{"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 104: Mike Knapp","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/7a605839\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2189,"description":"🎧 Welcome to Episode #104 of the Focus and Chill Podcast!\nIn this powerful episode, we sit down with Mike Knapp to explore the intersection of burnout, late autism diagnosis, and what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent professional in tech.\n👤 About the Guest:\nMike Knapp is a serial entrepreneur, tech innovator, and former Google product lead. From co-founding the custom shoe company Shoes of Prey to building AI tools and launching Google’s Task Mate, Mike’s career is a masterclass in innovation. After facing debilitating burnout and being diagnosed with autism at 43, Mike now speaks openly about neurodivergence, self-awareness, and building sustainable success.\n💡 In This Episode, We Cover:\n- What burnout really looked like (and why it was misdiagnosed for years)\n- How discovering autism in adulthood reshaped Mike’s life\n- Challenges of masking and working in fast-paced tech environments\n- Morning & evening routines that actually work for neurodivergent brains\n- Balancing fatherhood, mental health, and meaningful work\n- Why compassion—for yourself and others—is essential for neurodivergent wellbeing \n00:00:00 – Intro + Guest Bio\n00:02:58 – Burnout Before Diagnosis\n00:03:30 – Realizing He’s Autistic at 43\n00:05:00 – Physical + Emotional Cost of Masking\n00:08:30 – Autistic Work Styles vs. Norms\n00:09:59 – Recovery & Shifting Expectations\n00:11:11 – Rejoining the Workforce (Differently)\n00:13:00 – New AI Job + Purpose-Driven Work\n00:16:03 – Tinkering with Tools, LLMs, and Side Projects\n00:18:00 – Teamwork, Improv & Learning from Burnout\n00:21:30 – Rewriting Internal Narratives & Delegation\n00:27:31 – Routines with a Toddler + Parenthood\n00:30:00 – Cooking Hacks, ADHD Evenings & Sleep Challenges\n00:33:00 – CPAP, Sleep Apnea & Neurodivergent Sleep\n00:33:47 – Final Thoughts: Compassion for All Brains\nConnect with Mike Knapp:\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpknapp\nWebsite: mikeknapp.xyz/ \nYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_F-0WWGvJ188KI6CXiVKWw\nEmail:...","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}