Autistic burnout and career change – with Shayonee Dasgupta

Autistic burnout and career change – with Shayonee Dasgupta

Author: Carolyn Kiel April 15, 2024 Duration: 50:40

Content note: This episode mentions thoughts about suicide and self harm. 

Shayonee Dasgupta is a Mumbai-based freelance writer and editor who initially pursued a career in law, working with corporate law firms in India. She found out she's autistic and has ADHD in her 30s, prompting a transformative journey of self-discovery and learning to navigate life anew.

During this episode, you will hear Shayonee talk about:

  • What it was like growing up before her diagnosis 
  • How the challenges she faced working as a lawyer led to her burnout
  • The struggle she faced to get the right mental healthcare and support after her burnout 
  • How she received her autism and ADHD diagnosis 
  • Her decision to start a new career as a freelance writer
  • Handling expectations from both her extended family and Indian society
  • How she defines success in her own way

To find out more about Shayonee and her work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Podcast Episodes
Tourette's advocacy on TikTok – with Monica Nguyen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:44
Note: This episode contains occasional swearing (coprolalia). Monica Nguyen is a 20-year-old disability advocate who lives in Sydney, Australia. Monica began sharing her experiences online after facing a lot of discrimin…
Apraxia Story – with Tessa McEvoy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:40
Content warning: This episode mentions emotional abuse. Tessa McEvoy is autistic, has a speech disability called Oral Motor Apraxia, and was recently diagnosed bipolar. She talks about her experiences on her popular Face…
ADHD and the Black neurodivergent community – with Rickey Z [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:35
Rickey Z is a Pre-K Special Education teacher who started her podcast management business in 2020. She is a co-host on Woe Nelly Media's "Geekin' Out" and is in partnership with ADHD + Black, an up-and-coming organizatio…
Disability representation in media – with Jeremy Andrew Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
Jeremy Andrew Davis is a screenwriter, film director, and consultant for disability representation in media. He describes himself as multi-disabled with several neurodivergencies as well as chronic illnesses. As a recogn…
Leaning into your ADHD strengths – with Dr. Lola Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:10
Dr. Lola Day is a multi-passionate busy mother of 3, a pediatric cardiologist, podcaster and ADHD trained life coach and productivity strategist for women. She is also the CEO and Founder of LollieTasking, a coaching and…
Tourette Syndrome representation in film - with Jack RH O'Sullivan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
Jack RH O'Sullivan is an award-winning independent filmmaker and film director based in London. He is autistic, has Tourette Syndrome and OCD. He has directed ten short films including "Tourettes & I", a coming-of-age dr…
An autistic Christian experience – with Miya Sae [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:33
Miya Sae is an autistic Christian, blogger, and aspiring author. Through her writing, she strives to help bridge the neglected gap between autism and Christianity, while bringing hope and encouragement to other misunders…