The AuDHD Boss: Neurodiversity at Work with Brett Whitmarsh

Explore the concept that there's no one-size-fits-all job for neurodivergent individuals. Discover how to leverage your special interests to find career paths that resonate with you. Learn the importance of designing a work environment that nurtures your strengths. Gain insights on effectively communicating your needs during interviews to ensure a good fit. Understand how to spot red flags and recognize what success looks like in a role. This conversation uncovers the keys to thriving in a workplace that aligns with your unique neurodivergent style.

Finding a neurodivergent-affirming provider shouldn’t feel impossible — but for many autistic and ADHD adults, the healthcare system can be invalidating, confusing, or even overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing five questions that will help you determine whether a doctor, therapist, or assessor is truly affirming, respectful, and informed.In this episode you’ll learn:What “neurodivergent-affirming care” actually meansHow to screen a provider during an intake callGreen flags and red flags to listen forHow to avoid being pathologized or dismissedWhy these questions reveal so much about a provider’s mindsetYou deserve care that sees you, respects you, and works with your neurotype — not against it.Follow me on Substack, YouTube, and everywhere @AuDHDBoss for more support and strategies for autistic and ADHD adults.

Annual review season can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re ADHD, autistic, or otherwise neurodivergent. Memory gaps, freeze responses, stalled processing, panic, and the pressure to recall a whole year of work can make self-evaluations feel impossible.In this episode, I walk you through a neurodivergent-friendly, step-by-step process for writing your annual self-review — even if you didn’t track anything all year. This is the exact method I used during my 12+ years in leadership, and it’s the same process I taught my teams to help reduce overwhelm, increase clarity, and build confidence during annual review season.ou’ll learn how to do a brain dump that supports ND memory, how to use your calendar and colleagues to fill gaps, how to align your accomplishments with company OKRs and KPIs, and how to advocate for a raise, promotion, or new responsibilities using real evidence — all without masking or losing your authentic voice.Whether you’re aiming for growth, stability, or simply want to get through this process without melting down, this episode will help you approach your review with clarity and self-trust.Why annual reviews trigger freeze mode for ND brainsHow to start your self-review (even from zero)Using your calendar to rebuild the yearGetting memory support from trusted colleaguesHow to align your accomplishments to goals you forgot you setHow OKRs and KPIs actually matter in your reviewUsing AI tools without losing your authentic voiceHow to make the case for raises, promotions, or new titlesWhat managers look for and how to prepare effectivelyHow to set realistic expectations to avoid RSD spiralsWhy ongoing alignment with your manager is the secret to long-term growth https://www.audhdboss.com or https://substack.com/home/post/p-180356961

Career coach Alex Lahmeyer, a queer, non-binary, and neurodivergent talent consultant, shares invaluable insights on finding a workplace that feels like home. They discuss identifying psychological safety during interviews and provide smart questions to gauge company culture. Alex emphasizes the importance of starting and sustaining Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and suggests it’s all about community-building for neurodivergent professionals. Their advice opens doors to empower LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent individuals in their career journeys.

After being laid off, I learned that you can’t skip the grieving process — especially when your work was tied to your identity.In this episode, I share what it’s been like to process grief, burnout, and identity loss as an autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) leader after job loss. From losing community and structure to rediscovering creativity and unmasking, this is an honest look at what recovery really feels like.🔹 Why layoffs hit differently for neurodivergent professionals🔹 How burnout recovery overlaps with grief and self-worth🔹 What happens when leadership identity disappears overnight🔹 Finding rest, creativity, and new purpose after burnout🎧 This episode pairs with a YouTube video and a written reflection on Substack — complete with a bonus “beach story” that didn’t go as planned!➕ Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@audhdboss📝 Read the companion essay + bonus video: https://brettwhitmarsh.substack.com

I recently lost my job leaving me staring at a blank resume wondering “where do I even start?” — especially with an ADHD brain.So I turned to career coach Liora Natania, founder of Colorful Futures, a neurodivergent queer-run HR and career consulting business. They bring a more holistic approach this job search process.Liora has a background in recruitment and their company is dedicated to helping neurodivergent and queer professionals navigate job searching, career growth, and self-employment—without burnout, masking, or corporate BS. Specifically, Liora specializes in resume and LinkedIn optimization, interview prep, and job search strategy.And that’s where we focus our conversation today. We talk about how to manage panic applying that chases dopamine, executive function walls we hit, and how to navigate AI with our resumes. I got so much out of this conversation with Liora and I am so excited to share it with you.We explore:✅ Why ADHD brains jump into urgency and panic applications✅ Career discovery as the first step — not job boards✅ Whether AI actually screens out resumes (and how to write for both AI and humans)✅ Simple, ADHD-friendly resume strategies✅ Networking without forcing small talk✅ Building a job search routine that doesn’t destroy your nervous systemIf you're navigating ADHD, burnout, job loss, or career confusion, this episode will help you restart with intention, clarity, and self-trust.🎙️ Guest: Liora Natania, Career Coach | Colorful Futures📍 Follow Liora: @colorfulfutures👋 I’m Brett, The AuDHD Boss — helping neurodivergent professionals thrive at work without masking or burning out.🔗 Coaching & newsletter: https://substack.com/@brettwhitmarsh

