If you’ve ever binge-watched Love on the Spectrum (let’s be honest—who hasn’t?), you already know and love Kaelynn Partlow — the sharp, funny, and deeply insightful advocate whose story stole our hearts in season 1. 

In this episode, Kristen sits down with Kaelynn for an unforgettable, no-filter conversation about Autism, ADHD, identity, and what it’s really like to live life on the bridge between two neurotypes.

Kaelynn opens up about:

Why she “wasn’t autistic enough for TV”

Why she feels she's hard to live with 

What her day-to-day looks like behind the scenes — from hyperfocus to burnout and everything in between

Her newly updated book, Life on the Bridge, and how she’s using her platform to reframe the way we think about neurodiversity

This isn’t a conversation about labels — it’s about living boldly in the in-between. Kaelynn’s honesty and humor will challenge everything you think you know about Autism, ADHD, and what it means to belong.

Follow Kaelynn on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.

Life on The Bridge

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #284: Overcoming ADHD Productivity Challenges with Dr. Ari Tuckman 

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve tried planners and reminders, but time still slips through your fingers. This episode explains why ADHD makes “now vs. not now” so hard—and what to do about it. In plain English, I break down the executive functions behind time blindness and share the quick story that shattered my own drama cycle (spoiler: the dishes took seven minutes).

Then I give you the one tool that can change your week fast: a shame-free Time Audit that replaces schedule fantasy with reality so you finally start (and finish) what matters. If you’ve ever felt “bad with time,” don’t miss this—your whole approach could shift in a single day. Grab the free template here, and literally improve your time blindness TODAY. 

This Episode's Resources:

https://ihaveadhd.com/time/

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

AG 1 by Athletic Greens

Cozy Earth

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we look to a new year, most of us start to think about what we want to do over the next 365 days. What do we want to change from 2023? 

I’ve evolved a lot in my approach to goal planning over the past year. So I wanted to share a class I just taught in my group coaching program for this podcast episode because I think it will be validating for a lot of you as you look ahead.

This is not a shame fest for the things you didn’t get done in 2023. And it’s not a hype fest for hustle as we move into 2024. It’s a very ADHD-friendly class.

As ADHDers, we tend to shame ourselves for what we haven't been able to do. We often feel defeated before we even get started on a plan for a new year. But hear me out: maybe it’s okay for us to just live in reality, accept who we are, and make our plan based on where we are today We can create our vision around a kind, compassionate way of interacting with ourselves. 

If you’re ready to take a look back at 2023 and figure out what worked and what didn’t work, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode. Adults with ADHD tend to struggle with self-reflection, so this can be challenging if you’re not doing it correctly.

We also struggle with prioritization and organization. So, my approach to goal setting can be a great aid for you as you envision what you want the next year to look like. I’m handing you some questions to ask yourself based on your capacity, your current level of self-trust, and what you actually want to achieve in 2024.

Before you sit down to write your goals or open your Notes app to jot down your vision for next year, I want you to think about who you want to be and what you want out of next year — then break down the domino effect of what needs to happen first. 

I promise you that this class will help you feel empowered and not overwhelmed as we transition into a fresh calendar year. It’s a small time investment that can have some impactful results for you in 2024.

Hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the second podcast episode of my series on self-trust. In episode one, we talked about how challenging it can be for someone with ADHD to trust themselves and the decisions they make. 

I highly encourage you to start there if you haven’t listened already, but if you only have 30 minutes, this episode will give you tangible takeaways that you can start applying today. 

First, I want to tell you that this is not a quick fix. This is deep work. It takes time. But it’s worth working toward because self-trust is at the foundation of every decision you make. It’s the foundation of being a grown adult. 

Here’s the thing: If self-trust was not built for you as a child like it was for most people, you’re going to have to build it on your own as a grown adult. What does that mean? To start building trust with yourself, you need to:

Begin validating your own needs, emotions, and experiences. 

Forgive yourself and make amends for mistakes you’ve made in the past.

Get to know yourself better and only commit to what you *want* to do.

I want to help you start making progress toward these goals. I want to help you make 2024 the year you begging to trust yourself.

I’ve built an incredible roadmap for you inside my group coaching program, FOCUSED. This type of progress is best made in the community. Come surround yourself with people who will validate you, your needs, your emotions, and your experiences.

Click HERE for details on what the FOCUSED ADHD coaching program includes!

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

Athletic Greens AG1

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One thing that I’ve noticed in myself and other adults with ADHD that I coach is a massive lack of self-trust.

We don’t trust ourselves to follow through. We don’t trust ourselves to make good decisions. We don’t trust ourselves to manage money wisely or to curb our impulsive spending habits.

We don’t trust that we’re good parents or that we’re good at our jobs. We are never really sure if we’re doing “the right thing” or if we’re “on track” with where we’re supposed to be.

For the average ADHD adult, life feels very wobbly.

Instead of feeling grounded within ourselves like confident adults, we often look to others to gauge how we’re doing. I can’t tell you how many ADHDers I’ve talked to who seem to live by the motto, “If other people are happy with me, then I can be happy with myself.”

Well, that stops now. Join me for this 2-part series on How to Build Self Trust (yes, even with ADHD). In today's episode you'll learn why adults with ADHD don't trust themselves, and next week we'll discuss what we can do about it.

We would love to have you join us in FOCUSED!

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you noticed that your relationships look different than other people? Friendships and partnerships are harder for adults with ADHD, largely due to the fact that we’re highly sensitive to rejection.

Research has shown that ADHDers have experienced more rejection than their neurotypical peers. This results in several relational tendencies that can lead to toxic dynamics.

Because they know how awful it feels for people to be upset with them, they constantly say yes to other people, even when their plate is already full. They spend time with people who don’t fill their cups. They exhaust themselves by overcommitting to avoid the feeling of rejection.

Adults with ADHD also tend to dismiss red flags and not hold others accountable for their flaws because they know they’re also hard to live with (they’re often late, they talk too much, they’re impatient, etc.).

These tendencies can result in some truly toxic, boundaryless relationships. But there are things you can do to change the dynamic and put yourself in the driver’s seat of your relationships.

In this episode, I’m giving an overview of relationship dynamics with ADHD. You’ll leave with several immediate steps you can take to create a healthier view of relationships.

And, if you want an in-depth look at how ADHD can impact your relationships, be sure to check out my four-part series (starting at episode 178) on relationships and ADHD or my series on rejection-sensitive dysphoria (beginning at episode 204).

