Nikola Tesla didn’t think like everyone else—and that might be exactly why the world still runs on his ideas.

In this episode of The Aus-Sum Dad Podcast, we explore the life of Nikola Tesla through a modern neurodiversity lens, looking at the intense focus, sensory sensitivity, routines, imagination, and social differences that shaped one of history’s most brilliant—and misunderstood—minds.

This isn’t about diagnosing the past. It’s about recognizing the traits we now talk about in autism and neurodivergence, and how those traits can be sources of creativity, innovation, and world-changing impact.

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much,” “too quiet,” “too obsessed,” or “too different,” Tesla’s story might feel surprisingly familiar.

Because sometimes being wired differently isn’t a weakness—it’s the spark that lights the world.

Leonardo da Vinci changed the world — but the world didn’t know how to handle him.

In this episode, we explore what happens when a brilliant, nonlinear mind is placed inside systems that demand speed, consistency, and predictability. From unfinished masterpieces to misunderstood work habits, Leonardo’s story mirrors the struggles many neurodivergent people face today — and shows how difference can be the source of genius.

If you’ve ever been called distracted, inconsistent, or “full of potential but lacking follow-through,” this episode is for you.

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In this first episode, I open up about my story, my family, and why The Aus-Sum Dad Podcast exists. We talk honestly about growing up feeling “different,” learning to understand neurodiversity, and how parenting changed everything. This episode sets the tone for what’s ahead — encouragement, real stories, hope, and a space where neurodivergent minds are valued, not “fixed.” If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, this is for you.