When an employee shares that they have ADHD or autism, how should a manager respond? What words build trust, and what words damage it?In this episode, Brett — The AuDHD Boss — shares a manager’s guide to responding with empathy, professionalism, and support when someone discloses ADHD or autism at work. Drawing on 12+ years of leadership experience as an autistic manager with ADHD, Brett breaks down:✅ What to say (and what NOT to say) when employees disclose ADHD or autism✅ Why every ADHD and autistic experience is unique — and why curiosity matters✅ Common mistakes managers make that harm trust and productivity✅ How simple accommodations can improve performance for everyoneThis episode is both a guide for managers and a resource for employees who want to share this with their bosses or HR teams. If you’re working toward a more inclusive workplace, this conversation will help.🌐 More from Brett:Website → audhdboss.comSubstack → brettwhitmarsh.substack.comYouTube → YouTube.com/@audhdboss

Stepping into management as an autistic professional with ADHD brought a unique mix of strengths—and a lot of anxiety. In this episode, I share my personal story of transitioning from individual contributor to manager, and how I faced professional anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the fear of letting others down.We’ll explore:Why new managers often feel overwhelmed by expectationsThe push-and-pull between micromanaging and letting goHow mentorship helped me move past defensiveness and imposter syndromePractical tools I use to reduce professional anxiety as an autistic leader with ADHDIf you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “good enough” to lead, or you’re navigating management while neurodivergent, this conversation is for you.👉 Subscribe for more real stories and strategies on leadership, ADHD, and autism in the workplace.Links:Newsletter + blog: brettwhitmarsh.substack.comCoaching + resources: audhdboss.comWatch on YouTube: Audio BossADHD in the workplaceAutism in the workplaceAutistic bossADHD leadershipAutistic leadershipImposter syndrome at workProfessional anxietyNew manager anxietyNeurodivergent managerADHD career growthAutism career growthAuDHD bossCorporate leadership strategiesMentorship and managementOvercoming workplace anxietyNeurodiversity at workLeadership for ADHD professionalsLeadership for autistic professionals

In this episode, I share my journey of coming out as queer and how it unexpectedly became the beginning of unmasking my autistic and ADHD identity. From growing up in a high-control religious environment to finding safety in the workplace, I talk about the challenges of masking, the fear of showing my true self, and the deep relief of self-acceptance.You’ll hear how coming out helped me step into authenticity, what it taught me about masking and energy, and why creating safe spaces at work matters for neurodivergent professionals.If you’ve ever struggled with masking, people-pleasing, or hiding parts of yourself, this conversation is for you.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to The AuDHD Boss for more episodes on ADHD, autism, and thriving as a neurodivergent professional.📚 Resources mentioned in this video:Dr Neff's The Autistic Masking Workbook (from Neurodivergent Insights.com) *****USE CODE AUDHDBOSS***** FOR A DISCOUNT ON THE WORKBOOK more here: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autistic-masking/autistic-masking/Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9781507223062Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents:https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9781626251700Deconstruction and Coming Out Resources from Erica Smith, M. Ed:https://www.ericasmitheac.com/webinars-booksEmbrace Autism – https://embrace-autism.com/audhd-and-camouflaging/👉 Check out my full Autism Masking Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvgCuULIHenWGoJhC5GCubniGTuAt6TkT

In this episode, I explore autistic masking — what it is, why it happens, and how it impacts identity, mental health, and burnout. Drawing from Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s Autistic Burnout Workbook and research from Embrace Autism, I share definitions, examples, and personal insights from my own experience as a high masker. We talk about the conscious and unconscious ways autistic people adapt to fit in, the connection to ADHD camouflaging, and why masking can be both protective and exhausting.Whether you’re autistic, ADHD, or supporting someone who masks, this conversation offers a deeper understanding and practical takeaways.Be sure to use my code AUDHDBOSS for a discount on Dr. Neff's AutisticMasking Workbook : https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autistic-masking/autistic-masking/