a nervous-system-first approach to running a business—without spiraling

what the bear teaches us about running a business when your brain works differently

🎧 What “The Bear” Teaches Us About Running a Neurodivergent Business Episode of Work DifferentRuntime: ~9 minutesKeywords: trauma-informed business, neurodivergent entrepreneur, The Bear TV show, CPTSD, business systems, nervous system regulation, ADHD entrepreneurship Description: What if your business system didn’t feel like a panic attack waiting to happen?In this solo episode, I unpack the hit TV show The Bear—not just as a chaotic kitchen drama, but as a masterclass in how it feels to run a business when your brain works differently. If you’re neurodivergent, trauma-impacted, or just plain overloaded, this one’s for you. We talk about: CPTSD as a form of neurodivergence (yep, we’re going there) Why “Yes, Chef” is actually a brilliant nervous system regulation tool How scope creep is usually a trauma response Systems as a form of self-care, not just structure What Richie’s transformation teaches us about strengths-based business design Spoiler-lite but emotionally full—this episode is a love letter to everyone trying to lead, create, and survive without burning out. 🔥 Highlights: [00:02:00] Carmy’s trauma isn’t just backstory—it’s a business systems issue [00:04:00] “Yes, Chef” as a co-regulation strategy for high-pressure teams [00:06:00] Why scope creep isn’t laziness—it’s a nervous system coping mechanism [00:07:00] Build your team (or client) user manual: no masking required [00:08:00] What I’ve learned about designing systems that assume bad days 💭 Reflective Prompt: What’s one system you’ve built that actually helps you feel less fried?Drop it in the comments—I wanna know what’s working. 📚 Mentioned: The Bear (FX/Hulu) My earlier podcast episodes on the Whirlwind Podcast Network Get full access to work different at workdifferent.substack.com/subscribe [https://workdifferent.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

a nervous-system-first approach to running a business—without spiraling

In this episode, I’m getting real about something I think a lot of us feel but don’t always have words for: 👉 Why we can handle chaos in one part of life (like cracked windshields on a mountain road)...…but completely freeze when something goes wrong in business. I’m unpacking: What happens when your nervous system runs your company instead of your brain How past job trauma can sneak into entrepreneurship Why perfectionism, spiraling, and freeze mode aren’t character flaws—they’re survival responses And what it looks like to build systems that feel safe instead of punishing This one’s vulnerable, honest, and (hopefully) a big sigh of relief if you’ve been feeling stuck lately. 🧠 If you're a neurodivergent entrepreneur trying to build a business that works with your brain—not against it—this is for you. Let’s stop pretending we’re robots and start building something softer.Find more at - https://workdifferent.substack.com [https://workdifferent.substack.com] Get full access to work different at workdifferent.substack.com/subscribe [https://workdifferent.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

why i chose brain-friendly business over corporate safety

Building a Brain-Friendly Business: A Journey from Corporate Life to Empowering Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs In this inaugural episode of 'Work Different,' Marissa Garza introduces her Substack and podcast for neurodivergent entrepreneurs exploring AI. She shares her personal journey from struggling in the corporate world to building a business that aligns with her neurological needs. Marissa discusses her experiences with layoffs, masking in corporate settings, and the toll it took on her mental health. She explains how she transitioned to a more fulfilling work life, leveraging AI tools like Superhuman, Reclaim AI, Notion, Claude, and ChatGPT. Marissa offers insights into creating a workspace that respects neurodivergent conditions and promises a space of experimentation, clarity, and real freedom. She concludes by encouraging listeners to join her in building systems that truly care for their needs. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:51 Why I Chose Brain-Friendly Business 02:48 The Invisible Tax of Belonging 04:07 Building a Business for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs 05:01 Tools and Strategies for Working with My Brain 08:11 Why This Matters for Neurodivergent Individuals 09:54 Conclusion and Next StepsSubscribe to work different on substack at workdifferent.substack.com Get full access to work different at workdifferent.substack.com/subscribe [https://workdifferent.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]