{"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 96: April Lea","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2708,"description":"\nWelcome to episode number 96 of the Focus Chill podcast. \n\nWe’re thrilled to be joined by April Lea today. April is an ADHD founder with a background in product management and software engineering. She's passionate about removing the barriers that stop neurodivergent people from building themselves meaningful and sustainable careers.\nApril was late diagnosed with autism and ADHD in 2021 after spending her entire life bulldozing through walls to survive and integrate with society. When her disabilities finally caught up with her, her entire life had to change, and that is what fueled the creation of the Neurodiversity Network, an online career hub that wants to break down the barriers to meaningful careers for neurodivergent individuals around the world.\n\nQuestions:\n\nJN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?\nApril was diagnosed in 2021 after a breakdown. Her neurodivergence had been masked through sheer force of will until burnout caught up with her.\nShe describes the diagnosis as liberating – it explained why she felt like she was “trying to play life on hard mode.”\nJN: When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?\nShe had suspected differences from a young age but normalized them.\nThe collapse in 2021 was a turning point, making her finally confront and explore her neurodivergence.\nJN: What challenges did you face?\nConstant masking, sensory overload, and struggling with corporate norms.\nMisunderstandings in communication, expectations around performance, and the exhaustion of pretending to be “normal.”\nJN: What changes have come post diagnosis?\nShe’s leaned into self-awareness, rest, and pacing herself instead of pushing through.\nMore compassion toward herself and openness with others about her needs.\nDesigned her work life around her brain, not in spite of it.\nJN: What challenges do you still face now?\nSensory sensitivity, especially with lights and sounds.\nManaging energy and fatigue cycles.\nDealing with the internalized shame of...","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}