Why move from corporate to entrepreneur?
– Corporate expectations blocked expression of core strengths.
– Needed autonomy, flexibility and roles that let creativity and novelty thrive.
– Now builds services and community that scale human-centered support.

JC: How are you scaling your work?
– Local monthly in-person sessions for parents - created a nonprofit community hub.
– Neuros Spark Plus grew to offer coaching, small cohort programs and organizational consulting.
– Partnership model - Collab X - to amplify experts and scale impact beyond local reach.

JN: What does neuro-inclusive work look like in organizations?
– Help leaders co-create supports and build environments where masking is unnecessary.
– Teach self-advocacy skills so workers can express needs and leaders can listen.
– Focus on holistic supports across life stages, not siloed programs.

JC: How do you approach productivity for neurodivergent clients?
– Start with mindset - use Positive Intelligence to ask “What is needed now?”
– Laser focus on one actionable task rather than a long, stress-inducing to-do list.
– Build breaks, self-empathy and flexibility into routines to avoid burnout.

JN: Final ask or message?
– Lean into strengths and build systems that fit your brain.
– Early support prevents prolonged struggle - advocate for neuro-inclusion and shared community resources.

Connect with Yush:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yushsztalkoper/

Website: https://www.neurosparkplus.com/

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Episode 110: Reuben Schwartz

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:10:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #110! We’re thrilled to be joined by Reuben Schwartz

In this episode, startup consultant Reuben Schwartz shares his late autism diagnosis journey, revealing how it reshaped his approach to parenting, burnout, and productivity. From building and selling a startup to navigating fatherhood and sensory overload, Reuben gets real about what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent professional in a world built for neurotypicals. Perfect for anyone exploring ADHD, autism, neurodiversity, and sustainable productivity.

Q&A

JN: What was it like learning you were autistic after 45 years?
– Other people suspected before he did
– Diagnosis brought clarity and made sense of lifelong confusion
– Helped him understand why social interactions and routines mattered so much
– Learning to accept differences instead of judging right or wrong

JN: How does being “high moralistic, low masking” affect you?
– Sees ethical questions everywhere, even daily choices
– Feels there’s one “correct” way to do things
– Now accepts that others think differently, improving relationships
– Aware now of signals he used to miss

JC: How has autism shaped your relationships and parenting?
– Struggles with emotional understanding and flexibility
– Finds parenting extremely demanding and draining
– Needs solitude to recharge, leading to burnout after becoming a father
– Realized he once followed societal expectations (“become a normal horse”) instead of knowing himself

JN: You’ve had 13 careers and built a startup. What have you learned from that?
– Obsessiveness can be both a gift and a trap
– Works best with structure or collaborators who balance his intensity
– Many “failures” taught him more than successes
– Now values accepting his limits and building support systems

JC: How do you manage burnout and productivity now?
– Uses GTD (Getting Things Done) system religiously
– Writes down everything to clear mental load
– Avoids email and messages in the morning
– Uses color-coded planning and strict scheduling
– Takes regular breaks (with Focus Bear app reminders)
– Wears a fedora to manage sensory sensitivity to light

JN: What doesn’t work for you?
– “Do it until it’s done” startup mentality
– Eisenhower Matrix felt too abstract
– Sleep deprivation immediately destroys focus and composure

JC: Tell us about your current projects.
– Consulting for startups and mentoring founders
– Writing new children’s books
– Researching misinformation and how to rebuild empathy in digital spaces
– Exploring ways to reduce online certainty and polarization

JN: Final message for neurodivergent listeners?
– Self-knowledge matters more than fitting in
– Your brain works differently, not worse
– Build systems that suit you rather than forcing someone else’s model

Connect with Reuben:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reubenschwarz/

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Episode 109: Warwick Donaldson

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 22:33:58 +1100

Welcome to episode #109! We’re thrilled to be joined by Warwick Donaldson.

Warwick Donaldson is the founder and managing director of CapXcentric, a startup consultancy helping founders raise capital with clarity and confidence. After discovering his ADHD in his early thirties, Warwick learned that what once looked like chaos was actually a different kind of focus. Now clean, sober, and running his own business, he’s building a life that works with his brain instead of against it.

JN: When did you realize you weren’t neurotypical?
– Diagnosis came only a few years ago after a social worker date casually asked if he had ADHD
– Spent months reflecting, researching, and taking online ADHD assessments
– Finally found an affordable psychiatrist who confirmed the diagnosis
– Realized his lifelong intensity and impulsivity now made sense

JN: How did the diagnosis change your life?
– Radically improved clarity and self-understanding
– Medication (Vyvanse) helped reduce impulsivity and emotional volatility
– Therapy helped unpack years of negative self-beliefs from being “the difficult kid”
– Gained tools for self-compassion and communication

JC: What traits stood out as signs of ADHD?
– Impulsivity, addictive behaviors, and intense hyperfocus
– Addicted to stimulation: partying, smoking, and long techno nights
– Difficulty with emotional regulation and rejection sensitivity
– Persistent drive and energy — a blessing and curse

JN: How did this affect your career path?
– Worked in finance, startups, and tech; 13 years across multiple roles
– Never lasted long in one job — realized novelty drives motivation
– Now runs his own startup consultancy, designed around his ADHD rhythm
– Focuses on early-stage founders and capital raises where variety and chaos thrive

JC: What changed after you started working for yourself?
– Finally able to drop the mask and be authentic
– Created “CapXcentric” as a brand that reflects his true personality
– Most of his clients also have ADHD, creating mutual understanding and trust
– Learnt to stop pretending to fit conventional corporate molds

JN: How do you manage focus and prevent burnout now?
– No alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes for over two years
– Strict work boundaries: 8 AM to 6 PM only, no weekends
– Regular walks, gardening, and phone-free mornings
– Clear routines and environmental design (no phones in the bedroom, pill boxes next to coffee)

JC: How did sobriety change your life?
– Forced him to face unresolved issues without escape
– Deepened family and partner relationships
– Helped rediscover interests outside work
– Built real hobbies — gardening, cooking, reconnecting with nature

JN: How do you balance your work in a “hustle culture” industry?
– Rejects constant-availability culture in startups
– Sets firm client boundaries and communicates expectations clearly
– Believes productivity comes from structure, not endless hours
– “People will adapt faster than you think when you stop replying at midnight.”

JC: What’s your advice for others with ADHD?
– “Lean into who you are instead of fighting it.”
– Design your life around your wiring, not society’s expectations
– Self-acceptance is a practice, not a finish line
– The earlier you start, the easier life becomes

Connect with Warwick:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warwickdonaldson/

Website: https://www.capxcentric.com/

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Episode 108: Neurodivergence, Trauma, & Healing: A Guide with Nuria Melchor

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:15:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #108! Today we’re joined by Nuria Melchor Fernández

In this episode of Focus and Chill, Jeremy sits down with Nuria Melchor Fernández, an advocate passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals with ADHD, autism, and complex trauma. Nuria opens up about her journey through love addiction recovery, 12-step programs, and navigating multiple diagnoses in Spain. She shares powerful insights into the overlap between neurodivergence and trauma, the challenges of accessing proper support, and the healing potential of community, grounding techniques, and trauma-informed therapies.

How did Nuria first realize she might have ADHD and autism?
- Through her recovery journey in 12-step programs, where peers noticed ADHD traits. Later, similarities with a friend led her to explore autism and discover her own diagnosis

Why does Nuria believe labels like “autism” or “ADHD” can be helpful?
- Labels foster self-compassion and help people connect with peers who share similar experiences, instead of internalizing negative labels like “lazy” or “weird”

What is the difference between complex trauma and single-event trauma?
- Single trauma often stems from one event (e.g., an accident), while complex trauma comes from repeated, long-term experiences like neglect, bullying, or domestic violence

How do complex trauma and neurodivergence intersect?
- Trauma can intensify difficulties with focus, anxiety, and relationships, and it’s often difficult to separate from neurodivergent traits—especially when trauma starts early

What therapies and tools does Nuria recommend for healing?
- Internal Family Systems (IFS), grounding exercises (5-4-3-2-1 method), EMDR, tapping, art therapy, and community-based mutual aid groups

What’s the role of community in healing?
- Finding peers with similar experiences provides validation, resources, and a sense of belonging—something many neurodivergent people struggle to find

Connect with Nuria:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nuriamelchorfernandez/?locale=en_US
Blog: https://nuriamelchorfernandez.bearblog.dev/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Episode 124: Ani Moller

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:26:56 +1000

Welcome to Episode #124! We’re joined today by Ani Moller.

Ani Moller is a leadership and life coach who works with neurodivergent professionals — especially those with ADHD, autism, or experiencing burnout. Drawing from their experience as a senior executive and program manager, Ani combines business strategy, trauma-informed practice, and lived experience of multiple burnouts and a stroke. They support senior leaders, creatives, and purpose-driven teams through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and workplace strategy. Ani identifies as non-binary and integrates evidence-based tools like Positive Intelligence, energy management, and nervous system regulation to help clients lead
authentically without compromising well-being.

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realise you
weren’t neurotypical?
– Realized during the pandemic, after reading traits of autistic women on TikTok
– Diagnosed with ADHD about six months later
– Felt deep relief and self-understanding post-diagnosis

What challenges did you face?
– Multiple burnouts and physical health struggles

– Difficulties with volatile friendships and social challenges
– Anxiety misdiagnosis due to internalized hyperactivity

What changes have come post diagnosis?
– Gained clarity and validation
– Complex PTSD diagnosis reframed much of the struggle
– EMDR therapy helped reduce triggering memories

What challenges do you still face now?
– Severe fatigue from stroke
– Overstimulation in professional environments
– Ongoing executive dysfunction around finishing tasks

What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
– Strong visualization (hyperphantasia)
– Deep empathy and energy-awareness
– Coaching skills strengthened by lived neurodivergent experience

What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
– One-on-one ADHD and leadership coaching
– Positive Intelligence programs for neurodivergent professionals
– Overwhelmed to Organized – a group program blending productivity and compassion

How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
– Spending time in nature and with friends
– Indoor gardening and plants
– Gym, calm hobbies, movies, and travel (as energy allows)

Productivity tips — What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
– Brutal prioritization, guided by values (fun and emotional connection)
– Accepting inbox/task list never finished
– Energy accounting to track what restores vs drains energy

What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
– “Eat the Frog” (hardest task first) — tiring tasks are harder than complex ones
– Generic advice like waking up early — needs sleep consistency instead
– Inbox as task list — doesn’t align with executive function needs

What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
– Wakes around 7, allows three hours before first client
– Gentle routine: movement for fibromyalgia, breakfast, nature time
– Adjusts workouts to energy levels and menstrual cycle

How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
– Struggles with disrupted sleep due to perimenopause and neurodivergence
– Strict routine: lights dimmed red with Philips Hue, phone apps blocked after 8 PM
– Journaling and reading to wind down

Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
– “Treat rest as productive. Rest isn’t laziness — it’s fuel for better leadership and life.”

Connect with Ani:
Website: Ani Moller - https://www.animoller.com/
TikTok: Ani: AuDHD Coach (@professionalaudie) | TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@professionalaudie?
LinkedIn: Ani Møller Coaching | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/animoller/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Episode 107: Jonathan Mok

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:40:00 +1000

Welcome to episode #107! Today we’re joined by Jonathan Mok.

Jonathan was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2019 at the age of 37, a turning point that reshaped his life. Since then, he has become a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, speaking at events such as the Davos Neurodiversity Summit, TEDx CUHK, and the UN World Autism Awareness Day with the Institute of Neurodiversity. His work helps organizations build
more inclusive workplaces and communities, while also inspiring individuals to embrace their identity and strengths.

In this episode, Jonathan shares his personal journey, from challenges in his early school years to finding resilience through self-understanding. He discusses workplace accommodations, strategies that support his productivity, and how neurodivergent individuals can thrive when their
voices are heard.

Q&A
Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realise that you
weren’t neurotypical?
– Realized signs of autism as a child (strictly upholding Boy Scout rules, reporting classmates)
– Faced misunderstandings and was often considered a “difficult student”
– Diagnosis at 37 allowed him to reframe his identity and find community

What challenges did you face?
– Struggled in school with subjects taught in abstract ways (math, chemistry)
– Often misunderstood by teachers and peers
– Burnout at work due to difficulty sustaining attention to detail

What changes have come post-diagnosis?
– Greater self-understanding and acceptance
– Access to accommodations in the workplace
– Recognition of strengths like persistence, honesty, and public speaking

What challenges do you still face now?
– Misconceptions from others (“you don’t look autistic”)
– Workplace pushback on certain accommodations
– Balancing impulsivity with appropriateness in social contexts

What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
– Public speaking and advocacy on global stages
– Ability to remember details and uphold fairness
– Strong initiative and resilience

What “work” projects are you concentrating on?
– Community engagement at Dream Impact, a social enterprise in Hong Kong
– Delivering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for companies and NGOs
– Volunteering with organizations like Sensational Foundation and Fair Trade Hong Kong

How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
– Passion for classical music, ballet, and opera
– Visiting museums and exploring art history
– Enjoying stories about how artists reflect their times

Productivity tips — What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
– Using AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT) to help prioritize tasks and manage overwhelm
– Taking regular breaks and practicing mindfulness during lunch
– Setting boundaries around work hours to prevent burnout

What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
– Hustle culture: “just work harder”
– Vague task assignments without clear priorities
– Ignoring the need for rest and recovery

What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
– Wakes at 7 AM, eats breakfast, and prepares for work with a predictable routine
– Learned to make mornings more structured after past struggles with stress
– Packs and checks essentials the night before to avoid forgetfulness

How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
– Night routine includes prayer, light exercise, and avoiding screens before bed
– Typically falls asleep within 10 minutes unless affected by caffeine
– Uses music and reflection to transition from work to rest

Connect with Jonathan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankhmok9999/?originalSubdomain=hk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kahonm/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Episode 106: Christina Keeble

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:46:53 +1000

Welcome to episode #106! We’re thrilled to be joined by Christina Keeble.

Christina Keeble is an autistic and ADHD educational consultant, speaker, and COO of the National PEAK Center—an allied health practice grounded in neuro-affirming principles. She’s also a dedicated parent of two PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) children, and brings a unique blend of lived experience, advocacy, and professional expertise to the conversation.

In this episode, Christina shares her powerful journey of discovering her neurodivergence after her children’s diagnoses, and how that reshaped her approach to parenting, self-care, and work. From navigating school refusal to burnout recovery and creating sustainable work rhythms, Christina offers truth bombs and strategies for both neurodivergent individuals and the professionals who support them.

⏱️ Timeline:
00:00:00 – Intro + Guest Bio
00:02:00 – Discovering She’s Autistic & ADHD
00:04:30 – PDA Parenting Journey Begins
00:06:00 – Diagnosis, Medication & Mental Health
00:08:00 – What Is PDA? (Demand Avoidance Explained)
00:10:00 – Reparenting, Trauma & Letting Go of Norms
00:13:00 – Breaking the Parent Blame Cycle
00:16:00 – Productivity & Harnessing Hyperfocus
00:19:00 – What Christina Actually Does for Work
00:22:00 – Neurodivergent Coaching & Workplace Inclusion
00:28:00 – Why Fake Deadlines Work
00:31:00 – Timer Tricks That Don’t Work
00:34:00 – Tools That Might Work for PDA Brains
00:37:00 – Chronic Illness, Burnout & Pacing
00:42:00 – Final Advice for Neurodivergent Parents
00:44:30 – Where to Find Christina Online

📱 Follow Christina:
Website: https://christinakeeble.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-keeble/?originalSubdomain=au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinakeebleconsulting/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinakeebleconsulting/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:
Website: https://focusbear.io
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Episode 105: Joey and Jeremy

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:27:31 +1000

🎧 Welcome to Episode #105 of the Focus and Chill Podcast!

Jeremy and Joey are back—breaking down what it really takes to stay productive, sane, and playful as neurodivergent adults navigating life, work, and boring responsibilities like taxes and job hunting.

They dive into DUMB goals (a cheeky reframe of SMART goals), how automation can help with hard tasks, and why optimizing systems too much can actually hold you back.

👤 Your Hosts:
Jeremy – AuDHD founder of Focus Bear, software developer, and master of routines
Joey – Creative productivity coach, psychology nerd, and LLM tinkerer with big heart energy

🧠 In This Episode, We Cover:
What are DUMB Goals and why they might suit neurodivergent brains better
The “optimization trap” and how to escape it
Joey’s automated job application system using LLMs + doc generators
Jeremy’s spreadsheet-based second brain for managing email burnout
Tactics for doing hard, boring tasks like tax returns
Replacing Evernote: digital tools that actually work
Rethinking email, task systems, and communication overload
Why delight, play, and imperfection matter in long-term motivation

🕒 Episode Timeline
00:00:00 – Intro + What We’re Covering
00:02:00 – DUMB Goals vs SMART Goals
00:05:00 – The Optimization Trap (Pros & Cons)
00:08:00 – Automating Job Applications with LLMs
00:14:00 – Grant Scoring & Task Prioritization
00:16:00 – Jeremy’s Low-Dopamine Email Management System
00:21:00 – Rethinking Email, Labels, and Replies
00:24:00 – Layers of Communication (Email, Slack, Calls)
00:25:00 – How DUMB Goals Fit Creative Projects
00:27:00 – Resistance Training, Momentum & Reigniting Joy
00:28:00 – Coloring Books, Cold Outreach, and Tax Returns
00:31:00 – Second Brains, Note Apps & Evernote Replacements
00:34:00 – OneNote vs Evernote + Final Reflections

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

#ADHD #Neurodivergent #Productivity #DUMBGoals #Automation #FocusBear #MentalHealth #LLMHacks #CreativeDiscipline #SecondBrain #NoteTakingTools

Episode 104: Mike Knapp

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:56:16 +1000

🎧 Welcome to Episode #104 of the Focus and Chill Podcast!

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mike Knapp to explore the intersection of burnout, late autism diagnosis, and what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent professional in tech.

👤 About the Guest:
Mike Knapp is a serial entrepreneur, tech innovator, and former Google product lead. From co-founding the custom shoe company Shoes of Prey to building AI tools and launching Google’s Task Mate, Mike’s career is a masterclass in innovation. After facing debilitating burnout and being diagnosed with autism at 43, Mike now speaks openly about neurodivergence, self-awareness, and building sustainable success.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:
- What burnout really looked like (and why it was misdiagnosed for years)
- How discovering autism in adulthood reshaped Mike’s life
- Challenges of masking and working in fast-paced tech environments
- Morning & evening routines that actually work for neurodivergent brains
- Balancing fatherhood, mental health, and meaningful work
- Why compassion—for yourself and others—is essential for neurodivergent wellbeing

00:00:00 – Intro + Guest Bio
00:02:58 – Burnout Before Diagnosis
00:03:30 – Realizing He’s Autistic at 43
00:05:00 – Physical + Emotional Cost of Masking
00:08:30 – Autistic Work Styles vs. Norms
00:09:59 – Recovery & Shifting Expectations
00:11:11 – Rejoining the Workforce (Differently)
00:13:00 – New AI Job + Purpose-Driven Work
00:16:03 – Tinkering with Tools, LLMs, and Side Projects
00:18:00 – Teamwork, Improv & Learning from Burnout
00:21:30 – Rewriting Internal Narratives & Delegation
00:27:31 – Routines with a Toddler + Parenthood
00:30:00 – Cooking Hacks, ADHD Evenings & Sleep Challenges
00:33:00 – CPAP, Sleep Apnea & Neurodivergent Sleep
00:33:47 – Final Thoughts: Compassion for All Brains

Connect with Mike Knapp:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpknapp
Website: mikeknapp.xyz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_F-0WWGvJ188KI6CXiVKWw
Email: mike@mikeknapp.xyz

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Episode 103: Yenn Purkis

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:59:29 +1000

Welcome to episode #103! We’re thrilled to be joined by Yenn Purkis today.

Yenn Purkis is an autistic, asexual, and non-binary advocate, author, and speaker with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. They’ve written 18 published books and contributed to many more. Known for their honest storytelling and passion for neurodivergent visibility, Yenn has delivered two TEDx talks and currently serves as Deputy CEO of the Disability Leadership Institute. Based in Canberra, Australia, Yenn shares their life with their beloved tortoiseshell cat, Sunflower, and is a self-proclaimed Star Trek “Borg” superfan. They are fiercely committed to authenticity, community, and using their voice to make space for others.

Welcome to the show, Yenn!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
– Diagnosed with autism in prison at age 20 in 1994
– Initially rejected the label, masking heavily for survival
– Took 10 years to fully embrace the diagnosis

JN: What challenges did you face?
– Internalized stigma made acceptance hard
– Preferred to say “I’ve been in prison” over “I’m autistic”
– Struggled with self-worth and masking in extreme environments

JN: What changes have come post-diagnosis?
– Found mentorship and community through advocate Polly Samuel
– Began to embrace autistic pride and write books
– Diagnosis opened the door to advocacy and self-acceptance

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
– Working 9 jobs across advocacy, writing, and public speaking
– Finds joy and stimulation in juggling multiple roles
– Uses structure, discipline, and passion to stay productive

JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
– Deputy CEO at Disability Leadership Institute
– Working with Rebus Theatre, La Trobe University, University of Wollongong
– Running the “Autism and Adulthood” course at My Life, My Decisions

JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
– Watching TV (Borg obsession, Star Trek, Breaking Bad, reality police shows)
– Blogging, writing memes, cuddling with Sunflower the cat
– Catching up with friends and writing personal essays

JC: Productivity tips – What do you do to optimise productivity?
– Writes with structure: headings/subheadings first
– Doesn’t wait for inspiration—focuses on discipline
– Uses proactive mindset: “If I don’t want to do it, I do it first”
– Doesn’t procrastinate—teaches herself to act

JC: What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
– Self-taught; hasn’t relied on traditional productivity models
– Emphasizes doing over theorizing

JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
– Wakes up to cat Sunflower demanding breakfast
– One coffee, big breakfast, then TV buffer before work
– Loves Star Trek (especially Borg) and quirky sci-fi routines

JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
– No fixed bedtime; varies with schedule
– Often calls parents, watches TV, does light work in the evening
– Takes medication at night to manage health

JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
–LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yenn-purkis-469219b9

–Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yennpurkisbooks

–Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yennpurkis5

–Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yennpurkis5

–Email: funnyauthorperson@gmail.com
–Books: https://yennpurkis.com/books/

–TEDx talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSC1P49jOec

JC: Final words or asks for the audience?
– Reach out and connect
– Keep questioning assumptions
– Follow what brings you joy—even if it’s 9 jobs and a Borg duck

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 67: Dr. Megan Anna Neif

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 27 May 2025 05:47:11 +1000

Welcome to episode #67 We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Megan Anna Neff today.

Dr. Neff is a neurodivergent Psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights where she creates education and wellness resources for neurodivergent adults. Dr. Neff is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People. Additionally, she has published in several peer-reviewed journals. Passionate about distilling complex research into visually accessible formats, she translates research into visual pixels which you can find on her website, Instagram, and digital workbooks. Beyond her visual endeavors, she co-hosts the "Divergent Conversations" podcast and spearheads a vibrant learning community tailored for neurodivergent adults.

Welcome to the show Dr. Neff!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. 3 years ago (2021)
    1. Started exploring for oldest child
  2. Was surprising / Wasn’t covered in training
  3. Autism discovery came first, then ADHD.
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Feeling
    1. Like observer in life
    2. Can’t be content
    3. Struggling to be present (because of dissociation from sensory overload).
  2. A lot of this is because of the sensory overload
    1. Specific sensory challenges
      1. The rate of work: 15 patients per day.
      2. In a room with 5 people simultaneously
  3. Mental dialog
    1. Preparing conversations
    2. Metaphors
  4. Autistic burnout
    1. Long COVID
    2. Explained 4-5 long depression episodes
3. What changes have come post-diagnosis?
  1. Many of the challenges above, but lean into the underlying values that are driving it
    1. E.g. going to a bustling, overstimulating party can be manageable if connecting to the family aspect behind it.
  2. More accepting of how they can show up (e.g. if it’s a crowded area, accepting that they may be less present).
4. What challenges do you still face now?
  1. Executive functioning
    1. Organization
      1. Missing details
      2. Scheduling
  2. Sensory
    1. Restructured work
      1. Closed private practice
      2. More space for flow states
  3. Autistic burnout/managing energy levels
5. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Hyperfocus/monotropism
  2. Special interests - “Aspie” quiz showed interest
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Working on several books
  1. Self-care for autistic people
  2. Autistic burnout
  3. ND affirming therapy
  4. Cross neurotype interactions
2. Created 25+ workbooks
  1. On Examples:
    1. RSD
    2. Interoception
  2. Create graphics based on concepts
  3. Converting them into video courses
3. Community
4. Social media posts
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Doesn’t relax well
  1. Chandra Rhymes? With kids
  2. Actively looking for habits
  3. Self-diagnosed workaholism
Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
  1. Learning things her way - standard learning styles didn’t work
  2. Leaning into rhythms
    1. Different buckets of work for different energy levels
    2. Bucket A: writing/creativity
      1. High energy
      2. Fulfilling
    3. Bucket B: admin
      1. Low energy/low brainpower
      2. Background shows to boost dopamine
  3. Interest-based nervous system - Dr Dodson
    1. As opposed to the importance of based nervous system
    2. Passion/meaning/play/novelty/urgency/challenge
    3. Operationalizing it
      1. Let herself chase her interests
      2. Structured spontaneity
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. “Normal” Scheduling
    1. E.g. content calendar
    2. Hard to figure out what to do for the next 6 months - can’t predict what
BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Morning ritual
  1. Cup of coffee every day
  2. Sit in sunlight
  3. 15-30 minutes
2. Which projects to move on today
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Tactics for
2. Free association/shamanic/cognitive shuffling
  1. Free assoc
  2. Shamanic ritual
  3. Cognitive shuffling - intentionally shuffle thoughts (e.g. combining garden, find all the words starting with each letter of garden)
    1. It prevents rumination and mimics the early stages of sleep.
3. Play solitaire in bed
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Website: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/
2. Free resources on the blog: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog
3. Newsletter: https://newsletter.neurodivergentinsights.com/resource-vault
4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-anna-neff/
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Start paying attention to your rhythms - “Detective of your own experience”
2. Work with them, not against them

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Connect with Jeremy:

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 102: Dr. Amanda Mullin

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Wed, 07 May 2025 20:42:38 +1000

Welcome to episode #102! We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Amanda Mullen today.

Dr. Amanda Mullen is a clinical psychologist, business owner, and keynote speaker passionate about helping people thrive using neurodivergence-friendly strategies. As the founder of Mindwork Psychology, Mindworks Online, and Think Differently, she has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with ADHD, anxiety, and burnout. Amanda is the creator of Thrive 2025, a year-long online course designed to embed practical tools into daily life, particularly for neurodivergent minds. She’s also a mom, footballer, and matcha enthusiast who believes in living authentically—rubber duck included.

Welcome to the show, Amanda!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?

Initially trained in outdated deficit models of ADHD and autism
Didn’t realize she had ADHD and autistic traits until later
High-functioning masking delayed recognition of her own neurodivergence

JN: What challenges did you face?

Struggled with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and school discipline
Strong sense of justice led to conflicts
Heavy masking to fit in socially

JN: What changes have come post diagnosis?

Diagnosis helped her understand herself and support clients better
Reduced stigma in her personal and professional circles
Able to talk openly on stage and implement practical strategies

JN: What challenges do you still face now?

Balancing her neurodivergent needs with leadership in a large psychology practice
No single playbook for neuroaffirming workplaces
Navigating trial-and-error in supporting diverse clients and staff

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?

Hyperfocus and deep curiosity help in content creation and therapy
Embraces rapid learning and solution-focused approaches
Enjoys designing neurodivergent-friendly programs

JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?

Leading Mindwork Psychology with 14 staff
Launched Thrive 2025, a year-long course for ADHDers
Builds micro-learning, multimedia online programs

JC: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

Passionate about running and football
Took up soccer at 40 to challenge body image stigma
Believes enjoyment—not performance—is key in sports

JC: Productivity tips – What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?

Heavy tasks in early morning or late night
Uses post-it notes for task clarity
Acknowledges task initiation challenges midday

JC: What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?

Over-reliance on novelty-based tools/apps
Sustainable success comes from routines, not quick fixes
Advocates boring consistency over “productivity hacks”

JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

Biohacking enthusiast (e.g., Oura ring)
Starts day with movement, hydration, sunlight, and no caffeine
Outdoor yoga or running as grounding rituals

JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?

Sleeps deeply, unlike many ADHDers
Limits late-night hyperfocus despite temptation
Mindful of overworking due to past health scares (cancer survivor)

JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?

Mind Psychology: https://www.mindworxpsychology.com.au/portfolio-items/dr-amanda-mullin-director/
Think Differently with Dr. Amanda: https://www.think-differently.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amandamullin/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmandaMullin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-mullin-2442912/

JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?

“Get to know yourself.”
There is no one-size-fits-all ADHD solution.
Let go of labels and cultivate self-awareness

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 101: Sharon Collon

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 05:20:33 +1000

Welcome to Episode 101!
We’re thrilled to be joined by Sharon Collon, ADHD coach, parenting expert, and founder of The Functional Family. Sharon shares her journey of creating practical ADHD strategies for individuals and families by working with—not against—the ADHD brain.

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with ADHD?

Married into ADHD: fell in love with her husband’s hyperactive ADHD brain.
Recognized early signs in her children, leading to family-wide support efforts.
Started with therapies, pivoted to whole-family ADHD-focused strategies after burnout.

JN: What challenges did you face?

Emotional dysregulation across the whole family.
Throwing therapies at the problem without seeing real-life results.
Overwhelm, financial strain, and lack of holistic support initially.

JN: What changes came after studying ADHD formally?

Focused on family dynamics, not just child interventions.
Created practical, strengths-based strategies tailored to ADHD brains.
Shifted toward helping families and adults find what uniquely works for them.

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths do you see often?

Kindness, love of learning, fairness, and justice are common strengths.
Incredible problem-solving abilities and pattern recognition.
Ability to disrupt stagnant systems with creativity and new ideas.

JC: What projects are you working on now?

ADHD Classroom Strategies Course for teachers.
Sibling Conflict Programs to foster harmony.
A 31-Day Family Connection Challenge.
Focus on Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria education.

JN: What are your productivity tips for ADHD brains?

Light theme days instead of rigid time-blocking.
Opening and closing workday rituals to set a rhythm.
Weekly "triage" system to prioritize tasks like an ER nurse.

JN: What productivity strategies tend to fail?

Heavy structure early on often backfires.
Ignoring time-awareness challenges leads to procrastination.
Rigid routines without flexibility result in abandonment.

JN: How has your morning routine evolved?

Focus on removing friction points (example: toothbrush at the breakfast table).
Environmental changes to support easy habit formation.
Finding micro-moments of joy (like cappuccinos and sea walks).

JN: How is your sleep, and how do you switch off?

Sleep is a major challenge ("three sleep terrorists" + husband’s snoring).
Critical to physically lock away her phone at night.
Uses magnesium, low lighting, and consistent sleep signals for winding down.

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefunctionalfamily/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/

JN: Final Words for the Audience

"You don't need to try harder—you need to try differently."
Embrace experimentation, celebrate progress, and build strategies that work uniquely for you.

More from Focus Bear:
Website: https://focusbear.io
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/
Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear
Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io
Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 100: Joey and Jeremy

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:58:14 +1000

Welcome to Episode 100!

This special milestone episode is a no-guest conversation between your hosts Joey and Jeremy. After 100 episodes, they reflect on lessons learned about productivity, focus, neurodivergence, energy management, and finding joy in everyday work.

JN: What has changed in your routines since starting the podcast?

Joey: Shifted to working with ultradian rhythms: 90 minutes focus, 30 minutes break.
Jeremy: Focused more on energy management, not time management. Uses longer focus blocks instead of strict Pomodoros.

JN: How do you apply Pomodoro alongside ultradian rhythms?

Joey: Adjusted breaks for eyesight and movement. Micro-stretches every 30 minutes.
Jeremy: Uses Focus Bear to cue breaks when natural pauses happen. Breaks spark creativity.

JN: How has your work-life balance evolved?

Jeremy: More meetings now, harder to find long focus blocks. Misses the "maker schedule" days.
Joey: Importance of "keystone habits" like journaling. When they slip, everything else follows.

JN: How do you prioritize when things get overwhelming?

Jeremy: Weekly accountability call, paper notes, and identifying the three most important tasks daily.
Joey: Returns to fundamental routines (morning and evening journaling) to regain clarity.

JN: What are your current capture systems?

Jeremy: Paper inbox for short-term, medium-term, and long-term tasks.
Joey: Hybrid journaling system—handwriting for stream-of-consciousness, typing for daily logs.

JN: How do you use journaling for insight?

Joey: Tracks convergence and divergence from personal values.
Jeremy: Journals help identify "intrinsic motivation" versus "extrinsic obligation."

JN: How do you approach "sunk cost fallacy" and project decisions?

Jeremy: Reflects on intrinsic joy versus external obligation. Wants to move toward more internally motivated projects.
Joey: Discusses reframing tough situations to reclaim agency.

JN: How do you inject creativity into boring tasks?

Jeremy: Takes the "scenic route" on tasks (e.g., scripting automation instead of manually updating diagrams) to make work more fun

JN: What role does environment play in focus and creativity?

Joey: Walks in nature for creative thinking.
Jeremy: Flights and long train rides without WiFi help with deep reading and focus.

JN: How do coworking spaces fit into your workflow?

Joey: Home is the cave; coworking spaces offer diffuse, social stimulation.
Jeremy: Sees coworking as a "cathedral" space for connection.

JN: Final reflections after 100 episodes?

Grateful for the journey, lessons learned, and excited for the next 100 episodes!
Invite listeners to suggest guests or topics.

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 99: Annie Crowe

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 05:56:30 +1000

Welcome to Episode 99!
We’re thrilled to have Annie Crow—an autistic & ADHD human rights lawyer, founder of the Neuro Access Network, and keynote speaker on neurodiversity advocacy—join us today. In this episode, Annie shares her personal journey toward embracing her neurodivergence, the challenges she’s overcome, and how she’s turned that into empowering work for her community.

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?

Felt different from an early age (nickname “Princess in the pea”).
Highly sensitive to emotional, physical, and sensory stimuli.
Developed self-awareness long before formal diagnosis.

JN: When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?

Formally diagnosed at 28 after years of therapy.
Noticed unique traits when starting full-time work.
Diagnosis confirmed what she had suspected all along.

JN: What challenges did you face?

Initial misdiagnosis (anxiety, depression, PTSD).
Struggled with misunderstanding and stigma.
Difficulty reconciling public stereotypes with her extroverted nature.

JN: What changes have come post diagnosis?

Embraced her autistic and ADHD identity with pride.
Shifted focus to self-advocacy and community support.
Transitioned from public service to working for herself.

JN: What challenges do you still face now?

Overcoming societal stigma around autism vs. ADHD.
Navigating the “double empathy” problem in professional settings.
Balancing complex emotions and perfectionism.

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?

Deep sensitivity and creativity as tools for advocacy.
Passion for honest self-expression and challenging norms.
Ability to debunk myths about neurodivergence and leadership.

JN: What “work” projects are you concentrating on?

Leading the Neuro Access Network.
Hosting the Princess and the P podcast on neurodiversity.
Founding Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia.
Keynoting on accessibility and burnout in various sectors.

JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

Enjoys tech (e.g., Notion), coworking, and stream deck gadgetry.
Loves spending time with her family and her “standard poodle” Moose.
Finds balance through creative outlets and self-care.

JN: What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?

Developing the “pulse framework” to balance hyperfocus and recovery.
Prioritizing flexible, energy-driven work routines.
Using tech tools to remove friction and streamline tasks.

JN: What unhelpful productivity advice doesn’t work for you?

Overly rigid pacing or “one-size-fits-all” time-blocking.
Standardized routines that ignore her neurodivergent needs.

JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

No strict early-morning ritual; struggles with being a night owl.
Uses a relaxed approach with gradual wake-up and flexible start.
Adapts daily plans based on energy levels and recovery needs.

JN: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?

Sleep is a constant struggle; tends to have poor sleep hygiene.
Uses her Kindle for fiction-only reading to quiet her mind.
Continuously refining her bedtime routine to improve rest.

JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniecrowe/
Website: https://www.neuroaccess.com.au/contact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieCroweNeuroAccess/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_anniecrowe/?hl=en

JN: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?

Emphasizes being kind to yourself and embracing your neurodivergence.
Encourages joining her network (discount code “Power 2025” available).
Advocates for accessible, supportive environments in every aspect of life.

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 98: Rob Edwards

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:50:43 +1000

Welcome to episode number 98 of the Focus and Chill podcast.

We’re thrilled to be joined by Rob Edwards today. Rob is the CEO of the NEA—the Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship Association. The NEA provides a meeting place for all those with an interest in neurodiversity and entrepreneurship, creating a safe and nurturing environment for neurodivergent entrepreneurs to get the help and support they need to start their own businesses—and the ongoing support to keep them running and earning an income.

Based in West Yorkshire in the UK, Rob is a neurodivergent entrepreneur himself and has worked with membership groups, academics, and businesses for over 20 years, holding senior roles in academic publishing. Before becoming self-employed in 2014, he advised on marketing, events, business development, and board strategy, and has also been an associate lecturer in creativity and innovation.

Great to have you on the show, Rob.

JN: When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?

Around 4–5 years ago during conversations with other neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
Lightbulb moment: “What they’re describing is exactly what I go through.”
Inspired by his son’s autism diagnosis and family’s subsequent diagnoses (ADHD, autism).

JN: What challenges did you face?

Overwhelm, inability to finish projects, self-doubt.
Mistook executive dysfunction for laziness.
Compared himself negatively to neurotypical colleagues.

JN: What changes have come post diagnosis?

Reframed self-talk and practiced more self-compassion.
Realized traditional productivity methods didn’t work.
Started designing systems around his brain, not against it.

JN: What challenges do you still face now?

Hyperfocus burnout.
Imposter syndrome, rejection sensitivity.
Energy crashes after intense creative focus.
Still learning to accept what works best for him.

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?

Hyperfocus enables rapid execution.
High creativity and pattern recognition.
Can see connections others might miss.
Embracing divergent thinking and innovation.

JN: What “work” projects are you concentrating on?

Running NEA: supporting neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
Partnering with universities on inclusive business programs.
Launching a new freelance-focused careers hub.
Working on PhD in neurodivergent entrepreneurship.

JN: What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

Caring for his autistic son, who is homeschooled.
Amateur dramatics: musicals, theater, and performance.
Finds focus and joy through rehearsal and creative expression.

JN: What do you do to optimise productivity during working hours?

Uses a reMarkable tablet for distraction-free planning.
Leverages Motion to auto-schedule tasks.
Plans around energy peaks (10AM–6PM works best).
Balances chaos with loose structure—"organized mess."

JN: What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?

Time-blocking and Pomodoro techniques.
Can't “force” hyperfocus to happen on demand.
Prefers tools that adjust to natural flow and rhythm.

JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

Starts around 9:30–10AM (no longer guilty about late starts).
Family time and coffee before work.
Reflects on priorities and adjusts day accordingly.
Embraces energy-driven, flexible mornings.

JN: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?

Struggles with winding down.
Uses phone scrolling to calm his brain.
Gets decent rest but wakes up tired—still a work in progress.
Enjoys quiet evenings with family and box sets.

JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtedwards/
Website: https://www.nea.global/

JN: Final words or asks for the audience?

"Diverse minds, limitless possibilities" — NEA’s motto.
Encourages community and collaboration.
Believes the tide is rising for neurodivergent inclusion.
“Keep pushing forward — together we’re stronger.”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Ep. 97 Pip Scott-Allen

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 15:29:54 +1000

Welcome to episode 97 of the Focus and Chill podcast! Today’s guest is the energetic and insightful Pip Scott‑Allen, originally from Canada and now making waves in Australia.

Pip’s journey into leadership and team culture began early—at just 14, he started exploring the world of team building. Since then, he’s worn many hats: outdoor educator, backcountry guide, adventure leader, camp director, lifeguard, and tourism professional. These experiences laid the foundation for his current passion: helping teams thrive.

After being diagnosed with ADD in college, Pip began leaning into his neurodivergent strengths—creativity, adaptability, and a deep empathy for others. Six years ago, he founded Premier Team Building, a company dedicated to helping businesses across Australia strengthen their leadership and culture through dynamic, people-first strategies.

Pip brings humor, purpose, and a bit of “spicy brain” energy to everything he does—and we’re excited to dive into his story.

Welcome to the show, Pip!

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?

Always felt “a bit spicy.”
High energy and creative as a kid.
Loved sports, theatre, and music.
Often felt different but didn’t know why.

JN: When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?

College roommate noticed differences.
Got tested and diagnosed with DD.
Diagnosis brought clarity and relief.

JN: What challenges did you face?

Executive functioning issues.
Trouble with focus and organization.
Emotional exhaustion from masking.
Lack of support in early years.

JN: What changes have come post diagnosis?

Learned to work with his brain, not against it.
Uses a “Kill List” to prioritize tasks.
Builds flexible systems and routines.
Embraced delegation and self-awareness.

JN: What challenges do you still face now?

Executive dysfunction still present.
Rigidity in planning causes stress.
Sensory overload in busy environments.
Energy crashes after intense work.

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?

Hyperfocus and creative thinking.
Natural leader in team environments.
Strong empathy and people skills.
Innovative event and culture design.

JN: What “work” projects are you concentrating on?

Running Premier Team Building.
Organizing large-scale team events.
Coaching business leaders on inclusive cultures.
Supporting neurodivergent individuals in the workplace.

JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

Hiking and camping.
Quality time with wife and dogs.
Enjoys horror movies and live music.
Wine tasting and being outdoors.

JN: What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?

Uses a “Kill List” with max 5 tasks.
Blocks time in calendar.
Takes intentional breaks.
Uses fidgets and noise-cancelling headphones.

JN: What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?

Rigid, all-day planning doesn’t work.
“One task all day” approach backfires.
Needs flexibility to manage mental energy.

JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

Wakes up around 4:00 AM.
Prepares night before to reduce decision fatigue.
Takes vitamins, gym, and reviews task list.
Gets going early with minimal friction.

JN: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?

Aims for 9–10 PM bedtime.
Often only gets 4–5 hours.
Falls asleep quickly due to exhaustion.
Working on improving sleep hygiene.

JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pip-scott-allen-facilitator-of-awesome-8458a069/
Email: pip@premierteambuilding.com.au
Website: https://premierteambuilding.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PremierTeamBuildingAus/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premier_team_building/

JN: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?

Be kind to yourself.
Understand and respect your energy limits.
Use tools like the “spoon theory.”
Build a life that works for your brain.

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 96: April Lea

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 18:43:51 +1100

Welcome to episode number 96 of the Focus Chill podcast.

We’re thrilled to be joined by April Lea today. April is an ADHD founder with a background in product management and software engineering. She's passionate about removing the barriers that stop neurodivergent people from building themselves meaningful and sustainable careers.

April was late diagnosed with autism and ADHD in 2021 after spending her entire life bulldozing through walls to survive and integrate with society. When her disabilities finally caught up with her, her entire life had to change, and that is what fueled the creation of the Neurodiversity Network, an online career hub that wants to break down the barriers to meaningful careers for neurodivergent individuals around the world.

Questions:

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?

April was diagnosed in 2021 after a breakdown. Her neurodivergence had been masked through sheer force of will until burnout caught up with her.
She describes the diagnosis as liberating – it explained why she felt like she was “trying to play life on hard mode.”

JN: When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?

She had suspected differences from a young age but normalized them.
The collapse in 2021 was a turning point, making her finally confront and explore her neurodivergence.

JN: What challenges did you face?

Constant masking, sensory overload, and struggling with corporate norms.
Misunderstandings in communication, expectations around performance, and the exhaustion of pretending to be “normal.”

JN: What changes have come post diagnosis?

She’s leaned into self-awareness, rest, and pacing herself instead of pushing through.
More compassion toward herself and openness with others about her needs.
Designed her work life around her brain, not in spite of it.

JN: What challenges do you still face now?

Sensory sensitivity, especially with lights and sounds.
Managing energy and fatigue cycles.
Dealing with the internalized shame of needing accommodations.

JN: What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?

Deep empathy and emotional intelligence.
Creative problem solving and being highly attuned to systems and processes.
Building inclusive spaces that reflect real neurodivergent experiences.

JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?

April is focused on growing the Neurodiversity Network, offering career coaching and resources for neurodivergent professionals.
She’s also designing group programs that help people navigate work-life alignment.

JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

Loves sensory activities like colorful lighting setups and dancing.
Enjoys resting, spending time with animals, and letting her mind wander creatively.

JC: Productivity tips – What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?

Works in sprints with scheduled recovery.
Uses natural lighting and sensory-friendly environments.
Focuses on tasks that align with her energy rather than rigid schedules.

JC: What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?

Hustle culture and strict time-blocking.
Generic productivity hacks that ignore neurodivergent brains and energy cycles.

JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

Avoids rushed mornings. Starts slow with tea, gentle movement, and light exposure.
Embraces flexibility and intuitive pacing over rigid plans.

JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?

Sleep is variable – she often uses calming light shows, soft music, and soothing routines to wind down.
Has learned to accept her rhythms and build in room for naps.

JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-lea/
Email: april@theneurodiversitynetwork.com
Website: https://www.theneurodiversitynetwork.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theneurodiversitynetworkcareerhub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurodiversitynetwork/

JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?

Don’t wait for external validation to start living in alignment with your brain.
Seek community, self-understanding, and sustainable success—your way.

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 95: Elizabeth Kaelin

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 18:35:29 +1100

Welcome to episode #95! We’re thrilled to be joined by Elizabeth Kaelin today.

Elizabeth Kaelin is a tech founder, award-winning commercialization mentor, and intersectionality business advocate. Her career spans healthcare, tech, venture capital, and corporate leadership, where she helps businesses scale while challenging traditional business norms.

Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Elizabeth shares how she overcame burnout, adapted her leadership style, and built sustainable success. She is passionate about rethinking productivity, advocating for neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and showing how ADHD can be a leadership strength.

In this episode, we discuss navigating ADHD as an entrepreneur, energy-based productivity, and how to build a business that actually works for your brain.

Welcome to the show, Liz!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you had ADHD?

Diagnosed three separate times before fully accepting it
Initially dismissed the diagnosis due to career success & masking
ADHD symptoms became more obvious during burnout & career transitions

JN: How did ADHD impact your early career?

Worked in dietetics, tech, venture capital & consulting before founding her startup
Struggled with executive dysfunction & burnout in structured corporate settings
Thrived in entrepreneurship but faced challenges in long-term project management

JC: How did your ADHD diagnosis change how you approached work?

Stopped trying to "fix weaknesses" & started optimizing strengths
Focused on energy-based productivity instead of rigid time management
Learned to work with her brain, not against it

JN: What was the biggest challenge in building your business as a neurodivergent entrepreneur?

Struggled with traditional productivity systems that don’t work for ADHD
Had to develop her own strategies for prioritization & decision-making
Learned to lean into her strengths rather than force neurotypical approaches

JC: What is your approach to productivity now?

Uses energy management instead of strict schedules
Prioritizes flexibility & intuition over rigid planning
Explores non-traditional frameworks like numerology & cyclical planning

JN: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?

“Eat the Frog” method (doing the hardest task first)—completely drains motivation
Rigid time-blocking & consistency-based productivity hacks
Trying to force structure instead of embracing fluidity

JC: How do you prevent burnout while managing multiple projects?

Learned to listen to her body & mental energy levels
Simplifies decision-making using intuition & structured randomness
Balances structure with novelty to maintain engagement

JN: What is your morning routine like?

Uses randomized prompts to keep routines engaging & prevent decision fatigue
Focuses on three key things daily (movement, mindfulness, connection)
Simulates a commute even when working from home to set mental boundaries

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Struggles with sleep & phone distractions—uses grayscale & separate phones
Listens to music or ambient sounds to shift into relaxation mode
Tidies up before bed to avoid waking up in a chaotic environment

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Instagram: @LizKaelinOfficial: https://www.instagram.com/lizkaelinofficial/
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Kaelin: linkedin.com/in/elizabethkaelin

JC: Final words for the audience?

“I’d love recommendations for ADHD-friendly digital systems or consultants who help with automation and accountability.”
“Managing inattentive ADHD without a second brain system is tough—any tips for setting one up?”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 94: Claire Thomas

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:24 +1100

Welcome to episode #94! We’re thrilled to be joined by Claire Thomas today.

Claire Thomas is the CEO and founder of Impact Group, a fast-scaling consulting firm that went from a solo startup to a 50-person, $12 million company in just two years. A 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion and finalist for CEO of the Year, Claire brings deep expertise in business transformation, leadership, and public sector consulting.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her late 30s, Claire’s leadership now prioritizes energy management, neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and gamified productivity strategies. With over 45% of her team identifying as neurodivergent, she is redefining what it means to build an inclusive, thriving business.

In this episode, we explore how ADHD fuels innovation, why energy management matters more than time, and how neurodivergent leadership is shaping the future of work.

Welcome to the show, Claire!

Questions

JN: What led to your ADHD diagnosis in your late 30s?

Realized she ticked more ADHD boxes than her child during their assessment
Grew up with the stereotypical image of ADHD as hyperactive boys
Diagnosis changed how she viewed her past struggles with anxiety & executive function

JN: How did ADHD impact your early career?

Struggled with traditional work structures & long-term planning
Excelled in high-stimulation environments with constant problem-solving
Always sought fast-moving, complex challenges that kept her engaged

JC: What strengths do you lean into as a neurodivergent CEO?

Pattern recognition & intuitive problem-solving
Rapid decision-making & adaptability in uncertain markets
Ability to connect A to D without needing B & C in between

JN: What is your "energy credits" system, and how does it help?

Created a daily energy credit system (max 100 credits) to prevent burnout
Activities like sleep, movement & hydration "add credits"
Overuse of focus or stress "spends credits" and requires recovery

JC: How do you balance high performance with sustainable work habits?

Encourages her team to manage energy instead of just pushing productivity
Uses gamification strategies to make work more engaging
Helps employees avoid burnout by tracking “energy debt” over multiple days

JN: What challenges do you still face as a neurodivergent leader?

Managing macro time (long-term planning) is still difficult
Ensuring that fast-paced decisions don’t leave her team behind
Balancing innovation with structured execution

JN: What role does AI & automation play in your workflow?

Uses AI-generated "ClaireBot" to draft applications & communications
Automates decision-making processes to reduce cognitive load
Leverages AI for business insights & streamlining client solutions

JC: What productivity strategies work for you?

Uses Jira as a personal Kanban board to track ideas & tasks
Prefers momentum-building tasks before tackling hard projects
Schedules clearance blocks for deep focus & reducing backlog

JC: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?

“Eat the frog” method (doing the hardest task first)—kills motivation
Strict time-blocking—prefers adaptive schedules based on energy levels
Forcing linear thinking—thrives on intuitive problem-solving & connections

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Starts the day by guiding her neurodivergent children through their morning routines
Runs with a work colleague for accountability (3-4 days a week)
Externalizes plans visually to offset ADHD-related time blindness

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Drinks herbal tea & avoids social media before bed
Prioritizes consistency over perfection—acknowledges that routines aren’t always easy
Manages "galaxy brain" thoughts by externalizing ideas before sleep

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-m-thomas/

JC: Final words for the audience?

“Manage energy, not time. You can’t borrow from tomorrow forever.”
“Success isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing what works for you.”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 93: Swantje Lorrimer

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 09:48:54 +1100

Welcome to episode #93! We’re thrilled to be joined by Swantje Lorrimer today.

Swantje Lorrimer has built a career spanning multiple industries, including academic research, film productions (Star Wars, The Fall Guy), and ADHD coaching. After struggling to fit into traditional job structures, she embraced freelancing, creativity, and adventure as the key to thriving with ADHD.

In this episode, we explore dopamine-seeking behavior, unconventional careers, ADHD-friendly productivity strategies, and why neurodivergent people often struggle with traditional routines.

Welcome to the show, Swantje!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?
Realized later in life after seeking ADHD coaching for her children

Initially dismissed the ADHD coach’s comments—until she recognized her own patterns
Diagnosis made everything in her life make sense

JN: What was it like growing up undiagnosed with ADHD?

Left home at 16 to move to Finland with no prior knowledge of Finnish
Sought big, high-stimulation experiences—milking goats in a hippie commune, working in hospitals, etc.
Always chased dopamine hits—leading to an adventurous but unpredictable career

JC: What was your career path before becoming an ADHD coach?

Worked as a costume designer on major film productions like Star Wars
Freelanced in theater, opera, and academic research in philosophy
Struggled with structured, repetitive jobs, always seeking new challenges

JN: How did getting diagnosed with ADHD change things for you?

Stopped feeling like a failure—realized her brain just worked differently
Understood that she needed flexibility, novelty, and control over her work
Learned to embrace her ADHD instead of fighting against it

JC: What led you to ADHD coaching?

Saw her own children struggle with neurodivergence and wanted to support others
Realized her background in academia and creativity gave her a unique coaching perspective
Studied ADHD coaching in New York and now runs Doing, Doing, Done

JN: What productivity strategies work for you?

Avoids SMART goals—prefers a fluid, adaptable approach to projects
Uses dopamine as a guide—choosing tasks that naturally engage her brain
Outsources and delegates when possible instead of trying to do everything alone

JC: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?

Strict routines & time-blocking—every day is different, so flexibility is key
Rigid linear task completion—she works best by jumping between ideas
Overcommitting to projects without energy management—learned to say no strategically

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

No fixed routine—every day is different
Loves starting the day with deep focus work when possible
Goes to the gym when energy allows, without rigid expectations

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Drinks hot cocoa and reads a book before bed
Engages in creative activities like bookbinding and illustration
Prioritizes listening to her energy levels rather than forcing structure

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: https://www.doingdoingdone.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swantje-lorrimer-14172558/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567285666137

JC: Final words for the audience?

“Your brain isn’t broken—stop trying to make it fit neurotypical standards.”
“The world needs neurodivergent thinkers—find your own way to thrive.”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 92: Jacob Kness

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 09:15:44 +1100

Welcome to episode #92! We’re thrilled to be joined by Jacob Kness today.

Jacob Kness is a social entrepreneur and neurodivergent advocate, helping autistic job seekers find meaningful work. Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s, Jacob has spent years exploring fitness, biomechanics, and biohacking as tools for mental and physical well-being.

