StarZero All shows Try the podcast clipper →

Feb 8, 2023 · 45m · we-live-to-build

Diagnosed at 16, He Built a Company to Kill the CV

Ewan Cameron · 22m spoken Sean Weisbrot · 17m spoken
0:00 / 0:00
▶ Watch on YouTube →

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of 'We Love To Build,' host Sean Weisbrot and Willow founder Ewan Cameron explore the psychological realities of entrepreneurship with ADD and dyslexia, detailing how neurodivergent cognitive strategies can transform startup leadership and revolutionize traditional hiring through video-first platforms.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Sean holds 44.5% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Sean as informed peer 3.0 Guest teaching 3.4 Guest disagreement 0.4 Sean pushing back 0.5
05100:0015:0030:0045:003:30–7:39 · Sean as informed peer 1/10 Academic Struggles and Dyslexia Diagnosis at Age 16 Sean opens with a broad exploratory question regarding Ewan's early realization of dyslexia. Ewan provides an extensive personal narrative detailing his academic difficulties and diagnosis at age 16 in the Scottish school system.7:40–11:21 · Sean as informed peer 4/10 Childhood ADD Diagnosis and the Pitfalls of Ritalin Sean dominates the segment by sharing his own early childhood ADD diagnosis, criticizing the pharmaceutical industry and describing adverse reactions to Ritalin. Ewan reacts collaboratively with brief observations on UK diagnostic norms.11:21–14:38 · Sean as informed peer 2/10 Embracing Neurodivergent Strengths and Founding an Early Agency Ewan explains how researching dyslexia led him to role models like Richard Branson and founding a web agency. Sean pushes back with a doubtful remark that ADD has no public role models, which Ewan gently questions.14:38–17:50 · Sean as informed peer 2/10 Dyslexia Interventions, Cognitive Strategies, and Visual Adjustments Sean asks if medication exists for dyslexia. Ewan educates him on practical interventions, explaining CBT, color contrast adjustments on screens, and the physical visual challenges of reading black text on white backgrounds.17:50–22:13 · Sean as informed peer 5/10 Managing Distraction Loops and Information Processing Differences Sean illustrates the cognitive experience of ADD through a vivid step-by-step anecdote about getting sidetracked while trying to take vitamins, demonstrating strong first-person psychological insight before querying Ewan's founder experience.22:13–25:32 · Sean as informed peer 2/10 Channeling Neurodivergence into Startup Organization and Leadership Ewan subverts common assumptions by arguing that dyslexia makes running a business easier because forced coping strategies cultivate hyper-organized delegation, detailed briefs, and comfort with startup chaos.25:34–32:29 · Sean as informed peer 5/10 Exploring Psilocybin Microdosing to Tame Racing Thoughts Sean speaks authoritatively about his research and personal protocol with psilocybin microdosing to silence racing thoughts. Ewan differentiates dyslexia's disorganization from the intense anxiety-inducing speed Sean describes.32:29–39:12 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 The Impact of Stimulants, Caffeine, and Routine on Cognitive Function After briefly touching on espresso habits, Ewan articulates the thesis behind Willow, schooling listeners on how traditional resume screening inherently discriminates against dyslexic applicants who struggle with conventional document formatting.3:30–7:39 · Guest teaching 3/10 Academic Struggles and Dyslexia Diagnosis at Age 16 Sean opens with a broad exploratory question regarding Ewan's early realization of dyslexia. Ewan provides an extensive personal narrative detailing his academic difficulties and diagnosis at age 16 in the Scottish school system.7:40–11:21 · Guest teaching 1/10 Childhood ADD Diagnosis and the Pitfalls of Ritalin Sean dominates the segment by sharing his own early childhood ADD diagnosis, criticizing the pharmaceutical industry and describing adverse reactions to Ritalin. Ewan reacts collaboratively with brief observations on UK diagnostic norms.11:21–14:38 · Guest teaching 3/10 Embracing Neurodivergent Strengths and Founding an Early Agency Ewan explains how researching dyslexia led him to role models like Richard Branson and founding a web agency. Sean pushes back with a doubtful remark that ADD has no public role models, which Ewan gently questions.14:38–17:50 · Guest teaching 6/10 Dyslexia Interventions, Cognitive Strategies, and Visual Adjustments Sean asks if medication exists for dyslexia. Ewan educates him on practical interventions, explaining CBT, color contrast adjustments on screens, and the physical visual challenges of reading black text on white backgrounds.17:50–22:13 · Guest teaching 1/10 Managing Distraction Loops and Information Processing Differences Sean illustrates the cognitive experience of ADD through a vivid step-by-step anecdote about getting sidetracked while trying to take vitamins, demonstrating strong first-person psychological insight before querying Ewan's founder experience.22:13–25:32 · Guest teaching 5/10 Channeling Neurodivergence into Startup Organization and Leadership Ewan subverts common assumptions by arguing that dyslexia makes running a business easier because forced coping strategies cultivate hyper-organized delegation, detailed briefs, and comfort with startup chaos.25:34–32:29 · Guest teaching 3/10 Exploring Psilocybin Microdosing to Tame Racing Thoughts Sean speaks authoritatively about his research and personal protocol with psilocybin microdosing to silence racing thoughts. Ewan differentiates dyslexia's disorganization from the intense anxiety-inducing speed Sean describes.32:29–39:12 · Guest teaching 5/10 The Impact of Stimulants, Caffeine, and Routine on Cognitive