Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging

Unlocking the competitive edge of thinking differently (with Hiren Shukla from EY)

As businesses navigate AI, rapid transformation, and shifting workforce expectations, one of the greatest untapped advantages may already be hiding in plain sight: neurodivergent talent. In this episode, Nathan Friedman speaks with EY global leader Hiren Shukla about how cognitive diversity fuels innovation, adaptability, and business growth.  Drawing from EY’s leading neuroinclusion work and global workforce research, Hiren explains why psychological safety, flexible systems, and strengths-based leadership are becoming essential for the future of work.  For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org [https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/minds-at-work/thinking-differently-competitive-edge]. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org [podcast@understood.org] . Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give [https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=MAW0725AUD&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-aud-mindsatwork&utm_content=episode]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rethinking leadership for a neurodiverse workforce (with Ben Brooks from PILOT)

Work is changing faster than leadership models can keep up. In this episode, Nathan Friedman sits down with executive coach and PILOT CEO Ben Brooks to unpack what’s broken and what leaders must do next. From the rise of nonlinear careers to the growing expectations of a neurodiverse workforce, they explore why traditional structures around performance, communication, and development are falling short. Ben shares practical insights on building clearer expectations, separating performance from potential, and designing workplaces that work better for everyone. The conversation challenges leaders to move beyond outdated norms and embrace more explicit, human-centered approaches to management. Enjoyed this conversation? Listen to Nathan on Ben’s podcast, The Lift [https://pod.link/1859041530/episode/Z2lkOi8vYXJ0MTktZXBpc29kZS1sb2NhdG9yL1YwL003WHY4VmNXallEVE9Wc3V5eHVCbm1wMXFldFpKTFVsbldjWnJrYkVDZ1k?view=apps&sort=popularity]. Check out Understood’s 2026 Neurodiversity at Work survey [https://www.understood.org/en/research-and-surveys/understood-org-survey-neurodiversity-at-work-2026].  Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give [https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=MAW0725AUD&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-aud-mindsatwork&utm_content=episode]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who owns your brain data and neural privacy (Conversations from Davos)

Neurotechnology is moving rapidly from hospitals to everyday consumer devices. Headsets that promise better sleep, focus, or productivity may also collect neural data that reveals cognition, emotion, and mental health. In this conversation, Stephen Damianos, executive director of the Neurorights Foundation [https://www.neurorightsfoundation.org/], talks to host Dr. Maureen Dunne about the emerging the emerging field of neuro rights and the urgent policy questions surrounding brain data, privacy, and consent. Drawing on work with neuroscientists, policymakers, and industry leaders, he explores how new technologies can decode brain signals — and what that means for personal freedom. What happens when technology can decode thoughts? And how can safeguards ensure that innovation benefits everyone, including neurodivergent users? This special season of Minds at Work is brought to you by Understood.org and the Davos Neurodiversity Summit. For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org [https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/minds-at-work/who-owns-your-brain-data]. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org [podcast@understood.org] . Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give [https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=MAW0725AUD&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-aud-mindsatwork&utm_content=episode]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How ERGs transform culture and build empathy (Conversations from Davos)

At the Davos Neurodiversity Summit, one message stood out: The future of work will be shaped by empathy, psychological safety, and better systems. Not just better intentions.  In this conversation, Dr. Maureen Dunne talks with Tristan Lavender, a globally recognized voice on neurodiversity at work, to explore what that looks like in practice.  As the founder of a global neurodiversity employee resource group for a multinational organization, Tristan advocates for proactively building employee resources and designing approaches to AI and leadership cultures that work for different minds.  For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org [https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/minds-at-work/ergs-culture-and-empathy]. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org [podcast@understood.org] . Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give [https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=MAW0725AUD&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-aud-mindsatwork&utm_content=episode]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Moving past performative inclusion (Conversations from Davos)

Nat Lyckowski is the Global Neurodiversity Advancement Leader at IBM, where she is helping redefine how organizations build environments where different minds drive measurable results. Through authenticity, data, and intentional design, she is paving the way for business leaders to move beyond awareness and into action. In this episode, Maureen Dunne and Nat explore how companies can move past performative inclusion and make practical, low cost cultural shifts that create meaningful change for neurodivergent employees. The business case is clear. Representation, mentorship, and inclusive infrastructure are not just values. They are scalable drivers of innovation, performance, and long term growth. The perspectives Nat shares come from her lived experience and personal point of view, reflecting what she’s learned along the way. For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work [https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/minds-at-work] on Understood.org. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org [podcast@understood.org] . Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give [https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=MAW0725AUD&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-aud-mindsatwork&utm_content=episode]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.