[Encore] Google’s Take on Neuroinclusive Event Design – with Megan Henshall

In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.Having had to leave numerous experiences because of sensory overwhelm, I was immediately drawn to the work of Google’s The NEU Project which shares rich resources evolved from Google’s Experience Institute. After learning about the Google Experience Institute (Xi) and The NEU Project, I knew I had to speak with the Strategic Lead of Global Event Solutions for Google, Megan Henshall. Hear what brought Megan to do this important work, why it matters, and her simple advice to leaders who want to make a difference for their own teams. She’ll also let you in on the three futures she spends 60% of her time thinking about.Megan (she/her) joined Google in April 2019 and serves as the Global Events Solutions, Strategic Lead. She partners across Google to understand how events drive business, build communities, and promote cultural continuity, informing strategy for a global team of amazing event professionals. She leads an internal/external innovation effort called the Google Experience Institute (Xi), focused on the future of human-centered, multi-modal experience design. CHAPTERS00:03:41   Megan's journey to this important work00:06:01   Global Event Solutions - today and tomorrow00:07:19   Pandemic effects on work culture00:08:50   The pandemic boosted sensitivity00:10:00   Sensitivity and neurodivergence may be evolutionary00:13:10   The definition of neurodivergence00:16:38   Neurodivergent people speaking up00:18:57   Leadership resistance to being inclusive00:21:00   Museum concept event00:23:09  The Experience Institute (Xi) and The NEU Project00:28:36   The error in fundamental attribution00:30:24   The three futures00:38:12   What a leader can do LINKSEpisode 10 - Hiring for Neurodiversity - with Keith Isaac, TD BankEpisode 15 – A Fresh Look at Sensitivity – with Andre SóloEpisode 27 – The Undeniable Value of Neurodiversity – with Theo SmithGoogle Experience InstituteMarcus BuckinghamLove + Work by Marcus Buckingham - GoodreadsNewton Cheng - Director of Health + Performance, Google Belonging by Geoffrey L. Cohen - GoodreadsIMEX America IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)Megan and Otis - credit Megan HenshallHappy Space Podcast ep 10...