In this episode, we dive into how exercise, cold shock therapy, and breathwork can help neurodivergent individuals build resilience, focus, and confidence.

Welcome back to the show, Jacob!

Questions

JN: How has your approach to fitness evolved over time?

Started with bodybuilding-style training, then shifted to functional movement
Explored martial arts, breath control & biomechanics to improve movement patterns
Uses fitness as a daily practice for managing Tourette’s & ADHD symptoms

JN: What role does exercise play in managing neurodivergent traits?

Helps with mind-body connection & proprioception
Strengthens fast-twitch muscle fibers for better motor control
Acts as a tool for emotional regulation & energy management

JC: How did cold shock therapy become part of your routine?

Discovered its benefits through Wim Hof breathing & resilience training
Helps with stress regulation, focus & nervous system balance
Uses cold showers & ice baths to reset after workouts

JN: What biomechanical challenges do neurodivergent individuals often face?

Poor posture & joint alignment due to sensory processing differences
Foot placement, hip alignment & movement efficiency can impact training
Many personal trainers overlook neurodivergence in exercise programming

JC: What advice would you give neurodivergent individuals starting their fitness journey?

Listen to your body rather than following rigid workout plans
Find movement styles that feel natural—martial arts, yoga, weightlifting, etc.
Focus on form, breath, and body awareness before increasing intensity

JN: How does fitness improve social confidence & resilience?

Gyms provide structured social exposure without forced interaction
Builds discipline, self-trust & confidence in everyday life
Martial arts, team sports & group training offer supportive communities

JC: What productivity strategies work best for you?

Uses exercise as an anchor to set the tone for the day
Breaks tasks into physical & mental blocks to maintain focus
Uses breathwork & cold exposure for quick resets during high-energy tasks

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Starts with movement (stretching, light training, or breathwork)
Uses cold exposure as a mental reset before work
Eats high-protein meals to fuel brain function

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Rolls out muscles & stretches to relax the nervous system
Avoids high-stimulation activities before bed
Journals & reflects on the day's progress

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-alan-kness/
Email: jacob.alan.business@gmail.com
Asperger’s Victoria Website: https://aspergersvic.org.au/employment
Doughnuts Business: Visit at Acuna Park Market

JC: Final words for the audience?

“Find what movement works for you—fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all.”
“The body and mind are deeply connected—train both to thrive.”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 91: Dr. Sharon Zivkovic

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 08:51:17 +1100

Welcome to episode #91! We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Sharon Zivkovic today.

Dr. Sharon Zivkovic is an autistic social entrepreneur, systems thinker, and complexity scientist. As the CEO of Community Capacity Builders, she has used autistic cognition and systemizing strengths to develop and commercialize innovative solutions for wicked problems.

Sharon has been recognized with a Fresh Scientist Award and her work is featured on the Complexity Sciences Map for Applied Complexity. Most recently, she founded the Centre for Autistic Social Entrepreneurship, which aims to create a neurodiversity-affirming entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In this episode, we discuss how autistic cognition can be a superpower in systems thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the show, Sharon!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Knew she was different as a child but autism wasn’t associated with girls at the time
Struggled in school due to difficulty processing information
Was eventually signed out of school at 14 and spent 16 years on welfare

JN: What led you back to education later in life?

Wanted to be financially independent when her daughter turned 16
Went back to high school as the only mature-age student, then pursued university degrees
Developed self-learning strategies, including recording lectures and transcribing them at home

JN: What was your career path before entrepreneurship?

Worked in accounting and economic development, but struggled with traditional employment
Was successful in jobs but found she was “uncontrollable” as an employee
Eventually started Community Capacity Builders to work on her own terms

JC: What inspired you to become a social entrepreneur?

Developed social innovation programs focused on community capacity building
Won the Enterprising Woman of the Year Award for her work in social enterprise
Started seeing autistic cognition as an advantage in problem-solving and system innovation

JC: What is a "wicked problem" and how does complexity science help solve them?

Wicked problems are complex issues like climate change & poverty with no simple solutions
Complexity science helps map out the interconnected causes and effects
Uses system transitions and structured problem-solving to drive change

JN: How did receiving an autism diagnosis at 61 impact you?

Helped her understand why traditional employment never worked
Realized she had built the perfect life for an autistic person—self-employed, off-grid, full control over work
Frustrated by the deficit-based approach of disability services

JN: What challenges do autistic entrepreneurs face?

Rigid business structures don’t work for many autistic thinkers
Struggle with delegation, executive function, and bureaucracy
Need support systems tailored to their cognitive strengths

JC: What productivity strategies work best for you?

Works in long focus blocks, starting immediately after waking up
Monotropic focus—prefers to work on one major project at a time
Takes structured movement breaks throughout the day

JC: What strategies do NOT work for you?

Multitasking or switching between different projects—prefers to finish one before starting another
Traditional productivity hacks designed for neurotypicals
Rigid, unnecessary social obligations—prioritizes meaningful work over networking

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Straight to work after waking up—no coffee, no distractions
Works for several hours before breakfast
Highly structured and optimized for deep work

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Watches movies while doing physiotherapy exercises
Batch cooks meals to minimize time spent on daily food prep
Loves her off-grid lifestyle and avoids unnecessary social interactions

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-sharon-zivkovic-2587888
Website: https://www.communitycapacity.com.au/

JC: Final words for the audience?

“Neurodiversity is a movement. We need to take control of our own narrative.”
“Autistic cognition is an asset—let’s build systems that recognize and support it.”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 90: Michael O’Sullivan

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:57:06 +1100

Welcome to episode #90! We’re thrilled to be joined by Michael O’Sullivan today.

Michael O’Sullivan is a mind and body performance coach specializing in executive health, leadership, and peak performance. With over 25 years of experience in health and well-being, he helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals optimize their energy, focus, and productivity.

As the founder of Body Beyond Limits and Elite Power Moves, Michael works with functional genomic testing, blood work, and high-performance strategies to create personalized health and leadership plans. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, he has turned it into a superpower, designing science-backed methods to manage stress, master time, and maintain momentum.

In this episode, we discuss ADHD, leadership, energy management, and how to structure your life for long-term success.

Welcome to the show, Michael!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Always struggled with focus, impulsivity, and delegation
Friends with ADHD pointed out he had all the traits
Got diagnosed at age 40 and turned ADHD into a strength

JN: How did ADHD affect your leadership style?

Used to be a transactional leader, constantly checking on tasks
Transitioned to transformational leadership using the 10-80-10 approach
Learned to delegate, trust his team, and focus on high-impact work

JN: What changes did you make in managing your business and team?

Uses Loom videos, SOPs, and AI to streamline work
Gives his team more ownership and accountability
Focuses on high-leverage tasks rather than micromanaging

JC: What are some of your best productivity strategies for ADHD?

Time-blocking energy levels – Grouping similar tasks together
Recording Loom videos & delegating – Saves time on repetitive tasks
Using binaural beats & movement breaks – Boosts focus & creativity

JC: What are some productivity strategies that DON’T work for you?

Pomodoro technique – Finds longer deep-work sessions more effective
Strict to-do lists – Prefers prioritizing tasks based on impact & energy
Forcing structure – Works better with flexible routines & flow states

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Wakes up at 3 AM – Starts the day with lemon water & breathwork
Gratitude journaling & movement – Sets the tone for peak performance
Deep work first – Tackles the most important tasks before distractions

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Stops eating 2 hours before bed – Optimizes digestion & sleep quality
Blue light blockers & meditation – Reduces mental overstimulation
Asks subconscious questions before sleep – Enhances problem-solving overnight

JN: How does diet impact ADHD & performance?

Avoids high-starch meals that spike insulin – Keeps blood sugar stable
Focuses on high-protein, nutrient-dense meals for sustained energy
Uses scheduled meal reminders to avoid forgetting to eat

JN: How do movement and recovery affect productivity?

6 minutes of movement every hour boosts productivity by 60%
Uses cryotherapy, hot yoga & gym sessions to regulate stress
Schedules recovery days after high-energy work periods

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elitepowermoves/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelosullivanexecutivecoach/
Website: https://www.michaelosullivanfitness.com/official-page

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Success isn’t about working harder—it’s about managing energy smarter."
"Optimize your calendar, focus on high-impact work, and make recovery a priority."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 89: Lia Lawton

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:27:14 +1100

Welcome to episode #89! We’re thrilled to be joined by Lia Lawton today.

Lia Lawton is a neurodivergent psychologist and psychosexual therapist, passionate about helping clients explore intimacy, communication, and relationships in ways that are authentic to their unique neurotypes. She runs Fine Sanctuary, a private practice that provides therapy for ADHD, autism, and sexual health concerns.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her late 20s, Lia understands firsthand the challenges of masking, late diagnosis, and navigating relationships as a neurodivergent adult. She is also working on developing neurodivergent-friendly tech tools to support better communication and connection.

In this episode, we dive into how ADHD and autism affect relationships, intimacy, emotional regulation, and self-acceptance.

Welcome to the show, Lia!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Late 20s—her dad was diagnosed first and encouraged her to get assessed
Had struggled with dyscalculia (number dyslexia) in school but wasn’t identified as neurodivergent
ADHD traits were dismissed in school as “lazy” or “talking too much”

JN: What was school like for you growing up?

Thrived in primary school but struggled after transitioning to a larger, all-girls school
Was misunderstood and labeled as lazy, leading to complete withdrawal
A teacher once wrote in a report: "Lia handed in no work this year. Good luck for year 11."

JN: What was your career path before psychology?

Worked in event management, nightclubs, and the strip club industry
Loved fast-paced, high-stimulation environments that suited her ADHD brain
A bad therapy experience led her to return to university to study psychology

JC: How did getting diagnosed with ADHD change things for you?

Medication was life-changing, but not a complete fix
Helped level the playing field but still required additional strategies
Found alternative supports like binaural beats and heavy metal music for focus

JC: How do ADHD and autism impact relationships and intimacy?

Emotional regulation issues can cause communication breakdowns
Masking in relationships leads to burnout and resentment
Many neurodivergent people struggle with sensory sensitivities & intimacy disconnect

JC: What are some common intimacy struggles for neurodivergent clients?

Porn addiction, anxiety around sex, erectile dysfunction, painful sex, and mismatched libidos
Relationship challenges when one partner is neurodivergent and the other isn’t
Communication breakdowns due to different processing styles

JN: How do you help couples navigate neurodivergence in relationships?

Explains the brain differences to both partners to build understanding
Helps clients develop clearer communication strategies
Encourages acceptance of different intimacy needs rather than forcing a "norm"

JN: What new projects are you working on?

Exploring AI and app development to create neurodivergent-friendly communication tools
Writing a book on ADHD, sex, and relationships (currently in the idea-collection phase)

JC: What productivity strategies work for you?

Standing desk for movement while working
Binaural beats & heavy metal music to help with focus
Breaking tasks into structured steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed

JC: What productivity advice does NOT work for you?

Journaling in pre-dated diaries—leads to guilt when she forgets to use it
"Just remember to do it" strategies—doesn’t work for ADHD brains
Out of sight, out of mind—has to leave things visible to remember them

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Not a morning person—needs time to wake up and reset
Starts with a shower & reviewing client notes before first session
Uses movement & structured quiet time before diving into work

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Reads before bed to slow down thoughts
Avoids work-related conversations in the bedroom
Finds her Golden Retriever comforting & part of her nightly routine

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: https://findsanctuary.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterofsex_ology/

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Know your own brain. The more you understand it, the easier life becomes."
"You’re already playing life on hard mode—find what makes things easier."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 88: Ewa Nowińska

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:48:59 +1100

Welcome to episode #88! We’re thrilled to be joined by Ewa Nowińska today.

Ewa Nowińska is a psychologist specializing in ADHD, trauma, and eating disorders, with a unique perspective shaped by her lived experience in a neurodivergent family. Originally from Poland, she has lived and worked across four different countries and now practices in Sydney.

Ewa's work focuses on helping adults with ADHD navigate emotional regulation, trauma healing, and eating disorders, using evidence-based methods like EMDR therapy. She also provides therapy in Spanish and Polish, making her practice accessible to diverse communities.

In this episode, we explore the link between ADHD and trauma, masking, self-acceptance, and how to build emotional resilience.

Welcome to the show, Ewa!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Grew up in a neurodivergent family but didn’t recognize her own ADHD
Hyperactivity and impulsivity were seen as personality traits rather than ADHD signs
Began working with ADHD assessments and recognized traits in herself

JN: What was it like growing up with undiagnosed ADHD?

Encouraged to be creative at home, but criticized for being too loud & direct outside
Cultural expectations in Poland added to the challenge of masking
Realized her traits stood out even among other Polish people

JN: How did your ADHD diagnosis change things for you?

Provided relief and clarity about why certain challenges existed
Experienced the grief of late diagnosis, wondering how life might have been different
Faced dismissiveness from colleagues who viewed ADHD through a trauma-only lens

JN: What’s the connection between ADHD and eating disorders?

ADHDers often struggle with impulsivity, emotional eating & interoception (body signals)
Hyperfixation on food or lack of structure can lead to disordered eating patterns
EMDR therapy is useful for addressing past experiences tied to body image and food habits

JC: What are some of the biggest challenges your ADHD clients face?

Rejection Sensitivity & Childhood Messages – internalizing being "too much"
Masking & Burnout – trying to appear neurotypical leads to exhaustion
Balancing Structure & Flexibility – learning how to create systems that work

JC: What strategies help with emotional regulation?

Body-based regulation – exercise, movement, and grounding techniques
Externalizing thoughts – writing down intrusive thoughts before bed
Creating safe environments – surrounding yourself with people who accept you without masking

JN: How does EMDR therapy help neurodivergent individuals?

Helps process past experiences of rejection, shame & trauma
Reduces emotional distress tied to past experiences of being misunderstood
Provides a non-verbal approach to processing trauma, which is useful for alexithymic (emotionally disconnected) individuals

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

6 AM wake-up – Prepares kids' lunches before heading to the gym
Gym session – Exercises in the morning as a non-negotiable self-care habit
Starts work after breakfast with a structured but flexible approach

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Aiming for a 9 PM bedtime – Reads or watches something light before sleeping
Uses meditation & writing down thoughts if her mind is racing
Reminds herself that perfection isn’t necessary before going to sleep

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: https://enpsych.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enpsych.com.au/
Ebook & Resources: Available on her website

JC: Final words for the audience?

"You don’t need to fit into neurotypical expectations—find what works for you."
"Healing is possible when you allow yourself to be seen and understood.”

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 87: Werner Van Huffel

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 01:32:43 +1100

Welcome to episode #87! We’re thrilled to be joined by Werner Van Huffel today.

Werner Van Huffel is the co-founder of Kavn, a career support organization that helps neurodivergent professionals find meaningful remote work. With a background in enterprise architecture, AI, and business consulting, Werner has spent years advocating for career remoter professionals, ensuring they thrive in workspaces that align with their strengths.

Diagnosed later in life, Werner discovered his neurodivergence through supporting his children. This realization led him to study psychology, homeschool his kids, and ultimately launch Kaven—a company that matches neurodivergent professionals with remote work environments that foster success.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of neurodivergence, remote work, AI, and productivity.

Welcome to the show, Werner!

Questions

JN: How did you first discover you were neurodivergent?

Never thought of himself as different until seeing his children struggle
Started noticing similar traits in himself while homeschooling and studying psychology
Realized society has become less accepting of differences, which led to launching Kaven

JN: What inspired you to start Kaven?
Started as a recruitment agency but quickly shifted focus to supporting neurodivergent professionals

Noticed a pattern: traditional career paths weren’t working for many neurodivergent people
Coined the term “career remoter” to describe professionals who don’t follow linear career paths

JN: What is a "career remoter"?

Someone who follows their own path rather than climbing a corporate ladder
Often works independently, values flexibility, autonomy, and meaningful work
Many neurodivergent professionals thrive in non-traditional career setups

JN: How does Kaven support remote professionals?

Matches neurodivergent professionals with remote-friendly organizations
Helps businesses create truly inclusive remote work environments
Provides psychological first aid & career coaching for professionals navigating career changes

JN: What are the biggest advantages of remote work for neurodivergent individuals?

Reduced social demands – Less energy spent on office politics and sensory overwhelm
More control over workspace – Can customize environment for focus and comfort
Flexible schedules – Work when productivity is highest, not just 9 to 5

JN: What are the challenges some neurodivergent professionals face with remote work?

Some ADHD professionals struggle with lack of body doubling and external structure
Others miss spontaneous idea-sharing that happens in physical workspaces
Kaven helps find solutions tailored to individual needs, whether fully remote or hybrid

JC: How do you use AI as a productivity tool?

Uses AI for speech-to-text to capture ideas faster than typing
Runs AI-powered summarization tools to process large amounts of information quickly
Believes AI is a game-changer for neurodivergent professionals who struggle with traditional workflows

JN: What productivity strategies work best for you?

Focuses on outcomes rather than rigid to-do lists
Uses mind maps to organize thoughts and break down complex projects
Records ideas verbally and transcribes them for structured review

JN: What productivity advice doesn’t work for you?

Strict time-blocking – Prefers a flexible workflow that allows for deep dives into tasks
“Eat the frog” method – Finds it more effective to start with exciting tasks to build momentum
Traditional task lists – Instead, prioritizes tasks based on impact & urgency

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Starts at 5 AM with a morning walk or exercise to get energy levels up
Prepares mentally for the day by identifying key priorities
Works from home but visits client sites when needed for collaboration

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Gaming (Diablo, Project Zomboid, Elite Dangerous) helps transition from work to relaxation
Reads tech & psychology research to stay engaged with evolving ideas
Sometimes gets bursts of inspiration late at night and captures ideas before sleeping

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: https://www.kavn.au/
Email: van@kavn.au

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Accept who you are. You’re not different—you’re you, and that’s enough."
"Find the career setup that works for your brain, not the one society tells you to follow."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 86: Ana Krajinović

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 22:01:25 +1100

Welcome to episode #86! We’re thrilled to be joined by Ana Krajinović today.

Ana Krajinović is a linguist, writer, and comic artist whose work explores the intersection of language, cognition, and visual storytelling. As an academic researcher at Tilburg University, she studies how comics use symbolic structures to convey meaning.

Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, Ana has navigated challenges with task paralysis, executive dysfunction, and emotional regulation—but she’s also learned to harness her neurodivergence as a strength. Through her comics and writing, she shares insights on productivity, motivation, and embracing creative chaos.

In this episode, we discuss ADHD, autism, creativity, productivity struggles, and how to work with your brain, not against it.

Welcome to the show, Ana!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Started noticing ADHD traits about three years ago
Initially misdiagnosed with depression and social anxiety
Discovered ADHD through HowToADHD YouTube videos
Diagnosis process in Germany was smooth, but long-term care was challenging

JN: What challenges did you face growing up with undiagnosed ADHD?

Was an excellent student because school was a special interest
Social difficulties—never fully understood trends, popularity, or social norms
Struggled with spatial awareness—difficulty with sports, movement, and even using appliances
Noticed task paralysis in adulthood when responsibilities increased

JN: How did your ADHD impact your PhD journey?

Passion for linguistics kept her engaged, but executive function challenges made consistent work difficult
Struggled with bureaucracy and non-research tasks
Motivation fluctuated—hyperfocused on interesting topics but shut down on tedious tasks

JN: How did you manage emotional regulation and overwhelm?

Experienced meltdowns and shutdowns over small tasks
Learned to recognize disproportionate emotional reactions to certain demands
Found self-acceptance through embracing chaos instead of forcing structure

JC: What changed for you after receiving your ADHD diagnosis?

Biggest shift was self-acceptance—realizing her brain works differently but isn’t "less"
Stopped feeling guilty for needing more time on tasks
Medication helped initially, but her biggest breakthrough came from Chasteberry supplements
Found a balance between structure and flexibility to optimize creativity

JC: What are some productivity strategies that work for you?

Start with tasks you enjoy to build momentum
Trick yourself into hyperfocus by doing something exciting first
Use body doubling & external accountability to stay on track
Flexible scheduling—writes down tasks but doesn’t guilt-trip herself for postponing them

JC: What productivity advice does NOT work for you?

"Eat the frog" (doing the hardest task first)—kills motivation for the entire day
Strict time-blocking—leads to frustration when tasks take longer than expected
Forcing inspiration—instead, she reads comics or listens to creators to spark ideas

JN: How do you approach creativity and motivation?

Embraces chaos—lets ideas flow rather than forcing a rigid schedule
Uses deadlines as external motivators to push through creative blocks
Allows herself to switch between projects instead of forcing consistency

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Slow start with breakfast & conversation—important for waking up mentally
Gradual movement (yoga, stretching, light work) before diving into deep tasks
Avoids immediate productivity pressure to prevent shutdowns

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Watches Netflix or does low-effort activities to relax
Uses earplugs and a sleep mask to eliminate sensory disruptions
Prioritizes a quiet, distraction-free sleep environment

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: annakrajinovic.com
Medium: https://medium.com/@anakrajinovic
Substack: https://anakrajinovic.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anacomics/

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Follow what excites you. If something doesn’t spark joy, explore a different path."
"Don’t judge your productivity by neurotypical standards—find what works for your brain."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 85: James Cavanagh

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:50:46 +1100

Welcome to episode #85! We’re thrilled to be joined by James Cavanagh today.

James Cavanagh is a neurodiversity consultant and the founder of Raw Life Health, a practice dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals thrive. With over 25 years of experience in mental health, education, and disability support, James combines evidence-based therapy with lived experience to create neuroaffirming strategies.

He is the creator of the Rawsome Framework, a strength-based approach to emotional regulation, productivity, and resilience. Passionate about transforming workplaces, healthcare, and education for neurodivergent individuals, James brings a holistic and person-centered approach to his work.

In this episode, we discuss ADHD, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and how to create personalized routines that actually work.

Welcome to the show, James!

Questions

JN: Can you share your journey with neurodivergence?

Showed signs of ADHD in childhood but wasn’t diagnosed until later in life
Experienced anxiety and misdiagnoses in the 90s before identifying as neurodivergent
Diagnosis brought relief and a structured guide for self-understanding

JN: What challenges did you face growing up with ADHD?

Struggled with emotional regulation, leading to difficulties in social and work settings
Felt frustrated by the executive function demands of traditional education and workplaces
Realized later in life that ADHD was impacting finances, relationships, and daily routines

JN: How has ADHD shaped your career path?

Worked in various fields—education, mental health, disability support—before founding Raw Life Health
Used his curiosity and adaptability as strengths rather than seeing them as failures
Built a strengths-based approach to help others find their personal work-life balance

JN: Can you explain the Rawsome Framework?

A strengths-based system for resilience, emotional regulation, and productivity
Consists of seven pillars: Relationships, Adaptability, Wellness, Sensory Processing, Organization, Mindfulness, and Empowerment
Designed to help individuals create structured, flexible environments that work for their neurotype

JN: What are some key productivity strategies that work for ADHD?

Uses the Mandatory, Mundane, Meaningful (3M) Method to structure daily tasks
Gamifies tasks to make boring activities more engaging
Uses stress as a currency—ensuring high-stress tasks provide meaningful outcomes

JN: What are some common productivity tips that don’t work for you?

"Just focus harder" – ADHD is not a lack of effort but a challenge of directing effort
Strict time-blocking methods – prefers a flexible, adaptive approach instead
Unhelpful advice from neurotypicals – often dismisses the real struggles of executive dysfunction

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Wakes up gradually over 15 minutes to avoid shock to the system
Starts the day with a shower, coffee, and a 30-minute walk to clear his mind
Arrives at work an hour early to ease into the day without stress

JN: How do you optimize sleep and wind down at night?

Keeps phones out of the bedroom and uses an old-school alarm clock
Creates a sensory-friendly environment to reduce overstimulation
Uses mental visualization techniques to prepare for sleep

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cavanagh-rawlife/
Raw Life Health Website (Coming Soon): https://www.rawlifehealth.com/

JN: Final words for the audience?

"Keep things real—embrace who you are and work with your brain, not against it."
"You deserve to take up space. Find the strategies that help you thrive."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 84: Annelil Desille

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:41:38 +1100

Welcome to episode #84! We’re thrilled to be joined by Annelil Desille today.

Annelil Desille is an ADHD-registered clinical psychologist who blends lived experience with evidence-based practice to support neurodivergent individuals. Her special interests include neurodivergence, the mind-body connection, sexual health, intimacy, attachment, and spirituality.

Through her work, she helps neurodivergent individuals and couples navigate the unique challenges of relationships, task paralysis, self-acceptance, and personal growth. She also runs couples retreats focused on rebuilding intimacy and improving communication for neurodivergent partners.

In this episode, we discuss ADHD, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), neurodivergent relationships, and practical strategies for overcoming daily challenges.

Welcome to the show, Annelil!
Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Identified with ADHD in 2018 during a binge-eating trial study
Diagnosed formally with autism in 2021 after a colleague recognized traits in her
Struggled with self-doubt but eventually embraced her neurodivergence

JN: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in school?

Struggled with stats (had to take six years of it in her psych degree)
Severe task initiation issues, leading to all-nighters and procrastination
Excelled in subjects she loved but found others nearly impossible to engage with

JN: How did your diagnosis change your life?

Medication was life-changing—marks jumped from 60s to 90s
Allowed her to develop self-compassion for struggles she previously blamed herself for
Created affirmation decks to help herself and others embrace neurodivergence

JN: What challenges do you still experience now?

Task paralysis due to PDA—struggles to start even things she enjoys
Uses the INCU acronym (Interest, Novelty, Competition, Urgency) to overcome task avoidance
Finds creativity and gamification essential for motivation

JC: What are you currently working on?

Couples Retreats – Helping neurodivergent couples rebuild intimacy and improve communication
Task Initiation App – Developing an app that provides customizable voice prompts to match energy levels

JC: What strategies work best for productivity?

Water bottles & snack stations to avoid breaking hyperfocus
Body doubling and external accountability to stay on track
Gamification – Making boring tasks fun by turning them into challenges

JC: What productivity strategies don’t work for you?

Time blocking & Pomodoro method – Feels too rigid and disrupts deep focus
Strict consistency – Prefers a continuity approach (changing up habits every two weeks to maintain novelty)

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Low-spoon, medium-spoon, and high-spoon versions based on energy levels
Journaling, gratitude, and affirmations as key daily habits
Prefers buffer time before work (arrives an hour early for flexibility)

JN: How do you manage sleep with ADHD?

Struggles with sleep regulation and frequent vivid dreams
Antihistamines unexpectedly helped with sleep due to histamine-related sleep disturbances
Works with her body’s natural rhythms rather than forcing early wake-ups

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Therapy Practice: https://www.neurokinnection.com.au/
Retreats & Resources: https://www.nk-intimacy-alchemy.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurokinnection/

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Figure out what you need before seeking external solutions."
"You know yourself best—trust your instincts and adapt strategies to fit your brain."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 83: Rosie Putland

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:33:23 +1100

Welcome to episode #83! We’re thrilled to be joined by Rosie Putland today.

Rosie Putland is a proudly disabled and autistic public speaker, creative consultant, and co-founder of Modality Co, a digital accessibility consultancy focused on creating connection through accessibility. She is passionate about working with teams and leaders to develop sustainable, holistic digital accessibility practices.

Rosie is known for her ability to create engaging presentations that change perspectives, her unwavering commitment to the accessibility and disability community, and her special interest in ducks.

In this episode, we discuss Rosie’s journey of discovering she was autistic, her experience with autistic burnout, the importance of digital accessibility, and how organizations can create more inclusive online experiences.

