Dyslexic Design Thinking

While in Austin for SXSW EDU, Gil visited with students from Rawson Saunders, the only  full-curriculum school for dyslexic students in central Texas. In this very special episode, students aged 9 to 13 share, in their own words, how their minds work, the techniques that help them learn and what they wish their teachers knew about their dyslexia. They also turn the tables on Gil and ask him questi...

Jock McDonald is a fine art photographer who incorporates woven images, video projection and lenticular printing into his works. (You may have seen them hanging in an airport or projected on the side of a building.) In this episode of Dyslexic Design Thinking, Jock discusses the inspiration behind his most ambitious photography projects, the Richard Avedon anecdote that influenced his approach to...

For Dana Griffin, aging is not a problem to be solved but a resource to be unlocked. Dana is the co-founder and CEO of Eldera, a platform that connects older adults with young people in need of mentorship and connection. In this episode of Dyslexic Design Thinking, Dana opens up about being raised by her grandparents in Romania, how the coronavirus brought Eldera’s mission into focus and her exper...

For textile performance artist Harriet Riddell, each embroidery is an opportunity for connection and collaboration. Harriet creates observational drawings with her sewing machine, often popping up in outdoor settings where wall outlets are in short supply. To power her machine, she invites her audiences to pedal a bicycle, which, in turn, generates electricity. In this episode of Dyslexic Design T...

Photographer, user experience researcher, storyteller and advocate Paige K. Parsons joins Gil for a conversation that explores her multifaceted career. Paige discusses what it was like attending a top-tier university as a dyslexic, as well as her latter-day roles as house photographer at the Fillmore and a champion for the rabbit community. In this episode: Paige K. Parsons’ website Follow Paige o...

What if your challenges were actually your superpowers? In this episode, Gil welcomes Jake & Max Sussman, founders of Superpower Mentors, an online mentorship platform for youth with ADHD, dyslexia, autism and other learning differences. Jake and Max share what it was like growing up together and what “superpower” means to them, then turn the tables on Gil to find out he would have benefited f...

Atari and Chuck E. Cheese founder Nolan Bushnell joins host Gil Gershoni for a conversation about gaming, technology, entrepreneurship and how dyslexia continues to influence a career that spans more than five decades. This recording is an abridged version of the original livestream. Learn more about Nolan: Find Nolan on X Connect with Nolan on LinkedIn Find out more about Dyslexic Design Thinking...

In celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month, Gil welcomes X Games skier, filmmaker and entrepreneur Alex Hackel for this live podcast recording. Alex discusses his medal-winning career, his work with the Swedish production house The Bunch and his ski brand 1000 Skis. This recording is an abridged version of the original conversation. In this episode: Alex Hackel on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn a...

Gil is joined by educator, designer, photographer and author Jeffrey Conger. Jeffrey talks about his upbringing in the Rocky Mountains, his passion for cars, the teachers who went to bat for him before he knew he was dyslexic and the Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium he co-founded at Montana State University, where he is a professor of graphic design. In this episode: Jeffrey Conger on LinkedIn...

Gil is joined by neuroscientist, author, meditation teacher and speaker Nicole Tetreault. Nicole discusses the concept of neuroindividuality, the power of twice exceptional (2e) individuals and the inspiration for her book “Insight Into a Bright Mind: A Neuroscientist's Personal Stories of Unique Thinking.” She also shares how a constellation of challenging life experiences led her to combine...

Gil is joined by David Lucchino, an executive, entrepreneur and investor in the field of biotechnology. David shares insights from his career leading several groundbreaking biotech companies, as well as how he helps children and young adults find their passion for life sciences and how the ability to see around corners has been a key to his success. In this episode: David Lucchino on LinkedIn Land...

Gil is joined by Theresa Fitzgerald, a mission-driven design leader, educator and designer. Theresa’s career as a creative director and design executive includes stops at Sesame Workshop, Nickelodeon and United Media. Hear her discuss how she connects to her maker spirit as a creative director, what it’s like being a reading tutor as a dyslexic and how the world’s most famous children’s TV program...

