Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast ADHD Founders
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80: To Do List Culture | 12 mai 2026 | 00:42:47 | |
A reminder that fires at the wrong moment isn't a reminder, it's noise. Sharon's deep in launch mode on Shelpful's automation features, and Jesse's side hustlin' a macOS sports tracker just because he can. The episode goes hard on AI and product development: the death of precious code, why Claude Code gives developers superpowers while designers are still waiting for theirs (even with Figma and Claude Design), and what happens when prototyping gets democratized. Plus some amazing picks from both at the end of the episode. Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 79: One Thing, Done Well | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:49:49 | |
After a month off the mic, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon are back!. The episode starts with a long-overdue conference debrief and a pitch competition outcome nobody saw coming, then slides into a genuinely good argument about why the most powerful thing a product can do is refuse to do more. They talk founder identity crises, the weird psychology of products that just stay in their lane, and why sometimes the best business move is to stop adding features. Stick around for picks that include a Canadian candy bar and a timer shaped like a hex bolt. Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 78: Chasing the Idea | 10 mars 2026 | 01:01:35 | |
Running a business with ADHD means living with a head full of ideas and a calendar full of self-imposed deadlines you'll absolutely move to next Tuesday. This week Sharon, Marie, and Jesse get into what actually works. They share product updates that came out of pure gut instinct, talk about the kind of pressure that genuinely lights the ADHD brain on fire, and unpack why following an idea might be the most underrated founder skill there is. Stick around to the end for a freemium strategy so diabolically clever it should probably be illegal. -- Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 77: Our Themes for 2026 | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:51:37 | |
In this episode, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon kick off 2026 by setting actual intentions. Each host shares a theme for their year, and the accountability that follows is equal parts insightful and chaotic. The conversation winds through the graveyard of good ideas that never got built, the difference between chasing what excites you versus what you think you should do, and why shipping something imperfect beats polishing something imaginary. Expect a detour into ADHD life hacks that may or may not involve accidental vitamin overdoses, and stick around for picks and plugs that you'll love. Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 76: Stop Waiting - Shipping Your App Before It's Perfect | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:51:31 | |
Jesse and Marie get deep in the developer weeds this week, walking through the entire journey of shipping a first app to the App Store—from initial launch of Flux (Jesse's new Blue Sky client) to navigating rejection and iteration. They wrestle with the messy realities of responsive design across different phone models, talk about building for older hardware, and why supporting every device gets exponentially harder. The conversation zooms out into broader design philosophy, dev tools they're obsessed with, and why sometimes you just have to draw a line on what you'll support. Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app The Founders Picks: | |||
| 75: 2025 Year in Review - Our Successes And Our Lessons Learned | 27 janv. 2026 | 01:06:11 | |
In this episode, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon are back after a month-long unplanned hiatus—mostly because they kept forgetting what day they were supposed to record. They kick things off by handing out some awards, then they dive into a proper 2025 retrospective, talking through the big wins across our businesses. They wrap up with their favorite product picks from the year. Next episode they'll look forward to what's coming in 2026. -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 74: Post-Holiday Momentum - When Your Brain Finally Catches Up | 16 déc. 2025 | 01:01:19 | |
Here's a challenge: keep momentum through the holiday blur and actually ship those January updates. Marie, Sharon, and Jesse tackle the brutal reality of the "holiday fog," explain what ADHD January is, and how founders navigate the gap between their grand Black Friday/Cyber Monday plans and how to keep from slowing down. They also break down Sharon's "pay what you want" pricing data, the counterintuitive psychology of why people overpay for community, and why structure feels like a personal attack—all while trying to stay sane through the chaos friends and family and working through the holidays. -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 73: White Elephant Fails & ADHD Gift Ideas | 02 déc. 2025 | 00:51:05 | |
Jesse shares his most mortifying white elephant story, then Sharon counters with tales of "Secret Santa Stalker" workplace pranks that escalated to Michael Scott-level disasters. The conversation shifts to practical ADHD gift recommendations, with the hosts sharing their favorite fidget tools, tech gear, and everyday items that actually help with focus and regulation. From the Widgy pry bar to specialized water bottles and stress balls, they offer gift ideas for the ADHD people in your life. -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app -- Brumate Water bottle: https://amzn.to/4icv38B Fidgets/utility: Fidget Newton: https://fidgetnewton.com/?ref=kfrudiou Ray-ban Meta: https://amzn.to/48a9IIa Hosts may earn a small commission if you buy products via our links ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 72: The Automation Paradox - Building Systems We Immediately Bypass | 18 nov. 2025 | 01:01:47 | |