Welcome to the show, Rosie!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Always felt different growing up but attributed it to other factors (poverty, family violence, being queer)
Noticed similarities with other neurodivergent people before having the language for it
At 16, found an online document on autistic traits and highlighted everything that applied
Self-identified before formal diagnosis at 20 due to severe autistic burnout

JN: What was your experience with autistic burnout?

Felt deep apathy toward everything, including special interests
Struggled with severe insomnia and inability to care for herself
Had difficulty navigating support systems like Centrelink
Took six to eight months to recover from burnout and start rebuilding

JN: How did formal diagnosis change things for you?

Brought relief and validation after years of feeling misunderstood
Required recontextualizing her entire life through an autistic lens
Helped her shift from internalized shame to self-acceptance
Allowed her to create accommodations that support her well-being

JN: What challenges do you still face today?

Neurodivergence intersects with other health conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer treatment)
Lack of resources on navigating major health challenges as an autistic person
Difficulty finding information or medical professionals who understand both autism and chronic illness

JN: How do you approach disclosure of neurodivergence?

Faces discrimination whether she discloses or not, but prefers to control her own narrative
Chooses to disclose because it helps others understand rather than make incorrect assumptions
Advocates for meeting people where they are in their neurodivergence journey

JC: What strengths are you leaning into now in your work at Modality Co?

Intuition & Pattern Recognition – Quickly identifies problems and potential risks
Strong Sense of Justice – Drives her advocacy and push for meaningful change
Ability to Learn Quickly – Picks up new skills and adapts to different challenges, which helps in entrepreneurship

JC: Can you tell us about your work at Modality Co and the Tasmanian Digital Accessibility Community?

Modality Co: Helps businesses create accessible digital products and services
Works with companies to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Runs training and consulting programs to improve digital accessibility
Tasmanian Digital Accessibility Community: Monthly meetups fostering the accessibility and disability community

JC: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Loves spending time near reserves to watch ducks (but doesn’t have pet ducks yet!)
Reads nonfiction and sci-fi, especially books by disabled authors
Enjoys knitting, sewing, gardening, and interior design

JC: How do you optimize productivity during your working hours?

Finds co-working/body doubling extremely effective for staying focused
Uses Twitch co-working streams when working alone
Uses five-minute timers to trick her brain into getting started

JC: What productivity advice doesn’t work for you?

"Eat the frog" (doing the hardest task first) creates anxiety and resistance
Short work bursts & frequent breaks disrupt flow; prefers long focus sessions

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Prefers to be the first one awake for quiet time
Enjoys breakfast and coffee alone while listening to an audiobook or podcast
Starts work before business hours to get deep work done without distractions

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Follows a strict sleep routine to prevent insomnia
Has mandatory low sensory hours from 8-10 PM for relaxation
Uses a Manta sleep mask with Bluetooth for audiobooks or meditation

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-putland/
Website: https://modalityco.com/
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/tasmanian-accessibility-community/

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Meet people where they are in their neurodivergence journey."
"Community is the most powerful tool you can have."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 82: Joey and Jeremy

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:32:37 +1100

Welcome to episode #82! Today, it’s just Joey and Jeremy discussing how to manage learning and memory.

With so much information available, how do you decide what’s worth remembering? Joey and Jeremy dive into note-taking strategies, the balance between deep learning and quick recall, and whether it’s worth building personal knowledge systems when AI tools like ChatGPT exist.

They explore different ways to process new information, from mind maps and Anki flashcards to slipboxes and structured review systems. Should you write everything down, or does the best knowledge naturally stick?

Join them for a deep dive into learning, retention, and making information work for you.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

How to decide what’s worth remembering
The pros and cons of note-taking
Anki vs. slipbox: Which system works best?
The role of AI in learning and memory
How to balance structure with natural recall
The importance of interleaving different subjects
How humor and personal connections improve memory

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 81: Jacob Kness

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:59:44 +1100

Welcome to episode #81! We’re thrilled to be joined by Jacob Kness today.

Jacob Kness is a social entrepreneur and project manager dedicated to improving autism employment opportunities. Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s after experiencing a childhood stroke, Jacob has spent years navigating the intersection of neurodiversity and the workplace.

Through his work at Asperger’s Victoria, he supports autistic job seekers by equipping them with skills, confidence, and opportunities for sustainable employment. In addition, his social enterprise Doughnuts provides hands-on employment experience, helping autistic individuals build real-world work skills.

In this episode, we discuss autism and ADHD in the workplace, balancing structure with flexibility, and how to create sustainable career opportunities for neurodivergent professionals.

Welcome to the show, Jacob!

Questions

JN: You were diagnosed quite early—what was that journey like?

Had a stroke at five, which led to multiple diagnoses (autism, ADHD, epilepsy, Tourette’s)
Struggled with acceptance, fought against diagnosis in early years
Learned to reframe ADHD as a strength rather than a limitation

JN: How did autism and ADHD impact your school experience?

Faced behavioral challenges, moved through multiple schools
ADHD-driven impulsivity made structure difficult, but autism provided a counterbalance
A teacher with personal experience in neurodiversity made a huge impact

JN: What led you to entrepreneurship?

Left school at year 9, became a baker, then transitioned into social entrepreneurship
Wanted to create the support system he wished he had growing up
Built Doughnuts as a way to provide structured employment for autistic individuals

JN: What do you do at Asperger’s Victoria?

Manages employment support programs for autistic job seekers
Teaches skills like resume writing, interview prep, and workplace adaptation
Works with major employers (e.g., ANZ Bank) to create neurodivergent-friendly hiring pipelines

JN: How do you balance structure and flexibility in work?

Uses structured routines but allows flexibility for hyperfocus bursts
Adapts productivity strategies depending on whether autism or ADHD traits are more dominant that day
Believes in structured work environments but rejects the idea of rigid work-life balance

JN: How do you prevent burnout while managing multiple projects?

Focuses on projects of significance—work that aligns with personal values
Uses exercise and self-discipline to maintain mental and physical resilience
Finds fulfillment in building businesses that create lasting change

JN: What productivity strategies work best for you?

Uses CliftonStrengths to understand and lean into natural talents
Limits distractions and builds work environments that encourage focus
Schedules gaming and downtime intentionally to avoid getting sucked into hyperfixations

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Wakes up early, goes to the gym (a non-negotiable part of his routine)
Uses mornings for deep work or creative writing before distractions kick in
Prioritizes movement and proactive tasks to start the day strong

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Limits entertainment time to two hours to avoid excessive screen time
Uses deep breathing, journaling, and relaxation techniques when possible
Focuses on structured relaxation rather than mindless scrolling

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-alan-kness/
Email: jacob.alan.business@gmail.com
Asperger’s Victoria Website: https://aspergersvic.org.au/employment
Doughnuts Business: Visit at Acuna Park Market

JN: Final words for the audience?

"Stop fighting change. Embrace discomfort and lean into self-acceptance."
"Small steps lead to transformation. My first step was the gym—it changed everything."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 80: Rawi Nanakul

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:30:21 +1100

Welcome to episode #80! We’re thrilled to be joined by Rawi Nanakul today.

Rawi Nanakul is the founder of Tech Atypically, a newsletter and coaching service dedicated to helping neurodivergent professionals in the tech industry. With a background in ADHD research, product management, and kickboxing, Rawi’s career spans multiple industries, reflecting his deep curiosity and adaptability.

Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Rawi has navigated the challenges of career shifts, emotional regulation, and balancing multiple roles. He now helps tech professionals thrive by integrating ADHD-friendly strategies into their work and personal lives.

In this episode, we discuss ADHD in relationships, workplace challenges, emotional regulation, and how to build a sustainable career while embracing neurodivergence.

Welcome to the show, Rawi!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Discovered ADHD during marriage therapy—therapist noticed common ADHD struggles
Initially skeptical due to his research background but sought an assessment
Diagnosis changed his perspective on past struggles and relationships

JN: How did ADHD impact your personal relationships?

Struggled with forgetfulness and follow-through, leading to resentment in his marriage
Biggest improvement came from learning to communicate emotions and needs
Recognized the fear of being vulnerable and how it affected relationships

JN: How did ADHD affect your career path?

Quit things when they got hard, leading to feelings of shame
Had at least nine different careers, constantly shifting interests
Realized that his curiosity and adaptability were strengths, not failures

JN: How did you reframe your career journey?

Identified his core values: curiosity and inclusion
Recognized that each career move was intentional and aligned with his values
Shifted perspective from “falling behind” to “climbing multiple mountains”

JN: What are the three career paths you're currently balancing?

Tech Industry: Works as a project manager in a large fintech company, specializing in operations
ADHD Coaching: Helps neurodivergent professionals succeed at work and in life
Whiskey Business: Co-founder of Common Ritual, a whiskey company supporting underrepresented distilleries

JN: How do you manage emotional regulation in high-stakes work environments?

Recognizes that emotional regulation is key to focus and decision-making
Uses self-awareness to understand why he reacts a certain way
Finds that naming emotions helps create distance and reduce impulsive responses

JN: What productivity strategies work best for you?

Breaks work into structured sprints with clear priorities
Uses coaching techniques to make difficult tasks emotionally "cheaper"
Implements meeting strategies to avoid burnout (e.g., scheduling buffer time)

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Reads first thing in the morning to avoid screen distractions
Goes for a run, using the time to process thoughts and plan the day
Uses daily affirmations to set a positive mindset

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Follows a sleep strategy: no caffeine (10 hrs before), no alcohol (3 hrs before), no screens (1 hr before)
Uses medication and a CPAP machine to improve sleep quality
Aims to minimize screen time but admits it’s a work in progress

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Coaching website: https://www.techatypically.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rawi-nanakul/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tech.atypically/
Newsletter: https://adhdpm.substack.com/

JN: Final words for the audience?

ADHD is both a gift and a disability—both realities should be acknowledged
Avoid the “superpower” narrative that dismisses those who struggle more
Embrace your strengths, but don’t ignore the challenges neurodivergence brings

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 79: Samantha Stein

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 01:57:57 +1100

Welcome to episode #79! We’re thrilled to be joined by Samantha Stein today.

Samantha Stein, known online as YoSandySam, is a YouTube creator, author, and business strategist for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Diagnosed with autism at 33 and ADHD shortly after, she began making YouTube videos to process her diagnosis and educate neurotypicals about what autism really looks like. Her content resonated widely, amassing over 14 million views.

In addition to YouTube, Samantha is the author of So You Think You’re Autistic, a workbook that helps newly diagnosed individuals navigate their neurodivergence. She’s currently working on a new book about neurodivergence and trauma, set to release in 2026. She also works with neurodivergent business owners, helping them build sustainable strategies for success, and recently hosted the first-ever Wild Brains Retreat in the Netherlands.

Today, she joins us to discuss her journey, content creation, business coaching, and productivity strategies for neurodivergent minds.

Welcome to the show, Samantha!

Questions

JN: When did you first suspect you were neurodivergent?

Always felt different but internalized it as a personal flaw
Psychology degree exposed her to outdated autism theories (e.g., “extreme male brain”), which didn’t fit her experience
Struggled with mental health throughout her 20s (depression, anxiety) but never linked it to autism
Postpartum period triggered a breakdown in masking, making her realize something deeper was going on

JN: What was your diagnosis process like?
Struggled with imposter syndrome, worried she was “too good at masking” to be diagnosed

Went to her assessment with a seven-page Google Doc listing symptoms
Diagnostician confirmed autism easily, but the diagnosis felt anticlimactic—left wondering, “Now what?”

JN: How did receiving an official diagnosis change things for you?

Initially overwhelming, but led to self-acceptance over time
Inspired her to start making YouTube videos as a way to process and educate others
Helped her understand her past struggles and navigate life more effectively

JN: What are some of the biggest myths about autism that you address in your content?

Stereotypes (e.g., only young boys like trains)
Misconception that autism only presents in certain ways
The need for diverse representation in autism content, including cultural and racial perspectives

JN: What has been the impact of your YouTube channel?

Over 14 million views and a growing neurodivergent community
Led to opportunities like publishing books and working with neurodivergent business owners
Helped push for more diverse and accurate representation of autism online

JN: Can you tell us about your work with neurodivergent business owners?

Helps them create sustainable business strategies that align with their neurodivergent strengths
Focuses on accountability, structure, and breaking tasks into manageable steps
Advocates for working smarter, not harder—rejecting hustle culture in favor of efficiency

JN: What’s your approach to productivity as a neurodivergent person?

Rejects the idea of “doing a little bit every day” in favor of deep work and hyperfocus sprints
Uses external accountability and structured planning to stay on track
Creates work schedules that prevent burnout rather than chasing traditional productivity models

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Survival mode—starts the day managing kids’ needs
Tries to fit in a workout or walk if possible
Tidies up the house and prepares for the day ahead
No elaborate self-care rituals—just getting through the morning efficiently

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Watches TV while using a second screen (phone)
Occasionally plays piano with headphones as a calming activity
Prioritizes sleep and avoids working in the evenings to maintain boundaries

JN: Where can people connect with you?

YouTube: YoSamdySam
Website: yosamdysam.com
Podcast: Awkward Conversations
Instagram: @YoSandySam
Book: So You Think You’re Autistic (Available on Amazon)

JN: Final words for the audience?

Self-understanding and acceptance are the keys to sustainable success
Be mindful of burnout and create work habits that actually fit your brain
It’s okay to need support—humans are meant to work together, not struggle alone

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 78: Elan Marko

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:06:57 +1100

Welcome to episode #78! We’re thrilled to be joined by Elan Marko today.

Elan Marko is the founder of Deep Work Sprints, a coaching company dedicated to helping ADHD entrepreneurs accomplish their goals faster. His work focuses on overcoming procrastination, perfectionism, and stress by harnessing ADHD strengths to create more fun, flow, and financial success.

After being diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic, Elan dove deep into research and conducted studies on ADHD entrepreneurs to uncover what truly drives success. Now, he helps entrepreneurs stay consistent, remove distractions, and build the right environment to thrive.

Welcome to the show, Elan!

Questions

JN: What was your journey to discovering your ADHD?

Always suspected ADHD but never pursued a diagnosis
During COVID, a business coach suggested getting tested
Read an ADHD story online and immediately related to it
Diagnosis explained past struggles but came with little guidance

JN: How did ADHD impact your education and early career?

Struggled to focus on studying in university, couldn’t sit still
Tried to get diagnosed in college but was discouraged by high costs and lack of treatment options
Realized he needed structure and external accountability to thrive

JN: How did your diagnosis change your approach to work?

Went into hyperfocus mode, researching everything about ADHD
Noticed that many of his coaching clients also had ADHD
Shifted his business to focus entirely on ADHD entrepreneurs

JN: Can you tell us about your ADHD entrepreneur studies?

Interviewed 35 ADHD entrepreneurs, later expanded to multimillionaire ADHD entrepreneurs
Found that consistency—not talent—was the biggest predictor of success
Successful entrepreneurs set up "bumper rails" to avoid distractions and failure
Most entrepreneurs knew what they needed to do but struggled to follow through

JN: What were the biggest struggles ADHD entrepreneurs faced?

Feeling like they weren’t meeting their full potential
Lost revenue and opportunities due to unfinished projects
Difficulty maintaining business and personal relationships

JN: What does Deep Work Sprints focus on?

Helps ADHD entrepreneurs achieve their goals by creating structured, focused work sessions
Uses body doubling and accountability to keep clients on track
Focuses on consistency and creating the right work environment

JN: What are some key productivity strategies that work for ADHD?

Weekly "sprint" planning: setting three critical tasks each week
Breaking down tasks into ultra-clear steps
Finding unique ways to optimize performance (e.g., sales road trips)
Creating the right environment by eliminating distractions

JN: Is consistency possible for ADHD brains?

Daily consistency is difficult, but weekly consistency is achievable
Building the right systems allows for sustainable performance
Exercise, structured work environments, and clear goals make a big difference

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Starts the day with meditation using a visual timer
Runs Deep Work Sprints with entrepreneurs in coworking sessions
Bikes his daughter to school as part of his daily exercise
Uses cold exposure (cold showers) to build resilience

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Creates a plan for the next day before bed
Avoids Netflix and social media to improve sleep
Listens to audiobooks at a slower speed to relax before sleeping

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: Deep Work Sprints
Instagram: @adhdcoachelan

JN: Final words for the audience?

"Your neurodivergence is your superpower. Learn your strengths, minimize your weaknesses, and create an environment where you can thrive."

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 77: Dr. Jeremy Lim

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 01:38:07 +1100

Welcome to episode #77! We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Jeremy Lim today.

Dr. Jeremy Lim is a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician and experienced medical doctor. He runs Whole Being Medical, an online practice that takes a multifaceted approach to treating chronic pain and neurodivergence. With a deep understanding of ADHD, he is dedicated to harm reduction and empowering his patients with holistic strategies for well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Lim shares his personal ADHD journey, insights into lifestyle medicine, and practical strategies for optimizing productivity, sleep, and mental health.

Welcome to the show, Dr. Lim!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you weren’t neurotypical?

Labeled as disruptive from a young age in school
Parents didn’t have knowledge of ADHD, but father helped with learning
Diagnosed with ADHD at 19 during university struggles

JN: How did your diagnosis impact your perspective?

Provided clarity and understanding of personal struggles
Trialed stimulant medication for six months, had mixed experiences
Inspired him to become a doctor to help others with ADHD

JN: What was your experience with social interactions growing up?

Faced social exclusion due to ADHD traits and rejection sensitivity
Neurodivergence made relationship-building more difficult
Wants to help others feel seen and understood

JN: What strengths have you discovered through ADHD?

ADHD traits, like thinking outside the box, can be strengths in the right environment
Compares ADHD to a sports car—powerful, but needs the right tools to function well
Believes neurodivergence has contributed to human evolution and innovation

JN: Can you tell us about your medical practice and approach?

Runs Whole Being Medical, an online lifestyle medicine practice
Uses a six-pillar approach: nutrition, sleep, exercise, relationships, stress management, and mindset
Focuses on holistic well-being rather than just medication

JN: How do you optimize productivity as someone with ADHD?

Uses the "Eat That Frog" method—tackles the hardest task first
Creates a detailed outline of tasks to break down big projects
Prioritizes movement, hydration, and preparation in the morning

JN: What productivity advice doesn’t work for you?

Rejects hustle culture and constant comparison on social media
Believes in consistency over chasing hyperfocus highs
Encourages realistic expectations and self-compassion

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Keeps it simple to avoid resistance
Four key elements: hygiene, hydration, movement, and protein
Prepares warm clothes the night before to make waking up easier

JN: How do you wind down at night and improve sleep?

Follows the 3-2-1 rule: no big meals three hours before bed, no fluids two hours before bed, no screens one hour before
Avoids caffeine, alcohol, and cannabis close to bedtime
Uses magnesium supplements and mindfulness to aid relaxation

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: https://www.wholebeingmedical.com.au/

JN: Final words for the audience?

“Don’t get lost in the sauce. Just do the next right thing.”
Focus on small, meaningful steps rather than feeling overwhelmed

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 76: Clare Gibellini

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 20:12:29 +1100

Welcome to episode #76! We’re thrilled to be joined by Clare Gibellini today.

Clare Gibellini is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion in Australia and internationally. She is the co-chair of the Oversight Council for the First National Autism Strategy and the deputy chair of WA’s Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability. Clare also works as a policy officer for Women with Disabilities Australia and has been newly appointed as the chair for the National Disability Research Partnership.

With a background in advocacy, research, and policy reform, Clare is committed to creating a more inclusive world. In this episode, she shares her journey of discovering her neurodivergence, the challenges of navigating multiple roles, and her strategies for balancing advocacy, productivity, and self-care.

Welcome to the show, Clare!

Questions

JN: What was your journey to discovering your neurodivergence?

Grew up as a military kid, constantly moving, which made it difficult to understand differences
Realized similarities with her son after his autism diagnosis
Received her own autism diagnosis from the same clinician who diagnosed her son
Diagnosis helped her understand herself, parent differently, and practice self-compassion

JN: How did the diagnosis change your self-perception?

Stopped internalizing negative self-talk
Developed strategies to manage social situations and advocate for herself
Shifted perspective from “something’s wrong with me” to “society isn’t built inclusively”

JN: What are your current work roles?

Policy officer at Women with Disabilities Australia
Co-chair of the National Autism Strategy
Chair of the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP)
Advocates for more disability-led research and inclusive policy development

JC: How do you manage multiple high-responsibility roles?

ADHD helps her balance tasks by switching between projects
Strong support network keeps her accountable and reminds her to take breaks
Finds fulfillment in advocacy work, which fuels her motivation

JC: How do you prevent burnout in advocacy and policy work?

Limits social media engagement to avoid negativity and toxicity
Has hobbies unrelated to disability work, including volunteering for emergency services
Engages in creative activities like crocheting, gardening, and baking
Works out regularly to manage chronic pain and mental well-being

JN: What does your work in disability research aim to achieve?

Advocates for disability-led, purpose-driven research to inform better policies
Aims to include lived experience in research rather than extractive studies
Pushes for research that improves real-life outcomes rather than abstract academia

JC: How do you optimize productivity during the day?

Works from home to manage sensory needs
Uses a yoga ball chair for movement while working
Schedules movement breaks and weight training to stay regulated
Uses live transcription instead of note-taking to stay fully engaged in meetings

JC: What productivity advice doesn’t work for you?

Finds back-to-back meetings overwhelming and non-productive
Rejects corporate jargon and vague email requests—prefers direct communication
Pushes back against the expectation to have cameras on in every virtual meeting

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Not a morning person, keeps routine simple
Prepares everything the night before to reduce stress
Gets her son ready for school, grabs coffee, and starts work with a structured plan
Relies on checklists and habit-tracking apps to stay organized

JN: How do you manage sleep with ADHD and frequent travel?

Struggles with sleep due to travel, ADHD, and hormonal cycles
Creates a familiar sleep environment by mimicking hotel room settings at home
Uses earplugs and occasional sleep medication when necessary

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clare-gibellini-653b98142

JC: Final words for the audience?

The disability advocacy space is tough right now, but don’t give up
Surround yourself with good people and protect your energy
Keep pushing for change—we will get there

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 75: Rebecca McCash

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 19:54:26 +1100

Welcome to episode #75! We’re thrilled to be joined by Rebecca McCash today.

Rebecca McCash is the founder and CEO of FutureTech Australia, a neurodivergent-led social enterprise focused on inspiring the next generation of neurodivergent minds. FutureTech provides STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) social and learning opportunities designed and delivered by neurodivergent individuals.

Rebecca is also an inclusion consultant for ASPEC’s Autism Friendly team, a member of Catalyst 2030, CECNA, and the Australian National Autism Strategy Economic Inclusion Working Group. With nearly a decade of experience in the disability sector, Rebecca is passionate about genuine co-design, neurodivergent well-being, and creating inclusive learning environments.

Welcome to the show, Rebecca!

Questions

JN: When did you realize you weren’t neurotypical?

Early exposure to neurodiversity through her younger brother’s autism and ADHD diagnosis
Struggled with chronic depression, anxiety, and eating disorders before being diagnosed at 26
Diagnosis provided a framework for understanding and supporting herself

JN: How has your diagnosis changed your life?

Allowed for self-advocacy and better life choices
Stopped forcing socialization and instead focused on deeper, meaningful relationships
Embraced special interests, especially learning and neurodivergence research

JN: What are your thoughts on the term "special interests"?

Doesn’t mind it but acknowledges some prefer "obsessions" or "passions"
Finds joy in deep-diving into interests like penguins, research, and STEAM topics

JN: How does your work align with your passions?

FutureTech focuses on neurodivergent-led STEAM education and community capacity building
Advocates for shifting the focus from making autistic people fit into neurotypical expectations to celebrating neurodivergent strengths

JN: What is the neurodivergent well-being framework you’re working on?

Traditional well-being metrics (e.g., academic achievement) don’t fully apply to neurodivergent people
Developed an alternative model emphasizing curiosity, self-advocacy, and interest-driven learning
Aims to help educators, parents, and workplaces better support neurodivergent individuals

JN: What productivity strategies work for you?

Uses extensive safety nets like calendar blocking, structured environments, and automation tools (e.g., Calendly)
Finds body doubling unhelpful but thrives with task chunking and completing work in one sitting
Offloads cognitive tasks to external systems to avoid overwhelm

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Wakes up early and starts the day with herbal tea, tidying up, and checking emails
Uses structured routines to maximize productivity and mental clarity
Finds early mornings the best time for deep work

JN: How does narcolepsy impact your sleep, and what helps?

Struggles with disrupted sleep cycles due to constantly shifting between sleep stages
Uses sleep music, hypnosis tracks, and a weighted blanket for better rest
Takes a mid-day nap to compensate for limited nighttime sleep

JN: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Loves learning, reading, and researching a variety of topics, from neuroscience to economics
Enjoys dancing, especially pole dancing, as a way to stay active and express herself

JN: Where can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebecca-mccash-589b43195
FutureTech Website: https://www.futuretechaustralia.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/futuretechaustralia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futuretechaustralia/

JN: Final words for the audience?

Find what works for you instead of forcing conventional productivity and relaxation methods
Advocate for neurodivergent-friendly well-being frameworks
Lean into your strengths and embrace what makes you unique

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 74: Tessa Amina

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 19:38:04 +1100

Welcome to episode #74! We’re thrilled to be joined by Tessa Amina today.

Tessa Amina is the founder of Intuitive Expression and is a neurodivergent therapist, coach, and Reiki practitioner. They offer international coaching for professionals, drawing on lived experience with depression, anxiety, PTSD, religious trauma, grief, neurodiversity, and addiction.
Tessa provides compassionate support for mental health challenges, spiritual growth, and creative blocks. They’re here today to share insights on living as a neurodivergent person and offer productivity tips.

Welcome to the show, Tessa!

Questions

JN: When did you realize you weren’t neurotypical?

Diagnosed with ADHD at 31 while working in an acute care psychiatric hospital
Struggled with details and a fast-paced environment, leading to diagnosis
Looking back, childhood and school difficulties made sense after diagnosis

JN: How did that realization impact your self-perception?

Brought self-compassion and understanding of past struggles
Long-standing difficulties with organization, testing, and classroom behavior

JN: What strategies have helped you manage ADHD post-diagnosis?

Shifted to a less intense work environment and started a private practice
Supplements (influenced by Dr. Daniel Amen) instead of stimulants
Uses isochronic tones and sound therapy for focus

JN: Can you explain isochronic tones?

Similar to binaural beats but don’t require earbuds
Used in a cubicle setting to help maintain focus

JN: How did changing your work environment help you lean into your strengths?

Focuses on therapy, coaching, and Reiki—things they naturally excel at
Uses mornings for administrative tasks when their brain is freshest

JN: What role does Mind-Body Bridging play in your daily routine?

Foundation of their work, helping with self-awareness and emotional regulation
Uses mapping techniques for processing thoughts before big conversations

JN: Do you prefer working with individuals or groups?

Currently works one-on-one but is considering starting group workshops

JN: What are your hobbies outside of work?

Loves movies, especially Pixar, cerebral films, and documentaries
Passion for poetry, nature, and trying diverse cuisines
Recently traveled to France and enjoyed exploring food culture

JN: How do you optimize productivity during the day?

Uses whiteboards and physical lists instead of apps for task management
Keeps workspaces clear and uses music to stay in the zone

JN: What productivity advice doesn’t work for you?

