Inside the Pickle Jar: Connecting with the Spectrum
Tonya Weaver
70 episodes
3 days ago
Hello friends… in this conversation, I share my experiences with frustration, emotional intelligence, and the challenges of hosting during the holiday season. I talk about the importance of self-care, managing anxiety, and setting personal goals, especially for neurodivergent individuals. I’ve been wandering through my own inner weather lately—frustration tucked under one arm, emotional intelligence under the other, trying to host life (and the holidays!) with as much grace as a human ...
All content for Inside the Pickle Jar: Connecting with the Spectrum is the property of Tonya Weaver and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Hello friends… in this conversation, I share my experiences with frustration, emotional intelligence, and the challenges of hosting during the holiday season. I talk about the importance of self-care, managing anxiety, and setting personal goals, especially for neurodivergent individuals. I’ve been wandering through my own inner weather lately—frustration tucked under one arm, emotional intelligence under the other, trying to host life (and the holidays!) with as much grace as a human ...
Summary In this episode, Tonya Weaver-Davis explores the concept of emotional intelligence, its significance in personal and professional relationships, and how it can be nurtured and developed. She discusses the impact of culture on emotional intelligence, the role of neurodiversity, and the importance of understanding emotional responses. Tonya emphasizes the need for mindfulness and the practice of pausing to enhance emotional awareness and growth, ultimately encouraging listeners to share...
In this episode of Inside the Pickle, I discuss the importance of self-care for neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing the need for community support and accountability. I introduce the Spoon Theory to explain energy management and offers practical strategies for setting realistic self-care goals. The conversation also explores gamification techniques, such as the Pickle Points system, to encourage adherence to self-care routines and create a sense of achievement. I invite listeners to share...
In this episode, I just want to update everybody on where I am in my own growth, share holiday wishes, and my upcoming hopes for the channel and for all of you. I tell more of my personal journey as a neurodivergent individual and my experiences as a parent of neurodivergent children. I talk about going into therapy again, the importance of embracing neurodiversity, building community, and providing support for those who may feel isolated, both the neurodivergent and their parents. I also emp...
In this conversation, I discuss the importance of authenticity during Thanksgiving and emphasize that the holiday should not be a performance to meet neurotypical expectations. Instead, it should be a time to honor your own rhythms and redefine hospitality. I want people to understand the significance of belonging to oneself rather than conforming to societal norms. Takeaways Thanksgiving should honor personal rhythms, not societal expectations.It's important to redefine hospitality in a way ...
In This Episode: Performative Allyship and Extortion NOTE: New format that includes a 1 min trailer. 🤴In this episode, I discuss the problematic representation of neurodivergent individuals in media and entertainment. I critique the performative nature of allyship, the misrepresentation of neurodivergence in popular shows, and the fetishization of neurodivergent traits on social media. I really emphasize the need for authentic representation and true allyship and I urge listeners to reflect o...
NOTE: New format that includes a 1 min trailer. Meet Tom, a neurodivergent employee of Waitrose that worked 400 hours without pay and learn how Waitrose screwed him over. This conversation delves into the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workplace, particularly in light of recent rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Tonya Weaver-Davis discusses the systemic discrimination and exploitation that neurodivergent employees often encounter, using specif...
In this episode, Tonya Weaver-Davis discusses the troubling political landscape in the United States, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. She highlights the impact of economic downturns, corporate culture, and recent policy changes that threaten the rights and accommodations for neurodivergent employees. The conversation also delves into the prevalence of bullying and discrimination in the workplace, the psychological motivations behind such behaviors,...
In this conversation, Tonya Weaver-Davis discusses the controversy surrounding ultra runner Camille Herron and her advocacy for disability accommodations for herself during the 24-Hour World Championships. Tonya critiques Camille's actions, emphasizing the importance of supporting not just yourself but the neurodivergent community as a whole and the need for athletes and people to advocate for one another. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Tonya highlights the challenges faced by neuro...
Hello Pickle Pals! In this episode, Tonya Weaver explores the critical components of emotional intelligence, particularly focusing on self-awareness and its significance in inclusive leadership. She emphasizes the importance of listening, curiosity, and empathy in fostering a psychologically safe environment. The conversation delves into practical strategies for enhancing self-awareness and mindful listening, ultimately guiding leaders to engage more effectively with their teams and create a ...
In this episode, Tonya Weaver-Davis delves into the intersection of neurodivergent leadership and emotional intelligence. She discusses the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent leaders, particularly in navigating conflict and emotional responses. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment, managing defensive reactions, and the power of labeling emotions to enhance emotional regulation. Tonya also highlights the significance of self-awareness...
