Pasha Marlowe, CEO, Portland, ME (2026)

04/27/2026

Sure, the paragliding was awesome and the scenery stunning, but the best moment was the fear leading up to it and the deciding to do it anyway.

Booking the flight is what I am most proud of. That was the difficult part.
The flying was easy.

Every single thing we are proud of in our lives comes from doing something challenging. And every time we do something new and challenging, we are inspired to do something ELSE new and challenging!

What are you thinking of right now?
Yes, that risk you took! Yes, that joyful struggle and pride you felt!

Challenging ourselves, living in the stretch zone, builds our creative capacity to do more challenging stuff! That’s innovation and energy intelligence!

Work and AI slop reduces cognitive friction and reduces the joyful struggle of muddling through difficult tasks. It drains our energy and reduces creative capacity.

Yes, AI makes some work faster and easier, but the goal is to progress and go farther! Humans feel most alive when we are learning, growing, and innovating.
That is what building creative capacity is all about.

03/18/2026

Why is neurodiversity awareness up and neuroinclusion action down?
Why are both manager capability and psychological safety down?
Why are the same people receiving support while others are left behind?*

Awareness efforts will not work if the deeper root causes and barriers are not discussed. Namely, ableism, racism, sanism, lack of early access to care, and the unfortunate misinformation and hate coming from global leaders.

Join Atif Choudhury and Pasha Marlowe, MFT, global neurodiversity speakers and advocates, as we launch a new podcast “Neuroinclusion: Conversations From Across the Pond and Beyond”.

The conversations will be global, culturally and trauma informed, and deeply human. Our first episode talked about the power, systemic, familial, and societal structures at play as barriers to neuroinclusion.

We ask questions such as: Are labels useful? How are we shifting from the pathology paradigm to the neurodiversity paradigm? What are the cultural and political barriers in the UK and the US and beyond? What is the impact of ableist and hateful comments about disability from global leaders?

Zero small talk. All heart talk. If you know Atif or I personally, you know we are compassionate humans and parents who do this work to create a kinder world for not just our children, but the world’s future children.

We want to hear from, talk to, and share ideas with people around the world to expand the neurodiversity conversation so everyone is included.

Join us on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon podcasts. Link in comments.

*Research adapted from The Neurodiversity Index Report 2026 City and Guilds Foundation with Prof. Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD FCGI

03/16/2026

Celebrate Neurodiversity Week with CLARITY and RESOLVE!

Awareness and celebration are key, but they must evolve into strategy, action, and accountability for neuroinclusion to be sustainable*.

Remember, this is about EVERY human in every workplace and beyond.
All organizations, groups, and teams are already neurodiverse!

Neurodiversity is not only about the diversity of brains and cognitive styles, but the diversity of ALL nervous systems, bodyminds, and functioning styles.

When we look beyond autism and ADHD and include the “neurodivergent umbrella”, informed by the original definition coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, we recognize that MOST people are neurodivergent!

Neurodivergent is not a diagnosis or clinical term.

It is as a socio-political identity used by anyone who’s functioning diverges from neuronormativity, society’s idea of “normal” or “ideal”. We are NOT talking about statistical norms, but socially constructed norms.

While some people identify (or mask) as neurotypical, most people upon understanding the term, recognize their neurodivergence.

Neurodivergence can be innate, acquired, or developed.
Neurotypicality is temporary.

Mental health conditions and all pathologizing labels ending in “disorder” are forms of neurodivergence, though not all forms of neurodivergence are mental health conditions.

Some, not all, consider their neurodivergence a disability. Honor agency and self-determination. Ask the person how they identify and what their needs are.

People are disabled by society and systemic barriers.

*The change we wish to see is that societal and power structures will not deem neuroinclusion necessary. There will be nobody doing the “including”. We will all be present and belong because we are all inherently worthy.

⏰ Still need a speaker with lived and professional experience this Neurodiversity Celebration Week? It is never too late. Your teams will thank you!

💡 Thank you for sharing this post to evolve awareness into action!

neurodivergent

02/24/2026

🇺🇸 What Trump and the U.S. Men’s hockey team’s despicable behavior can teach us about workplace culture and leadership...

The quality of your leadership is defined by what harmful behavior you tolerate, ignore, laugh off, and do not hold people accountable for.

The quality of your culture is defined by your leadership and how team members follow your lead, either choosing to stand up to or remaining silent about harm.

Are you fostering an environment where high performing “rock stars” take precedence over the well-being of of your teams?

If so, you are fostering an environment of disrespect and you are undoubtedly experiencing high rates of disengagement and turnover.

You are losing the people who care about ethics, justice, and humanity.