If you’re feeling really inspired after listening today, I encourage you to join my group coaching program, FOCUSED. In 2024, I’ll be teaching brand new content on how to have self-trust even when you have ADHD. You don’t want to miss out!

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE

AG1 Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the past three episodes, we’ve been talking about the basics of ADHD and how you can live your best life with this neurodivergent condition. It’s a great beginner ADHD series for anyone who needs a refresher or is curious to learn more.

My stance is that ADHD is NOT a superpower, despite what you may have seen on social media or heard from well-respected people in the industry. On the contrary, it’s a massive privilege to thrive with ADHD.

I believe people with ADHD are incredible and can lead wonderful lives. But to do this, they have to choose to live in the reality of what it means to have ADHD and have lots of access to treatment, coping strategies, and support.

In this episode, I’m sharing the five steps you should take if you want to finally gain control of your life as an adult ADHDer. These steps include getting an accurate diagnosis and educating yourself about ADHD.

I get it - not everyone is privileged to get the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Not everyone can have the supportive relationships needed to help tackle adult ADHD. To those friends, I say, continue listening to my podcast for tips and tricks.

I promise to share everything I can to help you feel confident in the beautiful life you’re creating. Remember: We all start somewhere. It’s OK to feel overwhelmed by ADHD, but with the right tools, you can make big improvements in your life.

I also encourage you to check out my group coaching program FOCUSED which has helped thousands of people live the life they want, and it can help you too.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is ADHD a superpower? Is it not a superpower? We’ll talk about that today, in our “Getting Back to Basics” series, part 2.

If you’ve been around here a while, you know that my position is – NO! ADHD is not a superpower. It’s not a gift. It’s not awesome!

When people say ADHD is a gift or a superpower, they point to traits like creativity, hyperfocus, and inventiveness.

So sure, Simon Sinek, if you’re a rich, white, super smart, privileged man, you can look at some of the qualities that you have and say – “ADHD is an amazing quality of my life.”

But here’s the thing: If you’re a student struggling in school with very few resources, without the privilege of a diagnosis, treatment, or support, who’s being made fun of or rejected by their peers, then – NO, ADHD is not a gift. 

Labeling ADHD as a superpower invalidates people who are struggling with this neurodevelopmental disorder. It can even lead to victim-blaming: “If ADHD is awesome, then I’m the problem.”

In my opinion, this is not the right way to address ADHD. It’s actually quite the opposite.

I worked for a decade with students and their parents. I, myself, am a parent to two children with ADHD. I’ve found out, time and again, that telling children the truth, validating their struggles, and giving them coping skills is a better way to go.

Saying ADHD is awesome invalidates your true experience and reality. Instead, understand ADHD challenges and understand how to cope and reach out for help and support.

It's so important for us to live in the reality of what ADHD is and how it affects us.

As you navigate your ADHD journey, I want you to know that YOU are amazing, not ADHD. YOU are the gift, not ADHD. Your personality, your goodness, and your generosity are all gifts. Don’t let ADHD take the credit for your badassery!

If you want help better understanding the role ADHD plays in your life, I invite you to check out my group coaching program FOCUSED. Come join our incredible community of like-minded people who are learning to thrive with their diagnosis instead of just surviving.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

AG1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello, my friend. I’m so glad that you’re here and that you’re taking steps to live your best life while you’re on this ADHD journey. Today, we’re going back to the basics of ADHD — because sometimes the noise can cause us to forget what’s *actually* going on inside these beautiful brains of ours. 🧠

Those of us who were diagnosed with ADHD as adults often try to mask our symptoms and hide them from the outside world because we are so used to experiencing rejection as children. If we don’t get the support we need, it can be easy to let these symptoms debilitate us and hinder our progress in life.

If you feel you have ADHD, I’m here to encourage you to talk to a clinician. Have a convo with someone who knows about the disorder and can help you navigate your symptoms. You can also visit my website for a full list of ADHD symptoms.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to the way we function as adults, our family history plays a much larger role than many of us think. In this podcast episode, I’m talking with FOCUSED member CJ about generational trauma and its impact on adult ADHDers.

Growing up, CJ's parents emotionally neglected her as they were dealing with their own emotional immaturity and symptoms of ADHD. Meanwhile, CJ was struggling with undiagnosed ADHD which caused her to act out without anyone to turn to.

When she received an official ADHD diagnosis at 51 years old, CJ started to research the symptoms and realized her family was heavily affected by ADHD. This realization helped her start to make sense of some of the generational trauma she experienced as a child and teen.

It also helped to explain her impulsive, risk-taking behavior growing up. CJ was always unaware of her actions, lacked self-awareness, and never understood why people reacted to her the way they did.

As an adult, she carried some of this emotional dysregulation with her. Fortunately, through therapy and life coaching, she was able to work through some of her own trauma to prevent handing it down to her daughter.

If you’ve experienced generational trauma that you know has impacted your life, I highly recommend you seek out a trauma-informed therapist or coach to help you. You might want to check out my group coaching program, FOCUSED, which is a safe space where you can join others like you who are recognizing the effects of their history and beginning to thrive as an adult with ADHD.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fair warning: this episode brings the heat. This is a topic I’ve felt compelled to discuss a lot lately, and I’m not holding back.

As adults with ADHD, our brains are reactive. This means that when there’s a stimulus (aka phone notification, a child calling for you, etc.), our brains are naturally triggered to react. We lack impulse control, so our instinct is to respond immediately.

Someone who's proactive, on the other hand, will slow down first. They’ll take a breath and decide when it’s in their best interest to react. They don’t act out of impulse, and they aren’t constantly putting out fires or managing other people’s issues at their own expense.

So, how do you morph into someone proactive as an ADHDer? First, you have to take care of your most basic needs. Be sure you’re medicating, staying hydrating, getting into nature, and moving your body in a way that feels good to you.

Secondly, you MUST decide what you want and be willing to fight for it. You cannot create or control a situation if you don’t know what you want. Give yourself the space and time to find out what you want. And remember: to live the life you want, you can’t keep pleasing other people.

In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I wish I’d known years ago about being a proactive human, including why it’s important to stop saying yes to everyone else’s request so I can start living in reactive mode.