In this episode of Inside the Pickle Jar, Tonya Weaver explores the critical role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in the workforce, particularly in leadership and team dynamics. She emphasizes that EQ is not a soft skill but a vital component for effective communication, conflict resolution, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Tonya discusses the importance of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the unique perspectives of neurodivergent individuals in understanding and applying e...
Hey pickle pals! Tonya here with the finale of our neurodiversity hiring series, and this one's packed with actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Over the past month, we've explored why neurodivergent talent is crucial for innovation, the unconscious biases blocking these brilliant minds, and the psychological safety needed for them to thrive. Now, I'm bringing it all together with concrete steps to transform your workplace. Whether you're a neurodivergent professional looking ...
Hey pickle pals! I'm about to reveal the invisible force field keeping brilliant neurodivergent minds out of your workplace. Have you ever wondered why companies keep hiring the same types of thinkers despite claiming to value "innovation" and "outside-the-box thinking"? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the psychological shortcuts that sabotage genuine neurodiversity efforts. 🎧 Tune in now to decode these biases and prepare for next week's episode, where I'll share actionable ...
Hey pickle pals! Tonya here, continuing our deep dive into why neurodivergent talent is essential for workplace innovation. In this second episode of our series, I'm tackling the unconscious biases that prevent neurodivergent professionals (like myself and maybe you!) from getting hired - despite our proven advantages in problem-solving and innovation. Drawing from the brilliant work of Dr. Ludmila Praslova and Dr. Maureen Dunn, I break down: The specific psychological heuristics blocking neu...
Hey pickle pals! Tonya here, kicking off an eye-opening four-part series that might just change how you see neurodivergent talent in the workplace. For years we have been overlooked or unwanted but in this series I am unpacking why that is. AND why that shouldn’t be the case. I share both research and real-world examples (including a fascinating historical case study) that demonstrate why neurodivergent thinking isn't just "different,” it's often precisely what's needed to solve today's...
In episode 52 of Inside the Pickle Jar, we mark podcast's one-year anniversary! This is part two of a discussion on Neurodignity and self-regulation. Topics include ADHD, emotional regulation, and various self-regulation strategies such as sensory recalibration and daily maintenance. If you’ve enjoyed any of my episodes oer the past year - I would be so happy if you left a five-star review! It really helps me out. Connect with the panelists: Dr. Ludmila Praslova LinkedIn https://www.linkedin....
I did a panel on self-regulation and it was so valuable I decided to share it with my Inside the Pickle Jar peeps! Please enjoy the first part of the panel, all about self-regulation. In the episode we get into how each of us handles self-regulation, including tips on how you can do it as well! Connect with the panelists: Dr. Ludmila Praslova LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludmila-praslova/ Cathy Rashidian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyrashidian/ Jamie Lee LinkedIn: https:...
Hey pickle pals! Tonya here with a revelation that explains SO much about the neurodivergent experience! In this landmark episode, I explore groundbreaking research connecting high IQ with processing differences - solving the mystery of why so many brilliant minds struggle with seemingly "simple" tasks. You'll discover: Why many high-IQ individuals remain undiagnosed until adulthoodThe science behind the "smart but scattered" paradoxPractical strategies for parents, teachers, and employersHow...
Hey there, pickle pals! Today we're tackling something that makes many neurodivergent professionals break out in a cold sweat: financial conversations. In today's episode, I'm opening up about my own money-talk struggles as a neurodivergent leader and sharing the game-changing strategies that finally helped me thrive in these conversations. You'll discover: Why traditional financial presentations are literally designed to confuse our neurodivergent brains (and how to transform them into somet...
Hey pickle pals! Tonya here with the FINALE of our emotional intelligence series - and it's a juicy one! I got the brilliant Beth Grimm again onto the Pickle Jar universe to tackle the burning question: in a world obsessed with AI, what makes neurodivergent minds irreplaceable? In this conversation, Beth and I explore: Why traditional EQ advice fails neurodivergent brains (and what actually works)The post-COVID shifts that have surprisingly ADVANTAGED many neurodivergent professionalsBeth's a...
Inside the Pickle Jar: Connecting with the Spectrum
Hello friends… in this conversation, I share my experiences with frustration, emotional intelligence, and the challenges of hosting during the holiday season. I talk about the importance of self-care, managing anxiety, and setting personal goals, especially for neurodivergent individuals. I’ve been wandering through my own inner weather lately—frustration tucked under one arm, emotional intelligence under the other, trying to host life (and the holidays!) with as much grace as a human ...