On the flip side, if the toxic “rock stars” are held accountable and their harmful behavior not tolerated, you are likely fostering an environment of respect, trust, and psychological safety.

Remember, there is NO psychological safety on a team unless the most vulnerable and under-represented people are safe.
❗ Your teams are only as safe as the least safe person ❗

What or who will you no longer tolerate?

⭐ I offer keynotes and trainings on culture and leadership, including my immediately actionable R.E.S.P.E.C.T. framework.

01/21/2026

Can we please stop excluding neurodivergent people from conversations about neuroinclusion that are meant to advocate for and support them?

After participating in two international neuroinclusion conferences recently, I am inspired to make this plea for the future of the neurodiversity movement.

The common narrative continues to focus on three of HUNDREDS of ways to neurodiverge: ADHD, autism, dyslexia. You will notice in the iceberg graphic forms of neurodivergence that are rarely discussed-and even disputed!

The original, inclusive, and expansive definition of neurodivergent, as coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, a biracial, multiply neurodivergent activist, is:

Neurodivergent refers to anyone who’s mind or functioning diverges from neuronormativity, or the dominant societal norms, standards, and ideals.

Neurodivergent is an identity, though many of these labels and experiences included under the neurodivergent “umbrella” are not identities. Everything listed is an experience that is stigmatized and often pathologized.

While some of these labels and experiences are considered medical or psychiatric conditions, neurodivergent is NOT a medical or clinical term.
It is a sociopolitical term. It is a marginalized identity.

The neurodiversity paradigm rejects the language of “disorder” and “normal” and advocates for the rights, respect, and inclusion of everyone, no matter their functioning style.

Neurodivergence can be innate or acquired. One can become neurodivergent at any time. YES! This does mean that MOST people are neurodivergent!

What happens when we exclude neurodivergent people from the narrative?
We misrepresent the scope of neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
We disregard the neurodiversity paradigm and neuronormativity.
We perpetuate false and limiting narratives.
We exclude the very people we seemingly intend to advocate for.

If you are a neurodiversity or neuroinclusion advocate or an event planner/ conference director, please provide people you serve with accurate information for the most systemic and sustainable impact.

12/08/2025

Why?!
The good news: Schools and workplaces are finally becoming more neuroinclusive and disability inclusive. More accommodations are available.

But let’s not forget the impact of COVID and the toll it took on these kids physically and emotionally.

Long COVID, neuroinflammation, isolation/loneliness, anxiety/depression, existential dread, remote school, constant screen time, toxic ecosystems, overstimulation…

Not to mention the stress of climate change, war, gun violence, and socio-political narratives telling kids that have extra needs that they are “unworthy” or “a burden”!

This is not just the student experience! All that goes for teachers, admin, parents, coworkers, etc. The systems are failing.

The rise in disability, mental health conditions, neurodivergence, and overall feeling of stress and overwhelm is understandable.

And these numbers will rise!

53% of GenZ identifies as neurodivergent and disabled. They overwhelmingly do not experience alignment with neuronormativity, society’s idea of what is “normal” or “ideal”.

The environment is not meeting the needs of our people.

The world is becoming more disabling.

11/19/2025

“So now that you have a diagnosis of autism, you are ‘all of the sudden’ bothered by sounds and lights?”

“Nope. I have always been bothered by the sounds and lights. I just didn’t have the word ‘autism’ or the validation of my lived experience to allow myself to unmask to express how bothered I am.”

“So you can mask up and just deal with it like you did before then!”

“I could, but that would not be in service to my nervous system or mental health. My intention is to be honest with myself and honor my needs. Masking these needs exhausts me and doesn’t allow me space or capacity thrive.”

⬆️ This exact conversation plays out in workplaces and homes every day. You can exchange autism for other forms of neurodivergence that people often mask prior to feeling psychologically safe enough to unmask or prior to a self-realized identity or formal diagnosis.

It is not that people are becoming or acting more of their label or diagnosis.
It is that people are becoming or acting more of themselves.
The changes you witness are not acts of pretending.
They are acts of reclamation and alignment.

Rather than challenging people when they say who they are or what they need, try believing them!
Yes, even when it is inconvenient for you or different from what you expect or have witnessed before.

10/09/2025

What if conversations about money were more connecting than conflictual?
What if talking about money felt loving, creative, and fun?
What would be possible for you and your partner from this place?

Join relationship coach. Pasha Marlowe, and financial advisor, Tom Shepard, for Couples Currency Camp!

This is an in person event in Yarmouth, Maine on November 1st from 9am-2pm where you, your partner, and other couples will learn about uniquely holistic and empathetic ways to think and talk about money and your future together.

