{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks","title":"Episode 81: Jacob Kness","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2396,"description":"Welcome to episode #81! We’re thrilled to be joined by Jacob Kness today.\n\nJacob Kness is a social entrepreneur and project manager dedicated to improving autism employment opportunities. Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s after experiencing a childhood stroke, Jacob has spent years navigating the intersection of neurodiversity and the workplace.\nThrough his work at Asperger’s Victoria, he supports autistic job seekers by equipping them with skills, confidence, and opportunities for sustainable employment. In addition, his social enterprise Doughnuts provides hands-on employment experience, helping autistic individuals build real-world work skills.\nIn this episode, we discuss autism and ADHD in the workplace, balancing structure with flexibility, and how to create sustainable career opportunities for neurodivergent professionals.\nWelcome to the show, Jacob!\nQuestions\n\nJN: You were diagnosed quite early—what was that journey like?\nHad a stroke at five, which led to multiple diagnoses (autism, ADHD, epilepsy, Tourette’s)\nStruggled with acceptance, fought against diagnosis in early years\nLearned to reframe ADHD as a strength rather than a limitation\nJN: How did autism and ADHD impact your school experience?\nFaced behavioral challenges, moved through multiple schools\nADHD-driven impulsivity made structure difficult, but autism provided a counterbalance\nA teacher with personal experience in neurodiversity made a huge impact\nJN: What led you to entrepreneurship?\nLeft school at year 9, became a baker, then transitioned into social entrepreneurship\nWanted to create the support system he wished he had growing up\nBuilt Doughnuts as a way to provide structured employment for autistic individuals\nJN: What do you do at Asperger’s Victoria?\nManages employment support programs for autistic job seekers\nTeaches skills like resume writing, interview prep, and workplace adaptation\nWorks with major employers (e.g., ANZ Bank) to create neurodivergent-friendly hiring...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QZFZQrtBSDhon7MItX8a5mQvkXQ5KKmI2fe6dyhM72o/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNDE3LzE2NjEw/NjYyOTYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}