If you want a safe space together where you can feel seen and heard as you go through this work, I invite you to check out FOCUSED, my group coaching program for adults with ADHD. Inside FOCUSED, I can take care of you and support you as we work through this together.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

AG1 by Athletic Greens 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When I discovered Stacy Scott while scrolling through Instagram, I immediately knew I had to get her on the podcast. Stacy is an internationally known decluttering expert, feng shui practitioner, and occupational therapist with three wildly successful decluttering workshops. Unlike a lot of other organization and decluttering coaches, Stacy focuses on recognizing how trauma impacts your ability to clean so you can make your space your own.

As someone who grew up in an energetically chaotic environment, it took me years to realize the way this affected my interaction with my own space. It was really difficult for me to learn how to keep a home that felt good to me (read: not a perfectly organized home) — I felt like I was failing my family. A huge part of getting past this was unpacking my own trauma story and healing.

Unfortunately, this is something I hear from my clients all the time. “I don’t understand why they can keep a clean house and I can’t.” It feels like failure, but I promise you, it’s not.

In this podcast episode, Stacy talks about how her own trauma held her back. After spending years in denial, she decided to do the work herself. Through the process, she discovered that her past trauma would pop up in her mind as she thought about her possessions. Once she became aware of her triggers, she used her own methods to move through them.

For Stacy, the modality of inner child healing helps her clients identify what might be coming up for them through this work. They’ll often discover that their possessions represent past trauma in their lives, and, really, “It’s not really about the stuff. It’s about what the stuff means to you.”

For those of you with ADHD, trauma-informed decluttering can feel overwhelming. Know that you don’t have to clean up everything at once. Take it one step at a time. Throw away one possession at a time. It’s not too late to take back your space and your life.

To learn more about working with Stacy, you can find her on:

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube *coming soon*

Her website

If you’re doing the work to declutter your home and find you need some support to do your best work as someone with ADHD, I encourage you to check out my group coaching program FOCUSED. Inside this program, you’ll be able to get ADHD-specific coaching alongside an amazing and encouraging community.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE! 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think ADHD meds are “basically meth”? Afraid they’ll turn you into a zombie? Wondering if you really need them—or if they’re even safe during pregnancy?

In this episode, I’m busting through the most common (and most damaging) myths about ADHD medication—fast. No fluff, just clarity. If you’ve ever felt confused, judged, or pressured when it comes to treatment, this one’s a must-listen.

By the end, you’ll know what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what might actually change your life.

This Episode's Resources:

• The Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Amphetamines Utilized in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
•  Drug Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine 
•  ADHD Medication and the "Zombie Effect"
•  Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse
• Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine in Pregnancy and Possible Adverse Fetal Outcomes
•  Long-Term Outcomes of ADHD: Academic Achievement and Performance

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

Cozy Earth

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We have a unique episode this week, covering a topic I’ve honestly never known how to approach here: cannabis use for adults with ADHD. First things first, you need to know that this episode will be only one perspective on a subject I’d never pretend to be an expert in.

Joining me is a very special guest, Natalie Chien, @Natalie.C.ADHD who is not only a member of my group coaching program FOCUSED, but she’s also completed my ADHD coaching program! Natalie was formerly addicted to recreational marijuana and is now celebrating one year of sobriety after smoking for almost two decades.

Like many everyday marijuana users, Natalie started smoking with friends at a young age, but by the time she reached college, she had developed a serious dependency and failed to learn real and beneficial coping mechanisms to deal with things like stress and family issues.

On top of that, Natalie had an underlying suspicion that she had ADHD, but it went undiagnosed and largely untreated until her thirties. Today she can look back and recognize that the marijuana numbed her of any and all real feelings, and emotional regulation was never even on her radar until she joined FOCUSED. She missed out on significant life experiences and self-development by being tied down to a plant with temporary benefits.

The biggest message both Natalie and I want to leave our listeners with in this episode is that those of us with ADHD are more susceptible to substance use and addiction. When our ADHD is left undiagnosed, unmedicated, or untreated, we will inevitably find some way or something to help us feel better. For Natalie, starting therapy, ADHD medication and joining FOCUSED opened her up mentally and physically to start making serious life changes and motivated her to step away from cannabis use entirely.

See below for an insightful article on ADHD and cannabis as well as where you can connect with Natalie. For those of you who have never tried ADHD coaching before, I invite you to come join us in FOCUSED.

Resources:
ADHD and Marijuana; What's the Attraction?

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tamara Rosier, Ph.D., has joined me for a discussion on my absolute favorite sections of her book, Your Brain’s Not Broken. Tamara is a fellow ADHD coach and the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan.

We waste no time at all diving into her personal journey to an ADHD diagnosis at 40 years young and what living day-to-day with this neurodivergent disorder has looked like throughout her life. You’ll notice a common theme in being her authentic self while simultaneously working through how to connect with and be sensitive to the neurotypical community.

I highly encourage all of my listeners to check out Your Brain’s Not Broken, whether in a physical book or audiobook format, because Tamara has such a unique way of changing readers’ perceptions and bringing clarity to concepts that are difficult for ADHDers, like emotional regulation and setting boundaries.

In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics in her book, such as masking, vulnerability, convergent vs. divergent thinking and the individual houses (or psyches) we all have to protect and maintain for a healthy mind.

It’s a beautiful and super satisfying conversation on so many aspects of living life with ADHD that I could have kept talking to Tamara for hours! So settle in and consider having a book discussion with other friends and loved ones who might benefit from this content.

You can learn more about the book and Tamara at TamaraRosier.com.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m going to be very honest. This episode is a dedicated “b**** fest” on how hard it is to get the medication prescribed for ADHD. If any of you adults out there have been through this, sometimes it’s therapeutic just to let out all the frustration and feel seen and heard and commiserated with, and that’s what this episode is for.

You all should know by now that I take ADHD medication, but you may not know that I have two kiddos who take medication for ADHD as well. We each are unique and need different things to help us function at our best, and thankfully we have had access to insurance and medical professionals to diagnose us and prescribe appropriate medication. But even with all this support, I have encountered more obstacles with getting one of our prescriptions filled than anyone should ever have to endure in a lifetime!

Unfortunately, I’m not the only one. In this episode, I discuss the various obstacles keeping many of us from receiving ADHD medication and how there seems to be nothing but finger-pointing and petty excuses offered instead of real solutions to solve these issues. I encourage you to read some of the articles I mention, listed below, use tools like GoodRX to get coupons when possible, and communicate early and often with your doctor and pharmacy. At this point in time, no one else is going to advocate for your needs more than you can. It may put all of our impaired executive functions to the test, but darn it, we’ve struggled for far too long to not get the support we need and deserve.