To resister, use the link in the flyer. For questions, email [email protected]

08/05/2025

Want to get PAID to share your message on stages around the globe?
ACTUALLY INCLUSIVE speaker coaching and acceleration programs are hard to come by. Trust me, I have tried many.

As a professional speaker for the last 5 years, I can say that joining communities and sharing ideas and resources has been key to thriving in this business. I now make $5K-$10K for keynotes and webinars on neuroinclusion and relationships.

I look for coaching programs and communities that are:
accessible to all
neuroinclusive by design
high value/fairly priced
non-performatively supportive before/during/after program

Some say that’s too much to ask for, but I disagree.
Fortunately, I found such a program!

Paid 2 Present, led by Chris Ruden and Dustin Giannelli🦻🏼, seasoned keynote speakers, disability advocates, and extraordinarily kind humans have created something special. I am proud to be a graduate of their program and HAPPY to sing their praises.

The fact that they have named the program Paid 2 Present, rather than “speak” is indicative of their inclusive lens. Plus, they offer interpreters AT EVERY CALL.
They recognize that honoring pronouns, different functioning styles, and access needs are necessary to cultivate safe space for presenters to create and thrive.

The weekly live community calls are highly supportive and actionable. The learning modules are clear and easy to implement. The structure is well-paced so as not to be overwhelming. They are generous with resources that I will return to for years to come. I could go on and on!

Cohort 2 starts in September with space available for YOU, no matter your previous experience. The world needs to hear your message, now more than ever. Let’s get you visible and PAID to present.

I am happy to answer questions and share my personal experiences in more detail if you want to DM me.

Or reach out to Chris and Dustin directly for a discovery call.
Tell them Pasha sent you:)
You will be so glad you did.

07/20/2025

Why do you think you are disordered?
Did someone or some subjective diagnosis define you as disordered?
All psychiatric labels are invented and subjective, by the way.

Yes, I am a therapist speaking against the DSM and the pathology paradigm in which I was trained. Wonder why so many therapists become coaches?

And here’s a difficult question to answer:
Did your mental health improve or worsen after receiving a diagnosis that ends in disorder?
With all of this new awareness about what might become our diagnosis, society as a whole is NOT becoming more well.

What if nothing is “wrong” with you?
What if there is nothing to be “fixed” or “treated”?
What if what you are experiencing is not a “problem”?

You are experiencing suffering and suffering is real-Yes.
But why is the way you are suffering often labeled “disorder”?
You may be reacting in understandable ways to the challenges you face.

If you were responding to the challenges you face 10, 50, or 100 years ago, what would your distress be labeled, if at all?
What if you were born into a different family or culture?
Would that change how your distress were perceived or treated?
Who or what system turned what you are experiencing into pathology?

➡️ Are psychiatric labels actually brands to make people feel “disordered” for responding to challenges in understandable ways in order to make a profit to give more power to the people that invented and branded the labels in the first place?

07/17/2025

Why such a huge discrepancy in information about neurodiversity?

The definition and scope of neurodivergence is wildly misunderstood.
Neurodivergent is an IDENTITY, not a medical or clinical term.
Neurodivergent is a socio-political term, not a diagnosis.
Nobody will ever be diagnosed as neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent is an identity used by anyone who diverges from neuronormativity, or society’s idea of what is “normal”, “ideal”, or “superior”.

Neurodivergence includes, but is 100% NOT limited to ADHD, autism, dyslexia.
Neurodivergence is not only about cognitive differences or disabilities.
Neurodivergence is not only about brain differences.
Neuro means nervous system, not brain.

The scope includes mental health conditions (notice I did NOT say disorder-a word rejected by the neurodivergent community), nervous system differences, functioning style differences, information processing differences, learning differences, communication differences and so much MORE.

Organizations need to understand what neurodiversity and neurodivergent mean AND they need to reduce the barriers to disclosure (ie. stigma, bias, discrimination).

Organizations should NOT require diagnosis for access, support, and sensory needs to be recognized and accommodated, when possible.

By the way, diagnosis and disclosure intersect with privilege and many neurodivergent people will never have, want, or be able to access diagnosis.

Let’s keep this conversation going! What are your thoughts?

I offer keynotes and trainings on neurodiversity and wrote about all of this in my recent book “Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Framework for Peopling and Supporting Neurodiverse Talent”.

Pasha Marlowe, CEO

04/27/2026

03/18/2026

03/16/2026

02/24/2026

01/21/2026

12/08/2025

11/19/2025

10/09/2025

08/05/2025

07/20/2025

07/17/2025

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