Championing Neurodiversity in Tech with Brett Greene, New Tech Northwest

Championing Neurodiversity: Brett Greene’s Journey from Music to TechBrett Greene has worn a lot of hats - music industry insider, executive coach, community builder - but around Seattle, he’s best known as the founder of New Tech Seattle. For more than a decade, Brett’s been at the heart of the region’s startup community, creating spaces where people can connect, share ideas, and spark new ventures. In this conversation, Brett talks about his path from music into tech, why community events matter, and how Seattle’s startup scene has changed over the years. He also digs into the role of ADHD and neurodiversity in tech — how it shows up, how teams can better support it, and why it’s often a hidden strength for entrepreneurs.00:00 Introduction02:01 From Music to Community Building08:33 COVID’s Impact on Seattle’s Tech Gatherings14:21 The Philosophy Behind Building Community16:04 ADHD in the Tech World21:08 Coaching Neurodivergent Teams26:07 Why Neurodiverse Founders Thrive in Startups30:22 The State of Seattle’s Startup Scene40:51 What’s Next for NewTechAbout Your HostEd Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.Brett Greene, Founder, New Tech NorthwestBrett is a community builder, executive coach, and founder of New Tech Northwest - a 60,000-strong community connecting technologists and entrepreneurs across the region. He launched New Tech Seattle in 2013 after earlier work in marketing and the music industry, and has been a central organizer of monthly meetups and ecosystem events ever since. As a coach, Brett specializes in ADHD and neurodiversity, drawing on a master’s in counseling psychology to help founders and teams improve focus, communication, and outcomes. His work has been featured by GeekWire and in national ecosystem spotlights, and he continues to advise leaders on creating inclusive, high-performance cultures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.