The stereotype is that autistic people are these techy, mathy, introverted, quiet people.

But I think that what we are really learning is that that's not necessarily true.

I'm Maura Aronsmaley, and this is The Anxious Achiever. We look at stories from business leaders who have dealt with anxiety, depression, or other

mental health challenges, how they fell down, how they pick themselves up, and how they hope

workplaces can change in the future.

The goal of this show is to increase awareness and cut back on the shame of all things having to do with brain health.

And one thing I'm always interested in, in particular, is neurodiversity.

You might remember a previous guest, Dan Bastion, who is co-founder of Angie's boom,

chickapop, who said he felt stupid growing up with undiagnosed ADHD. But the shame, the feeling like you need to hide your difference, that's changing.

There's real progress, and I'm super grateful. I listen to my own children and their peers

talk openly about their diagnoses and their IEPs and their ADHD. Of course, this isn't

true everywhere. But in the work world, bold companies

are leading by example, and the education field is too. On today's show, we're going to hear

three different perspectives on neurodiversity at work. A little later in the show, we'll speak to

Emily Kirchner-Morris, who's host of the

Neurodiversity Podcast and a mental health counselor for gifted, twice exceptional, and

neurodivergent people. But first, a window into a company that's truly embracing

neurodiversity, Procter and Gamble, P&G. We'll start by hearing a little bit of my conversation

with Danny Lakes, a PNG manager

and software developer, and a man who's on the autism spectrum. I asked Danny about his

experience growing up, what he likes about his job, and how the working world is different for him.

Tell me what you love to do in your spare time outside of work.

...