Differently Aligned - AI, Systems & Strategy for Neurodivergent Business Owners

Hosted by Adina Levy

Business Entrepreneurship

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Sep 2026

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About the show

AI, systems and strategy for neurodivergent business owners, hosted by Adina Levy. Honest chats, real tools, and a slightly obsessive love of making business actually fit your brain. For when your business has grown into a fabulous, tangled mess that doesn't quite fit you. We untangle it together, using AI and systems in a way that suits how you actually work. Less friction, more flow, more fun. Business can fit your life, change the world AND make money. Everyone is welcome here, whatever your neurotype, gender, race, size, orientation, and all the other things that make you... you!

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45 recent

September 10, 2026Episode 4846 min

Building a business that works with your brain

I was a guest on Cheri Strecker's podcast OT's Figuring It Out , and we got into shedding the shoulds, the sunk cost fallacy, my no meetings before 11am rule, and the data that helps me say no to my own ideas, all of which applies to any Neurodivergent business owner, whatever line of business you're in. "Recognise what you need. And even if you don't exactly know what you need, allow yourself to explore that and believe it's valuable and valid. What you need is important, and it's not the last thing to be considered." In this episode I share: The dream I thought I wanted, and why chasing it would've made me an HR manager Why your own needs come before the expected path, and the experiments that let you run business your way The time tracking data that helps me say no to my own ideas, and why I stopped trying to do it alone LINKS OT's Figuring It Out, Episode 10: Building a Business That Works With Your Brain - the original episode this chat comes from, on Cheri's podcast for OTs figuring out practice, business and life Charge Your Mind - Cheri's other business, and the book they sell through it Clockify - the free time tracking app Cheri uses, if you want to know where your hours actually go FREE - The Drowning in Admin Quiz - if your admin is a fabulous, overwhelming, tangled mess, this 10 minute chat helps you work out what to fix first and gives you the AI prompt to start fixing it. You'll hear me call it the AI Admin Audit in the episode: same quiz, better name! Neurodivergent Business Collective - you don't have to do it alone . My ongoing community for Neurodivergent business owners, with group coaching and resources Connect with Cheri Strecker: Podcast: OT's Figuring It Out on Instagram Website: WonderGlow OT Shop: WonderGlow OT resources Connect with Adina: Podcast: Differently Aligned Podcast Website: Differently Aligned Business Coaching Instagram: @differently.aligned

September 1, 2026Episode 4727 min

I ran my first (Un)Conference. Here's what worked (and what I'll never do again)

Running my first Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference was the biggest thing I've ever done, and this is the business half of my two-part episode about it: the pricing, the systems, the anxiety, and the decisions that were hard at the time but really paid off. "If you have a big idea, a big dream, a big scary thing (it doesn't have to be an event), maybe do a minimal version of it that allows you to prove to yourself that the big scary thing is worthwhile. Give it a go, because sometimes that big scary thing is just what you needed to do." In this episode I share: The decisions that went against my nature and paid off, especially how I priced and structured the tickets Setting out to break even, beating a stretch goal I never believed in, and the timeline that slipped The systems that ran the whole thing, and the disaster plans I almost never needed LINKS Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, Episode 66: What I learned from the brilliant Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference speakers - listen for what I learned from each speaker and the ideas I'm taking back into my Neurodiversity Affirming work Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference - get the Day 1 recordings for 3 months , use POD20 for 20% off , or join the 2027 email list Neurodivergent Business Collective - for Neurodivergent business owners who want their business to fit their capacity and life . Use POD20 for 20% off every month you're a member Connect with Adina: Podcast: Differently Aligned Podcast Website: Differently Aligned Business Coaching Instagram: @differently.aligned

June 3, 2026Episode 4512 min

Why you can't build your business alone

The thing you know would help your business is still sitting there half-done, and it is not a discipline problem, it is that you cannot pin down what your version looks like on your own and the things you do know do not get done alone. "You can't do business alone. You can't do life alone. You don't need to, and you don't have to figure it all out yourself." WATCH ON YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/slQntRnSKiY In this episode I share: The body double session where one of my members asked if I had done my walk, and how that one question in the moment got me off the excuse and onto my dusty Peloton bike for 20 minutes that left my body and brain happy Why the half-built things stay half-built when you are solo, from the unfinished AI prompt for your Instagram carousels to the client follow-ups you keep meaning to set up to the website you have been rebuilding for six months How the Neurodivergent Business Collective is built to fix that, with live group coaching to get specific about your actual business and a room of other ND business owners so the work actually gets done, starting with a monthly focus on using AI for your emails LINKS Bonus webinar replay, From Inbox Chaos to Inbox Zero: The AI Method for Neurodivergent Business Owners - Watch or listen (on the podcast feed) until 10th June 2026 Neurodivergent Business Collective Premium Membership - live group coaching, ND community, monthly focus and a growing library, doors close Wed 10th June 2026 My freebies page - what else is available if you are listening after the cart closes Connect with Adina: Podcast: Differently Aligned podcast Website: Differently Aligned Instagram: @differently.aligned

May 27, 2026Episode 4418 min

Can you use AI with your emails without breaking client confidentiality?

