The AuDHD Boss: Neurodiversity at Work with Brett Whitmarsh

Brett, The AuDHD Boss
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Helping neurodivergent professionals thrive at work. Hosted by Brett Whitmarsh—an autistic, ADHD corporate leader—this podcast offers practical advice, unfiltered stories, and expert interviews about navigating the workplace as a neurodivergent employee or manager. Topics include unmasking, burnout, feedback, accommodations, and more. New episodes weekly. 👉 Visit audhdboss.com + brettwhitmarsh.substack.com

  1. SEP 22

    What to Say (and Not Say) When Employees Share ADHD or Autism

    When an employee shares that they have ADHD or autism, how should a manager respond? What words build trust, and what words damage it? In this episode, Brett — The AuDHD Boss — shares a manager’s guide to responding with empathy, professionalism, and support when someone discloses ADHD or autism at work. Drawing on 12+ years of leadership experience as an autistic manager with ADHD, Brett breaks down: ✅ What to say (and what NOT to say) when employees disclose ADHD or autism ✅ Why every ADHD and autistic experience is unique — and why curiosity matters ✅ Common mistakes managers make that harm trust and productivity ✅ How simple accommodations can improve performance for everyone This episode is both a guide for managers and a resource for employees who want to share this with their bosses or HR teams. If you’re working toward a more inclusive workplace, this conversation will help. 🌐 More from Brett: Website → audhdboss.com Substack → brettwhitmarsh.substack.com YouTube → YouTube.com/@audhdboss

    14 min

  2. AUG 31

    Overcoming Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome as an Autistic Boss with ADHD

    Stepping into management as an autistic professional with ADHD brought a unique mix of strengths—and a lot of anxiety. In this episode, I share my personal story of transitioning from individual contributor to manager, and how I faced professional anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the fear of letting others down. We’ll explore: Why new managers often feel overwhelmed by expectations The push-and-pull between micromanaging and letting go How mentorship helped me move past defensiveness and imposter syndrome Practical tools I use to reduce professional anxiety as an autistic leader with ADHD If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “good enough” to lead, or you’re navigating management while neurodivergent, this conversation is for you. 👉 Subscribe for more real stories and strategies on leadership, ADHD, and autism in the workplace. Links: Newsletter + blog: brettwhitmarsh.substack.com Coaching + resources: audhdboss.com Watch on YouTube: Audio Boss ADHD in the workplace Autism in the workplace Autistic boss ADHD leadership Autistic leadership Imposter syndrome at work Professional anxiety New manager anxiety Neurodivergent manager ADHD career growth Autism career growth AuDHD boss Corporate leadership strategies Mentorship and management Overcoming workplace anxiety Neurodiversity at work Leadership for ADHD professionals Leadership for autistic professionals

    15 min

  3. AUG 25

    How Coming Out Helped Me Unmask My Autism & ADHD

    In this episode, I share my journey of coming out as queer and how it unexpectedly became the beginning of unmasking my autistic and ADHD identity. From growing up in a high-control religious environment to finding safety in the workplace, I talk about the challenges of masking, the fear of showing my true self, and the deep relief of self-acceptance. You’ll hear how coming out helped me step into authenticity, what it taught me about masking and energy, and why creating safe spaces at work matters for neurodivergent professionals. If you’ve ever struggled with masking, people-pleasing, or hiding parts of yourself, this conversation is for you. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to The AuDHD Boss for more episodes on ADHD, autism, and thriving as a neurodivergent professional. 📚 Resources mentioned in this video:Dr Neff's The Autistic Masking Workbook (from Neurodivergent Insights.com) *****USE CODE AUDHDBOSS***** FOR A DISCOUNT ON THE WORKBOOK more here: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autistic-masking/autistic-masking/Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9781507223062Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents:https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9781626251700Deconstruction and Coming Out Resources from Erica Smith, M. Ed:https://www.ericasmitheac.com/webinars-booksEmbrace Autism – https://embrace-autism.com/audhd-and-camouflaging/👉 Check out my full Autism Masking Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvgCuULIHenWGoJhC5GCubniGTuAt6TkT

    17 min

  4. AUG 15

    Autistic Masking: Understanding the Signs, Impact, and Why It Matters

    In this episode, I explore autistic masking — what it is, why it happens, and how it impacts identity, mental health, and burnout. Drawing from Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s Autistic Burnout Workbook and research from Embrace Autism, I share definitions, examples, and personal insights from my own experience as a high masker. We talk about the conscious and unconscious ways autistic people adapt to fit in, the connection to ADHD camouflaging, and why masking can be both protective and exhausting.Whether you’re autistic, ADHD, or supporting someone who masks, this conversation offers a deeper understanding and practical takeaways. Be sure to use my code AUDHDBOSS for a discount on Dr. Neff's AutisticMasking Workbook : https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autistic-masking/autistic-masking/

    18 min

  5. AUG 5

    Autistic Meltdowns and Shutdowns: What's the Difference?