Gil is joined by award-winning novelist Sally Gardner. Sally talks about her early career as a set designer and what it was like writing from the perspective of a dyslexic protagonist. Stick around to hear Sally share her favorite word. (Surprise: It's five syllables!)In this week's episode: Sally Gardner's website , Instagram and Twitter . Sally's contribution to Dyslexic Dictiona...

Gil is joined by director, actor and writer Aaron Wolf. Aaron talks about how growing up on movie sets inspired him to start his own production company, how his I Am Able Foundation is empowering a new generation of dyslexics and how graduating with honors from a top university surprised even him. In this week's episode: Aaron Wolf's Instagram , Twitter , TikTok I Am Able Foundation Howlin...

Gil is joined by David Taffet, a parallel entrepreneur, executive whisperer and photographer. David talks about the power of staying open to possibilities, the impact of being diagnosed as dyslexic later in life and, believe it or not, the world’s first germ-freezing, zero-odor waste bin. For more information: Beginner's mind is a Zen Buddhist concept that was popularized by Shunryu Suzuki&#39...

Gil is joined by James Kinross, a senior lecturer in colorectal surgery and consultant surgeon at Imperial College London. James talks about navigating med school as a dyslexic, the latest advances in robotic surgery and what the microbiome can teach us about preventing noncommunicable diseases. James’ new book, Dark Matter: The New Science of the Microbiome, is out now on Penguin Random House. Fo...

Gil talks to Sara Fenske Bahat, the CEO of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and a 2022 Presidential Leadership Scholar. Sara shares how she leveraged her background in finance and economics to develop a one-of-a-kind MBA program and how her dyslexic mindset influenced her innovative approach to calendaring and note-taking. For more information: Follow Sara on Instagram , Twitte...

Award-winning director of photography Jake Swantko talks to Gil about his life behind the lens. Jake discusses the directors (all dyslexic!) who have influenced his career and shares how the dyslexic mindset became an asset to his work. He also offers tips for dyslexic cinematographers looking to break into the industry. For more information: Visit Jake's website Follow Jake on Instagram See a...

Actor Lloyd Everitt talks to Gil about a career that has taken him from playing Othello at Shakespeare’s Globe to a role in one of Britain’s longest-running dramatic series. Find out about Lloyd’s inventive approach to learning his lines and what advice he would give an aspiring actor with dyslexia. For more information: Follow Lloyd on Instagram Follow Lloyd on Twitter

Intercontinental flyweight champion boxer and author @ruqsanabegum_mt joins host Gil Gershoni on the new episode of Dyslexic Design Thinking. Ruqsana talks to Gil about the aspects of dyslexia that allowed her to become a world-champion fighter, the mantras that guide her life and what it meant to win Autobiography of the Year at the Sports Book Awards. For more information: Follow Ruqsana on Inst...

In this special two-part episode, innovator, creative thinker, writer and entrepreneur Chris Arnold talks to Gil about the viral job posting that put dyslexic ingenuity on the map, what it takes to conduct an orchestra of creative minds and the trouble with being able to solve problems *too* quickly. Chris is the founder of CONNECT2, co-founder of Dyversity Lab and a former board director and crea...

In this special two-part episode, innovator, creative thinker, writer and entrepreneur Chris Arnold talks to Gil about the viral job posting that put dyslexic ingenuity on the map, what it takes to conduct an orchestra of creative minds and the trouble with being able to solve problems *too* quickly. Chris is the founder of CONNECT2, co-founder of Dyversity Lab and a former board director and crea...

Gil welcomes Joe Fuld, the founder and president of The Campaign Workshop, a consulting firm that specializes in political and advocacy campaigns. Joe talks to Gil about why dyslexics make great entrepreneurs, how his dyslexia disclosure impacted his career and what mentors can teach us about our differences. For more information: The Campaign Workshop ( Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn ) The Campa...

Gil welcomes rocket scientist, adventure athlete and motivational speaker Meghan Buchanan to the podcast! Meghan talks to Gil about her pursuit of the explorer's grand slam, how she became a "fire chief" in her career and what her GGRIT philosophy can teach us about dyslexia.

Stu Shader talks to Gil about bringing a conference on neurodiversity to Silicon Valley, how companies are challenging assumptions about employees with differences, and what raising dyslexic children can teach parents about their own dyslexia.