SEND it. Brains At Work

Steph and Claire

SEND it. Brains at Work is a podcast about neurodivergent minds navigating the professional workplace. Sharing honest conversations, practical strategies, and real stories that challenge how work is done.

Episodes

  1. Mar 20

    Episode 3 - The Demand Avoidance Spiral: When Your Brain Says ‘No

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 3 of Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore something many people experience but struggle to explain: demand avoidance and the powerful role autonomy plays in how we work. If you’ve ever opened your laptop, seen a deadline reminder, and suddenly found yourself reorganising your desktop instead of starting the task… this episode will feel very familiar.  Building on the conversations around rejection sensitivity from Episode 2, this episode dives into why certain expectations, deadlines, or instructions can trigger a strong internal resistance—even when it’s something you genuinely want to do. Steph and Claire unpack the psychology behind demand avoidance, the connection to anxiety and autonomy, and why the issue often isn’t motivation—it’s a nervous system reacting to perceived pressure. In this episode, they explore: What demand avoidance actually is (and what it isn’t)The concept of Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA)Why deadlines, expectations, and even praise can sometimes feel overwhelmingHow workplace structures can unintentionally trigger avoidanceReal stories from listeners navigating demand avoidance at workPractical ways managers and teams can design work that supports autonomy instead of triggering resistanceSteph and Claire also share practical tools for individuals and workplaces—from reframing demands and offering choice to designing calmer, more collaborative work environments. Because when people feel safe, supported, and in control of how they work, something powerful happens: Resistance drops, and capability rises.

    27 min
  2. Mar 18

    Episode 2 - RSD, Autonomy & The Workplace Spiral

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Brains at Work! In Episode 2, Steph and Claire dive into a topic many people experience but rarely have the words to explain: Rejection Sensitivity Disorder (RSD) and how it shows up in everyday work life.  If you’ve ever spiralled after hearing “Can we have a quick chat?”, replayed a conversation in your head at 2am, or avoided opportunities because the possibility of rejection felt overwhelming, this episode is for you. Steph and Claire explore what RSD actually feels like, why it’s often misunderstood, and how it can affect confidence, decision-making, and workplace relationships. They also unpack demand avoidance, explaining how loss of autonomy can trigger stress responses and make even simple tasks feel impossible. In this episode, we discuss: What Rejection Sensitivity Disorder is—and what it isn’tWhy perceived rejection can feel so intense and immediateHow RSD and demand avoidance show up in professional environmentsThe hidden ways perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout developPractical tools to manage triggers and create safer, more supportive work environmentsSteph and Claire also share practical strategies—from separating fact from the story your brain creates, to designing work in ways that respect autonomy and reduce unnecessary pressure. This episode is honest, relatable, and packed with tools for anyone who has ever felt like their brain turns small moments into full emotional catastrophes. Because sometimes the problem isn’t you—  it’s the environment your nervous system is trying to survive in.

    18 min
  3. Mar 16

    Episode 1 Better Brains - Better Teams

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the very first episode of Brains at Work, the podcast exploring neurodiversity, workplace stigma, and how we can create genuinely neuroinclusive environments. Hosts Steph and Claire kick off the series with a candid, honest, and occasionally humorous conversation about what neurodiversity really means and why support in the workplace can still feel frustratingly inconsistent. From awkward interview moments after disclosing ADHD to the wider systemic challenges neurodivergent people face at work, this episode sets the stage for a podcast dedicated to breaking down barriers and starting better conversations.  In this episode, we cover: What neurodiversity and neuroinclusion actually meanWhy many organisations still struggle to support neurodivergent employeesSteph’s personal story of the “ADHD interview face-drop” momentThe reality of juggling work, life, and neurodivergenceEye-opening statistics about employment and workplace inclusionFive practical, realistic ways organisations can reduce stigma and support different thinking stylesWe also talk about why adjustments shouldn’t be treated as special treatment—but as simple, practical ways to help people do their best work. Whether you're neurodivergent, a manager, HR professional, or simply curious about how different brains make better teams, this episode is a starting point for understanding, empathy, and real change. Got a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Tell us about the workplace adjustment that helped you thrive or the moment that made you realise things needed to change. Because different brains aren’t a bug.  They’re the feature.

    14 min

About

SEND it. Brains at Work is a podcast about neurodivergent minds navigating the professional workplace. Sharing honest conversations, practical strategies, and real stories that challenge how work is done.