What happens when three ADHD founders try to optimize their way out of their own dopamine-seeking behavior? In this episode, Marie, Sharon, and Jesse start with iPhone automations designed to help them focus—then inevitably spiral into discussions about minimal phones, grayscale screens, monetization strategies, and why we keep building systems we immediately override. From the promise of productivity hacks to the reality of toggling them off minutes later, this conversation explores the beautiful contradiction of ADHD entrepreneurship: we're excellent at creating solutions, just not always at using them. Plus: why referral programs are harder than they should be, and the eternal question of whether to build or buy. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 71: Bootstrapping on Empty - Creative Funding Tactics | 21 oct. 2025 | 00:49:25 | |
When you're bootstrapping a startup and watching your savings dwindle, creativity becomes currency. Jesse, Marie, and Sharon tackle the uncomfortable reality of funding an early-stage company without investor backing, sharing everything from Airbnb's famous cereal box hustle to Marie's viral lifetime deal that accidentally landed her in an accelerator. The conversation explores unconventional revenue streams, the psychology of "default dead" versus "default alive," and why your unfair advantages might be hiding in plain sight. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 70: ADHD Growth Summit - ADHD Founders Panel | 07 oct. 2025 | 01:01:59 | |
In today's episode, Jesse and Sharon discuss exciting update for Wave Pal and Shelpful, then we present their discussion from Shimmer's ADHD Growth Summit. There so much to learn from this episode! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 69: Celebrate The Wins | 23 sept. 2025 | 00:46:16 | |
Three ADHD entrepreneurs dive into the emotional rollercoaster of building startups, from the euphoria of landing your first unknown customer to the challenge of celebrating wins when you're wired to immediately focus on the next mountain to climb. Jesse shares his breakthrough moment with WavePal, while Sharon prepares for Shelpful's app store launch and Marie gets reinvigorated at a Stripe founder event. The conversation explores why people with ADHD struggle with goal-setting and celebrating milestones, plus practical strategies for time awareness, physical reminders, and creating sustainable habits when your brain works differently. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 68: Rejected! Navigating App Store Approvals. | 09 sept. 2025 | 00:47:01 | |
Jesse, Marie, and Sharon check in on their accountability goals while navigating the realities of building apps with ADHD. The conversation covers everything from App Store submission challenges and user onboarding insights to the mental weight of incomplete tasks. They also explore practical ADHD strategies, discuss when it's okay to accept help from partners, and share what they're learning from early user feedback. . Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 67: Doom Boxes and Dopamine | 26 août 2025 | 00:47:18 | |
Jesse, Marie, and Sharon share what it really feels like to juggle ADHD, early-stage startups, and the pressure to stay visible online. They talk through the messy middle — app bugs, audience feedback, life interruptions — and the small wins that keep them moving forward. Follow us on social media: Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app | |||
| 66: Founding with Friends (and Maybe ADHD) | 12 août 2025 | 00:47:54 | |
Jesse and Sharon sit down with Lydia Swift, Sharon’s co-founder at Shelpful, to talk about starting a company with a decades-long friend, the whirlwind of launching during COVID, and how the ADHD community shaped their product’s direction. Lydia opens up about living in the “squishy middle” of ADHD (relating to nearly every trait without a formal diagnosis) and the hurdles of self-advocacy in the medical system. Together they swap stories about friendship, entrepreneurship, pivots, and building tools that make life a little easier for brains that work differently. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 65: Do Streaks Actually Work For ADHD Brains? | 29 juil. 2025 | 00:53:13 | |
In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the complex relationship between ADHD, sleep, and streak-based motivation. From the highs and crashes of productivity apps to the shame spiral of missed days, they unpack how self-tracking tools like the Oura Ring can both help and harm. They also explore revenge bedtime procrastination, night owl tendencies, and how ADHD often intersects with insomnia and time blindness. Plus, a real-life look behind the scenes of each host’s business, from community building and monetizing digital products to the emotional highs and lows of founder life. This one’s full of insight, laughter, and the kind of real talk that makes you feel less alone on the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 64: We Accidentally Invent a New App (Again) | 15 juil. 2025 | 00:41:00 | |
In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon unpack how energy-draining conversations, negative feedback, and reactivity can derail an ADHD entrepreneur’s entire day. They explore the difference between venting and vibe-killing, the power of structuring your day around creative flow, and how AI (or even Zapier!) can help you protect your dopamine. Plus: hilarious background setup fails, the ultimate customer sentiment filter, and one surprisingly perfect question for identifying your ideal user. This one’s for every founder who’s ever answered emails in their workout clothes without working out. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 63: Vibe Coding for Fun and Profit | 01 juil. 2025 | 00:44:10 | |