Function After briefly touching on espresso habits, Ewan articulates the thesis behind Willow, schooling listeners on how traditional resume screening inherently discriminates against dyslexic applicants who struggle with conventional document formatting.3:30–7:39 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Academic Struggles and Dyslexia Diagnosis at Age 16 Sean opens with a broad exploratory question regarding Ewan's early realization of dyslexia. Ewan provides an extensive personal narrative detailing his academic difficulties and diagnosis at age 16 in the Scottish school system.7:40–11:21 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Childhood ADD Diagnosis and the Pitfalls of Ritalin Sean dominates the segment by sharing his own early childhood ADD diagnosis, criticizing the pharmaceutical industry and describing adverse reactions to Ritalin. Ewan reacts collaboratively with brief observations on UK diagnostic norms.11:21–14:38 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Embracing Neurodivergent Strengths and Founding an Early Agency Ewan explains how researching dyslexia led him to role models like Richard Branson and founding a web agency. Sean pushes back with a doubtful remark that ADD has no public role models, which Ewan gently questions.14:38–17:50 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Dyslexia Interventions, Cognitive Strategies, and Visual Adjustments Sean asks if medication exists for dyslexia. Ewan educates him on practical interventions, explaining CBT, color contrast adjustments on screens, and the physical visual challenges of reading black text on white backgrounds.17:50–22:13 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Managing Distraction Loops and Information Processing Differences Sean illustrates the cognitive experience of ADD through a vivid step-by-step anecdote about getting sidetracked while trying to take vitamins, demonstrating strong first-person psychological insight before querying Ewan's founder experience.22:13–25:32 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Channeling Neurodivergence into Startup Organization and Leadership Ewan subverts common assumptions by arguing that dyslexia makes running a business easier because forced coping strategies cultivate hyper-organized delegation, detailed briefs, and comfort with startup chaos.25:34–32:29 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Exploring Psilocybin Microdosing to Tame Racing Thoughts Sean speaks authoritatively about his research and personal protocol with psilocybin microdosing to silence racing thoughts. Ewan differentiates dyslexia's disorganization from the intense anxiety-inducing speed Sean describes.32:29–39:12 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Impact of Stimulants, Caffeine, and Routine on Cognitive Function After briefly touching on espresso habits, Ewan articulates the thesis behind Willow, schooling listeners on how traditional resume screening inherently discriminates against dyslexic applicants who struggle with conventional document formatting.3:30–7:39 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Academic Struggles and Dyslexia Diagnosis at Age 16 Sean opens with a broad exploratory question regarding Ewan's early realization of dyslexia. Ewan provides an extensive personal narrative detailing his academic difficulties and diagnosis at age 16 in the Scottish school system.7:40–11:21 · Sean pushing back 1/10 Childhood ADD Diagnosis and the Pitfalls of Ritalin Sean dominates the segment by sharing his own early childhood ADD diagnosis, criticizing the pharmaceutical industry and describing adverse reactions to Ritalin. Ewan reacts collaboratively with brief observations on UK diagnostic norms.11:21–14:38 · Sean pushing back 2/10 Embracing Neurodivergent Strengths and Founding an Early Agency Ewan explains how researching dyslexia led him to role models like Richard Branson and founding a web agency. Sean pushes back with a doubtful remark that ADD has no public role models, which Ewan gently questions.14:38–17:50 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Dyslexia Interventions, Cognitive Strategies, and Visual Adjustments Sean asks if medication exists for dyslexia. Ewan educates him on practical interventions, explaining CBT, color contrast adjustments on screens, and the physical visual challenges of reading black text on white backgrounds.17:50–22:13 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Managing Distraction Loops and Information Processing Differences Sean illustrates the cognitive experience of ADD through a vivid step-by-step anecdote about getting sidetracked while trying to take vitamins, demonstrating strong first-person psychological insight before querying Ewan's founder experience.22:13–25:32 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Channeling Neurodivergence into Startup Organization and Leadership Ewan subverts common assumptions by arguing that dyslexia makes running a business easier because forced coping strategies cultivate hyper-organized delegation, detailed briefs, and comfort with startup chaos.25:34–32:29 · Sean pushing back 1/10 Exploring Psilocybin Microdosing to Tame Racing Thoughts Sean speaks authoritatively about his research and personal protocol with psilocybin microdosing to silence racing thoughts. Ewan differentiates dyslexia's disorganization from the intense anxiety-inducing speed Sean describes.32:29–39:12 · Sean pushing back 0/10 The Impact of Stimulants, Caffeine, and Routine on Cognitive Function After briefly touching on espresso habits, Ewan articulates the thesis behind Willow, schooling listeners on how traditional resume screening inherently discriminates against dyslexic applicants who struggle with conventional document formatting.