The concept of “grit” isn’t helpful—forcing tasks through pressure backfires
Instead, they set false deadlines to create urgency without anxiety

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Coffee, reading, meditation, and Mind-Body Bridging before work
Uses mapping to prepare for big meetings or conversations

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Uses silence, meditation, and supplements like lemon balm, CBD, and magnesium
Engages in Mind-Body Bridging and sensory grounding to relax before sleep

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Email: tessarosemagic@gmail.com
Neurodiversity Network

JN: Final words for the audience?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Honor your body—it will guide you if you listen
Lean into your strengths and celebrate them

Connect with Tessa:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tessa-amina-thulien-ma-lpc-a22aaa10

Email: tessarosemagic@gmail.com

Website: psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/intuitive-expression-westminster-co/1309665

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitiveexpressionllc/

Connect with Jeremy:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

Episode 73: Andrew Arboe

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #73 We’re thrilled to be joined by Andrew Arboe today.

Andrew Arboe is a self-advocate with a professional work background consisting of public school, private school, nonprofits, and online programs. Andrew is also a public speaker known for talking throughout New England about autism and his personal experiences.

Welcome to the show Andrew!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. 5-6 y.o.
  2. Temple Grandin on the scene
  3. Into video games/pokemon
  4. Upper elementary school started getting challenging
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Processing emotions when the environment is chaotic (raised voices)
  2. Unsure what to do after school - didn’t want to do tech/IT
3. What strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Explorer personality - play archetype
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. 1 to 1 work in special education:
  1. Public school
  2. Private school
  3. Helping with social skills
  4. E.g. helping with cooking - organising recipes etc.
  5. Letting go of expectations about NT work/driving abilities
2. Writing/Public speaking/advocacy in different states - personal experience
3. “Red mage”
4. Studying psychology
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Niche games
2. Exploring different cities/coffee shops
3. Classic movies: The Red Shoes, It happened one night
4. Anime movies on big screen
5. Puppy (9 month old German shepherd)
JC: Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
  1. Coffee
  2. Breaks
    1. Meditation app - breaks
    2. Driving
  3. Get ahead of work (e.g. reading history of psychology)
  4. Study music - anime movie music (peak fire)
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. Be careful about substance usage (even caffeine)
  2. Policing people about incorrect language usage
BREAK
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Get up at 6 - take dog out
2. Eat bagel
3. Have coffee at work
JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Video games to wind down
2. Read book (Stuart Brown - Play book)
3. Midnight sleep
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-arboe/
2. Website: https://andrewarboe.weebly.com/
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewarboespeaker5/
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Don’t police people unnecessarily - be kind
2. Start with small steps
3. Think of like leveling up like Goku
4. Don’t give up

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Connect with Jeremy:

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 72: Will Soward

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 08:56:21 +1100

Welcome to episode #72 We’re thrilled to be joined by Will Soward today.

Will works creatively in a diverse field of digital media. He's invested in making online education more accessible for neurodiverse learners and the Web a better place to learn.

Will talks about UX and accessible UI design with communities in the design and education space. He has 7 years as a UX designer under his belt, 12 years as an adult educator, and 20 years designing and coding front-end.

Will is currently the Lead UX/LX Designer for Tait Communications in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Welcome to the show Will!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Dyslexia 11
  2. ADHD adult
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Masking - asking questions
  2. Academic -
    1. Rote learning
    2. Sit still and listen
  3. Speaking
3. What changes have come post diagnosis?
  1. Context: why does it matter?
  2. More acceptance - stoicism - out of my control
  3. Environmental changes - clutter, to do lists
4. What challenges do you still face now?
  1. Rabbitholes during meeting
  2. Interrupting
  3. solutionising
5. What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Jump ahead to solve problems quickly
  2. Creativity
  3. Hyperfocus
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Tait - accessibility design
2. Online learning - development + design
  1. Make it better for ND adults
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Renovating house (last 8 yrs)
2. Martial arts - forced calm and focus - karate -> taekwando -> BJJ -> muay thai
JC: Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
  1. Philosophy: stoicism
  2. Breathing: calming
  3. Flywheel to build up motivation
  4. Lists
    1. Key priorities for the week
    2. Reprioritise
  5. Alarm 30 minutes before need to leave
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. Eat that frog
BREAK
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Reprioritise list
JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Finish in evening at 5pm to make space for relationship - shut laptop
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willsoward/
2. Website: https://willsoward.com/
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Learn more about neurodiversity

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Connect with Jeremy:

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 71: Michelle Ridsdale

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 08:18:18 +1100

Welcome to episode #71 We’re thrilled to be joined by Michelle Ridsdale today.

Michelle is the visionary force behind Kaboose, an innovative app designed to foster a sense of community for autistic individuals and those embracing neurodiversity. Drawing from her own personal journey and lived experiences, Michelle is a dedicated advocate and volunteer within the autistic community. Witnessing her own son grapple with isolation and disconnection, she was inspired to create a platform that addresses these challenges head-on.

Welcome to the show Michelle!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Son diagnosed
  2. I'm very social
  3. Daughter: ADHD and Autism
  4. Signs
    1. Routines
    2. Mask
    3. Autistic meltdown
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Not many friends
  2. Son gravitated to adults no kids
3. What changes have come post-diagnosis?
  1. Self acceptance
  2. Less verbal
4. What challenges do you still face now?
  1. ADHD - too many internal convos
  2. Getting upset over small things
5. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Hyperfocus
  2. Learning more about routines and quiet work
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Friends, mentors, jobs
  1. Tribes
2. Songs on repeat TikTok
3. Limit the number of people in group
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Work = special interest
2. Reading = mystery/nonfiction
  1. Let It Go by Dame Stephanie - autistic feels
JC: Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
  1. Calendar - colour coded
    1. Kaboose = purple
    2. kids = different colors
    3. social
  2. Lists (notebook, phone)
  3. Tasks in calendar
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. Mindfulness leads to more stress
BREAK
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Dog follows routine too
2. Walk at 6 am
3. Shower
4. Coffee
5. Start the night before
  1. Clothes and food organized
JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Ready yourself the night before
2. Menu plan
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleridsdale/
2. Kaboose on app stores
3. kaboose.app - https://www.kaboose.app/
4. kaboose_app - social media
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Connect with Jeremy:

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 70: Kristian Mikhel

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 06:59:12 +1100

Welcome to episode #70 We’re thrilled to be joined by Kristian Mikhel today.

Kristian is a co-founder of Paper and Pain, a creative collective for good, a PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania, and an accessibility designer. He's been sharing his experience living and working with ADHD, advocating for equal digital rights and inclusive experiences, and helping products that benefit humans and communities.

Welcome to the show Kristian!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Diagnosed in 2023, but has struggled with concentration, focused work, and motivation since junior school.
    1. Initially, he wasn’t aware of the condition.
    2. His level of acceptance was a lot lower when he was growing up
      1. It was thought to be a kids-only condition.
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Trying to calm myself down, feeling agitated and nervous constantly for no good reason, leaving tasks incomplete, and getting bored.
    1. Family wouldn’t understand
      1. Sitting in one place for an hour was really difficult
        Would want to split a task up.
    2. Initially, he thought his inability to complete tasks was depression.
    3. A feeling of rolling in the fog before diagnosis.
    4. Defense mechanism
      1. Against feeling of
        Not being “motivated enough.”
3. What changes have come post-diagnosis?
  1. Just knowing that you’ve got ADHD and having a diagnosis that explains that it’s not you, it’s your disability, helps a lot
    1. It’s like putting on glasses and now your vision is better.
      1. When you know what your dealing with, it’s sometimes as good as half the solution.
      2. Feeling well supported.
4. What challenges do you still face now?
  1. The feeling of guilt for not being productive enough, constantly trying to find new things to keep me excited, access to medication (hello, Australian healthcare)
  2. The rushing mentioned below can be tough to manage.
    1. It’s like driving really fast and then braking hard over and over again.
5. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. I don’t think I would call them “strengths”, but I’ve learned to complete things very fast to avoid getting bored, so sometimes, I would finish a massive project in a few hours and have the rest of the time to myself (well, I end up filling it with other projects, so that’s barely a win).
  2. Self-awareness of attention span
    1. Need to get a task done in 20 minutes otherwise, he’s going to get bored.
    2. The analogy of a match being lit needs to get stuff done before the match burns out.
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. PhD
  1. Focus on improving communication about air quality
2. building a design agency
  1. Help out non-profits and well-being orgs with design
3. writing articles
  1. Publish where?
4. host a podcast (Paper and Pain)
5. write a newsletter (The Accessibility Apprentice)
6. Questions:
  1. How do you balance PhD with the other commitments?
    1. Understanding that there is life beyond work and commitments
    2. Logistically:
      1. Still trying to work it out
        Trying not to stick too rigidly to a routine.
        Loosely
        A few hours of fun in the morning
        Coffee
        Make breakfast
        Watch TV
        While in a cheerful mood
        Solving the biggest problems
        Literature reviews
        Later on
        Focus timers
  2. Where did the name Paper & Pain come from?
  3. Why air quality comms - particular interest in that problem?
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Is there such a thing as an off-time?
2. Wants to prioritise these things that make life beautiful
  1. Working out
  2. Getting out of the house
  3. Reading
    1. Usually has 5-6 books simultaneous
      1. 1-2 are research pieces.
      2. Light fiction: 100-year Swedish man who jumped out the window
      3. Classics
        Hemmingway, Tolstoy
      4. Fukow? Foucault? (spelling?)
  4. Hobbies
  5. Trying new things - ask him about the most exciting thing he has tried.
3. I recently moved to Tassie, a lot of nature and walking
4. I read a lot (and sometimes, I even finish the books I pick up), watch good movies, cook
5. I’m an incredibly social creature if I don’t get to spend time with other people, my condition gets worse very fast
JC: Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
  1. Paradoxical strategy: try not to focus on productivity because otherwise, it ends up being a checkbox mentality
    1. Instead, focus on areas of interest (e.g. enjoys literature review)
    2. Ignore tasks that don’t add value - ruthlessly remove
  2. The best I could come up with, I minimize distractions by spending some time setting up my workstation, muting all notifications, and setting timers
  3. Workouts and a good diet help, but maybe don’t work out during work hours?
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. I don’t like making plans in advance, especially when they’re too detailed: breaking big tasks into subtasks causes you to lose track of the work. Too much meta work.
    1. You end up chasing the to-do list instead of enjoying it
  2. Using AI to optimize calendar/to-do list: removes
  3. Counting hours: results matter more than time spent
  4. I can’t meditate (too boring), although deep breathing exercises help a lot
  5. I don’t build my life around a productivity app: everything gets abandoned really fast, the best productivity app is a Moleskin notebook and a pen
BREAK
JN: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Anti-routine
  1. Changes things up
    1. Sometimes voluntarily
    2. Sometimes involuntarily (e.g. sleeps in)
  2. Challenges the Zuck, Steve Jobs idea of taking away decision fatigue
    1. These folks probably have enough diversity in other areas of their lives.
2. As much coffee as I can fit in one cup
3. I spend time cooking breakfast, it’s a neat ritual, and it’s something to look forward to
4. I used to eat things quickly and move on, now I take my time, and read a nice book instead of reading the news or swiping through socials
5. Tries to reduce screen time
  1. Be intentional with when it happens.
  2. News is excluded.
JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. I’m terrible at that, I tried everything: from minimizing distractions 30 minutes before bed to working out late in the evening to falling asleep exhausted, but nothing works
2. I don’t think I switch off
  1. A lot of anxiety
    1. Distracts with passive entertainment
      1. Screens
3. Why not watch a show in the evening?
4. Intends to go to bed early and wake up early
  1. Rarely gets both right.
JN: Where can people connect with you or find ...

Episode 69: Christa Seals

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:31:41 +1100

Welcome to episode #69. We’re thrilled to be joined by Christa Seals today.

Christa is a serial entrepreneur from her teen years and has extensive military experience, Christa has always positioned herself as a leader and mentor, consulting high-caliber executives, managing special agent HQs, and scaling her businesses.

With her specialized understanding of human nature, team performance, and how high-producing talent operates, Christa is in the unique position to provide team building, performance enhancement, and skill development for high achievers within a demanding industry.

Welcome to the show Christa!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Her deep interest in her curiosity
    1. Bringing biology books on camping.
    2. Deep focus while playing violin (so immersed in it that she’d end up with a bruise on her chin)
  2. When I was younger I felt like it was there but it didn’t manifest until I had multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
  3. The last one really triggered it the worst and caused me to go through a multi-month clinical treatment.
  4. Shifting between periods of hyperfocus and then having a lot of trouble focusing.
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Speech, memory, and dealing with common situations, I was easily overwhelmed, and easily triggered.
  2. Some days able to concentrate well at work, other times unable to get anything done for days straight
  3. Didn’t tell anyone about the TBI or health issues.
    1. Didn’t want them to be an identifier.
    2. A leader with similar issues opened up which helped Christa feel less alone.
  4. The identity of being a small female in the military
    1. Feeling the need to prove herself.
3. What changes have come post-diagnosis?
  1. Acceptance
  2. I have slowed down immensely in comparison to when I was at the peak of my military career. I have started self-examining myself before most if not all situations so I can best prepare.
4. What challenges do you still face now?
  1. Impulsivity, I naturally get easily excited about new things but that causes me to be impulsive (i.e. TEDx). I also have a lot of hobbies that I find hard to balance.
  2. How can you give yourself grace while being in a disciplined environment like the military?
    1. Military is pretty standardized, and not compatible with neurodivergence.
      1. Some leaders like the creative leadership of a neurodivergent individual.
5. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. My creative lens. It took me a while to realize that I see the world differently and that’s truly a gift to share with the world. I have helped clients, friends, and family look at things completely different than what they approach problems with and that helps them overcome and find solutions.
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Writing book
2. Business Coaching
  1. Dentists, Professors, AI developers
  2. Provide structure, help set goals
    1. SOPs
    2. Paper => Digital
3. working on my TEDx talk.
  1. Being audacious: have balls of steel
    1. Necessary to create change
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Depends on how much off time
  1. I have. I love squeezing in coffee dates, or a quick trip to a beautiful view.
  2. If I have a bit more time then I love travelling, taking my family to find hidden gems in new places.
  3. Exploring: finding the views that no one really knows the location
Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
  1. Listen to ASMR: helpful for productivity at work and household chores
    1. What does ASMR stand for again? - autonomous sensory meridian response
      1. Not sure, but it’s often used as an ambient soundtrack to relax
      2. Reminds her of grandmother humming the rosary.
      3. Now
        Painting sounds of the brush
        Rummaging through bags: makeup bags, craft bags.
  2. Location cued productivity:
    1. Working from home doesn’t help
      1. Thinks about housework/home improvement projects at home
  3. Self study/reflection
    1. Examines conscience
      1. Prayer/meditation
  4. Brain dumping ideas
  5. Don’t work through lunch - useful recharge time.
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. Chronodiscrimination: not everyone wakes up at 5 am and jumps out of bed
    1. She does much better if she wakes up without an alarm - peak productivity
BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. It has evolved several times after testing my own productiveness in different scenarios.
  1. Has had to adjust with parenthood.
    1. I used to start by making coffee and sitting on my balcony while I read for 20 minutes, and then it transitioned to going to the gym first thing in the morning. But that changed after I had my son. Now that my son is 3, I take him to school so I am most productive by taking a shower, getting dressed, getting ready down to my shoes, and then waking up my son to get ready so I’m not overwhelmed trying to get both of us ready at the same time
2. Wakes up with the sun
  1. I also allow my body to sleep in if I need to, but then I kick off the same way.
  2. Shower to get productive
3. Gets into the outfit for the energy level
  1. Sweatpants are to relax
4. Emotional support drink
  1. Something warm before meetings
  2. Energy drink if need to start focusing immediately
5. Consciously sits down for lunch
  1. As soon as done with food, gets set for the next thing
6. Start slow and then ramp up
How is your sleep?
1. Self-experimentation:
  1. Things that didn’t work well
    1. Yoga before bed
    2. Hot tea
    3. Exercise before bed
  2. Things that worked
    1. Brain dump creative thoughts so can sleep - better than trying to suppress the thoughts
    2. ASMR
      1. Reminds her of grandma praying with rosary beads in a low voice -
      2. Other experiences:
        Coworkers typing
        Painting sounds
        Makeup bag rummaging
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christaseals
  1. I answer all my DMs
2. Website: https://www.christaseals.com/
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Early birds are not superior to night owls/third birds
2. Self-study as much as you can - use yourself to

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp...

Episode 68: Steve Grace

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #68. We’re thrilled to be joined by Steve Grace today.

Steve Grace is the CEO & Founder of The Nudge Group, empowering high-growth companies to thrive on a global stage with a unique fusion of recruitment expertise and powerful storytelling designed to expand your reach and impact worldwide.

He is also the Founder of Nudge Productions creating high-quality content to tell stories through every medium from creating & managing podcasts in both video & audio, newsletters production & management, photography, and documentary/filmmaking.

And lastly, he is the publisher of both Balance the Grind & Startup Life: Unscripted and host of both the Give it a Nudge and Daily Grind podcasts.

Welcome to the show Steve!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? I could talk for hours about this, how it affected me mentally, etc and how it affects my work, why I do what I do, etc
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. About 13-14 years old
    1. Started with a diagnosis of an extreme form of dyslexia.
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Ridicule, stress, being different
  2. Accomplished siblings
3. What is it like now?
  1. Love it, I will tell you why
  2. Still finds it difficult to read. Took a while to read
    1. Had to learn the shape of every word.
    2. Finds it difficult to read handwriting.
  3. Found recruitment because it was all speaking (a lot easier than writing).
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. every single one I can
  2. Difficult to separate the neurotypical strengths from the idiosyncratic
  3. Short and sweet communication
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Recruitment business
2. Production Company
  1. Podcasts:
    1. Give It A Nudge: features startups
    2. Daily Grind: hacks to improve diet, exercise, career, sustainability
  2. Website
    1. Balance the grind: work-life balance
  3. Film making
    1. Filming war games for military startups
3. The Pillars: private club
  1. Founders and family offices get together and build stuff
  2. The goal is to build 20 Canvas and 5 Atlassians
  3. Casual club: can wear a t-shirt; avoiding being stuffy. BYO kilt.
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. With my business Balance the Grind balance, is important to me
  1. Work-life balance looks different to different people.
2. Teenagers occasionally want to spend time with him (at the ATM)
3. Sport/exercise:
  1. Exercise 6 days per week
    1. Keystone habit
  2. I did a half ironman last year
  3. I love the ocean, live at Tamarama, learning to surf very late in life
4. Media
5. Travel (going away on a boat)
What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
1. Get up early (how early - callback on sleep question) - sleep makes a difference to clarity
2. Read for 30 minutes (though sometimes gets lured in by phone)
3. High performance coffee - “before you speak”
4. Green juice (reviewing them for Balance the Grind)
5. Breaks up the day with movement (e.g. walk to next meeting for 1hr and make phone calls)
6. Don’t spend more than 45 minutes on one task
7. Drinking water - gives him a lot of energy
8. Planning which I hate,
9. Some standard old-school ones like doing what I hate first
10. Lo-Fi Beats I am trying
11. Breathwork
12. Turn email off + keep phone away
13. Email yourself notes
  1. Use Siri to email
14. 4 different notebooks
  1. Candidate interview notes
  2. Client requirements
  3. The Daily Grind: research guests beforehand
  4. Ideas book
15. Accountability Meeting
  1. Monday morning check-in with team
  2. Not in trouble but feel embarrassed/fulfilled if you do it
16. Measurement:
  1. Woop band
  2. CGM
What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
1. Focusing on one thing - everything is connected
2. “Don’t make lists”
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Get up at 5.30 am (earlier in Summer than Winter)
2. Solar-powered human (moved from UK to AU for the sun)
3. Drink half a bottle of water
4. Juice
5. Coffee
6. Wake up teenagers (x2)
7. Read for 15-30 mins (print them out in A4)
8. Shower, shave, contacts
9. Gym (3x weights, 1x run, 1x swim)
10. Protein shake
11. Work - no meetings before 11 am
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Goes home around 6 pm
2. Check emails
3. Work until 7ish
4. Dinner
5. Work until 9 pm
6. Scrolling/bad TV/movies
7. Go to bed at 11 pm
8. Falls asleep quickly
9. Can’t sleep past 7 hours
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Website: https://thenudgegroup.com/
2. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevegraceg/
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Lofi music
2. Reframe any limiting beliefs

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Connect with Jeremy:

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/

Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 66: Rebecca Arnold

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:48:37 +1100

Welcome to episode #66 We’re thrilled to be joined by Rebecca Arnold today.

REBECCA ARNOLD, JD, CPCC, PCC, is a professional, certified coach and the founder of Root Coaching & Consulting, LLC, a holistic leadership coaching firm for ambitious professionals. She has worked with 100+ leaders in the fields of education, medicine, law, academia, and social-impact organizations. She is an attorney by training and has collaborated with organizations from Google and Harvard to Top 100 law firms and K-12 school districts. She’s known as a “straight-talkin’, big-hearted” coach. Her book, The Rooted Renegade: Transform Within, Disrupt the Status Quo & Unleash Your Legacy, shares the path to holistic success for mission-driven leaders. It’s a #1 Amazon bestseller and Kirkus Reviews called it, “A wide-ranging and impressively holistic approach to achieving personal and professional success.”

Welcome to the show, Rebecca!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. About age 42- which I’m finding is more and more common among my peers (women with ADHD).
  2. I have been treated for anxiety and depression for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I had a child with ADHD that I recognized the symptoms in myself and was able to get a diagnosis. This seems like a common experience for parents of children with ADHD because there’s so much more awareness now than when we were children.
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Getting started and focused has always been difficult for me, but I did very well in school because of what I now realize were maladaptive coping mechanisms. I procrastinated and stayed up all night finishing assignments in high school, college, and law school.
  2. This led to me getting to the point of hallucinating in the middle of the night working on finals in law school because I’d stayed up for multiple nights in a row.
  3. When I had kids and started work again, the tasks built up more and more and I could no longer rely on procrastination. I ended up burning out because of massive anxiety overload and sleep deprivation.
  4. I’ve since learned that the effects of anxiety mimic ADHD medications, so of course many of us who are undertreated for ADHD use anxiety to self-medicate. Many of us also have anxiety as a separate diagnosis, so I do want to make that clear. In a world that doesn’t understand or value neurodiversity as it should, anxiety seems to be an obvious byproduct.
    1. The anxiety-fueled productivity masked what was going on underneath.
    2. It was tough to sleep. Combined with adrenal disease, it was really challenging - led to burnout of 8 months.
  5. Writing the book, especially editing required support from others
    1. Can edit things forever.
    2. Hard to cut through the pressure of doing things alone
3. What is it like now?
  1. I have medication that works- yay!
  2. And I’ve learned so many hacks that help me work with my ADHD
    1. Hacks wax and wane over time
    2. Accountability buddies
  3. I’m really choosy about the type of work I do because I know that if it plays to my strengths and talents, I’m fire and if not, it’s torture.
  4. I’m also very intentional about ways to generate motivation (connecting a task to my purpose, considering who the work is for and its impact, allowing myself to get excited and follow my energy- instead of treating my to-do list like my boss).
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. I’m great at coming up with new ideas for my coaching business
  2. Many people post-pandemic have ADHD-like challenges with focus, procrastination, and productivity, so I’m able to share with my neurotypical clients strategies that support me (and they work for them too)
  3. I can get a lot done when I’m motivated, so I capitalize on that.
  4. Deep empathy
    1. Can be a distraction as well as a superpower.
  5. Tangentiality means she can join dots and see patterns easily.
  6. Creating own rules (came from being socialized as a woman, pressure to be perfect). Rebelled against perfection.
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. I’m focused on spreading the word about my book, The Rooted Renegade because it’s packed with practical tools and strategies that I know will support people.
  1. The impetus for the book was videos that Rebecca was releasing during pandemic
  2. Messages for videos translated to book
  3. Framework for holistic success
    1. Calming emotions
    2. Existential peace - align work with purpose, habits with goals
    3. Relational peace: positive relationships with self and others (instead of sucking us dry)
  4. 50+ tools
  5. Talk to the book while writing it
2. Doing deep work with my executive and leadership clients.
3. Running my business in ways that fulfill me like being aligned with my purpose, hiring people who are values-aligned, and building time and space into my schedule for deeper work, connection, rest, family, and play. JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time? (5 minutes - T+25)
Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? Examples: creating energy/focus-aligned to-do lists, doing focused work at particular times of day, working in noisy environments for tasks that require focus or that I’m avoiding, having accountability partners who cheer me on and ask how my projects are going, batching tasks I’m avoiding, work blocking, getting enough sleep and eating well, strategic breaks, lovingly telling on myself, and so much more!
  1. Accountability partners
  2. Time of day:
    1. 9am-12 best time to GSD
    2. 2pm energy dip
  3. Changing environments - Going to coffee shops
  4. Coffitivity - streaming coffee shop noise (link to come)
  5. Movement breaks:
    1. Take the dog for walk
    2. Get coffee
  6. Goals posted on wall
    1. Vision Board
    2. Being able to see goals helps with object permanence
  7. Suck Sandwich
    1. Work on something fun
    2. Work on something really hard/sucky
    3. Work on something fun
  8. Focus/energy - aligned todo-lists. E.g. Checking in on how the focus is and then picking the lists that are aligned with the level of focus.
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. I resist project plans, spreadsheets, task lists, and things that feel overly constrictive. Instead, I create these in ways that serve how my brain works (stickie notes/drawings/color)
  2. I don’t like having a set schedule- I crave novelty, so I mix up my schedule all the time.
  3. “Do the most important thing first”- nope. It’s hard for me to figure out what’s most important and if I hate that task, I can’t start with it or it affects my entire morning. Instead, I use what I call the “suck sandwich”- I do a task I enjoy for a short time, then work on the task I’m dreading for a bit, and finish with something I enjoy.
BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. I don’t have a morning routine, other than showering, dressed, having coffee, getting kids out the door to school, and then getting to work. Sometimes I run before I work. Sometimes I walk. Sometimes I get right to it. Depends on the day.
2. Routine changes all the time to combat routine fatigue.
3. Start with...

Episode 65: Joey and Jeremy - niching down for work, clear to neutral

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:53:46 +1100

Welcome to the Focus and Chill podcast, episode 65. Today, Jeremy Nagel and Joey Corea talked about niching down for work, and clear to neutral.

Questions

Niching down - freeplane/Zoho
- Writing a book for specific people (Tim Ferris approach)
- If those people don’t like it, it’s a failure
- User stories and personas - make them real not
- Be an apprentice/journeyman first
Clear to neutral
- Closing tabs at end of day
  - Tab limit: 5 tabs
  - Save in Pocket instead?
    - How do you order them?
    - Setting an internal proposition?
      - Low information diet
        How do you consume content?
        Fractal reading?
        Read content around the author (interviews with author)
- “Leave future self breadcrumbs”
  - Write plan for the next day the night before
- Clearing desk
- Resetting donations/subscriptions (pause credit cards)
- Hemingway starting in middle of sentence
Zone 2 cardio
ADHD meds/stimulants
- caffeine

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/

Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear

10 News First: Melbourne Inventions Helping Those With Disabilities

Connect with Jeremy:

Jeremy’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 64: Damien Dicke

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +1000

Welcome to episode #64. We’re thrilled to be joined by Damien Diecke today.

