Fix The System: Neal Glendenning on ADHD Burnout, Neuroinclusion, and Care That Actually Works

Mike and Chaya sit down with Neal Glendenning, founder of The Neuro Inclusion Project and NdCare Group, who is building neurodivergent care systems rooted in lived experience, compassion, and real-world support. Neal opens up about ADHD burnout, hospitalization, and the moment he realized that awareness alone was never going to be enough. He explains what it means to redesign healthcare, workplaces, and power structures so neurodivergent people are not just accommodated, but truly understood and empowered. We Also Cover: Neal’s personal experience with ADHD burnout and hospitalization Why current therapies often fall short for ADHD and AuDHD people Building an end-to-end ADHD care pathway from pre-diagnosis to lifelong support The difference between awareness and real neuroinclusion Why compromised systems often fail the people they were meant to serve How work environments strip meaning, creativity, and humanity from people Flexible work, productivity, and honoring neurodivergent energy patterns Why hierarchy blocks collective wisdom and system change The role of neurodivergent people in rebuilding broken systems Neal’s vision for public-first ADHD support through the NHS and beyond Quotes: "Any system is limited by the person that is actually in control of it." — Neal Glendenning "You shouldn't have to settle for some system that's compromised." — Neal Glendenning "We’ve taken industrialization too far because now we’re trying to industrialize human beings." — Neal Glendenning "The one benefit of the collapse is rebirth." — Neal Glendenning About Neal Glendenning: Neal Glendenning is the founder of The Neuro Inclusion Project, an ADHD advocate, innovator, and systems thinker working to create a world where neurodivergent people are not just accommodated, but fully understood, supported, and empowered. After navigating his own journey with ADHD, Neal saw how often the systems meant to support neurodivergent people fail to recognize the full picture: the strengths, the struggles, the creativity, the chaos, and the emotional toll of being misunderstood. Through therapy, psychoeducation, corporate training, and community outreach, Neal bridges the gap between neurodiversity awareness and meaningful action. His work challenges outdated narratives, breaks stigma, and helps individuals, teams, and organizations build ADHD-affirming systems rooted in compassion, evidence, lived experience, clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Connect with Neal Glendenning: The Neuro Inclusion Project: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/ Meet Neal and the Team: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/about-us/our-team/ Enquire About Speaking: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/neuro-inclusion-project/enquire-about-speaking/ Neal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-glendenning-142406a4/ Recommended Reading: The Future Belongs to Systems That Can Tolerate Human Variability: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/c939df17-d7f4-4a31-bcc8-aba68a41bb89/The-Future-Belongs-to-Systems-That-Can-Tolerate-Human-Variability.pdf Shame Is a System Maintenance Tool: https://www.theneuroinclusionproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/dceb5e25-377d-4d69-9e4b-98e0e4eb8120/Shame-Is-a-System-Maintenance-Tool.pdf ADHD: Beyond Inattention and Hyperactivity: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_adhd-mentalhealthawareness-neurodiversity-activity-7333550656080818177-VEOy/ Stop Fixing Neurodivergent People. Fix the System.: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_neurodiversity-inclusion-leadership-activity-7331782322406490112-9Z4P/ The Hidden Toll of Late Autism Diagnosis: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-glendenning-142406a4_latediagnosis-autisminadults-neurodiversity-activity-7351506009971982338-rxfo/ Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds https://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/ All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803 Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/ As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.