Dr. Ludmila Praslova on The Canary Code: Why Neurodivergent People Sense Workplace Problems First

<p>Most workplace advice was built for neurotypical brains. Dr. Ludmila Praslova&#39;s <em>The Canary Code</em> was built for the rest of us.</p><p>Brett sits down with Dr. Praslova — organizational psychologist, Vanguard University professor, 2025 Thinkers50 Talent Award winner, and the first person to publish in <em>Harvard Business Review</em> from an autistic perspective. Her book reframes the coal-mine metaphor through what we now understand about neurodivergent brains. The canary isn&#39;t the victim of the story. The canary is the employee whose biology lets them sense problems first. Neurodivergent people — those of us with autism, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexia, Tourette&#39;s, and other ways of processing the world — are playing that role in modern workplaces. We notice broken workflows, toxic culture, and ethical drift before anyone else does. Most organizations treat the signal as the problem.</p><p>This conversation covers what to do instead — the six principles of The Canary Code, the Platinum Rule, the derailers that quietly kill neurodiversity work, and how to navigate a workplace that isn&#39;t ready to change yet.</p><p><strong>Get the book:</strong> <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9798890571601" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9798890571601</a></p><p><strong>Connect with Dr. Praslova:</strong> <a href="thecanarycode.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">thecanarycode.com</a></p><p>Chapters</p><p>(00:00) Introduction </p><p>(02:38) The Real History of Canaries in Coal Mines </p><p>(04:24) Why Neurodivergent Brains Sense Toxicity First </p><p>(05:19) &quot;Sensitive Does Not Mean Broken&quot; </p><p>(06:37) The Six Principles of The Canary Code </p><p>(09:53) The Platinum Rule and Holistic Belonging </p><p>(13:19) Why Common Sense Isn&#39;t Common Practice </p><p>(16:48) Derailers That Kill Neurodiversity Work </p><p>(19:00) Navigating Managers Without Burning Out </p><p>(25:09) Why We Need More Neurodivergent Leaders </p><p>(25:56) Where to Find The Canary Code</p><p><br></p><p><em>If you&#39;re an HR or L&amp;D leader interested in bringing this work into your organization, I offer corporate training and consulting. Email </em><a href="mailto:brett@audhdboss.com">brett@audhdboss.com</a><em>.</em></p>