Welcome to episode #111! We’re thrilled to be joined by Yush Sztalkoper.
Yush Sztalkoper is a neurodivergent entrepreneur, coach and founder of Neuros Spark Plus. She works with parents of twice-exceptional children and with organizations to build neuro-inclusive cultures. Yush uses a positive intelligence approach to reshape self-sabotaging habits, reduce burnout and create support systems that fit neurodivergent brains.
Q&A
JN: How did your journey into neurodiversity start?
– Began with concerns for her son at age four and a half, which led to investigation and support.
– Her son is twice-exceptional - bright with learning differences.
– Her child’s profile sparked reflection and ultimately her own ADHD diagnosis about a year ago.
– Diagnosis brought clarity and permission to seek different supports.
JN: What changed after your diagnosis?
– Greater self-awareness and reduced guilt about needing supports.
– Shift from deficit thinking to strength-based perspective.
– Left corporate role two months after diagnosis to pursue more fitting work.
JN: How did culture and immigrant background shape your masking?
– Asian immigrant upbringing encouraged fitting in and masking differences.
– Masking led to long-term adaptation and people-pleasing strategies.
– Parenting revealed those patterns and forced new choices.
JN: What is Positive Intelligence and how does it help?
– A mindset method that identifies saboteurs and activates “sage” responses.
– Uses Activate and Empathy sages to ask “What is needed now?” and to give self-compassion.
– Helps shift victim thinking to opportunity-focused thinking for parenting and work.
JN: How do ADHD traits show up for you and your son?
– Time blindness, hyperfocus, intense interests, and masking differences.
– Rejection sensitivity and people-pleasing were major personal drivers.
– Hyperfocus can be an asset when channeled correctly.
JN: Why move from corporate to entrepreneur?
– Corporate expectations blocked expression of core strengths.
– Needed autonomy, flexibility and roles that let creativity and novelty thrive.
– Now builds services and community that scale human-centered support.
JC: How are you scaling your work?
– Local monthly in-person sessions for parents - created a nonprofit community hub.
– Neuros Spark Plus grew to offer coaching, small cohort programs and organizational consulting.
– Partnership model - Collab X - to amplify experts and scale impact beyond local reach.
JN: What does neuro-inclusive work look like in organizations?
– Help leaders co-create supports and build environments where masking is unnecessary.
– Teach self-advocacy skills so workers can express needs and leaders can listen.
– Focus on holistic supports across life stages, not siloed programs.
JC: How do you approach productivity for neurodivergent clients?
– Start with mindset - use Positive Intelligence to ask “What is needed now?”
– Laser focus on one actionable task rather than a long, stress-inducing to-do list.
– Build breaks, self-empathy and flexibility into routines to avoid burnout.
JN: Final ask or message?
– Lean into strengths and build systems that fit your brain.
– Early support prevents prolonged struggle - advocate for neuro-inclusion and shared community resources.
Connect with Yush:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yushsztalkoper/
Website: https://www.neurosparkplus.com/
Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io
Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/
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