{"podcast":{"title":"Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks","slug":"focus-and-chill-productivity-tactics-for-audhders-and-other-neurodivergent-folks-5667584","podcast_index_feed_id":5667584,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/focus-and-chill","website_url":"https://podcast.focusbear.io","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/v35EcImQKD5LzAuB7gQVxkKhyg56Z4Nwg4n0DP2BKzc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNDE3LzE2NjEw/NjYyOTYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg","author":"Jeremy Nagel","episode_count":135,"summary":"Welcome to the Focus and Chill podcast where we discuss productivity tactics that work for AuDHDers and other neurospicy people. Every episode we interview guests with lived experience of neurodivergence who also have a solid productivity and habit game and pass the learnings on to you, our wise and benevolent audience. Podcast sponsored by https://focusbear.io","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/focus-and-chill-productivity-tactics-for-audhders-and-other-neurodivergent-folks-5667584"},"episode":{"title":"Autism, ADHD & Unmasking at Work: Aisling Smith on Neurodiversity Inclusion - Episode 120","slug":"autism-adhd-unmasking-at-work-aisling-smith-on-neurodiversity-inclusion-episode-120","published_at":"2026-01-05T05:05:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/focus-and-chill-productivity-tactics-for-audhders-and-other-neurodivergent-folks-5667584/autism-adhd-unmasking-at-work-aisling-smith-on-neurodiversity-inclusion-episode-120","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/focus-and-chill-productivity-tactics-for-audhders-and-other-neurodivergent-folks-5667584","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/9c9dda41","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/9c9dda41/d2e9a1b1.mp3","summary":"“I’ve masked so much. I’m a chameleon. I didn’t even know who I was anymore.” In this episode, Aisling Smith explains how unmasking, self-knowledge, and better workplace design can transform both careers and confidence. Aisling Smith is an award-winning neurodiversity trainer, international speaker, and inclusion consultant. Late diagnosed autistic and ADHD, she works with organizations worldwide to create neuro-inclusive workplaces and empower neurodivergent employees to thrive without masking. Episode Highlights 00:02:27 — Discovering neurodivergence through motherhood Aisling shares how her son’s autism diagnosis led her to recognize her own ADHD and autism. What began as advocacy for her child became a profound personal awakening. 00:07:37 — Masking and losing your sense of self She describes lifelong masking as becoming a “chameleon” and believing this was normal. The realization reframed decades of exhaustion and emotional strain. 00:10:57 — When labels become tools, not limits Aisling explains how labels only limit us if we inherit society’s biases. Reclaiming them as self-knowledge creates freedom rather than restriction. 00:16:29 — Leaving corporate training to work authentically After diagnosis, she realized she could no longer train leadership through a neurotypical lens. This moment sparked her shift into neurodiversity inclusion work. 00:22:00 — Why neurodivergent employees burn out Workplaces are designed for 80% of people, leaving others to mask and suffer. Burnout is not failure, but a predictable outcome of poor systems. 00:25:30 — The ‘volcanic’ moment at work Meltdowns are never about one incident. Aisling explains how small ignored stressors build until the final breaking point. 00:27:30 — Empowerment beats accommodation True inclusion isn’t about s…","meta_description":"“I’ve masked so much. I’m a chameleon. I didn’t even know who I was anymore.” In this episode, Aisling Smith explains how unmasking, self-knowledge, and b…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3637,"processing_state":"processed","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/focus-and-chill-productivity-tactics-for-audhders-and-other-neurodivergent-folks-5667584/episodes/autism-adhd-unmasking-at-work-aisling-smith-on-neurodiversity-inclusion-episode-120/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/focus-and-chill-productivity-tactics-for-audhders-and-other-neurodivergent-folks-5667584/autism-adhd-unmasking-at-work-aisling-smith-on-neurodiversity-inclusion-episode-120.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}