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As the days get longer and brighter, many of us feel happier, more energetic, and more social—but what's happening in the brain? In this episode, we explore the powerful role dopamine plays in shaping our behaviour during the summer months and how increased sunlight can influence our mood, motivation, and reward-seeking tendencies.

We take a closer look at the links between dopamine and food, alcohol, and drug use, examining why cravings and overindulgence can feel more tempting at this time of year. Most importantly, we share simple, practical strategies to help you enjoy the best of summer while staying balanced, mindful, and in control.

Whether you're curious about the science of pleasure or looking for ways to support your wellbeing this season, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips to help you make the most of the summer months.

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A single offhand comment can echo for years, and in workplaces it often hides in plain sight as “feedback”, “banter”, or “just how things are done”. We talk openly about how stigma shows up in real working life, from social stereotypes to internalised self-talk, and why micro stigma is so damaging. When you start making yourself smaller to fit in, that is not a personality flaw, it is a signal the environment is asking you to mask.

We also dig into the questions that cut through the noise: who is the workplace designed for, who has to mask to survive, and who gets labelled difficult. From there we tackle the strategy gap that so many organisations fall into, plenty of awareness and not enough follow-through. Neuroinclusion is not a shiny programme; it is everyday practice: clear communication, psychological safety, flexible work design, autonomy, and leadership that listens and then actually changes something.

Along the way, we share lived experiences of being told our natural communication is “too much”, “too blunt” or “too formal”, and how that can knock confidence and increase rejection sensitivity. We offer practical ways to rebuild your voice, including scripts like “I work best when…”, written agendas that make meetings safer, and manager questions that focus on removing blockers. We also zoom out to systems: redesigning processes with the people who use them, closing the feedback loop with “you said, we did”, embedding values through behaviour, and making sensory adjustments that stop punishing difference.

If you want neurodiversity and workplace inclusion to be more than posters on a wall, press play. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave us a review so more people find the conversation.

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Join Steph and Claire for an honest and informative conversation about Tourette Syndrome. In this episode, they share insights into what Tourette's is, challenge common misconceptions, and discuss the real-life experiences of people living with the condition. Together, they explore how greater awareness, understanding, and acceptance can make a meaningful difference. Whether you're looking to learn more about Tourette Syndrome or discover practical ways to support someone who has it, this episode offers valuable perspectives, education, and encouragement for everyone.

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Why do so many recruitment processes reward interview confidence rather than actual capability? In this episode of SEND It – Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore how traditional hiring practices can unintentionally exclude neurodivergent talent. From inclusive job adverts and interview adjustments to work trials, quiet spaces, and the Neurodiversity Employers Index, they unpack practical ways organisations can create fairer, more effective recruitment processes. Expect evidence, insights, workplace realities, and a healthy dose of humour along the way.

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What does inclusive hiring actually look like in practice? In this episode, Steph and Claire unpack the barriers hidden inside modern recruitment, from exclusionary job ads and rushed interviews to the lack of meaningful adjustments for disabled and neurodivergent candidates. Grounded in UK guidance from ACAS and GOV.UK, they explore why traditional hiring processes often measure confidence over competence, and what employers can do differently to create fairer opportunities for everyone.

They discuss Disability Confident schemes, reasonable adjustments, alternative interview formats, and why inclusion isn’t about “special treatment”, it’s about removing barriers. Whether you’re hiring staff, applying for jobs, or simply curious about how recruitment could be more accessible, this conversation challenges the idea that current systems are truly fair.

Because talent isn’t the problem—access is

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Ever struggle to stay focused or get things done on your own? In this episode, we dive into body doubling—the simple but powerful practice of working alongside someone else (even virtually!) to boost productivity and focus.

This isn’t just talk—we’ll body double together during the episode, so grab your favourite music, set up your workspace, and let’s tackle tasks side by side. Discover how pairing up can make challenging work feel easier, more fun, and way less lonely.

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Burnout is more than exhaustion — it’s a neurological and psychological response to chronic stress that reshapes how we think, feel, and work.

In this episode of The Brain at Work, Claire and Steph unpack the science behind burnout, exploring how stress impacts the brain, why motivation disappears, and how workplace systems often fuel cognitive overload.

They examine the different ways burnout presents in neurotypical and neurodivergent employees, including the hidden toll of masking, executive dysfunction, and emotional exhaustion. With real-world workplace examples and practical recovery strategies for both individuals and organisations, this episode offers a powerful look at how sustainable work design can help people move from surviving back to thriving.

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Ever feel like you want to start something but just… can’t?

In this episode of SEND It – Brains at Work, Steph and Claire unpack one of the most misunderstood drivers of motivation: dopamine. Far from being just the “feel-good” chemical, dopamine is what helps us start tasks, stay focused, and follow through — and for neurodivergent brains, it doesn’t always work in predictable ways.

We explore how dopamine impacts ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, why some tasks feel impossible while others spark hours of hyperfocus, and what’s really going on when motivation disappears. Drawing on research and real workplace examples, we reframe common struggles like procrastination, task paralysis, and burnout.

Most importantly, we share practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you work with your brain — from dopamine stacking and micro-tasking to designing environments that actually support focus and energy.

If you’ve ever thought, “I know it’s important… so why can’t I start?” — this episode is for you.

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