Welcome to episode #110! We’re thrilled to be joined by Reuben Schwartz
In this episode, startup consultant Reuben Schwartz shares his late autism diagnosis journey, revealing how it reshaped his approach to parenting, burnout, and productivity. From building and selling a startup to navigating fatherhood and sensory overload, Reuben gets real about what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent professional in a world built for neurotypicals. Perfect for anyone exploring ADHD, autism, neurodiversity, and sustainable productivity.
Q&A
JN: What was it like learning you were autistic after 45 years?
– Other people suspected before he did
– Diagnosis brought clarity and made sense of lifelong confusion
– Helped him understand why social interactions and routines mattered so much
– Learning to accept differences instead of judging right or wrong
JN: How does being “high moralistic, low masking” affect you?
– Sees ethical questions everywhere, even daily choices
– Feels there’s one “correct” way to do things
– Now accepts that others think differently, improving relationships
– Aware now of signals he used to miss
JC: How has autism shaped your relationships and parenting?
– Struggles with emotional understanding and flexibility
– Finds parenting extremely demanding and draining
– Needs solitude to recharge, leading to burnout after becoming a father
– Realized he once followed societal expectations (“become a normal horse”) instead of knowing himself
JN: You’ve had 13 careers and built a startup. What have you learned from that?
– Obsessiveness can be both a gift and a trap
– Works best with structure or collaborators who balance his intensity
– Many “failures” taught him more than successes
– Now values accepting his limits and building support systems
JC: How do you manage burnout and productivity now?
– Uses GTD (Getting Things Done) system religiously
– Writes down everything to clear mental load
– Avoids email and messages in the morning
– Uses color-coded planning and strict scheduling
– Takes regular breaks (with Focus Bear app reminders)
– Wears a fedora to manage sensory sensitivity to light
JN: What doesn’t work for you?
– “Do it until it’s done” startup mentality
– Eisenhower Matrix felt too abstract
– Sleep deprivation immediately destroys focus and composure
JC: Tell us about your current projects.
– Consulting for startups and mentoring founders
– Writing new children’s books
– Researching misinformation and how to rebuild empathy in digital spaces
– Exploring ways to reduce online certainty and polarization
JN: Final message for neurodivergent listeners?
– Self-knowledge matters more than fitting in
– Your brain works differently, not worse
– Build systems that suit you rather than forcing someone else’s model
Connect with Reuben:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reubenschwarz/
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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Website: https://focusbear.io
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Episode 110