ADHD and Innovation- Douglas M. Katz on the Tools That Fit Us

Our guest today Douglas Katz is a West Point graduate, disabled Army veteran, inventor, and entrepreneur. He is the creator of NULU, an adaptive kitchen knife designed to align cutting tools with human biomechanics, and continues to pursue other innovations focused on improving how people interact with everyday tools. In addition to his work as an inventor, Douglas speaks about the intersection of human capability, design, and performance. Drawing on experiences in the military, corporate leadership, and product development, he explores how physical limitations, aging, and cognitive differences influence the way people solve problems and build better tools. Living with ADHD has been both a catalyst and a challenge throughout that journey. The same nonlinear thinking and curiosity that can create headwinds in structured environments has also fueled his ability to question assumptions and see connections others overlook.

Through his talks and writing, Douglas introduces audiences to ideas like the Ability Curve—the concept that human capability isn't binary but shifts across a lifetime—and how designing with that reality in mind leads to better tools, systems, and outcomes for everyone. Enjoy!

Peter's bodybuilding competition journey on substack is here!

01:50 - How far is West Point from Manhattan?

02:30 - Intro and welcome Douglas Katz!  Ref: his cutlery invention, Nulu

03:30 - On West Point jumpers

04:00 - First of all, tell us your story and when you got diagnosed?  Ref: GEN X

05:35 - Tell us about the rigidity of West Point Academy in relation to your ADHD?

06:00 - Ref: BIOS

06:20 - The Military and ADHD/Neurodiversity guardrails

07:30 - Above as compared to the corporate world

08:35 - Beauty in structure

10:00 - On ADHD, fear, operations and structure

11:24 - check out Doug's writings at www.DouglasMKatz.com!

12:00 - You mentioned AI- how are you implementing it and what are your thoughts, thus far?

13:15 - On knowing your AI tools Ref: Tony Stark and J.A.R.V.I.S IDEATION

14:30 - Tell us about the tools you are creating and have created for we neurodiverse?

15:00 - About non-consumptive free time and the impetus for creating his products

17:00 - AI integration and usage with his product pipeline

17:55 - How can people find you?

• Website: douglasmkatz.com   NuluKnives.com

• Socials: @DOUGLASMKATZ on Facebook and INSTA TikTok and w.katz on LinkedIN
• Thank you for being here- give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Substack:  petershankmanofficial.substack.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

18:41 - Thank you for staying tuned-in; more episodes coming up soon!

Do you happen to know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain? We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you're looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman