The Neurovation Podcast

In the first episode of the neurovation's second season, we meet Thomas, a creative engineer who transformed his dyslexia from a challenge into a strength. Diagnosed in high school and driven by his passion for tinkering, Thomas turned a birthday 3D printer into a tool for innovation, crafting functional art in the form of unique, mood-enhancing lamps. In this conversation, he shares his journey from academic hurdles to mastering design and technology, revealing how his dyslexic perspective fuels creativity and sparks innovation in a competitive market. Tune in for an inspiring look at how overcoming obstacles can light the way to new ideas.

In the fifth episode of the Neurovation Podcast, we meet Jennifer Cummings, a self-described "chronic entrepreneur" who has pursued numerous ventures while embracing and leveraging her neurodiversity. Jennifer's journey began with challenges in the school system, where she struggled with misdiagnoses and sought negative attention. However, with the right diagnosis and a strong support system, she discovered the tools to learn, grow, and thrive in diverse environments. Entrepreneurship became Jennifer’s outlet—a way to channel her creative thinking into meaningful business initiatives. Over the years, and starting at a young age, Jennifer founded various successful companies and shares with us some of the wisdom she’s gained from these experiences. Furthermore, after working as a teacher and witnessing the gaps in the American educational system, Jennifer became determined to drive change. She now strives to transform the system while empowering students to reach their full potential. Now the CEO of Pivot Zone and founder of a nonprofit, Jennifer shares how her neurodivergent perspective has shaped her career, driving her success and inspiring others to think differently.

In the fourth episode of the Neurovation Podcast, we meet Samüel Vaillancourt, who attempted to build an energy calculator modelling tool for Canada. After studying engineering and uncovering some of the challenges within the clean energy revolution, he decided to work in the energy industry to combat this tendency.  Inspired by energy calculators that have been developed in other countries, which empower citizens to model their nation’s energy future at their fingertips, Samüel set out to create a similar tool for Canada. Balancing his full-time work in decarbonization for a large mining company, he undertook two attempts to develop this calculator. Throughout this episode, we explore his market testing, the requirements for building a national energy calculator, and the struggles he faced along the way. Samüel also shares insights on collaborating with the government, navigating the dilemma between non-profit and for-profit models, and how his ADHD has influenced his journey as an entrepreneur.

In the third episode of the Neurovation Podcast, we meet Tim Murdoch, founder of Murdoch International LTD, a Montreal-based independent management consulting firm specialising in Canada-US trade. Alongside advising clients across both countries, Tim also served as Head Coach for McGill Men’s Varsity Lacrosse Team. For 17 years he juggled between the roles, fitting consulting meetings between early-morning and late-evening lacrosse practices. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, Tim shares how he navigated his academic and professional journey, before seeking a diagnosis in his late fifties. He doesn’t view ADHD as a limitation, but rather a superpower that fuels his productivity and allows him to thrive in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.

In the second episode of the Neurovation Podcast, we meet Andreas Kunert, co-founder and creative director of Ancient Art of Stone. Alongside his wife Naomi, the pair create unique, personal, and art designs for clients using stone, cristal and bronze artwork. Throughout the episode, we learn about Andreas’ upbringing, his life of adventure, and how he came to work with the stone. Further, as an individual diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in the 70s (today known as Autism Spectrum Disorder), we learn about his unique visual abilities and the breakthroughs and challenges he faced in life and as a business owner.

In the first episode of the Neurovation Podcast, we meet Wiley Wakeman, a music student whose quarantine hobby turned into an up-and-coming fashion brand. The brand, Wakeman, named after Wiley’s last name, focuses on retelling the stories of the past by upcycling garments or fabrics and creating new pieces. Further, Wiley delves into his neurodiversity by sharing how dyslexia has impacted his life as an individual, a musician, and an entrepreneur. His curiosity, creative tendency, and ability to envision final products before sewing pieces together, are at the essence of his work.