    What’s really happening when an autistic person has a meltdown or shutdown at work? In today's episode I am reviewing the differences between autistic meltdowns and shutdowns. In doing so, I am reading from Embrace Autism's blog on what meltdowns and shutdowns along with my experiences of these descriptions. For more information on this topic read more from Embrace Autism's website here. Please note this episode is audio-only this week. I read from a newly updated Embrace Autism article that explains the BIMS profile: Burnout, Inertia, Meltdowns, and Shutdowns. Then, I share personal stories of how masking, miscommunication, executive dysfunction, and sensory overwhelm have triggered these experiences for me in real-time — sometimes in high-stakes workplace situations. If you’ve ever struggled with emotional overload, gone completely silent in meetings, or felt deep shame after "losing it" at work — this episode is for you. You’ll also learn research-backed strategies for recognizing early signs, completing the stress cycle, and supporting recovery. Topics in this episode include: Meltdowns vs shutdowns: what’s the difference? What overload looks like in the workplace How ADHD and masking contribute to dysregulation Shame and recovery after a shutdown or meltdown Tools to recognize early signs and self-regulate 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes on neurodiversity at work, unmasking, burnout, and thriving as a professional with ADHD and autism. 🧠 Coaching + resources: https://audhdboss.com📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://brettwhitmarsh.substack.com #AutisticBurnout #ADHDAndAutism #MeltdownVsShutdown #NeurodivergentAtWork #AuDHD #Masking #ExecutiveDysfunction #WorkplaceAccommodations

    18 min

  6. JUL 20

    Leadership Lessons I Learned the Hard Way as an Autistic Boss with ADHD

    In this episode, I get real about the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a leader—and how being diagnosed with autism and ADHD gave me a new lens on all of them. From reacting too quickly to letting my ADHD hijack team priorities, I share hard-earned lessons that every manager—especially those who are neurodivergent—needs to hear. If you’re in a leadership role and navigating your own neurodivergent traits, this one’s for you. 🎥 Watch the full video version on YouTube📩 Sign up for my newsletter: https://brettwhitmarsh.substack.com🌐 More tips at https://audhdboss.com

    19 min

  7. JUN 29

    Unmasking Through Comedy: My AudHD Stand-Up Story

    What happens when you unmask autism and ADHD—on a comedy stage—during Pride?In this solo episode, I share the chaotic, hilarious, emotional journey of performing my first stand-up set as an autistic, ADHD queer adult. From scripting punchlines and channeling sitcoms to mic stand disasters and post-performance crashes, this is more than a comedy story—it’s a story about identity, burnout, recovery, and pride. 🎧 In this episode: How I used stand-up comedy to process masking and queer identity Why emotional burnout hits hard after unmasking My ADHD script prep hacks and crash recovery tools What I learned about my AuDHD brain by stepping into the spotlight 🎤 And yes... the mic stand really did fall apart. Unmasking Autism, Comedy and ADHD, Autistic Performer, Neurodivergent Pride, Masking & Burnout, Stand-Up with AuDHD, Emotional Overload, Queer and Autistic, ADHD Recovery, Religious Trauma

    18 min

  8. JUN 19

    Should I Get an Autism or ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult? | What Helped Me Decide

    Is it worth getting an ADHD or autism diagnosis later in life? I’m Brett, The AuDHD Boss—an autistic manager with ADHD—and in this episode, I’m answering one of the most common questions I get from late-diagnosed professionals: “Should I get a formal diagnosis?” In this episode, I share: The personal questions I asked before getting diagnosed How diagnosis helped me at work (and when I didn’t actually need it) Why self-diagnosis is still valid and valuable The pros and cons of disclosing at work What you need to consider before taking the next step Whether you're wondering about accommodations, clarity, or just curious what others have experienced—this episode will help you explore the decision from a strength-based, real-world perspective. 📬 Join my newsletter for more workplace tools: https://brettwhitmarsh.substack.com🌐 Learn more at: https://audhdboss.com #ADHDDiagnosis #AutismDiagnosis #LateDiagnosis #AuDHD #NeurodivergentWorkplace

    9 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
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6 Ratings

About

Helping neurodivergent professionals thrive at work. Hosted by Brett Whitmarsh—an autistic, ADHD corporate leader—this podcast offers practical advice, unfiltered stories, and expert interviews about navigating the workplace as a neurodivergent employee or manager. Topics include unmasking, burnout, feedback, accommodations, and more. New episodes weekly. 👉 Visit audhdboss.com + brettwhitmarsh.substack.com

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