While it in no way can take the place of medication and adequate trauma-informed therapy, I want you to know that my group coaching program FOCUSED can be another source of support for those of you looking for additional tools to address your ADHD. We see you, we hear you and we validate you. 

Resources:

NPR, “Adderall shortage forces some people to scramble, ration or go without”

NewYorkMag.com, “Where's the urgency on the Adderall shortage?” 

FDA.gov, “FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment”

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE!

AG1 Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My colleague and friend, Annahid Dashtgard, really elevates the podcast this week with a specialized look at racialization within the mental health space. I love that we’re able to broach this topic together as Annahid is so well-versed in creating safe places for people to have hard conversations.

Annahid is the CEO and Co-Founder of Anima Leadership, a consulting firm that helps organizations with everything EDI from diversity basics to advanced belonging.

Annahid has a special and unique perspective as an immigrant who’s been on the receiving end of racism throughout her life and also as someone with ADHD, having only recently been diagnosed in her 40s. 

Listeners can expect to learn a lot about the overlap of racial identity, trauma, and ADHD that many communities experience with very little understanding from medical and therapeutic professionals. The truth is, many racialized groups are largely underserved, underrepresented, and underdiagnosed. It’s not always intentional, but it is happening. 

I especially appreciate Annahid sharing her thoughts on how clinicians can do better to support these communities, understanding the stigma of mental health among racialized groups, and how the average white person can open themselves up to learning and honoring others without fear of making mistakes.

To glean more brilliant insights from Annahid, check out her two books:

Breaking the Ocean: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Reconciliation

Bones of Belonging

No matter your racial identity, I want to encourage any listeners struggling with accepting or living with their ADHD to check out my group coaching program FOCUSED. I think you’ll find that we are open, honest, and honoring as we all work hard to overcome our neurodivergent struggles and unlock our unlimited potential. 

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of Ellen's life was spent feeling like a whirling dervish without direction. Everything was a struggle, from school to maintaining a job to arriving anywhere on time.

She learned how to use her big, bold personality to fake it and make it through, even though she regularly battled feelings of inadequacy, shame, and judgment.

Life, as it often does, hit Ellen hard with challenges through her young adulthood, and she found herself battling depression for decades. In hindsight, she now wonders if much of that heaviness came from being neurodivergent, misunderstood, and undiagnosed.

Ellen’s story is so inspirational to me because it’s a testament that it’s never too late to get an ADHD diagnosis and seek help understanding yourself better. Age and past failures will only limit you if you let them.

Surround yourself with a diverse community that will cheer you on, validate your feelings, and support you in the good times and the bad. If you’re looking for a group like this, I encourage you to come join FOCUSED.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today's episode is all about how to be PROactive not REactive. ADHDers spend so much time putting out fires and reacting to everything happening around us. But if we're going to truly make forward progress on our own dreams and goals, we're going to need to put down the fire hose and start making some purposeful decisions. 

BUT HOW? Tune in how to find out:

How to create a vision even if you can't picture things in your mind's eye 

How to make a plan, even if it's only for the next hour

How to drop the drama around the timeframe (spoiler, it doesn't all have to happen today)

This is the perfect episode for you if just don't feel like you're moving forward the way you wish you could. 

And if you love this class, check out my ADHD coaching program FOCUSED for even more support.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danica @theempoweredtherapist specializes in healing from attachment wounds, sexual assault, emotional neglect, vicarious trauma, intergenerational and identity-based trauma, and work or academic trauma. 

In this DEEP convo, Kristen and Danica discuss the following topics: 
Complex Trauma
Is it ADHD or CPTSD?
Attunement
Attachment
Somatic Experiencing
How to Identify a Trigger
The Complexity of Healing

Danica is a therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) in Dallas, TX. She co-owns Empowered Healing Dallas, a group practice where she provides trauma-informed therapy using somatic, relational, attachment, and parts work approaches to treatment.

Danica is passionate about support for therapists and provides counseling services, mentorship, supervision, and consultation to mental health providers looking for trauma-informed support. She is deeply invested in equity, social justice efforts, and destigmatizing mental health treatment, and utilizes her Instagram platform, @theempoweredtherapist to provide education and support to the broader community.

AG1 Athletic Greens 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m really enjoying these episodes with my FOCUSED community, and I hope you are too! Today, Sue Peters is with me, and we dive into the difficult world of chronic pain through an ADHD lens.

When Sue was finally diagnosed with ADHD in her mid-twenties, she had already identified that there was something different about her and had even tried reaching out for help. But ignorant and insensitive “experts” failed to give her the guidance and support she needed, which left her with a lot of rejection, shame, and emotional pain from childhood through young adulthood. Everything compounded when her family went through a scary surgery situation with her child, and one day she woke up with immobility and excruciating pain that changed the course of her life.

Sue and I discuss how things like trauma and emotional wounds can eventually weaken the immune system to the point of breaking down physical health, and how important it is to receive therapy and coaching in a way that’s sensitive to ADHD. Listen in to hear her incredible story of resilience with ADHD and chronic pain, and how she’s working through it all at her own pace, finding her path, surrounded by community.


Are you being treated for ADHD but still aren’t quite achieving your potential? Try my group coaching program FOCUSED and experience the difference.

Be sure to hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

Shout-outs:

@kamden_adhd 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christine Hargrove is a a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia whose primary focus is on exploring financial therapy and ADHD relationships - an important and rare combination! We very quickly realized one episode was not enough, so stay tuned for part two with practical tips.

Before we dive into money talk, Christine shares her own story about how she came to receive her own ADHD diagnosis. It was missed for years because people told her she was “too smart” to have ADHD. I especially love this part of the episode because I think it will click with a lot of people regarding the fear and feelings of defeat that can come with receiving or not receiving a diagnosis due to ignorant stigmas and misconceptions that have followed ADHD for years.

When it comes to finances, mental health experts often avoid the topic, deeming it too controversial or because they’re simply not money experts. And money managers are nowhere near equipped to support clients through the emotions, trauma and complicated feelings surrounding finances that many people have. 

As we’ve discussed throughout this podcast, so much of the work with ADHDers is in encouraging them to trust their own authority and ability to make decisions. This is one of Christine’s main focus areas in financial therapy - equipping adults to get comfortable with calculated risk and understanding that you don’t have to wait to make a decision until it’s perfect.