Damien is the founder of the School of Attraction and The Dangerous Man. He is the author of the award-winning book Sincere Seduction. He's been a coach and professional speaker in over 25 countries. He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 10 and struggled until he started his company at the age of 25, which he’s still running today 15 years on. Damien has developed unique working styles to enable him to be productive. Many of his clients have ADD and he’s here today to share these working styles and how his work can help those with ADHD and ADD.

Welcome to the show Damien!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Other people realised long before I did - as a kid you don’t thnk about these things as much - except I never had friends in primary school which hurt a lot.
  2. I never ‘felt’ neurodivergent until I was an adult - even though I had been medicated as a kid
  3. Diagnosed at 10
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Couldn’t keep focussed on university, dropped out of a double degree
  2. Couldn’t complete anything that I started - DJ work, courses, study, business ideas etc.
  3. When people knew I had ADHD they told me certain things I couldn’t do - I learned to be obsessed with finding a way to turn the ADHD into a strength, a way to use it to my advantage - this obsession has served me well I think.
  4. Feeling misunderstood
  5. Often had only one friend
  6. Struggled with homework
  7. Wondered what trouble he was going to get into
  8. Which knocked the love of learning out of him
  9. University was tough because the pressure to achieve was no longer there.
3. What is it like now?
  1. I suppose it’s a part of who I am - I live a life where it’s completely integrated and accounted for - I just live a little differently but don’t feel it’s a negative in any way
  2. I had to learn to adapt because most useful drugs are off the table for me - hormone disregulation issues.
  3. I default to logic when things get emotionally hard
  4. Loves learning again
  5. Still loses interest in things that are repetitive (e.g. some board games).
  6. Schoolofattraction was the only thing that he was able to see through
    1. The difference was that he was able to get a lot of praise (because everyone wants to get better at dating).
    2. Consistent progress: 5 minutes per day.
4. What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Definitely hyper-focus… I can get amazing amounts of work done in short periods of time when I get into hyper-focus area.
  2. Knowing strengths:
    1. Great at designing and building websites. Not great at writing sales emails
    2. Now delegates work that he finds hard to hyperfocus on
  3. I also hyper focus on electronic toys (drones) - Why is this useful? I buy and sell toys on a profit - so it’s a side-hustle I can only pursue because I’m hyper focussed on the toys and the marketplace they live in - I see the trends and take advantage of playing with new electronic toys for a while.
  4. Because I had to learn to be hyper-structured - it’s useful in a business context - at least a lot of the time.
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Two parts:
  1. School of Attraction
    1. Dating coaching
      1. Goal is to be confident but not manipulative (not pickup artist style)
2. Men’s retreats
  1. Personal development work separate from dating coaching
    1. Hard to sell spirituality/self development - easier to sell dating coaching (but actually dating goes better if you do self development)
      1. Helps to dissolve illusion that a partner will solve self esteem issues
  2. Dealing with inner demons
3. Advertising and PR mostly - I have spent too long focussing on what I’m good at and not other parts of the business that need attention. So my hyperfocus righ tnow is on designing ads, landing pages, and writing copy - thank god for AI it helps a lot with ideas.
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. I fly FPV racing drones, watching movies, photography
  1. FPV (first person view)
2. Exercise (helps with hormone dysregulation).
  1. Goes to a gym
  2. Goes with his partner but only because they’re partnered
  3. Does weights (but doesn’t do much for mental health)
3. Lot’s of reading
4. Avoiding
  1. alcohol (since 21)
  2. Bars / clubs
5. Spending time with partner
6. Novelty
  1. Cars / buggies
7. Recommends that people find hobbies that force you to be part of a community
Productivity tips
1. What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
  1. I’m hyper-structured
    1. Start work at the same time
    2. My whole day is the same every day
    3. On Sundays plans out entire week down to 30 minute level
    4. Long term goals
  2. I have to block entire days dedicated to hyper-focus tasks otherwise I can’t even consider starting them.
  3. I have to bounce my thoughts off other people to really process them
    1. Verbally processing - doesn’t need feedback
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. Pomodoro technique - better to stay in hyperfocus
    1. But needs breaks during creativity crashes
    2. Taking walks every hour or two
BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. I eat the same thing every day until I get bored of it - adding a new decision every morning would create cognitive fatigue that would make starting with work harder
2. I avoid dopamine activities prior to starting work
3. Reduce decision fatigue
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. My sleep is often rough - not sure if that’s about neurodivergence - or my hormone dysregulation - maybe those are related, who knows?
2. I read at night in bed, takes about an hour to get to sleep
3. Doesn’t watch TV
4. Because my brain is always firing on overdrive, waking up in mornings is almost never an issue even with just a few hours sleep
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. I think it’s hard to give overall advice to neurodivergents because all forms of neurodivergence are spectra, and more than that the symptoms between identical diagnoses tend to be vastly different as well - everyone is a bit unique. In many ways I still don’t consier myself neurodivergent because that feels like a way of seeing myself that would just hold me back - this is probably not the ideal advice for everyone, but for me, it was important to my success.
2. Actually I think that it’s good advice for EVERYONE NT and ND - Create a life where you can capitalise...

Episode 63: Errin Anderson

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 11:49:18 +1000

Welcome to episode #63. We’re thrilled to be joined by Errin Anderson today.

Errin Anderson is a dedicated ADHD Clarity Coach, empowering professionals with ADHD through his 90-day program. Offering personalized strategies and motivational support, he helps individuals overcome challenges, focusing on their strengths. His empathetic, focused approach aims to transform personal and professional lives, understanding the unique hurdles faced by those with ADHD.

Welcome to the show Errin!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. I always thought I was different, but it was not till I was going through a rough patch that I started to think about ADHD since other family members got diagnosed, Officially diagnosed when I was 32.
    1. Relatively late diagnosis
    2. Diagnosis gave a reason to the things going on with him
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Always mind a friend and work colleague who always said Errin you're like a Duracell Bunny on Drugs, running at 100 mph,
  2. I could not focus a lot of the time, unless I had a deadline to meet; mind from Uni, I was writing my essay at midnight when it was due to be handed in at lunchtime
  3. Noise is always in my head, thoughts going 1000mph
    1. Brain is always busy
3. What is it like now?
  1. Learned just to be me
  2. Mediation has really given me the quiet mind
  3. Through coaching developed lots of tools and techniques that work for me to maintain focus and not lose EVERYTHING (mobile, wallet, keys)
  4. I am happy, not that I've never been happy but the longest I've felt in the happy emotional state.
    1. More emotional granularity (understanding the nuances between emotions)
  5. Having visual reminders like calendar reminders to help him manage time.
4. What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Being creative
    1. Getting lost in Canva
  2. Being my true self and getting that mask drop
  3. Thinking outside the box, is there a way i can get around, over or under this challenge
  4. Being able to listen to others and understand what really going on
    1. Active listening
    2. Not filling in the space
      1. Instead allow thinking time.
    3. Was able to build it with small habits
    4. Allows fidgets and sensory toys
      1. Fidget ring
    5. Walking can help
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Busy (always busy!)
2. Background is working in non profit space
3. Really focusing the now on setting up my coaching business working with professionals ND, providing them with the safe and time to reflect and develop actions, within a safe nonjudgemental place, oh and love the random moments we have in coaching when our brain takes us down that rabbit hole and allowing people to explore the space. Without feeling pressured into focus on what was the first thing we spoke about
4. Charities
  1. Untangling some admin messes (e.g. financials)
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. When not working with Charities across Scotland or working on my coaching, i spend time with the family. 2 children (9 and 13), and the wife (who just gets it)
  1. Getting away
  2. Youngest has ADHD traits
2. Time out in the garden - well when it’s actually sunny in Scotland and not raining
What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
1. 1. To Do list - but small GOALS,One product split into 5/10 steps to reach the goal, use online software to help me plan, has been a life saver. Used to write to-do list which was huge, and i would lose it so spent most the time trying to mind what was on the last one and redoing the list
    1. UseMotion.com
    2. Remarkable notepad
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. FOCUS and have QUIET, sounds like hell to me, i need noise to keep my brain busy on two things at one. Trying to just focus with nothing else going on it, make my brain feel like we need to run a marathon - Well that will never happen physically.
    1. Music
      1. What he listens to depends
        When hyperfocused, doesn’t matter what the music is
        When he’s trying to get into something, lyrics get distracting
    2. Subtitles makes him feel like he’s multi-tasking
      1. Reading and listening at the same time
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. Before i would just close down and disengage, now its all about the relationship ive developed with them. Of course at the start i will apologies all the time, as my brain switches off or im listen but doing something else at the same time
2. Why should i conform to neurotypical, they need to take me as i am, maybe they should change or we can meet half way?
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Morning routine what's that!
2. Initial i would wake up get ready and get to work no matter the time, can mind being in the office at 6am as i was up which just burned me out
3. Now - always up around 1.5/2 hours before i need to leave, give myself time to have everything ready, and spent some time on stuff i need to do, if going into the office, jump on the bus and listen to a podcast whilst reading the news to see whats happening in the world.
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Sleeps an interesting thing, probably spent that last 2 years really struggling with sleep, you would be lucky if i was getting 5 hours a night and being topped up on drugs to get me to wind down, by evening i was done but my heads was WIDE awake and wanted to do everything
2. Now as im having time for me and allowing space to winddown at night, and having lights that change with the sunlight helps my body feel like it needs to sleep and can now sleep a full night, well unless the kids are up .
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. You can get me on Socials
  1. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/philanthropeakcoaching/
  2. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PhilanthroPeakCoaching
  3. TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@philanthropeakcoaching?_t=8iqQJxoyHDM&_r=1
  4. Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/errin-anderson/
2. Best place - via my website https://philanthropeak.co.uk/
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Be you, learn about yourself and take the pressure off, sometimes just having that conversation with someone who gets can change everything. Lets those grey clouds and fog lift away.

More from Focus Bear:
Website: https://focusbear.io
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube:

Episode 62: Ellen Busch

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 14:46:01 +1000

Welcome to episode #62 We’re thrilled to be joined by Ellen Busch today. Ellen Busch, diagnosed with dyslexia in childhood, defied expectations. Her parents nurtured her beyond academic confines, teaching her to navigate the ocean, excel in team sports, and embrace adventure. Despite self-esteem struggles, she became a skilled skier and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Battling low self-esteem and trauma, Ellen persevered, escaping abuse and seeking healing. Through coaching, therapy, and training, she reclaimed her power, now thriving and fearlessly pursuing her dreams. Welcome to the show Ellen!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Initially diagnosed as ambidextrous.
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Dyslexia associated with an intellectual disability.
    1. People had low expectations of her - teacher told her parents that she would only ever be able to be a wife/mother
    2. Her parents didn’t accept the administrator’s diagnosis. Her dad’s mantra was “Prove em wrong Ellen!”
  2. Took successes outside of the classroom and brought them into the classroom.
    1. Physical challenges like abseiling, scuba diving, boating
    2. Was able to apply the adventures to assignments
  3. Going to college / uni was better
    1. Academic staff were supportive
      1. Probably because she was so open and transparent
    2. Managed to get through tough subjects
3. What is it like now?
  1. Agrees that the struggle gave her the grit
    1. She could outwork everyone else
    2. At an early age
      1. E.g. Reading nautical charts with her Dad.
4. What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Understanding visual learning
    1. Thinks in pictures
    2. Using visual aids whenever possible
      1. E.g. Anatomy colouring book - associating the colour with the name.
  2. Long-term memory is good
  3. Good pattern recognition
What projects are you concentrating on?
1. Book: disEmpowered
  1. Shares her story about getting through hostile education system and leaning into her strengths
  2. Lots of podcast
2. Training to become a coach (to help other dyslexic people and parents of dyslexic children)
  1. Heroes’ journey approach
    1. Refuse the challenge
    2. Take on the challenge
    3. Succeed
    4. Take the lessons back to your tribe
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Come back to the idea of outworking people. Does she find it difficult to switch off
  1. When younger, it was rough
    1. Because don’t have the emotional development on how to cope.
    2. Would have frustrated outbursts.
  2. Do athletic, physical things and then would fall asleep.
  3. Foundational practices
    1. Meditation
    2. Journalling
    3. Breathwork
    4. Visualisation
    5. Reboot practice - 45 mins to turn off the brain
    6. Yoga
What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
1. Optimising productivity
  1. Take breaks - not a robot!
    1. “Spot drills”
      1. Micro-workouts (10 minutes): 50 air squats/burpees/push-presses/WOD
      2. Does 3 of those per day. Aiming for 4
    2. “Sitting is the new smoking”
  2. Break up tasks - write for 15 minutes and then empty the dishwasher
  3. Setting boundaries: this is what I need to do for myself
2. Unhelpful advice
  1. Multitasking: doing 3-5 things at a time doesn’t work. Do one thing at a time.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. Setting expectations (like she did with the professors at college)
2. Active listening
3. Understanding different perspectives
  1. Asking for clarification
  2. Reflecting back
4. 5 mountain plan
  1. From Commander Mark Devine (retired Navy Seal)
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Set alarm clock 30 mins early - give herself time to wake up (not New York style wake up, gulp coffee and leap out the door anymore!)
2. Large glass of water
3. Box breathing
4. Gratitude journalling - typically 3 minutes
5. Yoga and stretching
6. Micro goals approach:
  1. start small with the habits - 3 things I’m grateful for and then build out from here
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. PM ritual:
  1. Journaling (what went well/what didn’t go well - what did I learn? In a non judgemental way)
  2. Breathwork (box breathing)
  3. Meditation (insight timer)
  4. Sleep!
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Book: Amazon
2. ellenbusch.com
3. Facebook
4. LinkedIn
5. Instagram
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. If you are dyslexic/ND, please know that you are not broken
2. You have amazing abilities - focus on what you’re good at - explore that

More from Focus Bear:

Website: https://focusbear.io
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/
Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear
10 News First: Melbourne Inventions Helping Those With Disabilities

Connect with Jeremy:

Jeremy’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:

https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

Episode 61: Katriona Lee

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:08:51 +1000

Welcome to episode #61 We’re thrilled to be joined by Katriona Lee today.

Kat is the Co-Founder of Kaya, Australia's first strategy-as-a-service platform built for entrepreneurs. Kat forged a successful career in corporate as a neurodivergent professional, leaning heavily into fitness and habit stacking as key tools for emotional regulation.

Welcome to the show Kat!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
2. What challenges did you face?
3. What is it like now?
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?

Early Signs and Challenges:

Early childhood observations by parents indicated unusual developmental patterns, such as speaking and swimming before walking. This hinted at a different learning and communication style.
During the teenage years, emotional regulation and social comprehension were significant struggles, leading to disproportionate reactions to routine disruptions or misunderstandings in communication.
Professional life highlighted these challenges, particularly in understanding and managing social interactions and conversations.

Diagnosis and Personal Struggles:

Following difficulties in emotional control and understanding social cues, a diagnosis was made, including depression and being on the autism spectrum (previously referred to as Asperger's).
The diagnosis brought mixed feelings about intelligence and self-worth, leading to extensive personal research and a reluctance to share this information with social circles for fear of judgment and loss of opportunities.

Current Situation and Embracing Neurodiversity:

Transitioning from a corporate environment to running a personal business has allowed greater freedom to be authentic and redefine leadership and business practices.
Recognizes and values neurodiverse strengths such as exceptional memory and pattern recognition, which enhance capabilities in strategy consulting and anticipating risks.
Uses unique cognitive abilities to develop innovative solutions and technologies, addressing pain points effectively.

2. What "work" projects are you concentrating on?

Kat Developed a one-stop "anti-consulting" platform to provide integrated, accessible business solutions for underserved entrepreneurs, fostering growth and authenticity without traditional

barriers.

Kat addresses the challenges of managing diverse business functions like IT, marketing, and sales through two main strategies:

Partnerships: She partners with experts who respect her unique approach, enabling effective collaboration.
Technology and Automation: Kat automates repetitive tasks to enhance efficiency and minimize errors, supporting her business's growth.

3. How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

Kat enjoys outdoor sports like hiking, running, and tennis.
She takes regular breaks in nature to manage hyper-focus and safeguard her health.
Social and leisure activities, such as discussing movies with friends, help balance her life.

4. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?

Productivity Through Fitness: Kat uses her cardio sessions to brainstorm solutions to business challenges, assigning specific tasks to intervals in her running sets.
Idea Generation During Exercise: She finds physical activity away from the computer leads to actionable business ideas by the end of her gym sessions.
Reflective Processing: Kat reflects on conversations and business issues during non-work times, which aids in deeper processing and future planning.

5. COMMERCIAL BREAK

6. How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?

Positive Self-Talk: Utilizes self-encouragement to tackle natural negative thoughts.
Preparation and Visualization: Plan mental exercises to visualize interactions, assessing likely conversations and challenging personalities.
Daily Mental Rehearsals: Incorporates daily mental walkthroughs of her schedule to anticipate professional interactions and enhance communication skills.
Empathetic Connections: Builds relationships with neurodivergent partners and team members, leveraging shared understanding.
Communicating Needs: Proactively informs colleagues of her needs during remote conversations to manage expectations and maintain focus.
Requesting Breaks: Transparently requests short breaks during conversations to manage energy and focus, which is well-received by colleagues.

7. What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

Consistent Wake-Up: Uses alarms set at 15-minute increments to ensure she doesn't oversleep, providing a safety net for starting the day right.
Hydration and Supplements: Begins with a big drink of water and takes daily supplements.
Mandatory Exercise: Engages in a structured workout (minimum 40 minutes) which includes a warm-up, high-intensity or weight training, and cool-down. Requires coffee before exercising.
Cold Water Exposure: Incorporates cold showers to boost focus and energize for the day ahead.
Routine Importance: Follows a strict routine daily to maintain structure and focus; disruptions lead to agitation throughout the day.

8. How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?

Chronic Sleep Issues: Historically poor sleeper since childhood, with extreme sleep deprivation during teenage years (1-2 hours per night).
Current Sleep Patterns: Experiences 3-4 hours of sleep on good days and less on bad days.
Coping Mechanisms: Has tried various methods to improve sleep, including medications, magnesium soaks, yoga, and guided meditation.
Structured Night Routine: Recently emphasized a more structured evening routine, including:
- · Breaking the day with consistent activities.
- · Turning off lights in a specific sequence.
- · Arrange pillows in the same way each night to create comfort through routine.
Improvement Efforts: Although still struggling, there has been slight improvement, managing to get about 3-4 hours of sleep regularly in the last three months. Continues to refine the process for better results.

9. Where can people connect with you or find your work?

Primary Platform: LinkedIn is the best way to connect.

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/katrionalee
Website teamkaya.com.au (Company)
Content Offered: Publishes a news...

Episode 60: Aleasha Bahr

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 09:06:57 +1000

Welcome to episode #60 We’re thrilled to be joined by Aleasha Bahr today.

Aleasha Bahr is a sales strategist, speaker, best-selling author, and founder of the Black Sheep Sales Method™️. She has 15 years of experience customizing sales strategies for businesses. Aleasha is an ADHDer and uses it to her advantage in her career.

Welcome to the show Aleasha!

QUESTIONS

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Didn’t know that habits were neurodivergent until a few years ago
    1. Getting frustrated when she can’t open certain things.
    2. Can’t conform to deadlines
    3. Fidget
      1. Doodling
    4. Empathy
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Humans are draining
    1. So concerned with another person’s experience that they are constantly trying to accommodate.
  2. Stimulants can make her tired
  3. Trying to figure out what works for her brain
  4. Getting diagnosed as a woman
    1. It felt normalized because she was in the entrepreneurial space.
  5. Spiraling
    1. Catastrophising
      1. Not acting on the spiraling thoughts
  6. Figuring out how to get stuff done
3. What is it like now?
  1. Learning to communicate the experience
    1. Is it a shared experience?
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Empathy - sales
    1. Ask more questions
    2. Listen (including to what they don’t say)
    3. Pattern interrupt
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Sales training (Black Sheep)
  1. Clients = service providers who provide their own services
    1. Not just solopreneurs
  2. Avoid working with corporates - people are engaged
  3. Ethos:
    1. don’t manipulate buyers or use shame
    2. Be transparent
    3. Meet their needs
    4. Make lots of money
2. Group sales training
  1. A different approach - previously did 1 on 1 coaching/training so that she fully understood the client’s offer
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Boundaries:
  1. “That doesn’t make sense for my family” - if people ask for something beyond what she can offer
2. Tries not to identify completely as “Mom”
  1. Boundaries around
    1. Personal time
      1. Colouring
        Adult coloring books
        Absent-mindedly coloring
      2. Write music/singing
      3. Writing a book
    2. Partner time
    3. Friend time
1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
  1. Day blocking
    1. Monday and Friday are 0 meetings.
    2. Tuesday - Thursday are just meetings.
  2. Doodling/colouring/going for a walk to unlock creativity
  3. Delegation - detailed work to someone else
    1. Calendar management
    2. Podcast editing + distribution
    3. Social media management (Aleasha creates the content, EA uploads/schedules it)
  4. Lots of lists - bullet points
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
  1. Time blocking
  2. Putting stuff into spreadsheets
  3. Likes having a bit of freedom/disorganization
    1. A lot of productivity advice is around rigidity and isn’t flexible.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. Remember that dealing with difficult people is optional
2. Transparency
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Mon, Wed, Fri - work out virtually with someone
  1. At 5:30 AM?
2. Otherwise, getting kids dressed and out the door.
  1. Generally, talking to someone gets her out of that stress
    1. And being able to offer value.
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Brain dump before bed to prevent looping
2. Personifying your mind
  1. Instead of trying to switch off the thoughts, thank the mind for the thoughts
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Podcast
  1. Sales is not a dirty word
2. Website
  1. aleashabahr.com
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. “There is no good or bad - there is effective and ineffective” - avoid judgment, focus on being effective

More from Focus Bear:
Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

10 News First: Melbourne Inventions Helping Those With Disabilities

Connect with Jeremy:
Jeremy’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
Joey’s creativity course

Episode 59: Christina Hooper

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:46:50 +1000

Welcome to episode #58 We’re thrilled to be joined by Christina Hooper today.

Christina is revolutionizing the journey for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. As one of the world's only AuDHD Business Designers, she puts a focus on understanding deeply, unlocking potential, and designing businesses that aren't just successful, but also fulfilling and sustainable.

Christina and her business partners are creating a space where differences are strengths, where every challenge is a chance to innovate, and where everyone gets to live their best life through the journey of entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the show Christina!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Age? I missed it
  2. Self-diagnosed through Tiktok
    1. Felt like the first time other folks understood how her brain worked.
      1. Other people experiencing
        Brain bouncing around
        Not being able to sit still
        Drawing connections other people can’t
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Couldn’t create the course that should have been easy.
    1. Hired Melanie? The mindset coach?
  2. Business culture
    1. Attire
    2. Loud venues (e.g. Vegas)
3. What is it like now?
  1. Sensory toys
    1. Fidgit toys
  2. Background music
    1. Without words
    2. Medieval tavern (Bardcore?)
    3. Classical dubstep
  3. Follows the music of brain DJ
  4. Dopamine cheat sheet
  5. Sensory-friendly clothes
  6. Beverage goblin army
  7. Supplements
  8. MTHFR gene mutation
    1. Diabolical B12 deficiency
      1. Turns B12 into cyanide
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Business design skillset
    1. Leaning into autism
    2. The possibilities / lateral thinking
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Academy
  1. 18 years in business
  2. Offering
    1. Delivery methods:
      1. Metaverse style via gather.town
        Body doubling
      2. Office hours with coaches
      3. Email/slack
    2. Roadmap for ND entrepreneurs
      1. Strategies, apps
    3. Mindset coach
    4. Fractional COO
      1. Help with delegating and communication
2. Has 3 other businesses
  1. Consultancy - personal brand
  2. SaaS built on high-level
  3. Project management agency
3. Started doing graphic design initially
4. Also website programming on the side (before WYSIWYG builders)
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Hanging with husband and kids
2. Loofy/one-piece
  1. Business lessons
JC: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
1. Optimizing productivity
  1. You have to prepare the day before if you want to be productive today
    1. Rest and recover well
    2. Pay attention to energy
      1. Monday = content creation day
      2. Thursday/Friday = get interviewed/admin
      3. Daily/monthly cycles
      4. Seasonal changes - winter = not a good time for launching products
  2. Body doubling
    1. Highest level = physical human next to you
    2. Lower level = focus mate/gather town
  3. Optimizing stimulation level
    1. 4x speed if she wants to watch something and learn
    2. Can read a book, watch a video, and listen to a podcast at the same time.
      1. One of the things should be familiar - e.g. a re-run. Without cliffhangers.
    3. Needs to have two things happening at once.?
  4. Things don’t work forever
    1. Why - perhaps the context has changed, e.g. body doubling doesn’t work if you’ve been
2. Unhelpful productivity advice
3. PlayDHD
COMMERCIAL BREAK
JN: How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. She stopped trying
  1. Tries to get people to assume positive intent
  2. Training the neurotypicals to assume positive intent
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Go easy first thing - sloth energy - avoid anxiety first thing
2. Experience morning colors for the rest of the day
  1. And colors the energy
JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Closing duties:
  1. Washing dishes
  2. Clothes
  3. Lock door
2. Timing: do the duties before dinner
3. Tactile goal setting
  1. Stir to left for more of what you want of
  2. Stir to the right for less
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. christinahooper.com
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Slow down and prioritise your joy
  1. Life is a journey

Episode 58: Joey and Jeremy discuss journaling

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:57:16 +1000

Welcome to the Focus and Chill Podcast, episode 58! Today we'll share Journaling Tips: Traditional vs Digital Journaling, Gratitude Practices, Mind Mapping & more!

TOPICS

Journaling strategies
1. Traditional vs digital
  1. Benefits of Digital
    1. Security
    2. Organization
    3. Searchability
  2. Benefits of Traditional
    1. Feels nice
    2. Freeform
    3. Can throw bits of paper away
2. Smart journaling apps
  1. Not really journaling, more like e-therapist
  2. Concerns around having intimate thoughts sent to the cloud (even if they don’t store your journals in the cloud)
  3. Advancements in local GPTs running on your smartphone
3. Gratitude practices
  1. Writing a single line vs a story
  2. Getting into the feeling of it makes a difference according to Huberman
4. Prompts vs no prompts
  1. Different prompts for different times of day/emotional states
    1. Morning - Jeremy prefers tactical: what are the challenges of the day likely to be? How can I make today fun
    2. During the day: emotional processing - why is this person annoying me so much?
      1. Muttering can help?
    3. Evening/scheduled weekly/monthly/seasonal reflection: strategic/divergent thinking - what did I learn? How am I living up to my values?
5. Writing a day log vs a simple story of the day
  1. Lifelog helpful for historical reflection - what was life like in 2021?
6. Weekly/monthly reflection
  1. Reflect on insights from last week
  2. What have I learned?
  3. How did I go with last week’s experiments?
  4. How am I Iiving up to my values?
  5. What concerns do I have?
  6. lite tasks (can get done in less than 2 minutes)
  7. tasks to add to the to-do list
  8. Non-actionable but useful reference info to integrate into the second brain.
  9. Experiments to try for the week ahead
Mind mapping
1. Implementing journaling in mindmaps (Freeplane); possible future episodes.

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Creativity Course: https://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course

More from Focus Bear:
Website: https://focusbear.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/

Episode 57: Chris Cameron

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 26 May 2024 05:18:13 +1000

Welcome to episode #57 We’re thrilled to be joined by Chris Cameron today.

