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
43 episodes
Leveraging Neurodivergent Strengths in Leadership with Cheryl Richoux-Torres
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, I sit down with Cheryl Richoux-Torres, a neurodivergent leader, innovator, and fierce advocate for inclusive workplaces. Cheryl opens up about her personal and professional journey: from feelin...
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Episode 43
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33:04
Why Your Leg Bounce Drives Them Nuts: Stimming vs. Misokinesia
Ever catch yourself bouncing your leg, tapping a pen, or twisting your hair to self-soothe… only to notice someone next to you looking visibly irritated? 👀 Yeah. That might be misokinesia—when someone has a strong (usually negative) re...
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Episode 42
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25:47
Good Enough is Great: Mindfulness and Movement for ADHD & Autism, Part 2 with Dr. Freitag
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, I’m back with the brilliant Dr. Corinna Freitag — an executive coach, scientist, and fellow neurodivergent brain — for part two of our conversation on calming the nervous system.This tim...
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Episode 41
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26:55
Calming Your Nervous System as an Autistic Person with Dr. Corinna Freitag
If you’re autistic like me, your nervous system probably feels like it’s running Windows 95 on dial-up... during a thunderstorm. In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, I’m joined by Dr. Corinna Freitag — executive coach, fellow auti...
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Episode 40
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25:49
When Sitting Still Hurts: Diagnosed with ADHD at 37 with Sarah Sparkman
Okay, you know that moment when you realize ohhhhhh this brain isn’t broken—it’s just wired differently? Yeah, Sarah Sparkman had that moment at 37, when she was diagnosed with ADHD. And let me tell you, her story is one a lot...
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Episode 39
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42:58
Why Corporate Culture Fails Neurodiverse Adults And What Needs to Change, Part 2 with Mark Michaelis
What happens when you hit burnout hard—and the workplace isn’t built to support you? In this episode, I’m continuing my conversation with the brilliant Mark Michaelis, a senior merchandising exec with 26 years in Fortune 500 companies and
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Episode 38
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24:14
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