To follow Christine’s incredible research and work, visit her website at ChristineHargrove.com. And if you’d like to gain some confidence in decision-making with other ADHD adults, come join my group coaching program FOCUSED.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I’m joined by my FOCUSED client Michael Johnson, who shares his ADHD journey that led him to being coached and now becoming a coach himself.

I love our conversation because Michael is so open and honest about his weaknesses and the self-discovery that led to him evolving into a much more self-aware and balanced person today. 

If you've struggled with horrible self-talk, disordered eating, and difficult relationships, this episode is going to be right up your alley. 

In case you haven’t had enough of ME talking about emotional regulation, Michael discusses from a client perspective why he truly believes it is the number one skill for adults with ADHD to learn. 

Do you ever feel that your ADHD symptoms aren’t actually the biggest problem, but instead it’s the layers of self-judgment and blame that you pile on top of yourself after noticing the symptom holding you back?

Have your lack of emotional regulation skills led to you self-soothing in unhealthy ways that keep you in a bad cycle?

Listen, share with friends and look into being coached by Michael at onethoughtcoach.com. You can find Michael on Instagram @michaelgarrettjohnson

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Medication is great. Therapy is powerful. But is your life ADHD-friendly?

In this episode, we explore how your environment can make or break your progress — and share genius, real-life strategies from adults with ADHD who’ve been there. From food hacks and med routines to productivity tricks and travel tips, this episode is loaded with ADHD-tested, chaos-reducing gold.

You’ll leave inspired to set up your life in a way that actually works for your brain. No shame. No shoulds. Just smart, gentle support.

Episode Resources:

Relationships Survey is Closed.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

AG 1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maggie Patterson is a vocal advocate for humane business practices rooted in respect, empathy and trust. She’s the host of the BS-Free Service Business podcast, and the co-host of Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business.

In this episode we are SPILLING ALL THE TEA. Maggie and I talk about: 

Self help, cults, and MLMS

Scammy online business practices

Mystery offers

"If I can do it you can do it"

Steven Hassan's BITE model of culty practices

How to avoid getting scammed

How to be ethical (what does it even mean)

Maggie is the editorial director at Scoop Studios and the creator of BS-Free Business. With two decades of experience, Maggie has spent her entire career in client services and has been a successful entrepreneur for over 15 years. 

Maggie works with service business and agency owners to build bs-free businesses that put trust first in everything they do. 

To get in touch with Maggie, you can check out the following links: 

• BS-Free Business
• BS-Free Service Business Show
• Duped: the Dark Side of Online Business Podcast

AG1 Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m very pleased to be joined by Kimberley Quinlan in this episode. Kimberley is a licensed marriage and family therapist, specializing in anxiety, OCD and related disorders. Some of you with ADHD can identify with having additional neurodivergent diagnoses, such as OCD, and you may have experienced some confusion in differentiating between the two.

As children, it was hard enough being diagnosed with ADHD and having a full understanding of what it meant for ourselves and for our parents. Now add in other disorders, and you can imagine how difficult and frustrating it can be for those who have been misdiagnosed, misunderstood and overlooked.

I myself have a child who’s been diagnosed with OCD and ADHD, with the former likely causing the latter. I’m grateful to Kimberley for allowing me to share a bit of my own regrets as a parent coming to a good place of understanding my child in order to get him the support he needed.

There are so many great takeaways from this episode. But the biggest ones I’m walking away with are that validation and reassurance are everything. If you’ve been considering an evaluation for yourself or a loved one, please look into it. It’s a vulnerable process, but intaking the right information can be so powerful.

You can find Kimberley at kimberleyquinlan-lmft.com. If you are looking for some support as an adult with ADHD, come join my group coaching program FOCUSED, where we lift each other up and learn from our collective neurodivergent journeys. 

Resources:

International OCD Foundation

CBT School

Podcast: Your Anxiety Toolkit - Anxiety & OCD Strategies for Everyday 

The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD: Lean into Your Fear, Manage Difficult Emotions, and Focus On Recovery

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode is a rare treat as I chat with a current FOCUSED client of mine, Jason Rowlett, @JDouglasRowlett who shares his experience of identifying and leaving a toxic work environment.

I decided to do an episode with Jason on this topic as I watched him navigate this situation in real-time and recognized this as something that likely happens to many adults with ADHD.

While ADHD can certainly manifest in our work performance and social behavior, we shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells at all times, worried about inconveniencing or frustrating our colleagues. Sometimes our work environments are just bad, and it has nothing to do with us and nothing to do with ADHD. But we often get accustomed to accepting blame and believing we’re the problem if we had a history of being treated this way as children or young people with ADHD. This can cloud our judgment and cause us to stay in toxic situations longer than we should.

Jason and I discuss in depth what toxic workplaces look and feel like. Are you receiving misassigned blame and spending significant time analyzing situations to understand where things went wrong and why you were treated negatively? Are you receiving constructive criticism or personal put-downs?

Have a listen, share with a friend, and if you’d like to see what Jason’s up to now, you can find his podcast and other content HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Minaa B. is a licensed social worker, writer, and author of Owning Our Struggles. She is also the founder of Minaa B. Consulting, a mental health consulting practice that helps organizations develop psychological safety and promote mental health inclusivity. 

In this heartfelt episode, Kristen and Minaa discuss:

Psychological safety in the workplace

Bullying

Systematic traumas that we face daily 

The nuance of boundaries in relationships

Recognizing when you ARE the problem

Healing through community

Minaa is an expert in her field, serving on the Mental Health Advisory Committee for Wondermind, a mental fitness company co-founded by Selena Gomez. She has been featured in various media outlets, such as Red Table Talk, Peace of Mind With Taraji, BBC, and Essence. Minaa resides in New York City, and you can learn more about her by visiting www.minaab.com.

Minaa's book Owning Our Struggles can be Pre-Ordered HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My regular listeners will know that I’ve been talking about my ADHD coaching certification program for the past couple of weeks. But this episode was so much fun because I had the pleasure of interviewing four of my trained coaches from the last term.

The roll call includes:

Jacoba Lilius - a professor of organizational psychology that plans to pair coaching with academia. Find Jacoba on LinkedIn.

Laura Gaynon - a professional musician and teacher with strong intuition and a holistic approach to coaching others to honor who they are. You can find Laura on Instagram.