Chris Cameron is a Workflow Engineering and Process Automation Expert with over a decade of experience. He founded Satellite, a company dedicated to helping small businesses optimize their operations. He also teaches people with executive function barriers how to overcome them using AI, no-code automation tools, and productivity strategies. His work is driven by efficiency, innovation, and empathy, ensuring technology serves people.

QUESTIONS

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. During pandemic
    1. Felt more on top of things
      1. Other people were struggling
      2. Realized later
        He was responding well to chaos.
  2. Having a child
  3. The above two things prompted him to investigate further
  4. In school was the kid that
    1. Didn’t
      1. Do homework
      2. Study
    2. But always performed well
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. Late to start things
  2. But learning new things about it all the time
    1. Different ways to approach things.
  3. Time blindness
    1. If something isn’t on the calendar, then it doesn’t get done.
  4. Underestimating
    1. Tries to journal and self-analysis and reflect on what is working and what isn’t
3. What is it like now?
  1. Wanted to talk about it so that other kids wouldn’t fall through the cracks
    1. Not simply be dismissed as the hyperactive boy stereotype.
    2. See through the coping strategies and masking.
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. Tolerance for frustration
    1. Depending on the cause
      1. Lower than usual
        E.g. repetitive tasks
        Filling out tasks
      2. Higher than usual
        E.g. Solving aggravating problem
        Coding a solution
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Consultancy doing business process automation (Satellite)
2. Educational workshops (https://learnwith.cc) for ND people to learn how to automate processes
  1. Building out course material
  2. Tutoring (e.g. how to set up automation)
  3. Workflow optimization tool (free tool to figure out how to improve your processes)
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Investigating new tools (physical and computers)
2. Spending time with family
  1. 2.5 year old
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
1. Calendaring + notes (so don’t forget)
2. Timeboxing (worked for a while but then hated it)
3. Time tracking
  1. Started for client billing as a freelancer
  2. Tracking how much time spent on personal projects too
  3. Helpful to calibrate estimates (e.g. grocery shopping seems like it should only
4. Adapt tools to how people work rather than bending people to make the tools work
  1. Velja
    1. E.g. default zoom calls to a specific browser
    2. E.g. always open Trello in the Trello app
5. What works for a few months, can’t expect it to work forever
  1. Theories about cycling
    1. Novelty is attractive
      1. Adaptation / habituation
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. Variable NT tolerance
2. Having different personas
  1. Work Chris
  2. Real Chris
  3. Is he consolidating these?
3. Establishing good rapport
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. For a while, he had a tightly planned morning routine
  1. Previously, 2-hour time block in the morning
    1. Exercise
    2. Meditate
  2. Adaptability helped in transitioning to parenthood.
2. Being a father led to a need for flexibility in the morning (e.g. kid wakes up early and needs you right away)
  1. Self-care for self
  2. Get son ready (change, feed him, take him to daycare)
  3. Do maintenance tasks (meditation, exercise, writing)
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Parenting
  1. Terrible sleep doesn’t last forever.
    1. It’s tough when the kid doesn’t sleep at all.
2. Energy management (more productivity stuff)
  1. Know when you have peak energy
  2. Being mindful of when being sleep deprived.
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. https://learnwith.cc
2. X: learnwithcc
3. LinkedIn
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Webinars
  1. Get people to attend.

Connect with Chris:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/learnwithcc/
Website: https://learnwith.cc/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Joey’s creativity course: https://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course

Episode 56: Christal Wang

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 17 May 2024 09:31:30 +1000

Welcome to episode #56. We’re thrilled to be joined by Christal Wang today.

Christal (Forbes 30 under 30) is a startup founder, expert ADHD advocate & speaker, angel investor, and forever tinkerer. She is the Co-Founder & CEO of Shimmer (YC S21, Google for Startups, StartX): the first-ever comprehensive behavioral tech platform for adults with ADHD. She is an avid snowboarder, amateur surfer, world traveler, and coach-in-training for founders with ADHD. She is a part of and cares the most about: LGBTQ+, AAPI, women/non-binary, and neurodiverse.

Welcome to the show Chris!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
  1. Used to be different: only Asian in her primary school
  2. The difference was apparent early on in school
  3. She was great at coming up with fun scenarios for her friends - they’d follow along
2. What challenges did you face?
  1. She was called nosy and loud
  2. She’d often get kicked out of class by teachers who didn’t understand
  3. School seemed overly focused on memorizing
  4. Challenges at work with managers who expected linear progress
3. What is it like now?
  1. Much better thanks to being able to delegate weaknesses, ADHD meds, and coaching
4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
  1. As a startup CEO, she naturally shares an inspiring vision and mission that excites her team
  2. “Nosiness” translates into curiosity
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Shimmer ADHD coaching platform (Jeremy uses it 🙂)
  1. Affordable ADHD coaching
  2. She started it because it was what she needed and she couldn’t find anything that was accessible
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Sabbaticals: 6-12 month cultural immersions/work aways
2. Adrenaline activities: snowboarding, skiing, surfing
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
1. Body doubling (does it in person with a friend)
2. Time blocking in the calendar (blocks out 2hr deep work blocks)
3. Planning
4. Taking breaks (15-minute coffee break instead of trying to stuff in admin tasks every minute of the day)
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. Overcommunicate: explain your process and what you need to be successful
2. Soften feedback:
  1. Smile
  2. Use I statements (I observed)
  3. Receive feedback yourself
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Set the alarm for the latest possible time!
2. Currently, it’s just drinking coffee
3. She has gone through phases of hitting the gym first thing but not right now
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Challenging - her circadian rhythm doesn’t match her NT boyfriend’s. Creates friction sometimes
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Instagram: shimmer.care
2. Website: shimmer.care
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Try new strategies but don’t feel bad if they don’t work - there are always more strategies

Connect with Christal:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shimmer.care
Website: https://www.shimmer.care/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wangchristal/

Connect with Jeremy:
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy

Joey's Creativity course:
https://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course

Episode 55: Nathan Sherratt

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 04 May 2024 07:02:58 +1000

Welcome to episode #55 We’re thrilled to be joined by Nathan Sherratt today.

Nathan Sherratt is the Managing Director of The Third Team, a company that provides resilience training for referees. He is an active football referee and an educator passionate about supporting officials and improving their mental well-being. Nathan also works as a mental health ambassador and a speaker, using his off-the-field story to inspire and improve the lives of others. His work focuses on helping referees deal with challenges and pressures better, to enable them to stay in their roles longer, enjoy refereeing more, and enhance their performance. Additionally, he is involved in communicating similar messages through the vehicle of refereeing in schools, colleges, universities, and in the industry.

Welcome to the show Nathan!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Was diagnosed with autism at age 14/15
  1. Struggled with situations where things didn’t go to plan (traffic jams, the bus didn’t come on time)
  2. Illegible handwriting
  3. Some accommodations, e.g. extra time in exams
2. Learned a lot more about ASD in my 20s
  1. Gave him a lot of self-compassion for the struggles he experienced as a teenager
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Helping sports officials all over the world manage the mental game
2. Trustee of ND charity
3. Coaches ND individuals - helps them deal with work challenges
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. 1. Outsource things that aren’t in your sweet spot
2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
1. Masking:
  1. eye contact, etc. learned skill
  2. Exhausting
2. People appreciate directness
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Midnight to 7 am
2. Tech sometimes gets in the way
How do you fit exercise into your life?
1. As a sports official himself, he does a lot of running for work and for recreation
2. Aims to get out into the sun in the morning
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Golf
2. Long charity walks
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Alarm 15 mins before need to get up
2. Shower
3. Hair
4. Shave
5. Brush teeth
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. The Third Team website
2. LinkedIn
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Don’t feel limited by your neurotype - be prepared to push yourself out of your comfort zone at times

Connect with Nathan ⚽️
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-sherratt-508634137/
Website: https://thethirdteam.co.uk/

Connect with Jeremy 🐻
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Joey's Creativity Course ✍️
Click here: https://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course

Episode 54: Shea Belsky

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 08:04:27 +1000

Welcome to episode #54 - We’re thrilled to be joined by Shea Belsky today.

Shea Belsky is an autistic self-advocate. He is the Chief Technology Officer of Mentra, a hiring platform for neurodivergent job seekers. Shea brings several unique perspectives to supporting neurodivergent colleagues: He has been the manager of neurodivergent & neurotypical employees, has reported to neurodivergent & neurotypical managers, and has advocated for the needs and well-being of his peers. Shea is excited to share these experiences with others to create a more neuro-inclusive workplace for everyone.

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Diagnosed at a young age (2 y.o.).
2. Had a lot of support throughout school (physical therapists, speech therapists, individualized education plan, etc.).
3. Did well at school and got into Cornell University where further development opportunities as a TA helped him grow his communication skills
4. Lucky to be able to pay it forward now as part of my work with Mentra
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Sleeps well (apart from cats sometimes waking him up!)
2. Mental exercise to shut off thoughts when he gets to bed so he can sleep quickly
How do you fit exercise into your life?
1. A big part of his life. He and his wife both enjoy hiking, running, cycling and skiing
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. CTO of Mentra a careers site for ND people. Connects NDers with companies looking to hire ND talent.
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
1. Walking meetings
2. Blocking out time for deep work
3. Careers coach to help deal with communication challenges
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Outdoor activities (see fitness)
2. Dungeons and Dragons
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Feed cats, shower, and head to work
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheabelsky/
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Check out Mentra if you’re looking for work or looking to hire someone

Connect with Shea:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheabelsky/
Mentra: https://mentra.com/

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Joey's Creativity Course:
https://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course

Episode 53: ST Rappaport

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 13:56:36 +1000

Welcome to episode #53 We’re thrilled to be joined by ST Rappaport today.

ST Rappaport is a brain engineer who works with ADHD entrepreneurs to unleash their potential via Peak Brain Performance. ST assists them in optimizing their ADHD so they can remove overwhelm, get more done in less time, and enjoy growing their business again.

Welcome to the show ST!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. From young age
  1. Felt like she didn’t fit in.
  2. Didn’t like constraints
    1. Didn’t like school
      1. 1st day of 1st grade
    2. Thinking in a box
2. College in England was much better
  1. Left two years ago
3. Key challenges after school
  1. Personal development
    1. Self-awareness
  2. Never had a boss
    1. Always run her own ship
      1. Photography business.
      2. Creative journal expressive arts
        Creating with non-dominant hand
  3. Internal locus of control
    1. Creating her own environment
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
1. Making the rules for herself is fine (just when other people tell her what to do)
2. Does believe in the power of sleep (but struggles sometimes to get enough sleep)
  1. Goes in seasons
    1. Sometimes sleep is less of a priority when working on something else.
      1. Deadlines.
3. Wind down routine:
  1. Think about three wins from today + anticipate 3 good things that will happen tomorrow
  2. Visualisation of calm
  3. Journal
How do you fit exercise into your life?
1. A priority even higher than sleep
  1. First thing in the morning
    1. Go running - part of habit.
      1. 45-60 zen time, thinking time.
      2. > 60 minutes, listen to something to avoid
2. Novelty key - different types of exercise
  1. Strength and cardio
  2. Swimming
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Coaching ADHD entrepreneurs (loves it)
  1. Meaningful transformation not just hacks
    1. 28 thinking skills
    2. Coachees come to the conclusions themselves
    3. Try to solve the root issue
      1. Why do you want to procrastinate while working?
      2. It’s ok if you’re conscious that you’re putting on a band-aid until you can find the root cause.
2. Podcasts + YouTube vids
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Band-aids
  1. Work with your brain, not against it.
    1. Get to the sweet spot of challenge/flow:
      1. Make easy tasks harder (do it really fast/add fun)
      2. Break hard tasks into smaller ones.
  2. Pomodoro with a twist
    1. Has a list of tasks
      1. After 10 minutes, change tasks. Doesn’t matter where she is at
      2. Gets her to work faster
  3. Taking breaks
2. Surgery
  1. Interpret the procrastination as a signal.
    1. Which sub-task is challenging?
      1. Is it
        Boring?
        Repetitive?
      2. Which part does my brain not like? In the seemingly smallest tasks, there are big sub-tasks
      3. By pinpointing the part it doesn’t like, you understand the why.
    2. Same thing with jobs/roles/gigs
      1. Identify what you don’t like.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Travel + research beforehand (do things that the locals would do - authentic experiences)
2. Dancing/painting
3. Deep conversations
  1. Finding time to talk with strangers:
    1. Appropriate event (networking event, podcast)
    2. Prioritize it if it’s important (time scarcity)
  2. Strategies for escalating small talk
    1. Questions:
      1. What’s been the highlight of your week?
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Brain sharpest in the morning
  1. Workout
  2. Shower
  3. Into the most important task
    1. Prepared the night before
      1. Make it as easy as possible
        Workout clothes
        Any documents open
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Lifepixuniversity
2. 28 thinking skills
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Stop caring what other people think.

Episode 52: Reflections with Joey Corea and Jeremy Nagel

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 10:25:19 +1100

Welcome to episode #52 We’re your hosts, Jeremy Nagel and Joey Corea, and we're thrilled to share our 2023 reflections with you today!

Key points:

Structured reflection
- New Years resolutions
  - Why wait? If it’s important, do it now
  - Accountability Group
    - Sharing vs doing it on your own
  - Timing:
    - Birthday
- Structured reviews
  - Format
    - Wins: what worked well
      - Joey:
        Released book: Dilemmas to Decisions
        Increased workouts from 4 to 5 per week - plus 12 reps per set
        Started Plucky Jester business and got first $ in
        Got back into social media for business purposes
    - Insights: learnings
      - Most satisfaction from gaming if take breaks (e.g. play for an hour, take 10 minute walking break, and then play for another hour)
      - “Life is happening for you, not to you” - Obstacle is the way
      - Trying to do everything on his own is not always the best way
    - Pivots: what will I do differently?
      - Cultivating self-healing - time for meditation/time in nature
      - Anxiety management - “Cognitive Dominance”
      - Diminish victim mindset
- Review Frequency
  - weekly/monthly/annual
- Monthly reviews
Unstructured reflection: Remembering to be mindful
- Re-entry meditation (shoes -> breaths)
- Walking through doors
- Posture
- Peeing

Episode 51: Giles Dickenson-Jones

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 10:21:10 +1100

Welcome to episode #51 We’re thrilled to be joined by Giles Dickenson-Jones today.

Giles is an independent consultant specializing in public policy (economics), international development, and data science. Giles was diagnosed with ADHD in his early teens and was shuttled off to one of the few schools he hadn't already been kicked out of: a boarding school in rural NSW.

Giles leverages his ADHD by combining his interdisciplinary range, creativity, and expertise in data analytics to help clients tackle tough public policy problems.

Welcome to the show Giles!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Grew up in rural NSW
  1. Diagnosed with ADHD amidst being shuffled across schools.
  2. Initially confused
    1. Initially thought it meant he wasn’t getting enough attention.
  3. Coping strategies didn’t stick
  4. Interpreted it as lacking in something as an explanation of why he was different.
2. How he sees it now:
  1. Knows he was different
  2. Was working ahead to fit in
  3. Strong sense of justice, hyperfocused on that
    1. Acting out
    2. Getting approval from others
  4. So eager to fit in
    1. Somehow not be the
      1. Cool kid
      2. Dorky kid
    2. Almost got into a Montessori-style school
      1. But mother wanted tougher discipline
3. How neuro divergence led to the current line of work
  1. Analytical framework hooked him
  2. Economics sticks its nose into everything
  3. Range, Epstein
How has your neurodivergence affected your financial life?
1. Special interest in finance including personal finances - complicated Excel model + savings model
How has it affected your relationships?
1. Enjoys socialising but won’t organise it
  1. Work often gets in the way.
  2. Blind to the need of tending to relationships.
2. Interested in people
  1. Likes the diversity and variety of Lunchclub
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Independent economic consultant
  1. Program evaluation of social policies, e.g. how to help more students graduate
  2. How can we make the policy stronger (without incurring additional costs)?
2. Board member of local NFP
3. Policy Analysis Lab
  1. Online course teaching policy analysts how to use data science
  2. How to work with messy data
    1. How to clean it up
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Quit drinking in 2015
  1. Found it difficult to continue
  2. Replaced it with art classes
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Set up day similar to 9 to 5 job
2. Get up at 6 am
3. Go to the gym (do boxing)
4. Review to-do list
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Normally external deadlines push him to hyperfocus
2. Softer deadlines are harder (e.g. finishing the online course)
  1. Go to the library for focus
  2. Turn on hyperfocus
3. Keep desk distraction-free
4. Simple structures/routines
  1. Momentum method - get started with easy tasks
    1. Make tasks really small (break down responding to an email into - read email, write email, hit send).
    2. Reduce friction for good habits
  2. Hiring freelancers - keeps him accountable
    1. Similar to body doubling.
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Watching videos while having meals (lowers boredom threshold)
How do you switch off at night?
1. In theory
  1. Get to sleep by ten.
    1. Loose during the holidays
2. Practically
  1. Keeps the 6 AM boxing class
    1. Fun
    2. Fitness
    3. Discipline, consequences for staying up late
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for dealing with your brain?
1. Apps:
  1. OneNote for organizing notes
  2. Excel for To Do lists
  3. Chat GPT
    1. Focus Coach: ADHD Coach GPT
    2. Askly
  4. Pocket for reading later (on Kobo)
  5. Read aloud (proofreading own work, reading websites)
2. Etsy
3. Books:
  1. “Deep Work” Cal Newport
  2. Range by David Epstein
  3. “How to have a good day”
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Etsy store - Turkey cards
2. LinkedIn
3. Website - gilesdj.com?
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. The emperor has no clothes: the person you are putting on the pedestal has foibles and got where they are through a combination of hard work and good luck. You can get there too.

Episode 50: Brent Huras

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:18:32 +1100

Welcome to episode #50 We’re thrilled to be joined by Brent Huras today.

Brent Huras is a Productivity & Flow State Coach whose practice evolved from the single purpose of answering the question: "How can I get myself to do my work?" To this end, he has spent the last two decades reading, studying, philosophizing - and eventually - coaching on the answer to this mysterious question. His studies have taken him along multiple paths including psychological and spiritual ones which have culminated in his body of work that he calls Sustainable, High-Level Productivity which he describes in his work on YouTube, TikTok, and blog. He currently operates out of Stratford Ontario where he serves 1-1 clients and small groups.

Welcome to the show Brent!

Questions

Can you tell us about your brain? When did you realize that your brain was different? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Suspected undiagnosed ADHD
  1. Bulk of clients are people with ADHD
    1. When they describe their experience, he felt it resonated.
  2. Brought it up with his parents
  3. Saw challenges in himself that wasn’t evident in his peers
    1. Focusing at micro and macro level
      1. Able to start but losing focus in the hour.
      2. Or not being able to see project through to the end of the week.
2. How he learned the strategies
  1. Everything leads to mastery (wanting to be really good at something)
    1. Give himself to something so he is free to focus and go deep on something.
    2. Reframe that he’s not missing out on something.
    3. Developing skills/mastery opens up other opportunities further down the road.
3. What’s the realization like?
  1. It was a slow realization
    1. It’s not what you choose, it’s that you do choose.
How has your neurodivergence affected your financial life?
1. Family very disciplined around money
2. He inherited that mindset - frugal
3. Enthusiastic about investment opportunities
  1. Sometimes good: early investor in BTC
  2. Sometimes bad: bought PSYK and it didn’t go well
How has it affected your relationships?
1. Quick to love people
  1. Not necessarily a bad thing - assumes positive intent.
  2. Sees the becoming/potential.
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Raising toddler
2. 1 on 1 coaching
3. Group Coaching
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Raising toddler
  1. Watching become a person.
    1. Not quite like raising a cat.
    2. There’s frequently a “new person”
2. Serve the evolution of humanity
  1. Signaling to other people that it’s ok to step into purpose.
3. Coaching
4. Wisdom traditions
  1. Practices of enlightenment and awakening.
  2. Deeper and more grounded layers of peace.
5. Playing piano.
What forms of exercise do you do?
1. Gym 3x a week
2. Get a run in per week
3. Ken Wilbur’s stuff
  1. Meditation and working out complement each other.
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Try and wake up before daughter
  1. Do meditation
2. Catching up later in the day
  1. Find a time to meditate ideally before the morning
3. Ideal routine (past routine)
  1. Get up
  2. Meditate
  3. Exercise
  4. Shower
  5. Journaling
4. Prioritizes mindfulness throughout the day
  1. Mindfulness is not just on the meditation cushion - be mindful when leaving a room, getting into the car etc.
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Getting self to do the thing:
  1. Flow state
    1. Remove the judgment that some tasks are flowy and others are tedious (e.g. doing tax return can be fun)
  2. “Compressed ease” - expectation that it should be going faster
    1. It will take as long as it will take
    2. Slow down - let it take as much time as needed
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one bad habit you have removed from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Smoking cigarettes + Drinking
What’s your sleep like?
1. No sleep issues, sleep well.
2. Toddler wakes them up sometimes.
How do you switch off at night?
1. Trust that there is nothing to think about right now.
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for dealing with your brain?
1. Books:
  1. Falling into Grace - A.. Shanti QQQ
  2. The power of now
  3. The universe always has a plan Matt Kahn
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. hello@brenthuras.com
2. TikTok: spiritual awakening/flow/high level
3. YouTube channel: qqq
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Radical self-trust: notice when the brain tells you that you’re missing something/doing something wrong. Suggest to yourself that you know what you’re doing.

Episode 49: Denise Lim

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 04:27:33 +1100

Welcome to episode #49 We’re thrilled to be joined by Denise Lim today.

Denise is a PhD student at Griffith University, where she is currently investigating factors that contribute to academic motivation amongst intellectually gifted students with ADHD in secondary schools, a population she is extremely passionate about given her lived experience and challenges during that time. Denise has completed a Bachelor of Science with a psychology major, her psychology honors, followed by a graduate certificate in educational research, which provided her with the foundation for her PhD.

In 2022, she worked with a team at The Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney to conduct the world’s biggest umbrella review of COVID-19 and mental health outcomes, which was published in March 2023. She enjoys spending time with her two Guinea pigs Squashi and Squishi, has won multiple state and national titles for chess and table tennis, and recently ranked in the top 10 for speed jigsaw puzzling in Australia.

Welcome to the show Denise!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. During school, grades were very inconsistent, particularly with compulsory subjects. B+ average but never got B+ - always had really good days where she smashed it (particularly oral assignments) and other days where she got low marks even though she was trying really hard the whole time
2. Teachers said things like “I can see you’re really smart. You’re so good at Chess. How come you can’t…?”
3. Grade divergence got worse as demands escalated during high school and uni
4. At the end of her first degree, a friend shared that she had been diagnosed with ADHD and that inspired Denise to seek a diagnosis
5. Post diagnosis and treatment (meds), her performance in honors + subsequent tertiary study has been consistently high distinctions. She’s learned to work with her brain instead of against it.
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. PhD research looking into motivational theory for twice exceptional (intellectually gifted + neurodivergent) students
2. The goal is to come up with a personalized motivational framework for each student so they can perform at their best
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Speed puzzling (started during COVID to ward off depression and is now something she loves doing)
2. Table tennis + Chess coaching
What does your start of work routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Jigsaw puzzling - a form of mindfulness
2. Listens to textbooks via Voice Dream. Currently listening to “Handbook of self-determination theory”
3. Both activities get her in the zone for deep work
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Multimodal input/output: uses whiteboard/iPad/iPhone/laptop depending on the type of work and how she’s feeling
2. Wobble chair to give her movement during meetings
3. Working on trains: go from one end of the train line to another - being in motion helps her focus (planes are also good but expensive)
4. Rewards: get bubble tea after a deep work session
5. Body doubling: shut up and write sessions where several students get together and write (no talking)
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you switch off at night?
1. Feed Squishi and Squashi (guinea pigs)
What resources (books/audiobooks, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Apps:
  1. Voice Dream (text-to-speech app)
2. Books
  1. Atlas of the Heart by Brenee Brown
3. Sensory toys:
  1. A multitude of spinners mostly from Kaiko
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Griffith Uni page
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Talk to other people about your neurodivergence. If her friend hadn’t shared with Denise, it would’ve taken Denise much longer to realize why everything was so hard. Pass on that gift to others.

Episode 48: Yvonne Heimann

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:30:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #48 We’re thrilled to be joined by Yvonne Heimann today.

Yvi was born and raised in Germany where she caught the entrepreneurial bug early on, working in her parents’ business and owning her own pub by the tender age of 22.

Yvonne left the safety net and security she had in Germany to pursue her own dreams. Since moving to the US in 2007, Yvonne’s goal has been to help empower entrepreneurs so they can successfully run a sustainable business while also enjoying life.

Her own life-changing challenge came in 2014 when she lost her husband to cancer. Yvonne was determined to resume her passion for building “bulletproof businesses” that can withstand anything.

Welcome to the show Yvi!

QUESTIONS

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Struggled with by-the-book teaching style in school
2. After moving to the US, became aware of ADHD and found it explained the trials and joys of her brain
  1. Divergent thinking is a big asset for her work with clients - sees things from a different perspective
3. Microdosing 2 times per week helps with cognitive overload (too many tabs) and anxiety
How has your neurodivergence affected your financial life?
1. In business, she’s great at starting things but polishing/last mile is hard
  1. Learning is to delegate the integration work
2. Advice to only focus on one thing has been unhelpful. She’s been able to form a cohesive niche from doing many different things
How has it affected your relationships?
1. Got told in the past: “You’re too intense/loud”
2. Moving to the US has made it easier to find people on the same wavelength
3. She now warns new clients “This is how I am” and puts out authentic content so she attracts people who like the way she is
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Coaching for digital entrepreneurs who are open to change and want help systematising their business
2. Recently published a book “Mastering the Basics of ClickUp: Get Up and Running in No Time: Easy project management using repeatable processes”
3. YouTube channel + Boss Your Business podcast
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Fitness: 1-mile circuit around her neighborhood
2. Going to the beach: amazing sunsets in San Diego
3. Experiencing food: tamale cooking class
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Coffee on the patio - sitting and thinking
2. Reading
3. Journaling
4. Gym
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. No client meetings before 10 am
2. Work mode on the phone
3. Eliminate decision fatigue: plan the night before (in the future, she’ll hire a business manager to help prioritise)
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Using phone too much (uses parental controls to help)
How do you switch off at night?
1. Sleep:
  1. Avoid hot baths late at night
  2. Avoid alcohol
  3. Cold room
  4. Weighted blanket
2. Brain dump ideas (voice notes)
3. Luna app for sleep: bedtime stories + painting a scene
4. Aura ring to track data
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Books:
  1. Her book: “Mastering the Basics of ClickUp: Get Up and Running in No Time: Easy project management using repeatable processes”
  2. The One Thing
  3. Atomic Habits
2. Apps:
  1. Luna sleep app
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. askyvi.com
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Be kind to yourself

Episode 47: Siobhan Lamb

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:30:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #47 We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Siobhan Lamb today.

Dr Lamb has worn many hats during her life. Neurodivergent herself, with a neurodiverse family, she spent twenty years as a teacher in STEM and Diverse Learning and is now principal of Embrace Difference, a business supporting neurodivergent children in the education system, including the provision of professional development in educational settings and advocacy services. Dr. Lamb is all the Head of Neurodiversity at a mainstream school in Sydney.

