Innotainment Podcast

I&I
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A business podcast for brilliant-but-overthinking founders. Join systems strategist Aga Gajownik (Innovation & Integration) and podcast strategist Rhianne Lovell-Boland (More Talk Media) as they unpack the Business Model Canvas with ADHD-friendly strategies, honest conversations and systems that work with your brain, not against it!

  1. Episode 26 – S2 E7 | AuDHD in Women — Are they really fine, or just masking at work? w/ Samantha Hiew

    FEB 3

    Episode 26 – S2 E7 | AuDHD in Women — Are they really fine, or just masking at work? w/ Samantha Hiew

    In this episode of Innotainment, ⁠Aga Gajownik⁠ is joined by ⁠Dr Samantha Hiew⁠ - scientist, storyteller, and founder of ADHD Girls - to explore ADHD and Autism in women through the lenses of neuroscience, hormones, trauma, and workplace systems.   Together, they unpack what is often misunderstood or left unnamed: the cost of long-term masking, performance variability, nervous system overload, and why so many high-performing neurodivergent women burn out despite appearing “fine” on the surface.   This conversation goes beyond awareness. It looks at what is actually happening cognitively, neurologically, and psychologically in neurodivergent women, and what leaders can do to design genuinely brain-friendly organisations that support sustainable performance.   Topics include: Why masking and self-regulation are so energetically expensive Executive functioning, performance variability, and hormonal cycles Trauma, nervous system responses, and their impact on work and relationships Psychological safety, micromanagement, and cognitive load Energy-based productivity and regenerative leadership Practical, low-cost changes leaders can implement immediately   This episode is especially relevant for: AuDHD and neurodivergent women navigating work and leadership Managers and HR leaders who want inclusion to actually work Anyone interested in brain-friendly organisations and sustainable performance   Note: This episode includes reflective discussion of abusive relationships and trauma, explored in a professional and educational context.   🔗 Links mentioned in this episode ⁠Dr Samantha Hiew ⁠– Tip of the iceberg, Autism and ADHD in Women: DSM-5 Criteria via Scientific & Intersectional Lens ⁠ADHD Girls⁠ – Social impact organisation supporting neurodivergent women in healthcare, education, and workplaces ⁠Innotainment podcast⁠ – ⁠Q&A / Office Hours Submission Form⁠ : Submit questions for future episodes Follow Innotainment Podcast and Aga Gajownik on Instagram ⁠@innotainment_podcast,⁠  ⁠@myquirkyadhdbrain

    48 min
  2. Episode 25 - S2 E6 : Brains Behind the Behaviour: ADHD at Work (and what leaders keep getting wrong) w/ Moonlake Lee)

    JAN 27

    Episode 25 - S2 E6 : Brains Behind the Behaviour: ADHD at Work (and what leaders keep getting wrong) w/ Moonlake Lee)

    ADHD at work is still one of the most misunderstood neurodivergent experiences—especially in Singapore. We don’t talk about it enough.   So this week on Innotainment, Aga Gajownik is joined by Moonlake Lee, founder of Unlocking ADHD, to unpack what ADHD really looks like in the workplace beyond stereotypes, labels, and “special treatment” myths.   In this episode, they explore: Why ADHD is often invisible, undiagnosed, and undisclosed at work How executive function challenges (time, overwhelm, emotional regulation) show up in real teams Neurodivergent burnout, masking, and the hidden cost to organisations Why “ADHD-friendly” workplaces are actually just better-designed workplaces What leaders can start, stop, and redesign today—without lowering standards or overloading managers How to support ADHD employees without singling them out or creating reverse exclusion   This conversation moves beyond awareness into practical, brain-friendly design. From communication and check-ins to psychological safety, body doubling, and strength-based work, this episode offers actionable insights for leaders, managers, and neurodivergent professionals alike.   🔗 Links mentioned in this episode Unlocking ADHD – Practical resources, education, and support for ADHD individuals and organisations Moonlake Lee – LinkedIn Newsletter: ADHD Life & Musings : Weekly lived experience and ADHD insights Strength Questionnaire – Tool for identifying individual and team strengths Episode 1, season 2 – The Real Cost of Disengagement (with Naomi Glover, Applied Neuroscientist) Episode 3, season 2 – Team Dynamics, Challengers & Neurodivergent Leadership (with Brian, Teamwork Unlocked) Episode 4, season 2 – Using Employee Strengths Where They Matter Most (with Andrea) Innotainment podcast – Q&A / Office Hours Submission Form : Submit questions for future episodes Follow Innotainment Podcast and Aga Gajownik on Instagram @innotainment_podcast, @myquirkyadhdbrain

