This week’s episode… whew. Neurodiversity is a conversation we’ve wanted to have for a long time. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy one, but our incredible panel were tremendously generous in sharing their own lived experiences, challenges, and perspectives. It’s emotional, illuminating, and — by far — the largest panel we’ve hosted to date. (Spoiler: this will not be the last episode on this subject. Listen in to hear why!)
We didn’t just “talk about neurodiversity,” we explored the lived experience of being misunderstood: as a child, as a student, as an adult, as an employee, and as a friend.
We talked about growing up thinking you’re the “problem.” About masking for survival. About being told you’re less intelligent. About carrying shame you didn’t earn. About finally getting a diagnosis and feeling the puzzle pieces click together. About the freedom, and complexity, of unmasking and embracing who you truly are.
And the guests? Each of their stories could be a book.
🟦 Odera Macfoy Akachukwu
* Nigerian-born entrepreneur, speaker, and transformation strategist
* Founder & CEO of StayLyte Inc.
* Turned dyslexia into a strategic advantage in systems thinking and creativity
🟧 Dr. Maja Czarzasty-Zybert
* Lawyer, energy expert, and diversity advocate in STEM and motorsport
* Founder of Minds on Track, supporting neuro-inclusive performance teams
🟩 Marcus Cecil de Vasconcelos
* Neurodiversity coach and organisational culture consultant
* 20+ years of global business leadership
* Diagnosed autistic in his late 40s after decades of masking
🟪 Pilar Ibanez Ruiz
* Social services leader, writer, and trauma-informed practitioner
* Background in Social Pedagogy with 30 years across frontline & leadership roles
* Diagnosed autistic and gifted in her 40s after years navigating bipolar disorder and exclusion
🟨 Lara Rodwell — Autism
* Journalist and founder of The Lonely Club
* Creates safe meet-ups for young people to talk, connect, and feel less alone. Champion for stigma-free, youth-led, inclusive social spaces
* Focuses on the link between neurodivergence and loneliness
Five wildly different lives that somehow harmonised into one truth:our systems are not designed for different kinds of minds and it doesn’t have to be this way. Advocacy is essential but not easy.
Some of the moments that stayed with us:
💬 “Many young people are masking and don’t know they’re doing it… this becomes trauma later.” — Pilar💬 “The day I was diagnosed was the most beautiful day of my life.” — Maja💬 “I masked for close to 40 years.” — Marcus💬 “I wasn’t dumb. I was reborn.” — Odera💬 “There aren’t enough safe spaces for young people to feel accepted.” 💬 “ I was always labeled as too sensitive, too emotional, I lost my voice, I couldn’t speak and that led to shutdowns and it’s led to me having to do a lot of work to regain power over using my voice and sharing my opinion and sharing my insights because that was always shut down.”— Lara
This is a conversation for anyone who believes in an inclusive world. It’s about celebrating differences, developing empathy, and understanding people who are not like us , which, let’s face it, applies to everyone.
So join us. Listen. Learn. Let’s talk about neurodiversity until we all get it and until we can help build a world that truly works for many kinds of minds.