Welcome to the show Siobhan!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, and selective mutism at age 7
2. Was well supported and was able to thrive
3. Parents encouraged her to be herself at home but also explained societal expectations to help her around others
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Embrace Difference: advocacy for children kindergarten to year ⅘
  1. Helps kids who get suspended due to dysregulation
  2. Works with teachers + parents to identify patterns in behavior that precede a meltdown so that it can be addressed proactively (e.g. go for a walk outside/go to a quiet space)
2. Head of neurodiversity at mainstream school
  1. Works with ND students at her school in a similar way to plan how to make the environment suitable
  2. The goal is for ND students to be able to say “I feel like I belong here”
  3. Runs workshops on executive functioning and organizational skills
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Loves board games (could start a shop!)
  1. Azul, Patchwork, Dungeon Mayhem, Everdell (longer), Kindomino (good for young kids), a little wordy, splendor, sequence
  2. Bias towards short (sub 20 minute) games due to time constraints
2. Walks, movies
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Organise lunch etc. the night before
2. Shower to wake body up
3. Meds
4. Use clocks to remind you when to make a habit
5. Some clients use the box of habits (e.g. put a toothbrush in the box and transfer it to another box when you’re done)
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Go with the flow - on days that she’s on, smash the admin. On other days, she works with children as it gives her energy
2. Try to maximize chances of being on by:
  1. Getting plenty of sleep
  2. Going for a long walk before starting work
  3. Avoiding emotional conversations
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Losing items. Solution: big notebooks that are easier to see. Use dropzones.
How do you switch off at night?
1. Walk and shower
2. Keep a notepad next to bed and write thoughts down to combat rumination
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. “Power of Habit” by Charles du Higg
2. Bouncy balls
3. Visualisation and verbalisation course
4. Upward diary/planner
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. embrace-difference.com.au
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Make as much of your life habitual so you can spare your working memory for creativity.
2. Use visualisation techniques to boost the capacity of working memory

Episode 46: Eric Tivers

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #46 We’re thrilled to be joined by Eric Tivers today.

Eric Tivers is a trained Licensed Clinical Social Worker turned coach and is the Founder and CEO of ADHD reWired. Since 2014, Eric has produced over 500 episodes of his Podcast, ADHD reWired. He's a leader in providing online group coaching and community-based growth programs for adults with ADHD. His coaching and accountability groups were recognized at the 2019 International Conference on ADHD as an innovative program of the year. Eric also runs a virtual coworking community for adults with ADHD called Adult Study Hall. You can learn more about ADHD reWired at www.adhdrewired.com

Welcome to the show Eric!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Got diagnosed in college: struggled with study (divergent thinking during reading made it difficult to absorb content)
2. Saw psychiatrist after two semesters of struggling: off the charts inattentive ADHD
3. Prescribed Adderal and it made a huge difference: doubled his GPA
4. Perfectionism reared its head, especially during grad school
5. Observations about ADHD over the last 20 years:
  1. It was stigmatized in the past (e.g. not safe to disclose at work)
  2. Language: used to be person-first language (person with ADHD) - now it’s “ADHDers” or “I have ADHD”
  3. Superpowers? Important to work on challenges as well as lean into strengths
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Intensive accountability groups (12 people support each other)
  1. Structured content + peer-to-peer support
  2. Long term planning
  3. Self compassion
  4. Focus on resilience instead of consistency
    1. Consistency is a lagging indicator
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Used to be a mountain biker
2. Pickleball - ADHD friendly because you can just show up
3. Music
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Depends on whether have son or not
2. 6.30 am wake up (every day because oth)
3. High protein breakfast (same each day)
4. Workout most mornings (exercise for the brain)
5. Shower
6. Similar lunch each day (make it the night before)
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Saying No to a lot of projects: “The less I do, the more productive I am”
2. Identifying peak hours for productivity
3. Leadership
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Working non-stop - helped by having a son and knowing about the power of breaks
How do you switch off at night?
1. Don’t start any creative project after 5 pm/6 pm (will ignore cues of hunger/bathroom)
2. Make lunch before making dinner (hunger is a motivator to do it fast)
3. Get son ready for bed
4. Go for a motorbike ride
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Community (adult study hall)
2. Podcast (ADHD ReWired)
3. YouTube: Justine McCabe (lots of due diligence to make sure it’s evidence-based)
4. Audiobooks
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. adhdrewired.com
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Be kind to yourself

Episode 45: Richard Wray

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:30:00 +1100

Welcome to episode #45 We’re thrilled to be joined by Richard Wray today.

A genuine pioneer in new media, Richard has over 25 years of experience in sales, market analysis, project management, and customer relations. He helps organizations and individuals achieve success in multiple areas. His passion is exploring the intersection of innovation and intelligence, and how artificial intelligence can transform businesses and lives

Welcome to the show Richard!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. ADHD leads to unpredictability: at times killing it - amazing creativity - at other times struggling with basic skills
2. Career has facilitated novelty - jumped into the deep end with a lot of jobs
  1. E.g. interactive TV football project for Sky TV - but didn’t know much about football. Learned quickly!
3. Creating artificial pressure
  1. Pomodoro technique
  2. External accountability - tell other people about the goal especially people who might give negative feedback
  3. Get dogs to motivate you to get outside
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Producing AI/entrepreneurship podcasts
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Running (but not ultras)
2. Dogs
3. Movies
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Prepare for interviews with US guests at 7 am
  1. Breakfast
  2. Meds
  3. Grooming
  4. Write script
2. Days when don’t have interviews
  1. A bit different each day
  2. Morning routine: only do things that must be done in the morning (e.g. shave)
  3. Exercise
JN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Using AI:
  1. Pixel Rich: AI version of Richard. E.g. episode “Chat GPT for work-life balance”
    1. Ask ChatGPT for a schedule for your week
2. Pomodoro technique
3. Write a to-do list for that day (only what is achievable in one day) and make it visible
4. Markerboard next to coffee machine: wife can put chores on that list
5. Time blocking
COMMERCIAL BREAK
JC: What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Alcohol (work-related socialising + pain from injuries)
JN: How do you switch off at night?
1. Be with people - have fun
2. White noise/pink noise drown out external noises
JC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Sleep headbands with speakers for white noise
2. Sensory toys (but don’t annoy other people)
3. Coaching
4. Join local support groups
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. https://aiadvantage.show/
2. https://evolvepreneur.app/
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Be prepared for mourning “What if I’d been diagnosed earlier?”

Episode 44: Lauren Petrullo

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 12:35:26 +1100

Welcome to episode #44 We’re thrilled to be joined by Lauren Petrullo today!

Lauren is a former Disney Innovation Catalyst, now turned social commerce specialist, and multi-founder. She is a 33 year-old, self-made CEO who specializes in marketing, eCommerce and loves to disrupt. She has found new ways to blaze the trail in remote workplaces, as well as being the proud founder of the most INCLUSIVE beauty brand online. All while promoting clean drinking water initiatives overseas! From speaking fluent Italian, learning 3 Asian languages simultaneously, and just finished her first improv class, she's all over the map...in a great way.

Welcome to the show Lauren!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Diagnosed at 9 years of age along with younger brother
  1. Would finish schoolwork very quickly and then want to
  2. The school highly recommended Ritalin/Adderal
  3. Medication had some negative side effects - mood, and reaction time in sports - so
  4. Her parents helped her develop other behavioral coping mechanisms
    1. Don’t sit up the front where distraction is obvious
    2. Don’t stand up as much
2. Always had lots of energy - other people find it hard to keep up
3. High school/college was a bit better
  1. Skipped year level
  2. More challenges from both sports and academics
  3. Other students wanted access to ADHD meds to help with study
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Owns multiple businesses
  1. Digital marketing agency: Mongoose Media (30 people)
  2. Asian Beauty Essentials (products from Japan, and Korea)
    1. Able to implement ideas from
  3. Co-founder:
    1. Swimsuit brand
    2. Matcha
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Three languages: Japanese, Korean, Mandarin
  1. Talk to me in Korean - create an audio textbook
  2. In-person classes ($5/hr)
  3. Duolingo
  4. iTalki - tutors to help
2. Sport
  1. Competitive dragon-boating
  2. Fencing
  3. Zumba
  4. Yoga
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Protein drink/matcha
2. 15 minutes of Duolingo
3. 15 minutes of Kpop dancing in the morning
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Claire/Irish control the calendar
  1. Says yes to too many things
2. Culture building: gather.town - water check
  1. Change do not disturb settings
  2. Focus station in virtual office: Proceed
3. Delegate a lot
4. Delegated email
5. Slack
  1. Moved task comms to ClickUp
6. Project management tool: ClickUp
  1. Use the time tracker feature
7. Forest timer
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Hitting play next on Netflix
How do you switch off at night?
1. Put the phone in another room
2. Wear earrings when working/take them off when not working
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Apps
  1. Forest
  2. ClickUp
2. Books
  1. Libby: 3x playback for audiobooks
    1. Sci-Fi
    2. “Where the deer and antelope play”
    3. “Hundred million leads”
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. LaurenEPetrullo on all socials
2. MongooseMedia.US
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Share your hobbies with her
2. Asian Beauty Essentials - coupon code: Focus and Chill.

Episode 43: Andrew McDonald

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 09:45:43 +1100

Welcome to episode #43 We’re thrilled to be joined by Andrew McDonald today!

Andrew goes by the moniker, The Neurodivergent Copywriter. He helps neurodivergent entrepreneurs to build successful marketing outreach campaigns that honor who they are, allowing them to reach their true potential. Andrew is neurodivergent himself. He understands how challenging typical marketing strategies can be for neurodivergent individuals. So, he offers guidance in avoiding high-stress, sleazy, hard-sale strategies. Instead, Andrew focuses on building strong customer and client communities around businesses run by neurodivergent individuals, ensuring these businesses thrive and remain sustainable.

Welcome to the show Andrew!

Questions

JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Always felt like he didn’t fit in
  1. But only identified in the last few years.
  2. Has had CPTSD for decades
  3. OCD has been a lifelong
  4. RSD
  5. Anxiety and depression
2. Introverted
  1. Doesn’t mind being around people.
  2. But not his happy place
  3. Went against the common advice of building a business
    1. Until stumbling on a neurodivergent entrepreneur summit
      1. Able to find what was congruent with
        Skill set
        Personality
    2. Some things that didn’t work
      1. Fake it until you make it
      2. Cold prospecting
        E.g. not being a fan of cold emails
        Because of rejection sensitivity - there’s a lot of rejection in cold emails.
        Took a different route. Used the content / inbound marketing approach.
    3. Coping mechanisms
      1. Coping with stress
        Taking strategic breaks (a day or a couple of days)
        Meditation
        Awareness of mental state
        Self-compassion
      2. Got there through experimentation
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Works with ND entrepreneurs
  1. Because he had a tough journey himself with unhelpful neurotypical advice: “Reach 6 figures in 6 months working from home in your pajamas”
  2. Helps ND entrepreneurs build communities that know like and trust them - they’ll be better qualified, stick around for longer, and refer you
    1. Sustainable sales
    2. Gradual growth allows time to build up business systems
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Sport
  1. Sports addict. Watching sports every day
    1. Rugby league: St Helens
      1. Broncos fan
    2. Basketball
    3. Soccer
    4. Boxing
  2. Enjoys sports but finds it tougher as we get older.
  3. But the rest of the family isn’t into it
2. Movies
  1. Particularly old stuff
  2. Learning languages
    1. Spanish
    2. Speaks Italian and French
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Wakes up around 10 am
2. Espresso (coffee)
3. Start work immediately (frees up the evening)
4. Breakfast after 30 minutes
5. Then back to work
JN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Espressos (multiple)
2. Strategic breaks
  1. Taking day(s) off.
  2. An hour lunch break.
    1. Owe them to people you’re working with - to give them your 100% battery.
3. Meditation
COMMERCIAL BREAK
JC: What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Alcohol was causing issues - close to alcoholism
2. Now has been sober for five years
3. Sinclair Method
  1. Take naltrexone an hour or two before you drink
    1. Blocks the reward pathways
    2. Breaks the vicious cycle of alcohol
    3. Becomes like drinking any other liquid
    4. End up drinking less over time
4. Vicious cycle: drinking to feel better but then the effects of drinking lead to feeling worse
JN: How do you switch off at night?
1. Listening to old radio comedies.
2. Classical music
JC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Bluetak = an awesome fidget toy
2. “The subtle art of not giving a f*ck” by Mark Manson
  1. Pete Best (5th Beatle) vs Mustaine (Metallica / Megadeth)
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. andrewmcdonald.biz
2. Free guide andrewmcdonald.biz/book
3. Social media
  1. LinkedIn
    1. Uses moderately - otherwise becomes a trigger.
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. If you find the typical strategies you’ve been taught don’t work (and you’ve given them a good shot), the problem might not be you, it might be the strategies.
2. There are multiple ways to be successful. It’s important to enjoy the process.

Episode 42: Shane Thrapp

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 08:08:52 +1100

Welcome to episode #42 Our guest today is Shane Thrapp. He is the founder of Creating Order From Chaos and an ADHD coach and business consultant. He works to empower people with ADHD to find their authentic selves and collaborates with companies on neurodivergent inclusivity and accommodations. He also works as the Operations Director at the nonprofit Men’s ADHD Support Group, as a driving force furthering their mission of supporting men with ADHD. Welcome to the show Shane!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with ADHD? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Felt different as a child
  1. Grew up on a farm but wasn’t into farming activities.
  2. Loved to read
  3. Socializing hard
  4. Smarter than other kids
  5. Family very harsh
2. Son got diagnosed with ADHD when Shane was 30
  1. Researched it a lot to support his son
  2. Saw a lot of puzzle pieces
3. Difficulty getting diagnosed
  1. First psychiatrist said ADHD is not possible in adults
  2. Second psychiatrist diagnosed him with bipolar
  3. Third psychiatrist actually did an assessment but also noticed autistic trends
4. AuDHD
  1. Dealing with lack of order hard, e.g. if someone touches his desk
  2. Learned body language by watching Oprah/online
  3. Learned to mask - took it too far
5. 2018 burned out
  1. Developed fibromyalgia
  2. Couldn’t do corporate contracts anymore
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Found it hard to keep a job
  1. Kept proposing process optimizations - bosses didn’t like it
2. Discovered that contract project management was the perfect role for him
  1. 3-8 months long contracts
  2. Turning chaos into order (easy to do it for other people)
  3. Fitted in long breaks
3. Turned self-improvement into a project
  1. Discovering values
  2. ADHD/Autism became a special interest
    1. Read all the things (neurobiology)
    2. RSS feeds for ADHD
4. After burnout in 2018 started “Creating Order From Chaos”: ADHD coaching and business consulting
  1. ADHD coaching for people from 25 to 55
    1. Help them build rituals and routines
    2. Help them find values and accommodations
    3. Accountability
  2. Businesses:
    1. help them figure out where processes are broken and what accommodations would help the team members
  3. Speaking
    1. Educate people on ADHD and autism
5. Men’s ADHD support group
  1. Facebook group exploded after COVID
  2. 2022 formed non profit
  3. Weekly Calls - peer support
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Video games: RPGs
2. Dungeons and Dragons
3. World building - book series
4. Board game
5. Reading
6. Play with kids
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Alarm app
  1. have to unlock by solving Math problem
  2. Then scan barcode on mirror - take meds
  3. Meditation + journaling
2. Alexa
  1. 9.30am check tasks + calendar
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Checking tasks + calendar morning and evening
2. Scheduling in rest
3. Dealing with too many tabs
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Marijuana: not great for ADHD
How do you switch off at night?
1. Brain dump - write thoughts out
2. Alexa reminder:
  1. Check the calendar and tasks
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Support group - real people
2. Therapy
3. Mechanical multitasking: clean while listening to a podcast
4. Figure out learning styles
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Creatingorderfromchaos.com
2. https://www.mensadhdsupportgroup.org/
3. Creatingorderfromchaos on socials
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Group coaching available

Episode 40: Dan Macqueen

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:48:55 +1100

Welcome to episode #40 Our guest today is Dan Macqueen.

On June 21, 2014, Dan's reality was shattered by a devastating brain hemorrhage. With no map to guide him on the grueling path to recovery, Dan had to rely on his grit, perseverance, and resilience to relearn everything he once knew: how to walk, talk and even smile.

Dan has survived two emergency brain surgeries, weeks in a coma, and months in a rehab hospital. What he found out along the way might surprise you: there is nothing like a brain injury to refocus the mind! Driven by a positive mindset, Dan battled through excruciating rehab exercises to rebuild his life and return to a job he loved.

Welcome to the show Dan!

Questions

Tell us about what happened in 2014
1. Was in London studying
2. Really bad headaches that kept getting worse
3. Went to the hospital and they sent him away saying they thought it was vertigo
4. A few days later, completely lost vision for several minutes
5. Again they sent him away - asking him to get his eyes tested
6. The optometrist stopped the test halfway and asked him to go straight to the hospital
7. Emergency brain surgery - hemorrhage
8. Months of rehab to re-learn walking and talking - incredibly painful
9. Returned to work 2.5 days per week but then had a second brain injury
10. Another round of grueling rehab - had to do it at home as funding didn’t allow in-hospital rehab
11. Still has double vision but otherwise has been able to regain autonomy and movement
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. After rehab, worked at Hootsuite in implementation team (customer success) helping EMEA clients
2. Now motivational speaker: 4 days per week
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Swim in pool
2. Brunch
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Get up early and work out
2. Cold shower
3. Meditate for 20 minutes
4. Breakfast
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Momentum
  1. Do the most difficult task first thing (timebox)
  2. Building blocks: half do things so it’s easier to pick it up again -
2. Fatigue management
  1. Sleep
  2. Fika - coffee break
  3. Meditate
3. Timers and alarms
4. Get mindset right: adversity is co
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you switch off at night?
1. Clean kitchen
2. Tea and magnesium
3. In bed at 10 pm
4. Lights out at 10.30 pm
5. Sleep quality:
  1. Dark room
  2. Quiet
  3. Read fiction before sleeping
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Fiction
  1. “In the blood”
  2. “Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy”
2. “Get it done” by Joe Rogan to help clean kitchen
3. “The war of art”
4. Rich Rolls podcast
5. Woop
6. Neil Pettris: “You are awesome”
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. macqueendan.com
2. macqueendan on socials (Instagram)
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to it that matters

Episode 39: Joey and Jeremy

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 15:33:59 +1100

Welcome to episode #39

Questions

Hyperbolic discounting
1. The brain doesn’t pay attention to rewards
Avoiding motivation crowding out/”punished by rewards”
Low-information diet
1. A tendency to temptation bundle
  1. Lots of consumption
2. 3 months, holding off
  1. Benefits
    1. More mindfulness
      1. E.g. running
    2. Weening off the crutch
    3. Exploring perspectives of how to make the task more enjoyable
      1. Creativity - think about ways to tweak away from the initial design or to make it fun
      2. Captivate - intrinsic interest.
      3. Challenge - faster, better
      4. Compete
    4. Lots of ideas
  2. Challenges
    1. Missing high-quality long-form content
Regular self-reviews
1. Joey
  1. Daily journaling:
    1. Event log
    2. Quantified self:
      1. Sleep
      2. Exercise
  2. End of week reflection:
    1. 3-4hrs
    2. Reflect on what happened during week
    3. Deliberate
  3. Monthly review
    1. Analyse weekly reviews
    2. Find themes
  4. Quarterly review
    1. Similar
  5. Annual review
    1. Stitch photos together into a music video
  6. Monday Nostalgia
    1. Choose a random video to re-watch
  7. Password protect your journals so you can be candid
2. Jez
  1. Accountability group
  2. Google slide
  3. Feeling rushed
    1. Squeezing out
      1. Planning
      2. Intentionality / changing course
  4. Wants to do more review
    1. Increase 10m => 13m

Episode 38: Jesse J Anderson

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:17:57 +1100

Welcome to episode #38 We’re thrilled to be joined by Jesse J Anderson today. JESSE J. ANDERSON is a writer, speaker, coach, ADHD advocate, and maker of things. Diagnosed at 36, Jesse writes about his insights and experiences living with ADHD in the weekly newsletter, Extra Focus, helping over sixty thousand readers navigate their own ADHD journeys or better understand their loved ones. He is known for his humorous, relatable, and insightful posts about ADHD under the handle @adhdjesse, and has been featured in publications including Today and Huff Post.. Welcome to the show Jesse!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Always felt a bit different. Thought it was a family quirk
2. Did well at tests but didn’t do homework
3. Moved jobs a lot after high school: 30+ jobs
  1. Pizza delivery - 7 different jobs
4. Best friend diagnosed with ADHD
  1. Symptoms started to resonate: hyperfocus, sensory issues
  2. Not much info at that point
  3. Hard to find a psychologist to diagnose
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Day job: designer and frontend developer
  1. Loves the job (been there for 9 years)
2. Writing hard to prioritize
  1. Had to say No to other projects (podcast and Polar Habits)
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Video games: dopamine factories (Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Starfield, etc.) - escape into another world
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Delayed sleep phase syndrome (75% of ADHD): used to stay up until 2 am
2. Shower, Coffee and get into work
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Get inspiration:
  1. Watch movie trailers to get inspiration from a medium that isn’t his own
2. 4 Cs of motivation (Dr William Dodson)
  1. Neurotypicals motivated by:
    1. Importance of task
    2. Rewards
    3. Consequences
  2. ADHDers interest based motivation:
    1. Captivate: things you’re interested in
    2. Create: Novelty
    3. Compete: optimization, the right level of difficulty
    4. Complete: deadlines, due dates, and urgency
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Difficulty going to bed on time - part medical and part habit
How do you switch off at night?
1. Thunder sounds/ASMR
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Books:
  1. “Driven to distraction”
  2. Danny Donovan: “The Anti Planner”
2. “How to ADHD” YouTube channel
3. Apps:
  1. Polar Habits
  2. Brain.fm
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Extrafocus.com - newsletter
2. Extrafocusbook.com - book
3. adhdjesse across social media
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Get the book: Extrafocusbook.com

Episode 37: Deborah Charnes

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 09:22:12 +1100

Welcome to episode #37 We’re thrilled to be joined by Deborah Charnes today. Deborah is a certified yoga therapist and author of “From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram: Wisdom for Mind, Body and Spirit”. Before dedicating herself to writing and therapy she worked high-pressured jobs as a PR and marketing strategist for multi-nationals. Welcome to the show Deborah!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. From a young age realized she was different
2. Self-diagnosis with ADHD
  1. Inattention and hyperactivity
  2. Falls asleep in movies in cinemas (dark lights)
  3. Driving alone can be a problem
  4. Deals with attention issues through yoga and breathwork
    1. Agni - digestive practices
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Previously worked in corporate PR/marketing
2. Then built her own consultancy representing businesses that have a positive impact
3. Now yoga therapist (3 years of training)
  1. 1 on 1
  2. Retreats and workshops
  3. Author “From the boxing ring to the ashram”
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Traveling (just worked in Costa Rica for 5 weeks, have worked in India, Nicaragua)
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Wakes up at 4.30 am
2. 1hr of yin and restorative yoga + Jappa
3. Prana Yama in bed
4. Lemon ginger tea (fresh ginger and lemon)
5. 24 Sun salutations
6. Breakfast
  1. Cacao and adaptogens
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Ten-minute breathing breaks for boosting energy and empathy
2. Sabbath (digital disconnect once per week)
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Carbs
How do you switch off at night?
1. Meal timing (light dinner)
2. Avoid bright lights (candles/salt lamps)
3. Long bath (Epsom salts)
4. Meditation
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. “24/6” by Tiffany Shlain
2. Malla beads for jappa
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Facebook/Instagram/YouTube/LinkedIn: Deborah Charnes
2. Facebook group: The Namaste Council
3. Facebook group: The Write Council
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Everyone can improve their health and happiness

Episode 36: Stephen J Morris

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 06:57:01 +1100

Welcome to episode #36 We’re thrilled to be joined by Stephen J Morris today. Stephen J Morris is the founder and CEO of Renowned Leadership, committed to empowering leaders to become exceptional and achieve their professional goals. With more than 20 years of experience including 16 years of military leadership in the United States Army in leadership roles, he has identified 5 fundamental pillars of leadership that are the foundation of all production episodes. In addition, the company offers a range of solutions; including 1 on 1 coaching, mentoring programs, and online courses designed to create high-performing and energized teams. Welcome to the show Stephen!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. 5th/6th-grade teachers started complaining about hyperactivity
2. 8th grade teachers asked mum to put him on medication
3. 8th grade biology teacher, Mrs Cunningham taught him tips and tricks to use his brain as a superpower
  1. Tactic: move to a different
4. Formally diagnosed at age 24 in the army
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Bringing esprit de corps to the corporate world
2. Goal - everyone in the organization feels engaged. You don’t hate Monday, work is fulfilling, love your team
3. 1 on 1 coaching
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Work is his passion (110hrs)
2. Fishing
3. Exercise: gym, run
4. Spartan races
5. Goal: Boston Marathon
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Gratitude journal - frames mind for the day
2. Exercise: Run/gym
3. Meditation: 30 minutes
4. Prayer time
5. Breakfast
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Now can focus for longer periods
  1. Pomodoro technique
  2. Mind more disciplined now due to military training
2. Breaks: play with the puppy or go fishing
3. Use alarms to snap out of hyperfocus
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Time blindness (e.g. video games) - combat with alarms
How do you switch off at night?
1. Evening journal: defrag (get rid of all the junk files) for 10 minutes
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Books:
  1. Miracle Morning
  2. Atomic Habits
  3. Dr Carolyn Leaf - neuroplasticity researcher
2. Sensory toy: spinning ring
3. Philosophies: breaks (drink enough water)
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. renownedleadership.com (book a call button)
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Be kind to yourself

Episode 35: Ainslee Hooper

Jeremy Nagel and Joey K — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 08:20:49 +1100

Welcome to episode #35 We’re thrilled to be joined by Ainslee Hooper today.

Ainslee is the driving force behind Ainslee Hooper Consulting, which helps public-facing organizations strengthen their disability inclusion. With a background in Anthropology and a unique approach to holistic inclusion, Ainslee is not just a researcher but a transformative advocate. She's earned accolades, including the 2020 Geelong Employment Award. Ainslee is a passionate advocate and a valued member of several advisory committees. When she's not advancing the cause of inclusion, she's doing the strength sport of a strong woman.

Welcome to the show Ainslee!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Close family got diagnosed + friends got diagnosed and shared experiences “But I’m neurotypical and I do that too”
2. Liked rules of COVID lockdown
3. Anxiety around networking events
4. Nutritionist - list of what I don’t eat longer than what I eat.
  1. Referral to a psychologist and then a psychiatrist
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Disability inclusion consulting
2. Access and inclusion plans
  1. Internal and external stakeholders
3. Wheelchair user gives empathy
4. Customer experience journey map
5. Anthropology is a special interest
  1. Linguistic, biological, cultural, archaeological
  2. Elicit stories from stakeholders
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. 2005-2011 Bachelor of Arts: super focused and organized
2. Different days of the week are devoted to different activities:
  1. Monday = Professional Development (LinkedIn strategy)
  2. Tuesday = Client engagement
  3. Wednesday = Content Creation
  4. Thursday = Project work day
  5. Friday = Admin and podcasts
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Trello for project management, Zapier
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
3. Philosophies: lean into special interests at work
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. LinkedIn
2. Website
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. If you think you’re neurodivergent and can afford it, get assessed