Inside the Pickle Jar: Connecting with the Spectrum
Welcome to ‘Inside the Pickle Jar,’ the only podcast where being in a pickle is a good thing! It’s your go-to audio feast for all things neurodivergent. We’re like the crunchy dill to your sandwich, adding flavor to the way you see the world.
Each episode, we’ll dive headfirst into the kaleidoscope of neurodivergent life. Are you neurodivergent, or just neurocurious? A partner in crime to someone who marches to the beat of their own drum? Or maybe you’re a boss trying to decode the enigma of inclusive leadership? Buckle up, because this podcast is the Rosetta Stone for cracking the code of neurodiversity.
Join us for expert chit-chats, heartwarming tales, and pro tips that are more useful than a Swiss Army knife. ‘Inside the Pickle Jar’ is here to jazz up your journey to stronger connections, one episode at a time.
So, tune in and turn up the volume while we transform the way you perceive neurodiversity and unlock the potential in every unique mind.
Episodes
37 episodes
Embracing Your Neurodivergence in Corporate Spaces with Mark Michaelis
What happens when a Fortune 500 leader brings his full neurodivergent self to work—and refuses to shrink to fit? In this powerful episode, Tonya sits down with Mark Michaelis, Senior Director of Merchandising and outspoken advocate for autism a...
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Episode 37
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21:30
The Neurodivergent Hobby Graveyard (and Why Language Learning Stuck) Part Two with Beth Grimm
We’re back for part two with Beth Grimm! We’re talking hobbies, hyperfocus, and Harry Potter.Beth is not just a brilliant compliance expert and neurodivergent advocate — she’s also a language-learning enthusiast with some truly creative ...
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Episode 36
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27:31
Rethinking Language Learning for Neurodivergent People with Beth Grimm
This week, I’m chatting with Beth Grim, a total rockstar in aerospace and digital safety who also happens to be a passionate voice for neurodivergent leadership.She opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, how t...
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Episode 35
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26:10
Having Trouble Staying on Track? Body Doubling Might Be the Answer for Neurodivergent Minds
Struggling to stay on task? You’re not broken, your tools just need an upgrade.In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, host Tonya Weaver shares how neurodivergent brains can thrive with the right support syste...
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Episode 34
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20:01
A Spotlight on Neurodivergent Mental Health (Finally)
Why being “wired differently” isn’t a disadvantage – it's the future.In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver returns to the vital conversation around neurodiversity and mental health, first sparked in back ...
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Episode 33
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18:57
Let’s Talk About Bullying + Neurodivergent Kids
In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey with bullying - both what I experienced growing up and what I’ve seen as a parent of a neurodivergent child.We’re diving into what bullying really looks like, how to spot the sign...
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Episode 32
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20:49
Finances for Neurodivergent Minds: Tips on Working with a Financial Advisor
Ever felt like talking to a financial advisor is way more overwhelming than it should be? You're not alone. In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, I break down the biggest challenges neurodivergent folks face when dealing wit...
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Episode 31
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17:02
Navigating a Late Autism Diagnosis with Dr. Corinna Freitag - Part 2
In the second half of our powerful conversation with Dr. Corinna Freitag, we continue to explore her journey following a late autism diagnosis and the profound impact it's had on her life and work.Corinna—an executive coach with a backgr...
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Episode 30
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22:02
Turning a Diagnosis into a Superpower with Dr. Corinna Frietag
In this episode, Tonya sits down (once again!) with Dr. Corinna Freitag—executive coach, scientist, and now, diagnosed autistic adult. With over 30 years of experience in the natural and human sciences and nearly two decades in the chemical and...
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Episode 29
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24:08
Managing Through Change and Growth: Strategies for Neurodivergent Minds
Change can be overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent individuals - but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Tonya explores how to navigate life’s transitions with confidence and resilience. From adopting a growth mindset to setting clea...
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Episode 28
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27:07
The Neuroscience of ADHD: What’s Really Happening in the Brain?