Two very different ways to use AI with your emails, two very different privacy implications, and a safe pathway to start today without compromising client confidentiality. "It's literally the first time in my adult life that I've been able to achieve inbox zero. What it means is providing better customer support, and I'm providing the kind of care and help that I want to. And it's costing me less in terms of my own energy." WATCH ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97iprSWD4UU In this episode I share: In this episode I share: The privacy, confidentiality and data security questions you need to be across before using AI with any client data, including the boring-but-important provider policies, the laws and regulations for your industry and location, and your own privacy policy Pathway one, the copy-paste setup: keep client info out of AI while still teaching it your voice, your FAQs, your template bank and your email rules, so it drafts for you without ever seeing identifying client data Pathway two, connected and agentic access: letting AI live inside your inbox to process emails as they come in, draft replies, add tasks to your list, and shortcut the whole email process once the building blocks and policies are in place LINKS Free webinar - From Inbox Chaos to Inbox Zero: The AI Method for ND Business Owners - Mon 1 Jun 2026, 11am to 12pm Sydney Neurodivergent Business Collective Premium membership - doors opening Mon 1 Jun 2026, closing Wed 10 Jun 2026 Foundd Legal templates - 15% off via my affiliate link Connect with Adina: Podcast: Differently Aligned podcast Website: Differently Aligned Instagram: @differently.aligned

May 20, 2026Episode 4317 min

Stop dabbling: Why you can't AI your way out of trying to fix everything

If you're dabbling with AI prompts, custom GPTs and half-done systems that aren't really working together, this is your permission to stop trying to fix everything at once and start with one part of your business at a time. "If your business is scattered and doesn't fit you, chucking some AI layers on top is just going to dial up how scattered your business is feeling for you." WATCH ON YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/qkRa5MO_5do In this episode I share: Why dabbling with AI doesn't lead to actual results, and why AI on top of a scattered business just dials up the scatter, where AI on top of a streamlined area is where the leverage actually shows up The shift I want you to get your mind into: stop trying to build all the pieces at once, pick one part of your business to fix, start wherever the most friction is, take it to completion, then build the next piece in The semi-automated daily routine I've just built in Notion this week, where a few keystrokes let me hand off all my repetitive daily tasks to run in the background, so I'm not relying on memory and not paying extra for Notion AI agents LINKS Free webinar: From Inbox Chaos to Inbox Zero: The AI Method for ND Business Owners – live Mon 1 June 2026 – https://differentlyaligned.com/webinar-inbox-zero-with-ai/ DA Podcast Ep 41: The One System That Stops the Questions and Double-Work – the ops manual episode I referenced – https://differentlyaligned.com/podcast-41/ Neurodivergent Business Collective – my membership where we work month by month on specific areas of your business and systems, doors open 1 June 2026 – https://differentlyaligned.com/neurodivergent-business-collective/ Connect with Adina Podcast : https://pod.link/1729123916 Website : https://differentlyaligned.com Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/differently.aligned/

May 13, 2026Episode 4228 min

Choosing the right tool: AI, automation, or human?

It doesn't have to be all or nothing: I'm a massive fan of using AI for the right jobs, but you don't have to do every job fully with AI or with human or with automation. In this episode I share where my human brain stays in the thinking, where my human heart stays in the connecting, and how I choose between AI, automation, or doing it myself once costs come into play. "I don't want to lose my brain. I don't want to hand over my opinions or my discernment or my personality to AI." Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dgE2KqDGO-U You'll hear about: How to decide when a task needs your human brain, when AI can carry it, and when an automation wins How AI drafts my emails so I stop being the blocker, while my human eye keeps the real connection with clients on every reply Why I swapped a Notion AI agent running on every email for a manual button trigger, and the cost reasoning behind it Links & Resources mentioned: Free webinar! From Inbox Chaos to Inbox Zero, on Mon 1 Jun 2026 – https://differentlyaligned.com/webinar-inbox-zero-with-ai/ Neurodivergent Business Collective - AI, Systems and Support for neurodivergent business owners ready to untangle and thrive! https://differentlyaligned.com/neurodivergent-business-collective/ Connect with Adina: Podcast : https://differentlyaligned.com/podcast/ Website : https://differentlyaligned.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/differently.aligned/

January 29, 2026Episode 4125 min

The One System That Stops the Questions and Double-Work: Build an Ops Manual That Actually Gets Used

