Part 2: From chaos to craft How one design built neurodivergent work tools
Fri Feb 06 2026
Training for a World That Doesn’t Slow Down: Neurodivergent Tools, Food Rescue, and Real Vocational Pathways
What if the world didn’t have to slow down for us — we just needed better tools to meet it on our terms?
In this episode I talk with Shannon Dobbs about three decades of navigating disability, designing assistive tech, and building practical community systems that actually work. You’ll hear why Shannon built an AI-driven “just-in-time” training scaffold (think wearable or tablet-based guidance tuned for ADHD and autism), how a hotel chain used blast chillers to rescue millions of meals, and why community-scale grocery and vocational models matter more than traditional degrees right now.
I reveal parts of Shannon’s blueprint for vocational pathways that pay while teaching real skills, and we tease the systems, certifications, and community networks that make this possible. You’ll discover the outcomes — more dignified work, anti-fragile neighborhoods, and meaningful roles for neurodivergent people — and you’ll be left asking: What would a local blast-chiller node look like in my city? How could “living resumes” change hiring? Which tools could help me or my student show capability, not just compliance?
About the Guest
Shannon Dobbs — retired military veteran, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder focused on regenerative food systems and assistive tech. Shannon combines satellite/signal experience with decades in small business and community organizing to build vocational pathways and scalable food-rescue solutions. Contact: shannon@ria.earth | ria.earth
Timestamps
0:03 - Intro: why this conversation matters for neurodivergent communities
2:12 - The AI "goggles" concept: just-in-time, personalized skill scaffolding
12:53 - The spark: building community grocery solutions after confronting local barriers
24:00 - MGM’s blast-chiller model: rescuing meals and why nonprofits resisted
40:10 - Vocational pathways: earning while learning, HACCP, cold-chain skills, and living resumes
52:46 - Resilience reframed: community wisdom over lone toughness
61:27 - How to get involved: donate, volunteer, or help with tech at ria.earth
Keywords: neurodivergent, ADHD, autism, vocational training, food rescue, regenerative, assistive tech, augmented reality, community resilience.
I’d love for you to keep the conversation going — subscribe, share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive workforce design, or visit ria.earth to get involved.
#Neurodiversity #FoodRescue #VocationalTraining #AssistiveTech
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
More
Training for a World That Doesn’t Slow Down: Neurodivergent Tools, Food Rescue, and Real Vocational Pathways What if the world didn’t have to slow down for us — we just needed better tools to meet it on our terms? In this episode I talk with Shannon Dobbs about three decades of navigating disability, designing assistive tech, and building practical community systems that actually work. You’ll hear why Shannon built an AI-driven “just-in-time” training scaffold (think wearable or tablet-based guidance tuned for ADHD and autism), how a hotel chain used blast chillers to rescue millions of meals, and why community-scale grocery and vocational models matter more than traditional degrees right now. I reveal parts of Shannon’s blueprint for vocational pathways that pay while teaching real skills, and we tease the systems, certifications, and community networks that make this possible. You’ll discover the outcomes — more dignified work, anti-fragile neighborhoods, and meaningful roles for neurodivergent people — and you’ll be left asking: What would a local blast-chiller node look like in my city? How could “living resumes” change hiring? Which tools could help me or my student show capability, not just compliance? About the Guest Shannon Dobbs — retired military veteran, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder focused on regenerative food systems and assistive tech. Shannon combines satellite/signal experience with decades in small business and community organizing to build vocational pathways and scalable food-rescue solutions. Contact: shannon@ria.earth | ria.earth Timestamps 0:03 - Intro: why this conversation matters for neurodivergent communities 2:12 - The AI "goggles" concept: just-in-time, personalized skill scaffolding 12:53 - The spark: building community grocery solutions after confronting local barriers 24:00 - MGM’s blast-chiller model: rescuing meals and why nonprofits resisted 40:10 - Vocational pathways: earning while learning, HACCP, cold-chain skills, and living resumes 52:46 - Resilience reframed: community wisdom over lone toughness 61:27 - How to get involved: donate, volunteer, or help with tech at ria.earth Keywords: neurodivergent, ADHD, autism, vocational training, food rescue, regenerative, assistive tech, augmented reality, community resilience. I’d love for you to keep the conversation going — subscribe, share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive workforce design, or visit ria.earth to get involved. #Neurodiversity #FoodRescue #VocationalTraining #AssistiveTech Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.