In this episode, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into how they’re using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT in their founder workflows for everything from coding whole apps in a weekend to meal planning and fighting writer’s block. Jesse shares how a bout of hyperfocus led him to build an iOS version of Wavepal (almost by accident). Sharon talks about testing AI agents with ChatGPT and the realities of building ADHD-friendly products like Shelpful. Marie breaks down how she uses AI for daily meal planning (and how it still manages to get the math wrong). The conversation spirals (in true ADHD fashion) into app subscription models, RevenueCat tips, the Apple App Store commission debate, and nostalgic computer games like Oregon Trail and King’s Quest. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 62: Context Switching is Killing Me | 17 juin 2025 | 00:46:53 | |
In this episode, Marie, Sharon, and Jesse share updates on their startups and dive deep into the hidden challenges of ADHD entrepreneurship. From Marie’s struggles with context switching and dev motivation, to Sharon’s product launch jitters and personal branding journey, to Jesse’s course rollout and emotional marketing hurdles. This is a raw, funny, and relatable look at building products while managing neurodivergence. Expect candid moments about perfectionism, community-building experiments, and finding creative ways to get work done even when executive function is on vacation. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 61: “You’re not a good friend” - Getting Feedback as a ADHD Founder | 03 juin 2025 | 00:39:09 | |
In episode 61, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the chaos of time zones, appointment scheduling quirks (like 11:11 start times), and the emotional rollercoaster of building ADHD-friendly tech products. They share raw stories about customer interviews, MVP struggles, subscription pricing models, and deeply personal reasons behind why their apps exist. From missed birthdays to AI-driven reminders that help rebuild broken connections, this episode is an authentic look at founders building tools to solve their own ADHD challenges, and hoping they help others along the way. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 60: Burnout, Grief, and ADHD | 20 mai 2025 | 00:33:27 | |
In this episode, the hosts open up about what it’s like to fall out of rhythm as entrepreneurs with ADHD—and how they slowly find their way back. From quiet burnout to unexpected breakthroughs, this is a raw, insightful conversation about recovery, routine, and self-compassion. Key Highlights: - Honest reflections on doing the bare minimum during burnout periods Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 59: Unmasked and Understood - A Recap of NeuroDiversion 2025 | 06 mai 2025 | 00:41:39 | |
In this episode of ADHD Founders, hosts Jesse, Marie, and Sharon reconnect after meeting in person for the first time at the NeuroDiversion Conference — a groundbreaking event for neurodivergent entrepreneurs and creators. They share personal reflections on what it meant to unmask, connect, and be surrounded by a community that gets it. From the joys of real-life hugs to insights on building authentic support networks, this conversation is a heartfelt celebration of ADHD, entrepreneurship, and friendship. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 58: Life Hacks and Systems That Work… for Now | 22 avr. 2025 | 00:41:54 | |
In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Sharon, and Marie dive deep into the ever-shifting world of productivity systems for ADHD brains. From bullet journals to Google Calendar hacks and even racing appliances, the trio swap stories, wins, and fails in their quest for functionality without the shame spiral. Highlights: * How systems like bullet journals, Notion, and TickTick work—until they don’t Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 57: To VC, Or Not To VC: Raising Money For Your Startup | 08 avr. 2025 | 00:44:33 | |
In this episode of ADHD Founders, hosts Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into personal stories and practical insights from their lives as ADHD entrepreneurs. What you'll hear about: * Jesse’s first-time experience speaking at SXSW, plus the sensory overload (and perks!) of attending with a platinum badge Whether you're curious about startup fundraising or just want real talk from founders with ADHD, this one’s packed with insights and laughs. Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 56: Figuring out a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) | 25 mars 2025 | 00:43:11 | |
This is all about starting small so you can learn faster. We discuss: What even is an MVP (minimum viable product), and what can that look like when your brain wants to build the whole damn thing right now? We dive into: Join Jesse, Marie, and Sharon as they share their ADHD-flavored approaches to building and launching—plus the hacks and mindset shifts that helped them actually ship something. ⸻ Follow us on social media: Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com | |||
| 55: Welcome to our ADHD Founders podcast! | 11 mars 2025 | 00:43:48 | |
Welcome to ADHD Founders! Join Jesse (author of "Extra Focus"), Marie (founder of Llama Life), and Sharon (founder of Shelpful) for some real talk on building businesses with ADHD brains.
