Neurodiversity with Theo Smith

Join us as we delve into the personal journeys of individuals navigating life with dyslexia and ADHD. In this episode, Nathan Whitbread, founder of The Neurodivergent Coach, shares his insights and experiences from coaching in the neurodiversity space. Discover how late diagnoses, workplace challenges, and personal growth intersect in the lives of those with neurodivergent traits. Nathan's can...

In this episode, Theo Smith and David Richmond explore the complexities of neurodiversity in the workplace, discussing personal experiences, career transitions, and the importance of supportive policies. They delve into the barriers faced by neurodiverse individuals in employment, the significance of open communication, and the need for organizations to create inclusive environments. David shares...

In this episode of Neurodiversity with Theo Smith, guest James Driver shares his personal journey with neurodiversity, discussing his experiences with dyslexia and the potential for ADHD. The conversation explores the challenges faced in early education and the workplace, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals. James highlights the need for education...

In this episode of Neurodiversity with Theo Smith, Grant Harris shares his journey as a neurodiverse individual and the work he does to promote neuroinclusion and diversity in organisations. He discusses his late diagnosis of autism, the challenges he faced in communication, and the importance of community and family support. Grant also highlights his experience in writing books on DEIA and his co...

In this conversation, Theo Smith and Steven Ingram discuss the importance of neurodiversity and neuro-inclusion in the workplace. Steven shares his personal journey as a neurodivergent individual and the founding of Neurodiversity Together, emphasizing the need for organisations to adopt inclusive practices that benefit all employees. They explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals...

In this episode of Neurodiversity with Theo Smith, Sarah Dixon, Director of the Accessible Learning Foundation, shares her inspiring journey from a successful career in law and property to becoming a passionate advocate for neurodivergent communities. Motivated by her experiences as a parent of neurodivergent children, Sarah discusses the importance of early identification and support for neurodiv...

In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Steve Collinson, Chief HR Officer at Zurich Insurance UK, to discuss a crucial topic: neurodiversity in the workplace. 🤝 🔍 Key Takeaways: - **Rethinking Recruitment**: Zurich is pioneering inclusive hiring processes to remove barriers for neurodivergent candidates. - **Data-Driven Insights**: Research revealed that 63% of neurodiverge...

In this episode Theo Smith speaks with Nicole Bateman, a SEND advisor and co-founder of the Super Sensory Squad. They discuss Nicole's journey from being a teacher to advocating for children with sensory needs, the importance of understanding sensory processing, and practical strategies for parents and activity providers to support children. The conversation highlights the significance of creating...

In this episode of Neurodiversity with Theo Smith, David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, shares insights on the intersection of neurodiversity, inclusion, and leadership. The conversation explores the importance of understanding neurodiversity in the workplace, the role of organizations in fostering inclusive environments, and the challenges and opportunities that arise in neurodiversity in...

In this episode of Neurodiversity with Theo Smith, Kimberly Fraser shares her personal journey with dyspraxia, discussing the challenges she faced in education and the workplace. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding neurodiversity, the impact of early experiences on self-perception, and the need for greater awareness and adaptations in various environments. Kimberly emphasiz...

In this engaging conversation, Theo Smith and Dave Thompson explore the evolving landscape of neurodiversity and inclusion in the workplace. They discuss Dave's personal journey with neurodiversity, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in traditional work environments, and the importance of moving beyond labels to focus on success enablers. The conversation highlights the need for un...

In this episode, Theo Smith and Nathan discuss Nathan's personal journey with dyspraxia and his passion for empowering neurodivergent individuals. Nathan founded NeuroExpression, a social enterprise that aims to provide a platform for neurodivergent artists and promote a neurodivergent-friendly world. They explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in accessing support and fund...

Sadie Dingfelder, a freelance writer and science writer, shares her experiences with face blindness and aphantasia. She discovered her face blindness when she failed to recognise people she had interviewed just minutes earlier. Through research and testing, she found that her face blindness may be due to brain damage during birth. She also realised that she has aphantasia, the inability to visuali...

In this episode, Theo Smith and Amanda Kirby discuss the challenges parents face when their children go through transitions, such as starting school or moving to a new school. They emphasize the importance of supporting parents and addressing their stress, anxiety, and mental health. Amanda shares her experiences as a parent and grandparent, highlighting the small but significant details that can...

In this conversation, Theo Smith and Ceri Reed discuss the challenges faced by neurodiverse families and the need for parental support. They highlight the impact of neurodivergence on parents' careers and income, as well as the mental health challenges they face. They emphasise the importance of a needs-led approach in education and the need for parents to advocate for their children. They als...

In this episode, Theo Smith interviews Mitch Leppicello about anxiety and stress in relation to autism. They discuss the evolution of understanding autism, the shift from Asperger's syndrome to autism spectrum, and the importance of neurodiversity. Mitch shares his experience working with parents and caregivers, emphasising the need for support and understanding. He introduces his CALM Compass...

In this conversation, Mel Francis, a HR professional specializing in neurodiversity, shares her personal journey as a single parent of a child with neurodiverse needs. The discussion covers the challenges of balancing work and advocacy, the gendered responsibilities of parenting, the impact of single parenthood, and the difficulties faced in accessing support and understanding for neurodiverse chi...

In this podcast episode, Theo Smith interviews Hannah Litt, a neurodivergent advocate, about her experiences with ADHD and OCD. Hannah discusses the importance of intersectionality and the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in navigating systems that were not built for them. She emphasizes the need for validation, support, and understanding from both organizations and communities. Hann...

Neurodiversity with Theo Smith and Friends - A to Z of Parenting Series Welcome to the first episode of "Neurodiversity with Theo Smith and Friends - A-Z of Parenting!" In this exciting new series, we dive into the A to Z of parenting, inspired by our upcoming book co-authored by the incredible Professor Amanda Kirby. Through this podcast, we explore the narratives and lived experiences...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Gem Parker from EY, a seasoned recruitment expert with nearly 18 years of experience. In this episode, Gem shares her journey from agency recruitment to in-house roles in construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and professional services. She delves into the importance of candidate engagement, strategic workforce planning, and the serendipitous moment t...

Today we interview Jeremy Davis. Jeremy shares his journey of self-discovery and how he found his passion for storytelling through writing and directing. We discuss the importance of self-diagnosis and the validity of personal experiences. Jeremy also talks about the challenges of navigating ableism and toxic engagement in the disability advocacy space. He shares his future plans of creating films...

Today we have Matt Hancock join us, who's been advocating for neurodiversity and early support in education, highlighting challenges faced by individuals who are dyslexic. He promotes universal screening and teacher training to address high exclusion rates among children with neurodivergent traits/conditions. The importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity, early identification, a...

In this episode, Theo Smith interviews Alice, a researcher at Bocconi University, about her experience with neurodiversity. Alice shares her journey from childhood to academia, highlighting her strengths in brain power and the challenges of control mania. She discusses the impact of migraines and the realization of her neurodivergence, leading to an autism diagnosis. Alice also explores the diffic...

Today we're joined by David Renton, a security compliance project manager at Genesys. In our conversation, we explore David's journey through the lens of ADHD and dyslexia, from his early education to carving out a career that plays to his strengths. David shares the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of neurodiversity, emphasising the power of open conversations and the signifi...

Tania Martin, EY UKI’s Neuro-Diverse Centre of Excellence Leader, shares her journey and the work being done to promote neurodiversity and neuroinclusion in the workplace. The conversation covers the shift from autism at work to neuro-inclusive programs, the evolution of neurodiverse centers of excellence, and the importance of breaking down barriers to entry and supporting hidden neurodivergent i...