speaking balance: gold is Sean, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Sean 75.5% · guest 24.5%0:00 · Sean 75.5% · guest 24.5%3:00 · Sean 8.7% · guest 91.3%3:00 · Sean 8.7% · guest 91.3%6:00 · Sean 44.5% · guest 55.5%6:00 · Sean 44.5% · guest 55.5%9:00 · Sean 72.8% · guest 27.2%9:00 · Sean 72.8% · guest 27.2%12:00 · Sean 20.8% · guest 79.2%12:00 · Sean 20.8% · guest 79.2%15:00 · Sean 5.1% · guest 94.9%15:00 · Sean 5.1% · guest 94.9%18:00 · Sean 100% · guest 0%18:00 · Sean 100% · guest 0%21:00 · Sean 40.6% · guest 59.4%21:00 · Sean 40.6% · guest 59.4%24:00 · Sean 52% · guest 48%24:00 · Sean 52% · guest 48%27:00 · Sean 57.5% · guest 42.5%27:00 · Sean 57.5% · guest 42.5%30:00 · Sean 89.2% · guest 10.8%30:00 · Sean 89.2% · guest 10.8%33:00 · Sean 13.1% · guest 86.9%33:00 · Sean 13.1% · guest 86.9%36:00 · Sean 15.2% · guest 84.8%36:00 · Sean 15.2% · guest 84.8%39:00 · Sean 34.1% · guest 65.9%39:00 · Sean 34.1% · guest 65.9%42:00 · Sean 37.4% · guest 62.6%42:00 · Sean 37.4% · guest 62.6%45:00 · Sean 0% · guest 0%45:00 · Sean 0% · guest 0%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 28:02 Distinguishing Dyslexia Disorganization from ADD Anxiety

Ewan directly rejects Sean's premise that his cognitive chaos produces anxiety, clarifying that dyslexia feels like ungraspable floating thoughts rather than a frantic racing mind.

 Hardest push from Sean ▶ 13:56 Sean Skeptical of ADD Role Models

Sean bluntly challenges Ewan's point about neurodivergent role models by asserting that ADD individuals do not have prominent figures to look up to.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 15:50 Ewan Details Dyslexia Compensatory Mechanisms

Ewan gives a thorough breakdown of non-pharmacological dyslexia accommodations, explaining how color contrast, font flipping, and CBT replace medications.