Fave quotes:
Resources:
Follow us on social media: @adhd_founders (Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok) Follow each of us: @adhdjesse, @llamalife.co, @shelpful Episodes to look forward to:
SUBSCRIBE to join us every other week, to navigate the challenges of ADHD and founder-hood together. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 54: 2023 Wrapped! | 21 nov. 2023 | 00:35:21 | |
Marie updates on the Llama mobile app. Marie & Jesse talk about the future of messaging, and what’s next for The Weekly Build. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 53: Collectibles and Wearables | 07 nov. 2023 | 00:30:05 | |
Marie release a collectible app icon for Llama Life. Jesse gets a new watch. - Llama Life Collectible App Icon | |||
| 52: From Novid To COVID | 24 oct. 2023 | 00:29:35 | |
Marie builds a fun marketing website. Jesse discovers a new social media scheduling tool. Llama Life Mobile Marketing Page ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 51: Have social, will travel (to landing page) | 03 oct. 2023 | 00:28:54 | |
Marie and Jesse chat about using social to drive traffic to their landing pages, amongst noise and distraction. - Extra Focus Book | |||
| 50: Compounding Effects | 26 sept. 2023 | 00:32:55 | |
Jesse shares numbers around his book launch. Marie shares a very frustrating tech problem. - Extra Focus Book | |||
| 49: Go for Launch | 19 sept. 2023 | 00:33:35 | |
Jesse launches his new book, "Extra Focus". Marie and Jesse weigh the pros and cons of building in public. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 48: Leaning In... | 12 sept. 2023 | 00:31:59 | |
Jesse accidentally hit publish on his book. Marie adds a very requested AI feature to Llama Life. - Extra Focus book | |||
| 47: Influencers & Affiliates | 05 sept. 2023 | 00:30:05 | |
Marie closes Llama Life's Affiliate program. Jesse discusses long-term marketing strategies for his book. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 46: Ch-ch-ch-changes | 29 août 2023 | 00:25:30 | |
Marie implements a big pricing change. Jesse’s new book hits #1 in the Amazon store. Extra Focus book | |||
| 45: Marketing As A Marathon | 22 août 2023 | 00:29:01 | |
Jesse shares what he's learned while self-publishing his book, he and Marie discuss long term strategies for launching a product, and they look back on the 37signal's marketing for Hey. The Extra Focus book | |||
| 44: The Final Countdown (to launch) | 15 août 2023 | 00:31:42 | |
Jesse holds his book in his hands and Marie gives an update on forthcoming updates for Llama Life. They discuss testimonials and which ones get premium real estate. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 43: SaaS Pricing - Subscription vs Lifetime | 08 août 2023 | 00:28:28 | |
Jesse is so close to launching his book! Marie shares progress on the the Llama Life Android and iOS apps. And we contemplate pricing for SaaS. - The Extra Focus newsletter | |||
| 42: The Grass is Greener? | 25 juil. 2023 | 00:22:57 | |
Jesse is on the home stretch with his book. Marie starts both Android and iOS apps for Llama Life. - The Extra Focus newsletter | |||
| 41: Check out my new Threads | 18 juil. 2023 | 00:30:13 | |
Marie gets hit by Card Testers, Jesse gets some awesome testimonials for his book, and could Threads be the next Twitter. - Marie’s tweet about Card Testers | |||
| 40: State of Gear, Part 3 - Everything Else | 11 juil. 2023 | 00:31:45 | |
In a quick series of lightning rounds (managed by none other than Llama Life timers), Marie and Jesse discuss their tablets, recording equipment, bags, desks & chairs, and more! - Llama Life | |||
| 39: State of Gear, Part 2 - Computers, Mice, and Keyboards | 04 juil. 2023 | 00:35:27 | |
Marie and Jesse discuss their computers, mice, and keyboards in Part 2 of the State Of Gear series - Llama Life | |||
| 38: State of Gear, Part 1 - Phones, Watches, and Everyday Carry | 27 juin 2023 | 00:27:06 | |
Marie and Jesse discuss the gear they carry with them daily in Part 1 of the State Of Gear series - Llama Life | |||
| 37: Take Me Hire | 20 juin 2023 | 00:28:03 | |
Jesse goes to a conference. Marie deals with hiring challenges. - Craft + Commerce conference | |||
| 36: Apple Of My Eyes | 13 juin 2023 | 01:04:39 | |
Thoughts on WWDC and the new Vision Pro. - Llama Life | |||
| 35: Movin' On Up | 06 juin 2023 | 00:32:19 | |
Marie increases conversion, and Jesse's new app - Jesse’s Be-A-Better-Friend app tweet - Now defunct app starting with C that Marie couldn't remember ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ | |||
| 34: The Nothing Button | 30 mai 2023 | 00:33:58 | |
| 33: Back to the Future - Emacs, Vim, and Winamp | 16 mai 2023 | 00:32:28 | |
| 32: Building on Bluesky | 09 mai 2023 | 00:37:01 | |
| 31: Bluesky's Smiling At Me | 02 mai 2023 | 00:34:06 | |