Emily Weinberg - a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom that greatly benefitted from FOCUSED coaching and realized that she had the skills and the time to commit to a new career. Find Emily at ADHDwithemily.com

Steev Hodgson - is a software sales professional who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life and is now passionate about helping others. Find Steev at damnhealthydose.com. 

One thing that all of these new coaches have in common is being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. After receiving support through my adult group coaching program FOCUSED, they answered the call to become coaches themselves and successfully passed my certification training!

If you’re considering applying to this program, or are considering joining FOCUSED, this is a great episode to listen to in order to get a clear and honest picture of what both experiences are really like.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everything and everyone has a limited capacity.

The world may try to tell us how much we should be able to handle and accomplish throughout the day. But, friend, no one can determine that except you.

If you are more concerned about maintaining your phone’s battery charge than your own, it’s time to focus on accepting the limits of your capacity.

If you want to avoid burnout and feel a sense of balanced accomplishment everyday, you won’t get there by pushing yourself to do more. 

In this week’s episode, I share how under-parenting could have caused those of us with ADHD to ignore our limitations. You’ll learn about the chronic pain “spoon theory” and how to know where to draw the line for yourself. 

Your capacity level is as unique as your fingerprint, and the sooner we can learn about it, the sooner we can manage our own expectations and channel our limited energy to where it’s needed the most.

If you’re a member of my group coaching program FOCUSED and are feeling drawn to become a coach like me to help others, check out and apply to my FOCUSED ADHD Coach Certification training.

Come hang out with my on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kai, a first-generation Chinese-Canadian and visionary Healing Transformation Coach, is the innovative mind behind Boundaries to Freedom, dedicated to empowering codependent adults on their journey towards emotional maturity.

In this warm and vulnerable conversation, Kai and I chat about the following topics:

Growing up as a Chinese immigrant

Boundaries, enmeshment, and codependency

Taking time off to heal

How to engage with old relationships in a new way

When empowering clients becomes an ethical dilemma

Finishing what you started

More about Kai...

As a digital nomad currently residing in Thailand, Kai harnesses his diverse medical, personal development, and spiritual expertise to create transformative experiences for those raised by emotionally immature parents. His approach, a harmonious blend of holistic and practical methodologies, aims to heal and transform the mind, body, emotions, and spirit.

An influential figure with over 500,000 followers across Instagram (@hicoachkai) and TikTok, Kai's impact reaches far and wide, resonating with those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. He offers online coaching (both 1:1 and Support Group), engaging courses, and regularly hosts insightful virtual events focused on establishing healthy boundaries, healing, improving interpersonal dynamics, and emotional growth. Through his passion and dedication, Kai continues to be a beacon of light and guidance for individuals on their path to self-discovery, healing, and lasting change that ripples through future generations.

For more information, please visit https://beacons.ai/hicoachkai

AG1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you been considering a career change? Thinking about becoming an ADHD coach like me? Well, this episode is for you!

What this is not: a perfect fantasy with puppies, rainbows and unicorns.

What this is: my raw and honest truth about the pros and cons of the business.

It seems like having ADHD and/or becoming a life coach is very “trendy” right now. While it’s exciting to see growth and societal acceptance in these areas, this can also bring in some shady characters who see an opportunity to “get rich quick” with little to no accreditation or accountability.

The reality is that this industry is largely unregulated, held accountable only by consumers who are quickly learning who to trust and who to #unfollow. 

Maybe you have been feeling for a while that this is something you're passionate about and want to consider as a profession. If so, then may I encourage you to seek out a credible, certified, ethical program that’s trauma-informed and specifically geared toward people with ADHD? I’m proud to say I’ve worked very hard to develop a training program for prospective ADHD coaches with a strong emotional regulation focus and an emphasis on positive thinking. There are no pre-recorded videos here. This is a high-touch, high-accountability training, exclusively reserved for members of FOCUSED only. That’s how serious I am about investing in the most dedicated people. 

Come take a look at ihaveadhd.com/coach and reach out if you’re interested in applying. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sleep makes the world go round. So why can’t we ever seem to get enough of it? This week, I’m re-releasing an older episode with a bit more introductory commentary on how ADHD interrupts regular sleep patterns.

This is such an important topic to not only chat about but do research on. Did you know there is a surprisingly decent amount of research on Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) in people with ADHD?

In this episode, I share everything I’ve learned about DSPS, circadian rhythm, and what feels like a normal sleep pattern when you have ADHD. I’ve recently been experiencing old feelings of stress and hypervigilance at bedtime, and it’s made me realize that this is something we should all be cognizant of. 

Near the end of the episode, I share my own simple tips and tricks I’ve used to adhere to a neurotypical sleep schedule, and I encourage you to talk to your doctor about what might help you out too!

Don’t let yourself feel ashamed about going to sleep late and rising later. In my group coaching program FOCUSED, you’ll learn that you’re in good company and definitely not alone! 

Research References:

StanfordHealthCare.org - DSPS

The Sleep Foundation’s definition of Circadian Rhythm

APSARD - Sandra Kooij

Sage Medical Journal online - ADHD connection to DSPS

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whitney Goodman, LMFT, is the radically honest psychotherapist behind the hugely popular Instagram account @sitwithwhit, author, and the owner of The Collaborative Counseling Center, a virtual therapy practice in Florida. 

In this beautiful conversation, Whitney and I discuss the following topics:

• How to define "trauma" (spoiler, it's hard)
• Living in fantasy vs. reality
• Toxic positivity
• Healing across generations
• Why some people are more open to being held accountable than others
• Self trust
• Creating a strong family narrative

More about Whitney Goodman...

Whitney's debut book (released February 2022), TOXIC POSITIVITY: KEEPING IT REAL IN A WORLD OBSESSED WITH BEING HAPPY, shows readers how to shift the goal from being happy to being authentic in order to live fully. 

Whitney has her own column in Psychology Today and has been featured in dozens of domestic and international publications, including The New York Times, Teen Vogue, NY Magazine, and Good Morning America. For more information, please visit www.sitwithwhit.com.

AG1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This one’s for the ADHDers and the people who love them.

In today’s episode, I do the heavy lifting of explaining ADHD—what it is, why it matters, and what it really feels like to live with it—so you don’t have to.

If you’ve ever wished your partner, parent, friend, or co-worker just got it, this is the episode to send them.

Inside:

Why ADHD is so hard to explain (even for ADHDers)

The top 3 things people with ADHD wish their loved ones knew

The top 3 things they need from you

What it means when someone with ADHD shares this episode with you

Whether you’re an ADHDer or a neurotypical ally, this episode is all about building bridges, deepening connection, and fostering real, loving understanding.

