Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging

Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging
Podcast Description
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
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes of neurodiversity, innovation, and inclusivity in business, featuring episodes such as Designing NeuroInclusive Workplaces with Kay Sargent and Investing in Neurodiversity with Jesse Morris. Specific topics include the impact of neurodiversity on workplace design, investment strategies for neuroinclusive startups, and the broader implications of embracing diversity in work culture and customer engagement.

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
This week, Nathan welcomes Kay Sargent, Senior Principal and Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors at HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. She is also the author of the groundbreaking book, Designing NeuroInclusive Workplaces.
Kay challenges the “one-size-fits-all” office model, advocating for flexible, inclusive design rooted in choice and sensory diversity. She shares evidence-backed strategies that enhance productivity, engagement, and well-being, making a clear case for why the most effective workplaces are designed with neurodiversity and flexibility at their core.
Timestamps
(09:00) The six modalities of work and how to design for each
(15:45) “This is the first office that I’ve ever been able to come into where I don’t get headaches.”
(20:26) “ If you’re addressing the environment but not the operational side, you’re setting people up for failure.”
For a transcript and more resources, visit Minds at Work on Understood.org. You can also email us at [email protected].
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.

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