Think Differently with Dr. Theresa Haskins
Think Differently with Dr. Theresa Haskins is a podcast dedicated to exploring the power of neurodiversity and sharing practical strategies for creating more inclusive opportunities in work and life. Hosted by Dr. Theresa Haskins, a diversity and inclusion expert, this podcast provides valuable guidance and inspiration for leaders and individuals looking to maximize strengths and think differently to create a more inclusive world.
Think Differently with Dr. Theresa Haskins
Pretending as Survival
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Most people don’t ask questions when expectations are unclear. They pretend they understand.
In this episode of Think Differently, Dr. Theresa Haskins explores pretending — or masking — as a rational response to ambiguity in workplaces, schools, families, and relationships. Rather than framing silence and assimilation as personal shortcomings, she examines how systems reward appearing competent while quietly penalizing honesty and clarity-seeking.
Drawing on neurodivergent perspectives and well-established patterns from research on psychological safety, cognitive load, and masking, this episode unpacks why pretending works — until it doesn’t — and why the cost is almost always carried by the individual, not the system.