If you're tired of your team asking the same questions over and over, or finding yourself reinventing processes you've already figured out, this episode will show you the one system that can change everything. "Having a single hub, a central location where all the brains of your business live, means it doesn't have to live in your brain. It means you are not relying on yourself or your team, are not relying on you to be the holder of all the knowledge." In this episode, you'll learn about: Why an operations manual is the most important single piece you can build into your business to help everything else flow better The essential components your ops manual needs to actually get used, from AI-powered search to cross-device access and smart data organisation Practical strategies for building your ops manual as a work in progress, using AI to help you create it without getting overwhelmed by perfectionism LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED Differently Aligned AI Lab – Small group coaching program (Feb-July 2026) to build AI and automation systems in your business. Only 8 spots available – https://differentlyaligned.com/differently-aligned-ai-lab/ Neurodivergent Business Collective – Light touch support, resources, templates, webinars and community for neurodivergent business owners – https://differentlyaligned.com/neurodivergent-business-collective/

January 12, 2026Episode 4020 min

Get unstuck: Turn your rambling thoughts into strategic content (without the struggle)

If you overthink your content until nothing gets published, this episode shows exactly how I turn messy brain noise into clear, strategic content without forcing myself to work like a neurotypical. "The message here for you is whatever part of your processes you notice you get a big block on, that is where you need help. That is where you need AI or human or automation help to move through that block." Adina Levy In this episode, I cover: How I use simple systems to get unstuck when my brain feels scattered or blank The real way I work with AI to shape rambling thoughts into strategic content in my own voice Why capturing ideas matters more than perfect flow and how I do it in everyday life Links & Resources mentioned AI for Content Creation in Your Voice workshop – Live, practical workshop where I walk you through my exact process step by step – https://differentlyaligned.com/workshop-ai-for-content/ Descript – The recording and editing app I use for podcast and video content (affiliate link) – https://get.descript.com/zvedpapj40ai Instagram: @Differently Aligned – DM me to request my Show Notes AI Helper prompt or continue the conversation – https://www.instagram.com/differently.aligned/

December 3, 2025Episode 3916 min

12 ways I stay in business as a disabled neurodivergent woman

If you are juggling pain, fluctuating capacity and a busy brain, this episode walks through exactly how I keep my business sustainable as a disabled neurodivergent woman. "You can change status quo. You can build the business the way that you want." In this episode I share 12 specific shifts I've made to ensure my business fits my life better, including: • divorcing my income from my time and structure my offers around my real capacity • How I use AI, automation and my Content Forest system as thinking partners and behind the scenes helpers so I can still create and sell even on low capacity days • The practical ways I design my schedule, home workspace, support team and tools (like Notion and my VA) to honour my body, my cycles and my neurodivergent brain Links & resources mentioned • Neurodivergent Business Collective – Ongoing, flexible membership with community, coaching, resources and AI tools for neurodivergent business owners. 20% off available until 12 December – https://differentlyaligned.com/neurodivergent-business-collective/ • Differently Aligned AI Lab – Small group coaching program starting in January and running through June 2026, with spots open if you're listening before January 2026 (unless they sell out!) – https://differentlyaligned.com/differently-aligned-ai-lab/ • Free Training: AI for Content Creation in Your Voice (Content Forest Framework) – Free, on demand and available to watch until 12 December – https://differentlyaligned.com/free-training-ai-for-content/ • Differently Aligned on Instagram – Hang out with me for bursts of support, ideas and updates – https://instagram.com/differently.aligned

November 28, 2025Episode 3814 min

You deserve to get paid (without the chase)

You're tired of the admin and heartache of chasing unpaid invoices. You want a clear, effective way to get paid without the stress. This episode is for you! I'll give you the exact email template that got my client paid her long-overdue invoices within two hours! "It can be hard to hold together these two ideas of 'I'm here to help people' and 'I deserve to get paid for it'. I need you to feel those two truths at the same time, your business will not be viable without it." - Adina Levy In this episode you'll learn: The exact email template that gets overdue invoices paid (and why being clearer and firmer works better than being too gentle) How to create payment policies and systems that protect your cash flow and prevent you from becoming an unpaid debt collector Ways to redesign your business processes so getting paid becomes effortless instead of a constant source of stress and guilt Links: Group coaching program with me in 2026 - The Differently Aligned AI Lab (Early Bird ends 04 Feb): https://differentlyaligned.com/differently-aligned-ai-lab/ very limited spots to check it out soon! Ongoing, flexible support: The Neurodivergent Business Collective Core membership 20% off (ends 12th Dec) https://differentlyaligned.com/neurodivergent-business-collective/ Email me with questions and feedback! hello@differentlyaligned.com Catch me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/differently.aligned Email template to get paid: Hi ___, There is _ unpaid and overdue invoice. (was due on ) - INV-_____ $___ This invoice is overdue and we require full payment of $_____ by We will require the overdue invoice to be paid by that date, in order to keep our scheduled session. Regards,