Under The Oak: Neurodiversity's Impact on Creativity & Technology with Veronica Shelton
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this engaging episode, Ryan Alford sits down with Veronica Shelton, co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative tech studio that's redefining how we think about product design and human-technology interaction. Shelton brings a refreshing perspective as a neurodivergent woman of color in tech, sharing how her "golden retriever" personality and unique viewpoint have become superpowers in creating accessible digital experiences. The conversation spans from her groundbreaking work with Disney, Google, and Sephora to her insights on AI's transformational impact on teams and workflows (22:00). Most compelling is her discussion of how AI has allowed her company to become leaner while empowering team members to become multi-skilled contributors, reducing costs by mid-six figures while maintaining a four-day work week (22:19). The episode concludes with an exploration of Under the Oak, her new media platform addressing the psychological implications of our rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Speakers
Veronica Shelton
Co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative tech studio building product software applications and digital experiences. Former creative director for major brands including Disney, Google, and Sephora, where she pioneered diversity initiatives and accessibility-focused design solutions.
Ryan Alford (Host)
Gen X entrepreneur and host of Right About Now, the #1 business podcast with over 1 million monthly downloads. Former New York ad agency executive who built teams of 100+ people and founded Radical agency with a focus on flat organizational structures.
Key Takeaways
Leave Your Ego at the Door
True leadership starts with humility—acknowledge that you don't hire people to be less capable than you. (29:37) "I don't think I'm smarter than anyone on my team or else why the hell would they be there?" This mindset creates psychological safety where team members feel valued as dream-builders rather than subordinates, fostering authentic collaboration and retention.
Embrace AI or Become Obsolete
Adapt to AI tools the same way you'd learn new software—it's non-negotiable for business survival. (25:23) Leaders must have direct conversations: "This is like us changing software. You have to adjust... If you can't adapt, we can't grow as a business." Companies that fail to evolve risk the Intel fate—missing the transformation window entirely.
Transform Specialists into Fluid Contributors
Break down traditional role silos by empowering team members to leverage AI across multiple functions. (21:42) Watch designers become copywriters, developers expand across disciplines, and sales teams create their own pitch decks. This fluid approach can save mid-six figures annually while creating a more engaged, multi-skilled workforce.
Design for True Accessibility, Not Just Compliance
Diversity in tech means considering age, ability, color blindness, dyslexia—every factor that affects user interaction. (09:02) "Tech is only as good as how easy and accessible it is for the user. Otherwise it's a waste." Build teams with varied perspectives to catch blind spots that homogeneous groups miss, ensuring products work for real human diversity.
Stay Curious to Stay Relevant
The most successful professionals are driven by genuine curiosity about problems worth solving. (02:17) Surface-level interest leads to surface-level results. Deep curiosity fuels the persistent investigation needed to build solutions people will actually pay for—especially crucial in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Statistics & Facts
- Oak Theory reduced employee costs by "mid 6 figures" in the past year by leveraging AI tools and replacing traditional team structures. (22:19)
- A study shows that youth are losing critical thinking skills due to AI dependency, with research indicating this affects children's cognitive development across multiple countries including Japan, parts of Europe, and America. (12:27)
- Oak Theory operates on a 4-day work week structure while maintaining high productivity standards through AI integration and cross-functional team development. (26:52)