    43 min
  3. Episode 24 – Bonus: Brain-Friendly Leadership – Aga's lessons from Season 2 and plans for 2026

    12/19/2025

    Episode 24 – Bonus: Brain-Friendly Leadership – Aga's lessons from Season 2 and plans for 2026

    In this solo episode of Innotainment, Aga Gajownik reflects on the first half of Season 2 and brings together the most important lessons from conversations with neuroscientists, HR leaders and organisational practitioners while sharing what’s ahead for 2026. What started as a short experiment turned into a deeper exploration of what it really takes to build brain-friendly organisations. Drawing on insights from guests including Naomi Glover, Larissa Murmann, Andrea Toh, Brian Slattery and Feng Ling Li, Aga unpacks the recurring patterns that kept surfacing across very different industries and leadership roles. This episode explores how performance, burnout, communication and leadership are deeply shaped by how human brains actually work, and why many so-called “performance issues” are really unmet neurocognitive needs. Discover: 🧠 Why burnout is more often caused by friction, unclear expectations and emotional labour than workload 💬 How communication builds trust when it focuses on connection, not meetings 🧩 Why psychological safety enables learning, innovation and honest feedback ⚡ How micro-learning and small habits outperform long, high-stress training programs 🧠 What leaders miss when they manage outputs but ignore cognitive load and nervous systems 🌱 Why brain-friendly leadership is ultimately human-friendly leadership Aga also shares personal reflections on leadership, self-regulation and the invisible emotional labour many managers carry, and outlines what’s coming next as Season 2 moves into a deeper dive on neurodiversity at work. Whether you’re a founder, senior leader, people manager or simply trying to work better with your own brain, this episode offers a grounded, human perspective on how to lead without burning yourself, or your team out.

    22 min
  4. Episode 23 – S2E5: How to build brain-friendly learning cultures w/ Feng Ling Li, Head of HR, Lifelong Learning Singapore

    12/09/2025

    Episode 23 – S2E5: How to build brain-friendly learning cultures w/ Feng Ling Li, Head of HR, Lifelong Learning Singapore

    In this episode of Innotainment, Aga sits down with Feng Ling Li, a seasoned HR leader helping organisations across Singapore and the region develop true learning cultures that drive performance, resilience and innovation. Together, they unpack why learning is no longer “a yearly training budget exercise” but a daily practice that requires psychological safety, experimentation, and leadership empathy. From micro-learning and reverse mentoring to AI-supported development, this conversation shines a light on what it really takes to help people grow in a rapidly changing world. Discover: 🧠 Why learning must feel as natural as breathing, not a KPI checkbox 📱 How micro-learning and hybrid formats support real retention 🤝 Why psychological safety, empathy and respect matter more than ever 🤖 How AI supports learning (and where human judgment is still essential) 👥 Practical ways leaders can personalise development without burning out HR 📊 How to measure learning outcomes beyond “completed course hours”   Whether you're an HR leader, founder or people manager, this episode shows you how to build a workplace where learning feels safe, continuous and human-centred and where your teams can adapt at the speed of change.

    27 min
  5. Episode 22 - S2E4: Beyond perks. How to evolve corporate benefits and build human centred teams w/ Andrea Toh

    12/02/2025

    Episode 22 - S2E4: Beyond perks. How to evolve corporate benefits and build human centred teams w/ Andrea Toh

    In this episode, Aga Gajownik sits down with veteran benefits leader and founder Andrea Toh to explore what modern employee benefits really mean in today’s workplace. Beyond insurance plans and surface level perks, Andrea reveals how meaningful benefits are built through culture, communication, and human connection, not just budgets. With 20 years of experience shaping benefits systems across Singapore, she unpacks how organisations can create workplaces where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay.   Together, they dive into: ✨ Why “traditional benefits” no longer meet the needs of Gen Z and millennial workers 🧠 How culture, purpose and team communication directly shape employee experience 💬 The hidden cost of poorly trained managers and why they make or break retention 👥 How small companies can create big impact through simple, human benefits 🔄 Why job design, team alignment and meaningful conversations matter more than perks 🏡 The role of family, flexibility and community in building workplaces people love   Whether you’re a founder, people manager, or HR professional, this episode reveals how benefits can become a daily experience, not a PDF policy, and how leaders can design teams that thrive without burning people out.