🎧 Press play, then pass it on.

🧠 Research of the Week: www.ihaveadhd.com/research

📞 Voicemail shoutouts included!

This Episode's Resources:  

Relationships Survey is closed.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

Cozy Earth

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maybe I’m Not The Problem is a new series of the I Have ADHD Podcast where I interview therapists, trauma-informed coaches, and psychologists about how our past informs our present and how maybe WE (ADHDers) are not the problem. 

People with ADHD are ripe for the picking when it comes to abuse because we are programmed from birth to believe that there’s something wrong with us…that we are flawed…and we must fix ourselves to fit into society’s and our family’s box. 

On Maybe I’m Not the Problem, my guests and I will discuss how our upbringing impacts us, how trauma impacts us, how covert abuse impacts us, how being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world impacts us, and that maybe…just maybe…WE ARE NOT ALWAYS THE PROBLEM.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tackling big milestones like attending university, moving out on your own or writing a book can be both exhilarating and intimidating. For those of us with ADHD, we can feel frozen in indecision as to how to begin such an endeavor.

In this week’s episode, I offer crucial steps to guide you through these ventures, and then you can listen in on one of my coaching sessions as I do this process with someone contemplating graduate school.

As part of the process, I emphasize the importance of being kind to yourself, setting realistic time parameters to not feel overwhelmed, and how celebrating every little win along the way!

Speaking of big milestones, I can’t wait to celebrate the launch of a new podcast series, which comes out on July 6! Stay tuned for the announcement, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.

Came hang out with me on Instagram HERE!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Those of us with ADHD, and even those who don’t have it, can attest to times when we aren’t sure how to feel and we argue with ourselves in our heads. Problem-solving is an essential adult function, but it can be really hard at times and we can get frozen in our indecision.

This week’s episode is a recorded coaching session from FOCUSED, including three women who are all doubting themselves and struggling to stay regulated emotionally and mentally. There are endless reasons why any of us can feel this way, and it’s important to know that you’re not alone!

Tune in to this session as we navigate the internal thoughts of these strong, independent women who are learning how to stay motivated and grounded. If you’re inspired by this FOCUSED session, I hope you’ll take advantage of my current promo! Now through Saturday, July 1, 2023, get 25% off your first month’s membership of my group coaching program by using code FOCUSED25.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you do when you realize that you’ve overscheduled yourself? I love saying ‘yes’ to things, but I can often find myself overburdened with too much on my list. Not surprisingly, this just happened to me, so I decided to process through it and turn it into a podcast episode to help those of you with ADHD that do this too! 

There have been so many new and exciting things popping up in my schedule lately: the kids are now on summer break, we’re going on vacation, I’m completing another coaching certification program, and…I’m starting a second podcast! All of these things are good, but it’s piled up to the point that I knew I needed to make some changes.

Listen in as I share 6 steps to navigate overscheduling to get back to a healthy, grounded place within your means. It starts with listening to your body mentally and physically and validating the feelings of stress and tension that are hinting that you’ve overextended yourself. 

I’m here to help you achieve without burning out, so come check out my group coaching program FOCUSED to start filtering through what matters most in your day to day. Plus, mark July 6th on your calendar for the launch of my second podcast!

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE! 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today I have a special episode looking at two potentially different life struggles - addiction and ADHD - and how the road to recovery and stability can look very similar. Joining me is Scott Kiloby, entrepreneur, addiction recovery author, and enlightenment coach.

Together we discuss how trauma and emotional repression can create addictive tendencies and chaotic minds. Scott is an expert on mindfulness and the importance of drawing suppressed feelings forward into consciousness in order to process and heal from them.

A few of the incredible similarities between Scott and me include playing the peacekeeping people-pleaser in the family, battling shame and discomfort in our own skin, and struggling with emotional regulation. It just goes to show that we as humans are all battling something; but through connection with each other, empathy, understanding, and breakthrough are possible. 

If there’s one thing I tend to repeat over and over, it’s the importance of doing trauma work. Now that I am a certified, trauma-informed coach, I invite you to check out my group coaching program FOCUSED to start the healing process.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

You can find out more about Scott Kiloby’s work at Kiloby.com or on YouTube @ScottKiloby01.

AG1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s episode is specifically for ADHD entrepreneurs trying to do everything on their own. I’ve got my bestie Hillary with me, from HandsOn OBM, to convince you why hiring an assistant could be the best thing for you and your business.

Through our 16 years of friendship, we’ve come to understand why we work so well together. We list our differing personality traits that keep us balanced, and I enjoy bragging about what makes Hillary such an incredible support system for me.

Not all assistants are the same, though, and we discuss at length how to find one that can work well with ADHDers. Perhaps the biggest hurdle to overcome is the shame you may have in admitting you need help in the first place.

Whether you start with a group coaching program like FOCUSED or dive straight into hiring a dedicated assistant, we encourage you to take the leap to get support so that you can stay focused on growing that empire of yours!

You can find Hillary on Instagram @va.obm.services or on her website, https://handsonobm.com/ 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Self-care may be a trending topic, but it can be hard as adults with ADHD to regularly take care of ourselves mentally and physically. 

In this episode, I’m diving into everything from the privilege of self-care that not everyone has available to them, forms of free and cost-associated self-care, and how to determine if your self-care is actually just avoidance.

You may think you don’t have the capacity to consider self-care, but have you considered options like gratitude journaling, snuggling a pet, or doing a cold plunge/ice bath?

Some of us didn’t grow up with self-care being a priority, and it can be challenging to give ourselves permission to seek support. I truly hope you can come to a place of knowing your worth and take small steps toward protecting your mental and physical well-being. 

If you have the opportunity to consider paid self-care, my group coaching program FOCUSED is a wonderful method of receiving encouragement and support.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE!

AG1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you feel like you received an ADHD diagnosis late in life? There is no clinical definition of “late.” Age plays no part in it. It is entirely based on your perception. If this is you, there can be a range of emotions and new stages of growth that you experience after gaining clarity in this area.

You may have heard of the five stages of grief. Well, this episode covers the four stages, or emotions, of a late ADHD diagnosis. These include relief, confusion, grief, and restructuring.

You could experience these in different orders and come back to some more than once. If you take nothing else away from this episode, please understand that however you feel is valid.