ADHD is often misunderstood as just being easily distracted or having trouble sitting still—but there's so much more to it. In this quick yet value-packed episode, Tonya breaks down the neuroscience behind ADHD, explaining how it affects attent...
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Episode 27
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13:41
Understanding Sensory Sensitivities: Coping Strategies That Work
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver dives into sensory sensitivities, a common experience for neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. Tonya shares personal stor...
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Episode 26
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26:57
Protecting Your Peace: Boundaries, Self-Care & Navigating Tough Conversations
In this episode, Tonya Weaver, a neurodivergent relationship coach, dives into essential strategies for safeguarding your mental and emotional well-being. From setting boundaries and prioritizing rest to managing social media and difficult conv...
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Episode 25
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24:47
The Importance of Friendships
Friendship isn’t just about having people around, it’s about finding those who truly understand and support you. For neurodivergent individuals, forming and maintaining deep, authentic friendships can come with unique challenges, but the right ...
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Episode 24
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22:07
The Power of Metacognition: Thinking About Thinking
Ever caught yourself overthinking your overthinking? 🤯 Welcome to the world of metacognition—aka thinking about thinking. In this episode, we’re diving deep into how neurodivergent minds can harness this skill to boost learnin...
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Episode 23
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23:57
How Neurodiverse Employees Thrive with the Right Support, Part Two with Andrew Leith
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver continues her insightful conversation with executive coach Andrew Leith, diving deeper into neurodiversity and workplace inclusivity. Together, they discuss:🔹 The importance...
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Episode 22
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28:29
Building ACTUALLY Inclusive Workplaces for the Neurodiverse with Andrew Leith
So is asking for accommodation requests or ERGs really the best way to include neurodiverse employees? We’re not so sure. Tonya sits down with Andrew Leith to discuss creating truly inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent employees....
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Episode 21
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27:09
Lost Your Mojo? How to Find It and Keep Moving Forward
Lost Your Mojo? Here's How to Get It BackHave you hit a motivation slump already this year? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, host Tonya Weaver shares practical strategies to reignite...
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Episode 20
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21:43
Own Your Career Through Purposeful Networking: Part Two with Shari Chernack
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, host Tonya Weaver continues her deep dive with executive coach and strategist Shari Chernack. Shari shares valuable insights for the neurodivergent on navigating career challenges, managing workload str...
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Episode 19
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24:18
Career Growth Strategies for the Neurodivergent with Shari Chernack
What questions should you ask when interviewing for a new role or to better understand how to do well in your current role? This week we dig into how you can succeed as a neurodivergent employee.Tonya speaks with Shari Chernack, an execu...
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Episode 18
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27:36
How to Set Goals and Actually Accomplish Them in 2025
Ever set a resolution and actually accomplished it? If not, you aren't alone, there are so many reasons why resolutions aren't the right way to accomplish things.This episode Tonya discusses the pitfalls of traditional New Year's resolut...
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Episode 17
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19:45
Tools For Embracing Your Neurodivergence: Part Two with Corinna Freitag
This episode of Inside the Pickle Jar Tonya continues her deep dive into the experiences and expertise of Corinna Freitag, an executive coach with over 30 years in natural and human sciences. Corinna shares her journey of discovering she is aut...
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Episode 16
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22:56
Building Mental Muscles for Success with Corinna Freitag
This episode on Inside the Pickle Jar, we’re talking all about mindset, resilience, and growth with Dr. Corinna Freitag. As an executive coach, advisor, and speaker with over 30 years of experience in human and natural sciences, Dr. Fr...
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Episode 15
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22:13
Tips on Managing the Holidays for the Neurodivergent
Does the holiday season make you feel dread and anxiety because they are extra tough for your neurodivergent self?This episode of Inside the Pikcle Jar Tonya discusses the challenges neurodivergent people face during the holiday season. ...
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Episode 14
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24:08
The Connection Between Mental Health and Neurodiversity
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver explores the intersection of neurodiversity and mental health. The discussion covers various neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and their impact on mental health, includ...
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Episode 13
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45:19