    37 min
  6. Episode 21 – S2E3: Trust, teamwork and the ADHD brain - How to unlock high-performing teams w/ Brian Slattery

    11/25/2025

    Episode 21 – S2E3: Trust, teamwork and the ADHD brain - How to unlock high-performing teams w/ Brian Slattery

    In this episode, Aga Gajownik sits down with Brian Slattery, founder of Teamwork Unlocked and former Head of Culture Club at Google, to explore what really happens inside teamwork when different brains, strengths and cognitive styles collide. From late ADHD diagnosis and leadership quirks to building escape-room-powered leadership programmes, Brian shares a refreshingly honest look at how trust, psychological safety and better conversations can transform the way teams collaborate. You’ll hear: 🧠 How ADHD shows up in leadership and why late diagnosis often brings both clarity and chaos 🔐 Why trust should be given, not earned - and the speech Brian teaches leaders to transform culture 🧩 The 9 team profiles he sees in action inside escape rooms (and why “Mavericks” and “Challengers” are disappearing) 🚫 Why innovation stalls in risk-averse cultures and how permafrost forms in middle management ✨ Practical, tiny habits that help leaders support cognitive diversity without adding workload 🎉 The art of celebrating failure and why “birthday culture” does absolutely nothing for motivation Whether you're a senior leader, HR professional or a manager trying to build more brain-friendly teams, this conversation is a masterclass in understanding people, creating trust and designing systems that let every brain contribute.

    40 min
  7. Episode 20 - S2E2: How to grow, lead and thrive in a hybrid, AI-enabled workplace w/ Larissa Murmann

    11/19/2025

    Episode 20 - S2E2: How to grow, lead and thrive in a hybrid, AI-enabled workplace w/ Larissa Murmann

    In this episode, Aga Gajownik sits down with Larissa Murmann, Digital Chief HR Officer at Unilever International, to unpack how leaders can navigate change, support their teams and adapt new technologies without burning people out. Larissa offers a candid, insider perspective on what’s changing inside global organisations - from AI adoption and hybrid team design to fractional roles and wellbeing at scale. Together, they explore the mindset shift leaders must make, why emotional and subconscious intelligence matter more than ever, and how to build high-performing teams when humans and AI increasingly work side-by-side. You’ll hear practical strategies for navigating uncertainty, preventing burnout, and creating workplaces where people feel trusted, empowered and supported - no matter their neurotype, generation or working style. Whether you’re a founder, HR leader or emerging manager, this conversation will show you how to design more brain-friendly teams and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving world.

    52 min
  8. Episode 19 - S2E1: The real cost of disengagement - Why it’s time to build brain-friendly workplaces.

    11/11/2025

    Episode 19 - S2E1: The real cost of disengagement - Why it’s time to build brain-friendly workplaces.

    In our first episode of Innotainment Season 2, Aga Gajownik brings back applied neuroscientist Naomi Glover to dive deep into what’s really happening inside our workplaces and inside our brains. From burnout and disengagement to the challenges of introducing psychological safety, this episode explores how outdated structures, rigid office mandates, and untrained managers are quietly costing organisations billions. Discover: 🧠 What neuroscience reveals about engagement, burnout, and motivation 💼 Why flexibility and trust aren’t “perks” but they’re performance essentials 🤖 How technology and AI are reshaping the way our brains focus and connect ✨ Practical shifts to start building brain-friendly organisations that help everyone thrive, neurodivergent or not. Whether you’re a senior leader, HR professional, or simply someone tired of bad meetings, this episode offers a science-based perspective on how to make work actually work.

    43 min
See All (27)

Trailer

About

A business podcast for brilliant-but-overthinking founders. Join systems strategist Aga Gajownik (Innovation & Integration) and podcast strategist Rhianne Lovell-Boland (More Talk Media) as they unpack the Business Model Canvas with ADHD-friendly strategies, honest conversations and systems that work with your brain, not against it!

Information

  • Creator
    I&I
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Innotainment Podcast