 Sean holds their own ▶ 18:10 Sean Analyzes ADD Task Switching

Sean demonstrates deep experiential understanding of ADD executive dysfunction by detailing the exact mental sequence of getting sidetracked while counting vitamins.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicSean as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementSean pushing backWhy
Academic Struggles and Dyslexia Diagnosis at Age 16 1300 Sean opens with a broad exploratory question regarding Ewan's early realization of dyslexia. Ewan provides an extensive personal narrative detailing his academic difficulties and diagnosis at age 16 in the Scottish school system.
Childhood ADD Diagnosis and the Pitfalls of Ritalin 4101 Sean dominates the segment by sharing his own early childhood ADD diagnosis, criticizing the pharmaceutical industry and describing adverse reactions to Ritalin. Ewan reacts collaboratively with brief observations on UK diagnostic norms.
Embracing Neurodivergent Strengths and Founding an Early Agency 2312 Ewan explains how researching dyslexia led him to role models like Richard Branson and founding a web agency. Sean pushes back with a doubtful remark that ADD has no public role models, which Ewan gently questions.
Dyslexia Interventions, Cognitive Strategies, and Visual Adjustments 2600 Sean asks if medication exists for dyslexia. Ewan educates him on practical interventions, explaining CBT, color contrast adjustments on screens, and the physical visual challenges of reading black text on white backgrounds.
Managing Distraction Loops and Information Processing Differences 5100 Sean illustrates the cognitive experience of ADD through a vivid step-by-step anecdote about getting sidetracked while trying to take vitamins, demonstrating strong first-person psychological insight before querying Ewan's founder experience.
Channeling Neurodivergence into Startup Organization and Leadership 2510 Ewan subverts common assumptions by arguing that dyslexia makes running a business easier because forced coping strategies cultivate hyper-organized delegation, detailed briefs, and comfort with startup chaos.
Exploring Psilocybin Microdosing to Tame Racing Thoughts 5311 Sean speaks authoritatively about his research and personal protocol with psilocybin microdosing to silence racing thoughts. Ewan differentiates dyslexia's disorganization from the intense anxiety-inducing speed Sean describes.
The Impact of Stimulants, Caffeine, and Routine on Cognitive Function 3500 After briefly touching on espresso habits, Ewan articulates the thesis behind Willow, schooling listeners on how traditional resume screening inherently discriminates against dyslexic applicants who struggle with conventional document formatting.

Statements from this episode (8)

Opinion
Weisbrot: Taking childhood Ritalin stunted physical growth
“It made me feel like a zombie, it made me not want to eat, and I think that it stunted my growth, for sure, because when I was younger I was supposed, I was told that I would be five nine, which is about, like, one 70 two, one 73 centimeters, maybe one 75. I'm…”
Sean Weisbrot Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 8:42
Opinion
Weisbrot: Using medication as a primary ADD coping mechanism is wrong
“Now medication is one of the number one coping mechanisms for ADD, which I think is wrong”
Sean Weisbrot Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 14:23
Insight
Cameron: Adjusting screen contrast mitigates dyslexia reading fatigue
“A typical person with dyslexia looking at white text, sorry, white background, black text will find that all the words will like float around the page and they'll really struggle to follow the lines like left to right. And it makes reading really, really tirin…”
Ewan Cameron Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 16:41
Opinion
Cameron: Neurodivergent founders are uniquely equipped to tame early startup chaos
“Startups and small businesses, because they're so chaotic, Your ability to focus and tame the chaos can actually be quite beneficial. Whereas other people without learning the difficulties and neurodivergence can't tame the chaos. They just feel like they're i…”
Ewan Cameron Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 24:51
Assertion Contradicted
Weisbrot: Research proves microdosing psilocybin treats PTSD, anxiety, and depression
“Because there's very clear and known research that has shown, you know, microdosing mushrooms can significantly help with or get rid of PTSD, stress, anxiety, depression.”
Sean Weisbrot Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 29:46
Insight
Cameron: Rigid CV formats systematically disadvantage dyslexic job applicants
“Dyslexia does not lend itself very well to writing you know, pages about you, and writing them well. You know, dyslexia, people tend to put in, you know, the wrong word, they'll put in spelling mistakes, they'll struggle with the organization of the CV, the ac…”
Ewan Cameron Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 34:39
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Cameron: Willow hired its entire 12-person team using its own software
“We've got a team of 12 now. Everyone has been through Willow. We've done, you know, hundreds of our own interviews through Willow to get to those 12 people.”
Ewan Cameron Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 40:10
Insight
Cameron: Novel software products need full-feature free trials before charging users
“When you're trying to sell something that's such a new concept, I think it's really helpful to actually give people The whole platform and gives them a chance to actually try it first and foremost before you're taking any money.”
Ewan Cameron Feb 8, 2023 ▶ 43:07
Made with StarZero

Turn any episode into a week of clips.

This entire site, over 300 episodes transcribed, diarized, checked and made playable, runs on the StarZero media pipeline. Drop in your own episode and the podcast clipper finds the moments worth sharing, cuts them, captions them, and reframes them for every feed.

Try the podcast clipper Learn more