Welcome to episode #87! We’re thrilled to be joined by Werner Van Huffel today.
Werner Van Huffel is the co-founder of Kavn, a career support organization that helps neurodivergent professionals find meaningful remote work. With a background in enterprise architecture, AI, and business consulting, Werner has spent years advocating for career remoter professionals, ensuring they thrive in workspaces that align with their strengths.
Diagnosed later in life, Werner discovered his neurodivergence through supporting his children. This realization led him to study psychology, homeschool his kids, and ultimately launch Kaven—a company that matches neurodivergent professionals with remote work environments that foster success.
In this episode, we explore the intersection of neurodivergence, remote work, AI, and productivity.
Welcome to the show, Werner!
Questions
JN: How did you first discover you were neurodivergent?
- Never thought of himself as different until seeing his children struggle
- Started noticing similar traits in himself while homeschooling and studying psychology
- Realized society has become less accepting of differences, which led to launching Kaven
JN: What inspired you to start Kaven?
Started as a recruitment agency but quickly shifted focus to supporting neurodivergent professionals
- Noticed a pattern: traditional career paths weren’t working for many neurodivergent people
- Coined the term “career remoter” to describe professionals who don’t follow linear career paths
JN: What is a "career remoter"?
- Someone who follows their own path rather than climbing a corporate ladder
- Often works independently, values flexibility, autonomy, and meaningful work
- Many neurodivergent professionals thrive in non-traditional career setups
JN: How does Kaven support remote professionals?
- Matches neurodivergent professionals with remote-friendly organizations
- Helps businesses create truly inclusive remote work environments
- Provides psychological first aid & career coaching for professionals navigating career changes
JN: What are the biggest advantages of remote work for neurodivergent individuals?
- Reduced social demands – Less energy spent on office politics and sensory overwhelm
- More control over workspace – Can customize environment for focus and comfort
- Flexible schedules – Work when productivity is highest, not just 9 to 5
JN: What are the challenges some neurodivergent professionals face with remote work?
- Some ADHD professionals struggle with lack of body doubling and external structure
- Others miss spontaneous idea-sharing that happens in physical workspaces
- Kaven helps find solutions tailored to individual needs, whether fully remote or hybrid
JC: How do you use AI as a productivity tool?
- Uses AI for speech-to-text to capture ideas faster than typing
- Runs AI-powered summarization tools to process large amounts of information quickly
- Believes AI is a game-changer for neurodivergent professionals who struggle with traditional workflows
JN: What productivity strategies work best for you?
- Focuses on outcomes rather than rigid to-do lists
- Uses mind maps to organize thoughts and break down complex projects
- Records ideas verbally and transcribes them for structured review
JN: What productivity advice doesn’t work for you?
- Strict time-blocking – Prefers a flexible workflow that allows for deep dives into tasks
- “Eat the frog” method – Finds it more effective to start with exciting tasks to build momentum
- Traditional task lists – Instead, prioritizes tasks based on impact & urgency
JN: What does your morning routine look like?
- Starts at 5 AM with a morning walk or exercise to get energy levels up
- Prepares mentally for the day by identifying key priorities
- Works from home but visits client sites when needed for collaboration
JN: How do you wind down at night?
- Gaming (Diablo, Project Zomboid, Elite Dangerous) helps transition from work to relaxation
- Reads tech & psychology research to stay engaged with evolving ideas
- Sometimes gets bursts of inspiration late at night and captures ideas before sleeping
JN: Where can people connect with you?
JC: Final words for the audience?
- "Accept who you are. You’re not different—you’re you, and that’s enough."
- "Find the career setup that works for your brain, not the one society tells you to follow."
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Email: jeremy@focusbear.io
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Episode 87