Inside the Pickle Jar: Connecting with the Spectrum

In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar , Tonya Weaver continues her insightful conversation with executive coach Andrew Leith, diving deeper into neurodiversity and workplace inclusivity. Together, they discuss: 🔹 The importance of creating environments that truly support neurodiverse employees 🔹 Strategies like external support networks, buddy systems, and genuine mentorship programs 🔹 How c...

So is asking for accommodation requests or ERGs really the best way to include neurodiverse employees? We’re not so sure.  Tonya sits down with Andrew Leith to discuss creating truly inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent employees. This insightful conversation dives into: ✅ The power of open communication in fostering inclusivity. ✅ Why requiring employees to request accommodations may not be...

Lost Your Mojo? Here's How to Get It Back Have you hit a motivation slump already this year? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar , host Tonya Weaver shares practical strategies to reignite your passion and drive. ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode: How to align your goals with your core values for deeper motivation. The power of setting SMART goals to crea...

In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, host Tonya Weaver continues her deep dive with executive coach and strategist Shari Chernack. Shari shares valuable insights for the neurodivergent on navigating career challenges, managing workload stress, setting realistic career goals, and the importance of self-reflection in career development. The conversation covers strategies for effective networkin...

What questions should you ask when interviewing for a new role or to better understand how to do well in your current role? This week we dig into how you can succeed as a neurodivergent employee. Tonya speaks with Shari Chernack, an executive coach and strategist, they discuss foundational career questions that neurodivergent employees should ask their managers to align their career goals and perf...

Ever set a resolution and actually accomplished it? If not, you aren't alone, there are so many reasons why resolutions aren't the right way to accomplish things. This episode Tonya discusses the pitfalls of traditional New Year's resolutions and advocates for goal setting using the SMART criteria. Tonya explains how specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals c...

This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar Tonya continues her deep dive into the experiences and expertise of Corinna Freitag, an executive coach with over 30 years in natural and human sciences. Corinna shares her journey of discovering she is autistic and the strategies she uses to help STEM professionals overcome workplace challenges. The conversation covers topics like mental muscle building, the...

This episode on Inside the Pickle Jar, we’re talking all about mindset, resilience, and growth with Dr. Corinna Freitag. As an executive coach, advisor, and speaker with over 30 years of experience in human and natural sciences, Dr. Freitag shares her powerful journey of discovering her autism diagnosis and how it’s shaped her approach to thriving in life and work. In this episode, we explore the...

Does the holiday season make you feel dread and anxiety because they are extra tough for your neurodivergent self? This episode of Inside the Pikcle Jar Tonya discusses the challenges neurodivergent people face during the holiday season. We go over practical tips and strategies to help navigate the holiday stress, especially around Christmas. Topics include developing a structured plan, setting re...

In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver explores the intersection of neurodiversity and mental health. The discussion covers various neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and their impact on mental health, including common challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. The episode offers strategies to help neurodivergent individuals manage their mental health e...

This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar explores the world of executive function, its challenges, and how neurodivergent individuals can turn these into strengths. Learn about key components like working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and discover practical strategies such as the Pomodoro method, visual aids, batching, and mindfulness to enhance executive function skills. Tonya’s...

This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar Tonya speaks about the power of saying no and more of the tenants of essentialism that will help your neurodivergent brain succeed. The discussion covers key principles like setting boundaries, prioritizing quality over quantity, streamlining routines, eliminating distractions, and the critical importance of self-care. Additionally, it emphasizes building a su...

Do you have a hard time asking for what you need? This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar is all about self-advocacy. When you can express clearly what you need, the more likely you will succeed because you have what you need to thrive. Neurodivergent people deserve to advocate for themselves, but it can be especially difficult for us. Tonya shares her concrete tips on how to do it! Links: Jim Carre...

This episode let’s dive into strategies to maintain focus and productivity during turbulent times. Tonya identifies the sources of chaos in your life, prioritizing tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix, and creating a productive work environment. Tonya highlights techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, digital tools like Todoist and Trello , and the time-blocking method. Connect with Tonya on LinkedIn...

This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya continues her insightful discussion with executive coach Andrew Leith on the topic of neurodiversity in the workplace. They examine the challenges and strategies of effective communication between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding and adaptive approaches. Key themes include overcoming communicatio...

Andrew Leith is an Executive Sales Coach and neurodivergent individual. Tonya and Andrew discuss the challenges and strategies of navigating the workplace as a neurodivergent person, touching on topics like communication, relationships, and personal growth. Andrew shares his insights on how neurodivergent people can harness their unique perspective to reach success in their careers. Connect with A...

This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar tackles the stigma surrounding neurodivergent people, including conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Tonya goes over common myths, emphasizes the strengths of neurodivergent individuals, and dispels misconceptions related to intelligence, capability, and social skills. Tonya encourages listeners to challenge stigmas, celebrate unique strengths, and crea...

In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver explores Microsoft's Neurodiversity Hiring Program, a pioneering initiative that aims to create a more inclusive hiring process for neurodivergent individuals. She also goes over provides practical tips for other organizations to improve their hiring practices and foster an inclusive culture. With insights from experts and testimonials fr...

In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver delves into the importance of hiring neurodivergent individuals and the unique advantages they can bring to the workplace. Tonya highlights the creative, problem-solving abilities of neurodivergent individuals. She discusses how employers can foster inclusive environments through flexible practices and support systems, underscoring why diverse...

Let’s explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of disclosing neurodiversity in the workplace!  Tonya goes over access to accommodations and legal protections, improved communication, and supportive relationships. She also covers the possible drawbacks, including stigma, bias, and privacy concerns. With a focus on personal experiences and practical advice, Tonya provides insights to help neuro...

Been in a workplace where neurodiveristy was a problem and wasn’t addressed well? This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya explores how companies can create supportive environments for neurodiverse employees through education, training, and flexible policies. Highlighting successful case studies, she discusses the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce, such as increased creativity and innovatio...

Welcome to the first episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, hosted by Tonya Weaver, a neurodivergent relationship coach. Tonya delves into the concept of neurodiversity and shares her personal journey with autism, discussing how it shaped her experiences and relationships. Tonya offers insights into creating inclusive environments and practical strategies for neurodiverse individuals. We at Inside the...