Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging

A podcast for leaders in neurodiversity and business, hosted by Nathan Friedman, co-president and CMO of Understood.org. This show explores how neurodiversity drives innovation and creativity in business and beyond. With over 50% of Gen Z identifying as neurodivergent, neurodiversity isn’t just a movement — it’s the future. That means future-proofing your business starts with embracing difference, both in the talent you hire and in the customers you serve. We feature key changemakers in the space and dive into real-world outcomes across tech, design, marketing, and work culture. We’ll be highlighting the power of difference to spark connection, shift systems, and shape a more inclusive future for all

Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging is a business podcast hosted by Understood.org, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Understood.org hosts Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging, a business show with 22 episodes published.

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  Episode #24

  How diverse minds build stronger creative teams (with Gina Wolf from LinkedIn)

  Aug 18, 202629 min

  What happens when you take a global team of strategists and turn them into a creative studio overnight? Gina Wolf, global director of BrandWorks Creative Studio at LinkedIn, joins Nathan Friedman to talk about leading through that transformation and creating space for different communication and working styles. Gina discusses authentic leadership and shares an exercise that helped her global team navigate different styles of conflict, collaboration, and processing time, including insights from neurodivergent teammates that changed how she leads. She and Nathan also dig into how AI is accelerating upskilling, reshaping creative workflows, and giving more voices a seat at the table. For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org . You can also email us at 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 . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #23

  The entrepreneur’s advantage (with Rakia Reynolds from Actum)

  Jul 7, 202626 min

  Entrepreneurship rewards people who see opportunities that others miss. Rakia Reynolds joins Nathan Friedman to discuss how ADHD shaped her leadership style, fueled her creativity, and helped her build a thriving business. From masking at work to embracing pattern recognition as a superpower, Rakia shares why some of the qualities that once made her feel different in school and traditional workplaces became her greatest strengths as a founder. Together, they explore what leaders can learn from entrepreneurial thinking — and why workplaces that embrace neurodiversity are better equipped to innovate and grow. For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org . You can also email us at podcast@understood.org . Check out resources for women with ADHD at www.understood.org/adhd-women 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 . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #22

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

  Jun 2, 202625 minS0

  <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org. You can also email us at podc...

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  Episode #21

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

  May 11, 202631 minS0

  <p>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.</p> <p>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 ap...

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  Episode #20

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

  Mar 17, 202628 minS0

  <p>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.</p> <p>In this conversation, Stephen Damianos, executive director of the Neurorights Foundation, 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.</p> <p>What happens when tec...

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