No matter your age or season in life, it is a privilege to receive an actual diagnosis to better understand and embrace the fullness of who you are.

If you are looking for a place to get started discovering this new side of you, come join my group coaching program FOCUSED.

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m going back to ADHD basics today by addressing how to cut down on the chaos of our everyday lives. As adults with ADHD, we know this is a regular problem for us. We may have an epiphany and simplify for a while, but inevitably, things pile up again and again and again.

Why do we find ourselves in this cycle? Shouldn’t we know the answer by now to avoid so much stress? In this podcast episode, I dive into the neurodivergent struggles that influence us to say ‘yes’ too often. Unsurprisingly, it’s a long list! But hopefully it helps you feel seen and understood, instead of causing you to feel shame and guilt that the neurotypical world has often tried to place on us.

Then comes the hard part - taking action to address and reduce the chaos. It may bring some pain, grief and a lot of FOMO, but I promise you’ll also finally be able to experience peace, rest, clarity and purpose.

You don’t have to do this alone, though. If you join my group coaching program FOCUSED, you’ll receive support from peers going through the same thing and the training to get better at setting good boundaries.

Hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever felt emotionally hungover? I think all of us adults experience this semi-regularly, especially if you have ADHD. When you have a full life of responsibilities, it can be challenging managing your energy and stewarding your capacity.

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I am sharing a recording of my group coaching program FOCUSED, where I chat with three people who feel overwhelmed.

Adult #1 is dealing with the grief of losing a loved one and feeling unable to move forward with their own life. Could perfectionism and excuses be keeping her from taking any action? Could the answer lie in starting small and simple? 

Adult #2 is physically, mentally and emotionally carrying burdens for herself, her family and her community. How does she decipher what her priorities are so she can do it all? Should she even be the one to do it all? 

Adult #3 feels like she is cheating her students by waiting til the last minute to create lesson plans. But if everyone is successfully learning and leaving positive feedback, is there even a problem to worry about?

I hope you can take something from these coaching sessions and apply it to your own life to feel more regulated and in balance.

Hang out with me on Instagram HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey ADHDer, summer isn’t over over… and you haven’t wasted it. In this gentle, reflective episode, we’re talking about the emotional soup of August: regret over what didn’t get done, sadness that the magic is fading, dread of back-to-school chaos, and the last-minute urgency to squeeze it all in.

If you're feeling a swirl of emotions right now, this episode is your soft place to land.

We’ll:

Reflect on what actually did happen this summer (yes, even the tiny wins!)

Laugh together over my annual last-minute school supply scramble

Talk about why transitions feel so hard for ADHD brains

Look ahead to fall with intention, not panic

ADHD TIP: Your brain may want to fixate on what you didn’t do. But let’s pause and name what you did. Because it matters. You’re not behind. You’re not doing life wrong. You’re a beautifully wired human doing your best. Let’s mark this transition with grace, not guilt.

How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health

Associations Between Exposure to Nature and Health

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

AG 1 by Athletic Greens

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s my birthday week! I love birthdays, getting older, and celebrating life and growth. So for this special birthday episode, I’m sharing a comprehensive list of the books that have changed my life and the reasons why.

Books that have changed my life:

ADHD-focused:

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, by Dr. Russell Barkley 

Rethinking Adult ADHD, by Dr. Russ Ramsay

Delivered From Distraction, by Dr. Ned Hallowell

Personal Growth:

Essentialism, by Greg Mckeown

Effortless, by Greg Mckeown 

Atomic Habits, by James Clear

Atlas of the Heart, by Brene Brown

Loving What Is, by Byron Katie

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, by Dr. Lindsay Gibson

Recovering From Emotionally Immature Parents, by Dr. Lindsay Gibson

Boundaries:

Boundaries, by Dr. John Townsend and Dr. Henry Cloud

Set Boundaries, Find Peace, by Nedra Glover Tawwab

Necessary Endings, by Dr. Henry Cloud

Trauma:

The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk

What Happened to You, by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

Was It Even Abuse, by Emma Rose Byham

Healthy Spirituality:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Peter Scazzero

Honorable Mentions:

A World Without Email, by Cal Newport

Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown

Good to Great, by Jim Collins

I’m also excited to announce that I am getting my trauma-informed coaching certification, which has been a major goal for me. If you aren’t already a part of my group coaching program FOCUSED, it’s a great time to join! Lastly, if you’d like to get me a little something for my birthday…*wink wink*...it would mean the world if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Thank you all. I hope you enjoy these books!

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I believe I have the best Mother’s Day gift ever for adult women with ADHD! There is a new study revealing that there is no connection to children developing neurological conditions or physical impairments whose mothers took ADHD medication when pregnant.

This is huge news! Please see below for links to this study and two additional supporting articles. 

This episode is all about prioritizing your needs for mental and physical wellness. You deserve nurturing as much as your baby. There are enough pressures in this world on pregnant women and mothers, and I’m here to tell you that YOU MATTER TOO.

Medication can and should be considered for pregnant women with ADHD that benefit from it. At the end of the day, the decision is yours. The responsibility to do the research and talk to your doctor is yours. But I’m so happy to see actual research out in the world today in support of ADHD medication for mamas that could really need it.

You don’t have to go through this season alone. My group coaching program FOCUSED is filled with women, parents and adults with all kinds of life experiences ready to welcome you in our community with open arms. Come check us out!

• Pregnant Women with ADHD Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief - Mt Sinai Health System
• Pregnant Women with ADHD Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief - AARHUS University
• In utero exposure to ADHD medication and long-term offspring outcomes

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The last episode of the rejection series is a good one on how to respond to and soothe the pain from rejection. Like eating something super cold or hot with sensitive teeth, adults with ADHD tend to react more strongly to rejection than others. Due to repeated rejection, we’ve developed maladaptive coping mechanisms that do not benefit us in the long-run. 

Avoidance, people-pleasing and perfectionism are responses that many of us identify with as a way of limiting the amount of rejection in our lives. These serve us in the short-term, but they limit our growth potential and can be downright emotionally exhausting. These three coping mechanisms can be replaced with productive strategies, however, which I have double the options for! 

I even offer a free course on addressing perfectionism at ihaveadhd.com/perfect.  

The last, and perhaps the most important, of the productive strategies is to surround yourself with safe people. If you’re struggling with finding a strong, encouraging community, come join my group coaching program FOCUSED with similar adults working on becoming their best regulated selves.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.