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Ever feel like you want to start something but just… can’t?

In this episode of SEND It – Brains at Work, Steph and Claire unpack one of the most misunderstood drivers of motivation: dopamine. Far from being just the “feel-good” chemical, dopamine is what helps us start tasks, stay focused, and follow through — and for neurodivergent brains, it doesn’t always work in predictable ways.

We explore how dopamine impacts ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, why some tasks feel impossible while others spark hours of hyperfocus, and what’s really going on when motivation disappears. Drawing on research and real workplace examples, we reframe common struggles like procrastination, task paralysis, and burnout.

Most importantly, we share practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you work with your brain — from dopamine stacking and micro-tasking to designing environments that actually support focus and energy.

If you’ve ever thought, “I know it’s important… so why can’t I start?” — this episode is for you.

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This episode explores what masking really means in the workplace—how individuals consciously or unconsciously hide aspects of themselves to fit in, meet expectations, or avoid judgment. It breaks down the different ways people mask, from suppressing emotions to mimicking communication styles, and highlights the toll this can take on wellbeing and performance. The episode also offers practical insights for employers and colleagues on how to create safer, more inclusive environments where people feel comfortable being authentic, reducing the need for masking and helping everyone thrive.

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What does it really mean to be “in the zone”?

In this episode, we explore hyperfocus—that intense state where time disappears and productivity soars. Often linked to creativity, ADHD, and deep work, hyperfocus can feel like a superpower… until it isn’t.

We unpack the science behind it, share personal experiences, and discuss how hyperfocus can both help and hinder our lives. How do you harness it without burning out or losing balance? Tune in as we dive into the double-edged nature of being completely locked in.

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Ever feel like time just… disappears?

In this episode, we dive into time blindness—what it really is, why it happens, and how it can quietly shape our daily lives. From missed deadlines to that constant feeling of running late, we unpack the science and psychology behind our distorted sense of time.

Whether you’ve experienced it yourself or are just curious, we explore practical ways to manage it, share relatable stories, and challenge the idea that it’s simply “bad time management.”

Because sometimes, it’s not about trying harder—it’s about understanding how your brain works.

🎧 Tune in and rethink your relationship with time.

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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 overwhelming
• How workplace structures can unintentionally trigger avoidance
• Real stories from listeners navigating demand avoidance at work
• Practical ways managers and teams can design work that supports autonomy instead of triggering resistance

Steph 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.

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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’t
• Why perceived rejection can feel so intense and immediate
• How RSD and demand avoidance show up in professional environments
• The hidden ways perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout develop
• Practical tools to manage triggers and create safer, more supportive work environments

Steph 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.

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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 mean
• Why many organisations still struggle to support neurodivergent employees
• Steph’s personal story of the “ADHD interview face-drop” moment
• The reality of juggling work, life, and neurodivergence
• Eye-opening statistics about employment and workplace inclusion
• Five practical, realistic ways organisations can reduce stigma and support different thinking styles

We 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.